A Season of Love

by Amy Clipston

  “Because it’s true. I do love you, Katie.” He pulled her into a hug. “I only love you.”

  “That’s enough!” A voice boomed behind them.

  Katie sucked in a breath as she turned and found her father glaring at them. “Dat?”

  “Jake Miller,” her father bellowed. “Get off my property now and stay off!” He turned his smoldering gaze on Katie. “You! Get to your room, Katie Joy, and don’t come out.”

  Katie ran toward the house. Her tears continued to flow as she rushed in through the back door, nearly knocking Lindsay over on her way up the stairs. When she reached her room, Katie slammed her door and fell onto her bed, letting her tears flow into her pillow.

  After a few moments, her door squeaked open and closed once more.

  “Katie?” Lindsay asked. “Katie? What happened?”

  “I’m so naive,” Katie said, rolling onto her side. “I can’t believe I thought he cared for me. And mei daed heard everything! I’ll be shunned now for certain.”

  “Katie,” Lindsay said, sinking down onto the bed beside her and pushing the ribbons from Katie’s prayer covering away from her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please tell me so I can help you.”

  “Jake Miller.” Katie grimaced as if the name were laced with poison. “I thought he cared about me, but he doesn’t. He still loves your sister.” She shook her head. “I was so naive. I saw him go outside, and I followed him behind the barn. When I got out there, he was talking to Jessica, telling her he’ll always care for her because she’s his first love. I thought he wanted to be with me.”

  Katie swallowed a sob as she stared at the white wall across from her bed. “I told him I never should’ve been so stupid, and he said he does love me. Mei daed walked over just as Jake hugged me, and he told Jake to get off his property and sent me to my room.” She shook her head. “I can’t even imagine what mei daed is going to say to me, but I know I’m in big trouble. And I risked it all for someone who doesn’t even love me!”

  “I’m sorry your dat interrupted, but I don’t think Jake loves Jessica.” Lindsay shook her head. “Jessica told me Jake doesn’t return her phone calls. She’s tried to call him more than once before she came here.”

  Katie frowned at Lindsay. “I know what I heard.” She turned toward the pillow. “I’m going to be shunned. You shouldn’t even be in here.”

  “I don’t think you’ll be shunned.” Lindsay touched Katie’s arm. “Your dat will be upset, but it will be okay.”

  Katie sniffed, wishing she could take away everything she’d done in the last twenty minutes. “I’m certain I’ll be shunned. He’s already warned me. What was I thinking? I should’ve stayed inside and helped serve the food for the guests. I had no business going outside at all.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Lindsay rubbed Katie’s shoulder.

  “That’s easy for you to say.” Katie glared at Lindsay. “You have no idea how I feel. Your boyfriend is Amish. You don’t have to risk getting into trouble by being with him.” She paused and cleared her throat. “Jake isn’t Amish. I have no chance of a relationship with him even if your sister wasn’t here to ruin everything.” She shook her head. “Jessica needs to go back to her fancy job in New York City and just leave us alone! It’s all her fault that Jake and I quarreled.”

  Lindsay’s expression darkened slightly. “I don’t think it’s Jessica’s fault. She has a right to come and see me and the rest of the family for Christmas.”

  “Her being here is ruining everything,” Katie said as new tears pooled in her eyes. “She should just leave.”

  Lindsay stood. “Maybe I should too.”

  “Ya.” Katie wiped away more tears. “Maybe you should.”

  Lindsay grimaced. “I only came up here because I saw how upset you were. I wanted to try to help you. I didn’t mean to make it worse.” She started toward the door but stopped before opening it. “And as I said before, I don’t think Jake loves Jessica. If he did, he would’ve been more interested in talking to her when she got here. As far as I know, he hadn’t made any attempt to talk to her before today.”

  “Please go,” Katie whispered through a sob. “Close the door behind you.”

  “Fine.” Lindsay pulled the door open, and it squeaked in response. “I hope your daed listens to you when you talk to him. You don’t deserve to be punished.”

