The Restoration (27 page)

“Hochmut means pride.”

“Oh, I see.”

“So how would you respond if someone who wasn’t Amish said or did something to humiliate you?” Elam asked.

Like you’re doing to me now?
David squirmed on his end of the couch.
Is Elam trying to make me look foolish in front of Priscilla? If so, he’s doing a good job.

“Guess the first thing I’d do is ask them to stop,” David said.

“What if they didn’t?” Elam leaned closer to David. “What if they hit or pushed you? What would you do then?”

“I’d hit ’em right back.”

Priscilla gasped. “Oh, David, that would be wrong. As I’ve told you before, we Amish are pacifists.”

David’s face heated. “Are you saying I should just stand there and let someone do me bodily harm?”

“It might be the best thing,” Elam interjected. “The Bible says if someone hits us, we are to turn the other cheek.”

This bit of knowledge didn’t sit well with David. If he had to sit idly while someone gave him a punch, he wasn’t sure he could ignore it and not retaliate. Maybe he needed to rethink his desire to join the Amish church. But if he didn’t see it through, he’d be admitting defeat, and he’d never been a quitter—except for college, that is.

Looking at Elam, David forced a smile. “Guess I need to read my Bible a little more so I can learn how to react to any situation.” He stood and stretched his arms over his head. “Think I’m gonna head back to Gram and Gramps’ place now. It was starting to snow earlier, so before the roads get too bad, I’d better get going.” David grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. “You two enjoy the rest of your evening.”

“What about your grandma’s pie?” Priscilla called.

“Keep the rest of it. The pan is disposable. You can share the pie with your folks.”

“Thanks for dropping by with the pie. I’m sure my mom and dad will enjoy it, too. Oh, and I’ll be over with the buggy tomorrow to start your driving lessons.” Turning to Elam then, Priscilla said, “Unless you’d rather teach David to drive a buggy. He needs to learn soon so he can start using one instead of his grandparents’ car.”

Elam shook his head. “No, that’s okay. You said you’d do it, so go right ahead. I don’t have much free time anyway.”

“I’ll see you both later, then.” David opened the door and stepped outside. Lifting his face toward the sky, he felt wet snowflakes moisten his skin. As he stood with his hands in his pockets, battling mixed emotions, the coldness seeped through his sneakers.
Guess I shoulda worn boots tonight.

Before heading to the car, David glanced back at the house. Priscilla was a special friend. He couldn’t help wishing she was his girlfriend instead of Elam’s.

David’s shoulders slumped.
My visit didn’t go well this evening—at least not with Elam. Think he senses my interest in Priscilla, and it’s why he made those catty remarks.

As David tromped through the snow to his car, he made a new decision. Elam might be his friend, but he was not going to let him belittle him again—especially in front of Priscilla. The next time he went to see her, he’d make sure Elam wasn’t there.

A
re you nervous about meeting your nieces?” Cora asked as she and Jared approached Adam and Leah’s house.

He shrugged. “Maybe a little. I really don’t know what to say to kids younger than me, ’cause I’ve never been around many before. And since they’re girls, we don’t have a whole lot in common.”

“I realize it, Jared, but you do have one thing in common.”

“What?”

“You’re their uncle Adam’s younger brother.”

“Yeah, but we both have different dads. How am I supposed to explain to the girls if they ask?”

“You don’t need to worry about it right now. None of them questioned me about my husbands, so I doubt they’ll ask you, either.”

“But what if they do?”

“If they ask, then either Adam or I will try to explain.” Cora could tell how apprehensive Jared was by the way he was fidgeting. She couldn’t really blame him, though. She had felt the same way when she met her granddaughters for the first time. It pleased Cora that Jared wanted to come along this evening. She felt proud of him for so many reasons. He had grown up quite a bit since his accident. Even though Jared’s injuries were something Cora wouldn’t wish on anyone, she wondered if things such as his accident happened for a reason. She remembered reading in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Right now, Cora felt very blessed.

Jared’s recovery was going well. He was off the pain medication he’d taken at first, and he didn’t spend so much time sleeping. Cora was glad he spent more time with her, no longer hiding out in his room the way he’d done when they first moved to Arthur. Seeing Jared go through all he’d faced after the accident had been hard, and she was grateful for the time off they’d given her at work. Even if the clinic hadn’t held her position, she would have quit in order to be with Jared during his ordeal.

Cora let go of the steering wheel with one hand and reached over to give Jared’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “Try not to worry about anything. Just relax and enjoy the evening.”

“Yeah, okay.”

She glanced briefly at the paper sack on the floor by his feet. Since tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, she’d bought something for each of the girls. Cora didn’t want to give them candy, so in addition to cards, she had purchased coloring books, crayons, and stickers. Hopefully they would like her gifts.

“Your grandmother is here,” Leah announced, peeking out the living-room window after hearing a car pull in. She smiled at Carrie, Linda, and Amy sitting on the couch with expectant expressions. “Are you ready to meet your uncle Jared?”

All three girls nodded, but no one said a word. Normally when someone was coming to visit, the girls were little chatterboxes. Leah sensed their nervousness, but they’d done well meeting Cora last week, and she felt sure things would go fine this evening.

Adam rose from his recliner. “I’ll get the door.”

When Adam returned with Cora and Jared, Leah took their coats, and introductions were quickly made. After Jared took a seat in a chair near Adam’s, Cora seated herself on the couch and gave the girls their gifts. Leah noticed that Jared appeared to be as jittery as the girls.

