The Brethren (21 page)

“If I really want to be English, I don’t need hair this long, anyway. Really, Louisa, I have plenty to spare.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

Lou said she would “go online” and find out who was buying human hair for making wigs. “Surely I can locate someone there in Lancaster, or maybe in Harrisburg,” Lou said. But then she had another idea. “Why not keep your hair and simply open a credit line for your shopping spree? You know, buy now and pay and pay and pay later? Join the rest of frivolous America?”

252 Annie knew she was kidding.

“Better yet, borrow the money from me. How much do you need?”

“No, Lou. I know you’re on a tight budget,” Annie said quickly, “but it’s awful nice of you to offer.” She asked about Lou’s art students.

Lou laughed a little. “Well, I know you’re not that interested in my students… . It’s Michael you’re most curious about, right?”

Annie had to laugh, too. “I think we know each other mighty well. So have you been seem’ him a lot? Like before?”

“Do you mean are we engaged? No. Will he ask me to marry him again? I don’t know.” “Ach, do ya love him, Lou?”

There was an awkward silence, and Annie worried she’d offended her.

“Sorry. I’m pryin’ too much.”

“No … I think it’s a reasonable question one I’m trying to answer for myself.” Louisa told her that Michael’s potential law partnership with her father was a thing of the past and that because he’d given all that up “possibly to impress me” she was struggling with why she shouldn’t be interested in him romantically for the long term.

“If you love him, then you’ll want to be with him. Be his wife, have his children … jah?”

“The operative word is if, Annie. I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about him. I don’t want to let my emotions sway me.” She paused a moment. “You know, it’s easy to look across the table at Michael and smile at him, listen to

253 him talk, but I’m afraid he’s going to fall in love with me again. I need to be more careful.”

Annie wanted to ask about Sam in the worst way, but before she could, Louisa continued, “To be honest with you, Michael doesn’t share my openness to faith.”

“Does Sam?” Annie asked softly.

“I’m not sure. He’s changing so much. It’s something I’ll need to find out.”

They talked then about other things: how it was for Annie staying at Esther’s, how fast cute little Essie Ann was growing, and how Annie missed her family at home. Annie also told of Ben’s interest in her art. “He wants to see all of my work, not just the bridge painting in the Rancks’ attic.”

“He’s seen the one with the old bridge and the long rope swing?” Lou sounded surprised.

“Not only has he seen it but he’s been staring at it, I guess. Says it’s the reason he was drawn to Paradise in the first place.” She told Lou how he’d been carrying a copy of it in his pocket since last Christmas, when first he stumbled

onto it.

“Wow … is that interesting or what?”

“He says it’s a miracle how it all happened, and I’m starting to think it must be, too.”

“Oh, Annie, I have a feeling you and Ben will end up together. I saw it in his eyes that first time he asked me about you!” Lou laughed. “I was actually talking to your future husband that day, telling him to ask you out himself. What a riot!”

Annie couldn’t help but smile. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s plenty to work out ‘tween us, but he found

254 me for a reason, and now he’s found himself, too.” Annie felt completely overjoyed, sharing such things with Louisa. “Just think, I was being courted by my dear friend Isaac back before we ever knew it.”

“That’s the sweetest story, and to think it’s true.”

Ever so true.

Lou encouraged her to use the calling card again. “Anytime at all. If I’m teaching, I can always say so and set up a time later. Okay?”

“Oh, this is so much fun. But I could be in big trouble with the brethren if they knew I was using the phone for social purposes.”

“But, hey, which is worse cutting your hair and buying fancy dresses or calling me every few weeks or so?”

Annie hadn’t thought of that, “Ach, I see your point.” “You’re going to have to get used to this new life of yours.”

Before they hung up, Lou said she’d call back in a few minutes with the location of a place to sell her hair, if Annie was sure about it.

“Oh, would you? I’m leaning that way, really I am.” They were saying good-bye, promising to keep in touch,

when Annie added right quick, “I hope you won’t marry for

anything less than love, Lou. Honest, I do.”

