Amish House of Secrets (8 page)

Chapter 10.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 7:1

Emma shelved the ridiculous thing the detective had told her of Dorothy Welby. There was no way that Dorothy would have done what Crowley suggested, besides Dorothy did not even know that Harold was still alive. The main worry on Emma’s mind was whether she and Wil were suited to one another.

Silvie might be able to help her sort through her feelings. Emma left a note on her front door for Dorothy telling her to let herself in and that she would be back soon. Emma drove to Silvie’s house, which was nearby, and was pleased to find her at home. Once she told Silvie that she had something to speak to her about, Silvie and she sat on the couch.

“Silvie, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Did you hear that our new
haus
has fallen through?”

“
Jah,
but I don’t know the details. What happened?”

Emma took a deep breath. “I’ve been trying not to think about it; that’s why I didn’t mention it to you when we had
kaffe
.”

“I knew you had something on your mind; I could just tell.”

Emma nodded and continued with her story. “Wil bought the
haus
without telling me; that was the first thing.”

“
Jah
, I know that,” Silvie said.

“When Maureen and I were away meeting the old lady, she said that the sale of her house did not proceed and that’s the first I learned of it. When I went back to the hotel, I phoned Wil, and he said that he was expecting some money to come through from one of his inventions. What do you think about that?”

Silvie opened her mouth to speak, but Emma continued. “He invented this plough thing and sent plans off to a company and then he expected them to send him a check for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sometimes I wonder whether he’s lost his mind. He signed for the house with no money to back it up.”

Silvie covered her mouth with her hands and said nothing.

“It’s worse than that. Since I thought that he had paid for the
haus,
only because that’s what he told me, I said I’d pay for the renovations. I gave him twenty thousand dollars for the renovations, and he spent a lot of it, so now I’ve lost money.” Emma took a deep breath and stared at Silvie. “I saved hard for that money and now most of it’s gone.”

“Wow, Emma I don’t know what to say. Sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit.”

Emma wiped a tear away from her cheek. “I don’t know if I can see myself married to him now. Levi would never have done anything so flighty. I can’t be with someone who does silly things and takes risks like that. I’m only a simple woman and just want a simple life. I don’t need any grand things. I’m happy how I am.”

“Have you told Wil this?”

“
Nee
, I don’t know what to say to him. He knows I’m not happy about the whole thing, and we haven’t really spoken of it. I don’t want to upset him because I know he means well.”

“You need to speak to him, Emma. You don’t have to marry him; you can change your mind; it’s not too late.”

Emma stared at Silvie; those were the very words that Maureen’s
mudder
had used when she was trying to stop Maureen from marrying the man they were hiding from on the train. Was it a sign from
Gott
? “I know I should speak to him. I just don’t know where I would start or what I would say?”

Silvie sucked in her cheeks.

“I don’t like talking behind his back like this, but I just need advice. I don’t know if I’m thinking clearly. You know I’m not a gossip, don’t you?” Emma asked.

“Of course, I do. I’m not thinking that at all. I’m thinking how hard it must be for you since you were so in love with Levi. It’d be hard for someone else to measure up.”

“Exactly, that’s what I’m struggling with. I know I keep comparing him and it’s not fair to him. Every time he does something to upset me I think to myself that Levi would’ve done things differently and that’s hardly fair to Wil.”

“What if it’s not about being fair to Wil? What if you’re just not ready yet?”

“It seems as if there’s not an easy answer. I do love him, but I don’t know if deep in my heart, I can go through with marrying him. Then I think, that there will never be anyone for me again, only Levi. I’m so confused.”

“Sounds like you need time to think things through. Did the time away with Maureen help clear your head at all?”

“It might have if I hadn’t found out as soon as I got to Dorothy’s place that we hadn’t bought the
haus
at all. I think I’ve been in shock. I’d better get home.
Denke
for listening to me and my troubles.”

“Anytime, I wish I could’ve been some help to you.”

* * *

When Silvie closed the door after waving goodbye to Emma, she turned around to see Sabrina. “Sabrina, I thought you were at work today.”

“
Nee
, remember I told you I wasn’t working today? I worked yesterday.”

