And she’d been horribly, horribly wrong.
She had a sudden urge to crumple onto the ground and cry. Cry for her broken heart. Cry for her stupidity. Cry for this wonderful man who had come into her life.
He was rescuing her.
The thought didn’t set well. She didn’t want to need rescuing. She wanted to be capable of taking care of herself. And usually, she could. But this? She couldn’t fix this. Nor could she do it alone.
She would be forever, forever grateful to Ethan Miller.
Ethan Miller. Beulah Miller. A shiver ran up her back. Ach, but what would Amy say? What would everyone say?
It didn’t matter. Her baby would have a proper mother and father. That was all that mattered.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Will you quit pacing?” Fiona complained, coming outside to the front porch. “What’s gotten into you, anyway, daughter? Are you expecting someone?”
Beulah stopped marching off her steps and turned to face her mother. “Maybe.”
Fiona’s eyes narrowed. “Is it that cousin of Andrew’s again? You never did explain why you went off with him this morning.”
“I know, Mamm. And jah. It’s Ethan I’m expecting.” Hearing herself say the words out loud made her shudder. What if he didn’t come? What if he was just like Uriah? She’d have some real explaining to do.
“Why is he coming around again?”
“To see me,” Beulah said frankly.
Fiona’s brow rose. “Two times in one day? And coming right up to the porch? Are you courting?”
Beulah wanted to laugh. Courting? They’d skipped that entirely. “Not really,” she muttered.
“Not really? What kind of answer is that?”
“The only kind I can give right now.” Beulah took a huge breath. “All right, Mamm. See? I’ve stopped pacing. Is there something you want me to do for you?”
“I want you to go around to the garden and fetch me a handful of carrots. I’m going to make coleslaw for supper.”
“All right.” Beulah hurried down the steps and around to the back of the house. Please come, please come, please come, she murmured into the air. What time was it, anyway? It must be after three by now. Or was it already four? Please come.
She squatted next to the rows of carrots and pulled five large ones from the dirt. She brushed them off and rose. At that moment, she heard a buggy coming up the drive. She dropped the carrots and ran to the front of the house, and there he was.
“Ethan!” she cried, never so glad to see anyone in her entire life.
He pulled to a stop before the porch. He climbed out and came around to her. “It’s set,” he told her.
“But—how?”
Fiona was coming down the front steps. “Hello, Ethan.”
“Hello. Might I have a word with you and your husband?”
Fiona’s face registered her surprise. “What? Now?”
“If I could.”
Fiona turned to Beulah. “Run to the fields and fetch your father.” She turned back to Ethan. “Come inside. I’ll pour some iced tea.”
Beulah took off for the fields. She spotted her father immediately, back by the west fence. She began running out to him, waving her arms. She knew she was making a display of it, but she couldn’t help herself.
He had come. He’d really come for her.
“Dat!” she called.
Thomas had seen her and was scurrying through the rows of corn to get to her. “What is it, daughter? What’s happened?” His tone was fearful.
She stopped to catch her breath. “I’m sorry. Nothing’s wrong. Mamm wants you at the house.”
He frowned. “And it couldn’t wait?”
“It couldn’t wait.”
He headed toward the house, and she scurried to keep up. He entered through the side door. She followed, smoothing her hair beneath her kapp. Ethan was seated at the dining table with her mother. He stood up when Thomas entered the room.
“Fiona?” Thomas said. He nodded to Ethan. “Ethan.”
“Ethan wants to talk to us,” Fiona said, and Beulah could hear the thick curiosity in her voice.
“Oh?”
“Sit down, dear,” she said. “I’ve poured you some iced tea.”
Beulah saw a glass waiting for her, too, but she was too nervous to sit down. Ethan looked at her and smiled, and she instantly felt better.
“I’m here to share my plans,” he said. “Our plans, Beulah’s and mine.”
Both Fiona and Thomas stared at Beulah. She gave them a brave smile.
“I’ve gone to see the bishop. He’s agreed to marry us tomorrow.”
