“Brighton and I,” she corrected. “It sounds like you three had a lot of fun.”
“We had the best time ever!” Jaycee was such a ball of energy, Shannon wondered how on earth she’d get him to calm down enough to go to sleep.
“Did you boys tell Wesley thank you?”
Jaycee practically plowed Wesley over, throwing his hands around his waist. “Thank you, Wesley!”
Brighton’s hug was much more subdued, but he offered his thanks as well.
“It was my pleasure.” He looked at Shannon and grinned. “I think I had just as good a time as the boys had.”
“Can we decorate it right now?” Jaycee bounced.
“We need to get it into some water.” Wesley turned to Shannon. “Do you have a tree stand?”
“Yes, but it’s in the attic.”
“I can get it,” Brighton volunteered.
“It’s already past your bedtime. We can get it out of the attic tomorrow.”
“Sure.” Wesley nodded. “Do you have a large bucket then?”
She nodded. “We can use the one we have for washing cars. Brighton, will you grab it from the garage?”
“Okay.” They watched as Brighton hurried to the garage with Jaycee close behind him.
Wesley reached for her hand. “I’m sorry I kept them out so late.”
“Oh no, it’s fine. It’s not every day they get to hang out with a cool older brother.”
He chuckled. “Cool older brother, huh? I think I like the sound of that.”
Shannon’s cheeks warmed when she realized what her comment implied, although that wasn’t how she’d meant it. Because, if she and Wesley did have a future together, he would indeed become the boys’ brother-in-law.
“I didn’t mean…” She let her words fall off.
“I hoped you did.” His fingers lightly brushed her cheek. “I meant it when I said permanent. And after what happened last night, I’m even more sure of it.”
“You are?” She swallowed.
“One hundred percent.” He leaned close and briefly brushed her cheek with his lips. “Should we get this thing in some water now?” He pulled the tree from the truck bed.
She nodded. “Will you come help us decorate it tomorrow night?”
He grimaced. “I have church tomorrow.”
“On Wednesday?”
“Yeah. How about we wait till Thursday?”
“Okay. I think the boys will be willing to wait if they know you’re going to be here.”
“We found it!” Jaycee came charging out of the garage, a plastic bucket swinging from his hand.
“Let’s do this.” Wesley smiled.
EIGHTEEN
Christopher stomped his feet on the mudroom rug, dislodging the remnants of snow stuck to his boots. Judy opened the door for him the moment she noticed his arms bulging with firewood.
“This ought to keep us warm tonight. I’ll fill up the wood box again in the morning.” He set the bundle of logs on the floor beside the woodstove, situated several logs on top of the burning coals inside the fireplace, then closed the door and turned the damper down. It would keep until the roosters awakened.
“You and Wesley brought in quite a bit of timber from the woods last summer. Maybe next year the boys can help.”
Christopher’s bushy eyebrow rose. “Brighton and Jaycee?”
“I have a feeling they might become a permanent fixture around here.”
“You mean if Shannon and Wesley get together?”
“Or something else.”
His brow furrowed. Sometimes he wished his fraa would just come out and say what was on her mind. “What are you talking about, fraa?”
“Well, if the government people want to take them away from Shannon—”
“Take them away?”
Judy nodded. “She mentioned that they’d stopped by the house a few times. She sounded worried to me. If that does happen, how would you feel about adopting them?”
“But they’re Englisch.”
“Der Herr did not call us to only care for the Plain people, ain’t so? We’re supposed to look after widows and orphans. And those kinner are orphans. Der Herr brought them into our life for a reason. That could be the reason.”
“Now, fraa. You don’t think you’re wanting those kinner because they remind you of our own, do you?”
“That’s nonsense. And you wouldn’t mind having them here just as much as me.”
“You have a point. But I don’t know if this is something that would be approved. Besides, I think you need to go through special training to adopt kinner.”
“Well, I think we should talk to Shannon about it.”
“We can talk to her. But I still don’t know if it will be approved by the g’may.”
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t. And who knows, we might not even have to go through special training. Not if Shannon signs the kinner directly over to us.”
“She’s awfully attached to those kinner, especially the boppli. She wouldn’t give them up unless it was her last hope.”
“Well, she could still be just as much a part of their lives as she is now. As a matter of fact, she could move here with us too. We certainly would not exclude her.”
“I don’t think—”
“Why don’t we chust pray about it, schatzi?”
“Pray, jah. Because I don’t always know how to deal with my fraa’s ferhoodled ideas.”
“Your fraa’s ferhoodled ideas? Who is it that lets Jaycee prattle on about Santa? And then encourages him by pretending to see reindeer in the woods.”
“Fraa, you know that I really did see a deer in our woods. And you can’t fault the boy. Especially since we have that red sleigh out in the barn. And our phone shanty does kind of look like one of those little houses where the kinner take pictures with Santa.”
“I’m beginning to worry about you, schatzi.”
Christopher chuckled. “It wouldn’t be the first time, for sure and certain.”
“No, it would not.”