  Katie buried her face into her pillow as the door closed behind Lindsay. Grief and frustration rained down on her as she thought about the conversation she’d witnessed between Jake and Jessica.

  It was all so confusing, and it hurt her all the way to her soul. To make matters worse, her father was going to punish her again for her seeing Jake and the punishment would certainly be worse than before.

  Closing her eyes, Katie succumbed to her tears and silently prayed her father would witness her heartache and have mercy on her.

  21

  Did you hear me, Jacob Miller?” Robert Kauffman asked. “I told you to get off my property and I mean now.”

  “Mr. Kauffman,” Jake began. The cold seeped into his skin, causing his toes to go numb while they stood by the barn. “I wanted to try to explain to you that I —”

  “There’s nothing to explain,” Robert said, his eyes full of animosity. “You had no right to come to mei heemet and try to date mei dochder. How dare you fill her head with notions of your love for her! You know she’s been forbidden to see you. Yet you have the audacity to meet her in private so you can touch her again!” His voice rose and shook with fury. “You need to stay away from my family and my property. Leave now!”

  “But Mr. —” Jake attempted to explain his actions. “Leave now!” Robert repeated while stomping back toward the house.

  “But I don’t have any transportation,” Jake called after him. “I drove with my grandparents in their buggy.”

  Robert spun, facing Jake. “I don’t care if you have to walk heemet, Jacob. Just get out of here before I escort you off my property.” He then marched toward the porch, slamming the door on his way into the house.

  “I’ll drive you,” a small voice said behind him. “I have my Jeep.”

  “You heard everything,” Jake said, frowning at Jessica. “You stayed and eavesdropped.”

  “I didn’t mean to.” Jessica shook her head. “I know I should’ve left, but I didn’t want to walk through the conversation either.” She gestured toward his face. “You look as if you might freeze to death. Your lips are turning blue. Let’s get in my truck and I can drive you home.” Jessica started toward her SUV, her shoes crunching on the frozen ground.

  He stood still, debating if he should go into the house and try to talk to Katie. But he knew her father meant business, and the last thing he wanted to do was make the situation worse than it already was.

  “Come on,” she called, walking backward while facing him. “I think my legs are frozen.”

  He followed her, but he couldn’t stop the longing to go make things right. “I hate leaving her when I know she’s so upset.”

  “You heard her father,” Jessica said. “I don’t think he’d take it well if you tried to go into the house. You know how Robert Kauffman is.”

  “Yes,” Jake said with a scowl. “I certainly do.”

  Jessica pushed a button on her key ring and the door locks popped open. “Get in. I’ll get the heat going.”

  Jake climbed into the passenger seat and buckled his belt while she climbed in beside him. She cranked the engine over and then blasted the heat.

  “This SUV may be old, but the heater works like a charm.” She rubbed her hands together and shivered. “It’s so cold. I’d forgotten how cold it gets here in the winter.”

  Jake stared at the dashboard and thought of Katie while Jessica rambled on about the weather and how she wished she’d worn jeans instead of a skirt. He glanced up at the second-story windows and wondered how Katie was while the Jeep rumbled past the house. He wished he could c
onsole her and explain to her he loved her and only her. He couldn’t take the hurt anymore. He needed to be with her. He had to do something now to make it work between them. But what should he do?

  “So … you and Katie Kauffman, huh?” Jessica asked. “I never would’ve guessed that.”

  Jake glanced at Jessica. “It wasn’t planned. It just sort of happened.”

  “I’m really surprised.” Jessica shook her head while steering onto the main road.

  Instead of responding, he stared out the window and studied the farms they passed. He wondered if he could ever afford to buy a piece of property. And if he could, would he be able to convince Katie he wanted her to be his wife and help him run a little farm?

  “Do you love her?” Jessica asked.

  “Yes,” he said without hesitation.

  “Jake, she’s Amish and you’re not,” Jessica said. “You know you can’t be with her. You’re playing with fire, and of course you’re going to get burned.”

