Joel glanced to the top of the hill that overlooked his parents’ farm. It wasn’t as exciting as a tree house, but at least he’d had a special place up there. It was too late for any of that, though. Joel’s childhood was over, and Dad was gone.
Joel watched as his aunt Verna visited on the porch with Arlene’s two girls, Martha and Lillian. She was showing them how to master some techniques with a yo-yo. It was typical of Aunt Verna. She’d always had a way with children, even though she’d never had any of her own. Her yearning for children may have drawn her to them. Joel remembered one time when Aunt Verna came to his tenth birthday party and brought him a big jar of marbles. Joel had never expressed a desire to have a marble collection, but watching Aunt Verna get down on her knees to compete with him in a game of marbles got his attention. Surprisingly enough, she was good at it. Joel wondered if Aunt Verna and Dad had played with those same marbles when they were children. Although Joel’s aunt wasn’t a hoarder, like Dad, she did enjoy a few collections. Joel had to admit he liked to hang on to some things, himself. He’d even kept those marbles from long ago and had packed them away in one of his closets.
Glancing at his watch, Joel started for the house to find Kristi. He figured she was visiting with his sisters and could only imagine what they might be talking about.
Wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the topic of their conversation. Sure hope no one has said anything negative about me.
Joel had only made it halfway there when he spotted his ex-girlfriend, Anna Detweiler, heading in his direction. His heart raced as she came closer. Oh, great. I wonder what she wants. If Kristi sees me talking to her, how will I explain? Anna is the last person I want to speak to right now.
CHAPTER 4
Joel was almost to the porch when Anna stepped up to him. “Hello, Joel.”
He paused and turned to look at her, sweat trailing down his forehead. “Oh, hey Anna.”
“I—I wanted to say I’m sorry for your loss.” Anna’s smile quivered. “I also wanted to let you know I’ll be praying for your family.”
Joel noticed Anna was fidgeting with her hands and realized that the situation was as awkward for her as it was him, but he couldn’t be rude. “Thanks, Anna. I appreciate your concern.” He shuffled his feet a few times. It felt strange speaking to her after all these years. Anna had matured and was as pretty as ever. With golden brown hair peeking out from her head covering and clear blue eyes, she was stunning. He noticed the pill-sized mole on her neck. “Uh, so how are you these days?” he stammered.
With her gaze fixed on him, Anna answered, “I’m doing all right. How about you?”
Joel wasn’t about to admit his life was a train wreck, so he forced a smile and lifted his shoulders in a brief shrug. “I’m doin’ great. I have my own business, and it keeps me plenty busy. What about you? Are you still teaching at the school in Farmerstown?”
She nodded. “Unless I get married someday, I’ll probably keep on teaching.”
“I’ll bet my nieces and nephews enjoy having you as their teacher.”
“I enjoy them, too.” Anna’s face turned pink. “Did you hear that my folks moved to Indiana?”
He shook his head. “Why’d they move?”
“They wanted to be close to my sister Nancy. She recently had a baby.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t go with them.”
Her cheek color deepened. “I like my job and the area here.”
“Oh, I see.” Joel shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. He was tempted to ask if Anna had a suitor but thought better of it. It wasn’t his business, and she might think he had regrets about breaking up with her.
“Who’s the auburn-haired woman who came with you today? Is she your wife?”
Anna’s question caused Joel to stumble back a step. “What? Uh, no, but Kristi and I are planning to be married. We haven’t picked a date yet.”
Anna lowered her gaze. “Well, she’s beautiful.”
“Yes. Yes, she is. However, Kristi’s beauty is more than skin-deep.” Joel slid his hands out of his pockets and fiddled with his shirt collar. “She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
Anna lifted her gaze to meet his again and blinked several times. “You once told me the same thing.”
A surge of heat shot up the back of Joel’s neck and spread quickly to his face. His body felt like it was encased in concrete. Anna was right, of course. When they had been courting, he’d often told her how special she was. Back then, she was everything to him. But things changed once Joel made the decision to leave the Amish faith.
