The Bridesmaid
Page 23
Joanna spied Eben sitting on the front porch waiting for her as she arrived home the next day. She made herself walk, not run, across the front lawn, and when he saw her, he fairly flew off the porch swing and hurried down the steps to meet her.
“Willkumm home,” he said, looking well rested and as handsome as she’d remembered.
“You too.” She smiled as she moved into his open arms, letting him hold her. “I thought I’d never get here.”
“I know that feeling.” He chuckled. “My sweet Joanna.”
She loved being so close to him, after having been apart all this time. But this was not the place to be so intimate.
Soon they were walking back to the porch, where he told her all that he’d been doing today. “I’ve lined up a place to start workin’—for Smithy Riehl. I’ll start next week, just as soon as I get my things moved here.”
She was thrilled, hanging on to his every word. “Will you stay with him and his wife, maybe?”
“That’s part of the deal, too.” Eben seemed mighty pleased.
She kept waiting to hear the longed-for words but was happy to take in the exciting plans he’d set in place in such a short time.
Eben also talked further about his father’s decision to sell the farm. “It’s such backbreaking work for my poor Daed,” he concluded.
She fully understood yet was stunned at how this had all come together . . . and for their benefit, of all things!
“And, just so ya know, he did offer me the farm to purchase. But I turned it down, hoping you were still single.”
“You gave it up for me?”
This took her breath away. And now her heart yearned to tell what she’d sacrificed for God—and for him, as well—but Joanna thought better of it. Maybe I’ll wait till my poems are published in the magazine . . . Lord willing!
“You and I—this whole thing—is an answer to prayer,” he told her.
She nodded in agreement, wanting to pinch herself.
He reached for her hand. “So now that we’re together here . . . will you marry me, Joanna?”
The words startled her briefly. But then she smiled into his dear face. “What took ya so long?” she replied.
He winked at her, clearly enjoying her spunk. He leaned over and kissed her lightly, and then again. “Is the coming wedding season too soon?” His eyes still lingered on hers. “All right with you?”
“Can we possibly be ready by then?” There were so many plans to be made—where they would live, most important. Suddenly, Joanna remembered the ample celery patch and wondered if Cora Jane would mind if she used it.
“I’ll work to make that happen, my love.” He slipped his arm around her and pulled her ever so near, kissing her again for even longer, not seeming to care what the neighbors thought.
And snuggling next to him . . . neither did she.
Epilogue
Within weeks of Eben’s move to Hickory Hollow, my younger sister confided that Jake Lantz was quickly becoming a serious beau. Cora Jane also said it was more than all right to use her celery crop for the traditional creamed-celery casserole at my wedding feast. I couldn’t help myself—I slipped in my all-important question then and there. “Will ya consider bein’ my bridesmaid, sister? It would mean ever so much.”
A mischievous smile appeared on her pretty face. “Why, sure, I’d love to.” She reached to hug me, and we laughed till tears clouded our eyes.
Both Eben and Jake have had numerous opportunities to get acquainted at church and at youth gatherings. We’ve even talked of going on double dates here before too long. Such gut times we’ll have together!
Meanwhile, Mammi Kurtz has shown a great deal of interest in Eben, asking me about his attendance at Preaching services and the like. She, too, suspects we’ll be published after church one of these November weeks. And I know Mamma and Dat do, too.
As for the double wedding ring quilt that has graced my bed, I’ve decided to wash it up real nice and set it aside for Eben’s and my wedding night. I’ll tell my darling the story of the determined woman in my family tree who wholeheartedly believed that we’re all here by design . . . that none of us is an accident in God’s eyes. Our heavenly Father’s hand is at work in all of our comings and goings—and in the choice of a life mate.
Prior to their move to Virginia, I went with Eben to Shipshewana to meet his congenial parents. They were so encouraging about our eventual union, they even invited us to come visit them once they’re settled there. That way, we’ll come full circle and go walking along the beach where we met. Eben says we might want to go for our first wedding anniversary, as well.
Thinking of anniversaries, Cousin Malinda had her first baby, a boy, the week before her anniversary. Andy said it was right fine with him whenever the Good Lord wanted to bless them with such a healthy baby. And Malinda says Baby Aaron’s day of birth definitely ties for first place in happiness with the day she and Andy married.
As for me, I’ve continued to attend the weekly quilting frolics, where Mamma says a wedding quilt is in the making. I haven’t had the heart to tell them I already have one that I cherish, instead letting Mamma guide the decision as to the pattern and color scheme. It’s something I will look forward to as a thoughtful gesture, to be sure. Besides, a bride can always use more than one quilt in the house!