~
When Wesley walked into church, he expected curious looks from his brothers and sisters in Christ after the conversation he’d had with his parents. But nobody looked at him or treated him differently. Had Holly blown the whole thing out of proportion so his parents would overreact?
His eyes roamed the fellowship hall until they zeroed in on Holly. She met his gaze and threw her hand in the air. He gestured for her to meet him outside. She followed him, then sat down on the bench next to where he now sat. She was too close, so he scooted over.
She seemed excited. “I didn’t know that you were a father. And about you and Shannon. Are you two planning to get married?”
He gritted his teeth, but forced himself to reply calmly. “Neither Shannon nor I have a baby.”
“But I—”
“You were being a busybody and Shannon wanted to put you in your place.”
She gasped.
“Listen, Holly. Shannon has not been in church her whole life. As a matter of fact, that was her first time visiting here. She just got saved on Monday. With that being the case, I really wish you would have been a better example to her.”
Holly frowned at his reprimand.
“As Christians, we shouldn’t be gossiping about other people. Please stop. And please quit staring. It’s rude.” This was the first time he’d outright rebuked a sister in Christ, but it needed to be done. It wasn’t his intention to be harsh.
She swallowed and nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you. But I think you should probably apologize to Shannon next time you see her.”
“Is she going to be coming to church here now?”
“I hope so.” He rose from the bench. “Thank you for hearing me out. I hope you and Shannon can eventually become friends.”
“Okay.”
He began walking away, then turned back around. “And Holly, I’m sure God’s got someone special for you too.”
Her face clouded with emotion. “Thank you for saying that.”
A moment later, as he sat down in the pew, Wesley briefly closed his eyes. He prayed things would go well with Holly, then thanked God for His goodness.
NINETEEN
Wesley, Shannon, and the children pulled onto his grandparents’ property from the back side like Wesley always did. He’d been jazzed about this date all day and could think of little else. His work day had been absolutely worthless. He’d sat and daydreamed. All. Day. Long.
If he was like this when and if he ever decided to get married, he and his wife would be homeless and living on the streets. Of course, if he was married, his daydreams would become reality and he’d have no reason to sit and stare out the window all day. He really shouldn’t have allowed his fanciful daydreams, but they were too wonderful to dispel.
“I can’t wait to see Santa!” Jaycee bounded out of the truck. “Do you think he’ll take us for a ride in his sleigh?”
“I think there might be enough snow to build a snowman.” Brighton seemed just as excited to be there as Jaycee.
“Judy!” Melanie squealed as the object of her admiration headed toward the truck.
Wesley chuckled and glanced at Shannon. “It looks like they’ve already forgotten all about us.”
Shannon laughed. “It doesn’t look like they’ll miss us at all.”
Grandma came near and scooped little Melanie into her arms. “I plan to make some special treats with the kinner.”
Wesley smiled, knowing their Christmas tradition. “Taffy?”
Grandma nodded.
He shared a look with Shannon. “The boys will love it. Especially if you tell them it will help their muscles grow.”
“Well, it worked for you, didn’t it?” Grandma teased.
Shannon grasped his upper arm and winked. “I think it did.”
He shook his head, but loved the teasing nevertheless.
“Your grossdawdi and I would like to have a talk with Shannon, if you can spare her a few moments.”
He pinned his gaze on Shannon. “You’re not starving, are you? We don’t have reservations, but there could be a bit of a wait, if they’re busy.”
“No, I’m fine. I had a snack when I came home from work.” She smiled. “Unless you’re really hungry.”
“I’m good.” Although he was famished for time alone with her. But he wouldn’t ever say anything like that, especially in his grandmother’s company. He’d be reprimanded for sure. They’d have to watch themselves here, he reminded himself. While they were free to kiss elsewhere, his grandparents had grown up believing that public displays of affection were inappropriate. Not that he’d cross any lines in their presence or alone with Shannon, but he certainly wouldn’t mind claiming a kiss.
“Do you mind if Wesley’s there too?” Shannon asked Grandma.
His heart jumped in his chest. She wanted him with her?
“I wouldn’t mind, except I was hoping he’d keep the kinner entertained while we talked.”
Wesley nodded. “I can do that.”
“Just the boys. I don’t think this little one understands enough to know what we’d be talking about.” Grandma jostled Melanie and looked at Shannon. “We can give her one of the old dolls to play with. She likes those. Always giving them kisses.”
“Yes.” Shannon smiled and stroked Melanie’s cheek. “One of her favorite things is showing affection. She’s a very loving little girl.”
Wesley didn’t want to hurry his grandmother, but he and Shannon were supposed to be on a date, and he was anxious to get it started. “Where are the boys?”
“Probably in the barn with Christopher. You can show them the sleigh and maybe get it ready.”
He grimaced. Hopefully, he wouldn’t perspire or get his clothes soiled. Hitching up a horse had not been in his plans tonight. “Grandma,” He looked down at his clothes. “I don’t think I’m dressed for it.”
“Have Brighton do it.”
“Brighton?” Shannon and Wesley both said in unison.
“Jah, he’s been helping out your grossdawdi quite a bit. He’s becoming a regular horseman.”
