Plain City Bridesmaids

by Dianne Christner

  Mom kept her gaze lowered. “Something like that.”

  Moving to the cupboard above her mom’s slow-cooker chicken and dumplings, Megan got the extra plate. She’d just placed it on the table when her dad came in from the shop with Micah. Amazingly, the two men bantered as if Saturday had never happened.

  Micah took a chair then sneezed into his handkerchief.

  “Sorry about your cold,” Mom empathized. “You taking anything for it?”

  He shook his head, stuffing it back into his pocket. “I think it’s allergies. And just when things had settled down for me.”

  “Oh, probably the start of fall allergies,” Mom said. “Your resistance is probably low. Maybe from the storm?”

  Micah looked at Megan. “You don’t have any symptoms?”

  “Not yet.”

  Micah frowned at her as if she was letting him down. Her lack of the sniffles had probably been his basis for assuming it was a virus.

  “Medicine makes me drowsy.”

  “Work makes me drowsy,” Megan quipped back, but when she saw everyone’s gaze rest on her questioningly, she quickly added, “But it’s getting better, now that Randy’s back.” The incident had left its mark, making her feel as though she were walking on eggshells, afraid to say the wrong things. But when Micah didn’t react negatively, she relaxed. Maybe everyone had gotten past Saturday’s argument after all.

  Mom speared Dad with her gaze. “Can’t the newspaper wait till after supper?”

  “Oh sure.” He folded it up and handed it to Megan with a sheepish grin. “I’m tired, too.”

  Megan took the newspaper to his favorite chair in the living room, and when she returned, everyone was waiting.

  After Dad’s prayer, they passed the food. “Good sermon,” he said.

  “I didn’t get it,” Megan differed. “Is faith something we have to do? Or something God gives us?”

  “Both,” Micah said. “You inhale to breathe, but air is a gift from God.”

  “How do allergies fit into your analogy?”

  “Or exercising?” Mom arched an eyebrow.

  Micah grinned. “They’re darts from the enemy.”

  “Amen!” Megan said, grinning back.

  Across the table, Mom smiled, too.

  Dad shrugged. “What? When dinner’s so good, who’s got time to breathe?”

  CHAPTER 35

  Micah drove into Plain City, down Madison Street, to a small house in the heart of the village and parked on the street. He made his way up the rippled sidewalk and climbed three stairs to the exterior stoop. Then he rang the doorbell. He waited, staring at the floor and noticing it was in bad need of paint. When he didn’t hear any stirring, he rang again. This time, the door opened.

  “Micah. What a surprise. Come in.”

  “I’ve been meaning to stop in, sir.”

  “Glad you did.”

  Micah followed his professor into the adjoining room that looked more like a library than a living room. One corner of the room held bookcases. Beneath a window was a massive desk. But Noah Maust took Micah to a set of masculine armchairs.

  “A wonderful room,” Micah observed.

  “Yes. For years I studied back in one of the bedrooms. Then one day, I decided to make myself comfortable. Most of my visitors feel more comfortable in this atmosphere, anyway.”

  “Yes, sir. I could certainly make myself comfortable here.”

  “It’s time to dispense with the titles. If anything, I should defer to you now.”

  “That doesn’t seem right. How about first names?”

  “Done. So what brings you here, Micah? Making your rounds?”

  “No. I came to find out how much I owe you to fix your car.”

  Noah brushed his hand through the air. “No need. I’m more concerned about function. Your ball didn’t destroy that.”

  “You don’t intend to take it in for body work then?”

  “For one little dent? Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just glad to have the ballgame behind us. Never relished playing.”

  “But you did fine. You got on base several times.”

  “It’s not something I enjoy, but I do my part.”

  “It’s tougher than I imagined trying to fill Brother Troyer’s shoes.”

  “Nonsense. Lori Longacre says we need young blood. And all that bluster with the widow will soon blow over.”

  Micah studied the professor thoughtfully. “You and Lori talk?”