“What?” Fiona cried, jumping to her feet. “What?”
Thomas pulled her back down to the bench. “Tomorrow?” he asked.
“Jah. We didn’t want to waste any time. Beulah and I will go for a marriage license today, and he’ll marry us tomorrow in his front room.”
“He couldn’t possibly have agreed to that,” Fiona insisted, looking again at Beulah.
“In all truth, he wasn’t too pleased. But he has agreed. We’d like it if you two would be there. I know it would mean a lot to Beulah and to me.”
“B-but…” Fiona’s eyes were wide and then Beulah saw it. Saw the exact moment when her mother realized the reason for such a rush. Her shoulders crumpled, and Beulah thought she might topple from the bench. “Nee,” Fiona breathed. “Nee.”
Ethan’s shoulders squared, and he nodded. “It would mean a lot to Beulah and to me,” he repeated.
Thomas wasn’t quite as quick to understand the reason, but it didn’t take him that much longer. He stared at Beulah and she saw his hand tighten around his glass of iced tea.
“I … see,” he muttered, and his voice was an odd mixture of anger and sorrow. He took in a jagged breath and stared at Ethan.
“We’ll live over the buggy shop,” Ethan went on. “It’s right nice now, and I think Beulah will enjoy it.”
Beulah watched Ethan, and her heart swelled with pride and gratitude. She was overcome by the way he was handling this. She never dreamed of anyone with such dignity or … or kindness. She marveled at him.
Fiona clapped her hand over her mouth, and she seemed incapable of uttering another word. Thomas looked stunned, as if he too could think of nothing to say.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Of course, we’ll have Andrew and Amy and Susie attend also. But that will be all. If you like, we can have some kind of community dinner later. Whatever you wish.”
“Wh-what will people say?” Fiona finally managed to eke out.
“Whatever they want to,” Beulah snapped. “It’s always the way, isn’t it?”
Ethan gave her a look, and she shut her mouth. Then she uttered, “I’m sorry, Mamm. Truly.”
“And the … boppli,” her dad managed. “You’re … you’re taking this on?”
Beulah moaned. So, he knew. He’d figured it out. He knew this wasn’t Ethan’s baby at all.
“Of course, I am,” Ethan said. “And I feel strongly about my son or daughter having both parents, married parents.”
Beulah stared at him in wonder. Ethan. Ethan. Ethan. You are amazing.
Fiona straightened her back. “I see.” She looked at Beulah. “I see. Well, then. Thank you, Ethan. What time is the wedding?”
“Two o-clock.”
“We’ll be there,” she said, and her eyes filled with tears.
Thomas stood. He reached out and shook Ethan’s hand. “We’ll be there,” he repeated.
“Thank you.” Ethan stood. “Beulah, will you see me out?”
“J-jah,” she said and hurried after him. He went down the porch steps and stood by his buggy.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
She looked into his eyes and nodded. In truth, she’d never been more sure of anything in her life. “I’m sure.”
“I’ll see you at the bishop’s. I’m going to stop by Andrew�
�s and let them know.”
“I-I should tell Amy.”
“All right. I’ll leave her to you, then.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, wait. We can go right now to get the license, if you want. I don’t know when the Englisch courthouse closes.”
“I-I don’t either. Jah. Let’s go right now. I’ll run in and tell Mamm.”
“I’ll wait for you here.”
Beulah ran inside to find both her parents sitting at the dining table. Her mother didn’t move, and it was obvious she had been crying. Beulah drew in a deep breath.
“We’re going to the courthouse to get a license,” she said.
Thomas nodded, a look of shock imprinted over his face. “All right, then.”
Fiona wiped her tears. “What did Uriah say? When you told him? You did tell him, didn’t you?”
Beulah slumped. “I did tell him,” she whispered.
“And?”
“He … he wasn’t interested,” the words raked up Beulah’s throat.
Thomas jumped up from his chair. “Wasn’t interested? Why, that—”
“Sit down!” Fiona ordered in such a harsh voice, Beulah gaped at her. “Sit down, Thomas.”
