Huckleberry Christmas (9 page)

Lydia Kiem brought a suitcase on their date. That should have been Tyler’s first clue that something was going to go horribly wrong.

They sat across from each other at a table at Luigi’s and stared at their menus. Lydia kept pulling her cell phone out of her pocket and checking it for messages. Tyler tried to make pleasant conversation, but it was obvious she was more interested in her phone than anything Tyler might have to say.

Her appearance had surprised him when he’d picked her up earlier this evening. She wore blue jeans and a Green Bay Packers T-shirt and let her brown hair tumble around her shoulders in soft, wavy curls.

Lydia met the requirements Tyler had given to Beth. She was twenty years old, didn’t laugh excessively, and seemed to have her wits about her. Tyler made a mental note. He had neglected to put “baptized” on that list. Lydia was definitely not a church member.

Tyler didn’t mind if Lydia was still in
rumschpringe
, but did she have to flout her Englisch clothes and Englisch cell phone when out on a date with a devoted Amish boy? Maybe he expected too much. After all, Lydia acted polite and could carry on a relatively normal conversation.

“What do you want to eat?” Tyler said. “The pasta is very gute.”

Lydia chewed on her fingernail and glanced at her phone for the tenth time in five minutes. “Do you think I could have a big plate of cheese fries?”

“Of course,” Tyler said. “Anything you want.”

It hadn’t even crossed his mind to put
healthy eater
on the list.

The waitress ambled to their table to take their order. “What’s in the suitcase?” she asked, pulling a pen out of her apron pocket.

Tyler was eager to hear Lydia’s answer. Had she felt the need to bring a collection of books with her in case the date got boring?

“Nothing,” she said.

Okay, whatever was in that suitcase was none of Tyler’s business.

The waitress shrugged, flashed a curious grin at Tyler, and held her notepad at the ready. “What would you like to eat?”

“I’ll have the lasagna,” Tyler said.

“Can I have cheese fries and a Diet Dr. Pepper?”

“Sure,” said the waitress. “We’re a little backed up in the kitchen, just to let you know, but I’ll bring it out as soon I can.”

A little backed up? Lydia acted as if she wanted to eat immediately and take her suitcase and get out of here. Was he really that dull of a date? She checked her phone again, shoved it into her pocket, and curled the wrapper from her straw around her finger.

Tyler took a drink of his water. “So, I hear you like to ride horses. Do you have your own horse?”

Lydia chewed on another fingernail. “No, but we have two horses the family always rides.”

Lydia had seemed so eager to come on this date. She had greeted Tyler with breathless excitement at the door, introduced him to her parents, and smiled sweetly as if she thought a date with Tyler Yoder might be kind of fun. Tyler had assured Lydia’s dat that he would have her home by ten, and Lydia had practically bounded down the porch steps. She’d asked him to wait before she’d sprinted to the toolshed, retrieved her strange suitcase, and joined him in the buggy. Maybe the ride to Shawano had been enough time with Tyler to decide she wasn’t really interested, because she made absolutely no effort now.

Not that Tyler was really broken up about it. If Lydia wasn’t interested, she wasn’t interested. And Beth would love to hear all about the mysterious suitcase.

Tyler heard the telltale beeps that could only mean Lydia had a text message. She whipped the phone out of her pocket and flipped it open. She must have read something she liked, because she did a sharp intake of breath and beamed from ear to ear.

“What are your horses’ names?” He was grasping at straws now.

Lydia clapped her phone closed and looked at Tyler with something akin to pity in her expression. “Look, Tyler. You are a super nice guy, and it was wrong of me to use you like this, but I couldn’t see any other way. My boyfriend is here to pick me up.”

“Your boyfriend?”

“He got jobs for both of us in Milwaukee.”

“You’re going to Milwaukee?”

“Two weeks ago we made a plan to go away together and get married. This whole date thing with you was a perfect way to get out of the house without creating a big scene with my parents. I’m really grateful.”

Tyler couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Had he fallen asleep again? Was this bizarre conversation part of a dream? “You’re jumping the fence?”

“Jah.”

“Right now?”

“Jah. With Brandon. He’s got a new Jeep.”

Tyler frowned. “But I told your dat I’ve have you home by ten.”

“He’ll get over it. I left a note under my pillow. They’ll find it when I don’t come home tonight.”

