Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) (7 page)

He couldn’t breathe. Not that he disagreed with anything Mildred was saying, but his feelings hadn’t caught up with their changed situation. Mildred had always been way up there in his esteem, and after she figured out how he stood in the community with his
daett
’s poverty-stricken farm, she had dropped him like a hot potato. My how things had changed!

“Alvin, please,” Mildred begged. “I’m not asking for much. And I know about Debbie. And that’s okay. I just need a friend right now.”

Alvin stole a glance at her. He was being a little harsh, wasn’t he? Although Mildred had been nasty in the past, she was here now and things were different. He had Debbie’s affections. A smile stole across his face. “I suppose we can be friends.”

“Oh thank you, Alvin!” Mildred gushed. “You don’t know how much this means to me. And I’ll do all I can to make our relationship comfortable while I’m taking care of your
mamm
.”

Alvin bent over to attach the milking equipment to one of the dairy cows. Above the soft swish of its operation, Mildred chattered away. She’d always been a morning person, he remembered. So cheerful when they arrived at the schoolyard. Mildred would tell him all about her plans for the day.
Yah
, he remembered, Alvin thought as he allowed himself to sink into the sound of her voice.

“Your
mamm
was up before I came, but she would hardly roll out of bed. So I settled her back in with a pillow and left your
daett
with orders to call me if there’s trouble. My, Alvin, your
daett
is the most helpless of men, I must say. He knows what needs doing, but he won’t do it unless I insist—and often for the second and third time. But it’s going to be
gut
working for your parents. Overall they’re easy to get along with, and their
dawdy haus
is the cutest thing…”

Alvin jerked himself out of his trance and moved to the next cow. This wasn’t how he’d planned things. But perhaps now the wounds
of his childhood would heal. He didn’t wish to enter marriage with Debbie with the cuts still fresh and constant. He smiled at Mildred as he walked past her, and she glowed back at him. Alvin’s heart sank. Fear revived. Now all he needed was for Crystal to show up for a visit. Dealing with Mildred and Crystal at the same time would be impossible.

Six

T
he following Sunday Debbie accompanied Ida and Emery to the church meeting at Deacon Mast’s place. On the way home that afternoon, Debbie sat on one side of the buggy, Ida on the other, while Emery drove from the middle position. His manliness exuded from him as a comforting presence. Why Emery didn’t date was a mystery to Debbie. It wasn’t because of any lack in him, she was sure. But in the meantime she could use his comfort, especially after what had happened that morning. The three of them had barely entered the Mast house when Debbie gasped because she saw a young woman she recognized…the woman she’d seen with Alvin in Philadelphia. Crystal… Crystal Meyers, of all people!

What that meant, Debbie had no idea. Had Crystal come out of curiosity to see how Alvin lived? As a former
Englisha
, Debbie could understand the sentiment. And with how Alvin now felt about
Englisha
people, there should be no danger from Crystal regarding Alvin’s affection. Still, Debbie didn’t like it. She had enough to worry about with Mildred right now.

Debbie took in a sharp breath as Emery’s arm pressed against hers. Emery seemed in a hurry. He’d let the reins out moments ago
and taken off with a jerk before Ida and Debbie had themselves settled in the buggy. What was bothering him, Debbie couldn’t imagine. There was the birth of Verna’s baby sometime in the near future, but Emery shouldn’t be concerned about that. Perhaps he was still feeling the aftereffects of yesterday. Lois’s wedding had been held in Mifflinburg at a local church, and the mood around the Beiler household had been heavy all day. Saloma had walked around in a daze and skipped supper. Food reminded her of her youngest daughter’s love of cooking. So the pain must have been too much. Ida hadn’t been in much better shape this morning, especially when they’d walked out of the washroom just moments ago.

“Who was the strange girl at the service?” Ida asked before they were out of the Masts’ driveway.

“I don’t know, but she looked interesting,” Emery commented.

“Emery!” Ida’s voice scolded. “You’re not interested in an
Englisha
girl?”

Emery laughed. “I don’t know.”

“You’re teasing,” Ida said. “You never show any interest in girls.”

Debbie shifted on the buggy seat. “Her name is Crystal Meyers, if you have to know. She’s the person Alvin dated while he was in the
Englisha
world.”

Ida gasped. “So that’s why Alvin rushed off right after church let out! He must still care about her.”

Debbie forced a smile. “I doubt that. I figured Alvin had some emergency at the farm.” She wanted to add,
At least Mildred wasn’t riding with him
. She decided to keep her mouth shut on that subject.

Ida appeared grim and fell silent.

Debbie cleared her throat. “I saw you were smiling at Minister Kanagy, Ida.”

Emery guffawed. “Now I’ve heard everything! Is that true, Ida?”

Ida blushed all shades of red, but she used her lecturing tone when replying. “Marriage is sacred, Emery. Don’t laugh at whom I might marry.”

Emery gave his best smile. “It’s all right, Ida. If you want the skinny old bear, help yourself.”

Ida gave him a wise look. “These things are too deep for you, Emery. Just stay out of them.”

Emery grimaced. “I was just trying to help. I wouldn’t advise marriage in this case, but what do I know? You don’t see any girls hanging around me.”

“That’s because you don’t let them,” Ida said. “You’re fine and handsome enough.”

“I agree,” Debbie said. “You’d be a blessing to any girl. Many would like to fall in love with you, I’m sure.”

Emery glowed. “Coming from the two of you, those are quite some compliments.”

“It’s intended to be.” Ida settled back in the buggy seat.

Emery grunted. “Maybe I’ll ask Mildred Schrock home one of these days.”

