Along Wooded Paths (34 page)

Dat, Mem, and the kids had been invited down to the Carashes’ for Thanksgiving dinner, joining the family for a second time that week. At first they’d refused to go, saying they didn’t want to leave Marianna behind. But when Marianna insisted, Mem looked deep into her eyes and a knowing crossed between them. Marianna needed time with Aaron. They’d been together a lot, but always surrounded with family. They needed time to talk. To plan.

With a smile on her face, Mem had packed up the children, the food, and they were off.

Marianna had a surprise too.

“Now that I know you can get around, I have an adventure for us.” She brought Aaron his coat.

He cocked his head and tried to scowl, but it was impossible to hide his grin.

Dat had hooked up Silver to the buggy—recently fixed—for her and it waited by the front door. Marianna had already piled warm blankets on the front seat and packed a thermos of hot cider. It took some maneuvering to get Aaron inside, but they finally did and they set off.

Aaron closed his eyes and breathed in fresh air. “Where are we going?”

“The question is where are we
not
going. This place is so wonderful, and so far all you’ve seen has been the inside of our house. There’s so much to show you.”

She took him in the direction of the West Kootenai store, and on the way they passed the one-room schoolhouse. “It’s cozy and warm inside and the teacher seemed real nice.” She glanced over at him and tried to imagine Aaron being a father. He would make a good one some day.

She pointed to the store ahead. “It doesn’t look like much, but it’s the gathering spot for everyone in the community. After you get your cast off, I’ll show you around inside. There’s a small store and a craft room and a restaurant. They make delicious food if I say so myself.” She chuckled.

Aaron seemed to be enjoying every minute of it. He leaned back against the seat and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Where are we going next?” He scooted closer to her.

“You’ll see.” She turned the buggy around.

They drove toward Lake Koocanusa. It was a few minutes’ drive, and she took the time to point out the trees, the trails, and the rivers she’d learned about. She also told Aaron about the town that used to be in the valley—the one covered over by water when they put in the dam. Finally, she held her breath as they crested the hill. When they reached the top, the road continued on, traveling down to the lake, but Marianna parked the buggy there. “Well, what do you think?”

Aaron’s eyes widened, and he scanned the area. The mountain ranges in the distance, covered in snow. The forests of pines that met the edge of the lake. The crystal blue water.

“It looks like something from a dream. I’ve never seen anything like it. I saw the lake when your dat drove me home from the hospital, but I was in too much pain to appreciate it. Now I can’t believe I’m actually here with you some day. No wonder you love this place, Marianna.”

She blew out a breath and smiled. “It’s something, isn’t it.”

“Yes, I’d say so.” There was a tenderness in Aaron’s voice, and when she turned she noticed he was no longer looking at the lake, but at her. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, and she smiled at his closeness, his warm breath upon her.

“There’s another place I’d like to show you someday. It’s a special place I like to go and pray.”

“I’d like that, Mari.” His voice was almost a purr. “Sounds nice.”

Yet even though he said the words, it was clear from the look in his eyes that he was more interested in kissing than praying.

“Thank you for doing this, Marianna.” His tone grew husky. “I appreciate you showing me what you’ve come to love about Montana . . . and when we get back to your house, I have something to share with you too.”

Marianna had cooked a simple meal for the two of them. She hadn’t wanted to spend very much time in the kitchen—especially when Aaron said he had a surprise for her after dinner.

Then, when they settled down before the woodstove, he asked her to go to his room and retrieve the small box.

Marianna’s fingers trembled as she carried it to him. Aaron’s eyes glowed as he took it into his hands.

“When you left Indiana, I didn’t know what to do. I cared for you, Marianna. I wanted to let you know, so I started writing letters.”

“Letters?” She sat down beside him. “But I don’t understand. Why didn’t you mail them?”

Aaron lowered his gaze. “I wanted to know for sure how you felt. I didn’t want to get my heart broken. I was sure you were going to come here and find someone else.”

“And now?” She studied his face, his smile.

“Now . . . well, I have a feeling I’ve won your heart.”

Marianna nodded. In the back of her mind she thought of her journal, all the questions and concerns she’d written within those pages, but she didn’t want to think of that now. All she wanted to think about was Aaron. Being with him.

She stretched out her hand. “Can I read them?”

“We’ll start with two.”

“Two?” Marianna pouted. Then she leaned forward, resting against him, tipping her chin on his shoulder. “But why only two?”

