A Season of Love (2 page)

“Maybe someday we can take a trip down there,” Matthew said.

“
Ya.
Aunt Trisha has a third level in the house with plenty of space for guests.”

“You should do that,” Betsy said. “You’re only young once.”

“It sounds like you stayed pretty busy while you were there. Did you have time to do anything else?” Matthew asked.

Glancing out the window at the morning traffic, Lindsay thought of her GED and hesitated, wondering how he’d feel if he knew she’d worked to achieve it. However, she didn’t want to keep any secrets from him, since he was her good friend.

After a moment Lindsay faced him and took a deep breath. “I also did something that was more work than fun,” she began.

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows with curiosity. “What was that?”

“I hope you won’t be upset with me.” Lindsay glanced at Betsy. “And I hope you won’t think badly of me.”

Betsy smiled. “Lindsay, I’m certain you couldn’t do anything to make me think badly of you.”

“Why would I be upset?” Matthew’s expression became one of concern.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I am smarter than Jessica thinks I am.” Lindsay bit her lower lip.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Matthew said. “I respect your privacy, Lindsay.”

“I studied really hard, and I got my GED.” Lindsay braced herself, waiting to see if he would be upset.

Matthew paused.
“Ach.”

Lindsay studied his eyes, finding disappointment mixed with concern there. “You’re upset.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Betsy turn toward the front of the van as if she didn’t want to interfere in the conversation.

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m just wondering why you wanted a GED if you’re planning to stay in the Amish community.”

“I just wanted to try,” Lindsay said with a shrug. “I had to see if I could do it. I was so tired of Jessica beating me down with snide comments about not finishing high school. I had to do this for myself.”

He nodded slowly. “Does that mean you want to use your GED to get a job in the English world or go to college?”

“No,” Lindsay said quickly. “I don’t want to get a job in the English world, and I also don’t want to go back to school. While I was in Virginia Beach, I figured out what I want to do with my life.”

“And what do you want to do with your life?” His words were hesitant.

“Join the Amish church.” Lindsay sat up straight in the seat as confidence in her decision filled her. “I know for certain this is where I want to be.”

His warm smile was back.
“Gut.”

“Betsy,” Lindsay said, “do you think it’s okay I got my GED?”

Betsy smiled at Lindsay. “I think it’s fine you wanted to get your GED. But I also think it’s
wunderbaar
you want to join the church.”

“Danki,”
Lindsay said.

Lindsay asked Matthew about the furniture store, and he talked about his latest projects as the van bumped up the road toward her aunt Rebecca’s home in Bird-in-Hand. She also asked Betsy about her family, and Betsy talked about her children and the weather. Although she listened to Matthew and Betsy, Lindsay’s thoughts returned to Rebecca. She prayed her aunt was going to be all right and the complications with her pregnancy hadn’t worsened in the past few days.

Lindsay’s trip to Virginia Beach was cut short when she received the letter from Katie that told her Rebecca was restricted to complete bed rest after her blood pressure spiked. Since Trisha was no longer immobile, Lindsay rushed out on the first bus available in order to return home to help her aunt. Lindsay informed only Matthew she was returning since she planned to surprise the family.

The van turned into her aunt’s rock driveway, and Lindsay’s
heart fluttered. She couldn’t wait to see her family after nearly three months. She’d missed them terribly.

The van came to a stop near the barn, and Lindsay fished her wallet out from her tote bag. “How much was the ride?”

Matthew shook his head. “Don’t be
gegisch.
I’ll pay the driver after he takes Betsy
heemet
and me to work.” He gestured toward the door. “You go inside. I’ll get your bag.”

“Danki.”
Lindsay said good-bye to Betsy, hopped out of the van, and rushed up the porch steps. She glanced through the glass of the back door and saw Katie washing dishes at the kitchen sink. Lindsay pushed the door open, and Katie looked up, her blue eyes rounding as they met Lindsay’s.

“Lindsay!” Katie yelled. “You’re
heemet
!”

“Hi,” Lindsay said, dropping her tote bag on the floor with a clunk.

Katie rushed over, embracing Lindsay in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you came back.”