Unsure of how to respond to Anna’s statement or whether he should say anything at all, Joel awkwardly touched the side of her elbow. “It’s been nice seeing you again, but I’d better go check on Kristi.” Without waiting for Anna’s response, he hurried up the stairs onto the porch. He was about to open the door when a hand rested on his shoulder. He twisted his head to see who had touched him.
“Well, for goodness’ sake. If it isn’t my favorite nephew.” Aunt Verna held out her arms and gave him a hug.
He patted her back tenderly. “Nice to see you, too.” As Joel hugged his aunt, he couldn’t help noticing how abruptly Anna turned and headed toward the backyard.
“I missed seeing you the last time I was here, but Elsie explained you were busy with work and couldn’t come for a visit.” Aunt Verna motioned for them to take a seat in two empty chairs on the porch.
When Joel sat down to face her, he noticed her sorrowful expression. He felt bad seeing his aunt like this, but he couldn’t tell her that he’d missed seeing her during her last visit because his dad wouldn’t appreciate his presence. After the last encounter they’d had, Joel was sure his dad never wanted to see him again. I needed money from Dad. Joel pinned his arms against his stomach. Sure wish things had played out differently. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten so irritated with him. But he was the one who got mad first, and for no good reason.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here then, but it’s good to see you now, Aunt Verna.” He reached over and patted her hand.
“I know. I only wish it could be under more pleasant circumstances.” She sniffed and dabbed at the tears on her wrinkled cheeks. “I’m gonna miss your daed so much. He was the best bruder. We always had such fun together.”
Joel listened while his aunt reminisced about some of the things she and Dad had done while growing up. Then she told him about her last visit and how excited Dad had been when he was building the tree house. “He did it in memory of your mamm.” Tears trickled down her cheeks as she spoke. “Eustace told me Effie had always wanted a tree house.”
“Really? I didn’t realize that.” He raised his eyebrows. “I don’t recall it ever being mentioned when I was a boy.”
Aunt Verna shook her head. “I don’t think Effie brought it up till you were grown and had left the Amish faith.”
“Oh, I see. After all these years, guess there’s a lot I don’t know.” Joel glanced at the house, wondering why Kristi hadn’t come out. She’d been in there quite a while.
Kristi stood at the kitchen window, watching Joel visit with an elderly woman. But that wasn’t what had initially drawn her attention to the window. She’d seen him talking to the young Amish woman she’d noticed during the graveside service. Kristi wondered, yet again, about the woman and was tempted to ask one of Joel’s sisters who she was, but she didn’t want to appear nosey. Kristi felt vulnerable being around so many people she didn’t know and who spoke a different language when they conversed with one another. Thankfully, Joel’s sisters were warm and friendly and had made her feel welcome. She felt drawn to their quiet demeanor and plain lifestyle. Kristi wondered what it would be like to live a simpler life without the distractions of TV, computers, and cell phones. Not that those things were bad. But most people seemed to focus on electronic gadgets instead of concentrating on developing good relationships with others. Kristi wasn’t sure she could give up all her mode
rn conveniences, but she longed for an unpretentious way of life.
“We believe in putting God first, and our family second,” Doris had told Kristi a few minutes ago, when she’d commented on the caring attitude she’d sensed in the people who had come to the funeral.
Earlier, Kristi had noticed an older man who had his dog with him. When she and Joel ended up sitting on the same bench in the yard after their meal, he’d introduced himself as Eustace’s good friend Henry. He was a real gentleman and even introduced his dog. It seemed strange that someone would bring a dog to this somber occasion, but Henry had kept Peaches in her cage until they’d eaten. Kristi thought the dog was cute, and the cocker spaniel seemed to like her. While Kristi had listened to Henry talk, Peaches had curled up beside her feet. Kristi could tell Henry hurt from losing his best friend, and he’d recalled nothing but good things about Eustace. Henry even had Kristi laughing at times, which felt good on this sobering day. No wonder he’d been Eustace’s good friend.
