An Unexpected Amish Courtship

by Rachel J. Good

  The pies were cooling on the counter when Mrs. Vandenberg called back. Wilma covered the phone to say Isaac planned to go. Then she turned on the speakerphone so Sovilla could hear the plans.

  “I’ve made arrangements with Keturah Esch,” Mrs. Vandenberg explained. “Sovilla, she’ll take over for you at noon on Saturday. She’s the petite strawberry blonde who works at the pretzel stand near you. The oldest sister in that family.”

  “I know which one she is.” Sovilla had taken to Keturah after she’d been so kind to Isaac. “That’s very nice of her.”

  “She’s a sweet girl,” Mrs. Vandenberg said. “Her family’s owned that stand for a decade. And she’s very trustworthy.”

  Sovilla assumed that last statement had been made for Wilma’s benefit.

  “I’ve made arrangements at a lovely hotel in the area,” Mrs. Vandenberg continued. “It’ll be my treat.”

  Wilma’s face hardened into mutinous lines. “You don’t have to do that. I can pay my own way.”

  “I’m sure you can,” Mrs. Vandenberg’s crisp, no-nonsense voice vibrated over the phone lines. “I’ll hear no arguments about this. It’s my gift to David.”

  As soon as she said David’s name, Wilma’s face softened. “I want to give him something too.”

  “You can give him the gift no one else can.” She paused and then added, “A mother’s love.”

  Wilma stayed silent for a few moments, her eyes damp. Then she said, “I don’t know about showing up in Ohio with you. You definitely don’t look Plain.”

  “Can’t you tell them I’m your driver?”

  Wilma guffawed. “With a car like yours? And dressing that ritzy? You don’t look like any driver of the Amish I’ve ever seen.”

  “What would they look like?”

  “They’d have an older, serviceable car or van and plain, ordinary clothes. Stuff you buy off the rack at one of the big chain stores.”

  Mrs. Vandenberg chuckled. “Thanks for the tips. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Wilma bit her lip. “This will be hard enough. I don’t want to stand out or call attention to myself. If people see a fancy car, they’re sure to gossip.”

  “I understand. I’ll do my best to be discreet.”

  After she hung up the phone, Wilma grumbled, “I don’t think that woman knows the meaning of discreet.”

  But Wilma’s griping couldn’t take the edge off Sovilla’s excitement. Mrs. Vandenberg was not only giving David a gift—she’d given Sovilla one too. She’d get to spend three days with Mamm and her sisters. And best of all, she’d also be with Isaac. Sovilla could hardly wait.

  * * *

  On Friday, following Wilma’s orders, Sovilla completely emptied the cash register and zippered all the bills and rolls of change into the bank deposit bag. The pouch bulged so much, she worried the seams might split. Then she recounted to be sure she’d left exactly thirty dollars’ worth of change in the register.

  Isaac arrived as she was spreading cloths over the tables, and Sovilla slipped a dog biscuit shaped like a bone from the display jar she was covering and handed it to him. He reached into his pocket to pay.

  “Neh, it’s my gift to Snickers.” She’d received a huge gift from Mrs. Vandenberg, so she could give a small one. And Snickers wagging her tail and gnawing on her treat delighted her.

  “Danke.” Isaac’s admiring smile tripped her pulse.

  Sovilla’s heart flooded with gratitude. She had so many blessings. “I’m so excited about tomorrow.”

  “Me too.” The joy on Isaac’s face lifted her spirits even higher.

  “I’ve never b-been to Ohio.”

  Disappointment snaked through her. Maybe his enthusiasm was because he’d be traveling somewhere new. But the gleam in his eye seemed to be directed toward her.

  She broke their gaze to pick up the money pouch.

  “W-wow! You made a fortune t-today,” he said as they headed for the exit.

  Sovilla laughed. “Neh. Wilma’s worried Keturah might rob us, so she wants all the coin rolls and bills we keep for extra change emptied out. I’m sure she also wants to be sure I haven’t been stealing from her.”

  Isaac stopped and stared at her. “You?”

  “Jah, me. Wilma doesn’t trust anyone.” Remorse filled Sovilla. “Knowing what she’s been through, I can understand that.”

  “She’s had a r-rough time.”

