“Come on!” Susanna jerked on the horse’s reins. He protested with a deep groan, and she stroked his neck. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to take my anger out on you. It’s not your fault you’re Iva’s horse.”
What a horrible thing to say about her mother-in-law! Susanna thought as she dropped the shafts to the ground. She shouldn’t be angry at either Iva or her horse. Pushing open the barn door, she led him inside and made sure he had plenty of hay in front of him. He started munching at once, as if he were quite hungry.
“Humph indeed,” Susanna muttered, marching toward the house. Iva might think she’d come to take charge, but this was her home. Iva was not going to take over!
Susanna didn’t get far before she forced herself to pause and relax. This was no way to approach her mother-in-law. Herman loved his mother and was probably very glad to see her. She would have to act the same way and feel the same way. There was no choice in the matter. Opening the front door, she slipped inside. Loud noises were coming from the kitchen, and Herman sat shivering on the couch, his quilt gone.
“What are you doing!” Susanna exclaimed. “Where’s your quilt?”
Herman nodded toward the kitchen, his face pale. “I guess it’s time I get up and do some work around the place.”
“You will do no such thing,” Susanna said, searching for his quilt. She found it thrown on the floor behind the couch. Picking it up, she wrapped it over his shoulders.
A smile played on Herman’s face. It vanished when Iva appeared in the kitchen doorway.
“Now there you go!” Iva exclaimed. “That’s why he’s still sick. If you keep babying the man, he’ll never get well. I’m sure Herman hasn’t finished his fall plowing yet. I saw the field still half done myself when I drove in.”
Herman tried to stand up quickly and groaned.
Susanna pushed him down with her hand. “I’m sure the fall plowing will get done in time. I don’t want Herman out there working when he’s not well.”
“Well, if he doesn’t get his plowing done, don’t blame me!” Iva disappeared into the kitchen.
Susanna took a deep breath. That had been easy enough. All she had to do was stand up to Iva, and the woman backed down—as she should. Susanna was Herman’s frau.
Glancing up, Susanna froze. Iva was back in the kitchen doorway. She obviously wasn’t through talking.
“Look, Mamm, it’s okay,” Herman said, as if he knew what his mother planned to say. “I told you that before Susanna came in.”
“I didn’t finish what I was saying,” Iva told him. “In fact, I’ve hardly started. I told you I wanted to wait until Susanna came in. This is something both of you need to answer.”
“Mamm!” Herman protested. “I already know what you’re going to say. Deacon Atlee settled the matter with us.”
“I don’t call this being settled,” Iva said. “Not if Bishop Jacob is involved. And he is, you know. The poor man must have lost a gut year off his few remaining ones, his frau Mattie told me. Worrying about what Matthew told him. Thank Da Hah the man loves both of you or you would have been in a heap of trouble.”
“It’s settled,” Herman repeated.
“It might be settled with Bishop Jacob, but it’s not with me,” Iva said. “I want to know the whole story. This kind of thing has the potential of causing an awful scandal, and I will not have my son involved. If we had known this, Daett and I would not have given our word to your wedding. Susanna, I want to make myself clear on that matter.”
Susanna grabbed the edge of the couch for support and bit her tongue.
“Please, Mamm,” Herman said. “Sit down and we will discuss this rationally.”
“Rationally!” Iva sputtered. “What kind of big Englisha word is that, Herman? I never heard you using such words while you were growing up in my house.”
“Mamm!” Herman exclaimed, looking quite pale.
Susanna sat down beside Herman, clutching his arm.
“You’re changing.” Iva wagged her finger at Herman. “Right in front of my eyes. Though if I’m honest with myself, it’s been going on for some time. Soon after you started dating Susanna here. I wish we’d spoken up more. But she’s your frau now, and nothing can be done about it.”
“Yah, Mamm, she is,” Herman said. “I don’t regret marrying Susanna for one minute.”
Susanna held back the sobs rising in her chest.