“Mildred!” Ida appeared startled. “So once you get going you have two of them you’re interested in?”

Emery laughed. “Mildred’s about the only one left of the girls my age without a boyfriend.”

“You could take Mildred off my hands.” Debbie made her voice sound cheerful. “I’ve noticed Mildred keeps smiling at Alvin.” Debbie was certain Emery was teasing about both women… but then again, about Crystal she wasn’t so sure.

Ida shrugged but left the subject alone.

Emery didn’t seem too concerned as he slowed for the turn into their driveway. Once Emery came to a stop by the barn, Debbie hopped out on one side of the buggy and Ida on the other. They had the tugs undone and the snaps off by the time Emery reached his horse’s bridle. He grunted his appreciation and led the horse forward while the two girls held the buggy shafts. With Emery leading the horse to the barn, they set them gently on the ground.

“Want help?” Ida hollered after him.

Emery shook his head but didn’t look back.

Debbie turned to lead the way toward the house, and Ida followed close behind her. Both Saloma and Adam were seated in their rockers when they walked in. Saloma looks better than she did last night, Debbie thought. She and the bishop had stayed home this morning. The bishop to nurse a bad cold, and Saloma because of her grief over Lois’s wedding to an
Englisha
man.

Bishop Beiler boomed through his congestion, “I see the popcorn makers have arrived!”

Debbie smiled as she took off her shawl.

Ida came to a stop in front of her mother. “There was a strange
Englisha
woman in church today,
Mamm.
Debbie claims it was Alvin’s old girlfriend from his fling in the outside world.”

“Oh!” Saloma’s face darkened.

“
Yah
,” Ida continued. “She drove in with Deacon Mast and Susie.”

Debbie paused as her memory churned. She hadn’t thought this would be a problem, but now painful memories danced in her head of the Saturday morning she’d driven to Alvin’s apartment in Philadelphia. She’d hoped to speak words of love and encouragement so Alvin would return home. Instead she’d left without a word when she saw Alvin approaching the building with a charming, pretty woman and a large dog. Alvin had been laughing and talking with none of his usual bashfulness.

“This isn’t possible, is it?” Saloma asked, looking at her husband.

Bishop Beiler stared. “Is this true? Has this woman followed Alvin into the community? Are you sure of this, Debbie?”

“I wish I were wrong,” Debbie told them. “I really do.”

“Does Alvin know of this?” Bishop Beiler leaned forward, as if to rise. “We’ve had enough problems with that man already.” Moments later the bishop sat back with a sigh. “Even if Alvin didn’t know about her coming, this sure doesn’t speak well of his character. No such woman should feel right following him home.”

“Alvin doesn’t think highly of
Englisha
girls,” Debbie said. Even
with her fears about Mildred, Debbie decided she should speak the truth. Alvin had experienced enough problems with the ministry already. She wished Alvin hadn’t rushed home right after church. That move didn’t speak well of his ability to face his problems. But she didn’t want the bishop to think ill of Alvin for what he hadn’t done and of what there was little danger of him doing.

“How’d you say she got here?” Saloma asked.

Ida shook her head. “Well, actually I saw her sitting with Susie, so I assumed she was with the Masts.”

“I don’t think Crystal’s staying long,” Debbie offered. She didn’t know if that was true, but once Crystal found out Alvin had no interest in her, she’d surely move on.

“Maybe it’s only for one Sunday.” The bishop’s voice was hopeful. “The woman might be visiting for some valid reason. We mustn’t imagine things that we don’t know are true.”

Saloma also smiled. “She probably just planned to come to one Sunday service. I doubt if she’s staying past this afternoon. She’s
Englisha
, after all. Maybe it’s just curiosity.”

“I agree.” Debbie went to join Ida in the kitchen. She would see Alvin next Sunday evening, and they would have a conversation about this and go from there. Alvin shouldn’t run away from his problems.

Ida had the popcorn popper on the stove when Debbie walked in. She glanced up. “This is all the more reason you really should consider Paul. Alvin has
Englisha
girls following him home now!”

Debbie groaned. “Ida, please! Alvin and I have been through a lot. For one thing, I came from the outside, so how can I fault Alvin for problems with that world too? But I can assure you that Alvin isn’t in danger of falling for Crystal. I admit I had a few fears fluttering around in my stomach when I first saw her, but I know how Alvin feels about Crystal now.”

Ida grimaced. “Paul Wagler truly loves you, Debbie. I’ve known that for a long time. I don’t understand why you don’t see it.”

Ida had her mind made up. Debbie groaned. But maybe she was the one who had lost hers. All they needed now to top this awful day off was for Minister Kanagy to show up this afternoon and begin his heavy-handed courtship of Ida.

“Sorry if I hurt your feelings,” Ida said. “I wasn’t trying to be hard on you and Alvin.”

Debbie smiled understandingly. “These are big problems that Alvin and I have. I’m not saying they aren’t. But I want to work through them, not run away.”

“I just don’t like the way Alvin’s been using you.” Ida turned to pour in the popcorn kernels. She asked over her shoulder, “Will you get me the bowl?”

“Sure.” Debbie rushed to the counter even though there was no need to hurry. The popcorn wouldn’t pop for two minutes or so. Ida gave her a concerned look but said nothing as she twirled the popcorn popper handle. Debbie smiled back, waiting until Ida dumped the first batch of white kernels into the bowl. While Debbie added the salt and butter, she caught sight of a buggy in the driveway. Joe Weaver was climbing out to tie his horse.

Debbie caught her breath. Verna’s time must have arrived! Ida had a suitcase packed upstairs all week in preparation for this moment.