Change of Heart (17 page)

Her parents' faces, her chair at the table, and the oval white plate filled with her favorite butter cookies hurt her heart and were too painful to look at. All things she had missed. “I'm here for a few days to visit Hester. Your new neighbor found us outside and asked us to help someone who had fallen. I was surprised when I discovered it was you.”

“I feel better already with you by my side.”

Becca helped her sit up. “I wanted to visit you and Daed but didn't want to run into my friends or the bishop and cause you any trouble. I didn't want to experience being shunned or put you in an awkward position with them. It's better if you visit us in Massillon. Your fall provided me with a good reason for coming to your house. No one will be upset with me for helping you.”

Daed raised his hand. “It's gut to see you. Your mamm and I have missed you.” He gestured to Hester and Grace. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you.”

Grace waved a dismissive hand. “We understand. You were upset about Mrs. Yost falling. We are glad we can help.”

Becca and Grace helped her mamm to a chair. Hester stood close by. They sat with her at the kitchen table. Becca made hot coffee and served them.

Mamm and Daed chatted with Hester and Grace about the boppli they helped enter the world.

Grace patted Becca's shoulder. “Becca was able to help us since she is a midwife. The bishop or our friends wouldn't argue about her helping someone in need in our community. I have never understood shunning our friends for leaving.” She squeezed Becca's fingers. “It was gut to birth a boppli with her again.”

“Yes, it brought back fond memories of our times together. I am happy to be here, but I do miss Benjamin. He's such a delight. You will have to meet him.”

Mamm pushed a stray hair into her kapp. “How is Benjamin? I was shocked when I got your letter about how you came to know him.”

Becca addressed her parents and friends. “He is a delightful little boy. At the end of a long day, it is nice to come home and enjoy one of his big hugs. He loves to bake cookies, work puzzles, and play with his wooden train set. He makes us laugh when he asks questions like ‘Do fish have lips?' I don't remember what life was like without him.”

They laughed.

Mamm pressed a hand to her heart. “I can't wait to meet the child. He sounds adorable.”

Daed patted her hand. “I can't get used to your new look.”

Hester leaned forward. “She may be dressed differently, but she is the same sweet woman you raised.”

Grace kissed her friend's cheek. “I agree.”

Her friends had accepted her change in dress in a positive way. Her parents hadn't been aware she had discarded her Amish clothing. English clothes on her must be hard for them. She hoped her clothes would not cause an argument. “I missed my plain dresses at first, but now I like wearing colorful dresses.”

Mamm caressed her cheek. “I like this soft pink dress on you.”

Daed squeezed her hand. “I must agree with Hester and Grace. You look beautiful.”

“I'm glad you're not angry with me. I realize Ruth and me living in Massillon is not easy for you. Please be assured we love God and have not abandoned our Amish values when making decisions.”

Mamm pushed a stray hair from Becca's face. “We love you and Ruth. We're not happy our dochders have chosen to leave the Amish community but realize we must accept your decision. In your last letter, you wrote that you and Matt are no longer courting. Why?”

Becca recounted to her parents why she and Matt were no longer courting.

Mamm covered her hand. “Pray for guidance. God may surprise you.”

Becca had learned Mamm was a good judge of character. No doubt Mamm would rather she marry an Amish man, but she suspected Matt had made a good impression on her when she met him.

Hester glanced at her timepiece. “We better get going. I need to check on my animals.”

Becca hugged her parents and bid them farewell. She followed her friends outside. Arm in arm, the three women walked to Hester's house, huddled against the cold. She wished Grace could have visited her at Hester's a little longer, but she understood her friend had chores to tend to. After they reached Hester's, Grace readied her horse in the barn and bid them farewell.

Inside her tidy house, Hester threw wood in the iron stove and stoked the fire. Heat radiated throughout the room. Hand on the kitchen pump, she filled the teapot and waited for it to heat. A few minutes later, Hester added tea to the kettle, let it steep for a few moments, and filled two mugs. She handed one to Becca. “You rest while I check on the animals. I'll be right back.”

