“I figured you’d be taking Melinda home tonight,” Mattie said, breaking into Gabe’s troubling thoughts.
“Why would you think that?”
“Since the two of you are courting, I just assumed—”
Gabe shook his head. “We’re not courting. Not anymore.”
Mattie’s pale eyebrows furrowed. “Did you break up with her?”
“Let’s just say it was a mutual decision.”
“Mind if I ask why?”
Actually, Gabe did mind. He didn’t want to think about his breakup with Melinda, much less talk about it. “We…uh…decided that since we both wanted different things it would be best to go our separate ways.”
“That’s too bad. Melinda always seemed so happy whenever the two of you were together. I figured it wouldn’t be long before an announcement of your betrothal would be published in church.”
“I thought that, too,” Gabe mumbled. “But things don’t always go the way we want. I’ve come to realize that some things just aren’t meant to be.”
Mattie reached across the seat and touched his arm. “I’m real sorry, Gabe.”
He gave a brief nod. No one could be any sorrier than he.
Chapter 26
I came by to check on some kitchen cabinets I plan to give Faith for Christmas,” Noah said when he stepped into Swartz’s Woodworking Shop on Monday morning, two weeks after Gabe and Melinda had broken up.
Gabe leaned against his workbench and crossed his arms. “My daed’s delivering some furniture right now, but I know your cabinets have been made and are waiting to be sanded and stained. I’m sure they’ll be ready in time for Christmas.” He thought about all the orders they had for holiday gifts and how Pap had allowed him to make some chairs and a table for the bed-and-breakfast in Branson. They’d turned out well, and Pap had said he was pleased with Gabe’s work.
“I’m glad to hear the cabinets will be ready soon, because the ones in our kitchen were bought used when we built the house next to my folks’ place,” Noah said, jolting Gabe out of his musings. “They need to be replaced, and my wife’s been wanting new ones for quite some time.” Noah shifted from one foot to the other. “I…uh…wanted to tell you that I’m sorry to hear about you and Melinda breaking up. I like you, Gabe, and was looking forward to having you as my son-in-law.” He handed Gabe a plate of chocolate chip cookies wrapped with cellophane. “I made these last night and thought you might like some.”
“Danki. That was nice of you.” Gabe placed the cookies on one end of his workbench. The truth was, he thought highly of Melinda’s stepfather and figured Noah would probably make a good father-in-law.
Noah placed his palms on the workbench and leaned toward Gabe. “Melinda’s been acting like a kitten with sore paws ever since you two split up. She spends most of her time with those critters of hers, and Faith is fit to be tied because she has to prod Melinda to get any work done.”
Gabe pondered Noah’s words before responding. “If she’s so concerned about going our separate ways, then why’d she ride home from the last young people’s gathering with my best friend?”
“Aaron Zook?”
“Jah, that’s what I heard.”
“I didn’t realize that. I thought one of the girls who had no date had given Melinda a ride home that night. I was supposed to pick her up, but she arrived home way before ten.” Noah looked intently at Gabe. “I’m thinking this is something you and Melinda need to discuss. I don’t believe she’d like the idea of me butting in on something that’s really none of my business.”
“There’s a lot more going on than just her riding home with Aaron.”
Noah nodded. “If you’re talking about her not wanting you to hunt, she explained her reasons to me, and I said I thought she was wrong.”
Gabe toyed with a piece of sandpaper, pushing it back and forth across the work space in front of him, even though there was nothing there to sand. “That’s not the whole issue, but it’s not for me to be saying. I’m sure Melinda will tell you everything when she’s ready.” He drew in a deep breath and released it with a huff. “Short of a miracle, I’m afraid it’s too late for anything to be resolved between Melinda and me.”
Noah shook his head. “It’s never too late. Not as long as you’re both still free to marry.” He turned toward the door, calling over his shoulder, “My daughter’s worth fighting for.”
The door clicked shut, and Gabe’s gaze came to rest on the cookies Noah had given him. It was then that he noticed a verse of scripture had been attached to the edge of the plastic wrap. He reached for it and read the words out loud. “ ‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.’ ”
Gabe scratched the side of his head. What was Noah trying to tell me? Does he think I should try and make peace with Melinda? Gabe wasn’t sure there was any way they could get back to where they had been before she’d told him that she wanted to become a vet, but he would pray about the matter.
Early that morning, Melinda’s mother had hired a driver and taken Grandpa to Springfield for a doctor’s appointment, asking Melinda to do some cleaning before she left for work at noon. True to her promise, Melinda was now mopping the kitchen floor.
She glanced at the calendar on the opposite wall. It had been two weeks since she and Gabe had gone their separate ways, and the pain in her heart was still so raw she could barely function. Even spending time with her animal friends didn’t hold the appeal it once had.
She took another look at the calendar and realized it had been one week since Jonas Byler had returned to Montana, so she figured Susie was probably also grieving.
Loud barking in the backyard interrupted Melinda’s prayer. She set the mop aside and peeked out the window, wondering what Isaiah’s dog was up to. But it wasn’t her brother’s hound she saw in the yard. It was Gabe’s German shepherd, Shep, running around in circles and barking like crazy.
