A Simple Vow (27 page)

“He’s already talked to us, Dat,” Edith said. “Asa and I have sorted things out with Drew and forgiven him.”

“Drew and Asa have met with me, too,” Luke said as he smiled at the two brothers. “Far as I’m concerned, we’re squared away with their purchase of the acreage from the farm across the road. They’re paid in full, money-wise and for explanations, as well.”

“Drew’s come over for a couple of sessions with me, as well,” Bishop Tom chimed in. “Asa’s gonna join us next time so the two of them can understand each other’s feelings better—concernin’ that anger and envy we talked about after the wedding was canceled.”

Dat cleared his throat loudly. “So you came to me last?” he challenged Drew. “Were you too afraid to show your face around here—”

“Matter of fact, I’ve been finishing some upholstery work so I could repay you for the wedding dinner at the Grill N Skillet,” Drew interrupted as he reached into his shirt pocket. “This is the amount Josiah Witmer said he charged you, but if it’s not enough, let me know what I owe. Again, I’m sorry I ruined your family’s big day and your special dinner.”

Dat closed his mouth over the retort he’d been ready to deliver. He glanced at the amount on the check and folded it into his shirt pocket. “I have to admit I wasn’t expecting such a gesture, but I appreciate it,” he murmured. “You’ve at least made restitution for what that day cost me financially, although I suspect it’ll be a while before I can forgive and forget—”

“You can forgive Drew in the time it takes to say three words,” Bishop Top insisted. He held Dat’s gaze for several seconds to drive home his point. “From what I’ve seen, he’s been sincere in his apology, so the rest is up to you, Cornelius. We’ll let you deal with that in your own way, in your own time, however. Your forgiveness should flow as freely as Drew’s apology and his money.”

Edith could see Dat wasn’t very happy about receiving a personal sermon from the bishop, in front of all the folks around the table, but she was grateful to Tom for putting this matter in perspective. Asa squeezed her hand under the table.

“With that in mind, I’ll tell you all that Drew has also offered to pay for dinner at the café on the new wedding day Edith and I have chosen,” Asa said as he smiled at everyone around the table. “We’ve decided on Friday, the twelfth of June, and we hope you’ll all honor us with your presence.”

“Oh, Edith! That’s fabulous news!” Loretta squealed. She threw her arms around Edith’s shoulders while Rosalyn rose from her place across the table to embrace Edith from behind her chair.

“I’m so happy for both of you,” Nazareth said as she beamed at Edith and Asa.

“I—I’m guessing the absence of Leroy and Louisa doesn’t affect Asa’s feelings as much as you thought it might?” Nora asked as she held Edith’s gaze from across the table.

Edith reached over to clasp Nora’s hands. “I can’t thank you enough for talking me through my feelings,” she murmured. “I didn’t have to ask. Asa told me himself that we’d still be a family if God didn’t bring Leroy and Louisa back into our lives.”

“And we saw no reason to wait a long time before we set another date,” Asa put in. “I loved Edith the moment I met her, when she stood up for the two babies Will and I were quarreling about. I loved her even more after she talked with Drew over a picnic she brought over to us. And I especially loved the way she was able to pull herself together after he spoiled our original wedding day. She’s a strong woman, Edith is.”

“
Jah,
you’ve got that right, son,” Bishop Tom murmured. “She could’ve handled her disappointment a lot differently. Edith’s a special young woman—an example to us all about movin’ past our regrets and resentment.”

As Edith’s cheeks got hot, she glanced at Dat in time to catch him shaking his head at the bishop’s comment. He held his tongue, however. Despite her father’s reaction, Edith accepted the congratulations from everyone else in the kitchen and enjoyed the affection in Asa’s eyes as he smiled at her. Her sisters cleared everyone’s dinner plates while she and Nora cut the chocolate cake and Nazareth’s apple slab pie—which filled a large rectangular cookie sheet and looked as big as three regular pies.