Becca sipped the tea. Ruth would be excited to hear about her visit with their parents. She wished she could tell Matt about her visit with them too.

A coyote howled and interrupted her thoughts. She threw open the door. Her heart raced. Hester stood several feet away from a coyote.

Her heart thumped against her chest. The coyote growled and bared its teeth. What should she do? She reached for the shotgun hanging on the wall inside the door. She got into position, cocked the gun, aimed, and fired. The coyote fell and lay lifeless.

Hester put a hand to her neck. “I was afraid to yell out to you. I thought it might cause the animal to lunge at me. I'm glad you came to my rescue.” She stepped to the animal and kicked it. “It's dead. Good shot.”

Becca held out her trembling hand. “I was terrified the coyote was going to attack you.” Hanging the gun on the wall, she glanced over her shoulder at Hester. “I'm relieved the gun was loaded, or you might have been in big trouble. You should take a gun with you when you go out at night.”

“I'm a little shaken up too. I most often do. I forgot to grab my shotgun on my way out the door. I won't forget again after this bad experience. I didn't know you could shoot. I'm grateful you can and did.”

“Daed taught me how to use a shotgun. I liked to go turkey hunting with him.”

Hester slumped in a rocking chair. She pushed it back and forth with her foot. “Thanks for your help. I thought this might be my last day on earth for a minute. Life is short. You never know when your life might end. You need to enjoy it with the one you love. What does Ruth have to say about Matt's mother?”

The house grew dark. With a shudder, Becca turned up a lantern and helped Hester light candles. She rubbed her arms. “Ruth is fond of Matt. She's upset we are no longer together. She wants me to ignore Matt's mamm and reunite with him.”

Hester threw her another blanket. “Listen to your sister. How is she?”

Becca recounted to her the story of how Isaac and Ruth met. “I hope they will marry one day. I didn't tell Mamm and Daed about Ruth's new beau. She'll write and tell them about Isaac when she's ready.”

“I'm happy for Ruth. Isaac sounds like a good man.” She rose and pulled potato soup from the icebox for supper.

 

 

Two weeks later, Becca packed her things, then joined Hester for dinner. A tear escaped her eye. She touched the keepsake pocket quilt she had given Hester. What a precious time she had had laughing, telling stories, and sharing meals with Hester and Grace during her visit here. They were good friends.

Hester came alongside her and wiped the tear from Becca's face with the pad of her thumb. She patted the letter tucked inside the pocket quilt. “I read your letter at least once a week. I never tire of the words. They always make me smile and warm my heart when I feel sad and alone.” Hester wiped a tear from her cheek. “Enough of this sappy talk. Time to eat. Sit.”

Becca laughed and obeyed.

Hester served her rabbit stew. “We had better have supper and get to bed, because you've got an early start home tomorrow since the stagecoach carries the bank's money on the early morning run. I wish you were leaving on the later one. There is less chance of trouble.”

 

 

The next morning, Becca kissed Hester's cheek. “Thank you for the advice and hospitality.”

Grace rode her horse to them and dismounted. “I was afraid I'd miss you. I had to feed the animals this morning. Daed usually does, but he had to help the neighbor find a horse that got away from him.” She hugged Becca.

Becca hoisted her bag on her shoulder. “I'm glad you're here. Thank you both for the help with my mamm and your friendship. I'll miss you. Write to me.”

Hester engulfed Becca with her strong arms. “When you get back, straighten things out with Matt and put those nursing skills to use working in his office. Good men are hard to find. He sounds like a keeper. Don't let his mean mother ruin your life.” She winked.

Grace wiped a tear. “I miss you already. I expect a letter from you soon. I pray everything works out for you and Matt.”

Becca waved and headed to the stagecoach. She had enjoyed her visit with Hester, Grace, and her parents. Her friends had listened to her problems and provided wise advice. A wave of nostalgia passed through her. The three of them had spent a lot of time together over the years. She would miss Hester and Grace. Visiting her parents had been unexpected but a welcome surprise. They appeared healthy and happy. It was a little easier to leave them knowing this. She would miss them, too.