“I booked my ticket as soon as I got your letter.” Lindsay studied her eyes. “How is
Aenti
Rebecca?”

“She’s doing okay,” Katie said. “She’s been very
gut
about staying in bed, which is what the doctor instructed her to do. She goes back to see him next week.”

“
Danki
for taking care of her,” Lindsay said. “I’ll be sure she follows his orders.”

A thud sounded behind her, and Lindsay turned to see Matthew standing by the door, her duffle bag beside him on the floor.

“
Danki
,” Lindsay said, walking over and lifting the bag. “I appreciate the ride from the bus station.”

“Gern gschehne,”
Matthew said. “I’m glad you called me.” His eyes were intense. “I hope to see you soon.”

“Ya,”
she said. “You will.”

“Have a
gut
day. I need to get to work.” He nodded toward them both and then slipped out the door to the van.

“Lindsay!” Daniel Junior called, running from the family room to the kitchen.
“Willkumm heemet!”

Dropping to her knees on the floor, Lindsay pulled her little cousin into a hug. “It’s so
gut
to be
heemet.
”

With a squeal, Emma toddled over to join them, and Lindsay tugged her into a group hug with Daniel Junior.

“I have something for you both,” Lindsay said with a grin. She pulled her tote bag over and handed Daniel Junior a toy car and Emma a doll. She had picked up the toys for them before leaving Virginia Beach.

The children thanked her for the gifts and then hurried back into the family room to play.

“Is
Aenti
Rebecca awake?” Lindsay asked as she stood. “I’d love to let her know I’m
heemet.
”

“She’s resting,” Katie said. “But I think she’s awake.”

“I’m going to go see her,” Lindsay said, hoisting her bag up onto her shoulder. She looked at the clock above the sink. “Is it time for the
kinner
to nap?”

“Ya,”
Katie said. “I can bring your duffel bag for you if you want to carry Emma. We can go up together.”

Lindsay smiled. “That sounds like a
gut
plan.” She carried Emma up the stairs, kissing and nuzzling her while the little girl giggled. After tucking her into her crib, Lindsay kissed Emma’s head and then moved to Daniel Junior’s room where she kissed him as well. She found Katie standing in the doorway to Lindsay’s room.

“They’re very
froh
you’re
heemet
,” Katie said, with a smile. “I am too.” She gestured toward Rebecca’s room at the end of the hallway. “I’ll let you go see
Aenti
Rebecca alone. I’ve been sleeping in your room, so I’ll pack up my things. I’ll see about getting a ride
heemet
in a little bit.”

“No, don’t leave. Why don’t you stay today so we can spend some time together?” Lindsay dropped her tote bag near the
doorway. “I’ll be right back. I don’t want to take away from her rest time.”

Moving down the hallway, Lindsay stood at Rebecca’s door and peered in, finding her aunt lying on her side, facing the opposite wall. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of how much her aunt must have missed her when she began to feel ill. A sob gripped her and she sucked in a breath to prevent it from escaping.

Rebecca rolled over and gasped as she began to sit up. “Lindsay? You’re
heemet
?”

“Ya,”
Lindsay said, wiping her eyes as she moved into the room. “How are you?”

“
Ach
, Lindsay.” Rebecca opened her arms. “
Kumm.
It’s so
gut
to see you.”

Lindsay leaned over into her aunt’s arms as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you got
grank.
”

“Don’t be
gegisch
,” Rebecca whispered, her voice sounding thick. “It’s not your fault, and Trisha needed you.” She looked up at Lindsay. “How is Trisha?”

“She’s doing well.” Lindsay sat on the edge of the bed. “She’s walking around now with a soft cast.”

“What brought you back so soon?” Rebecca asked while holding Lindsay’s hand. “I wasn’t expecting you for a few more weeks.”

Lindsay hesitated. She couldn’t bear to tell her aunt a fib, but she also didn’t want to cause any trouble for Katie who had only done what she believed was right.

“Did Katie call you?” Rebecca asked, raising her eyebrows with suspicion.

“She wrote me,” Lindsay said. “But please don’t be upset with her. She’s very worried about you, and she knew I would want to know what was going on. She felt she had to tell me.”