“And another thing,” Iva continued. “I hope you’re being the man of the house like you’re supposed to be. All this babying can spoil a man. And let me remind you, Herman, Christmas is coming up. Already there’s talk about the Englisha celebrations that have been taking hold in the community. And we all know that Susanna’s family has been part of that, following after that Englisha custom of changing the day around from what Da Hah intended. I warned you about that when you started seeing Susanna. I’m expecting you to hold to the old ways. There are still some of us left who practice the right tradition, and I’m not having one of my family stray.”
“Yah, Mamm,” Herman said. “I’ve told Susanna about Christmas.”
“Thank Da Hah for that!” Iva turned on her heels and disappeared into the kitchen once again.
Sixteen
A mid the banging coming from the kitchen, Susanna saw Herman glance at her out of the corner of his eye. She didn’t move because she couldn’t right now. What was Herman thinking about her after his mother’s tirade? He had stuck up for her, but still…Everything felt like ice, and the house had grown colder even though the registers in the floor were pouring out heat as usual.
“I’d better get the plowing done,” Herman said, throwing the quilt aside.
Her mouth fell open as he rose.
“But, Herman!” She clung to his hand.
He tried to smile but failed. “I have to go. Mamm is correct. I should be working in the fields.”
Disengaging his hand, he pulled on his boots, took his coat from a peg by the door, and then slipped it on. He opened the door and stepped outside.
Susanna ran after him. “Herman, you’re sick! I can’t let you go out in the fields like this. What if you have a relapse? It could be really serious then.” Obviously she wasn’t getting through to him because he continued walking toward the barn. Whatever his mamm had instilled in him as a boy was making itself known. Hard work? Determination? Shame at showing sickness? “Herman, please,” she begged. “Don’t do this.”
He pushed open the barn door, and she followed him inside.
“Can I help then?” she asked, changing tactics.
“Yah.” He pointed toward the wall. “You can help me get the harnesses on the horses.”
With a great heave she lifted one up and waited until he brought the Belgian out of the stall. With Herman on one end and her on the other, they threw the harness over the horse’s back. Herman fastened the straps with shaking hands.
Tears stung her eyes as Susanna helped. Her man was going to work before he was over his sickness, and she clearly could do nothing about it. How could Iva do that to her child? Or worse, how could a mother do that to her son who was now a man?
With the Belgian done, Herman brought out a second horse. They repeated the process until all four horses were harnessed. Susanna led two of them outside. She had done this with her daett many times and knew the routine. Only Daett had the good sense not to work when he was deathly sick.
“Thanks,” Herman said when the horses were hitched to the plow. “I’m okay now.”
No you’re not! she wanted to scream after him, but she pressed her lips together instead.
He bounced across the rough field, urging the horses on. For a moment he tilted sideways but caught himself just in time, righting his body in the seat.
Susanna waited until Herman reached the place he’d last been working and dropped the plow into the ground before she moved back toward the house. Whatever Iva was doing in the kitchen, Susanna didn’t want to see her right now—maybe not ever. It was a wicke
d thought to have. Iva was Herman’s mamm. Susanna needed to deal with this somehow. The worst problem was Iva’s opinion of her. No doubt Iva believed the rumors that must even now be circulating around the community. That she and Matthew had been inappropriate in their courtship. It was so untrue, but how did one prove that?
The wash flapping on the line caught Susanna’s attention, and she realized to her horror that it was already midmorning and she hadn’t finished washing. The task had been forgotten in the kafuffle Iva had stirred up. She rushed to the basement and started the gasoline motor again, piling in another load.
The roar of the motor sounded gut, blocking all the sounds around her. Even the pounding anger in her heart—anger at Iva for being so stubborn and unreasonable and at Herman for listening to his mamm instead of her—was overtaken. Herman was a grown man and ought to know better than work while he was so sick. Keeping the traditions of his family on Christmas was one thing, but working in the fields while he was ill was entirely something else.
