First, the buggy lurched about so much, she’d become increasingly nauseated as they journeyed toward their destination. Second, she was nettled by Aaron’s wisecrack about her continued inability to remember Fletcher—and judging from Fletcher’s expression, he was equally peeved. Third, Melinda’s prancing and twirling caused Anna’s head to spin. Then, Fletcher and Aaron squabbled like two boys on a playground. Finally, when she tried to focus her attention on something positive by commenting on the beauty of the scenery, Fletcher pulled a face. His remarks about Aaron’s and Melinda’s personalities may have been true, but they weren’t especially generous, which made her wonder if he was characteristically judgmental.
Not that Aaron or Melinda took much care to measure their own words about others: Melinda’s pronounced insinuation that Anna needed to watch her weight would have been humiliating, had it been true. In reality, she’d been far too nauseated to eat any cookies, but she didn’t want to draw attention to herself by saying so.
Of course, all eyes had been on her when Grace questioned Anna about whether she’d sewn her wedding dress or not. Making her dress was one of the wedding preparations an Amish bride reveled in most, but Anna couldn’t even recall if she’d bought her fabric yet. Nor did she know if she’d selected her newehockers, also known as sidesitters or wedding attendants, and given them the fabric for their dresses, which would match hers. Had she made Fletcher’s wedding suit for him, as was the tradition?
If she hadn’t begun sewing yet, should she bother starting now, given that her memory might not return in time to carry through with the wedding? On the other hand, if she delayed making the garments until her memory returned, it was likely she’d have to rush to finish them, since there were only a few weeks until the wedding as it was.
Of course, her dilemma about their wedding clothes wasn’t nearly as disconcerting as her growing concern about whether or not they should get married at all. Anna hesitated to bring up the subject with Fletcher, who demonstrated no signs of hesitation about carrying through with their plans. Considering all they’d apparently invested in their relationship, their house and their wedding, how could she tell him she had doubts about their future together? Once her misgivings were voiced, there’d be no taking them back. Even if her concerns were legitimate under the circumstances, Anna was aware of how deeply they might hurt Fletcher. Completely exasperated, she cried herself to sleep, stirring only once when Melinda’s footsteps creaked on the stairs.
By morning, she resolved to exercise more patience as she waited upon the Lord to guide her about what to do next in regard to the wedding. After praying once again for her memory to return—and for a sense of peace in the meantime—she managed to comb her hair into a loose likeness of a bun. She had breakfast on the stove before Naomi could forbid her to help. She knew her stepmother was only concerned for her health, but Anna was growing increasingly restless from being told she couldn’t do her share of work around the house.
Naomi chided her anyway. “The doctor said for you to take it easy. Where is Melinda hiding this morning?”
“Here I am,” Melinda answered, skittering into the room.
“Gut. Since you and Anna need the buggy to go into town today, I’ll drop Raymond and Roy off at work,” Naomi suggested. “While I’m gone, I’d like you to clean the breakfast dishes and wring and hang the laundry, please. And remember, Anna isn’t to help with any housework until she’s seen the doctor again.”
The ride to the mercantile was much smoother than it had been in Aaron’s buggy, and on the way, Anna asked Melinda about their shopping list. She assumed they were picking up grocery staples for the week and she thought dividing the list would make the task easier.
“Oopsie, you must have forgotten our plan, since we arranged today’s outing prior to your accident,” Melinda replied. “We’re not buying groceries. I’m buying organdy for my wedding apron. I also need to check to see whether the fabric has arrived for my dress and my newehockers’ dresses. Aaron’s mother is sewing his wedding suit, so I needn’t concern myself with that. What do you intend to purchase today?”
Anna swiveled toward her and cocked her head, racking her brain. If only Melinda had reminded her they were going fabric shopping, she might have had an opportunity to discuss the matter with Naomi, whose practical and Godly advice she valued.