  Noah laughed. “Women love talking better than anything.”

  “I’m discovering that. Talking and crying.”

  The professor laughed. “Lori’s the studious type, and we have a lot in common. We’re actually kind of in cahoots, trying to put in a good word for you whenever we can.”

  “You two are friends,” Micah repeated. “So you think men and women can just be friends? I’m finding bachelorhood is getting me in trouble.”

  “Even though I never married, I enjoy several female friendships.”

  “If you had to do it over, would you stay single?”

  “Good question. It’s lonely. But my job at Rosedale places me around people all day long. So home is my retreat. I like it. I’m used to it. I know what Bill said at the meeting, but is it really over between you and Megan?”

  Micah felt Noah’s probing gaze. “I can’t believe I’m so transparent.”

  “Something tells me you didn’t come here to talk about my car. I’m sure it’s lonely for you in your position. I make a pretty good sounding board.”

  Micah met the professor’s gaze and decided he was good as his word. “I could use a mentor. I talk to Bill, but not about Megan. I can’t get her out of my mind.”

  “How does she feel?”

  “Even though she despised me in college, we’ve become close. When I first came, she was in love with her boss. She came to me for advice. She gave him up because he wasn’t a Mennonite. She cried on my shoulder. Actually, she does that a lot.” Micah decided to omit the information about the night in the root cellar.

  “So you don’t know if she’s over him?”

  “She’s over him. But I don’t know if she could ever think of me as more than a friend.”

  “That’s complicated. I understand your thinking. You’re a perfectionist. And now your idea of the perfect woman conflicts with reality, especially because you weren’t Megan’s one and only.”

  “I hadn’t admitted that to myself. Of course, I live by grace and extend grace to others. But maybe you’re right. Maybe it bothers me more than I thought.”

  “On the other hand, you love her. Marriage would make your job easier, and from what I hear, there’s not a perfect relationship out there.”

  Micah gave the professor a half grin, wondering what a bachelor like Noah really knew about love or marriage. “Is that why you never married?”

  Noah’s gaze drifted up to his left toward the window. “I proposed once. A long time ago. Obviously she refused. But I didn’t regret it because it freed me to get over her. And if you’re going to live in Plain City, you either have to marry her or get over her like I did and move on.”

  “You’re right. But I don’t want to rush her.”

  “Again, the perfectionism. Waiting for the perfect time. But from what I hear, you can’t rush a woman, anyway.” The professor gestured toward the adjoining hall. “Can I get you something to drink? I’m a pretty good cook, too.”

  Micah rose. “Next time. Thanks for listening. Now, what would be a good day for me to show up with my paintbrush?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m painting your porch floor.”

  Amusement crinkled the corners of Noah’s eyes. He studied Micah almost long enough to make him squirm. Then he finally replied, “Any weekday, now that college is back in swing. Just be sure it’s dry before I get home. And make sure it matches the siding. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t show up with any of Leon’s leftover blue paint.”

  Micah laughed. “I
t’s a deal.”

  “You don’t owe me for anything, except taking so long to get over here.”

  “I wish I’d come sooner.”

  Micah saw himself out, whistling all the way to the car. The professor was right; he should have visited him when he’d first arrived in Plain City. It was his own loss that he hadn’t, for an hour with his old mentor had revealed many things.

  Megan arrived at work, glanced at the clock, and saw that she was fifteen minutes early. As she waited for her computer to boot and did a few rote tasks, she wondered what it would be like to move into Barbara’s parsonage with Micah. Was the woman really prophetic? Or had she made her observations while working alongside Micah? The idea of supporting Micah in his ministry put goose bumps on her arms. She rubbed them, thinking Barbara wasn’t the only person pushing her toward the idea.

  Lori and Lil saw her and Micah together, but insisted the timing was wrong. If that was true, Megan needed patience. She bit back a smile, thinking that the other night at the table, she should have asked Micah about patience rather than faith. She imagined him catching her hidden meaning and taking great pains with his explanation, even throwing in a love quote or two. No, she’d been reading too many of Great-grandpa’s letters. That wasn’t real life, not her life anyway.

