by Sarah Price
Once outside, John tied the horse to the hitching post by the lead he’d attached to a halter placed over its bridle. He patted the horse’s neck and whispered “Be right back” into its large, brown ear.
“Do you always talk to animals?”
He laughed. “Perhaps the better question is, don’t you?” He helped her down from the buggy, his gloved hand holding hers for a moment. When she thought he might release it, he didn’t. Instead, he gave it a soft squeeze. “Is this okay?”
It took her a second to realize that he meant to keep holding her hand while they walked. Growing up, her mother had always told her that holding hands and kissing were meant to be saved for marriage, and then only in private. Bethany stared at her hand engulfed by his and wondered about her mother’s advice. Surely it couldn’t be a sin to hold hands, could it?
“I . . . I reckon it’s okay,” she responded, her voice shaking.
Apparently sensing her discomfort, John leaned over to whisper, “You aren’t wearing gloves, so this will help keep your hand warm.”
She looked up at him. “Then what about my other hand?”
He blinked.
She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers at him. “This one will stay cold. I don’t think that’s fair, do you?”
He tried not to smile and then stood before her, taking hold of her other hand. “We can’t let that happen, can we now?”
It felt awkward, standing in the middle of the parking lot, facing each other and holding hands. Behind him, the horse stood patiently at the hitching post, its breath poofing out of its nose in a white mist. But, despite the cold, Bethany felt warm inside.
“There’s something about you, Bethany Ropp,” John said softly. “I . . . I don’t know how to explain it.”
She tried to look away, but his gaze held hers.
“Do . . . do you know what I’m talking about?” he asked.
She swallowed and slowly nodded. “I . . . I think I do.”
He took a step backward, gently pulling her with him. When she followed, he took another step and then another, until she heard the snow crunch under his feet.
“I feel as if I’ve known you for a very long time,” he said, carefully holding her hands so that she wouldn’t stumble in the snow.
“Well, technically, you have.” She smiled up at him. “We’ve known each other since we were small kinner.”
He laughed. “That’s true. But that’s not what I meant.”
He kept walking backward, gently pulling her along. Finally, he stopped and then turned to stand beside her. He wrapped one arm around her back so that he could hold her right hand while he held her left hand at his side.
“I wanted you to see this.” He nodded toward the frozen lake before them. The wind must have blown the snow from the surface during the day, for the moonlight reflected off of it. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Bethany could hardly tear her eyes from the scene. It was nature at its best. With the trees on the far side of the lake and the white snow on its banks, the lake looked truly majestic in the moonlight. Everything glowed the strangest color. She couldn’t tell if it was yellow or blue. But the moon illuminated the scene in that beautiful color.
“Oh!” she breathed. “It’s . . . it’s glorious.”
“Have you ever seen anything like that?”
She shook her head. There was no memory that could compare to the sight before her eyes.
“Gut! I wanted to share it with you. To be the one to show you something so magnificent.” He squeezed her hand. “And I hope to show you many other things just like it.”
Bethany felt a strange sensation. It started in her very core and radiated out to the tips of her toes and the top of her head. The feeling was warm and wonderful. She suspected it had something to do with the fact that she stood there, in the snow, her hand being held by John Esh as she looked at this beautiful example of God’s majestic creation. And it was certainly fed by John telling her that he hoped to show her many other things in the future.
At that moment, that idea sounded like the most wonderful possibility in the world.
As they stood there staring at the frozen pond, Bethany lost track of time, not knowing whether five minutes or ten passed by before John broke the silence with a long sigh.
“Well, best go back to the buggy. Can’t have you freezing out here.”
“I’m not that cold.”
In the darkness, she saw him smile.
“Neither am I, but let’s not take any chances. If you caught a cold, my muder would be very unforgiving.” He released one of her hands and led her through the snow, back toward the buggy. “It seems she’s grown quite fond of you.” He paused. “And your help.”
Bethany followed him, trying to step in his footprints in the snow. “She said she wants me to work there in the spring.”
John didn’t answer right away. They neared the buggy, and only then did he respond. “I think you’ll be helping her in the spring, for sure and certain.”
He helped her into the buggy before he unhitched the horse from the post.
As he drove away from the park, she let her eyes linger on the pretty lake. No, she wasn’t a fan of the cold, that was true, but John had certainly delivered on his promise to change her mind about disliking it so much. For the rest of her life, she’d never forget standing on the bank of the lake, John’s arm wrapped around her as she absorbed the heat from his body while she admired the majestic vision of God’s work before her.
Chapter Forty-Four
“Where were you last night?”
Edna froze.
It was Monday morning and she was standing at the stove, making pancakes for breakfast. The table, covered with a simple green and white checkered tablecloth, was already set. But she hadn’t finished cooking yet when Jonas and Jeremiah walked inside, kicking off their boots in the mudroom, at the same moment that John walked downstairs.
John walked over to where Edna was standing and reached for the coffeepot. “Out.”
“You never go out,” Jonas said, his voice a mixture of curiosity and irritation. “And you didn’t get up to help with morning chores.”
“Got in late.”