“And I wish the same for you. You and Ben … stick with love.”

After Annie clicked the phone off, she sat there think’ ing about how satisfying it had been to talk to her pen pal so far away. Nearly two thousand miles away.

255

Annie was finishing up her work at Julia’s late that afternoon when Molly asked her to read a story. The two of them settled down on the porch swing out front, enjoying the balmy weather and the chirping birds. Annie opened the book to the beginning, reading the title page and the name of the author as she had been taught to do in school

years ago.

Molly sat ever so still on her lap, listening as Annie read with expression, even taking care to change her voice to suit the animal characters. The story, which was about a puppy chasing a kitten into a schoolhouse, held Molly’s interest and was coming to an end when a car pulled up. Before Annie could say anything, Molly whispered, “Oh, look, it’s Uncle Ben!” And with that she hopped off Annie’s lap and went running out to meet him, her skirt floating in the breeze.

Uncle Ben?

Annie watched as Ben leaned down to lift Molly high, his hearty laughter hovering in the air. She recalled how relaxed Ben had been with Laura, Zach, and John even the

256

his

baby and her mind whirled forward to the possibility of a life with him. What would their children look like were she to marry him? And wouldn’t he be a wonderfulgood father? A loving and kind husband, too, she thought.

“Annie! Glad to see you’re still here.” Ben hurried toward the porch with giggly Molly in his arms.

Her heart leaped when he came near, and she wondered if Molly might run inside and play, leaving them alone momentarily. Ben must have been thinking along the same lines, for he gave Molly’s cheek a squeeze and set her down, shooing her into the house. “I’m glad I caught you, Annie. Have a minute?” “Why, sure.”

He pulled up a chair and scooted it next to hers. “I want to tell you something. I’ve made arrangements to rent a room for a few months in the same house where Sam’s staying.”

“You did?” Annie was pleased as pie. He nodded. “Sam and I are becoming good friends. He’s giving me some pointers on starting a small business. Did you know he’s got a day job, and his own carpentry and remodeling business on the side?”

Annie found this interesting. “Last I saw Sam, he’d talked of leaving the Amish life … before it was known. But I hadn’t heard how he was doing on the outside till now.” “He seems to be fine. But he misses Louisa.” “He said that?” She smiled. “Loud and clear.”

“Well, I talked to Lou on the phone today, and ‘tween you and me, I think she misses him, too.”

257

“Do you suppose Sam’s leaving will make a relationship with Louisa more likely?” Ben asked.

Not wanting to let on what she knew about Michael, Annie was noncommittal. “Hard to say… .”

She changed the subject. “Do Irvin and Julia know ‘bout your plans to rent elsewhere?”

“I told them I plan to move out in a week or so make space in the attic for whoever might need a place. You never know about Irvin and Julia… who they might want to help next.”

Annie agreed, and then Ben began to talk of his work prospects. She said it was too bad he couldn’t work over at the harness shop as he had before. In part she was trying to tell him she wished he’d never left. She hoped he was reading between the lines just now.

“I’m sure I’ll come up with something,” Ben replied.

They sat for a moment without talking; then he reached for her hand. “Will you have dinner with me next week? Celebrate the reunion of Isaac and Annie.” He smiled

broadly, eyes filled with hope.

“Oh, jah, that would be so nice.” She was aware of her beating heart.

“How about Monday, when fewer people are eating out?”

“Monday’s fine “

“We could drive farther away, too, if you like.”

She knew he was being cautious, as they had been last winter driving long distances so as not to be seen by anyone who might recognize her. “No, that’s not necessary at all. Ever so kind of you, Ben.”

258 Julia peeked her head out the door and invited Annie to stay for supper, all smiles.

Annie rose. “I best be goin’ to help Esther. But nice of you to invite me, Julia.”

“Hard to believe you’re passing up my homemade noodles,” Julia teased.

Annie laughed. “I guess I am at that.”

Ben offered to drive her, but Annie insisted on walking. “I really want to take you,” he said as he stood and grinned at her.

