A VOW for ALWAYS (7 page)

Ronks

Meredith yawned. She was more tired than usual as she got ready for bed. With the
Christmas holiday approaching, she’d been getting more requests for prayer coverings
to be made for the store where she’d been taking them. She would have to buckle down
during the next couple of days and try to make a few extra. That, and Laurie’s wedding
with all of its preparations, plus Thanksgiving, had kept her on the go.

On top of that, worrying over where Jonah and his family had been when they didn’t
show up at the wedding, and then Jonah suddenly asking her to marry him had only added
to her fatigue.

“No wonder I’m exhausted,” she mused, looking at Fritz lying in his usual spot on
the floor by the foot of her bed.

The dog looked up at her, with all four legs stretched out to one side. From the way
he was lying, his short tail was just long enough to make little thumping sounds as
he wagged it against the floor.

“You look tired, too, pup,” Meredith said.

Fritz offered a whiney groan before he laid his head down, looking toward the door.
Ever since they’d moved back in with her parents, Fritz had been getting more exercise
each day, playing with Freckles, the Kings’ new family pet. Meredith was glad the
dogs got along well; it was one less thing for her to worry about.

As tired as she was, Meredith could tell she wouldn’t be falling asleep any time soon.
Lying down with her hands behind her head on the fluffy, down-filled pillow, she pondered
Jonah’s speedy proposal. Truthfully speaking, it wasn’t really such a surprise that
Jonah had proposed. Meredith had been expecting it, just not this evening. She’d figured
he would wait until she’d been widowed at least a full year.

“Am I ready for this?” Meredith spoke out loud into the darkness of her room. Listening
to her son’s even breathing coming from the crib across the room, and to Fritz’s contented
snoring from the floor by her bed, Meredith was glad she hadn’t awakened either of
them. “Wish I could be asleep like the two of you are right now,” she whispered.

Meredith couldn’t help being excited about the upcoming holidays. She and Jonah had
several things planned besides the usual family gatherings that she was anxious to
partake in. Meredith sighed, pulling the quilt up and tucking it under her chin. Christmas
was the last holiday she’d spent with Luke before he’d been killed. After that, she
hadn’t thought she’d enjoy another Christmas. Nor much else, for that matter. But
Jonah had proven her wrong.

As she lay staring at the ceiling, Meredith realized that her relationship with Jonah
had become more comfortable. She was at ease when he was around. Levi also seemed
to gravitate toward Jonah. Meredith’s family had accepted him as if he were already
part of the family. Even Luke’s parents seemed adjusted to the idea of Jonah courting
their daughter-in-law. But would the family’s acceptance be enough?

As the stillness of the night enveloped the house, Meredith wondered,
Oh, Luke, what should I do?

I
t was kind of Jonah’s folks to invite us to their house for Christmas dinner,” Meredith’s
mother said as they put their fresh-baked pumpkin and apple pies into boxes.

Meredith smiled. “Jah, it’ll be a nice afternoon out, and you won’t have to cook for
a change.”

“I don’t mind cooking. Never have—not even when I was a
maedel.”

“How old were you when Grandma taught you to cook?” Meredith asked, closing the lid
on the box of pies.

“Let’s see now…for as long as I can remember I enjoyed being in the kitchen, helping
my mamm with whatever she would allow me to do.”

“That’s right,” Grandma Smucker spoke up from across the room, where she’d been cutting
apples, pears, and bananas for a fruit salad she’d be taking to the Millers.’ “By
the time Luann was born, her sisters were already in school. So she pretty much followed
me everywhere around the house. And since I spent a good deal of time in the kitchen,
she was there, too, always asking to help.” Grandma smiled. “By the time your mamm
was six years old, she was baking cookies.”

While Mom and Grandma continued to reminisce about old times, Meredith walked into
the living room and looked out the window. Squinting at the bright sunlight hitting
the sparkly white snow, she gazed at the beautiful, almost magical scene.

Christmas made her feel more spirited and full of life, and a snowfall close to the
holiday made her seem even more energized. It was fun to watch Arlene, Katie, and
Owen, her youngest siblings, romping in the snow. It was like someone flipped a switch
on their energy level, taking it up a notch. Any other time, their liveliness would
have gotten on Meredith’s nerves, but she had to admit, she was feeling their excitement
as well.

All week, Meredith had heard Mom and Grandma Smucker humming as they baked. Even Dad
and her brother Stanley didn’t seem to mind the cold as they tended the animals and
worked in the barn. To free Mom up for her extra baking, Kendra and Nina had pitched
in to help mind the kids and keep the house nice and tidy. Meredith didn’t let the
idea of her sister Laurie moving away soon get in the way of the joy she felt.

Meredith had promised to give Jonah an answer to his proposal later today, and as
the time drew closer for them to load up their buggies and head for the Millers’,
she found herself feeling anxious to get there. She’d lain awake for several hours
last night, praying and trying to decide what her answer should be. In the wee hours
of the morning, Meredith’s answer finally came, and she felt a sense of peace.