When the load was finished, Susanna ran the wash through the wringer. She started another batch before she left with the hamper full of damp clothes. Outside the sun had come out and was warming things up.
“Thank you, Hah,” she whispered, glancing toward the heavens after a long look at Herman making his rounds on the plow. “Maybe Herman won’t relapse if it’s warmer today.”
The load of wash was soon pinned on the line, and Susanna went back to the basement for the next and final load. Hanging the last load on the line, she glanced again toward the field where Herman was busy plowing. From here he looked like he always did. Maybe he was going to be fine after all. Maybe she should stop being so dramatic. It wasn’t helping anything.
With the last of the wash up, Susanna would have to face Iva. It couldn’t be avoided any longer, so she headed for her kitchen where Iva was no doubt still thinking about Herman’s poor choice of a frau. Well, the woman was who she was, and Susanna would force herself to accept her. There was little chance of changing Iva’s mind about anything, but they did have to live in near proximity as family in some shape or fashion. Peacefully, she hoped. But this morning wasn’t a very gut sign pointing in that direction.
It hurt to know that Iva wasn’t happy about her son’s choice of a frau. Maybe if she had known that, she wouldn’t have married Herman. That was an awful thought, she quickly decided. If Herman would only stand up to his mamm. Susanna sighed. After all, Herman had stood up to his mamm about marrying her, and she should be happy about that.
Going up by the basement door, Susanna entered the kitchen. Iva looked like she had several cooking projects going on because flour was scattered all over the table and counter. Pie pans were set out on the counter, and bread dough was rising beside them.
“I see Herman got some sense into his head,” Iva said as she looked up.
“Yah, I helped him harness the horses.”
“I’m glad to see you also have some gut sense in your head. Supporting your husband like that. Maybe you do have more in you than I thought at first.”
“It’s gut you think so,” Susanna managed. Antagonizing the woman would get her nowhere.
“Now, if we can get this awful rumor about you and Matthew ended, I’ll feel much better.” Iva pressed out the pie dough with Susanna’s rolling pin.
Whatever else could be said about the woman, Susanna thought, she was efficient in the kitchen.
“What have you to say for yourself?” Iva asked.
“I take it you still think the rumor might be true? That I had things going with Matthew I shouldn’t have?”
Iva shrugged. “Can’t say I do or that I don’t. I know your family comes with some liberal leanings, but they’re okay, I suppose. That’s why I consented to Herman dating you. And I knew you stayed in the community after Matthew left. Why don’t you sit down and tell me the whole story?”
“There’s not much to tell.” She didn’t want to sit down at Iva’s command. Even more, she didn’t want to go through the situation and feelings again. What next? Telling curious strangers on her porch her history with Matthew?
“I’d say Matthew had an awful lot to tell from the sounds of it.” Iva glanced up at Susanna while she trimmed the pie dough.
Susanna found a kitchen chair with her hand and sat down.
“Do you have anything to say?” Iva stopped and looked at her.
“Nothing that will help, I suppose. I’ve told Herman what I have to say, and he believes me.”
Iva snorted. “I’d expect that. What husband wouldn’t? It’s not like they wish to admit their mistakes.”
“So you think I’m a mistake?”
“Now, now, I wouldn’t say that. You’re a pretty decent girl. And who knows whether what Matthew said is true. He’s in the bann, after all.”
“So what did he say?”
“Oh, I don’t want to repeat it here. And it would just be hearsay anyway. I didn’t hear him say it myself.”
“I don’t think Matthew would say something like what you’re implying.”
“You don’t?” Iva was staring again. “You defend the man?”
“No, I’m just saying what I know about him. Matthew wouldn’t lie.”
“I see…” Iva continued with the pies. “An interesting way of looking at this, to say the least.”
“I’ve told you the truth, and I can’t say anything more.”
“So you never were that sweet on Matthew?”
