Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) (19 page)

“
Yah
,” Alvin said with a smile, “you really are one of us now. I’m very happy about that.”

Eighteen

I
da hung the third load of wash on the line. It was still early Monday morning. Her gaze turned again toward the road. She’d been watching for Lois’s car ever since she got up. Ida was sure her sister would stop by soon to report on her honeymoon. Lois wouldn’t be able to contain her excitement for long.

Ida sighed at the thought of Lois and Doug. Then she chided herself. There were so many other things she should spend her thoughts on this morning instead of her wayward sister. For one,
Daett
had announced at the breakfast table that the threshing crew would arrive Thursday morning.

Debbie had squealed with delight as the troubled look on her face vanished for a moment. Something wasn’t right between Debbie and Alvin. The two had seemed tense last night when she and Emery had driven in after the hymn singing. But then maybe they should be tense. Alvin was in deep trouble with the community. For what, Ida wasn’t totally sure. But Debbie was a grown woman and a member of the community now. Debbie had objected to her upcoming marriage to Ben, but she had the decency to temper her
words. Ida decided she would also behave herself and say no more against Alvin.

What she ought to think about was her own wedding plans. She still hadn’t spoken at length with
Mamm
on the matter. Ida wanted a day or so to pass before the finality of what was coming descended upon her. Her departure would leave
Mamm
and
Daett
in a fix and needing help on the farm. And now they had the noon meal on Thursday to plan for the threshing crew. Still, they would have to talk—today. The sooner the better.

Ida pinned the last piece of wash on the line and took another glance toward the road. Surely Lois would be here soon with her pictures from Cancun. The photos would not be allowed in the house, but Lois would certainly try. And there would be tears, but
Mamm
wouldn’t give in. Ida was sure of that.

Maybe after the next load of wash she’d speak with
Mamm
about the wedding plans. Lois might be here by then, and the matter would be pushed back maybe until evening. Maybe the rest of the wash should wait. At least if someone drove by he or she would see a wash line half full and know that the Beiler women hadn’t grown lazy.

Ida took the hamper with her as she entered the house by the washroom door.

Mamm
was working on a list at the dining room table. She was talking softly when Ida walked in. “Why
Daett
didn’t let us know sooner, I don’t know.”

Ida knew
Mamm
was thinking about the threshing crew coming. She ignored the comment and sat on a kitchen chair.

Mamm
looked up in surprise. “Are you finished with the wash already?”

Ida shook her head. “I thought we should talk about the wedding. I’m sorry to add to the list of stuff we have to do this week, but I don’t know if we can wait any longer. Ben wants to wed this season.”

Mamm
laid her pencil down and studied her daughter. “Ida, are you sure about this?”

Now Ida was the one who was surprised. “
Mamm,
when I told you on Sunday night, you seemed fine with it. Now you’re having doubts? There’s nothing wrong with our plans or any reason we should be hesitant. Our marrying is well within the customs of the community, even if the wedding may seem rushed.”

Mamm
hesitated for only a moment. “I still want to know how this all happened so quickly.”

“Ben first spoke to me the other Sunday, and I accepted his proposal… ”

Mamm
interrupted. “He asked to marry you right from the first?”

Ida admitted, “Well, not really. I thought I’d save him the embarrassment, so I said I was open to the idea if that’s what he was hinting at.”

Mamm
sighed.

Ida went on. “Ben visited me Friday night at Verna’s and said he wants to say the vows this wedding season. He said we could pick any week that works for us. And
Mamm…
” Ida tried to look stern. “
Mamm
, the wedding will be small. I mean it this time.”

Mamm
settled into her chair. “He’s a stern man, Ida. I guess you know that. But Minister Kanagy will be
gut
for you. I was thinking of Lois this morning, and right now I’d take a stern man instead of the husband Lois has chosen. Ben Kanagy is a
gut
man.
Daett
told me last night how thankful he is to have him by his side when difficult church problems come up.”

Ida let out a long breath. “I guess being
Daett
’s son-in-law will make them even closer.”

A hint of a smile played on
Mamm
’s face. “I suppose so. But tell me, Ida, does it bother you that you have so little feelings for the man?”

Ida let out a little gasp before asking, “Why do you say that?”

Mamm
shrugged. “You cared so much for Melvin, and I don’t suppose the heart changes that quickly.”

Ida hesitated for only a moment. “Ben said the most wonderful things about me,
Mamm
. Even when I insisted that all of Melvin’s children must come live with us after the wedding.”

“So… ”
Mamm
studied Ida’s face. “So is this all about Melvin’s children then? That’s why you want to marry him?”

Ida reached over for
Mamm
’s hand. “There’s nothing wrong with that, is there? Wanting to mother Melvin’s children… and Ben’s too, of course?”

Mamm
clucked her tongue. “
Nee
, Ida, there’s nothing wrong with that. No one says our hearts must pound when we accept a man’s hand in marriage. But surely you have
some
feelings for the man? I know you have respect for him. And it certainly sounds like you made it plain what you wanted. That took courage. Does he love you for that, Ida?”

Remembering their kiss, heat rose up Ida’s neck. She was sure her whole face was aflame with color. There was no way she would admit to kissing Ben and how he’d embraced her with such passion. “I already told you he said nice things,” Ida said. “I believe he loves me,
Mamm
.”