“These are for you.” Cora smiled. “A little something for Valentine’s Day.”

The girls eagerly opened the gifts. “Danki,” they said in unison.

“
Du bischt willkumm
,” Cora responded.

Jared’s eyebrows shot up. “What’d you just say to them, Mom?”

“They said ‘thank you,’ and I said, ‘You are welcome.’”

“Is that German?” he questioned.

“It’s German Dutch, or some people call it Pennsylvania Dutch,” Adam interjected. “It’s what we Amish speak on a daily basis. We also learn German, because it’s the language spoken during our church services.”

“Interesting.” Jared looked at his mother. “I’d like to learn Pennsylvania Dutch. Can you teach me, Mom?”

Cora smiled. “I’d be happy to, son.”

Leah was pleased with how well things were going. Jared seemed more relaxed now, and so did Carrie, Linda, and Amy. They were all smiles, looking at their coloring books and removing some of the stickers to put on the pages. With everyone sitting here, visiting in a relaxed manner, it seemed as if they were finally a real family. It was especially touching when Carrie climbed up beside Jared and gave him a hug.

“I’ll go to the kitchen and get some refreshments.” Leah smiled at her husband. “Would you mind helping me, Adam?”

“I’d be happy to.” Adam followed Leah into the next room.

“How would you feel about telling Cora, Jared, and the girls we’re expecting a boppli?” Leah asked, taking a chocolate-chip cheeseball from the refrigerator.

“You mean tell them now, when we are all together?”

“Jah. Now’s a good time to do it, especially since Jared is here. It might help him feel included and an important part of our family.”

Adam hesitated a minute but finally nodded. “Cora and Jared are part of the family now, so they have the right to know.”

She smiled, reaching up to tweak the end of his nose. “That’s what I think, too.” Leah couldn’t be happier, with Adam and his mother back in each other’s lives. She had prayed for it many times and felt thankful those prayers had been answered.

When Leah and Adam returned to the living room with the refreshments, she suggested they all take a seat at the dining-room table.

Once everyone began eating their treat, Adam said he had an important announcement to make.

“What is it?” Amy asked, spreading a graham cracker with some of the chocolate-chip cheeseball.

Adam smiled at Leah, and her cheeks warmed. “My fraa is expecting a boppli.”

Cora leaped to her feet and gave Leah a hug. “That’s wunderbaar news!”

Jared sat, looking perplexed, as the three girls stared at Leah’s stomach.

“Wait a minute.” Jared held up his hand. “What are you guys talking about? I didn’t understand some of the words you just said.”

“Sorry, Jared.” Adam moved around the table and placed his hands on Jared’s shoulders. “What I first said is my wife is expecting a baby. Then your mother—our mother—said it was wonderful news.”

Jared’s face broke into a wide smile. “Does this mean I’m gonna be an uncle again?”

“Yes, it does.” Cora placed her hand on Leah’s arm. “I’m going to be blessed with another grandchild.”

After Elaine finished doing the supper dishes, she decided to make a list of things she and Priscilla would need to do tomorrow afternoon, in readiness for the dinner they’d be hosting. How thankful she was for her friend’s help. She couldn’t imagine trying to do these meals alone, especially one as important as a Valentine’s Day dinner.

Opening a drawer in the rolltop desk, Elaine took out a notebook, but she spotted something else. It was an old Valentine Jonah had given her when they were courting. Her hand trembled slightly as she picked up the card. The front of it read: “Happy Valentine’s Day to Someone Special.” Elaine had memorized the inside, from reading it so many times, especially right after Jonah had given it to her. Still, she opened the card and read the note aloud. “To the love of my life. I thank God for bringing us together. I’ll love you always. Jonah.”

A sob caught in Elaine’s throat. How things had changed since then. She’d kept the Valentine, even though the possibility of her and Jonah being together was slim. It was hard to come to terms with the reality of it, but Elaine had accepted facts the best she could. Despite Jonah being a widower, the chance of them having a future together was unlikely. Jonah had made it perfectly clear when he’d said he would never marry again.

Hearing the whinny of a horse, Elaine put the Valentine down and dried her eyes. She didn’t want whoever had come to ask questions about why she’d been crying.

Going to the door, she was pleased to see Ben getting out of his buggy. She hadn’t known he was coming by and didn’t think she’d see him until their next church service.

“I hope I haven’t interrupted anything,” Ben said, stepping onto the porch.

“No, not at all. I was just getting ready to make a list of things I need to do before tomorrow night’s dinner.”

“I remember you said you’d be doing the dinner, so I came by now to bring you this.” Ben handed Elaine a package. “Happy Valentine’s Day. I bought you a box of chocolates and a card.”

“Danki, Ben. How thoughtful of you.” Elaine opened the door wider. “Would you like to come in for coffee and pie? I did some baking today for tomorrow’s dinner and I made two extra chocolate–peanut butter pies.”

Ben smacked his lips. “Now when did I ever turn down a dessert?”

When they entered the kitchen, Ben hung his coat over the back of a chair, and Elaine set the pie and coffee on the table. As they ate, they talked about the weather, which seemed much colder.

“Makes me wonder if there’s more snow on the horizon,” Ben commented. “All these little snows we’ve been getting lately could be leading up to something big.”

“I hope not.” Elaine frowned. “It’s only the second week of February, but I’m more than ready for spring. I was getting used to the snow melting awhile back.”