  She didn’t even know when she’d fallen in love with Micah, but she had. She loved his sense of humor, his compassion, and his perseverance. She sighed and picked up a small stack of complaints. The one on top was about a bumpy ride. How could bad weather be the fault of Char Air? She’d have to make the phone call and apologize, regardless.

  Tapping a pencil against her chin, her thoughts returned to Micah. Did he know that her lifelong dream had been to marry a missionary or preacher? Would that information help him understand why she’d fallen for Chance? It reminded her of Abraham taking Sarah’s servant woman when he didn’t think Sarah would be able to produce the son he was promised. Settling for second best from what God intended all along.

  “Megan?” Near her desk, Paige stood with a hand on her tight-skirted hip.

  Megan dropped her pencil and snatched up her white ceramic cup. “Yes. I want coffee.”

  On the way to the snack room, Paige told her what she’d done over the weekend and then asked if Megan had done anything exciting.

  “If you call instigating a church incident exciting, then yes.”

  Inside the coffee room, Paige shut the door. “Come on, girl. Don’t leave me hanging.”

  As Megan told the story, Paige’s expressions varied, but mostly she bore a look of frustration. “What?” Megan finally asked.

  “I just think sometimes your people make a mountain out of a molehill.”

  With a sinking disappointment in her inability to explain things fully so that her outsider friend could understand her people, Megan turned away to fill her coffee cup.

  “But then, I never knew a preacher personally. I guess Micah’s even holier than you?”

  Megan cringed and faced Paige. “Nobody deserves grace, but I suppose it appears that way.” Had she fallen into the trap of believing that lie? That she wasn’t good enough for Micah?

  “You’re a riddle. That’s what I love about you.” Paige fixed her coffee. “So did you see what’s on the bulletin board?”

  Megan walked over to a mishmash of photos and business cards, expecting to see something from the recent newsletter or a customer’s thank-you note. She followed Paige’s red fingernail to a sheet of lined yellow paper. Curious, she stepped closer. The signature at the bottom made her heart do a little trip. Chance Marshall? Her gaze scurried to the top of the page:

  Hi, Char Air friends,

  I’m back in Shell, trying to get things in order. I suppose it’s been the same with Randy picking up the pieces since I left there. Don’t let him downsize the charity flights! I’ll hold you accountable if I ever come back to the States.

  I hit the rainy season here, if there’s such a thing. Having some downtime now, waiting for the weather to break so I can fly in and pick up a snakebite victim. A child. The missionary family from the compound assures me that God gives life and takes it away. Not to take our losses personally. I try to trust God’s timing, but sometimes I just have to go with my instincts….

  Megan paused with understanding. How difficult that must be when it was a matter of life and death—someone else’s.

  Thanks for all your hard work. Remember, you keep Char Air successful, no matter what my brother claims.

  I’ve no regrets for spending time with you all, but I’m tickled as blue skies to be back in the thick of things here where I belong.

  Happy flying,

  Chance

  “Whatcha think?”

  Megan tore her gaze from the letter. “He sounds happy.”

  “Yeah, but he was thinking about us on his downtime.”

  “With no regrets.”

  “What about you, honey? Because if you have them, you can still change your mind. Let your preacher and church members work out their problems while you are knee deep in jungle and love. Why, Randy would probably fly you over there, himself.”

  Megan grinned. “You noticed it, too? He wants to get rid of me, doesn’t he?”

  “Nonsense. That’s not what I meant.”

  “I’ve got my heart set on Micah.”

  Paige nodded. “Just wanted you to admit it.”

  Megan was glad for the note’s closure. “Don’t worry. I’m over Chance. But things are complicated with Micah.”

  Paige brushed her hand through the air. “He’s a man, isn’t he?” Then she got her cup and opened the door.

