An Undeniable Secret (Amish Secrets--Book 4)
Page 4
“That’s gut.”
William pulled into the library’s parking lot and parked near a street lamp. He turned to Sally. “Tell me what’s wrong. I’ve got all night, if you need me.” He meant it, too. Right now, nothing in this world mattered more than this special woman at his side.
Sally managed a slight smile and lightly stroked his face. “Denki.” She took another breath. “My vatter…” That was when the tears came.
William would have pulled her into his arms, but to do so in his vehicle would be awkward. Instead, he reached over and held her hand. He waited in silence for her to continue.
“He…he was married. Before my mamm. She never knew about it.”
William frowned. “Your father had been married before?”
“It was a long time ago. We think he probably got a divorce, but we’re unsure. Anyway, he made some papers, you know, that said that if he died, his possessions would belong to her.”
“A will?”
“Jah, that’s what Mamm said it was called.”
“But the will didn’t include your family?” The thought was preposterous. Why would a man leave everything he owned to someone other than his family?
“Only his first family.”
“I don’t understand. Why would he do that?”
“We don’t know. Maybe he forgot that he signed those papers.”
Will shook his head. “I can’t believe it. Was he institutionalized or something?”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“Did he spend time in a hospital? Maybe he was in the military and was wounded.”
Sally shrugged. “Amish don’t believe in joining the military.”
“They don’t?” This was a shock. Somehow he’d missed that bit of knowledge while researching.
“Nee. It is not right to kill another person; the Bible says so.”
He wasn’t about to argue with Sally. There were more important matters at stake right now. He filed the subject in the back of his mind to bring up in a later discussion.
“It sounds like you need to hire a lawyer,” Will suggested.
“Nee I don’t think we can do that. The bishop and ministers won’t allow it.”
“You’re kidding. They’ll just let whoever take your land away from you? That’s not right.”
“I know. I want to do something, but I don’t know what or how.”
William thought about Uncle George. There was no way he’d take this case. “I can talk to my uncle, but I don’t think he would represent you. Maybe he can give us some advice, though.”
“Your uncle?”
“He’s a lawyer.”
“Is that why he lives in such a fancy house?”
William nodded. “He makes a lot of money.”
Sally frowned. “We don’t have a lot of money to pay him. My vatter left us some, and I will probably get a job soon to make more. Mamm and I have talked about it.”
“No. I wouldn’t want you to use your money for a lawyer.” He reached over and caressed her cheek.
“I don’t know what we’ll do if they take our house.”
“Do you have relatives you could stay with?”
“In Kentucky.”
William’s heart sank. Kentucky? “I couldn’t stand it if you moved away.”
“If we had to, it would be because Der Herr wills it.”
“And what if Der Herr wills that I marry you first?”
Sally grew quiet. Why did she do that whenever he brought up a future together?
He lifted her chin, encouraging eye-contact. “Sally, why are you silent? Would you not consider marrying me in the future?”
“We’re just so different.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? It would be boring if we were exactly alike.”
“You do not understand our ways. I am not allowed to marry an Englischer.”
“Do you love me, Sally?”
“Jah, but–”
William’s fingers on her lips stopped her words. “No buts, Sally. I love you and you love me. If we have love, we can work anything out.”
“I think it is more difficult than you think it is.”
“I didn’t say it wouldn’t be difficult. I know it won’t be easy. But it is possible.”
“Do you think my vatter loved his first fraa?”
“I don’t know, but I’m guessing he did or he wouldn’t have drawn up a will.”
“If it didn’t work out for them, what makes us think it will work out for us?”
Will reached over and grasped Sally’s hand. “I don’t know what happened with them, but I can say for a fact that I will never ever leave the woman I marry. I can promise you that.”
“You don’t know the future.”
“I don’t have to. I know that I love you.”
“Ach, Will.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.
Chapter 6
William waited until most of the congregation had cleared the auditorium before he approached Pastor Rob. He was in need of spiritual guidance, and he wasn’t about to get it from Uncle George. His father had once alluded that Uncle George used to work in the ministry with him, but William had never seen any evidence of that. On the contrary, he seemed about as far away from God as anyone out in the world.
“William, good to see you this morning.” The pastor shook his hand.
“That was a compelling sermon.”
“Yep. I think I needed to hear it more than anyone.”
“My father used to say that often.” William smiled.
“He was a wise man and a great preacher. I learned a lot from him.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Did you want to talk about something?”
Will nodded.
“Let’s go have a seat.” Pastor Rob led the way to a secluded cluster of chairs near the back of the auditorium. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve been seeing a girl. She’s Amish.”
The pastor’s forehead wrinkled and he nodded for William to continue.
“I guess what I wanted to ask is, would I be unequally yoked if I married her?”
“That depends. Is she saved?”