Susanna took a deep breath. “There was a time when I loved Matthew with all of my heart. He was always decent with me. But he wanted to leave the community and saw me as a weight around his neck, I suppose. Something like that. And his love wasn’t big enough to get over that. So he left. But the most we ever did was kiss each other. I explained this to Herman.”
Iva’s face was turning red. “You don’t have to tell me all the things you say to your man about love. I believe you.”
“Thank you,” Susanna said. And, strangely, she did feel thankful. She ought to be glad Iva hadn’t run out of the house, instead of believing her after such plain talk. But how else would she have gotten through to the woman? And wouldn’t that have been a funny sight? Iva running out the door with her dress flying as she fled? I must be losing my mind, Susanna thought as she choked back a laugh. Iva was looking at her again, so Susanna jumped up. “Let me help with the baking.”
“I was waiting for you to offer,” Iva said. “I saw you were low in bread, and there were no pies in the cupboards. Every wife ought to keep her family in pies.”
“Yah, I know.” Susanna pressed her lips together. This was a little too much. Who was Iva to lecture her on pampering her family with pies? But then Iva probably looked at the lack of pies as laziness on her part.
“I’m making cherry and blueberry,” Iva was saying. “That’s what you had in the cupboard. I must compliment you for at least keeping up with supplies…even if the pies weren’t made.”
“Maybe I should prepare lunch for Herman,” Susanna suggested when she was done filling the bread pans. “While you finish the baking.”
Iva nodded, continuing to work.
Clearing off a corner of the table, Susanna busied herself with making potato soup. That would be a nourishing enough meal and should be easy on a feverish stomach, she figured.
Iva raised no objections once it became obvious what Susanna was working on. She wasn’t even paying her that much attention. They worked in silence, sharing the stove and the counter until Susanna finished.
Herman walked in right at twelve, looking pale and drawn. He said little while they ate and left afterward with only a muttered thanks.
Susanna wanted to run after him, to pull him back into the house and stick him in bed, but it was no use. Herman was a grown man, and she was a grown woman. They would have to deal with the world—and the people—Da Hah had given them.
Seventeen
The dawn was breaking as Susanna finished the cho
res. Herman had been tossing and turning in bed when she left the house. The whole evening and night had been awful—once Herman finally came in from the fields after his mamm left. His fever had been raging since supper.
She pitied him, yah, but she was also angry about the whole situation. The Wagler family was acting like children—all caught up in this idea of working even when they were obviously sick. And look where it got Herman—a serious setback that needed a doctor’s attention.
And obviously Iva wasn’t coming around this morning to look at her handiwork, either. She’d probably blame Herman for not being tough enough. The woman was enough to make Susanna scream. And she had come close to that very thing last night once Herman arrived at the barn with his team of horses.
She’d raced out to help put them up and gasped at the sight of him. “Herman! You look sick! You look like you’re burning up with fever!”
He’d tried to smile. “It’ll go away.”
She laid her hand on his forehead. “Herman Wagler, you’re sick. Really sick!”
His face showed that he knew this was the truth.
Susanna had quieted down, helping him get the horses into the barn.
“Are the chores done?” he’d asked.
“I’ll do them later. You’re going inside right now.”
He hadn’t protested as she led him toward the house. Herman had stumbled once in the lawn, and she’d shrieked, grabbing him with both hands to hold him up.
Once he was settled on the couch, she rushed to make chicken soup before running out to finish the chores. None of the food his mamm had made yesterday was suitable for Herman in his condition.
This morning Susanna decided that Iva was worse than useless. She was dangerous. But Susanna couldn’t start thinking about that now. She had to get back inside with Herman. Dipping out a large bucket of oats, she poured it into Bruce’s feedbox. He would need extra energy for the ride into Kalona this morning. Herman was going to the doctor whether he wanted to or not. Susanna was not going to lose a husband after only a few weeks of marriage—and all because of a meddling mother-in-law.
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