  Back at her desk, Megan reflected briefly on Chance’s message. It validated her feelings. She was over him but wanted the best for him and his ministry there in Ecuador. And he would be fine.

  As she went back to work, peace stole over her, the kind that came with agreeing with God. With it came a whisper of knowledge that shocked her. God had given her the job at Char Air for a reason. She might never understand the reason, but once her purpose was finished, He would open a different door. If she hadn’t been so positive that the message came from God, she might not have had the courage to speak so boldly to Randy when he called her into his office.

  “You look discouraged,” she said.

  His gaze flashed up at her with bitterness. “You may be my assistant, but you’re not a confidante.”

  She rested her hand on the corner of his desk. “And I’m a great assistant. Without me, you’d have a bigger mess on your hands right now.” She hoped he’d remember that he’d created his own mess and quit disrespecting her.

  “So you’ve been here a year. Now you run the place?”

  “You’ve worked hard to make your company successful. But I do know some things that you don’t.”

  His jaw nearly unhinged. “Like what?”

  “Spiritual truths.”

  He laughed out loud. “Now you sound like Chance. That why you two had a thing?”

  “I guess. But we were smart enough to do the right thing.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Wish I could say the same. I don’t seem to know when to quit.”

  The pain in his eyes prompted her to say what she’d been thinking for months. “The only thing that will save your marriage is turning to God for help.”

  “Why would God help me? Because of a few charity flights? I do that for publicity.”

  That was information she regretted hearing. But Randy was hurt, and she knew people said crazy things under duress. “Because He created you. Did you know God sees right into the hearts of men? He can see into Tina’s heart, too. That’s why He can help you win her back.”

  “I don’t think she has a heart. Don’t try to convert us.” He laughed. “I can’t see Tina in a bonnet contraption.”

  Megan felt her face heat. “There are other churches where you can find God.”

  “Then why didn’t you leave yours and go with Chance?”
/>
  “Because I like my church.” Megan pinched the inner corner of her eye to keep the tears at bay. “Just think about it.”

  “Oh, don’t cry.”

  She squared her shoulders, trying to oblige him. He softened his voice. “I’m sorry I’ve been hard on you. You signed on here at a bad time. And Tina’s jealousy puts pressure on me.”

  A thought flew into Megan’s mind so swift and hard that it almost knocked her off her feet. She blinked, wanting to resist it, but she was sure it came from God. The missing piece of what he was already showing her. She wet her lips. “Maybe you should offer Tina my job.”

  Randy’s eyes snapped open with interest. She watched his inward struggle. It was almost amusing to see the wheels of his mind turning over the idea.

  “Just a thought.”

  He looked at her with gratitude. “Thanks. I’ll think about it.”

  “Think about God, too,” she said, before pivoting and leaving his office.

  Two hours later, Randy emerged from his office and bent over her desk. “Would you train her?”

  Biting her bottom lip with disappointment, Megan nodded. “Of course.”

  “Maybe we could find you another position? Assistant to Paige?”

  She gave him a weak smile. It was a demotion. How would she ever get anything done sitting next to Paige? “Follow your heart. And I’ll make do.”

  He nodded with a whisper, “Let’s keep this between us. I need to think about it. I’ll talk to Tina. It just might be the trick that finally wins her trust.”

  She cringed at the word trick. Randy needed a lot of help. “Don’t forget about church.”

  Randy strode back to his office with a grin.

  Megan sank back in her chair. “Aye, yi, yi.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Micah opened his cottage door and stepped into Bill’s workshop, espying a pair of tennis shoes and about six inches of blue jeans sticking out from beneath a dark blue Nova, Bill’s current restoration for a lawyer from Columbus.

  Not good timing. But the professor had chided him about his propensity toward perfection. Micah stood in indecision. On the other hand, this was important and needed the perfect lead in. He didn’t want to pour his heart out to a pair of shoes. He put his hand back on his door handle.