Promised to Another

by Laura Hilton

  But he merely sat there, looking at her, studying her, while his fingers caressed her hand. Reached out to touch the curve of her cheek. Traced the outline of her lips. Then, he groaned. “Aren’t you going to ask me to kiss you?”

  Annie gasped, and a shiver worked its way up her spine. “Ach….”

  His fingers slid down her neck, along the exposed part of her collarbone. “Please?”

  “I don’t know how to…. I mean, I tried, but—”

  “You did great.” He smoothed some hair away from her face.

  Unable to find the courage to ask, she scooted closer and leaned forward, until her chest touched the fabric of his hospital gown. His arms slid around her back, and he sighed contentedly as her lips hesitantly touched his. He raised one hand to the back of her head, pressing her in closer, deepening the kiss.

  Someone coughed.

  Annie jerked back and slid off of the bed, keeping her eyes on Joshua. His gaze was directed past her, showing shock. Fearing the worst, she turned around and looked into the stern face of Bishop Sol.

  ***

  “Annie Beiler. What is the meaning of this?” The bishop narrowed his eyes at her. “You, the schoolteacher, not only in a man’s room, unsupervised, but in bed with him. You should be ashamed. Where is your father?”

  Annie shook her head. “I…I…um, I thought he had stepped into the hall for a minute. That’s what he said, anyway.”

  “Hmm. He will be upset to learn of this behavior.” He shook his head. “You will get married, of course.”

  Joshua sucked in a breath.

  Bishop Sol exhaled loudly. “Not in two weeks. Now. I mean, tomorrow, after we obtain a license.”

  Annie swayed on her feet. Joshua grasped for her, but she sank back into the wheelchair. “What?”

  “And you’ll be dismissed from your job, of course. I was going to have to let you go anyway, I’m afraid. Someone mentioned you’d gone into Springfield on Saturday. To that battlefield.”

  Someone had seen them? Well, it could have been that one of the few people who’d known about their excursion had let it slip. Annie’s family knew, for sure. Including Cathy. But why would she have tattled on her own sister?

  “I’m sorry, Annie,” Joshua whispered.

  “So, Joshua, are you prepared to take this woman as your frau? To make this matter right?”

  Annie looked up at the bishop and shook her head. “You can’t force him to marry me.”

  “You dare question me, Annie Beiler?” Bishop Sol glared at her. “The way I see it, you lose your job, regardless. Either you lose it to marry, or you lose it in disgrace for your actions. And Joshua knows I won’t tolerate this sort of behavior outside of marriage.” He waved toward the bed.

  “I’ll marry her.” Joshua hoped his voice sounded clear and strong. He’d never meant for this to happen, but he couldn’t say he was disappointed. This would get Luke out of the picture, for good. Joshua would have the woman of his dreams. He’d lose his reputation as a player. This was a win-win situation. The only downfall was that Annie didn’t seem to want it. Didn’t love him.

  At least, not yet.

  Someday, she would—he hoped.

  And, maybe with marriage forced upon them, she’d come to love him sooner rather than later.

  The bishop nodded. “Gut. Don’t get any ideas about leaving town.”

  Joshua thought he saw relief flitter across the older man’s face. He must have imagined it, though. Nothing about this situation could bring him any measure of satisfaction.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Joshua glanced at the young woman sitting beside him, silent, her lips slightly parted, and longed to reassure her.

  Annie would be his frau.

  Chapter 19

  Annie’s heart was cradled in numbness when Daed finally reappeared. Once he learned of the imminent change in her marital status, he handed Joshua his cell phone and wheeled her out of the room without a word, his expression unreadable.

  Tomorrow, Annie would need to move her things to Joshua’s room. Or, he would move his things to hers.

  How could this happen?

  The community would look at her in judgment. Bundling was forbidden in their district, but they hadn’t been doing that. Their behavior had been more…innocent.

  But they’d been kissing.

  He’d touched her face, her neck, her shoulders.

  Far from innocent.

  She pulled in a shaky breath, forcing her mind to forget his caresses, at least for the time being.

  She’d been fired. If not for the kissing, then for taking Joshua in to see Wilson’s Creek Battlefield.

  Whatever happened to the grace that Bishop Sol had asked the school board members to show to her?

  Luke had told. She should have known he would. In fact, she’d expected it. And she was to blame, blurting it out as she had. But she certainly hadn’t expected her “punishment” to include marriage.

  Joshua would resent her. He had to. Because, once married to her, no longer would he be able to get to know the other young women in the district. His bride would be none other than Annie Beiler.

  Soon to be Annie Esh.

  Till death do us part.

  And she hadn’t wanted to settle. She’d wanted a man who loved her.

  Okay, she was hardly settling. She wanted Joshua. But not this way. She’d dreamed of an engagement similar to those of her friends. A romantic proposal, with declarations of love.

  Now, she would have to tell her kinner that she and their father had been forced to marry. That no man had ever proposed to her.