Melinda opened the back door and stepped onto the porch. “What’s the matter with you, Shep? You act like you’ve been stung by a swarm of bees.”
As soon as Melinda spoke, the dog quit running and crawled toward the house on its belly.
“What’s wrong, boy?” She stepped off the porch. “Are you hurt?”
Shep’s only response was a pathetic whimper.
When Melinda drew closer, she realized Shep had several porcupine quills stuck in his nose. “Looks like you had a run-in with an angry critter, didn’t you? We need to get those out right away.”
The dog looked up at Melinda with sorrowful brown eyes. “Come on, fella. Let’s go to the barn and get that taken care of.” She led the way, and obediently, the dog followed.
A short time later after removing the quills with a pair of pliers, Melinda was putting antiseptic on Shep’s nose when an unexpected visitor showed up. Gabe stepped into the barn, the stubble of straw crackling under his weight. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, Shep.” He glanced at Melinda then looked quickly away as though he was afraid to make eye contact. “The critter took off last night. I figured he’d come over here to play with Isaiah’s dog, but he didn’t return, and this morning I got worried.” Gabe’s forehead creased as he looked back at her and frowned. “What’s wrong with him? Why are you doctoring my dog?”
Melinda set the bottle of peroxide back on the shelf before she answered, hoping the action would give her time to take control of her swirling emotions. Ministering to Gabe’s dog and then having Gabe show up made her long for things she couldn’t have—unless she was willing to set aside her dream and do what Gabe wanted her to do.
When Melinda turned to face Gabe again, her legs shook so badly she could barely stand. “I found Shep in the backyard barking and running around in circles. Then I discovered the poor dog had a bunch of porcupine quills stuck in his nose.
”
Gabe’s face softened some as he patted his knee. “Come here, Shep. Come here, boy.”
The dog went immediately to his side, wagging its tail as though nothing had ever happened.
Gabe clicked his tongue. “You silly critter. I thought you had more sense than to tangle with a porcupine.”
Shep licked Gabe’s hand and whined in response.
“I appreciate you looking out for him,” Gabe said, lifting his gaze to meet Melinda’s again. “Guess Shep was smart enough to know who to come to when he needed help.”
Melinda smiled as she finally began to relax. “Animals have a sixth sense about things.”
Gabe took hold of Shep’s collar and led him toward the barn door. “I’d better get back home. Pap’s at the shop by himself, and we’ve got lots of work to do.”
“It’s kind of chilly this morning. Would you like a cup of hot chocolate before you head out?” Melinda asked, not wanting him to go.
He licked his lips, and a slow smile spread across his face. “Hot chocolate sounds nice. If you’ve got a couple of marshmallows to go with it, that is.”
Melinda’s heart skipped a beat. Being here in the barn with Gabe felt so natural—like nothing had ever come between them. “I think there are some marshmallows in the kitchen cupboard. Why don’t you put Shep in the dog run with Jericho, and I’ll meet you on the back porch in a few minutes?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Melinda knew there was no point in letting her thoughts run wild with things hoped for but not likely to occur, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She gave him a quick nod then hurried into the house.
Gabe’s palms felt sweaty, and his throat was so dry he could barely swallow when he joined Melinda on the porch a short time later.
“Here you go,” she said, handing him a cup of steaming hot chocolate.
“Danki.” Gabe blew on the chocolate drink as he tried to think of something sensible to say. What he really wanted to talk about was their relationship and how they could get it back on track, but he couldn’t seem to find the right words.
“How’s Mattie Byler?” Melinda blurted suddenly.
Gabe nearly choked on the warm liquid in his mouth. “Huh?”
“How’s Mattie Byler?”
He reached up to wipe away the chocolate that had dribbled onto his chin. “I guess she’s okay. Why do you ask?”
Melinda’s cheeks turned bright pink, and he didn’t think it had anything to do with the chilly weather. “I saw the two of you together at the last young people’s gathering.”
“I didn’t hang around Mattie all evening,” he said defensively. “I just talked to her a few minutes after we both had some punch.”
“But I saw her get into your buggy, and you were obviously driving her home.”
He nodded. “That’s true. Mattie told me her brother Jonas was planning to ask your aunt Susie if she’d be willing to ride in his buggy after the gathering was over.”
“What’s that got to do with you taking Mattie home?”
“I’m getting to that.” Gabe set his empty cup on the porch floor. “Mattie mentioned that she’d come down with a headache and wanted to go home. Since Jonas wasn’t going to leave until the gathering was over, Mattie had no transportation.”
“So you volunteered to drive her?”
“That’s right.”
Melinda stared at her empty cup. “Guess I must have gotten the wrong impression.”
“There’s nothing going on with me and Mattie. We’re just friends, and I was only doing a good deed.” Gabe squinted. “While we’re on the subject of rides home, I heard you rode with Aaron that night.”
She nodded. “It’s true.”
“Are you two seeing each other now?”
She shook her head so hard the ties on her kapp came untied. “Of course not. Aaron only gave me a ride because I, too, had a headache and wanted to go. Papa Noah was supposed to pick me up at ten, but I didn’t want to wait around until then.”