Thomas stared at his wife.
“You never liked that boy. Don’t you see? This is the best possible solution. Ethan Miller is a gut lad. He’ll be gut to Beulah and the… the… boppli.”
Thomas’s mouth twisted into a scowl, but he sat down.
“I’m sorry,” whispered Beulah.
Fiona gave her such a look of sorrow that it sliced right into Beulah’s heart. Beulah clasped her hands in front of her. “I need to go,” she said.
“Go,” Fiona responded. “Go.”
Thomas held up his hand. “You’ll… You’ll have to ask forgiveness…”
“I-I have,” Beulah said. “I’ve confessed to Gott. But I want you to know…” For a moment, she almost blurted out hers and Uriah’s secret marriage ceremony, but she caught herself. What was the point? It would only make her look even more foolish in her parents’ eyes, and Beulah didn’t think she could bear it.
“And the bishop?” her father asked.
“I-I don’t know what Ethan told him. All I know is he took care of it…”
Fiona grabbed a napkin from the center of the table and blew her nose. “You’re lucky, daughter.”
“I know,” Beulah answered, knowing the truth of her mother’s words only too well. “I need to go,” she said again.
“Go.” Fiona put her hand over her mouth and looked up at Beulah.
Beulah turned on her heel and left the room.
Chapter Twenty-Two
After getting the marriage license, Beulah had Ethan take her to Amy’s. She went inside while he went to find Andrew.
“Amy?” she called, but she heard her in the kitchen.
“Beulah?” Amy said in surprise when her sister entered the room. “What in the world are you doing here at this hour? Is something wrong? Is Mamm all right? Why aren’t you helping her get supper on the table?”
Beulah took Susie from Amy’s arms and snuggled the little girl. “Are you free tomorrow at two?”
“What? Two? Susie will likely be sleeping…” Amy looked at her. “Why?”
“Ethan and I…” She blew out her breath. “Ethan and I are getting married tomorrow at two, at the bishop’s house.”
Amy’s mouth fell open. “What?”
“We’re getting married. We got the license just now.”
Amy stumbled back until she was leaning heavily on the counter. “You and Ethan?” Emotions played across her face and then her eyes went wide. “You’re with child.” It wasn’t a question—it came out like a horrified statement. Amy’s eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head over and over. “Ach, Beulah.”
Beulah kissed Susie’s cheek. “I am,” was all she said.
“And Uriah?”
“He doesn’t want a child. Doesn’t want to be a father.”
Amy’s face turned red. “He’s despicable,” she cried. “I’m sorry, Beulah, but it’s true! I never liked him. Never, never, never!”
Beulah let her rant. It was a rare thing for Amy to express such intense feelings—especially negative ones. It seemed she only did it when it had something to do with Uriah. Beulah stood still and let her have her say.
“I told you and told you,” she went on. “Ach, but he’s horrible. Good riddance. Good riddance!”
Amy was breathing hard. Susie became alarmed in Beulah’s arms and started twisting and reaching out for Amy. Beulah gave her back.
“I know you told me,” she finally responded. “And you were right. Everyone was right, and I was wrong.”
“But Ethan?” Amy’s forehead crinkled. “How did he get involved? Ach, Beulah, you didn’t ask him to marry you, did you?”
Had she? Beulah couldn’t really remember how it had come to be. All she knew was that he had insisted, and she was glad. Glad. So very glad.
“He wants to marry me,” she said quietly. “I didn’t force him.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” Amy said quickly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” She peered out the window above the sink. “Is he here with you?”
“He’s telling Andrew.”
Amy moved to the kitchen rocker and sank into it, rocking Susie who was now on her lap. “Mamm and Dat? Do they know?”
Beulah nodded.
“How did they take it?”
“Mamm cried.”
“So they know why…”
“They know I’m … pregnant.” Beulah could hardly bring herself to say the word. Hearing it out loud like was still shocking. She didn’t feel any different yet. But it was true. She knew it was true. She supposed she’d have to go see Old Mae.
