Amish Promises (24 page)

“Do we have time to get some lunch?” Charlie asked.

Shani glanced at her watch. “I told Zane to make sandwiches —and a smoothie for Simon.” She turned toward Eve. “How long will Trudy nap?”

“For another hour or so.”

“A quick lunch in the cafeteria and . . . Uh-oh.” Shani stopped. “I forgot to check my schedule. You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up with you.”

There was a bench in the hallway ahead, before the entrance to the cafeteria. “We'll wait for you here,” Charlie called out as Shani headed back toward the elevator. He turned to Eve. “If that's all right.”

She smiled. “It's fine.”

His hand brushed Eve's arm as they sat. “Sorry,” he said, inching away. He longed to convey how much he'd enjoyed their phone calls, but he couldn't come up with the right words. Instead he kept quiet.

After an awkward silence, Eve asked, “What happened the night Samuel was killed?”

Her question caught him off guard.

She must have sensed his discomfort. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.”

“No,” he said. “Are you sure you want to hear it?”

“Positive,” she answered, folding her hands in her lap.

“It was the eleventh of May,” he said. “The day after Samuel's baby was born. We were headed back to base at dusk after checking on a faulty antenna. Joel had sent the first Humvee, and the gunner, from our unit on ahead because they were done with their work.

“Samuel should have been driving our Humvee, but Joel was at the wheel because Samuel was exhausted and fidgety and wired all at the same time. They both sat up front, and I sat in the back. As sunset fell, it cast a pale pink hue across the horizon, and Joel told Samuel it was in honor of his baby girl. Samuel and his wife were going to decide on a name, via Skype, the next morning.

“Then, just as dusk fell, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the engine, stopping the Humvee and hurling shrapnel through the windshield. I bailed out of the vehicle.”

Charlie paused for a moment, and Eve leaned closer, as if to encourage him.

He continued. “I yanked open Samuel's door and checked his neck for a pulse. There was none.” Charlie inhaled sharply. “It was obvious by—” He paused again. “There wasn't anything I could have done to save him.”

He told her how he ran around to Joel's door, managed to get it open, and put his fingers to Joel's neck. Relief flooded through him. He had to get Joel out of the Humvee.

He wrapped his arms around Joel's chest and yanked him out as bullets zoomed by, most hitting the Humvee. Darkness was falling quickly. It was his only hope to get Joel to safety.

He dragged him across the road and behind the closest palm tree. Joel was unconscious, and the shrapnel had torn up his leg. It was bleeding badly. Charlie ripped open Joel's medical kit and yanked out the tourniquet, putting it on as fast as he could. Then he threw Joel over his shoulder and ran up the bank, taking cover behind another tree, hoping there were no snipers behind them.

A big boom shook the ground. Charlie threw himself on top of Joel and raised his head, holding onto his helmet. A second rocket-propelled grenade hit the Humvee, blowing it apart. Then a third. That's when the shrapnel hit Charlie's arm.

He radioed for help and then tried to rouse his friend. Joel slipped in and out of consciousness. Charlie prayed over him, in a whisper. He recited the Lord's Prayer in German, the way his grandfather had taught him. He tried not to think of Samuel, his wife, or new baby. Or Shani and Zane.

It seemed to take forever until a helicopter landed.

“God bless the medivacs who risk their lives over and over,” Charlie said to Eve. “Because of them, Joel got out in time.”

“I'm so sorry,” she said.

“Thanks,” Charlie said, “but I was the lucky one.”

She touched his arm as she asked, “How bad was your injury?”

“Not bad. I was only in the hospital a few hours. Got it cleaned out and stitched up. I was back in the field in a few days.” Charlie had been looking straight ahead as he told his tale, but he turned toward her now. “You're the only civilian I've told this to,” he said.

“Why?”

His eyes grew moist. “It's not easy to talk about. I'm not sure most people would understand—I came through it fine. But it's still the hardest thing I've ever gone through.”

“Of course,” Eve said, tightening her grip.

His heart lurched. Sitting next to Eve on the bench felt too close, too intimate. “Let's wait for Shani in the cafeteria,” he said, standing. They could sit across the table from each other instead of side by side.

Although she had a confused expression on her face, she followed.

Charlie saw Gideon first, coming around the corner. He grabbed Eve's arm to keep her from crashing into the man, pulling her closer to him, sending a shiver down his spine. She looked back up at him with her beautiful doe eyes for a split second before she realized Gideon was beside them.