“I don’t think…” Shannon’s voice trailed off and he read the worry in her eyes. She didn’t want Brighton getting injured.
“It’s okay. I’ll do it,” Wesley said. He’d have to be very careful not to ruin his outfit. Normally, he wouldn’t mind, but tonight was special. Their first official date. He wanted to smell good, and he hoped everything would go perfectly.
“Come now,” Grandma beckoned Shannon. “I’m sure that gross sohn of mine is anxious for time alone with his aldi.”
Wesley watched forlornly as Shannon followed Grandma into the house. He walked toward the barn just as Grandpa walked out, leading the horse with the sleigh rigged up to it. Jaycee and Brighton sat in the sleigh, their smiles evidencing their excitement.
“I told them you’d take them for a quick spin. You up for it?” Grandpa eyed him carefully.
“Sure.”
The boys hooted and hollered, while Wesley climbed in. He wasn’t a professional, by any means, but he’d learned how to handle a horse and buggy. He watched Grandpa enter the house. Wesley glanced to the boys in the seat behind him. “You ready?”
“Yeah!” They exclaimed.
“Okay.” He kissed the air and lightly jostled the reins, just enough so the horse would begin walking.
~
Shannon sat in Judy and Christopher’s living room, wondering exactly what they’d wanted to speak with her about. Whatever it was sounded important since they hadn’t wanted the boys to be present.
“Judy mentioned you’d had some government people come by to see about the kinner’s welfare.” Christopher glanced at little Melanie in his wife’s arms.
“That’s right.” Where was this conversation going?
Judy leaned forward. “We were thinking. If something were to happen, that if they wanted to take the kinner away for some reason. We were thinking that we could take them into our home.”
“To adopt them,” Christopher clarified. “If you would want that.”
“Oh.” She frowned. But wait. They were willing to adopt her siblings if she couldn’t raise them? She looked into their kind faces. They were so sweet and sincere.
“We would treat them as our own kinner,” Judy added.
“I’m sure you would.” Shannon smiled. “That’s a very generous offer. I really appreciate it. But I hope it won’t ever come to that.”
“Well, just know that they have a place to come, if they need to.”
“You two have been so kind to us. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
Christopher adamantly shook his head. “Repay? Nee, we do not expect or want any payment. Der Herr has placed this in our hearts.”
“Of course, you would be welcomed here too.” Judy smiled.
“Thank you. It’s good to know that I have a place for them, if that were ever to happen.” She glanced at little Melanie, who babbled to her baby doll. “But I’m pretty sure it’s not a big concern. They said they try to keep families together if at all possible. We’re definitely not rich, but we’re getting by. I was worried about Christmas, but Wesley told me about a special program at his church where they buy gifts for families who are struggling. I think we’ll be okay. Between what you two are doing, helping out with Melanie, and what Wesley has been doing, it’s really taken a load off my shoulders. I feel so blessed to have met you all.”
“And your family has been a blessing to us. We love having you all here.” Judy glanced briefly at Christopher. “You know, your siblings remind us of ours when they were little.” Shannon heard the affection in her voice.
“I thought there was only Wesley’s father, who is excommunicated, right?”
Christopher nodded. “James is our oldest. He had two younger siblings. They died in a buggy accident when they were chust kinner.”
“Oh.” Shannon’s heart fille
d with compassion. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure that was difficult.”
“We accept it as Gott’s will.” Christopher reached over and lightly touched his wife’s hand. It was a rare gesture of affection, from what she’d seen of the couple so far.
“It was really hard for us when my parents died. I’d give just about anything to have them back.”
“We must not wish for what we cannot have. It will only make us miserable. It is best to accept our circumstances and move on to brighter days.”
“I know I have brighter days now because of you and Wesley. It’s strange to think that I probably never would have met you, had my parents not died.”
“Der Herr knows what we need and when we need it. And He brings special people into our lives.”
“I think that’s what He’s done in letting us meet.”
Judy smiled. “We feel the same way. These kinner fill a hole in our hearts, or at the least, put salve on the hole that is there.”
“I’m glad. Having you watch Melanie has been a blessing.”
“We are happy to do it.”
TWENTY
Wesley pulled his truck to the edge of his grandparents’ property and moved the gearshift into Park.
Shannon smiled, her eyes dancing with curiosity. “What are we doing?”
He eyed her from the driver’s seat. “You’re way too far away from me. Sit by me?” He patted the place next to him on the bench seat.
She nodded and slid over, then fastened the middle seatbelt around her waist.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders, but stopped short of kissing her. Even though he wanted to. Badly. “Much better.”
“You’re cute.” She giggled.
“I think you’re cute.”
She shook her head. “It’s hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner.”
Change of subject. A perfect distraction from his wayward thoughts.
“Just a little over two weeks.” He nodded and maneuvered the truck out onto the road then headed toward Madison. “Oh, yeah. I went ahead and signed the kids up for the Christmas Project at church. I talked to the boys and asked them what they wanted for Christmas. I didn’t give anything away, though. It was a pretty general inquiry.”
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