“How about if we put these on the table and everyone can help themselves?” Edith suggested. “I’ll get a couple of metal spatulas—”

“You can set that pie right down here by me,” Luke teased as she walked past him. “Apple’s my favorite, and it looks like Naz used a lot of cinnamon.”

“It’s the drizzle of white icing I’m eyeballing,” Drew said when Nora set the pan at the men’s end of the table. “I predict there won’t be much of this pie left by the time we leave.”

When everyone had a dessert plate and a mug for coffee, Edith and the other women sat down again. She wasn’t surprised that each of the fellows took a large square of the pie, while the women chose the chocolate cake. Noting Asa’s euphoric expression as he chewed his mouthful of pie, she nudged him with her elbow.

“What’s your favorite kind of pie, Asa?” she asked as she cut into her cake.

Asa swallowed, grinning at her. “Whatever kind you put in front of me, Edith.”

Everyone at the table laughed. “You’ve got it right, guy, and you’re not even married yet,” Luke teased. “Whatever the wife fixes, your best response is ‘
denki,
dear, this is the most wonderful-
gut
stuff I’ve ever put in my mouth.’”

Across the table, Nora let out a short laugh. “
Jah,
that works—even when she’s only warmed up a can of soup. Luke, poor man, often finds himself at the stove anyway, just so there’s food on the table.”

Luke wiggled his eyebrows. “I didn’t marry you for the way you cook in the kitchen, Nora-girl,” he shot back at her.

As their banter continued, Edith hoped that she and Asa would share a deep love like the one Nora and Luke showed so openly. Amish folks didn’t display their affection in public, yet she found it endearing when couples defied some of the old traditions in positive ways. Could there ever be such a thing as too much love between a husband and a wife? If such love was a gift from God, surely it wasn’t wrong for married folks to show their feelings when they were with their family and friends.

Everyone took more pie and cake, lingering over dessert and coffee as they visited, so it was nearly two o’clock before the men went out to the backyard to sit in lawn chairs. Their voices and laughter drifted in through the windows as Edith, her sisters, Nora, and Nazareth made quick work of washing the dishes and putting away the food.

“Well, Edith, I guess we’ll be washing and pressing our new dresses to wear at your wedding—again,” Rosalyn added with a chuckle. “Not many gals can say that.”

“Nor do they want to go through what Edith and Asa did on their original wedding day,” Nazareth pointed out. “It’s commendable of Drew that he’s repaid your
dat
for the first meal at the café, and is also treating us all to another banquet in a few weeks.”

“
Jah,
I was wondering what Dat might say about having to pay twice,” Loretta remarked in a low voice. “If he’d made a fuss, though, Rosalyn and I would’ve done it for you, Edith.”

Gratitude welled up inside Edith as she pulled the drain stopper. “You two are the best sisters and friends I could ever have—”

“Hullo in there! Anybody want to let me in?” a familiar voice called from the front door. “I’ve got a surprise—well,
two
surprises!”

“That’s Will,” Loretta murmured as she tossed down her towel and headed to the front room. A few moments later, her delighted laughter prompted everyone in the kitchen to turn toward the door. “Edith! Edith, come and see who’s home!”

Edith’s heart hammered as she quickly dried her hands.
Can it be? Have my prayers been answered?
she thought as she hurried into the front room. The sight of two earnest little faces, two pairs of extended arms and kicking legs, stopped her heart. Edith couldn’t speak for the sheer joy that flooded her soul when Louisa and Leroy began babbling at her.

“Twins!” she cried as she rushed toward them. “Louisa and Leroy! Oh, but we’ve missed you in this quiet house.”

Scooping one baby and then the other from the baskets Will was holding, Edith hugged them to her shoulders. It was heaven to feel their little arms clasping her neck, to hear their laughter and gurgling chatter as they wiggled excitedly against her.

“What’s happened? I’ve been trying to convince myself that it’s God’s will for the Ropps to raise them,” Edith whispered as she gazed at Will. “So why are they back? These two are the reason you went to see your family today,
jah?
”

Will smiled fondly at her. “Molly’s
dat
called me last night and said they couldn’t handle two babies while they were looking after Ruth’s
mamm
. She’s the one who had the heart attack when Molly died, remember?”

