Where Love Grows

by Jerry S. Eicher

  Deacon Ray stopped to pull his handkerchief out of his pocket and blow his nose. Why was the deacon so emotional? But, of course, Steve knew. How had he forgotten? Today was not only the first day of the new baptismal class, but also the day of Menno and Anna’s restoration. He had been so busy thinking about Susan, he hadn’t remembered this. He ought to be ashamed of himself. No wonder Deacon Ray was in tears. Today was a day of new beginnings in more ways than one. Susan had chosen to begin the instruction class the day her mamm and daett would be taken back into fellowship.

  “We are not a perfect people,” Deacon Ray continued. “We all know that, and yet we believe Da Hah sanctifies the hearts of those who believe. I wish to welcome the class and to hope for the best as they continue down the path toward baptism. I also hope that any bitterness in our hearts caused by the discipline sanctioned by the church may not allow the devil an open door to torment us.

  “I know that suffering of this kind is not pleasant but necessary at times. Old Bishop Mullet used to tell us the story when we were growing up of the shepherd who had a young lamb. This lamb often strayed from the shepherd. No fence was high enough or gate strong enough to keep the lamb inside. One day when the young lamb was again lost on the mountains, the shepherd found him just in time. That day the shepherd broke the leg of the lamb and carried him home on his shoulders.

  “We might think what a cruel thing this was, and yet as the shepherd carried the young sheep with him for the weeks it took the leg to heal, a bond of love formed between the two of them. When the time came for the young lamb to run again, he no longer strayed because he had learned to love.

  “I pray from the bottom of my heart that we also may have learned of love during these weeks of suffering. I hope the bond between Da Hah and us has been made stronger by this injury. More than that, I cannot wish for. So may Da Hah bless this day and the rest of what is said.”

  Abe Troyer, in whose house the services were being held, coughed. He gathered himself together and spoke. “I too can say that all I have seen and heard today was from the Word of God. I am blessed to be part of such a privilege—that of being ministered to by heaven. I confess that I’m but a pilgrim and a stranger on this earth, though often my eyes are drawn away toward the world. I ask that you pray for me in the hour of my temptations, so that together we may arrive safely at home on the other side. Beyond that, I have nothing more to say. May Da Hah continue to give His blessings.”

  Bishop Henry stood up, waiting a few moments before speaking. “I am thankful that the preaching of Da Hah’s Word has been testified to as having been done under His grace. Now at this time, as many of you know, it lays upon our hearts to receive brother Menno and sister Anna back into our fellowship as they have not been a part of us these past six weeks.

  “It has grieved our hearts greatly to see this happen, and yet we as a ministry couldn’t see any other way to keep the purity of the church without taking this measure. So now will brother Menno and sister Anna please come forward and kneel before the congregation?”

  Menno got up first and moved out of his aisle. His back was bowed as he waited for Anna to join him from the women’s section. Together they approached Bishop Henry and knelt at his feet.

  “Will both of you confess before the church and before Da Hah?” Bishop Henry asked. “That you have failed and sinned greatly in this matter, and that you ask for forgiveness from the bottom of your heart?”

  “Yah.” Menno’s voice was low.

  Anna’s answer must have followed Menno’s because Bishop Henry continued.

  “Do you, brother Menno and sister Anna, commit yourself to forsaking once again the world, the devil, and the lust of your own hearts, and to give your minds and souls to the love of Da Hah and to the building of His church on this earth?”

  “Yah, I do,” Menno said.

  “Yah.” Anna spoke louder this time.

  “Then I give you the right hand of fellowship.” Bishop Henry extended his hand. Menno took it, his knees trembling as he stood up. Bishop Henry kissed him on the cheek.

  “And now to our sister Anna, I also give the right hand of fellowship.”

  When Anna stood, Bishop Miller stepped aside, giving Anna’s hand to his wife, Ruth, who had come up to stand beside him. She kissed Anna’s cheek and tears ran down her face. Anna threw her hands around Ruth’s neck and hugged her. The two women stood together weeping as Bishop Yoder waited. Around them the room became quiet, the clock ticking loudly on the living room wall.

  After long moments, Bishop Henry cleared his throat. Anna let Ruth go. She turned to look up at Menno, who still had his head bowed. He reached over to take her hand in his. Together they walked back down the aisle, parting at the women’s section.

  When Menno was seated, someone shouted out the song number, and the last song began. When the number was completed, Bishop Henry spoke from his seat on the minister’s bench. “And now may the blessing of Da Hah be on the rest of the day as we are dismissed.”

  The younger boys moved for the door, grabbing their hats on the way. Outside in the yard, they ran for the barn like spring calves let out in the pasture after a long winter shut up in their pens.

  Robby turned to Steve. “So that’s an Amish church service.”

  “Yah. And you even got to see a baptismal class and a man and wife received back into fellowship.”

  “I saw Susan go upstairs. So that’s what was going on. I’m glad to see she’s settling down.”