Tyler had no idea what to do. He’d never been party to an elopement. Or a fence-jumping. “You’re still my responsibility.”

Lydia rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, Tyler. My parents aren’t going to be mad at you. I’ve always been a difficult child.” She leaned closer. “I want to be happy. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’m sorry you don’t feel like you can be happy in our community.”

She pressed her lips together. “Me too.”

“Are you sure? Maybe I could take you back to your house, and we could talk to your parents about this. I know they love you. Don’t you think you’ll break their hearts?”

“I’ve thought about this for years, Tyler. I’m not going back.” She reached across the table and patted his hand. “But you’re very nice to be concerned.”

A boy who looked like he lifted weights for a living walked through the door and scanned the restaurant. He caught sight of Lydia and jogged to their booth. With a look of hurried anticipation, he gave Tyler a cursory nod. “Hey.”

Tyler couldn’t do anything but stay cool and nod back. “Hey.”

“Ready, Lydia?”

Lydia handed him her suitcase and slid out of her chair. “Thanks for your help, Tyler.” She laced her fingers with her boyfriend’s, and they swept out of the restaurant together.

“Don’t you want your fries?” Tyler called.

Seconds after Lydia stepped out the door, the waitress set Tyler’s order on the table. “Good news,” she said. “This came up a lot faster than I had hoped.”

Tyler stared at his lasagna and Lydia’s heaping plate of cheese fries. He couldn’t help it. The chuckle started deep in his throat and rumbled out of his mouth like a locomotive.

When he imagined Beth’s reaction, he laughed until he cried.

Nine o’clock. Beth sat at her treadle machine and put the finishing touches on Mary’s wedding dress. Dawdi had been kind enough to give her machine a place of honor in the great room right next to the sofa so she could sew while Toby played.

Mammi and Dawdi had gone to bed, but Toby was still up. He’d taken an unusually long nap this afternoon and wasn’t ready to throw in the towel yet. He threw his ball around the room and kept up a steady stream of words that Beth couldn’t understand. He occasionally yelled, “Ball,” and sometimes “Mommy.” Another few months and that child would be talking her ear off.

She leaned back in her chair, snipped the last errant threads, and held the dress up in front of her to get a good look. Mary had asked for a royal-blue dress for her wedding. It had turned out very nice. In two weeks, there would be wedding bells for Mary and Beth’s brother, Aaron Junior. Beth had made the dress as a wedding present.

She looked at Toby. He smiled at her and yawned. Time for bed. For both of them. Beth did not do well the next day when she stayed up too late.

Someone knocked on the door. Her heart jumped to her throat at the thought that it might be Tyler coming to report on his date. He had come once before later in the evening, and they’d shared a pleasant visit and a warm cup of hot cocoa.

Beth hung the finished dress over the back of the chair and went to the door. She put her hand to the nape of her neck to make sure there were no stray wisps of hair peeking out from under her prayer covering.

When she opened the door, her throat constricted, and she found it impossible to breathe. Isaac Hostetler, her late husband’s twin brother, leaned against the doorjamb with a cocky grin on his lips. “Hello, Beth.”

She wanted to slam the door in his face, but couldn’t find the courage or the strength to do it. She couldn’t find her voice, either.

He didn’t seem as tall as she remembered him. Tyler stood a good three inches taller, to be sure. But he still had the same confident air about him that Beth found maddening. And intimidating. Isaac and Amos had always been so sure of themselves that Beth had surrendered all her self-confidence to them.

Isaac handed Beth a gift wrapped in blue paper and tied with a white bow. “I brought you something.”

Beth took the present reluctantly. All of Isaac’s kindnesses came with conditions.

“Open it,” he said.

The involuntary trembling had started the minute she’d laid eyes on Isaac. Frustrated with her shaky fingers, she hastily opened his gift.

“It’s a calendar of daily Bible verses,” Isaac said with a self-satisfied smile. “I went through a lot of trouble to find the perfect one.”

Beth winced when she found she couldn’t speak without her voice cracking. “Denki. Denki, Isaac. I like calendars.”

“I know.” His gaze pierced her skull. “You’ve perked up a bit, Beth. When you left Indiana, you were pale and thin. You’ve got some of your color back. Not all, but you don’t look like a ghost anymore. Maybe someday you’ll be pretty again.”

She flinched as he reached out and patted her cheek. “I missed you, Beth.”