  “I hope this trip will go well for her. And for David.” If only Mrs. Vandenberg could check to see if Eli wanted to meet his son—but she had no way to do that. Their visit would be a complete surprise.

  * * *

  As soon as she entered the house, Sovilla kicked off her sneakers and collapsed onto the sofa. She hadn’t gotten much sleep since Mrs. Vandenberg had confirmed they’d be going to Ohio. Sovilla let her mind drift to the coming weekend with Isaac.

  Wilma clicked her walker down the hall. “Where’s my money?”

  The demand roused Sovilla from her daydreams. Ach! Sick to her stomach, she opened her eyes. “I left it on the back seat of Isaac’s buggy.”

  “You what?” Wilma’s eyes bulged. She looked about to have a heart attack.

  Sovilla jumped to her feet and shoved her feet into her sneakers. “I’ll go get it now.”

  Wilma’s Acckk! almost drowned out the knock on the front door.

  That must be Isaac. He’d discovered the money pouch.

  Sovilla opened the door with a huge smile. Her danke faltered on her lips.

  “Who were you expecting?” Lloyd’s barb punctured Sovilla’s happiness. “I’m sure that welcome wasn’t for me.”

  Neh, it definitely wasn’t. What was her onkel doing here?

  Lloyd pushed his way past her into the living room, then stopped and stared at the overhead lights. “You have electricity?” His glance strayed to the hall table. “And a telephone?”

  Until her onkel’s arrival, Sovilla had pushed down her guilt over enjoying modern conveniences. Now, it returned in full force.

  Lloyd’s gaze fell on Wilma, and his mouth fell open. His expression grew stormy. “You—you—” For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. “You’re not fit to be around Sovilla.”

  Wilma shrank back against the couch. Lloyd came in like a tornado, flattening everything in its path. Sovilla had never seen her aenti cowed.

  He scowled at Sovilla. “Why are you staying with her? She’s been shunned.”

  “No, I’m not, Lloyd.” Wilma, her chin jutting out, sat up straighter. “I can’t be shunned. I never joined the church.”

  “You’re not Amish?” Lloyd asked, horrified.

  “Not since you dumped me in Pennsylvania and stole my child.”

  He blinked and took a step back at the vehemence in her tone.

  Wilma leaned forward and stayed on the attack. “How did you expect me to survive at seventeen knowing nobody here, having no job or money?”

  “I assumed they’d help you.”

  “You thought wrong. That wasn’t their responsibility.”

  “Don’t try to blame me for your sins.” Lloyd’s posture and words became defensive.

  “My sins?” Wilma’s voice rose in a screech. “Dying alone in the streets should be the punishment for a teenage mistake?”

  “You obviously didn’t die.”

  “What would you know about that? I’ve died inside every single day since I was separated from my son.”

  “I’m sure he had a better life.” Lloyd started backing toward the door. “And you’ll be glad to know I’m saving Sovilla from that fate.” He turned to her. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes to pack. You can’t stay in this house of sin.”

  “But Wilma needs me.”

  “Your mamm needs you more right now.”

  “Mamm? Is something wrong with her?” Is that why Lloyd had come all this way?

  “Don’t believe him, Sovilla,” Wilma begged. “He’s a liar.”

  Lloyd’s malevolent glare silenced her.r />
  Sovilla didn’t trust him, but if something was wrong with Mamm, she’d never forgive herself for not going.

  “Fifteen minutes, Sovilla. I’ll be waiting in the car.”

  He’d hired a driver to come here? Hadn’t that been expensive? He wouldn’t have done that if it weren’t an emergency.

  She ran up the stairs and pulled out the small suitcase she’d brought to Pennsylvania.

  “I’m warning you, Sovilla,” Wilma yelled after her. “You’re going to be sorry.”

  Sovilla would never regret doing something for Mamm. She hated to leave Wilma, but her aenti got around well with her walker. She even fixed herself meals while Sovilla was at work.

  Sovilla didn’t need the full fifteen minutes. She only had two Lancaster dresses, and she was wearing one. Sovilla folded her aprons and tucked her undergarments and nightgowns into the small suitcase. At the last minute, she added her Ohio clothing in case her sisters could use any of it.