After talking with Henry, and hearing Arlene mention how many people helped set things up for the service, as well as the meal, was it any wonder these people were so closely knit? Helping out during times of need seemed to be a normal occurrence among the Amish. We English could learn a lesson from them, Kristi thought.
A light tap on her arm caused Kristi to turn away from the window. She’d been so caught up in her thoughts she hadn’t realized Elsie stood beside her.
“You look tired.” Elsie slipped her arm around Kristi’s waist.
Kristi nodded, stifling a yawn. “I am a bit. It’s been a long day. Joel and I got up early so we could be here on time.”
“Would you like to lie down in the guest room awhile?” Arlene offered.
“No. Thank you, though. Joel will probably want to go soon anyway.”
“How about another cup of coffee or a piece of zucchini bread?” Doris motioned to the desserts sitting out on the table. “Feel free to help yourself to anything you like. It looks like there will be lots of leftover chocolate-chip cookies. I’ll get some for you to take home so you and Joel can share.” Doris opened the container on the counter.
Kristi watched her put a paper plate into the bag before placing the treats inside. She’d already sampled one of the soft, chewy cookies and found them to be quite tasty. She was on the verge of pouring a cup of coffee when Joel stepped into the room. “Kristi and I should go, but first I need to ask you a question, Elsie.”
“What is it, Joel?” She looked at him curiously.
“Where’s Dad’s will? We need to find out how much he left us.”
Kristi couldn’t believe Joel would bring up this topic on the day of his father’s funeral when the pain of losing him was so raw. She felt embarrassed. The last thing Joel should be concerned with right now was his father’s will. And why had he been avoiding his family? What was wrong with him, anyway?
“Listen, Joel.” Elsie’s chin quivered as she looked at him with watery eyes. “This is not the time to be discussing Dad’s will. We can talk about it in a week or so, once things have settled down for all of us.”
“That’s right,” Arlene agreed.
Joel’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “We don’t have to discuss the will right now. I just want to know where it is.”
“We don’t want to discuss this today.” Doris spoke up.
“Well, I do!” Joel shouted.
“I couldn’t help overhearing you talking from the other room, and there’s no need for knowing right now,” Elsie’s husband, John, intervened as he entered the kitchen.
Kristi held her breath, watching Joel’s ears turn pink and waiting to hear his response.
Joel strode across the room until he was mere inches from John. The men were about the same height, so they were eye-to-eye and practically nose-to-nose. Kristi feared Joel might be about to punch Elsie’s husband. “Listen to me, John, this is between me and my sisters, so I’d appreciate it if you’d just stay out of it and mind your own business.”
John’s face colored, too, and his brown eyes narrowed through his glasses. “Whatever involves my fraa is my business, plain and simple. Furthermore, if you were truly interested in a relationship with your family, you’d come around more often, and without always asking for money. It seems now you are concerned about money again, or you wouldn’t be worried about Eustace’s will.”
“I’m not worried. I’d just like to know—”
John held up his hand. “We don’t want any trouble here today. Our family is under enough sorrow and strain.”
The room got deathly quiet. Kristi was sure if a feather floated from the sky, she would hear it drop. These last few minutes, watching her fiancé’s expression and listening to the anger in his voice, gave a pretty clear picture of why he hadn’t previously told her about his Amish family. He obviously did not get along with them, and for good reason. From what she’d heard here in this kitchen, the man she loved and hoped to marry cared more about money than he did his own family. Didn’t Joel feel remorse that his father had been killed less than a week ago? Wasn’t he grieving like his siblings were? She clenched her teeth. Maybe I don’t know Joel as well as I thought.