Beth folded her arms around her waist. Why did she let him make her feel so small? It had been the same with Amos. He had always made her feel powerless to fight back.

“What are you doing here?” she squeaked, wincing at how insignificant her voice sounded.

“I came to see how you’re getting along without me. Not very well by the looks of it.”

Grinning with self-assurance, Isaac stepped past Beth and into the house. He tossed his hat on the kitchen table and hung his coat over one of the chairs. He thought he had the right to make himself at home.

He gazed around the room and caught sight of Toby standing by the sofa. “Toby,” he said, spreading his arms wide as if expecting Toby to run into his embrace. “You got so big.”

Beth tensed. She didn’t want Isaac near her baby.

Toby screwed his face into a scowl and pointed a scolding finger at Isaac. “No, no,” he said.

Beth held her breath as Isaac marched to the sofa and scooped Toby into his arms. “Toby, Toby,” he said, hugging him while Toby struggled to break free. To Beth’s relief, Toby didn’t cry. Instead, he pushed against Isaac’s chest while grunting and repeating, “No, no.”

“Aren’t you happy to see your favorite uncle?”

“No, no.”

Isaac finally gave up the hope of getting any affection. With a sheepish and irritated twist of his lips, he placed Toby on the sofa and patted his head. “That kid looks more like Amos all the time.” He winked at Beth. “Or more like me.”

Beth hurried to the sofa and stood between Isaac and Toby. “He’s growing up right quick.”

Isaac tapped her nose with his index finger. “Growing up without a father, Beth. You know that’s not right.”

“We get along fine.”

“Amos would have wanted Toby to have a father, and he would have wanted me to take his place. Why did you leave us, Beth? We treated you good after Amos died.” Isaac slid his hands around Beth’s waist. “I’ve missed you.”

Beth turned her face from him and stiffened. She’d fended off many of his unwelcome advances in Indiana. She had learned that if she remained still and didn’t try to resist his touch, he would soon grow frustrated and release her. Even Isaac wouldn’t cross a certain line of propriety.

“Marry me, Beth.” When she didn’t respond, he pulled her closer until his face came within inches of hers. “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

She pressed her lips into a firm line. He stared at her for a few moments before scowling and nudging her away from him. Stepping back, he shoved his fingers through his hair.

Beth took a deep breath and willed her pulse to slow down.

Isaac looked around the room. “It’s a mess in here,” he said resentfully. He pointed to her sewing machine and the fabric that sat on the sofa next to Toby. “What’s all this?”

“My sewing business.”

Isaac laughed bitterly. “You were always talking about starting a sewing business. But you’re not smart enough to make this work, Beth. You can’t sew a straight stitch to save your life.” He threw his arms out wide and made a sweeping gesture around the room. “I told you. You don’t have to do all this. I will take care of you. Come back where you belong and marry me.”

The hurt and abuse of three years with Amos almost choked her. She wanted to lash out, to tell Isaac how much she despised him, how much she resented his family for crushing her spirit and trampling her dreams. But fear stole her voice. Isaac and Amos had always frightened her. When she wanted to be strong, she always found herself cowering in a corner.

Beth shook her head. “My grandparents need me.”

“Mamm needs you too. Don’t you care about her?”

“Of course. I nursed her for over a year after Amos died.”

Isaac turned red in the face. With his fair complexion, he looked as if he were on fire. “That’s so typical of you, Beth, to make it sound like a prison sentence. My mamm took you in and let you stay in the dawdi house even after Amos died. She deserves your gratitude, not your selfishness.”

“I . . . I can’t leave. I’ve got several orders for dresses yet.”

Scowling, Isaac stomped to the table and swiped his hand over the top, sending her patterns, fabrics, and scissors crashing to the floor.

Beth recoiled as her heart beat a wild cadence. Toby started to bawl hysterically. She reached behind her and smoothed her hand over Toby’s hair. If Isaac meant to harm her, she didn’t dare pick Toby up.

She hoped Mammi and Dawdi would sleep through the racket. Isaac’s behavior would distress them. They did not need to partake in her troubles.

Isaac returned to her side and shoved his face within inches of hers. “You are a stubborn, prideful woman. If you don’t forsake your wickedness, you will burn in Hell.”

Beth held her breath. Isaac seemed to be within seconds of striking her across the face.

The most beautiful sound in the world reached her ears.