“I don’t know that I’ll purchase anything,” she finally responded. “After Grace’s question yesterday, I checked my sewing basket and the closet this morning and I didn’t find evidence I’ve been working on my wedding dress, but I didn’t have a chance to ask Naomi if I might have hung it somewhere else. Nor do I know if I’ve finished Fletcher’s suit. I don’t even know whether I’ve chosen my newehockers or who they might be.”
Melinda clicked her tongue. “That’s the trouble with being so secretive. To be honest, it hurt my feelings a bit that you never confided in me about your relationship with Fletcher. Perhaps if you’d told me more, I’d be able to help determine your sewing needs now. But, as Aaron and I agree, it makes sense that you and Fletcher hid your courtship from everyone, especially from us.”
Anna silently counted backward from ten before responding. “Plenty of Amish couples still practice discretion about sharing their courtship—the custom isn’t intended to insult anyone, so I’m sorry if you felt that way,” she said. Taking a deep breath, she asked, “But what do you mean it made sense we’d keep our courtship hidden, especially from you?”
“Oh, you know,” Melinda prattled on obliviously, working the reins. “I imagine you might have worried if you brought Fletcher around socially, he would have been drawn to me, the way Aaron was. Not that I’d ever be interested in Fletcher, of course, but you must have some lingering worries. It’s only natural. Also, Aaron said the two of you never kept your courtship such a secret. He thinks that you and Fletcher didn’t let anyone know you were courting because you were worried Aaron might tell Fletcher that he was your second choice.”
“Oh really?” Anna asked drily. What hogwash! She was the one who begged her father and Naomi not to send Melinda back to Ohio after she discovered her shenanigans with Aaron! And she was the one who insisted she was glad Melinda had found an Amish boyfriend instead of an Englischer because maybe he’d be a good influence on her! As for Aaron, she’d gotten over their breakup within a couple of weeks. Some of his ideas were so preposterous Anna wondered why she’d ever accepted him as her suitor.
They continued in silence until they reached the designated horse and buggy lot on the far end of Main Street. After they’d secured the animal at the hitching post, Anna said, “I’m going to Schrock’s while you’re at the mercantile. I expect you back within half an hour, please.”
The bells jingled when she pushed open the door of Schrock’s Shop, and Anna’s agitation was replaced with a sense of nostalgia. She took special pleasure in the resourcefulness and creativity of the Amish leit from her district, who consigned their handiwork in the large store. Today the gallery bustled with tourists in search of specialty Amish items such as quilts, toys, furniture, dried flower wreaths and naturally scented candles. She knew Joseph Schrock must have been pleased so many people were making purchases, although he looked overwhelmed by the line stretching from the register to the door. It seemed such a shame Anna couldn’t work that afternoon, but she decided not to add to Joseph’s burden by interrupting him with small talk.
She browsed the aisles, noting the price and location of the inventory. I don’t recall any of these items being stacked here, she thought. She took a square of paper and a pencil from her purse and jotted down the contents on the shelves so she could study them before returning to work. When she finished, she turned to leave, nearly bumping into another young Amish woman whose arms were loaded with bars of homemade soap.
“Excuse me,” she apologized, bending to retrieve the bars that had spilled from the woman’s grasp.
Anna surveyed the woman’s olive complexion, pronounced cheekbones and deep-set eyes. She couldn’t register who she was, although she deduced the woman also worked in the store.
“I’m much better,” she said slowly. “Denki for your prayers.”
“Of course,” the woman replied. “As you can see, there’s a long line now, but if you give me fifteen minutes, I’ll be able to take my break and we’ll catch up on everything.”
“Actually, I was just popping in for a moment. Will you kindly tell Joseph I’ll return to work on Thursday if the doctor approves? I’m sorry, but I have someone waiting and I can’t stay.” Anna backed away before it became apparent she couldn’t recall the woman’s name.