  He frowned at her, but she kept her eyes on the road. “I know that good and well, Jessica. I’m not stupid. I’m trying to find a way to make it work.”

  “You are?” Jessica looked confused as she faced him. “How can you possibly make it work with her?”

  “I’ll figure it out,” Jake said, wishing he could go back and relive the evening.

  Slowing at a stoplight, Jessica sighed. “I’m sorry,” she said with a frown. “I never meant to interfere in your life. I made a mess of things with you and Katie.”

  Her apology caught him off guard and rendered him speechless for a moment. “I forgive you,” he said. “You had no idea, and I was wrong to not call you back. You at least deserved a phone call. I was a lousy friend to you.”

  “No, you weren’t, Jake. I know I hurt you too.” She accelerated through the intersection. “I hope you and Katie can work things out somehow. I know my parents found a way, and your parents did also.”

  “Thanks,” Jake said. “I appreciate that.”

  They were both quiet as Jessica steered the Jeep into the driveway of his two-family house. Jake thought of Katie again and wondered how he could speak with her alone.

  “Here we are,” Jessica said. “I’m sorry things didn’t go as you’d hoped today.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate the ride home.”

  “It’s the least I could do.” She faced him. “I truly hope things work out for you and Katie. You deserve to be happy.”

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Jessica tilted her head in question. “Did you want me to give Katie a message for you? I’m sure I could sneak up to her room for you.”

  He shook his head. “No, but thanks for offering. I’ll contact her when I’m ready. I don’t want anything misconstrued in the delivery of the message.” He wrenched the door open. “Have a good night.”

  “You too,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll see you before I go back to Virginia.”

  “I’m certain you will,” he said, climbing from the SUV. “Good-bye.”

  Jake waved as Jessica pulled out of the driveway.

  Turning, he faced his truck and the solution hit him like a bolt of lightning — Jake needed to make a sacrifice in order to be with the woman he loved. Jake needed to abandon his possessions and become Amish. It was the only way they could ever be together, and he couldn’t live without her.

  He didn’t need his truck or his electricity. Yes, he would miss them, but he needed Katie more than he needed the modern conveniences. Becoming Amish was the only way for him to be with Katie, and he was willing to give up his English lifestyle all for her.

  Closing his eyes, Jake sent a prayer up to God, asking if this was the solution God wanted for him. A calmness settled on his heart, and he knew this was the right path. It was as if God put it in his heart, just as his mother had felt when she left the church.

  Pulling his keys from his pocket, he rushed over to his truck. He needed to go see Bishop Abner Chupp now and ask for permission to be baptized so he could finally begin his new life with Katie Kauffman.

  Jessica stepped into Katie’s house and glanced around at the group of party guests, absently wondering whether anyone had noticed when she and Jake had left or that Katie had been sent to her room. She nodded and smiled at members of the Kauffman family and their friends and helped herself to another cup of cider. The spicy drink warmed her body while she sipped it and crossed the room.

  “Jess,” Lindsay said, approaching her. “Where have you been?”

  Jessica smiled at her and took another sip. “That, little sister, is a very long story.”

  Lindsay glanced around before taking Jessica’s arm and tugging her to a quiet hallway off the kitchen.

  “Slow down. You’re going to make me spill my drink,” Jessica muttered, balancing her mug in her hand.

  They stopped outside the bathroom, and Lindsay looked past Jessica before meeting her gaze. “I haven’t seen you in a while. Where were you?”

  “I had to drive Jake home,” Jessica said. “There was an incident outside, and he was told to leave.”

  “Katie,” Lindsay said, frowning. “She’s upstairs sobbing in her room.” Her expression was accusatory. “You apparently stirred up things you shouldn’t have.”

