The Gift

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  He paused, tapping his chin. “It would be a marriage of convenience, Leah. You can sleep in the guest room, because I wouldn’t expect you to share my room.”

  “I see. And you would be fine with that?”

  “Jah. Unless there comes a time that we both felt differently.”

  Holding her hands tightly in her lap, Leah forced a smile that she didn’t really feel. This truly wasn’t the type of proposal she’d romanticized about. Glancing over at the embers that had nearly gone out, she murmured, “For the sake of the girls, I will marry you, Adam.”

  “R—really?” he stammered. “How soon?”

  “I think the soonest I could plan and get ready for a wedding would be the second week of November. That’s less than three months from now, and I don’t think our church leaders would approve of us getting married any sooner than that.”

  Adam drew in a deep breath, pressing his palms against his chest. “Danki, Leah. I promise to be a good provider for you and the girls.”

  Provider? Leah swallowed hard, as the reality of the situation hit her like a bale of hay falling from the loft in the barn. She had just agreed to become Mrs. Adam Beachy, but they would be married in name only. What in the world have I agreed to? I’ve thought many times that I would never marry a man unless we had been seriously courting and were deeply in love. Oh my. I wonder what Mom and Dad are going to say about this—especially when I haven’t even taken the time to pray about my decision.

  “Can we go tell the girls our news?” Adam asked, feeling like a sudden weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He could hardly believe that Leah had said yes to his proposal.

  “I think that’s a good idea,” she responded. “Since they heard you ask if I would marry you, I’m sure they’re anxious to learn whether I agreed to become your wife.”

  My wife. Adam let the words play over and over in his head. All these years he’d sworn that he would never marry, yet in a split second, here he was an engaged man. Could a marriage of convenience such as theirs really work, or was it wishful thinking on his part? For Carrie, Linda, and Amy’s sake, he needed it to work, and he would do his best to make everyone happy and see that Leah had everything she needed.

  She’d have to give up doing reflexology, of course, because she would be too busy for that once they were married. Adam wouldn’t mention anything about that to Leah yet—not until after they were married. She may not be willing to give up something she thought was helping people. If he said anything now, it could be a bone of contention, and it might keep Leah from marrying him.

  Adam stepped down from his buggy and went around to help Leah get out, but by the time he got there, she was already on the ground. “If you’ll wait a minute, I want to pour a bucket of water on the ashes. I think the fire’s almost out, but I want to make sure before we go inside.”

  “Sure, that’s fine.”

  As Adam put water into the pail, he glanced at Leah. She was looking toward the pond again. What is she thinking about? Is she watching those ducks, or wondering what she’s agreed to? What was I thinking with a proposal like that? Shouldn’t I have prayed about this first? Well, I can’t take back my proposal now.

  Adam poured water where the branch pile had been. White smoke wafted through the air as the last of the embers sizzled out. “I think that about does it.” He motioned to Leah, and they headed for the house. “Would you like to tell the girls, or would you prefer that I make the announcement?”

  Leah stepped onto the porch and turned to face him. “Since it was your idea, I think you ought to be the one who tells them.”

  “You’re right.” Adam opened the door for Leah and then followed her into the house. Thinking the girls might be in their rooms by now, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted up the stairs, “Amy! Linda! Carrie! Would you please come down here? I have something I need to tell you.”

  “Adam, look at me a minute,” Leah said, brushing his arm with her hand.

  When he turned his head, she wiped her thumb over a spot on his cheek. “You had something smeared on your face. I think it was a piece of ash from the fire.”

  Adam ran a finger over the spot where Leah had made contact. Was the sudden flush he felt from her gentle touch?

  “It’s gone now.” Leah lowered her gaze.

  A few minutes later, the girls appeared. “We were watching out the living-room window,” Linda said. “Saw you and Leah sitting in your buggy.”

  Carrie bobbed her head in agreement, rubbing one of the spots where she’d been stung.