  Only one more thing to pack—the cell phone Mrs. Vandenberg had given her. Luckily, it was fully charged. She couldn’t charge it in Ohio, but once she got there, she’d contact Wilma, Isaac, and Mrs. Vandenberg to let them know about Mamm. She turned off the ringer so Lloyd wouldn’t know she had it and slid it between her clothing. Then she closed the suitcase and hurried out to the car, with Wilma’s “You’re making a big mistake” ringing in her ears.

  How could it be a mistake when Mamm needed her?

  As the car pulled away from the curb, the automatic locks clicked, startling Sovilla and making her feel trapped.

  A buggy headed toward them. Isaac. He must have come to return the money pouch. She waved frantically to get his attention, but he didn’t see her until he’d almost passed the car.

  Once he did, his mouth moved, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. She craned her neck as the driver sped up and shot by the buggy. The car moved so fast, Isaac turned into a blur.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Isaac pulled his buggy into Sovilla’s driveway. Where had she been headed? Who were those men? She’d tried so hard to get his attention. They’d whizzed past so quickly, Isaac hadn’t been able to read her expression, but had she thrown him a help-me plea?

  “Stay here,” he told Snickers as he picked up the money pouch. He rushed to the front door, hoping Wilma could answer his questions. If Sovilla needed help, he’d go after her.

  When he reached the doorstep, he heard loud sobbing coming from the living room. The door hadn’t been shut properly, and through the crack, Isaac glimpsed Wilma weeping on the couch. He didn’t want to push the door open any farther, so he knocked on the doorjamb.

  Wilma lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen. “What are you doing here?” Her words held a sharp edge.

  “I b-brought your money.” Isaac held up the money pouch.

  “Bring it here,” she commanded. “I hope you didn’t take any.”

  “It’s still full.” He indicated the bulging sides. “Sovilla couldn’t have fit anything more in there.”

  With a sniffle, Wilma took the bag.

  “What’s wr-wrong?” Isaac asked. “And where’s Sovilla g-going?”

  Wilma pinched her lips together, and he expected her to snap at him to mind his own business.

  Instead, she choked out, “My brother took Sovilla.”

  “T-took?”

  “He came in here and dragged her away, just like he did to me when he sent me to Pennsylvania. Seeing him again . . .” Wilma swallowed hard and clenched her hands. “Seeing him brought back all the pain. Now he has Sovilla in his clutches.”

  Clutches? She’s a prisoner? “Will he h-hurt her?”

  “Lloyd hurts everyone.”

  The thought of anyone harming Sovilla cut off Isaac’s breath. “He’s abusive?”

  “You don’t think sending me here alone and taking David away is abusive?” Her harshness had a bitter edge.

  Jah, Lloyd had inflicted a lot of pain. Isaac’s hands curled into fists. He’d meant physical abuse, but he didn’t want Sovilla to endure any cruelty. “We have t-to rescue her.”

  “And how do you propose doing that?”

  “G-go after her.” He wanted to gallop after her, but his buggy would do little good. “Let’s c-call Mrs. Vandenberg.” They’d already made plans to leave for Ohio. Maybe they could leave now.

  Distraught about Sovilla and nervous about Wilma listening as he used her hall phone, Isaac stuttered so much, he could barely get his message across. But when he finished, he begged, “C-can we l-leave t-tonight?”

  “David has to work until nine this evening, but let’s leave at dawn tomorrow. Can you skip work and be ready at five?”

  “Jah.” Because it was an emergency, surely Daed would agree.

  “I’ll contact David, and you tell Wilma. Bring your suitcase to her house by five a.m. I’ll check with Keturah to see if she can work at the stand all day.”

  Isaac had already packed his suitcase. He was ready to leave now. “What about S-Sovilla?”

  “If she has the phone I gave her, you can call her and tell her we’re coming.” As Mrs. Vandenberg recited Sovilla’s phone number, Isaac memorized it.

  The minute he hung up, he dialed Sovilla and did his best to speak clearly and calmly. He needed to set aside his fears and worries so he didn’t add to her distress. But with Wilma listening from the living room, Isaac had to watch his words.