After she was married.
“So, we’re both expecting bopplis,” Amy said. She was silent for a moment, and then she smiled. “They’ll be close, these two. Close in age. They’ll be the best of friends.”
The best of friends…
Beulah nodded. “Jah.”
“So, Ethan will be my cousin-in-law and my brother-in-law…”
“I s’pose so.”
“Well,” Amy said and stopped rocking. “You will have a fine husband, Beulah. Ethan is a wonderful person, a gut man.”
“I know.”
“A very honorable man. I-I’m glad for you. Truly.”
Beulah knew Amy meant it. She always had everyone’s best interests at heart. Always.
“Thank you, Amy.”
“We’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. I’ll wake Susie early. What can I do to help?”
“I don’t know,” Beulah said, suddenly anxious to leave. She could hardly digest what was happening, let alone think of what needed done tomorrow.
“Will there be a dinner afterward?” Amy asked. “Ach, but of course. You must come here. Everyone can come here. We’ll have a nice meal. The bishop and his family will come, too, of course. Will anyone else be at the wedding?”
Beulah shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. “Nee.”
Amy stood. “Now, get on with you. I have work to do.”
Beulah stepped forward and gave Amy a warm hug. What had she ever done to deserve such a wonderful sister?
Chapter Twenty-Three
The ceremony in the bishop’s front room was stilted. Beulah felt the censuring gaze of the bishop’s wife during the entire affair. So, she focused on Ethan. He stood calmly, confident and steady. She could feel the support radiating from him, wrapping her in its warmth. If she hadn’t loved him before, she felt overwhelmed with something akin to love for him right then. She had never—never in her life—felt such gratitude for any other human being.
She was sure she heard her mother sniffle behind her more than once, but she didn’t turn around to see. There was something surreal about the entire thing, and she felt as if she were in some kind of other world—where this wasn’t really happening
.
But it was.
After the ceremony, they dismissed to Amy’s. The bishop kindly declined coming, and Beulah felt a moment of shame. Was he declining because he was upset with her? Was this his way of punishing her? But she hadn’t been shunned. She wondered again about his conversation with Ethan. What had Ethan said to him? When she’d asked Ethan, he wouldn’t say. Perhaps, she would never know.
Dinner at Amy’s was strained. Only Ethan seemed relaxed, laughing and joking and eating with gusto. Andrew joined him, and Beulah knew Ethan was making an effort to help them all relax. Susie helped. She banged her spoon on her tray and giggled and called out mamm over and over.
Beulah was exhausted. Beyond exhausted.
When she and Ethan finally climbed into his buggy to go home, she nearly wept with relief.
“Thank you,” she told everyone as they were seen off. “Thank you so very much.”
Fiona stood at the side of the buggy, nodding and weeping silently. Beulah reached through the window, and Fiona grasped her hand.
“Blessings on you, daughter,” she murmured.
Beulah bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. Goodness, but she cried easily these days. She wasn’t used to it, and she didn’t like it. Crying made her feel weak and vulnerable—two feelings she was not accustomed to.
“How are you holding up?” Ethan asked as he drove his buggy down the drive and onto the road.
“I’m doing fine,” she said, sniffing.
“I imagine you’re plumb worn out.”
“I am.” She exhaled. “Thank you for everything, Ethan.”
“Nee,” he said, his voice low and thick. “Thank you, Beulah. Thank you for marrying me.”
She looked at him. Was he truly thanking her?
She smiled and nudged him. “You got it backward, Ethan.”
“Nee,” he said, smiling back. “I don’t.”
She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. For the moment, she felt content. Safe almost. And she supposed she was. Her mind went to Uriah, and she opened her eyes. She didn’t want to think about him. It made her angry. Angry at him and at herself. But he was no longer a part of her life.
Yet her thoughts lingered on him until Ethan pulled the buggy into his shop’s parking lot.
The Buggy Shop (Hollybrook Amish Romance) Page 12