  Adam bit back a chuckle. When he glanced Leah’s way, he noticed a smile tugging at her lips. Did she think it was funny that the girls had been spying on them?

  “Why don’t we all go into the living room so we can talk?” Leah suggested, ushering the girls into the other room.

  “Good idea,” Adam agreed, wondering why he hadn’t thought of it.

  After everyone had taken a seat, Adam got right to the point. “Well, girls, as you know from what I said earlier, I’ve asked Leah to marry me.” He paused and waited, hoping at least one of them would say something, but they just looked at him with curious expressions.

  Adam rubbed his sweaty palms along the sides of his trousers. “Leah said jah, so unless you object, we’re going to be married in November.”

  “Do you have to wait that long?” Linda asked.

  Adam glanced at Leah and noticed her look of relief. He was glad, too, that none of the girls had objected.

  “It’s not really that far off,” Leah said, slipping her arm around Linda, as she sat beside her on the couch. “I’ll need time to make my dress and complete some preparations for the wedding.”

  “Can I help?” Amy asked.

  Leah nodded. “I’m sure there will be plenty that all three of you can do to help me get ready for the wedding.”

  Carrie climbed into Leah’s lap. “Are you gonna be our new mamm?”

  Tears welled in Leah’s eyes. “I could never take the place of your mother, but I won’t have to go home every evening once your uncle and I are married, and I’ll love you like you were my very own kinner.”

  The girls seemed satisfied with that as they clustered around Leah, expressing their happiness at this news. Even Amy, although looking guarded, seemed okay with the idea.

  Adam leaned back in his chair, suddenly exhausted. Maybe he’d made the right decision, asking Leah to marry him. Of course, he might feel differently in the morning.

  CHAPTER 26

  Leah could hardly believe Adam had suggested they invite their friends over for a bonfire on Saturday night. But here they were gathered around the fire by the pond, roasting hot dogs. The girls sat between them, and on the other side of the fire sat Priscilla with her boyfriend, Elam, and Elaine with Ben.

  It was a cool evening, perfect for sitting around the fire pit. The end of August had a way of giving little hints of the fast-approaching autumn weather. One day it could be sweltering and uncomfortably humid, and the next, it could be the exact opposite.

  The girls seemed to be having a good time, and after getting stung by all those bees, Carrie seemed to be healing well. Leah didn’t think she’d ever forget the sound of little Carrie’s screams that day. Thankfully, as with most children, Adam’s youngest niece had recovered rather quickly.

  Earlier, while Adam was gathering wood for the bonfire, Leah had stood watching the girls trying to catch frogs near the pond’s edge. Their laughter, as well as the excitement they still exuded after learning about the upcoming marriage, put a smile on Leah’s face. Already she felt as if they were a family. How could this be wrong? Surely God would not object to me helping raise Adam’s nieces, whom I already love so much.

  Leah had always enjoyed cookouts, especially roasting hot dogs over an open fire. But as the evening wore on, she found that with each bite she took, it was getting harder to swallow. Even with the hot dog on the verge of being burned and smeared with lots of mustard and relis
h, just the way she liked it, Leah couldn’t seem to enjoy it. Somehow she managed to take the last bite. That little bit of happiness she’d felt earlier had been replaced with apprehension. Was it too soon to be announcing their news? How would her friends react when Adam told them that he and Leah were planning to be married?

  Elaine sputtered as smoke wafted from the fire in her direction then lifted into the air. “Oh my!” She coughed. “I thought I might have to move my seat, but it seems to be better now.”

  Ben grabbed hold of her hand. “You know what I’ve always heard? ‘Smoke follows beauty.’”

  “Behave yourself.” Elaine blushed while the others laughed.

  Spending time with her two best friends had always been fun, and when times got tough, they’d been there for one another. But this evening, knowing the reason she and Adam were having this gathering, Leah felt tense and ill at ease. She couldn’t stop wondering what Elaine and Priscilla would think of her sudden plans to marry Adam. She swallowed hard, getting the last mouthful of her hot dog down as she watched Adam stand up to make his announcement.

