Daed passed her the second folded check. “It’s also time Elam and Beckie paid a little rent on that house you inherited. Not much, mind you, but say a hundred and fifty dollars a month?”
“That sounds great.” She opened the check. It was signed by Elam and was for … five thousand dollars. She almost choked. “Back rent?”
“Ya.”
“Wow. I should’ve come home sooner.”
Her Mamm stopped shelling peas. “I wish you had. He held his ground, not allowing us to write or visit you so you’d miss us and want to come home, and all the while he’s been a grizzly bear to live with.”
“Susie Mae, do you have to tell everything you know?” Daed asked Mamm.
“It’s true,” she said.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t.” Daed rubbed the back of Sylvia’s neck, silently letting her know that he loved her. “Later on we’ll figure out something about your portion of the farm. Rent it from you. Pay dividends. Buy it. Something.”
Too excited to contain herself, Sylvia wrapped her arms around him. “Denki.”
Her father held her. She knew he didn’t want to let her choose her own path, yet he’d given her the funds to do just that. She rose and embraced her Mamm before returning to the porch swing. She rubbed the checks between her fingers. This money would keep Aaron from owing so much on the appliance store. Then he’d have an easier time meeting the monthly bills. That always made life more pleasant.
Or he might want to use it to pay off the extra loans on his parents’ farm so it’d be easier to sell.
She couldn’t wait to see him, but she had so much she needed to tell him that she wasn’t sure what to say first or how to say it.
Gratefulness and relief filled her. Aaron had been right—she’d asked God to forgive her, and He had.
Today, as she reaped a harvest of grace, she felt forgiven. While sitting on the porch swing, gently swaying back and forth with her Daed beside her, waiting to return to Aaron and make things right, her heart cried thank you to God time and again. She was forgiven.
Trevor pulled into the driveway.
“My ride’s here,” Sylvia called out.
A stampede of young women and fast-growing girls hurried to the front yard.
Trevor jumped out and took her overnight bag. “Morning.” He barely glanced at her before putting her suitcase in the trunk.
The next few minutes were a blur of hugs, farewells, and promises to write and visit. Her Daed held her for nearly a minute before opening the car door and saying good-bye.
She waved out the window to her family until she could no longer see them. Then she turned toward Trevor. “So what’s going on at the farm?”
He grimaced and fidgeted with the steering wheel.
“What’s wrong? Did we lose Charlotte or her calf?”
He shook his head. “Mom and calf are fine. It took me awhile to finish the milking and feed the calves, that’s all.”
“You did all that by yourself?”
“Yeah. Michael hurt his back, and … Aaron wasn’t available.”
A nervous chill ran through her. “What does not available mean?”
“Can’t say exactly.” Trevor shook his head.
Disquiet ruffled her insides. “Trevor, don’t do this. Is something wrong?”
“I’m under orders to keep my mouth shut, but Michael will tell you everything you need to know.”
Nausea rolled through her. She’d been unfair to Aaron and then walked off. Had he left the farm for good and Michael didn’t want Trevor telling her? Was it possible Aaron had started drinking again? There’d certainly been enough stress on him lately to tempt him. They rode in silence, but Trevor seemed anxious. He pulled into the driveway.
“Go on up to the main house,” she said.
“Let’s drop your stuff off first.” He turned onto the small lane that went to her cabin. She waited in the car while he stopped, got out her suitcase, and set it on the porch.
A stranger came around the corner of her house, spotted her, and retreated. She got out of the car and called to him. “Excuse me.”
The man didn’t return, but she heard a noise inside her cabin. She hurried up the steps and ran in. There were muddy shoe prints everywhere.
“Hello?” She followed the sound of dripping water and walked to her bathroom. New tile. New cabinets. New sink. Same beautiful old tub.
She ran her hand along the teal and beige tile. “Trevor?” She turned toward the hallway. “Tre—”
She gasped. Aaron stood there, so tall and strong.