Edith nodded, amazed at this turn of events. “I hope this doesn’t mean Mrs. Ropp’s mother has taken a turn for the worse.”

Will shook his head, chuckling. “No, but the babies’ crying upsets her to the point that her doctor’s concerned about her blood pressure and other issues—not to mention that she becomes more demanding,” he explained. “Orva had tried to talk with Ruth about this before they left here with the twins, remember. So now he’s put his foot down.”

Nazareth, who’d come from the kitchen with Rosalyn and Nora, cooed at the wee ones and stroked their wispy hair. “Were these angels fussy because they had to drink formula again? I’m going home to get a bucket of this morning’s milk from my fridge so these kids can have a meal that agrees with them.”

“
Denki
so much,” Edith called after the bishop’s wife. She gazed into Louisa and Leroy’s faces, unable to get enough of their smiles—yet aware that during the week and a half they’d been away, they’d lost some weight. “And
denki
to you, too, Will, for going to fetch them. See there?” she said to Nora and her sisters. “It’s a
gut
thing we didn’t return the high chairs and playpen and such things to their owners.”

“I have a box and a duffel of their stuff in the buggy. I’ll go get it.” Will’s smile widened as he watched Loretta and Rosalyn take the babies from Edith’s arms. “I was so relieved to be bringing them back into this home—knowing they’ll get all the love they’ll ever need with Edith and Asa raising them,” he added. Then he raised an eyebrow. “Or at least I
hope
you and Asa plan to be together.”

“The wedding’s June twelfth,” Loretta said excitedly. “Better get your church clothes ready and make plans to celebrate with us—for sure and for certain this time.”

“Best news I’ve heard all day. Congratulations, Edith.”

“You missed Asa’s making the announcement—and you missed some mighty fine food, too,” Rosalyn put in.

“We’ll be getting the high chairs out, and washing the bottles for Naz’s goat milk,” Loretta said, “so you might as well join us in the kitchen, Will. Feeding you is the least we can do!”

Will shrugged modestly. “Happy to help the twins. They’re my final connection to Molly, after all.”

As Edith watched Will head out the front door, she couldn’t stop smiling. “Hasn’t
this
been a fine day?” she murmured as she watched her sisters fussing over the babies. “Let’s take Louisa and Leroy out back for a moment so the men can see them. It feels so
gut
to have them home again.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

On Friday the twelfth of June, Edith smiled at Asa, who sat facing her from the men’s side of the room with Will and Drew beside him. It felt a little odd, as though she was having a recurring dream, to see the handsome fellows on the pew bench a second time—but with all three of them present. As her father stood up to read the morning’s scripture passage, she told herself to focus on the message instead of on the man she loved.

“From the fifty-first Psalm come these familiar words, a petition to remain in God’s
gut
graces,” Dat said in a resounding voice. “
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me
,” he read. “
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit
.”

Today’s about joy, Lord, but we remain eternally grateful that You’ve not cast us away because of the mistakes we’ve made,
Edith prayed.
We’re especially thankful that Drew has made his amends and that You’ve created clean hearts for him, his brother, Will, and me.

After a prayer and a hymn, Preacher Henry Zook rose to preach the first sermon. He spoke in a low voice, and while his message was sincere, Edith found her attention wandering. She reminded herself to be patient, because they had an entire church service to sit through before the wedding began.

Beside her, Loretta leaned closer to whisper, “Are you nervous?”

Edith realized that she felt altogether confident, believing she would come away as Asa’s wife this time. “No, I’m fine,” she murmured.

“Then stop squirming.”

Edith sat taller. She’d been so intently focused on Asa, she hadn’t realized she’d been wiggling on the pew bench.