Two kind-faced men greeted her. “Welcome aboard, miss. I am Frank Stone and this is my brother, Lester. We will be taking you to Massillon. Let me take your bag. You may get cold along the way. Blankets are inside if you need them.” He tied her bag to the top of the coach and held out his hand.

She accepted Mr. Stone's help. She stepped inside and her body tensed. She blinked twice. Becca's heart pounded. No other passengers besides her and Mrs. Carrington were riding in the stagecoach? This was not a good situation. Should she step out of the coach and take Hester's advice? The later stagecoach would've been a better choice considering the company if she remained in this one. The next one wasn't for another two hours. No, she wouldn't be intimidated by Matt's mamm. She sat across from Mrs. Carrington and acknowledged her with a polite but curt nod.

Eloise Carrington rolled her eyes and folded her hands in her lap. “What are you doing on this stagecoach? Did you run to your Amish friends and family when my son stopped courting you?” She pointed to the door. “Do me a favor. Get off this stagecoach. Go home to your little Amish community and stay out of Massillon.”

Teeth on edge, Becca seethed and pushed her body into the side farthest away from Mrs. Carrington. She wouldn't let this woman's harsh words weaken her. “I visited friends. Like it or not, Massillon's my home.”

The coach jostled them on the bumpy road. Mrs. Carrington pressed her hand into the bench. “If I had known you would be riding with me, I would have chosen a later time.”

Blood boiling, Becca focused on her Bible. Minutes passed in strained silence. Slamming the book shut, she focused on Mrs. Carrington. “Matt and I love each other. I would like nothing better than if you and I could have a nice conversation.”

Mrs. Carrington dropped her scarf, and they both bent to recover it. They banged heads. The thump resounded inside the coach like a heavy wooden bowl. She rubbed her forehead. “Get away from me, you bumbling simpleton. You are too ignorant for my son.” She huffed and shifted in her seat. “I will have a headache soon, thanks to you.”

Becca's face heated. Book in hand, she pretended to read but couldn't concentrate on the words. Anger welled in her like a fire out of control. “I've been nice to you and have made every effort to get along with you, but you will not even consider accepting me. Since Matt and I are no longer courting, there is no need for you to insult me. Please be quiet.”

With a click of her tongue, Mrs. Carrington pointed a finger. “If you do not entertain any ideas to try and win my son back, you will not have to deal with me. If you do, I will give you no peace until I am sure the two of you are through. I refuse to have a poor, uneducated woman for a daughter-in-law.”

Fists clenched, Becca counted to ten under her breath. “I'm not poor. My parents provided for our family quite well, and I have been both educated and trained in many areas. Ruth and I have no financial concerns. Our knowledge and skills help many people. Your accusations are unfounded.”

“You do not even understand what I am saying to you. You are ignorant when it comes to socializing in the world. The things you know to talk about are dull and boring. Two words I use to describe you perfectly. Stay away from him. Understand?”

To see Matt again would be stressful. Her heart spilled over with love for him. She had even considered heeding Hester's advice to return to him, but Mrs. Carrington's reminder of her disapproval changed her mind.

A loud clap sounded. Becca jerked her head up and glanced at Mrs. Carrington. She shifted her weight on the bench.

“Answer me, you country bumpkin.”

A surge of fury spiraled up Becca's spine. The rudeness, the insults, when would they end? “I will talk to Matt whenever I choose. He and I are friends.” Mrs. Carrington's badgering tested the strength of her character to the limit.

“Matt does not need friends like you. He will have women clamoring after him in no time. When he marries, his new wife will not want you around. Besides, it would not be proper for Matt to have women friends once he is married.”

“I'm not interested in anything you have to say. Please leave me alone.” A pang of guilt stabbed her. God would not want her to act this way. She must turn the other cheek. “Let's call a truce and ride in silence.”

As silent as stone, Mrs. Carrington threw her shoulders back in a huff.