“Oh.” She pulled away from Charlie. “Hallo.”

Gideon's eyes filled with worry.

“Why are you here?” she asked.

“Deacon King was admitted in the middle of the night with chest pains,” Gideon answered.

Eve's hand went to the top of her cap. “Is Monika here?”

Gideon shook his head. “She went home to try to get some rest.” Gideon glanced from Eve to Charlie and back to Eve. “What are you doing here?”

“Visiting a young widow and her baby. Her in-laws go to Leona and Eli's church.” Eve blushed as she spoke.

“And what is your relationship to the young woman?” he asked Charlie, though he was looking at Eve.

Charlie stepped forward. “Her husband was in my unit, in Iraq. Joel was our staff sergeant.”

“Oh.” Gideon's eyes were still on Eve. “I'm going to put some prayer and thought into this. In the meantime think about your nieces and nephews. About your obligations. Your responsibilities. I've given you the benefit of the doubt because—” He shook his head. He didn't seem angry. Just befuddled.

She took a step backward. Charlie wanted to reach for her hand but stopped himself.

“I'll see you tomorrow,” Gideon said to her. “At church.” He stepped around Eve without saying anything more to Charlie.

Eve leaned against the wall, her head down. Charlie stepped to her side.

They stood silently outside of the cafeteria, Charlie wanting to reach out to her, to talk to her, but he feared Gideon coming back down the hall. Charlie was tempted to remind Eve they weren't doing anything wrong—that they were just being friendly. But that was a lie. They'd moved on to being friends, close friends. And if it was up to Charlie, they'd be more than that soon.

Instead he whispered, “Eve, is being with Gideon what you really want?”

She met his eyes.

“You left the Amish once.” He spoke as softly as he could. “Are you sure you're meant to stay?”

“I've been a fool,” she said, her voice louder than his.

“What about?” Shani had snuck up on them.

Charlie grimaced. How much had she overheard?

“What's going on?” she asked. Maybe she'd only heard what Eve had said.

“Gideon saw us—together.” Charlie stepped away from Eve. “A few minutes ago.”

“Oh,” Shani said and then shook her head. “Why does that matter? It's not like . . . ” She glanced from Charlie to Eve. “It's not like anything's . . .” Her voice trailed off.

Eve stepped away from the wall. “We should get back. I don't want Joel to be overwhelmed by the kids. Or for Tim to come home unexpectedly.”

Shani stepped to her friend's side. “Do you think Gideon would call Tim at the lumberyard? Just because you and Charlie were alone for a few minutes?”

“Maybe,” Eve answered.

“I'm so confused,” Shani said.

“So are we.” Charlie shoved his hands into his pockets. He led the way, hoping Gideon wouldn't call Tim.

But it wouldn't surprise him if he did.

 24 

D
o you want me to drop you off at your house?” Shani asked Eve as she turned her van onto Juneberry Lane. “Trudy's probably not up from her nap. I can bring all the children when she wakes up.”

“Denki,” Eve said. Charlie stirred behind her in the middle seat. After Eve told Shani about Deacon King, the three had stayed quiet. Shani had tried to make small talk a few times, but mostly they'd all been silent during the ride from the hospital.

Shani turned down the Lehman driveway. “I'll get out too,” Charlie said.

Eve didn't protest. She at least owed him an explanation.

Shani stopped the van and put the vehicle into Park. “One of you needs to tell me what's going on,” she said.

Eve looked down as Charlie opened the side door.

“Give us a few minutes,” he said.

Shani gripped the steering wheel.

Eve opened her door, but then said to Shani, “Sorry. We haven't meant to be secretive.”

Shani raised her eyebrows. “Is something going on between you and Charlie?”

Eve shook her head. “We were just talking. Thank you for taking care of Trudy.”

“I'll see you in a little bit . . .” Shani said.

Charlie held the door for Eve and she climbed down. After he'd shut it, she said, “We shouldn't go inside.”

He nodded.

“Let's go sit on the front porch.” She led the way. Charlie stole a look at her, but she didn't meet his eyes. They walked side by side up the steps and then sat down on the top one.

She tucked her dress under her legs. “I never should have called you that night.”

Charlie leaned toward her. “I asked you to call, and I'll always be thankful that you did.”

She shook her head. He wouldn't be. In another month or so he'd think of her as that crazy Amish girl that had put him through the wringer in an awkward one-week friendship.