To settle herself, she ran her fingers over Leroy and Louisa’s velvety cheeks, pleased that they were such calm, quiet babies now that they’d resumed their goat-milk diet. Soon they would be her and Asa’s son and daughter, because Will had contacted an adoption agency to begin the process of giving them the Detweiler name—and all the love their hearts could hold for these special babies. Drew was pleased that he’d be living close by to watch his children grow up, as well.

After more prayers and another hymn, Preacher Ben rose to address the congregation with the second, longer sermon. “Seems the perfect morning to recall the passage from Revelation that’s often used at funerals, but which speaks to the young folks in the first rows this morning,” he began as he looked at the three men and then at Edith and her sisters. “
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away
,” Ben recited in a ringing voice. “
And he that sat upon the throne said
,
‘Behold, I make all things new.’
” That’s what we celebrate today, folks—God’s made this situation new for Edith, and for the Detweiler brothers, and for Will and the little twins. Praise be to our Jesus.”

Edith smiled gratefully at Preacher Ben as he continued his sermon.
Behold I make all things new.
It reminded her of the way Asa took old, broken furniture and created a useful piece with fresh stain and the skill of his carpenter’s hands. The passage also reminded her that Drew had walked away from the lies he’d told, and Will had found a fresh start farming for Luke Hooley. The Lord had opened a different door for Leroy and Louisa, as well, and Edith felt blessed to be raising them as her own children.

“It’s almost time for the wedding,” Rosalyn murmured as everyone stood up to sing the final hymn of the church service. “I’m so happy for you, Edith. Asa’s a blessing to our family.”

Edith smiled—even though Dat was eyeing the three of them sternly, as he had when they’d been young, talkative girls in church. Nothing was going to spoil her absolute joy today as she stood beside Asa and promised to love and honor him for the rest of her life—an exchange of simple vows that would forever bind them together. Because she’d almost unwittingly married his twin, however, Edith cherished these moments of anticipation . . . the knowledge that this time the vows she repeated would be honest and meaningful. Today no one would interrupt the ceremony with the jarring news that she was standing beside the wrong man.

Denki,
God, for delivering us from our sins and loving us in spite of them
, she prayed as the last words of the hymn died away. Denki
for the way our family has come together again in forgiveness—and is now growing. Your will be done.

As folks sat down on the wooden benches, Bishop Tom gestured for Edith and Asa to join him in the small open spot in the center of the room. More than two hundred people had gathered to celebrate this day with them, and Edith could feel the love and support that filled the home she and Asa would soon share. From the preachers’ bench, Bishop Vernon Gingerich smiled at her with twinkling blue eyes. Such a blessing he’d been to Will and his family, helping them patch up the holes that resentment had caused in their relationships, and easing Will’s grief after Molly’s passing.

“We’re gonna do this again,” Bishop Tom said, smiling at the men and then at the women. “But this time we’ll get it right!”

Gentle laughter filled the room and lifted Edith’s spirits. Asa gazed down at her. He looked so handsome in his black vest and pants with his shiny raven hair brushing the collar of his white shirt. She knew she would remember this special moment forever. Once again Bishop Tom began the ancient Old Order wedding ceremony, and Edith repeated the words with joy and confidence.

As Asa said his vows, his face radiated the deep love and commitment Edith hadn’t felt when she’d stood beside Drew a month ago. She’d attributed the little differences in the groom’s mannerisms to his nervousness—the same jitters she’d been feeling that morning—but today Asa’s voice filled the big front room with his strength and purpose.

When at last Bishop Tom pronounced them man and wife, Edith drew a deep breath. Asa turned and took her hands in his, gazing at her with indigo eyes that shone with devotion. “I love you so much, Edith,” he murmured.

“I love you, too, Asa. Forever and ever.”

As their guests rose from the pew benches, Dat stood up to address the crowd. “You’re all invited to the Grill N Skillet to celebrate with us,” he announced. “We’re grateful to Drew Detweiler for providing our meal today. God has greatly blessed us with His abundance and love, which we in turn share with our families and friends. We’re glad you all came today.”

Edith and her sisters gathered around the small table where Bishop Tom was laying the marriage certificate. “Dat’s in fine form today,” Loretta remarked as Edith and Asa signed their names.