“Well, the research I conducted on Amish beliefs stated that they believe in Jesus.”
Pastor Rob frowned. “Research? Salvation is an individual thing. It’s a matter of the heart.”
“I realize that.”
“Have you asked her if she’s received Christ as her Saviour?”
“No, sir.”
“Then I’d say that’s where you need to start.”
“Okay.” William nodded. “I have another question. Do we have any positions available? You know, I’ve been taking classes in counseling.”
“I’m afraid the only position we need to fill here is that of custodian.”
“Custodian? You mean someone to clean the church, right?”
The pastor nodded. “It doesn’t pay much.”
“What are the hours?”
“It would just be two days a week; Mondays and Thursdays.”
“Could I get the job?” William scratched his head. “I would probably bring my girlfriend to help. The job would actually be for her, but I’d help out. She needs the money.”
“I hear the Amish are pretty good housekeepers. I’ll talk to our staff and get back with you tomorrow.”
“Great. Thanks, Pastor.” William firmly shook Pastor Rob’s hand.
“No problem.”
William smiled. Wouldn’t Sally be happy!
<><><>
He’d been pondering the situation for some time now, but William was still reticent to speak with Uncle George regarding Sally’s family. What if he put the question in theoretical terms? Would his uncle know that he was speaking of an Amish family’s plight? Either way, he had to try to get answers for Sally.
At present, Uncle George was working in his office. William never bothered him while he was working; it was a rule t
hey’d agreed upon when his uncle took him in. Hopefully, he’d finish up his work before William turned in for the night.
William yawned and retrieved his Bible from his nightstand. Pastor Rob’s message about staying in God’s Word penetrated his heart. He’d gotten away from his daily reading, and felt lately that he’d been dragging, spiritually-speaking. Time with God in His Word was the only cure.
About thirty minutes later, Uncle George began rustling papers, and William took that as his cue. As his uncle neared his door, William stepped out into the hallway.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something,” William said.
“Sure. Let’s take a seat in the den.”
“First of all, I’d like to apologize for my attitude lately.”
His uncle’s brow arched and he nodded.
“I read the passage in the Bible that you suggested, and I plan to talk to Sally about it soon.”
“Sally?”
“My girlfriend.”
Uncle George frowned.
He’d better get to the point quickly before his uncle started another argument. “I want to ask you something. I have a friend who is getting their house taken away because of a will. Apparently, my friend’s dad had been married before he met my friend’s mom, and he had a will. The will didn’t include his current family, only the family that he had many years ago.”
His uncle nodded.
“Is there any way that they’d be able to fight it? I mean, would it do any good?”
“That depends on a lot of factors. I’d have to see the terminology used in the will.”
“I was thinking that, since my friend’s family has lived on the property for many years, doesn’t that give them the rights to it? What is that saying? Possession is nine-tenths of the law.”
“Like I said, that would depend on several factors.”
“How would I figure that out?”
“You’d have to get a copy of the will, look for loopholes, that sort of thing.”
“Would you be willing to help me?”
Uncle George rubbed his forehead. “Who did you say this was for?”
“I didn’t. It’s for a friend.”
“I’m sorry, William. I don’t think I can help you.”
“Why not?”
“First of all, you’re being very vague. I’m guessing this has something to do with the Amish girl. Am I correct?”
William shook his head. “Forget I even asked.” He stood up and began walking to his room. “Goodnight, Uncle George.”
<><><>
A light knock sounded on Will’s door a few moments later.
William looked at the door and sighed. “Come in.”
Uncle George stood in the door’s opening. “Despite what you may think, William, I’m not trying to ruin your life.” He rubbed his cheek. “I’m not your enemy.”
“I know.”
“Your father and I were good friends. Before he ever met your mother.”
Will nodded.
“I introduced them. William, there’s a lot that you don’t know about your parents…things they may not have wanted you to know.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I’m not sure this is the right time to tell you.” His uncle shook his head. “I probably shouldn’t say anything.”
“Why on earth did you bring it up, then?” William didn’t mask his frustrated tone.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is that you need to trust me. Nobody knew your parents like I did.”
“Why did you turn your back on God?”
Uncle George frowned. “I haven’t turned my back on God. I’m just sorting through some things right now.”
“Uncle George, would you like to attend church with me on Sunday?”
“No thank you, William.”
Chapter 7
Saloma heard it from the kitchen. She rushed toward Mamm’s room to find her mother kneeling beside her bed. Loud sobbing escaped Mamm’s lips, and her body heaved in sorrow. Saloma knelt next to her mother and wrapped her arms around her.
“Mamm?”
“Why? Why would he do this?”
“I don’t know.” A tear trailed down Saloma’s cheek. She could only imagine the pain her mother felt.
“I had no idea, Saloma. No idea at all.”
“About Dat being married before?”