Aaron chuckled. “Because I want more of this. I don’t want our romance to end, Mari. I want each day to be beautiful, filled with something special.”

Marianna straightened and reached her hand again. “Okay, I’ll take two.”

With a smile, Aaron pulled out the first two letters, handing them over.

Marianna leaned her back against the sofa. She opened the first letter.

As she read about Aaron’s struggle to accept her absence, and about her brother crying the day they all left, Marianna’s heart broke and tears filled her eyes. When she read Aaron’s words of love for her, her heart warmed. What would have happened if he’d mailed this note months ago? Would her heart have been open to it?

“Thank you, Aaron, for letting me know about Levi. I miss him. It makes me want to go back.” Then, with a soft hand she stroked his cheek. “I love you too.”

“There’s one more. This one’s better.”

Marianna nodded and opened it.

Dear Marianna,

To say that life here in Indiana is empty without you is only the beginning. Everything seems empty, the house, my day.

I went to town yesterday for more materials for the house and I found myself wandering over to the train station, just to check the price of tickets. If I knew you’d be happy to see me I’d be there in a minute.

I’ve been working on the house and each little thing I consider how you’d like the best. Would Marianna like a tall window? Would she like a deep sink or a bigger porch?

I also look to the view of the meadows, the trees, and the sky. I have the perfect place for a swing and I bought the materials, too, to make one. I’ll start that project tomorrow. Keeping my hands busy helps my heart. And I can’t wait to think of us swinging there together. Not just next year, but for the rest of our life.

Love,

Aaron

Marianna turned to him. “Did you build the swing?”

He eyed her. “Don’t you want to wait and find out in the rest of the letters?”

She folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. “I don’t want to wait.”

“Yes, Marianna, the swing is sitting near the trees next to our—”

He paused, but she knew what he was going to say.

“Our home.”

She scooted closer, knowing what she wanted more than anything. “
Ich will hem geh
.”

“You want to go home? Do you mean . . . ?”

Marianna nodded. “To Indiana. I’m ready to go back now.”

“Because of Levi? Do you miss your brother?”

She shrugged. “That, too. But . . . well, I just have a feeling I need to be there. I feel that this community has given me so much—a new faith. It’s something I want to share.”

“I have seen a difference in you.” Aaron stroked her cheek. “I like it,
ja
.”

“Looking back, I see that there are no accidents. I was fighting for my own way”—she thought of Ben but pushed him out of her mind—“but now I’m ready for God’s plan.”

What was God’s plan? Marianna didn’t know exactly, but she had an idea. Maybe God brought her to Montana to test and see if she’d be faithful wherever He wanted her. Without doubt she’d come here to deepen her relationship with Jesus, but maybe that wasn’t just for her. What if the reason for her deepened faith was to return to her family, her friends, her community and share the good news with them? They didn’t listen to outsiders. They’d never listen if someone like Ben were to come and share his hope and passion for God. But they just might listen to her . . .

“You’re returning with me, Mari?” Joy rang in his words, filled his face.

“Yes, Aaron, as soon as you’re ready.”

“Does that mean you . . . you’ll come see the cabin. You’d consider being my wife?”

She nodded and lowered her gaze, heat rising to her cheeks. “
Ja
.”

“
Ja
, you’ll consider it, or . . .”

“
Ja
, Aaron. If you’re asking I’m saying yes. I’ll be your wife.”

Marianna had nearly talked Aaron into letting her read one more letter when she heard her family returning. She glanced at the windup clock on the mantel. “I know they’ve been gone almost all day, but I wish we had longer.”

Her dat entered first, followed by Mem. David was next, carrying a whole pie, excitement shining on his face.

“Mari, we got a letter from Levi!” Charlie hurried in. “The Carashes got it in their mail a few days ago and they gave it to us tonight.”

They all entered and closed the door behind them, taking off their coats as if eager to share the news. Marianna rose. There was only one thing that would make her family so happy.

She hurried to Dat. “Is he—”

Dat nodded and laughter poured out. “He’s returning,
ja
. Levi is returning to the Amish.”

It was everything she’d hoped for, but something tempered her father’s words.

Marianna looked from her father to her mother, seeing more in their faces than they wanted to share. There was joy there, but something else too.

“Is . . . is everything okay?”

Dat pulled the letter from his pocket and then handed it to her. “Yes, Mari. Or at least, it will be. Sometimes pain and wrong decisions are what bring us to God. You better read this, and then you’ll understand.”