On the way home, Melinda jabbered nonstop about how irritated she was because the particular shade of purple fabric she’d ordered for her wedding dress hadn’t arrived yet. Anna didn’t get a word in edgewise until they sat down for tea at home, where she told Melinda and Naomi about her puzzling interaction with the unfamiliar woman.
“She’s clearly new to Willow Creek. She’s about my height and has dark hair and a ready smile,” Anna commented.
“It must have been Tessa, one of the Fisher sisters,” Melinda guessed. “Was she a homely woman with a big nose?”
“Melinda!” Naomi snapped.
“What?” Melinda chafed. “I’m only giving an honest description of what she looks like. Doesn’t Gott require us to be honest?”
“First, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and second, Gott requires us to be kind,” replied Naomi. “And in this house, so do I.”
Anna seldom heard Naomi raise her voice like that and Melinda looked as surprised as Anna felt. The young woman snatched her coat from the hook and stomped outside.
After the door banged shut behind Melinda, Naomi confessed, “Even though she’s my dear departed sister’s kind, there are times when her churlish behavior tries my last nerve and I fear I don’t have any patience left.”
“She’s young and she doesn’t always weigh her words,” Anna acknowledged, consoling herself as much as Naomi. “I suppose that’s the result of not having a mamm or sister in her home for so many years and then running around with the Englisch as often as she did.”
Naomi sighed. “’Tis true, I suppose. In any case, Tessa Fisher and her older sister, Katie, moved to Willow Creek together in the fall. They rent Turner King’s daadi haus. Katie took Doris’s teaching position when Doris got married. Tessa works at Schrock’s. The three of you became fast friends—you’ve spent many sister days and Sunday visits at their house.”
“No wonder she looked so perplexed,” Anna said. “She must have thought me terribly rude not to even greet her by name.”
“I’m certain she’ll understand once you explain the reason. But even without having all the facts, a gut friend will always give another the benefit of the doubt.”
“Jah, that’s true,” Anna agreed, sipping her tea. As she reflected on Naomi’s words, Anna decided that although she didn’t have all of the facts about Fletcher, she was going to try to be more open about giving him every benefit of the doubt, too. As her fiancé, he deserved that much.
* * *
“I’ll take Roy and Raymond home,” Aaron offered at the end of their workday.
“Neh, I gave Naomi my word I’d do it when I saw her this morning,” Fletcher countered. He had also been asked to stay for supper.
Aaron shrugged. “Suit yourself, but I’m going that way anyhow, since I’m picking up Melinda. She and my mamm and sisters are working on the wedding clothes together.”
Fletcher was relieved Aaron and Melinda wouldn’t be at the house. While he didn’t expect to be able to spend much time alone with Anna, he was already on tenterhooks about his relationship with her; he didn’t want to be harried by Aaron’s snide remarks or Melinda’s animated mannerisms. Besides, his appetite was beginning to return and he looked forward to eating another home-cooked meal instead of the soup and sandwich supper he usually prepared for himself.
After supper, he turned to Anna. “It’s a clear night. Would you like to take a drive in the buggy or a stroll down to the creek?” he asked. “I’ll bring a flashlight.”
She hesitated. “How about if we sit on the porch instead? I’m afraid my energy is lagging. Would you like a cup of hot tea?”
“Jah, please,” Fletcher answered.
They carried their steaming mugs out to the porch and peered over the railing, up at the starry sky, standing so close that Fletcher could hear the soft puff of Anna’s breath as she pursed her lips to blow on her tea. A week ago, he would have draped his arm around her shoulders and nestled her to his chest, but tonight he had no assurance the gesture would be welcome, so he stepped away so as not to bump her with his elbow when he lifted his own mug to drink.
“I think spring might be coming early this year. Listen, you can hear the peepers,” he said, indicating the chirping call of nearby frogs.
“Speaking of peepers, don’t turn around,” Anna instructed, glancing sidelong. “Evan is doing something he’s expressly been forbidden to do—he’s eavesdropping at the window. Ignore him. He can’t hear us anyway.”