  Jessica held her hand up in protest of the accusation. “I didn’t mean to. I apologized to Jake while we drove to his house. I just wanted to tell him I was sorry about how things ended and I want to be his friend. I thanked him for all he did to help me through my adjustment when we moved here. I realized how much his friendship meant to me, and I wanted to tell him. I didn’t mean to come between him and Katie.” Her expression softened. “Is Katie okay? I feel really bad.”

  “You need to tell her that the next time you see her,” Lindsay said. “She’s blaming you for taking Jake away from her.”

  “I didn’t take him away,” Jessica said. “Jake and I both know things could never work out between us. We’re just friends.”

  Lindsay shook her head. “She’s really worried her father is going to shun her.”

  Jessica grimaced. “Do you think he will?”

  Lindsay shrugged. “I don’t know. Onkel Robert is really strict, and he punished her quite severely when he caught them together once before.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that,” Jessica said, shaking her head. “That’s a harsh punishment for talking to a boy. I hope he’s not hard on her this time. She didn’t do anything wrong. They were only talking.”

  “But he told her not to see him. She disobeyed him. To make matters worse, Jake hugged her, and her father witnessed it.” Lindsay folded her arms over her blue frock. “I feel really bad for her. She loves Jake. Her heart is broken.”

  Jessica sipped her drink and thought of everything Jake had said in the car. She hoped they could work things out.

  Lindsay turned her eyes to the hallway. “I guess we better get back. Matthew wants to leave soon.”

  “Do you need a ride?” Jessica said.

  “No, thank you.” Lindsay smiled. “He wants to take me heemet. He said he has something for me.”

  “Oh.” Jessica bumped Lindsay’s arm with her elbow. “Sounds serious.”

  “I don’t know.” Lindsay’s ivory cheeks blushed a light pink. “I guess I’ll find out.”

  “And then you’ll tell me,” Jessica said. “I’m your sister, so I’m first to know what his gift is.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Lindsay said before heading back toward the party.

  Jessica finished her cider as her sister walked away. She smiled while thinking of how happy Lindsay looked. The Amish lifestyle fit her little sister well, and she prayed Lindsay would have a life of happiness. She also prayed Katie and Jake could find the same happiness.

  “Like I said earlier, I have to stop by mei haus for a moment,” Matthew said while they walked next door. He guided Lindsay toward the barn next to his sister’s house. “It shouldn’t take too long.” He glanced at
her. “I promise I’ll hitch up my horse and take you heemet afterward. Does that sound okay?”

  “Ya,” Lindsay said, her stomach tingling with butterflies. What does he need to get? Is it the gift he mentioned earlier? What could it possibly be? Her thoughts swirled with possibilities — A small wooden trinket box? A set of tea towels? What would Matthew give her?

  When they reached the barn, Matthew opened the door.

  “Do you want me to come with you?” she asked.

  He grinned. “Of course I do. The item I need to get is for you.”

  “Oh.” She gnawed her lower lip with anticipation and followed him through the barn to his workshop in the back.

  Matthew stepped through the doorway of the workshop and flipped on a few battery-powered lanterns that supplemented the low light seeping in through the high windows.

  Lindsay entered the small shop. The sweet smell of stain mixed with the scent of wood dust reminded her of being in the furniture store. She glanced around at the array of tools cluttering the workbench and smiled. She enjoyed seeing Matthew in his favorite environment.

  He pointed toward a cedar hope chest. “What do you think of it?” he asked with a sheepish expression.

  Lindsay studied the beautiful chest that glistened with new stain. The brass lock and key were also shiny and new. “It’s a gorgeous piece of furniture. Are you going to sell it in the store?”

  He shook his head. “No, Lindsay. This is for you and only you.”

  She gasped. “Matthew, I can’t possibly accept anything so extravagant. You must sell this. I’m certain you worked hard on it.”

  Matthew looked disappointed. “Lindsay, I worked hard on this for you. It belonged to mei mamm, and I refinished it for you.”

  Her mouth gaped as she took in his words and their sentiment. “This belonged to your mother?” she asked, her voice small and unsure. “And you want me to have it?”