  “I’m glad you could all be here this evening,” he said, shifting his weight, as though unsure of himself. “Leah and I have an important announcement to make, and except for the girls and Leah’s parents, you are the first ones to know.”

  With the glow of the fire, Leah could see that all eyes were focused on Adam as everyone got quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the croaking of a frog and the crackling wood in the flames of the fire. She held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

  “Leah and I have decided to get married,” Adam proclaimed. “The wedding will take place the second Thursday in November, and we would like the four of you to be our witnesses.”

  No one said anything at first, making Leah wonder if they all disapproved. Maybe the frogs approved, though, because now there was a chorus of them singing.

  Finally, Ben left his seat and came around to shake first Adam’s and then Leah’s hand. “Congratulations.”

  Elaine joined him, and after shaking Adam’s hand, she gave Leah a hug. But Leah suspected from the look on her friend’s face that she had some misgivings.

  Priscilla and Elam came next, offering handshakes and hugs as well. Priscilla’s smile appeared to be forced, and Leah figured Priscilla wasn’t happy to hear this news, either. Since she couldn’t come right out and ask in front of the others, Leah decided to wait until she had a chance to speak with Elaine and Priscilla alone.

  “Sure wish Leah could move in with us right now,” Linda said after Adam handed her another hot dog to roast. “November’s a long way off.”

  Leah reached over and touched the child’s arm. “It’ll be here before we know it.”

  “The girls are pleased that Leah and I getting married,” Adam spoke up.

  “I imagine they would be, especially since Leah’s such a good cook.” Elam bumped Priscilla’s arm with his elbow. “Don’t you think Leah’s a good cook?”

  Priscilla responded with a brief nod. Something was wrong, and Leah planned to find out what it was before the evening was out. Watching the tips of the flames as sparks disappeared into the air, Leah prayed that her friends would understand and be happy for her.

  After everyone had eaten and the girls began roasting marshmallows, Leah gathered up the rest of the food and took it into the house. She was glad when Elaine and Priscilla came along, carrying some of the items.

  “Are you in love with Adam?” Elaine asked the minute they entered the kitchen.

  Placing the tray of food on the counter, Leah smiled and said, “Adam has many good qualities. I think he’ll be a good husband.”

  “But do you love him?” Elaine repeated, setting her items on the table.

  “Well, I…” Leah’s face heated. “Adam and I are not in love, if that’s what you mean, but we do respect each other.”

  Priscilla’s gaze flicked upward. “Then you shouldn’t have agreed to marry him.”

  “I agree with Priscilla,” Elaine interjected. “I’ve always felt that a person should marry for love.”

  “I love Adam’s nieces. That ought to count for something.”

  “Is that the reason you’ve agreed to marry Adam—because of the girls?” Priscilla crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  “That’s mostly the reason,” Leah admitted. “He needs someone to be with the girls full-time. Even when Adam’s at home, he has a hard time managing things.”

  “Have you prayed about this?” Elaine questioned.

  “Well, not exactly, but I feel confident that—”

  “So you’re going to make the ultimate sacrifice and marry Adam in order to make his life easier because he can’t take proper care of his nieces?” Priscilla uncrossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Look what happened when Elaine sacrificed her needs to take care of her grandma. She ended up losing the man she loved to another woman, who was more than happy to marry him, I might add.” Priscilla’s hands shook as she held them close to her sides.

  Elaine’s chin quivered and her eyes filled with tears. “I thought you understood why I broke up with Jonah. I thought you supported my decision to put Grandma’s needs ahead of my own.”

  “I did, but…” Priscilla turned and fled the room.

  Leah watched as her friend dashed down the hallway and into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Stunned by Priscilla’s outburst and feeling sorry about what had been said, Leah slipped her arm around Elaine’s waist. “I’m sure Priscilla didn’t mean to hurt you. She’s just concerned about me marrying Adam and doesn’t want me to sacrifice my own needs.”