Joel whirled around, his dark brown eyes blazing as he looked at Kristi. “You’d better gather up your things. We’re leaving!” He turned and pointed his finger at Elsie. “I’ll call you in a few days to talk about Dad’s will.”
CHAPTER 5
The first thirty minutes on the road, Joel remained quiet. Kristi did, too. She needed time to process everything—especially the scene when Joel had asked about his father’s will. More like demanded, she thought, glancing at Joel and noting his smooth, expressionless features. Kristi still couldn’t believe the scene she had witnessed. Everyone in the room had looked like codfish, the way their jaws dropped open. How could Joel be so insensitive? Or had he spoken in frustration from grief over losing his father? If so, how can I help Joel or support him when he needs it? He seems to keep things bottled up most of the time.
Earlier, Kristi had wondered how she would be accepted by Joel’s family. She’d hoped they would all like her and had felt comfortable with his sisters, but things had been awkward after Joel’s confrontation with his brother-in-law.
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Kristi reached across the seat and touched Joel’s arm. “Mind if I ask you a question?”
“Sure, ask me anything you want.” His gaze remained fixed on the road.
“Who was the Amish woman you were talking to in the yard before you came in the house to get me?”
“Which Amish woman? I talked to a lot of people today.”
“The younger one with golden-brown hair. You talked to her for a while, before you stepped onto the porch and began a conversation with an older woman.”
“The older woman is my aunt Verna. She’s Dad’s only sibling.”
Kristi sighed as she nudged Joel’s arm. “Okay, but she’s not the woman I was asking about, Joel. It’s the younger one.”
“Uh… Her name is Anna Detweiler.”
“Is she a relative?”
“No, she’s not.”
“Then a friend, perhaps?”
“Yeah, I guess.” A muscle on the side of Joel’s neck quivered.
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Is Anna more than a friend?”
He turned his head and frowned. “What’s with the twenty questions?”
“I haven’t asked you twenty questions. I simply want to know about Anna Detweiler.”
“She was my girlfriend. We were engaged to be married.” Joel glanced out his side window, then back to the road again, avoiding her stare. “Satisfied?”
Kristi flinched, as if he’d thrown a glass of cold water in her face. She wasn’t about to let this matter drop. “No, I am not satisfied, and I don’t appreciate the tone of voice you’re using.”
He let go of the steering wheel and clasped her hand. “Sorry, Kristi. I’m not myself toda
y.”
Although it was a considerate gesture, his touch felt unsympathetic. Usually, Kristi would wrap her fingers around Joel’s, but her hand rested lifeless in his grasp. “I can’t argue with you there. I’m not even sure who the real Joel is anymore.”
“Can’t you understand, Kristi? I’m stressed out. I’ve got a lot on my plate, trying to run a business. Now with my dad dying and my sisters refusing to talk about his will, I’m very upset.”
“I do understand, but as your brother-in-law mentioned, today was not the best time to discuss the will.”
Joel let go of Kristi’s hand. “Didn’t you hear what I told Elsie before we left? I ended the matter by telling her I’d call her in a few days to talk about it.”
“Yes, I heard, but what I’m wondering is why it’s so important to you. Are you expecting a big inheritance?”
Joel bobbed his head. “My dad was a millionaire, Kristi. There are oil wells on the back of his property.”
“Really? Guess I didn’t notice.”
“That’s because you never saw what’s out back. I’m sure he has more money in the bank than most Amish people see in a lifetime.”
She tugged on the end of her jacket while shaking her head. “Money isn’t everything, Joel.”
“It is to me.”
Kristi rubbed her forehead to ward off the headache she felt coming on. Were Joel’s business struggles making him desperate for money? Even if they were, he needed to take time to grieve the loss of his father, not worry about the will. She’d heard her pastor say on more than one occasion how sad it was when someone died and the family fought over who would get what. It was not the Christian thing to do and did nothing to cement a family’s relationship. People needed to bind together during difficult times, not worry about their selfish ambitions.
The Betrayed Fiancée Page 3