Jonas scoffed. “How late? Seven?”
Jeremiah laughed.
“Boys.” Edna didn’t want to hear bickering, not so early and especially not between John and Jonas. She was used to Jonas and Jeremiah teasing each other and, occasionally, having a disagreement. But John usually stayed neutral. Both of the other boys left him alone. She didn’t like Jonas challenging him. “Best call your daed for breakfast, Jonas,” she said, hoping that she might redirect his attention.
Jonas gave his older brother a stern look before he went onto the porch and rang the bell that hung there.
Edna took the opportunity to look at John. He didn’t look particularly well rested. There were dark circles under his eyes. But she’d heard him arrive home, and it hadn’t been terribly late at all.
“Everything go well last night?” she asked. “You weren’t gone very long.”
He sipped at the coffee. “Told you I wouldn’t be out for long.”
Edna waited. Where could he have gone at that hour and for such a short period of time?
He met her concerned gaze. Despite his somber exterior, John was clearly pleased. His eyes sparkled. “Nothing to worry about, Maem,” he said. To her surprise, he leaned over and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “And ja, everything went well,” he whispered before moving over to take his seat at the table.
Edna almost caught her breath.
Despite being vague, John had just confessed the truth. He trusted her enough to confide that he was courting someone—and she simply knew that someone was Bethany Ropp!—and things were going well.
After having spent so much time with the young woman, Edna couldn’t be more pleased. Bethany was a good woman who valued hard work, obedience, and loyalty. Unlike many of the other unmarried Amish women Edna kn
ew, Bethany truly shunned worldliness. Even her rumschpringe had been without any issues, at least according to Mary.
Yes, Bethany Ropp would make the perfect wife for John.
The noise of Elmer and the other two boys clambering into the mudroom interrupted the moment.
Edna tried to wipe the smile from her face. The last thing she wanted to do was to reveal John’s secret to the rest of the family. In due time, she told herself, he’d share the information, but only when he was ready.
“Where were you this morning?” Elmer asked as he sat down.
John rolled his eyes.
“He went ‘out’ last night,” Jonas said, answering for his brother. “He’s finally found himself a girl.”
John rolled his eyes.
“Definitely that old maedel from Benjamin’s district,” Jonas quipped.
Edna carried the plate of pancakes and placed them in front of Jonas. “Eat before it gets cold.” Perhaps if he had a mouthful of food, he’d stop tormenting John.
She sat down and waited for Elmer to join them. Only then did they all bow their heads to say the before prayer. She waited until Elmer looked up before she gestured for Jonas to start serving.
“I’ve a busy week,” she announced, hoping the change of subject would distract Jonas. “I’ll be cleaning today and doing laundry. So no tracking mud into the haus.” She directed that comment to both Jonas and Jeremiah. “And I’ll need help setting up the tables and chairs tomorrow night.” She looked at John. “You’ll be able to help with that, ja?”
To her surprise, he shook his head. “Mayhaps Jonas and Jeremiah could help.”
A heavy silence fell over the room. Edna couldn’t remember the last time that John had excused himself from helping her with anything.
What’s this about? Edna thought.
Even Elmer stared at John, waiting for his explanation.
“I have plans,” he said at last.
“Plans?” Edna frowned.
“With old maedel Bessie again, I bet,” Jonas teased.
John ignored him. “I’ll be back later in the evening, if you can wait. I could help then, but I know you like setting up in the afternoon.”
Edna observed John, wondering where he might be going on a Tuesday night. With work the next day, surely, he would want a good night’s sleep. In fact, she couldn’t remember John ever going out on a weeknight when he had work in the morning.
Perhaps Mary had invited him over for supper, she thought. But then why wouldn’t she have said anything when they were all gathered at Wilma’s haus on Friday?
Oh, the secrets of courtship! Edna remembered how she, too, had been reticent to share any information about Elmer calling on her with anyone. She hadn’t told her parents, or even her sisters, not until Elmer had proposed. But Edna had thought that things were changing a bit in more modern times, that the youth were a bit more open about it. Apparently not.
“Nee, that’s all right,” she said. Let him have his secrets. At least Edna was certain that, whatever plan her son had, it was with Bethany Ropp. “Your bruders can do it.”
Jonas rolled his eyes. “Thanks, John!”
Elmer reached over and nudged Jonas’s arm. “That’ll do, Jonas. Your bruder is doing more than his fair share of work supporting this family.”
Jonas scoffed but didn’t reply.
Edna looked at her husband, and when he met her gaze, she raised an eyebrow. He gave a little shrug and then picked up his knife and fork. When he cut into his pancake, everyone’s attention fell away from John and focused on the food. Edna, however, couldn’t keep herself from watching him. She’d wanted this for John for so long. But now that it was here and appearing to be happening, she realized that he’d most likely be moving away whenever he did marry.
And that realization tainted the joy of knowing her son was courting such a lovely young Amish woman.
Chapter Forty-Five
It had been nice to have Bethany at home all day, Mary thought as she folded the laundry, her daughter standing beside her as she helped.