Despite her admonishment not to look at him, Fletcher wheeled around and made a monstrous face to send Evan scampering, which sent Anna into a fit of giggles.
“Let’s sit,” she suggested, but no sooner had they settled into the swing next to one another than Anna got up and moved to the bench.
“Do I smell bad or is something else wrong?” he asked, suddenly fearful she’d remembered the misgiving that caused her to write the note the day of her accident.
“Neh! Of course not. I’m sorry, I should have explained... I’ve been so nauseated that even the rocking of the swing causes my stomach to flip. I haven’t wanted to say anything because I didn’t want to alarm anyone.”
“Oh, I see,” Fletcher said and his muscles immediately relaxed. So that was all it was. “Are you sure you shouldn’t call the doctor?”
“Neh, I’m not sick,” she assured him. “They told me I might temporarily have motion intolerance and I think I’m still recovering from Aaron’s handling of the buggy yesterday. It seems lately I’ve been sensitive to certain smells and sights, too. And even though Melinda was the one twirling in circles yesterday, I felt as if I was the one becoming dizzy just from watching her.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Fletcher asked.
“Don’t twirl in circles,” Anna quipped.
Fletcher chuckled heartily; Anna always could make him laugh. “I hope the bouts of nausea pass soon.”
“Denki,” Anna replied. “To be on the safe side, I’ll mention it to the doctor when I see him on Wednesday, although I’m more interested in knowing when he thinks my memory will fully return. Meanwhile, it would be helpful if I could ask you a few questions.”
“Of course,” Fletcher agreed.
“Well, right now, my immediate concerns are actually about the wedding preparations.”
Fletcher’s hand trembled so noticeably he had to set down his mug of tea. Squaring his shoulders as if to brace himself for whatever Anna was about to disclose, he could only utter, “Jah?”
“For starters, I don’t know if I’ve made your suit yet. Do you?”
There was a pause while her question sank in and when it did, Fletcher was nearly woozy with relief. “Jah,” he answered, half coughing and half choking on the word. “Jah, you’ve already made my suit and I feel pretty dapper in it if I do say so myself.”
“Oh, gut.” Anna’s teeth shone in the moonlight. “How about my wedding dress? Have I mentioned anything about that?�
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“Only that you might plan a sister day to work on it, along with your newehockers.”
“Have I told you who they are?”
“Katie and Tessa Fisher.”
Anna exhaled. “It’s so gut to know these things. Now I can get back to working on the preparations before too much time elapses and I fall behind with the things that need to be done. I mean, obviously, there’s so much I want to remember about you and about our relationship, too, but I’ve been praying fervently that my memory will return any moment now and all will kumme clear in that regard.”
“Jah, any moment now, all will kumme clear,” Fletcher repeated. But what would happen once it did? A shiver made his shoulders twitch.
“Oh, you’re cold,” Anna observed. “We should go inside.”
“Actually, it’s getting late and I ought to head home.” Fletcher felt drained from the gamut of emotions he’d just experienced. “Unless you have any other urgent questions for me?”
“Only one. Actually, it’s more of a favor. As I mentioned, I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. It’s all the way in Highland Springs and it’s at three o’clock, the middle of your workday. But I’m not supposed to take the buggy out until I’ve gotten the all-clear from the doctor and you know how nervous Naomi gets. I’d ask Melinda, but she isn’t too careful on the major Englisch roadways... More important, I’d like you to be able to ask the doctor any questions you might have, too.”
“Of course I’ll take you,” Fletcher agreed, although he very much doubted the doctor was the person who could give him the answers he most needed to know.
* * *
When Anna told Naomi about the plan for Fletcher to bring her to the medical center, Naomi seemed relieved not to have to take the buggy through city traffic.
“You promise you’ll ask the doctor whether or not you’re able to return to work?” she prodded.
Anna's Forgotten Fiancé Page 5