Bird-in-Hand

“Would everyone like dessert now, or should we let our meal settle a bit?” Jonah’s
mother, Sarah, asked after everyone had finishing eating.

“I can’t speak for anyone else,” Meredith’s dad said, pushing back his chair, “but
right now I couldn’t eat another bite.”

“Me neither,” Jonah agreed. “In fact, I was thinking of taking Meredith on a sleigh
ride.” He glanced at Meredith and smiled. “How about it? Would you care to join me?”

Meredith hesitated. If she took a ride with Jonah, it would give her the chance to
give him her answer about marrying him. However, as much as Meredith wanted to go,
she didn’t feel right about leaving the other women to do the dishes. She was about
to say so and start clearing the table, when Sarah scooped up several plates and said,
“Don’t concern yourself with that, Meredith. There are enough of us here to get the
dishes done, so feel free to join Jonah outside and take advantage of that fresh air.
Who knows how long this snow will stick around or when the next snowfall might be?”

“Don’t worry about Levi, either,” Meredith’s sixteen-year-old sister, Kendra, was
quick to say. “If he wakes up from his nap, I’ll keep him occupied.”

“And if she doesn’t, I will,” Dad added with a wink. “I never mind holding my grandson.”

“Everyone in our family enjoys holding Levi,” Grandma Smucker added. “He’s such a
sweet boppli.”

“Shall we get our coats?” Jonah asked, motioning to the jackets hanging on the wall
pegs in the utility room.

Meredith nodded and rose to her feet. “Let me tend to Levi first, and I’ll be with
you in a few minutes.”

When they stepped outside a short time later, Meredith sucked in her breath. “It’s
been such a lovely day, Jonah. See how the snow glistens?”

“Jah, it’s beautiful,” Jonah whispered, leaning close to her ear. “Pretty as a picture,
just like you.”

Meredith shivered, feeling his breath blow against her ear. Hearing his laughter as
he skipped over the last two porch steps and jumped into the snow, she, too, felt
lighthearted. Then, as he beckoned her to follow, she went quickly down the porch
steps and out into the yard.

“All I have to do is hitch Dobbin to the sleigh, and we’ll be on our way,” Jonah said.
“Dad’s horse is more accustomed to pulling a sleigh.”

Before Meredith knew it, they were heading over the back fields and breaking through
new snow. The only disturbances they could see in the snow were a few animal tracks
and areas where deer had pawed away the snow, uncovering vegetation to eat.

During the ride, they laughed, visited, and watched the sun set in the west. Meredith
enjoyed listening to the sound of the sleigh bells. Hearing them brought back happy
childhood memories when Dad used to take the family on winter sleigh rides.

“Are you warm enough?” Jonah asked, looking over at Meredith.

“I’m fine. It’s warm and toasty under this thick wool blanket.” She smiled, noticing
how relaxed Jonah seemed to be, loosely holding the reins. He was obviously having
as much fun as she was.

“Look over there!” Jonah pointed across the way. Four deer stood warily watching near
a clump of trees, but as the sleigh approached, they turned and ran over the hill.

When the sleigh reached the knoll, Jonah halted the horse. Dobbin pawed the ground
a few times as the steam puffed out of his nose and rose off his rich auburn coat.
Meredith looked at the view and thought she’d never seen a prettier sight. The blanket
of snow gave everything a quiet look, as stillness lay over the land. Smoke coming
from chimneys hung heavy in the air, and silos stood tall and visible in every direction.

Jonah reached for Meredith’s hand and held it firmly in his. “Meredith, I was wondering
if you’ve had enough time to think about my marriage proposal.”

She nodded slowly. “I have, Jonah, and I will marry you.”

His face broke into a wide smile. “Now that’s the best Christmas present I could ever
receive!”

She giggled as Jonah jumped out of the sleigh, ran around to her side, picked her
up, and twirled her around. Dobbin whinnied, pawed at the ground some more, and nodded
his head as though in agreement. “I was thinking we could be married in early March,
if that’s all right with you,” Meredith said as he gently set her on her feet.

“I wish it could be sooner, but I have no problem with March.” Jonah leaned close,
and she thought he might kiss her. Instead, he reached for her hand and gave it a
squeeze.

“I don’t think we should tell anyone yet,” Meredith said. “I’d feel better about waiting
until my year of mourning is up.”

Jonah’s smile faded. “Not even our folks? Don’t you think we ought to tell them now?”

Meredith shook her head. “I’d rather wait.”

Although disappointed, Jonah smiled and said, “Whatever you think is best.”

Darby

“You three women certainly outdid yourselves preparing this meal,” Henry said, giving
his stomach a thump. “I think every year Christmas dinner tastes better.”

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Susan spoke up, “but Grandma did most of the cooking.”

“That’s not true,” Grandma said, handing Susan the platter of juicy ham. “You mashed
the potatoes, and Anne made the fruit salad.”

“That’s right, Grandma,” Anne said in a teasing tone. “Susan likes to lick the beaters
when she’s done mashing the potatoes. But you prepared everything else.”