  Her eyes burned with tears as she slumped in the backseat of the van, next to Daed. The bishop sat in the front, next to Tony, the driver.

  She wouldn’t have a normal Amish wedding. No usual two-week waiting period, with the frantic preparations, the Thursday wedding while the kinner were in school. Nein, she would get married in haste. Tongues would wag.

  Would they have to confess before the church? Bishop Sol hadn’t said. She didn’t want to ask. Maybe Daed would inquire privately.

  She glanced at Daed again. He remained silent. With one hand, he tugged absently at his beard, but his gaze was locked on the back of Bishop Sol’s head. If only she could read his thoughts. Did he resent the bishop for doing this? Was he angry at her and Joshua on account of their poor judgment? She should have known better.

  How could she face her friends? And Mamm?

  ***

  When his nurse came to check on him, Joshua refused her offer of medicine to help him sleep. However, she changed out his IV bag, and he had no idea what might be in the liquid pumping through the thin line attached to the back of his hand.

  She lowered the bed, pulled the chain over his head to turn off the lights, and then, with a cheery “Good night,” slid the curtain shut that separated his bed from David’s. The room wasn’t completely dark—the light in the tiny entryway was still on—but it was dim enough to sleep.

  If sleep would come.

  Annie…. What had he done? Would she ever forgive him?

  Joshua had no idea how long he tossed and turned. He needed to call his parents and let them know about his bride-to-be. He’d never even mentioned Annie to them in his letters. There’d been nothing to tell.

  How would they take this earth-shattering news? And how was he to tell them? He couldn’t just leave a recording on the answering machine for whoever checked it next to spread around. He could imagine the gossip, even now: “Did you hear? Joshua Esh got a girl in trouble in Seymour, Missouri. They were forced to wed!”

  He closed his eyes. It sounded worse than it was, for there wasn’t any illicit baby involved. But that was what people would say, anyway, both here and in Pennsylvania.

  So much for clearing his reputation as a player.

  Unless…. Maybe he could talk the bishop into allowing them to wait the customary two weeks before getting married. Maybe Isaac would support the idea. Give both him
and Annie time to get used to the notion. Allow Joshua’s parents ample time to travel to Missouri to witness the marriage of their only child.

  Not to mention, give him and Annie time to heal. And give him time to court her properly, to win her love, before they both said “I do.”

  Joshua reached for his cell phone. He fingered it for a moment, then drew in a deep breath, turned it on, and dialed the number for the phone shanty back home. The answering machine clicked on. “This is Arthur Esh’s Joshua. I need my daed to call me when he gets a chance.” He snapped the phone shut, ending the call.

  “Rough day, ain’t so?”

  Joshua jumped at the unexpected voice from the other side of the curtain. David. “Jah. At least we’re all still alive.” He eased himself out of bed. It hurt to move, probably due to his badly skinned knees, but he made his way around the curtain to the other side of the room, maneuvering his IV pole with him as he went. He lowered himself into the chair next to the window, at the end of the bed.

  “You weren’t hurt badly?” David asked.

  Joshua shook his head. “The nurse said I have road rash. That seems to be what they call this type of thing.” He held up his hand, palm facing out, to show David the raw skin. “It’s on my legs, too. But I was unconscious for who knows how long. Longer than two minutes, for sure. They’re keeping me overnight for observation.”

  “I broke my leg.” David exhaled. “And my arm.” He patted the white plaster on his left elbow.

  “Jah. Badly, I think, since they did a surgery.”

  David shook his head. “Figures that you’d get off easier than me. You always had it easier.” He snorted. “Sports, academics…you excelled at everything you put your hand to.”

  Joshua dipped his head. David was more of a quiet soul, the type who would enjoy spending hours making those fancy flies for fishing trips. “Ach, you’re an artist, for sure. I remember the drawings you made in school. Such detail. My people always looked like stick figures. And I never could make those flies you make. I don’t have the patience.”

  David chuckled. “Ach, I’m sure you’d do just fine. I’ll teach you sometime, if you like.” He grinned. Then, his smile suddenly vanished, and he grasped his chest, his mouth opening as he gasped for air.

  “Are you all right?” Joshua struggled to his feet and lunged at the foot of the bed. “Do I need to call a nurse?”

  David’s eyes widened. He made a slight nod, his hands pressing tighter against his chest.

  Joshua reached for the call button attached to David’s bed and pushed it. The last time he’d done this, on his own bed, someone had answered on an intercom, asking him what he needed. This time, however, there was only silence. The nurses’ station must have been unoccupied. Should he wait?

  David gasped, his eyes bulging with sheer panic.

  “I’ll go find someone.” Joshua hurried as fast as his sore legs and the IV pole would let him to the door and peeked out. No one was in sight. He looked around and spotted what had to be the nurses’ station, down the hall to his left, and he headed, however haltingly, in that direction.

  A woman was standing beside a large metal cart, onto which she was loading what looked to be empty dinner trays.