  Elaine sniffed. “I don’t regret caring for Grandma. Jonah is happy being married to Sara, and I’m glad for them. Someday, Lord willing, I’ll find the right man and know the kind of joy Sara feels when she’s with Jonah.”

  “What about Ben? He’s been courting you for a while now. He seems quite attentive tonight, so I assumed you two might be getting serious.”

  Elaine twisted her finger around her head covering ties. “I enjoy being with Ben, but right now we’re just friends.”

  “Friendship should always come first,” Leah said. “Perhaps it will blossom into love.” She cringed, thinking about her own situation. Are Adam and I really friends?

  Priscilla leaned against the bathroom door, sobbing and berating herself for the hurtful things she’d said to Elaine and Leah. She didn’t know what had come over her to spout off like that. Elaine and Leah were both good friends, and she’d never intentionally hurt either of them before. Yet that’s just what she’d done.

  Pressing her hands against her forehead, Priscilla tried to figure out what had just happened. When Elaine broke up with Jonah, I tried to be understanding and supportive. So what made me say what I did just now? I should have just congratulated Leah on her engagement to Adam and shown support, even if I’m concerned about her reason for marrying him. And I never should have brought up the topic of Jonah to Elaine. She didn’t deserve that.

  More tears fell as Priscilla came to grips with her feelings. As much as she hated to admit it, she was jealous because Leah would soon be getting married. All these months Elam had been courting her and he’d never said a word about marriage. Yet Adam hadn’t courted Leah at all, and he’d asked her to marry him.

  Of course, she reasoned, he only asked her because he needs a wife—someone to take care of his nieces and cook and clean. If Adam and Leah were deeply in love, she’d be even more envious. And it hadn’t helped to hear Ben make that remark to Elaine about her beauty and then tenderly hold her hand. Priscilla felt even sorrier for herself. Elam had never said such sweet things to her, although he did sometimes hold her hand.

  It wasn’t right to envy her friends, and she should never have taken her disappointment and frustration out on them. Grabbing a tissue from the vanity, she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. She owed Leah and Elaine a heartfelt apology.

  When Priscill
a stepped into the kitchen, she found Leah and Elaine sitting at the table. “I’m sorry for the way I acted and the horrible things I said.” She placed her hands on Elaine’s shoulders. “I do understand why you broke up with Jonah, and I shouldn’t have brought that up. I hope you will forgive me.”

  Elaine reached back and patted Priscilla’s hand. “You’re forgiven.”

  Priscilla touched Leah’s shoulder. “If you feel that marrying Adam is the right thing to do, then I’m happy for you.”

  Leah smiled. “Danki. I appreciate that.”

  “It’s hard for me to admit this,” Priscilla said, taking a seat across from them, “but the truth is, I’m jealous.”

  Elaine’s forehead wrinkled. “About what?”

  “I’ve known Elam since we were kinner, and we’ve been courting for several months, yet he hasn’t said a word about marriage. Makes me wonder if he’s stringing me along until someone better catches his eye. Or maybe Elam only sees me as a friend.”

  “I’ve seen the dreamy way he looks at you,” Leah said. “No man looks at a woman like that unless he cares deeply for her.”

  “Then why hasn’t he asked me to marry him?”

  “Perhaps he’s afraid you’ll say no,” Elaine suggested.

  Priscilla shook her head, gripping the tissue she held tightly in her fingers. “I wouldn’t say no.”

  “Does Elam know that you love him?” Leah questioned.

  “Well, he ought to. I think my actions have proved that. Surely he must realize that I would have broken things off with him by now if I didn’t love him.”

  Elaine nodded. “But have you actually said the words?”

  “Course not. That would be embarrassing. Besides, I think he should be the one to say it first, don’t you?”

  Leah shrugged. “I suppose so, but then I’m no expert on love.”

  “If my grandma were still alive, I’ll bet she’d say, ‘If you love someone, you ought to let them know; if not in word, then by your actions,’” Elaine put in.

  “Is there something you could do to let Elam know you love him?” Leah asked.