Gabe smiled as a feeling of relief washed over him. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“What? That I had a headache?”
“No, that you and Aaron aren’t seeing each other.”
“I’m not interested in Aaron,” she said in a near whisper. “Never have been, either.”
Gabe leaned a bit closer as he fought the temptation to kiss her, but a ruckus in the dog run ruined the mood. He decided that was probably a good thing, considering that he and Melinda had recently broken up.
“I hope they’re not fighting over the bone I gave Jericho last night.” Melinda jumped up and bounded off the porch.
Gabe followed. “I’d best get my dog and head for home.”
Several minutes later, Gabe had Shep out of the pen and loaded into the back of his buggy. As he pulled out of the driveway, he waved, and Melinda lifted her hand in response. Even though things weren’t back to where they should be, at least Melinda and he were speaking again.
“How’d things go with Grandpa’s appointment?” Melinda asked her mother that evening as they prepared supper.
“The results of his blood tests were good,” Mama replied. “The doctor was pleased with how well Grandpa seems to be doing.”
Melinda smiled. “He sure has made a turnaround, especially where his memory is concerned.”
Mama handed her a sack of flour. “Would you mind making some biscuits while I fry up the chicken?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
Melinda and her mother worked in silence for a time. Then Mama turned down the gas burner under the pan of chicken and nodded toward the table. “Want to sit awhile and have a cup of tea while the meat cooks and the biscuit dough rises?”
“That sounds good.”
“How’d your day go?” Mama asked as she poured them both a cup of lemon-mint tea.
“It was busy and kind of crazy.”
Mama’s eyebrows lifted. “In what way?”
“It began with me doing the cleaning you’d wanted done, and that went fairly well. But then Gabe’s dog showed up with a bunch of porcupine quills stuck in his nose.”
“I’ll bet that hurt,” Mama said.
“I’m sure it did. I removed them with a pair of pliers and put some antiseptic on his nose, and by the time Gabe took Shep home, he was acting his old spunky self.”
“Did Gabe bring the dog over for you to doctor?”
“Shep came here on his own, and Gabe showed up later looking for him.”
Mama took a sip of tea and blotted her lips on a napkin. “How’d that go? Did the two of you get anything resolved between you?”
Melinda shrugged. “Not really, but we didn’t argue, either.”
“That’s a good thing. Maybe if you give yourselves a bit more time, you’ll be able to settle your differences.”
Snow whizzed into the room with something between her teeth.
“What’s that crazy cat got now?” Mama leaned over and squinted as Snow sailed under the table. “Looks like a hunk of balled-up paper.”
Melinda chuckled. “At least it’s not a mouse.”
“Here, kitty. Let me see what’s in your mouth,” Mama said, reaching for the cat.
Melinda didn’t know who was more surprised, her or Mama, when Snow dropped the wad of paper at Mama’s feet.
“Well, what do you know—she listened to me for once.” Mama bent down and picked up the paper, pulling it apart with her fingers and laying it flat on the table. “Now, what is this?”
Melinda froze as her gaze came to rest on the item in question. It was the results of her failed GED test.
Mama’s forehead wrinkled as she studied the piece of paper; then she looked pointedly at Melinda.
“I—I can explain.”
“I certainly hope so.”
Melinda moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Uh—as you know, Dr. Franklin thinks I have a special way with animals.”
Mama nodded.
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p; “He believes I would make a good vet or certified veterinarian’s assistant.”
No response.
“And…well, he suggested I take the GED test, which I would need in order to sign up for some college classes.”
“You want to go to college and become a vet?” Mama’s voice sounded calm and even, but Melinda could see by the pinched expression on her mother’s face that she was having a hard time keeping her emotions under control.
“As you can see by the scores on that paper, I failed the test.”
“Does that mean you’ve given up the idea?”
Melinda toyed with the handle on her teacup. “I–I’m not sure. I’ve thought about retaking the test.”
Mama released a sigh. “And you’ve been planning all of this behind your daed’s and my back, sneaking off to take the test without ever saying a word about it?”
Melinda’s eyes filled with tears as a wave of shame and regret washed over her like a drenching rain. “I was planning to tell you.”
“When?”
“After I passed the GED test.”
Mama grabbed two fingers on her left hand and gave them a good pop. “Have you thought about what it would mean if you went off to college and got a degree? Have you thought about how it would affect everyone in this family?”
“Of course I have, and it wouldn’t be easy for me to leave.” There was a tremor in Melinda’s voice, and it was all she could do to look her mother in the face.
“After all the things I’ve told you about my life as an entertainer, I wouldn’t think you would even consider becoming part of the English world—not when all your family and friends are Amish living here in Webster County.” Mama sniffed deeply, and her quivering chin let Melinda know she was close to tears.
Melinda stared at her untouched cup of tea. “I—I don’t really want to leave home, Mama, but becoming a vet would allow me to care for so many hurting and sick animals. If I have a special way with animals, as Dr. Franklin says I do, then wouldn’t it be wasted if I didn’t learn how to care for them in the best possible way?”
Dear to Me Page 19