“No. Never.”
<><><>
Will’s Jeep rolled to a stop in front of the Troyer residence.
“I’ll pick you up on Christmas Eve.” Will had already been pondering what gift he’d like to give Sally.
“Okay.” Sally lifted a half smile.
“Your mom will be okay with it, right?”
“You will have me home early, jah?”
“As early as you need to be home.”
“I’m not sure yet. We will leave in the morning?”
His gaze met hers. “I’d like to spend all day with you, if possible.”
Sally blushed. “Is that a gut idea?”
“I think it’s a great idea. Being with you will be the best Christmas present I’ll receive this year. Can you be ready by eight?”
“Eight?” Her eyes bulged.
“I’d like to take you to breakfast at Hershey Farm. Have you been there before?”
Sally’s head shook.
“You’re in for a wonderful treat.” He smiled.
Will opened the door for Sally. He longed to embrace her but he wouldn’t. “Goodbye.”
Chapter 31
“Did you share your news with Saloma?” Uncle George’s brow shot up.
“Oh, no, I forgot!” Will chuckled. “I guess I was just so surprised to see her that I didn’t even think about it. But I can tell her in a couple of days, because I invited her to spend Christmas Eve day with me.”
“Do you think that’s wise, William?”
At times, Uncle George’s patronizing voice rattled Will’s nerves. “At this point, I don’t care. I want to spend the holidays with Sally, and I intend to do just that.” Will realized his flippant attitude and toned down a bit. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to do anything we shouldn’t.”
“That’s only part of the issue. The more of your heart you give to Sally, the less chance you have of escaping unscathed.”
“I’m willing to take that risk.”
Uncle George’s gaze met his. “Truthfully, I’m worried about you, William. You’ve been so depressed lately. If things don’t work out between you and Saloma–”
“Then I will trust that it’s not God’s will. Until we’ve exhausted all our resources and God gives a definite ‘no’, Sally and I are hoping and praying for a miracle. God can work out impossible situations. I’m counting on a miracle. I know God will work this out.”
Uncle George sighed and shook his head. “For your sake, I hope you’re right.”
<><><>
Will pulled into the parking lot of Hershey Farm Restaurant and stole a glance at Sally. He sighed. Thy will be done, Lord. He constantly reminded himself of this very thing. He was trusting God’s will, or at least trying to. For we walk by faith, not by sight.
“Ach, there’s a buggy here. I wonder if I know who it is.” Sally brightened.
That was the one thing that worried Will most about their possible union. The Amish were big on community and fellowship. If they ended up marrying, and Sally left her Amish district, their dealings with the Amish would be minimal. And, although most would not be required to shun Sally outright, she said that some of the more strict Amish still would. Will hoped that he would be enough for her.
He opened the door to the restaurant and escorted Sally inside. “Would you like to browse the gift shop?”
“Let’s look after we eat, jah?”
“Whatever you’d like.” Will smiled. He couldn’t describe it, but being in Sally’s presence made him feel complete somehow. He briefly wondered if this was how Adam felt after God created a helpmeet for him. He’d had God and the whole world before Eve, but after God brought his wife to him, Creation was complete. God knew exactly what he needed and provided for him.
“Will?”
He turned at the vaguely familiar voice. “Minister Fisher?”
The man smiled. “Jonathan.”
“I remember.” Will turned to Sally. “Jonathan, this is Saloma Troyer.”
“Gut to meet you.” He turned to his fraa. “This is my Susie.”
Will and Saloma both greeted Jonathan’s wife.
Jonathan eyed Will. “Did you ever receive an answer to your impossible question?”
“I’m still praying about it.”
“I’ve been thinking on that some too. I’m glad we ran into each other. Why don’t you and Saloma join us at our table, and we can talk about this further?”
Will turned to Sally. “Do you mind?”
“Nee.”
They requested a table for four instead of two, like Will had originally planned. But maybe it was better if he and Sally didn’t spend too much time alone together.
Jonathan took a sip of his coffee and eyed Will from across the table. “Did you mention to me before that you were adopted?”
Will stared toward the ceiling. “I don’t recall. But yes, Sally and I are both adopted.” Will’s eyes widened and a new thought dawned on him. “Wait a minute. If I was adopted by Peter, it would mean that I’m no longer Elam’s son, correct?”
Jonathan shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess so.”
“If I’m no longer Elam’s son, than Sally and I aren’t brother and sister.” Will stared at Sally and his grin broadened. “Will you excuse me for a moment? I have to make a phone call.”
Jonathan smiled. “Sure.”
Will hurried out to the parking lot, typing in Uncle George’s cell number as rapidly as possible.
His uncle answered on the third ring. “Hello?”
“Uncle George, I’m legally adopted by Peter, right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, then, doesn’t that mean that Saloma and I can’t be siblings?”
There was a pause on the other end.
“Uncle George?” Will paced the parking lot, ignoring the sudden gust of cold air.