  Joshua waved his arm at her. “Help! I need help.”

  She looked up from the cart, then averted her eyes, looking sheepish. “Sorry, but I’m just a dietary aide. I’m not allowed to help with patient care. You need to find a nurse.”

  Dietary aide? Joshua started to back up. “Do you know where I can find one?”

  She shrugged. “You might try the nurses’ station.”

  “I did. There’s no one there. We need help.” Joshua turned around and saw a tall man in black scrubs coming down the hall. He hurried toward him. “My roommate is having trouble breathing. Can you kum check?”

  “Sure.” The man followed Joshua down the hall into the room, took one look at David, and then reached behind him and slapped a button on the wall.

  When Joshua looked at David, his heart constricted. He must have passed out. His skin was gray, his lips blue.

  The male nurse steered Joshua and his IV pole toward the other side of the room. “You’ll need to keep out of the way.”

  A moment later, an announcement came across the intercom. “Dr. Blue, report to room four thirty-five. Dr. Blue, room four thirty-five.”

  ***

  “Go on in, Annie.” Daed shut the back of the van firmly, then stepped around to the other side. Both Tony and Bishop Sol met him over there, Bishop Sol saying something in a low voice.

  Were they discussing her and her poor decisions? Of course, they were. What other reason did they have to talk? They were probably making arrangements for Tony to take Joshua and her to the county courthaus tomorrow to obtain a marriage license. But Tony…he was an outsider. Surely, they wouldn’t air her shame in front of him. She glanced back and saw Bishop Sol looking her way. So, she was the topic of conversation, as expected. She dragged herself up the porch stairs and into the haus, tears burning her eyes.

  Mamm was in the kitchen, her hands folded over an open page of Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht. Annie recognized the German prayer book and wished she could thumb through the pages herself. Maybe something in there would relate to her situation.

  Mamm looked up and quickly wiped her tear-streaked face. Then, she lifted her arms and held them open. With a sob, Annie fell into them, collapsing to her knees beside the wheelchair. Mamm wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight. “Ach, you’re all right. You’re really all right.”

  “All right?” That statement was relative. Mamm didn’t know everything. She’d heard only that Annie had survived. She figured now was as good a time as any to tell her the rest of the story.

  Annie had just finished choking out the entire tale about her job loss and upcoming marriage when the door opened and Daed came in, still tugging at his beard. He looked older, more haggard. With a sigh, he went over to check the kettle on the stove, poured some hot water into a mug, and added a teabag. Then, he came over to the table and dropped into the chair next to them. Heaving another sigh, he picked up the teabag by the string, dipping it in and out, in and out.

  “Isaac.” Lydia smoothed her hands over Annie’s kapp. “Is it true?”

  “Jah. It’s true.” He shook his head. “It seems that our gut bishop has taken to heart the recent complaints about his leniency, and so he’s decided to kum down harshly on our Annie. He says he’ll kum by and talk to us about it later; that right now, he has to get home to his frau.”

  “But a forced marriage for kissing? That just seems…excessive.” Mamm frowned. “Most of the teenagers in their rumschpringe experiment with…physical things.”

  Annie sniffed and got to her feet. “I’m sorry, Daed.”

  Daed waved her off. “I forgive you, Annie. And when I said that Joshua is like a son, I wasn’t teasing. I just didn’t expect…well, never you mind. It’s over. Done. And, nein matter the bishop’s reasons, it’s final.”

  “But what will we tell people when they ask? They’ll think that Annie’s with child.” Lydia closed her prayer book with a thump.

  “Let them think what they will. It’ll soon be proven false. There’ll be nein boppli nine months after this wedding, ain’t so?” Daed pulled the teabag out of the tea completely and dropped it into a small bowl. He grimaced. “But I see nein reason for them to marry tomorrow. I think it should be done the usual way—announced in church on Sunday, with the wedding two weeks later. In fact, I intend to speak to Bishop Sol about this. It’s one thing to fire Annie. But any more than that…nein.”

  “I thought you were standing guard outside Joshua’s room,” Annie said quietly, not wanting Daed to think she was blaming him.

  “A nurse came. She told me I had to use the phone down in this one special room, and she took me there. It was fancy, with a koffeepot and a television.”

  Annie pulled in a shaky breath. “Where will you want
us? Joshua and me, I mean. In my room or his?”

  “His. It’s larger. And I expect we’ll be putting his parents up as soon as they get wind of this.” Daed looked at his watch. “An Englisch neighbor is likely to drive up anytime now to tell us we have a phone call.”

  “Did you get a person when you called the phone shanty Joshua mentioned?”

  “Jah. One of their neighbors. They’d heard the phone ring earlier and didn’t get down to tend to it before. They were going to get the word out about the accident to Joshua’s parents, and to David’s, as well. Of course, I didn’t know about the wedding then.” Gravel crunched in the driveway. Daed stood, and Annie followed his gaze out the window. A neighbor’s car. He grunted. “As I expected.”