“Aaron!” She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so, so sorry.”
He held her. “Me too.”
“I was so scared. Trevor wouldn’t tell me anything.”
“I wanted to surprise you. Do you like it?”
“Yes, of course.” She took a deep breath before letting him go. “I have something for you.” She pulled the folded checks out of her hidden apron pocket and placed them in the palm of his hand. “This is to go toward your purchase of the appliance store.”
He opened them. “Where … But …”
“It’s back pay and back rent. My Daed wanted me to stay, but I told him I had to go home, and that home is wherever you are.”
Aaron’s eyes grew large. “I … I wasn’t expecting.” He put his arms around her. “I got my money back from Leo, all but a thousand dollars, and he’s put the store up for sale again.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I realized that this farm means too much to me to give it up and walk away. It’s home.”
“But …”
“So much happened while you were gone. Daed saved my life.”
“He did? How?”
“It’s quite a story. I’ll tell you all about it later. But after he rescued me, we talked. He opened up and apologized, and I could feel how deep his sorrow ran. Like mine did after I got sober.”
“I’m so glad.” Tears stung her eyes. “But it doesn’t mean we have to stay here. I don’t care where we live, as long as we’re together.”
“You really missed me.” He cradled her face, looking a little baffled by that realization.
“I did.”
“Daed was afraid that once you got to Path Valley, you’d have to stay there. I told him you’d be back, that nobody could keep you from this farm.”
“Nothing and nobody could keep me from you.”
His hands were warm on the sides of her neck as his thumbs caressed her face. “I want to stay here. Even before your money, we had enough to revamp and start fresh. If you want to add yours, we can—”
She placed her fingers over his lips, stopping him from saying anything else. “Forget the farm, Aaron. Be here with me, just us and nothing else.”
He drew her close. “Sylvi, will you marry me?”
She leaned in, her lips inches from his. “You know I will.”
Epilogue
At the edge of the yard, Cara paused under a canopy of golden leaves, soaking in the remnants of her wedding. Her day had begun at sunrise. Now stars twinkled. The cool October air smelled delicious and earthy. Conversations and laughter carried on the breeze as the last of the wedding guests departed in their horse-drawn carriages, leaving only family and the closest of friends.
Nine hours ago, under crystal blue skies, Ephraim had walked her down the aisle between rows of borrowed chairs set up in his Daed’s backyard. Before the bishop they vowed their lives to each other. Ephraim said it was the first outdoor Amish wedding he’d ever heard of, but the church leaders allowed it, and it couldn’t have been a more gorgeous day.
During the feast afterward, they sat at the corner of the bride-and-groom table with the singles of the community. By tradition she and Ephraim couldn’t share a table with just their closest friends, but they had plans for tonight that would make up for that.
She prayed a silent thank-you for the blessing of friends who had become so important to her a
nd Lori. In many ways they had saved her as much as Ephraim had. It was becoming apparent to her that the strength to live Plain came from God, a supportive family, and dedicated ministers. Some things were worth every sacrifice it took to have them—and for her, this life was one of them.
She and Ephraim would carry memories of this day into their future together. There were many Amish wedding traditions, revelations to her, that she’d always hold dear—like the groom walking the bride down the aisle and loved ones sharing a day of feasting and singing with them.
There were also Amish traditions she’d never get fully used to, like the bride and groom cleaning up after their own wedding. As the festivities wound down, Ephraim helped the men move furniture back in place and load a wagon with benches. She worked with a group of women, helping to wash and dry dishes. But Cara loved having and being part of a safety net. She had people who’d always be there, no matter what. And they had her.
Ephraim’s parents would head for bed as soon as their brood was asleep for the night. In a few minutes the newlyweds would go to Ephraim’s house with their friends for a more intimate time of playing games, singing, and eating. When she’d learned that Ephraim and she couldn’t have their closest friends at the wedding table, he came up with the idea of having a get-together after everyone else went home. He said that he’d braced himself for the possibility of not being able to marry her for another year or two. He had no qualms postponing their alone time for a few hours with good friends.