“I’m thinking,” he said. “I’m not an expert in family law, but I can call my colleague. He’d know. It’ll probably have to wait until after the holidays.”
At this moment in time, Will felt like he might burst if he had to wait that long. But he would if he had to. “Do you have my adoption documents at the house?”
“I believe so.”
“Will you get those out so I can look at them when Sally and I return from breakfast, please?”
“Sure, William.”
“Great. Thanks, Uncle George!”
He clicked off the phone, and began humming a song that had been on his heart since the last church service. It just so happened that last Sunday’s music special at church was about God making a way when there seemed to be no way. It was almost as though God chose the song just for him and his circumstances. Had He prompted the singer to choose that song just to encourage Will’s heart? It sure seemed so. God was so good!
He rushed inside to finish his meal with his guests, but his heart soared, and he couldn’t erase the grin from his face for the rest of the morning. God was definitely working on his behalf!
Chapter 32
“Thank you for the dinner, Marita. It was wonderful,” Uncle George called out as his housekeeper left for the evening. “I hope you have a magnificent Christmas with your family.”
“I worry about you and Mr. Griffith, sir. Will you be okay?”
“William and I survived longer than a week without you last year, so we’ll be all right. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt us to miss a meal or two,” Will’s uncle teased. “We’ll manage, just don’t be any longer than you need to.”
“Very well, sir. Have a happy holiday.”
“Goodbye, Marita.” Uncle George watched as Marita left, then turned to Will and Sally. “Now, the three of us have some matters to discuss.”
Will nodded confidently.
“Let’s gather around the hearth in the great room; the fire is burning nicely. I’ll get the documents.”
Will’s eyes followed as Uncle George moved toward his office. He turned to Sally and took a prayerful breath. “Come.”
Will pulled Sally down next to him. “Well, what do you think?”
“I think we can trust God.” She smiled.
“You’re right. Whatever happens will be God’s will, right?” Will sounded as though he were trying to convince himself.
Uncle George walked into the room and sat on the sofa adjacent to William and Saloma. He eyed his nephew. “Did you share your news with Sally?”
Will shook his head, then turned to Sally. “I finished school.”
His uncle’s countenance evidenced obvious pride.
“That’s wunderbaar Will.”
“Yes, William did very well.” His uncle beamed.
“Okay, now I’d like to give you my Christmas gift.” Uncle George reached across the oversized coffee table and handed Will an envelope – the kind that would hold a greeting card.
Will’s puzzled expression caused his uncle to chuckle. “Go ahead. Open it.”
Will examine the plain red envelope, slid his finger under the envelope’s flap, and removed a Christmas card. An elegant Thomas Kincaid print of an old-town snow-covered Christmas scene graced the front.
He read the words aloud, “To William and Saloma, Merry Christmas! May the two of you have a wonderful life. Together. Sincerely, Uncle George.” Will reread the message, attempting to decipher its meaning.
“Uh, thank you.” Will glanced at Sally, and she nodded in agreement.
Uncle George then pulled out an official-looking document from the large manila envelope at his side. He handed it to William.
Will scanned the document until he came to the signature at the bottom. “Elam Troyer?”
“That, William, is your golden ticket.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, apparently, your birth father knew you existed. He would have had to sign over his parental rights in order for Peter to adopt you.”
“So, what does this mean?” Sally piped up, an uncertain expression on her face.
“That means that Elam Troyer’s property belongs to your mother.” Uncle George smiled. “As well as a couple other things.”
“But what about what was written on those papers my mother received? They had Will’s name on them.” Sally frowned.
A thrill danced up Will’s arms and traveled straight through to his soul. What implications did this new revelation have?
George grimaced. “The papers were filed in error. Apparently, the presiding attorney found William’s original birth certificate, stating that Sandra and Elam Troyer were his parents. He didn’t realized that Elam had terminated his parental rights, thus relinquishing all interest in the child. By that document, any and all ties are broken.
“When Peter adopted William, he received a brand new birth certificate. By law, Peter is William’s father. By law, William has a new lineage. His old lineage no longer exists.”
Will’s grin broadened even more. “So, not only am I not Elam’s son, I also have no rights to his property.”
“Yes, that is what this means,” his uncle agreed.
Will perked up. “I’m perfectly happy with that! I didn’t want the property in the first place.” He turned to Sally. “It looks like we are all receiving great gifts this Christmas!”
Will looked his uncle in the eye, his gaze completely sober. He enunciated each word, as though he were stirring molasses in the wintry cold. “If I am Peter’s son, then Sally and I are not brother and sister, by law. Am I correct?”
Uncle George smiled. “Absolutely.”
“Hallelujah!” Will jumped up from the couch. “Wow! I couldn’t have asked for a better solution. Thank you, Uncle George.”
“I’ll be sending you my fee next week,” he teased.
“I’d gladly pay it!”
“Seriously, though, I’m not the one you two should be thanking.”
Will and Sally nodded. “Oh, yes, you better believe I will be thanking God many times this night and for the rest of our lives!” Will turned to Sally. “Isn’t God good, Sally?”