Rebecca smiled and touched Lindsay’s cheek. “I’m not angry.”

“Gut,”
Lindsay said, relief flooding her.

“I just didn’t want you to feel obligated to come back
heemet
since Trisha and Frank needed you,” Rebecca continued. “I wanted Trisha to be well before you came
heemet.
You’d made a promise to her first.”

“But I want to help you,” Lindsay said. “You’re my family too.”

“It’s so
gut
to see you,” Rebecca said while squeezing her hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you and everyone else too,” Lindsay said. “I had a
gut
time, but this is
mei heemet.
” She paused and took a deep breath. “I have made a decision. I want to join the church.”

Rebecca sucked in a breath and tears filled her eyes. “Are you certain?”

Lindsay nodded. “I’m absolutely certain. I’m ready.”

“
Ach
, Lindsay.” Rebecca squeezed her hand again. “That’s the best news I could ever hear.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m so
froh.
”

Lindsay told her a little bit about her trip, sharing the same news as she’d told Matthew in the van. When Rebecca yawned, Lindsay stood. “I should let you rest. We can talk later.”

“That’s a
gut
idea,” Rebecca said. “Did Daniel know you were coming
heemet
?”

Lindsay shook her head. “No, he didn’t.”

Rebecca looked confused. “How did you get
heemet
from the bus station? Did you get a taxi?”

“No, I didn’t take a taxi.” Lindsay’s cheeks heated. “Matthew arranged for a ride
heemet
and met me at the bus station.”

“Matthew?” A smile turned up Rebecca’s lips. “You called him and asked him to pick you up?”

Lindsay nodded. “I didn’t call
Onkel
Daniel because I wanted to surprise you all.”

“That’s sweet,” Rebecca said. “I’m glad to hear Matthew picked you up. He’s a
gut
young man.”

“I know. I’ll let you rest for a while,” Lindsay said. “I’ll bring you your lunch after your nap.”

“Danki, mei liewe
,
”
Rebecca said.

Lindsay gently closed the door behind her and headed back to her room. Stepping through the doorway, she found Katie sitting on her bed and frowning while holding Lindsay’s cell phone.

“This fell out of the pocket of your tote bag when I moved it out of the doorway.” Katie frowned. “Where did you get it?”

“It was a gift from Aunt Trisha and Uncle Frank,” Lindsay said, sitting next to Katie on the bed.

“A gift?”

“Ya,”
Lindsay said, taking the phone from her. “They bought it for me after I got my GED.”

Katie looked alarmed. “You got your GED?”

Lindsay nodded.

“Why would you do that?” Katie’s expression turned to confusion. “I thought you loved living here. I thought you liked being Amish and couldn’t stand when your sister said you were selling yourself short.”

“I do love it here,” Lindsay said. “And I know for certain I want to be Amish.”

Katie shook her head. “You’re not making sense. You say you want to be Amish, but you got your GED.”

“I know.” Lindsay stuck the phone in the front pocket of her tote bag. “But I was so tired of Jessica hassling me that I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Since I got my GED now, before I’m baptized, it shouldn’t be a problem, ya?”

“That’s true.” Katie paused, and a smile grew on her face. “Does that mean you want to be baptized and join the church?”

Lindsay nodded, and Katie grinned.

“I’m so excited to hear the news,” Katie said. Her expression
became curious. “How did you get Matthew to pick you up at the bus station?”

“I called him,” Lindsay said. “We’d written a couple of letters back and forth, and I knew he’d keep a secret if I asked him to. He’s a
gut
friend.”

“I’m glad you’re back.” Katie stood and picked up her own bag, which contained all her clothes from her overnight stays. “I guess we should go downstairs, so we don’t disturb the
kinner
and
Aenti
Rebecca while they nap.”

“I appreciate all you’ve done.” Lindsay stood and hugged her friend. “I’m going to unpack before I come down. I want to get organized.”

“That sounds
gut.
” Katie hefted her bag onto her shoulder. “I packed everything of mine, so I’ll be ready to go when
Onkel
Daniel arrives
heemet
from work. It will be strange to go back
heemet
after being here for a while. I had fun, though.” She looked curious. “Are you hungry? Can I make you a snack?”