“As he should.”
Mamm
snorted. “You’re a decent girl, Ida. The beauty you have goes all the way to the heart. I’m glad you’re getting a husband who understands that. And may
Da Hah
give you a love between each other that makes both of you happy. On my part, I believe
Da Hah
will.”

“
Da Hah
already has,” Ida whispered. “Much more than I expected.”

Mamm
regarded her daughter for a moment. “How are we going to do this wedding of yours what with all the other things going on this fall?”

Ida felt a moment of panic. “Maybe we don’t have to have one?
We could just say the vows on a Sunday at the service. I’m sure Ben would understand.”

Mamm
gave Ida a quick glare. “Wipe that plan out of your mind, Ida. No daughter of mine is saying vows without a proper wedding. That is…”
Mamm
’s face darkened as the sounds of a car pulling into the driveway reached them. “That is unless she goes
Englisha
. Help us, dear
Hah
. I think Lois just arrived.”

“I’ll go let her in.” Ida rose and went to the front door.

Lois’s face glowed when Ida opened the door. Thankfully Lois had on a dress that came down well past her knees. Any little thing will help this morning. She saw Lois was carrying a satchel. “Leave the photographs outside, Lois, and come on in.”

Lois pouted. “How do you know I’ve brought pictures?”

“Because I know you.” Ida gave her a stern glare.

“It’s a laptop computer with pictures on it,” Lois corrected. Her face changed to reflect total happiness. “And so many lovely ones, Ida! Of the ocean, and the beach, and of the absolutely
wunderbah
place we stayed…and of Doug all glowing and happy because I’m his
frau
. Aren’t you even a little, teeny-weeny-bit curious, Ida?”

Ida stood firm. “I see you can still speak German. And it’s not about being curious, Lois. It’s about resisting temptation. Something you should have taken to heart a long time ago.”

More pout showed on Lois’s face. “And miss Cancun, and Doug, and my
wunderbah
life out there? How can you even think that, Ida? You should experience it for yourself. Then you’d know what you’re missing.”

It was useless to argue, Ida decided. She might as well change the subject. Ida pointed at the porch. “It stays out here. If you’re interested in anything besides yourself, you might like to know that Verna had her baby—a girl! Her name is Sarah Mae. I helped take care of her for the first week. She’s beautiful!”

Lois leaned her satchel against the outside wall of the house. She
grabbed Ida and gave her a long hug. “That is
wunderbah
news!
Mamm
’s first grandchild from us girls. I hope to give her one myself before long. Did you know that Doug’s very open to having a
boppli
once I’m out of college? Though not too many, he said. He doesn’t want that part of my Amish heritage brought with me!”

Ida blushed and looked away. She didn’t want to hear about her sister’s family plans. Lois was
Englisha
now, and she’d obviously taken to their ways like a duck to water. That wasn’t a surprise.

Lois walked into the house and made her way to the kitchen. “It’s so
gut
to see you,
Mamm
! I had such a
wunderbah
time down in Mexico on my honeymoon!”

Ida arrived to find Lois with her arms wrapped around
Mamm
’s neck.
Mamm
hugged her daughter and then held her at arm’s length. “I don’t see any picture packages, for which I’m thankful. At least you have some decency and respect for our ways left in you.”

Lois frowned. “I brought some, but Ida made me leave them at the door.”

Mamm
groaned. “Won’t you ever learn, Lois? But do sit down and tell us about your week—wherever you were.”

Lois’s face glowed as she took the offered chair. Ida and
Mamm
sat down also.

Excitedly, Lois shared, “
Mamm,
there were stunning sunrises on the ocean. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. At night we walked out to the water to watch and hear the waves come in. They climbed around our bare feet, ever higher and higher. Doug loves me,
Mamm
, like no Amish man ever did. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

Mamm
clucked and said, “That’s because you never had the sense to let a man from the community love you. You chased them away with all your talk about how you loved the
Englisha
world.”
Mamm
sighed. “But Doug is your husband now, and we will live with it. Your children will now be lost to the world, I suppose. Do you care about that?”

Lois placed a finger across her
mamm
’s lips. “Let’s not be dark today, okay? Let’s be happy and joyful and thankful. I have so much to be thankful for.” Lois clapped her hands. “And Ida said Verna has a baby! I’ll have to stop in on my way home and take a peek. I’m sure little Sarah Mae is just a darling. Verna couldn’t have anything but
wunderbah
children.”

Mamm
glanced at Ida. “So you told her about the baby. Did you tell her about
your
wedding?”

Lois gasped and stared at her sister. “Ida, you’re getting married? To whom?”

“To Minister Kanagy,”
Mamm
said. “We were just ready to plan the wedding when you drove in. Do you want to help?”

Lois fanned herself. “Let me get my wits about me first. Ida is marrying that stern old man? It’s so hard to believe. Ida, is it really true?”

“
Yah
, it’s true. And he’s not stern on the inside,” Ida protested. She remembered Ben’s kind gaze in Verna’s upstairs bedroom. She blushed at the memory.

Lois stared at Ida. “And you think
I’m
weird.”

“Don’t say that, Lois,”
Mamm
spoke up. “Ida’s making her choice for very decent and honorable reasons. She and Ben will be taking in Melvin’s children. Now that’s the kind of choice a Christian woman makes. She doesn’t set her heart on trips to Mexico with an
Englisha
husband.”