Sally’s eyes filled with tears. “Jah. For sure and for certain.”
“So this means that Peter didn’t legally adopt me until I was older,” William said.
“My guess would be that it took a while for your biological father to agree to sign the papers. Perhaps he didn’t want to give you up.” Uncle George raised a brow. “I tried not to be too involved in their lives, especially after what happened with Christopher. I didn’t know all the details, but, although Peter treated you like a son, you probably weren’t officially adopted until later. I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter finally paid Elam a little visit, and insisted he relinquish his parental rights so he could adopt you and you could have a proper father.”
Will shrugged. “Well, unless we find more journal notes or letters, I guess we’ll never know. But, now, I’m glad he did.”
He smiled at Sally, then grasped her hand and brought it to his lips.
Ding dong.
“I wonder who that could be.” Will looked to Saloma.
George shot up. “That, William, would be for me. I have a date.” He winked.
“You, Uncle George? A date?”
He chuckled. “Don’t sound so surprised. I still have a few good years left in me.”
“Who is it?”
“Remember Ms. Johnson?”
“The young widow from church?”
“That’s the one.” Uncle George’s eyes sparkled. “Well, I’ve gotta go. Don’t want to keep my date waiting.”
Will watched in amazement as his uncle flounced through the door.
His gazed moved to Sally. “Well, I guess it’s just us now.”
“Jah.”
Will drew Sally into his arms and held her the way he’d been longing to. His lips met hers once, then he pulled away. “Guess what, Sally.”
“What?” Her beautiful knowing smile melted his heart once again.
His lips met hers. “I’m not your brother.”
Sally bit her bottom lip. “I know.”
“Sally?”
“Yes, Will?”
“I love you more than anything in this world.” He pushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. “Will you marry me?”
Her eyes portrayed surprise, but he knew she half expected it. “Now?”
“I wish.” He lightly caressed her cheek. “As soon as possible?”
“Jah, Will. I would love to marry you.”
He drew her close again. “Sally?”
“Yes, Will?”
“I think I’d better take you home,” he said breathily, forcing himself away.
Saloma laughed. “Jah. I think you’re right.”
He sobered. “Let’s pray, first.”
“Jah. That is a wunderbaar idea.”
William took Saloma’s hands in his, and they both bowed their heads in prayer, giving thanks to their Heavenly Father above for His blessed provision.
Chapter 33
“Are you ready to go, Sally?” Will called from the great room. Sally wanted to freshen up before they attended the evening candlelight service.
“Coming.” She appeared from the hallway. “Will your uncle be there too?”
“I’m guessing he will.” Will smiled. “I’m glad your mother is letting you come with me.”
“I think she was overjoyed when you gave her back the money she paid for the lease and told her about the house.” Saloma grinned. “That, and our supper plans with the Yoders were cancelled because one of their kinner is sick.”
“Bad for them, good for me. It’s unfortunate they’re not feeling well on Christmas Eve, though. That’s a bummer.” He snatched the keys from his pocket and held out his elbow. “My lady.”
Sally smiled and hooked her arm into the crook of Wi
ll’s elbow and they walked out to his Jeep. He opened the door and assisted Sally’s entrance.
“I’m going to talk to the pastor tonight,” Will informed her.
“About us?”
“Yeah. How soon do you think he’ll be able to perform our ceremony?”
Sally shrugged. She seemed unusually quiet.
Will observed her pensiveness. “What are you thinking about?”
“My birth mother.”
Will’s brow rose. “Your birth mother?”
“Will, if my birth mother is still alive then I’d like to meet her.”
“Why?”
“Think about it. If she hadn’t given me up, who knows where I would have grown up? Who knows what kind of a terrible life I might have had? If she hadn’t given me up, then you and I would have probably never met.”
His eyes widened. “You’re right.” He leaned over and met her lips. “I think I’d like to give her a hug myself.”
Sally laughed. “You’d better keep your eyes on the road.”
<><><>
“Hey, Pastor Rob, that was a great service.” Will shook the pastor’s hand.
“Thank you, William. God’s wonders never cease.”
“Isn’t that the truth! As a matter of fact, Sally and I were wondering when you’d be able to marry us.” He winked at Sally, then turned back to Pastor Rob.
“We require at least six weeks of marriage counseling.”
Will winced. He’d forgotten all about counseling. He internally laughed at himself. A counselor forgetting about counseling.
“Any time after that would be fine.” The pastor looked at both Sally and Will. “Congratulations.”
“Denki.” Will loved seeing Sally’s glow.
“Thank you, Pastor.” Will smiled. “Merry Christmas.”
“I’m curious about something, William.” Pastor Rob raised a brow. “How did you and your fiancé overcome your obstacles? I thought you were siblings.”
William nodded. “So did we. Let’s just say it took a lot of prayer and a miracle. I’d thought it was impossible. It sure seemed like it. But apparently, it was just a trial.”
An Undeniable Secret (Amish Secrets--Book 4) Page 15