  Steve said nothing as he watched the older girls get to their feet and move toward the kitchen. They would be helping prepare dinner. Susan had been one of the first ones to go, as always, willing to help. She would be a jewel of a wife if her heart could be captured. That was the question, really. Would she allow him or any other man close to her again? But here he was, thinking about his own matters again when Menno and Anna had only been taken back into fellowship a few moments ago. His heart should be rejoicing for them. They certainly must be praising Da Hah for having preserved them during the short time of darkness.

  Robby leaned over. “You mentioned being received back into fellowship. Was that about Susan’s parents…when they were on their knees? If ever I wished I could understand the language, it was then. I guess it teaches one to pay attention in school during German class.”

  Steve thought a moment before answering. “Menno and Anna had something to take care of with the church. That’s how we do things in the community…when confessions have to be made and discipline given.”

  “I see,” Robby said, although he clearly didn’t.

  Well, he would just have to wonder, Steve thought. He didn’t feel like explaining how things worked in the Amish world to an Englisha man, even if he was a friend of Susan’s. And there was no sense in embarrassing Menno and Anna by telling strangers about Menno’s sin.

  “I’m going out to the barn for a few moments,” Steve said. “You’re welcome to come along or you can wait here. Lunch will be served soon.”

  “I’ll wait and talk with some of these older fellows,” Robby said. “I’ll get some good, old-fashioned farm wisdom, I’m sure.”

  Steve nodded and left Robby, who was already moving toward the benches full of older men. They greeted him with handshakes and broad smiles. Robby would get his ears full of wisdom, Steve decided. There was no doubt about that. All he would have to do is ask.

  As he walked to the barn, Steve wondered how he was going to get a chance to speak with Susan. It was time he did. Especially since today had been such a day of new beginnings—even of miracles. He ticked them off in his mind. Menno and Anna were restored. Susan had joined the baptismal class. Yah, today he would also take the plunge. He could do no less. He would ask Susan home from the hymn singing. Officially and with intent.

  He thought hard about how to go about this, but the solution didn’t come to him until he was on the walk back from the barn. The way was to send one of the younger girls playing in the yard to ask
Susan to come outside. He would speak a few words with her beside the washroom door, and whoever saw them could think what they wished. He was asking Susan home, and this was nothing to be ashamed of.

  Steve approached the group and asked the tallest girl, “Will you go tell Susan Hostetler someone wants to speak with her? You don’t have to tell her who it is.”

  The girl looked at him, a wide smile spreading across her face. Several of the others covered their mouths and giggled. Steve felt the burning of his skin under his collar.

  “Will you please?” he repeated.

  The girl nodded and ran off. Steve left the snickering group of girls. He figured it wasn’t every day that older boys provided live entertainment for their young funny bones. Well, Susan was worth the effort. Now if she would only say yah. But would she? The question made his neck burn even more. He should have thought of this much earlier. Maybe his mamm was right. He should have let her pick his girl.

  The young girl came bursting out of the washroom door, grinning ear to ear, followed by a puzzled-looking Susan. The girl ran off with a quick glance over her shoulder.

  “What do you want right this minute? We’re at church.”

  “I want to ask you something.”

  “You see me almost every day. It couldn’t wait?”

  “Nee, it could not. Susan, may I take you home from the hymn sing tonight?”

  Susan stared at him. “Like a real date?”

  “Yah, of course.”

  “You want to take me home?”

  “Come on, Susan,” he begged. “I’m asking you, I’m standing here looking like an idiot with a bunch of girls giggling about it. Just say yah, please?”

  A trace of a smile teased her face. “Maybe I have to think about this.”

  “No, you don’t!” He was glaring at her now.

  She laughed. “Of course you can take me home. Now get out of here!”

  He glanced toward the house. “Does that Englisha boy mean anything to you?”

  “Who?” Her smile was teasing again.

  “You know who. That Robby guy.”

  “You wouldn’t be jealous now, would you, Steve? I’m surprised at you.”

  “Who is he, Susan?”

  “Go!” She waved her hand. “I’ll explain tonight.”

  He smiled as she turned, went inside, and closed the washroom door behind her.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  After the Sunday night hymn singing, Susan came out into the windy night hanging on to her kapp. She waited as another girl came down the steps behind her, walked past her, and climbed into her boyfriend’s buggy. There had been whispers and smiles among a few of the older girls during supper, with a few quick glances sent her way. Someone must have seen Steve and her talking after church today, and apparently everyone approved so far. Steve was a decent man. Not that she was planning to marry him or anything, but allowing Steve to take her home could lead, well, in that direction. But she ought not to think such things. She should just relax and enjoy the evening.

  And here came Steve’s buggy. Susan walked toward it and climbed in.

  “Gut evening!” Steve’s voice was muffled by the noise of the wind against the buggy sides. He pulled out and drove around the other waiting buggies until he reached the main road. When Susan still had said nothing, he glanced at her with raised eyebrows.

  “Gut evening,” she said. “I was just teasing you.”

  He laughed. “I thought the cat might have gotten your tongue. Or is your heart pounding so hard at my glorious presence that you can’t breathe?”