For as long as Mary could remember, she always did laundry on Mondays and Thursdays. Growing up, her own mother had done the wash three times a week, but she’d had more children, and that meant more clothes.
Mary had adapted her mother’s schedule to suit her smaller family.
But it had rained yesterday, so they’d had to wash the clothes and linens that morning.
Now that she was a little more mobile, Mary felt more productive getting some of the chores done. She’d hated being so confined to the recliner chair. But she also knew that she couldn’t have done the laundry without Bethany’s help hanging up the towels and sheets earlier. It was one thing to put some pressure on her leg, but too much would make it ache.
Now, as they stood side by side, it was Bethany’s company even more than her help that Mary appreciated.
“So then the one Englische woman asked whether or not we went to church on Christmas,” Bethany said. “She looked alarmed when Edna told her that we didn’t.”
Mary clucked her tongue and shook her head. “They’d understand more if they held services in their own homes and not a worship house. No one wants the burden and stress of preparing the haus for service on the day of Christ’s birth!” She set the folded towel into the laundry basket. “Why, I can’t imagine trying to clean everything proper and prepare for the holiday!”
Bethany made a clucking noise with her tongue.
For a moment, they continued folding the clothes in silence. This was the last week for Bethany to help Edna and, in a way, Mary was glad. She’d missed her daughter being around during the day. It would be nice to have her home again. Besides, Mary had noticed a change in Bethany over the past few weeks. A change for the good. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she suspected it had something to do with more than just having been exposed to Englischers.
Suddenly, she heard something. “Is that a buggy pulling into the driveway?” Mary glanced over her shoulder, straining to look out the window.
“I don’t hear anything.”
But Mary was certain she’d heard the sound of horse hooves and buggy wheels. “I’m not expecting anyone.” She glanced at the clock. It was just after four thirty. Abram wouldn’t be home for another hour yet. “Go check, Bethany. I’m sure I heard something.”
Obediently, Bethany set down the towel she’d been folding and, in bare feet, crossed the linoleum floor toward the front door. Seconds later, Mary heard her give a happy sigh and then open the door.
“Hello, John,” she said.
Mary caught her breath. Had John Esh come calling on her daughter? And on a Tuesday?
“May I come in a spell?”
Bethany didn’t answer, but moments later, she led John into the kitchen.
“What a surprise,” Mary said, smiling at Edna’s son. “I didn’t expect any visitors today.” She looked at Bethany as if to ask whether or not she had known that John was stopping by.
Bethany, however, wore a blank expression on her face. But her dark eyes simply glowed with delight. No, Mary thought, she hadn’t expected John to visit, but she was certainly quite happy about it.
“Is everything all right at home?” Mary asked, wondering if he might have stopped by to share information about Edna. Mayhaps one of her groups had canceled that week?
But John quickly reassured her.
“Oh ja, right as rain.” He gave a nervous chuckle. “Maem’s probably doing the same as you.” He gestured toward the table and the laundry basket. “Only without such an efficient helper.”
“That rain yesterday was heavy, wasn’t it?” Mary placed her hand atop the laundry pile. “Couldn’t get laundry done in such weather. Thankfully it wasn’t snow.”
“Ja, it washed away most of the snow,” he pointed out.
Mary smiled. “I know Bethany is happy about that. She hates snow.”
To Mary’s surprise, Bethany interjected, “Nee,
that’s not true.”
“What?” Bethany’s confession stunned Mary. She stared at her daughter, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Since when? All those years you hated the snow. You practically refused to leave the haus in the winter whenever there was snow on the ground.” She looked at John and gave him an exasperated look. “Getting her to school after it snowed was nearly impossible. She wouldn’t even walk there, so Abram had to drive her!”
John laughed.
“Well, mayhaps I learned to appreciate its beauty,” Bethany said in a soft voice, her eyes flickering toward John. “Just had to look at it differently, I reckon.”
“Well!” Mary put her hand on her hip. “That’s most interesting! I never thought I’d see the day when my dochder changed her mind about snow!” She raised an eyebrow. “Makes me wonder what else she might change her mind about next.”
Bethany flushed and averted her eyes.
John cleared his throat. “On that note,” he said lightly, “I was wondering if I might borrow Bethany for a short while.”
Mary stared at him, wide-eyed. He’d been so secretive the last time he’d stopped by. Why was he suddenly being so open about calling on her daughter?
“Oh?”
“Going to take a ride into town, and would be nice to have some company.” He winked at Mary. “Mayhaps I can find something else for her to look at differently.” He shifted his gaze to Bethany. “But only if you wear a heavier coat. No shawl.”
Bethany tried to hide her smile.
Mary watched as the two of them quietly walked to the door, John pausing to help Bethany put on a coat before he opened the door for her.
As they disappeared through it, Mary realized that Verna and Wilma had been wrong. When it came to love, no one needed encouragement to hurry it along, for it was clear that love was moving at the perfect speed for John and Bethany.
Chapter Forty-Six
John drove the horse along the back roads toward Shipshewana, slowly guiding it past the houses that were lit up with pretty lights.
“It’s so beautiful!”