“I'm sorry,” she said.

He inhaled deeply. “Don't keep apologizing. It's not your fault.”

But it was.

“I don't think we are meant to be just friends, Eve,” he said. “I think we are meant to be much more.”

His words stabbed at her heart.

When she didn't respond, he asked, “Do you love Gideon?”

She didn't answer. He didn't understand what he was up against.

Gently, he said, “Eve.”

She tried to inhale, but her breath caught.

“Do you love Gideon?” he asked again.

She struggled for air.

“Eve?”

Finally she managed to sputter, “I need to try to explain something to you.” Staring down at her hands, she said, “I can't leave the Amish.”

“Because of what happened before?”

She shook her head. “Well, that's how it all started. That's when I made a commitment to the church because Abra was determined to join, and I was determined to stand by her and be a good friend. To help her and her babies.”

Charlie nodded.

“But this is more. When Abra was dying she asked me to promise that I'd care for her children, which means I can't leave.”

“Wow,” Charlie said.

Eve bowed her head and stared at her hands. “The children need me.” Charlie didn't need her, not compared to the kids.

“Why would you promise her that?”

How could she explain to Charlie that it was part of her penance? She loved the children—that was true—but she owed Abra.

Back when Eve was with Patrick, Abra came over to his apartment one night, hanging out with a friend of his visiting from Virginia. Abra'd had too much to drink, and the young man offered to take her home. Eve had said no, Abra needed to spend the night, at Eve's place. But Abra said she worked the next day and needed to go. Eve insisted she and Patrick take her home, but Abra said that wasn't necessary.

The boy from Virginia went back home a few days later. When Abra figured out she was pregnant, Eve had been afraid the young man had raped her. She said no, she'd been stupid but willing.

Eve was sure if she hadn't been willing with Patrick, Abra never would have gone that far. Eve, it turned out, had been a horrible friend—and Abra had paid the price.

“Eve?” Charlie touched her arm.

“Sorry,” she said. “I owe Abra that. I let her down in a way that altered her entire life. What else could I do but promise to care for her children?”

“Did you promise her you'd never marry?”

She shook her head again. “No.”

“Why didn't you marry years ago, then, after you came back to the Amish?”

She hesitated, not sure if she wanted to answer him.

“Eve,” he prodded.

Finally she said, “My parents had an awful marriage. And I'd seen others where the husband was domineering and harsh. I knew the damage it did to a child—I experienced it. When I finally joined the church, I vowed never to marry an Amish man.”

“So, basically never to marry at all?” Charlie asked.

She nodded, although back then she hadn't been absolutely sure she'd never leave the Amish again. That was why Abra had made Eve promise.

“And now you feel you're stuck,” he said. “You can't leave the church and you can't marry in it. Except that doesn't explain Gideon.”

Her face grew warm. “Jah, I know.”

Charlie's voice was still even. “He's a kind man though, right? Not like your father? Or . . . others.”

She nodded and raised her head.

He met her eyes. “Do you love Gideon?” he asked for a third time.

She whispered, “No.”

“Then why would you marry someone you don't love?”

“To be close to the children.” Her eyes swam with tears. “And, for a short time, I hoped I'd come to love him.”

He leaned closer. “Abra might have been too ill to even realize what she was asking. Or it could have been the medication she was on. From everything you've said about her, it doesn't seem like the kind of request she would have made in her right mind.” Charlie paused and then asked, “Would you consider rethinking your promise to Abra?”

“I can't,” she answered. “There's too much at stake.”

She could feel his breath as he said, “I wouldn't come between you and the kids.”

“I know that,” she said. “But Tim would make it impossible. I wouldn't be allowed to see them. He'd turn them against me, and Gideon wouldn't intervene, not like he has for Abra's parents.” The sound of a vehicle stopped her. She headed down the steps, alarmed that Tim would arrive so soon.

But it wasn't Tim. It was Shani, with the children. The kids piled
out into the rain as soon as Shani stopped. Lila was last, holding a screaming Trudy.

“There, there,” Eve said as she took the baby, pulling the blanket over her head to protect her. She turned toward the children. “Everyone go inside.” They all obeyed.

“I'll head back,” Charlie said. Eve could tell he was hurting.

“No, stay,” Shani said, pulling her hood onto her head. “I want to know what's going on.”

Charlie shook his head slightly. Before Eve could say anything, the sound of another vehicle stopped her. It was the driver Gideon used, with Tim in the front seat.