“About any of it. The will. His former marriage. You think he would have told me something. Why would he hide these secrets?”
“Maybe he thought you wouldn’t marry him if you knew.”
“I never kept any secrets from your vatter. Never.” She brushed away a tear. “How could he do this to me? To us?”
“I don’t know. Do you think maybe he forgot that he signed a will? I cannot see Dat leaving us with nothing. He wouldn’t have done that.”
“I don’t know. I’m beginning to think I did not know your father at all.”
“That’s not true, Mamm. You did know Dat.”
“We’d been married for twenty-two years, Saloma. You’d think that it would have come up in conversation. I’m certain he hadn’t forgotten about a wife! And, what if…” Her mother frowned. “What if they had children?”
“You don’t think Dat would abandon his own kinner.”
“I don’t know what to think anymore, Saloma.”
“Mamm, Dat loved you. He loved all of us,” Saloma reassured. “You have to believe that.”
<><><>
William carried a tray with two tall glasses of iced tea. He set it down on the small side table beside the couch in his uncle’s library.
“Mm, those look refreshing.” Sally’s appreciative smile concreted one of the reasons he adored her.
“I was unsure if you wanted sugar, so I had Marita put some in a dish for us.” He handed a glass to Sally and took a sip of his own. He made a face. “Yikes, this does need sugar.”
“You shouldn’t need any sugar; you’re already sweet enough.”
“You need to get to know me better,” he teased.
“Ach, I already know it’s true.” Sally spooned two heaps into her own drink. “This is gut.”
He rounded the sofa and sat down next to Sally. Will remembered his phone conversation yesterday. “Hey, guess what? I have news for you.”
“Did you talk to your uncle about my house?” Sally’s face brightened.
“Yes, but that’s not what this is about. Guess again.”
“Uh…” She shrugged.
“I got us a job!”
“Us?”
He nodded. “I asked my pastor if they had any openings, and he said that they needed someone to clean the church twice a week.”
“Only twice a week?”
“I know it’s not much, but it’s something, right? And we can pretty much work on our own schedule, so whenever it’s convenient.”
“You – you did this for me?” Sally’s eyes widened.
“Yeah. I mean, I guess there might be some selfish motives in there; I’ll get to see you more often. What do you think?”
“I think it’s wonderful. But I’ll have to talk to my mamm about it.”
“Okay.”
“She doesn’t know about you.” She bit her fingernail. “I don’t know what she would do if she knew we were courting.”
He quirked a brow. “Courting?”
Sally nodded.
He lifted his hand to caress her earlobe. “You’re so cute.”
Beautiful color blushed her cheeks.
“Come here,” he beckoned, pulling her close.
Sally did as requested.
His lips moved just inches from hers, and he detected longing in her eyes. “You know, I’ve never seen your hair down. Will you show me?”
She nodded reservedly then began removing the pins that held her prayer kapp in place. As she removed the pins that held her bun in place, her locks tumbled down around her shoulders and back. Her hesitant mien begged for affirmation.
> “Oh, Sally.” His gaze smoldered. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. And I have a pretty good imagination.”
“I – I’ve never uncovered my head for someone.”
Did she mean that he was the first man who had the privilege of seeing her with her hair down? What a wonderful gift she’d given him. He lightly stroked her soft tresses and drew her mouth to his. Her lips tasted of the sweet tea they’d enjoyed just moments ago.
Sally pulled back momentarily for a breath then resumed contact once again. Will pulled her even closer until there was no distance left between them. His hands wove through her hair and down her back. Will leaned forward onto the sofa with Sally beside him. He soon realized that he might not be able to stop if they went any further. But stopping was so difficult when it seemed neither of them had the desire to.
“William!” Uncle George’s voice shouted from the library’s entrance.
Will and Sally both shot up.
Oh, no.
“Get that tramp out of my house!” His uncle’s blazing glare pierced Sally’s guilt-ridden eyes. “Now!”
Sally looked at Will helplessly, and tears immediately pooled in their depths.
William chided himself. How could I be so stupid!
“Uncle George–”
“Get her out,” he thrust his finger toward the door, “and don’t ever bring her back again!”
Will’s apologetic gaze met Sally’s and he mouthed the words I’m sorry. He grabbed her hand and they both fled past Uncle George. The sooner they left the house, the better. Hopefully, Uncle George will have calmed down by the time he returned.
<><><>
Sally’s hands shook nervously as they jogged to Will’s Jeep. “Oh, no; I forgot my hair pins and kapp! I can’t go home without them.”
Will grasped her hand reassuringly. “I’ll get it.” He turned to look at her. “It’ll be all right, Sally. Don’t worry.”
“Are – are you sure?”
“I’m not afraid of my uncle.”
“He doesn’t sound like a kind man.”
“He has his moments. Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal with him.” He lightly caressed her shoulder. “Will you be okay out here?”