  Susan joined in the laughter. “How refreshing! A truly humble man.”

  “Do you always verbally assault the boys who take you home?

  “That was a compliment, really. If you only knew.”

  “I think I do know,” he said.

  Silence settled in the buggy. A comfortable enough silence, Susan thought. But then they had always been comfortable around each other since the beginning, although she had always thought of it more as a friendship. Not exactly this… She let the thought hang as the buggy was buffeted in the wind.

  “Some night to take a girl home for the first time,” Steve said. “Well, it’s my first time, so have a little mercy on me.”

  “Is it really? I’m not sure I believe that.”

  “Yah, it is. Are you going to hold it against me?”

  “No, of course not. But why haven’t you before now?”

  “Because I’ve never really wanted to before.”

  “Time to settle down maybe?”

  “Now quit being so mean. You’re much nicer during the week.”

  “At least you’re honest,” she said as another blast of wind shook the buggy.

  He laughed. “I suppose that does count for something.”

  “It counts for more than you know. Not like a certain man we both know.”

  “At least he was dashing.”

  “Maybe I’m tired of dashing.”

  “Is that supposed to be a compliment? Me being boring and all?”

  “No, it’s just that…that…”

  “You don’t have to explain.” He slapped the reins as they went around a corner, and the horse ran into the wind for the first time.

  “So am I really the first girl you’ve taken home?”

  “Yah, but let me ask you a question now. Who was that Englisha boy who showed up today? You said you would explain.”

  “You shouldn’t be jealous, Steve. Robby has a girlfriend. They’re getting married this spring.”

  “So you never really dated him?”

  “No, Steve.” She found his arm in the darkness. “We had some fun together, but I never thought of them as dates. I did date an Englisha man while I was away. Only he wasn’t half the man you are.”

  She listened to his breathing inches from her face.

  “That’s gut to hear, although I don’t know about the last part being true.”

  “It is true. All of it.”

  He didn’t answer as they pulled into the Hostetler driveway. A light still burned in the living room, casting a soft glow across the front porch and into the yard. Steve came to a stop by the hitching post.

  For a long moment they sat on the buggy seat until Steve said, “I think we’d better go inside, don’t you?”

  Susan said nothing but climbed out of the buggy. Steve got out and tied his horse up. He took Susan’s hand and they walked to the house. As they entered the living room, there was no sign of Mamm or Daett, and Susan seated Steve on the couch. “I’ll get you something from the kitchen. I’ll be back in just a minute.”

  “I don’t need anything really.”

  “Yah, you do,” she countered.

  She returned moments later with a piece of cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

  He smiled. “Treats for a king, huh?”

  “Of course!” she said as she sat beside him.

  “You did gut today,” he said, eating his pie. “Joining the baptismal class. I’m glad you did.”

  “Thanks.”

  “There’s so much about you I admire, Susan. How you stuck with your parents through this whole excommunication thing. And that you’re still here after Thomas let you go. You could have run back to the Englisha world. Robby kind of made that point. You have friends out there.”

  “Shhh…stop talking.” She nestled up to him. “I just want to be with you.”

  “I’ll be as mum as a bear in his winter sleep,” he murmured.

  “You don’t listen to a word I say, do you?”

  “Nope. A man has to be the head of the house, you know.” He dipped his spoon into the ice cream.

  “So already you’re talking about being the head of the house? On the first date? Is that supposed to be a proposal already?” she joked.

  He laughed. “Just sayin’, that’s all.”

  “Ah…so it’s like making sure your woman understands? No wonder you’ve never taken a girl home before.”


  “You still don’t believe me, do you?”

  Susan shrugged. “I think I do, but I’m still surprised.”

  “And why is that?”

  “You could have any girl you choose. Well, almost. I guess you are a little plain.”

  He made a face. “That cuts deep.”

  “You asked for it.”

  He laughed. “Yah, I guess I did.”

  “Did I hurt your feelings?” She touched his arm.

  “I’m smarting to the depths of my soul. Soon I’ll have tears gushing down my cheeks.”

  She laughed. “You’re nice to be with, you know. I’m glad it’s come to this, though I’ve always thought of you more as a friend.”

  “Being a friend isn’t a bad thing. It can be a solid foundation.”

  She waited until his pie and ice cream were finished before turning to him. “Tell me about your plans, Steve. What do you have in mind when Daett lets you go?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Is he letting me go?”

  “Well, you can’t stay here forever. Something has to be done sometime. Daett’s not getting any younger.”

  “Perhaps, but I hadn’t thought about it much.”

  “Don’t tell me you’re after the farm. Is that why you’re seeing me?”

  He laughed. “Marrying the farmer’s daughter to get the farm?”

  “Well, they do kind of go together.”

  “I’m not like that. Surely you’re not thinking so?”

  She shook her head. “Of course not. I was just thinking of someone else. Please forgive me.”

  “It’s okay, Susan.” He took her hand. “I understand. You haven’t offended me.”

  “Oh, Steve, you have no idea...”

  “The worst is over now.” He squeezed her hand.