“If I were you, I’d get away from her.”

Beth caught her breath. Did God really answer prayers so immediately?

With all the noise Isaac had made, she hadn’t even heard him come in. Tyler stood in the open doorway with his arms folded across his chest. He looked an awesome sight. The tense muscles of his arms bulged against the confines of his navy-blue shirt. His eyes flashed with the violence of a thousand winter storms and the intensity of barely contained rage.

Isaac snapped his head around and glared at the intruder as Toby, still bawling, slid from the sofa, pumped his little legs as fast as they would go, and made a beeline for Tyler. “Mommy!” he cried. Tyler gathered Toby into his arms and kissed his cheek. Beth wanted to sob with relief.

“What do you want?” Isaac growled.

Tyler pinned Isaac with a steely gaze. “Maybe you should step away from Beth. It’s clear she doesn’t welcome your touching.”

Isaac didn’t lose his snarl, but he took a small step backward. “It’s none of your business.”

Although she wanted Toby as far from Isaac as possible, Beth felt palpable relief when Tyler moved to her side with Toby firmly in his embrace. He placed the whimpering Toby carefully in Beth’s arms and positioned himself between Beth and Isaac. “Take Toby to your room, Beth, while I show this man where the door is.”

Beth moved away from Tyler, but in the opposite direction of her room. To get there, she’d have to pass Isaac. What if he lashed out and hurt Toby?

Isaac balled his hands into fists as his face glowed red as a beet. “Don’t try to keep me from what’s rightfully mine.”

Tyler contained his rage, but Beth could see it deepen in the lines of his face and the set of his jaw. “So far as I know, you have no claim on Beth. And I will not stand for your cruelty. Get out now.”

Tyler placed a firm hand on Isaac’s arm. Isaac reacted by throwing a punch squarely at Tyler’s mouth.

Beth screamed as Tyler’s head snapped back. He didn’t go down, and he didn’t fight back. Holding up his hand to stop Beth from coming to him, he fingered his bloody lip and raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t fight you,” he said. “I’m a man of peace. If you want to hurt me, let’s go outside so the baby doesn’t see.”

Isaac massaged his knuckles and shot Tyler a glare that could have curdled milk. He turned on his heels, snatched his hat and coat, and stormed out the door.

Breathing heavily, Tyler nodded to Beth. “I’ll make sure he leaves. Get Toby in the other room.” He cupped his hand over her elbow. “And get yourself in the other room where I know you’re safe.” When she didn’t move, he frowned. “Please?”

Numb with shock, but not about to abandon Tyler, Beth followed him to the threshold. He screwed up his mouth in vexation, gave her an exasperated huff, and shut the door behind him.

Peeking out the window, Beth saw Isaac tromp across the frost-covered grass. Tyler followed him halfway and stopped. Beth let out a breath as if she’d been holding it for ages. Isaac had finally given up.

Suddenly, Isaac turned and yelled something to Tyler. Beth couldn’t hear him, but even in the semidarkness, the nastiness in his expression was unmistakable. Without warning, he charged at Tyler and plowed him to the ground.

Beth gasped as Isaac hit Tyler again and again. Tyler did his best to shield his face from the blows but did nothing to fight back. The panic tore through Beth’s chest. Maybe it wasn’t right, maybe her vow of nonviolence demanded that she do nothing, but she refused to stand by and let her brother-in-law hurt Tyler.

Sobbing uncontrollably, she ran to her room and set Toby in his crib. He reached for her and cried as if his heart would break, but he’d be safe until she got back.

She ran to Mammi’s closet and pulled out the broom. She could beat Isaac back with it or give him a good smack over the head if she had to. Unable to quell her tears, she burst from the house ready to do battle in the middle of the night.

Isaac had disappeared. Tyler sat on the ground with his elbow propped on his knee, holding the left side of his face in his hand. She sprang off the porch and ran to him. His lip and nose were bleeding and a goose egg was already forming at his eyebrow.

In breathless alarm, she knelt beside him.

He peeked at her out of his good eye. “Did he hurt you?” She didn’t answer, just kept sobbing as she brushed her fingers across his lip. “Beth, are you okay?” he insisted.

“Jah, jah, I am fine.”

“Was that Amos’s brother?”

“Jah. Isaac. His twin in every way.”

Tyler glanced at the broom clasped in her fingers. “Do you want me to sweep something?”