“Dare we hope he’s moving forward now, a happier man?” Rosalyn asked as she wrote her name beneath Edith’s.

“That would be a
gut
thing for all you girls,” Will said as he waited for Loretta to sign and hand him the pen. “Especially now that Edith’s taking her sunny disposition across the road.”

Drew was nodding as he signed the certificate and returned the pen to Bishop Tom. “We should make it our mission to see that Cornelius carries today’s happiness forward with him. He’s suffered long enough.”

“That’s a commendable attitude, kids,” the bishop remarked as he, too, penned his name on the proper line. “I’m glad you’ll all be close at hand to help him—and each other—with that project. But for now, let’s go up the road and celebrate with a fine dinner! It’s a happy day in Willow Ridge.”

Edith couldn’t have agreed more as she and Asa accepted congratulations from the folks who gathered around them. Ernest and Fern Detweiler beamed at her, welcoming her to the family, and then Marian Gingerich gripped her hands, as well. “I feel we’ve turned the page and started a new chapter in the family story,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I’m so relieved that Leroy and Louisa will be your children now—and so grateful for the way you’ve led Will to a fresh opportunity.”

Edith’s body thrummed as she accepted similar congratulations from Bishop Vernon and Jerusalem Gingerich and Preacher Ben and Miriam Hooley. Nazareth and Jerusalem agreed to mind the babies during the meal so Edith and Asa would be free to visit with their guests.

It was a special moment when Dat came up to her, gazed at her wistfully, and then embraced her. “Wish your
mamm
could’ve been here to share this day,” he murmured, but he quickly put a smile on his face and extended his hand. “Asa, it’s
gut
to have another man in this family—another rooster to keep after these busy hens!”

Everyone around them laughed. As the guests made their way to the door, Edith was grateful that so many of their friends and family members had come a second time to share this special day with her and Asa. The lane and the road filled with people talking and laughing, all the way to the Grill N Skillet. Edith walked among them, her hand enveloped by Asa’s larger, stronger one. She felt loved and cherished. She felt blessed and beautiful.

Behind her, Edith heard the rapid patter of footsteps. Nora caught up to her, her freckled face pink with excitement. “The next event,” she said eagerly, “is to be a baby shower at my place, Edith. As we baked pies and set the tables for today, all the ladies agreed it was time the twins had their own clothes and toys.”

Edith stopped walking and threw her arms around Nora. “
Denki
so much for all the ways you’ve helped me. Knowing you is like having a
mamm
and a big sister and a best friend all rolled into one!”

Nora eased away, blinking rapidly. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone’s ever said to me,” she murmured. “You’re welcome, Edith. I’m glad you’re finally Mrs. Detweiler—and so happy that you’ll be raising Louisa and Leroy here in Willow Ridge.”

When they arrived at the café, Edith, her sisters, Will, and the Detweiler brothers filled their plates with the grilled meats and delicious side dishes that awaited them on the buffet table. They took their places at the raised table in the corner, where they could look out over the crowd as everyone ate. Aromas of grilled meats, creamed celery, and the traditional “roast” made of chicken and stuffing filled the air. The kitchen serving counter was covered with slices of pie on plates—an inspiring sight—but it was the regal white wedding cake with its pale blue borders that made Edith sigh with gratitude.

“What a beautiful cake Miriam’s made us,” she murmured. “It survived the first wedding day, held its shape in the freezer, and now it’s standing tall and sturdy and sweet . . . like a prize for enduring all the setbacks we encountered along the way.”

“Tall like me, sturdy like the twins,” Asa said as he gripped her hand, “and sweet like you, Edith. But
you’re
the prize, and I’m the big winner. I don’t know where I’d be if you hadn’t stuck by me these past weeks.”

Edith gazed into her husband’s indigo eyes, loving the way she saw herself reflected in them. “We don’t have to worry about that anymore,” she murmured. “We’re together now in Willow Ridge—a little slice of heaven right here on earth.”