Ephraim came out the front door of his Daed’s home, smiling. “There you are.”
She’d seen him go in and out of that house many times in the last week. There’d been so much to do to prepare for their wedding that Lori and she had moved from Hope Crossing into Ephraim’s place a week ago, and he’d been staying in the Mast home. His parents had welcomed her and treated Lori as if she had always been one of their grandchildren.
“Daed,” Lori hollered.
Ephraim turned. Their daughter stood in the doorway of the Mast home, wearing her nightgown. Ephraim’s stepmother, Becca, who’d been trying to get her children and Lori settled for the night, stood behind her.
He clapped his hands and opened his arms. That was all the encouragement Lori needed. She ran barefoot across the lawn.
Lori would spend the night with Ephraim’s parents. Tomorrow, after they finished cleaning up from today’s ceremony, she’d return with Deborah and Ada to Hope Crossing. Lori was enjoying being a niece to all of Ephraim’s sisters, even the ones younger than she was.
She jumped into his arms. “Daed.” Lori hugged him. “My Daed.”
Cara suppressed laughter. Since the wedding ceremony that morning, her daughter had peppered nearly every sentence to Ephraim with Daed. Having spent most of her life without a father, Lori used the name as if she were applying salve to her heart.
“Will you tuck me in, Daed?”
“I will. But then you have to stay in bed and go to sleep. It’s very late for little girls.” He touched the end of her nose.
While still in Ephraim’s arms, Lori reached out and hugged her mom. “Good night.”
“Good night, Lorabean.” Cara kissed her soft cheek. “You be good for Mammi Becca.”
“Okay, Mom. Me and Daed’s sisters are gonna play dolls tomorrow!”
Ephraim chuckled as he kissed Cara on the cheek. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t move.”
“Would you bring my sweater when you come? I left it near the wood stove.”
“Absolutely.” He hurried toward the house, making Lori giggle with delight.
Cara waved at a carriage of folks leaving Mast property and heading home. Most of those who’d stayed this late had helped set up, cook, serve, and clean. When any of them had a family member marry, she and Ephraim would return the favor. The Amish cycle of service and gratitude had begun for her.
Her dad came across the yard toward her. He’d been extremely helpful this week, doing whatever Ephraim or she needed to prepare for today. “Hey, girl, you look cold.”
“Ephraim’s bringing me a sweater as soon as he tucks Lori in.”
“I’m taking the last few Hope Crossing guests home. If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to stay there this time.”
“You’ve made enough trips back and forth today.” She hugged him. “Thanks for everything, Dad.”
“You’re more welcome than you can imagine.” He squeezed her tight. “I’m proud of you.”
“Today wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
“Thanks, Carabean.”
She had never asked him why her mother felt the need to hide her whenever he was drunk. Was he mean, or had her mother wanted to keep her from seeing her father intoxicated? She didn’t know. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t that man anymore, and she wasn’t willing to embarrass or hurt him in any way.
“I’ll see you at the cabinetry shop at ten, day after tomorrow,” Trevor said, “to take you to that hotel you picked out.”
“I sure am looking forward to spending a few honeymoon days at the beach.”
As her dad left, Ephraim strode toward her, carrying her sweater. While walking, he waved to the people in the last buggy headed for home.
She wondered where their friends were. They had served two meals, plus rounds of snacks, for six hundred guests, so tomorrow she and her girlfriends had mounds of laundry to do. The men had to return heavy borrowed items, like serving tables and stacks of dishes, but now it was time to set all thoughts of work aside and go to Ephraim’s.
He held up the sweater. “Here you go.” His smile warmed her so much she almost didn’t need a wrap.
She slipped her arms through the sleeves. The thick black sweater set off the dark purple of her wedding dress. She’d chosen to wear the color of royalty, for she truly felt like a daughter of the King.