Once Eben and I are wed, we will stay with my parents till springtime, as is our custom. Eben has been hard at work with Smitty Riehl, so he’s already making money here, adding to his savings, along with some funds his kindly parents gave us from the sale of their farm. Even though there is no land available to purchase in the hollow, we’ve got our eye on a smaller house not far from the bishop’s.
Yesterday, the deacon’s wife, Sallie, and Fannie surprised me when they showed up at the house, bringing several copies of the Ladies Journal. They could hardly quit chattering and quickly turned to the page featuring two of my poems.
Zwee—two! Who would ever have thought this possible?
When I showed Eben later, he asked me to sit near him and read them aloud, which I happily did, although toward the last stanza I could scarcely see the words through my joyful tears. It was a good thing I’d memorized the rest. He kissed my cheek and I cried all the harder, such happy tears.
Then he showed me the numerous digital pictures on his camera, including the ones he took that first night on the beach—a striking series of the ocean, sky, and the dark ship on the horizon. And one more: a distant shot of a forlorn-looking Amish girl sitting with her feet pushed deep into the sand.
“So you did take my picture,” I teased.
“But I never got it printed—in keeping with the Ordnung, ya know.” He smiled as he showed me the zoom button on his fancy camera. “I couldn’t say how many times I looked at this picture of you up close. First thing every morning and the last thing at night,” he admitted.
His picture taking reminded me of my story writing, a lovely yet swiftly fading memory. After all, I was too busy living my happy ending to have any regrets.
Now, if I were still writing fiction, I’d start by penning something like this for the opening lines to my own personal love story: “Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride.” That’s just what my younger sister said about me—in front of our engaged cousins, no less. . . .
Author’s Note
Since my early teens, I’ve heard the saying “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” but I didn’t know all those years ago how that well-known saying might entice me as a novelist to discover Joanna’s unique story path. I delighted in developing the characters of Joanna Kurtz (oh, the writing side of her!) and her feisty younger sister, Cora Jane. Not to mention their devoted mother, Rhoda . . . and the wunnerbaar Eben Troyer. I also especially enjoyed revisiting the character of Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow’s Wise Woman.
I offer enduring gratitude to my dear husband, Dave, my brainstorming partner and first editor, who in every way helps make my deadlines achievable.
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My sincerest appreciation also extends to the stellar staff at Bethany House Publishers, whose collective expertise guides and encourages me, and who ultimately share the pleasure of publishing stories for legions of devoted reader-friends. Thanks primarily to Jim and Ann Parrish, David Horton, Steve Oates, Rochelle Glöege, Debra Larsen, and Helen Motter—you are all truly gifted!
Many thanks to Mary Jane Hoober, gracious innkeeper of the Peaceful Acres Bed-and-Breakfast in Shipshewana, Indiana, who offered invaluable insights into the Indiana Amish for this particular book. During an autumn respite, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed staying at this lovely inn, the source of Eben Troyer’s fictitious street address: Peaceful Acres Lane.
The brief reference to John Newton’s book Voice of the Heart was inspired by the cherished copy given to me by Aunt Ada Reba Bachman before her Homegoing nearly three years ago.
Special thanks to my cousin Dave Buchwalter for the gift of an heirloom friendship quilt made in 1927 for my maternal grandparents . . . the seed that planted the family quilt subplot in this story. I am so grateful!
Denki to my faithful assistants and consultants—Amish and Mennonite alike. I am forever thankful for your prayers and encouragement, as well as to Barbara Birch for meticulous proofreading, and to Dale Birch and Dave and Janet Buchwalter for research help and faithful prayers.
To our magnificent and all-wise heavenly Father be all blessing and honor . . . Soli deo Gloria.
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is the New York Times bestselling author of more than ninety books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother’s Plain heritage has inspired Beverly to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with The Shunning, which has sold more than a million copies. The Brethren was honored with a 2007 Christy Award.
Beverly lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.
By Beverly Lewis
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HOME TO HICKORY HOLLOW
The Fiddler
The Bridesmaid
THE ROSE TRILOGY
The Thorn • The Judgment • The Mercy
ABRAM’S DAUGHTERS
The Covenant • The Betrayal • The Sacrifice
The Prodigal • The Revelation
THE HERITAGE OF LANCASTER COUNTY
The Shunning • The Confession • The Reckoning
ANNIE’S PEOPLE
The Preacher’s Daughter • The Englisher • The Brethren
THE COURTSHIP OF NELLIE FISHER
The Parting • The Forbidden • The Longing
SEASONS OF GRACE
The Secret • The Missing • The Telling
The Postcard • The Crossroad
The Redemption of Sarah Cain
October Song • Sanctuary (with David Lewis) • The Sunroom
Amish Prayers
The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook
www.beverlylewis.com
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