“I can hardly keep track of the days and times I’m working without keeping track of your hours.”

A smirk covered Sabrina’s face. “So, Emma doesn’t like Wil?”

“Of course she does, they’re betrothed.”

“Sounds to me like she’s having a lot of second thoughts about him.”

“It’s normal for people to think things like that before they get married. Nothing to worry about.” Silvie pushed past Sabrina and made her way into the kitchen.

“When I first came to stay here you told me to stay away from Wil because he was in love with Emma.”

“
Jah,
he is in love with Emma and they don’t need you trying to come between them.”

“Sounds like she’s not too happy about him though, doesn’t it?”

“Sabrina, you should not listen in on other people’s conversations. None of it concerns you.”

“You knew that I liked Wil. You were the one who told me to stay away from him.”

“You do have to stay away. Find someone else, Wil and Emma are getting married soon.”

Sabrina crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’ve a
gut
mind to tell Wil what Emma’s running around saying to people about him.”

“Sabrina, don’t you dare. If you breathe a word, you’ll be out of my
haus
in no time flat. Anyway, I thought Carmello Liante was the only man you could ever love.”

Sabrina’s mouth fell open. “Silvie, how could you? How could you mention his name?” Sabrina’s face was red with rage as she stomped into her bedroom.

Silvie knew she was mean to mention Carmello’s name, but it was only weeks since his death and Sabrina had sworn that she would never be interested in another man. Silvie had to say something to get Sabrina’s mind off telling Wil about how Emma felt about him. Things like that should be left well alone.

* * *

Emma opened the door of her
haus
and was met by Growler. “Hello, boy. What have you been up to?” Emma was pleased that Growler was finally acknowledging her presence. She looked down at his paw and saw that it was healing over nicely.
He probably knows I’m the one who feeds him, so he’s realized he should be nice to me,
Emma thought. Growler followed Emma to the kitchen, and Emma filled up his food and water bowl.

Dorothy had not come home and Emma still had no idea what to have for dinner. There was sure to be something in the cold box she could heat up. Feeling tired and stressed Emma considered it was time to eat some chocolate to cheer herself up. She always kept a supply of milk chocolate, soft centers that she buys from the specialty chocolate shop in town.

She put her head back into the couch, closed her eyes and popped a soft center pineapple chocolate into her mouth and let it melt slowly. Emma felt better now that she had shared how she felt about Wil, but it did nothing to help her figure out what to do.

Chapter 11.

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy:

who art thou that judgest another?

James 4:12

Wil answered the knock on his front door and was surprised to see young Sabrina standing there.

He looked past her to see if she had come with Emma or her
schweschder,
Silvie. “Sabrina, you’re here alone?”

Sabrina nodded, and Wil noticed that something with Sabrina was not right. Sabrina was normally smiling and happy. Knowing that it wouldn’t be right to invite a young single woman into his
haus
even if it was very chilly out, he said, “Have a seat on the porch. Would you like some hot tea or something?”

Sabrina sat on the wooden porch seat after shaking her head in reference to the tea.

Wil sat in the chair beside her and rubbed his hands briskly together in an attempt to keep them warm. “What brings you here? Everything’s alright, isn’t it?”

“I’ve something to tell you,” Sabrina said.

“
Jah
?” Wil asked after she stopped and did not continue.

“It’s about Emma.”

“What about her? I’ve only just seen her drive past in her buggy; she’s home isn’t she?”

“I’ve overheard something.”

Wil frowned. “What is it?”

Sabrina’s big blue eyes fastened on to him, and a frown lightly touched her forehead.

“Out with it, you’re getting me worried.”

Sabrina took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll just say it. Emma was talking to Silvie earlier today, and I heard her say that she’s not happy with you.”

Wil gave a chuckle. “I know, she’s angry with me for making a mistake about a
haus
I tried to buy. Don’t worry, she’ll be okay when she has had time to calm down.”

Sabrina turned her body to face him more directly. “
Nee
, Wil, you don’t understand me. I’m saying that she said that she’s having second thoughts about marrying you.”

Wil shook his head. “Sabrina, what you heard is women’s talk and you should not be repeating it.” Wil rose to his feet. “When you grow up you’ll realize that when you repeat things you have heard, that you’re creating trouble and spreading gossip.”