Eve's shoulders tightened. Neither Charlie nor Shani said anything. They all stood still as the driver parked the car and Tim climbed out.

Finally he broke the silence, “I was a fool the first time. Not the second.” Tim glared at Charlie. “Leave my property.”

Charlie glanced at Eve. She nodded. The baby fussed and then quieted again.

“Good grief,” Shani said. “Can't we talk this out? We're all adults. Not junior highers.”

Tim crossed his arms.

“Thank you for coming over,” Eve said, turning toward Shani. “Please go,” she whispered, not daring to look at Charlie.

Charlie stepped toward Tim, as if he might extend his hand, but Tim stuffed both of his under his arms. Eve felt as if she might be sick.

“Don't come back,” Tim said to Charlie. “Eve is my responsibility. She's none of your concern.”

“No, she is,” Charlie answered. “I care about Eve—more than I've ever cared about anyone.”

Eve's heart raced. No one else had ever stood up for her like that.

“You have no idea of our ways,” Tim said. “She's under my authority.”

“She's a grown woman. She can make her own decisions. I want what she wants.”

“She wants to marry the bishop.”

“Maybe that's what you want,” Charlie said. “Have you asked her what she wants?”

Tim's eyes narrowed. “You're no longer welcome here,” he said.

Shani wrinkled her nose. “Tim Lehman, you may think you can control everyone and everything around you, but you can't. Someday, sometime, this will all backfire on you.”

“Don't . . .” Eve didn't know what else to say. No matter what her friend said, it wouldn't do any good.

Shani turned toward Eve. “Should I call for help?”

Eve shook her head, wondering who Shani would call.

“Will you come with us?” Charlie asked as he stepped toward her.

Eve shook her head. “Go,” she said again. The baby grew heavier in her arms by the minute.

“We'll wait in the van,” he said loudly. “As long as you need us to.”

Tim wouldn't do anything to physically hurt her, but he would berate her with his words. “Please go,” she said again.

Charlie walked toward the van, his shoulders square and his head high.

Shani stared Tim down as she followed Charlie. Once she'd slammed the van door, Tim started toward the house. Eve followed him up the steps to the mud porch.

Trudy sighed, relaxing against Eve. The baby helped her stay calm as Tim began to rant. “Gideon wanted to know how long you and Charlie have been courting.”

“We're—”

“Don't lie to me. Gideon said it was obvious, clear as day on both your faces. That day Charlie was in the kitchen, I thought it was just you who had feelings for him, but it sounds as if I was wrong.”

“I never meant to hurt Gideon,” Eve said.

“He'll forgive you.”

Eve shook her head. “I don't want his forgiveness. I want—”

Tim bristled and banged his fist against the wall of the mud room. Trudy began to cry.

“To leave this family? These children?” His eyes were furious. “To deny Trudy the only mother she's ever known?”

“If I married Gideon, I'd—”

“
If
you married Gideon?” he snarled. “
When
you marry Gideon.”

“I'll leave the children then, anyway.” Although she wouldn't go nearly as far as if she left the Amish. Eve bounced Trudy as she began to scream.

Tim shook his head. “Gideon said you can care for them . . . until I . . . ” He stopped.
Find another wife.
He couldn't say it. She knew he couldn't fathom replacing Abra.

She shook her head. “How will that work? I'll come over here every day? What about the evenings? And the nights?”

“You've spoiled Trudy—she'll sleep through the night with you gone. And Lila can take care of the mornings and the evenings.”

Eve didn't respond.

Tim's eyes narrowed. “I'm going back to work. We'll go to church tomorrow. You'll do your part. Gideon will do his. None of us will speak of this again.”

Tim threw open the back door and stomped out. After he slammed it shut, Trudy stopped crying. Eve stepped into the kitchen and then over to the window. Tim climbed into the driver's car without glancing at Charlie and Shani, who both stared straight ahead.

Once the driver had backed up and headed down the driveway, Charlie opened the van door. For a moment, Eve was tempted to gather up all the children and go with him to Philly. But then she imagined the headlines the next day.
Amish Aenti kidnaps nieces and nephews.
No matter Tim's faults, she couldn't take his children away from him. And she couldn't bear it if he took them away from her. Tim hadn't let her finish, but if he had, she would have said she wanted to be allowed to make her own decisions
and
have a relationship with her nieces and nephews.