  He left a brief message telling her they’d be there tomorrow. He estimated they’d arrive by midday or early afternoon. He ended, “We’ll b-be praying.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Wilma said in the background as he hung up.

  Isaac hoped the phone hadn’t picked up Wilma’s comment. He returned to the living room and stumbled through an explanation of Mrs. Vandenberg’s plans. Then he hurried home.

  Several more times that evening, he tried contacting Sovilla from the kennel phone, but each time it went to voice mail. Although he needed to get up early, he stayed in the kennel until late, hoping to hear back from her. He practiced his speaking with gravel, but as hour after hour passed with no return call, his fears for Sovilla increased. Powerless to help her himself, he surrounded her with prayer.

  * * *

  “What’s wrong with Mamm?” Sovilla asked her onkel as the car picked up speed.

  “Nothing,” he said carelessly. “If I’d known you were living with Wilma”—he spat out her name as if it were a curse—“and that you were living as if you were Englisch, I’d have come for you sooner.”

  “But you said Mamm needed me.”

  “All mamms need their daughters.”

  Sovilla’s heart sank. Wilma had been right. “You lied?”

  Laughter rumbled in Lloyd’s chest. “I didn’t say anything untrue. You’re the one who misunderstood.”

  Anger burned hot inside Sovilla. She never should have ignored Wilma’s warning. Sovilla had spent enough time around her onkel. She should have known better.

  Wilma needed her, and Sovilla had left her alone. As good as it might be to see her mother, Sovilla suspected that Lloyd intended to keep her in Ohio.

  Months ago, she’d have been delighted. Now, though, she’d miss Isaac. The thought of staying in Ohio permanently made her realize how much she cared.

  “How did you know where I was?” Sovilla hoped he hadn’t done anything mean to Mamm to get her to reveal Sovilla’s location.

  “I found some letters your mamm had hidden.”

  He’d rooted through Mamm’s things? “But that’s—”

  “It’s necessary when someone in the family is sneaking around behind my back. My responsibility is to keep everyone safe.”

  Sovilla bit back an uncharitable retort. Although he didn’t go about it in a loving way, Lloyd did take his responsibility seriously. He had helped Mamm by paying bills after Daed died. And when he couldn’t afford to do that, he’d offered to take them into his home. But that didn’t excuse his other action
s.

  They finished the trip in uncomfortable silence.

  Mamm’s tears of joy and tight hug made the long ride worthwhile.

  “But what are you doing here?” she asked as she embraced Sovilla.

  Under Lloyd’s watchful gaze, Sovilla swallowed back the answer she longed to give. She’d tell Mamm later, when they were alone. “I heard you missed me.”

  Evidently, Mamm understood Sovilla’s desire for privacy. “You must be tired. Let’s go up to bed.” Mamm ushered Sovilla up the stairs and into the bedroom, where both of her sisters were sound asleep.

  Conscious of her cousins’ room on the other side of the wall, Sovilla whispered a brief explanation. Then she fumbled through her suitcase in the dark to find her nightgown. Her hand hit the phone.

  Isaac had left several messages, each one more frantic than the last. She had to call him back, but not here in the house. Not with her cousins in the room next door.

  When she’d visited as a girl, she’d found a spot to hide away from her cousins’ teasing. She might be too big to fit now, but she had to try. Her onkel and aenti went to bed early. She only had to worry about the boys. They might hear and follow her.

  “Mamm,” she whispered, “I need to . . .” She held up the phone.

  Her mother’s eyes widened, but she asked no questions. She pressed a finger to her lips and pointed to the wall they shared with her cousins as if warning her to be extra quiet. Sovilla nodded. She had no intention of staying in the room.

  She eased the door open an inch at a time. At the halfway point, it squeaked, and she stopped, waiting and listening. The conversation in the boys’ room continued, and she let out a pent-up breath. Turning sideways, she squeezed through the opening.

  She remembered which steps creaked and hoped no new ones would give her away. The back door groaned as she opened it.

  She scurried out onto the porch, shut it, and dashed off toward the barn. Right before she reached it, she veered off into the trees on the left.

  Too late it occurred to her that the tree with the opening might be occupied by woodland creatures and spiders. She stopped where she stood, concealed by the trees and too far from the house to be heard.