The style of her dress was the same as everyday Amish clothes—plain and simple. For the first time in her life, she could have afforded a fashionable wedding dress with delicate fabrics and had a fancy hairstyle, but whether she was Amish or not, those things would never interest her. She was more of a no-frills woman, so that fit in well with her new lifestyle.
Ephraim kissed her forehead. “I can’t believe we’re finally husband and wife.”
She snuggled into his embrace. “It was the best day ever, wasn’t it?”
“I’ve never seen such a celebration.” He ran his hand up and down her back. “And we’re married,” he whispered.
She could feel the intensity of his joy as he held her.
Cara tilted her head back, and Ephraim took her hint. When his lips met hers, he didn’t hold back. As her mind rushed with thoughts of all she had to be thankful for, her heart swelled at the magnitude of her blessings.
Applause grabbed her attention. She pushed back from Ephraim and saw Lena, Grey, Sylvia, Aaron, Deborah, Jonathan, Ada, and Israel—all grinning.
Israel clapped the loudest. “Hmm. I guess I am ready for those lessons on how to give a kiss and make it count.”
Ada gently elbowed him before easing her back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek, then stepped forward. “We really appreciate the invitation to join you tonight,” he said, “but if it’s okay, we’ll go visit Michael and Dora for a bit before calling it a night. Ada will stay with them tonight and be back tomorrow to help you.”
“You sure?” Cara asked.
“Ya. It’s Grey and Lena’s first date night, and she doesn’t need her Daed there. You know?”
“If that’s what you want, we understand.” Ephraim shook his hand, and Cara hugged him and Ada. They walked toward the barn to hitch their rig.
Cara slid her hand into Ephraim’s and shifted her attention. “Where have you girls been?”
Lena glanced up at Grey, who stood directly behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “Oh, we had a little … rearranging to do.”
Sylvia hid her face behind Aaron’s shoulder, but s
he couldn’t conceal her grin.
What had her friends been up to? She narrowed her eyes at Lena. Had the queen of pranks struck again?
Cara looped her arm through Ephraim’s and headed for the house. The other three couples—Lena and Grey, Deborah and Jonathan, and Sylvia and Aaron—walked with them. Cara noticed that all their friends looked as if they were hiding something.
“Okay, spill it. What have you done?” Cara asked.
“Who … us?” Lena asked, feigning innocence.
Once in Ephraim’s yard, Lena glanced up. Cara stopped short, following her eyes and studying the darkened shadows of the tree above her.
When she saw what they’d done, she burst into laughter. “How am I supposed to get all that laundry done now?”
“What’s up?” Ephraim asked.
She pointed. “Our wringer washer!”
Grey nodded at Lena. “She did it.”
“Uh, yeah. Like she could do that all by herself,” Cara said. “And no excuse by you, Mr. Graber, is going to stop me from getting back at both of you at your wedding.”
Grey chuckled. “By all means do your worst.”
Aaron’s laughter blended beautifully with Sylvia’s giggle. “We want in on that action.”
Cara knew that Aaron and Sylvia would have time to help her devise a plan. His creative ideas for transforming their farm, added to Sylvia’s knowledge of milk production, had transformed an uphill battle into an enjoyable living. They’d reduced the size of their herd by half, rebuilt the milking stalls, rented the fields, and used the milk they produced to make A&S Yogurts, a product that would be fully organic within the year. They already had three health-food stores stocking the product.
Both of them would go through instruction classes next summer and join the faith before they could marry next fall. But they didn’t mind the wait. They intended to enjoy the long engagement period by really getting to know each other.
Deborah and Jonathan would marry in January. Ada and Israel were going to marry a couple of weeks before Lena and Grey’s ceremony in mid-February. But Lena and Grey wouldn’t announce their plans to marry until after the first of the year.
The Harvest of Grace Page 30