“Wil, I am grown, I’m nearing twenty.” Sabrina stood up.

Wil ran a hand through his hair. “Then, you should know better.”

“Don’t you want to know what she’s saying about you?”

Wil shook his head slowly. “
Nee.
It would be best if you go back home.”

Sabrina took a step toward him. “What? I’m telling you that the woman that you’re so in love with is not in love with you, and you blame me? That’s all the thanks I get? I thought you’d want to know.” Sabrina put her hands firmly to her hips. “You should thank me.”

Wil looked straight at Sabrina’s buggy. “See that buggy?”

Sabrina turned, looked at her buggy, and said, “
Jah
.”

“I want you to get in that buggy and go home right now.” Wil turned and went into his
haus
and shut the door.

Sabrina leaned close to the door and said in a loud voice, “I also heard Emma say to Silvie that Levi would never do all the stupid things that you do.”

He tried not to let Sabrina’s words hurt him. He stood leaning against his front door and listened to Sabrina’s footsteps as she stomped down the two steps of the porch. Finally, he heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves heading back to the main road. He sank to the floor. He knew it was more than just women’s talk; he could feel Emma slipping away from him and that’s what prompted him to try and buy the
haus
.

He wasn’t stupid; he could see through Sabrina’s flirting ways. He could smell the strong rose and vanilla scent she used in an effort to woo him. He knew why she was giving him information about Emma’s lack of interest in him. It was clear to him that Sabrina liked him; he knew that from the first day that Sabrina arrived in Lancaster County.

Wil’s thoughts turned to the old
haus
he tried to buy. He could still buy the
haus
if he sold his farm, but then he would lose income, which he got from leasing the farm for crops. Alternatively, he could take out a loan against his farm, which is something he did not want to do. All the money he had inherited he’d loaned to people in the community and he could not ask for it back. He might have to take out a loan anyway, to pay Emma back for the money she lost on supplies for the
haus
renovations.

He’d find a way to pay Emma back and now, he’d have to go and speak to her. If she was having second thoughts about marrying him, it’s best that he find out sooner rather than later.

He walked to her
haus
and knocked on the door.

“Wil, you don’t usually knock.” Emma looked into his face. “What’s wrong?”

“You tell me,” he said.

Emma pulled slightly back away from him. “What?”

“We need to talk.”

Emma nodded. “Come to the couch.”

As soon as they sat, Wil said, “I feel that things aren’t the same between us lately. I have thought that you might be having some hesitations about marrying me. Before you answer, let me just say, I will pay you back every cent that you lost on the
haus
.”

“Once you sell all the materials you bought for the
haus
, just pay me back half of what I lost. That way we both lose a little.” Emma put her hand to her head and tried to work out whether what she had just said made sense. She realized it didn’t, but Wil did not seem to notice so she kept quiet.

Wil lifted his hand. “
Nee
, it was my silly decision and I dragged you into it. I will pay back every dime. Now, back to us. Tell me in all honesty, how you are feeling about us.”

Emma took a deep breath. “I’m feeling confused about whether we should get married.”

“When did all this start?” Wil knew deep in his heart that it had started a while ago.

“I’m not sure. I feel in my heart I love you, but I wonder whether we are a
gut
match in a lot of ways.”

Wil nodded. “I understand. I don’t like it, and I don’t agree, but I understand. We can’t get married if you feel like this.”

Tears started to brim in Emma’s eyes. Wil put his arm around her. “I’ll still look after you. We’ll still be friends.”

Emma nodded. “I know. It’ll be hard to let go.” They were silent for a moment. “Wil, why did you come over here all of a sudden to speak about this?”

Wil pushed some strands of her dark blonde hair back beneath her prayer
kapp.
He knew it would cause a lot of trouble between friends if he spoke of Sabrina’s visit. “I just thought it was the right time.”

“I’ll always love you, Wil.”

“And I will always love you.” Wil did not want Emma to see him cry. He looked at the low table in front of them and saw Emma’s chocolates. “I’ll be going now so you can eat your chocolate in peace.”

“I’ll walk you out.”