“Your supper will get cold,” Annie said, glancing at Julia. “Tell him how much better those buttery noodles are hot, Cousin.”

Julia wiggled her fingers in a wave. “Take your time getting her home, Ben,” she said. “I can always reheat the noodles.” She winked, then disappeared into the house.

“Not so subtle, is she?” Ben joked as they made their way down the front steps and toward his car.

Annie squelched a laugh, ever so happy to be escorted home by her handsome beau.

After taking Annie back to Esther’s, Ben called Julia on his cell to let her know he would not be back for supper. He needed time alone to consider all the years he’d skipped over while in Kentucky, thinking his sisters and parents were his true family. Of course they were still his family, and he had everything to be grateful for regarding the Martins. They’d taken him in when he had needed a family most, making him their own son. Whatever lay ahead, Ben would never forget that.

259 In spite of his close connection to his Kentucky family, he hoped he could have a face-to-face meeting with Daniel Hochstetler, his birth father. There had been some talk between Annie and her father that Daniel might be heading this way.

Ben wished it would be sooner rather than later. There was so much rattling around in his head about the four years he’d spent living here as a child nearly too long ago now to separate imagination from reality. Too, he felt he needed no, wanted to mourn the loss of his mother, that she hadn’t lived to see his return. He had some vivid memories of her but not enough to satisfy him. He wished he could talk with Zeke about her and his childhood, hoping his brother might be able to dredge up more memories.

It annoyed him that no photographs were allowed by the Amish brethren. A picture of his biological parents would be a big help at a time like this. And how cool it would be to carry a picture of Annie in his wallet!

The blinds were wide open in the sitting area off her kitchen as Louisa enjoyed curling up in one of her favorite chairs. She loved how the evening’s light filtered into the room, this place that had her personality and likes written all over it. She cuddled Muffin, who yawned and slapped his long tail, blinking his pretty eyes. Her cat felt as soft and warm as a feather bed, Louisa thought, recalling how warm and comforting the one at Annie’s house had been. Tonight she was snug and cocooned away, soaking up the cozy feeling and glad to have this time to herself… and Muffin. She had

260 often wondered what other single or widowed people did for companionship, having read how important the connection with people or animals was … and she was once again delighted to have such an affectionate kitty.

She exhaled slowly, contemplating the few times she had gone out on lunch or dinner dates with Michael since her return from Amish country. He had been attentive, endeavoring to woo her back. And she was becoming vulnerable to him, even though she often thought of Sam.

When the phone rang, she assumed it was Michael but was pleasantly surprised to hear Julia Ranck’s voice. “Well, hey” Louisa said.

“I’ve been meaning to call you after our last phone discussion. I thought I’d just pick up the phone right now, if this is a good time.”

“It’s really a perfect time, yes.”

Julia explained that her husband was bathing the children and Ben was gone from the house. “Still out with Annie, I would guess.”

But it was clear Julia had not called to talk about Annie and Ben, or her children in the tub. She wanted to continue their conversation about Louisa’s “spiritual issues,” she said. Louisa was amazed at the timing of the call. She was all set to live life to the fullest to live for God and others, just as Julia and her husband, Irvin, seemed to thrive on doing.

“I’ll tell you honestly,” Louisa said, aware once again of her openness with this woman. “I’ve never been this interested in the so-called God of the universe before.”

261 Esther sat up in bed, cradling her baby near. Annie had been so kind to take good care of her during the past two days since her return from the hospital. Now that she was better, she enjoyed picking up the baby prior to her time to be nursed just to hold her and enjoy the fading sky in the window across her bedroom. The days were growing longer with the coming of summer, and she was especially glad for this tender time between twilight and dusk.

Hearing a creak in the hallway, she turned and saw a glimpse of the white cotton nightgown Annie had recently sewn for herself in the crack where the door stood ajar. “Come in, Annie.”

“Hope I didn’t wake you,” Annie said, silently slipping inside.

“Nee, I’m just thinking ‘bout this day and the goodness of the Lord.” She kissed her baby’s head. “And my sweet one right here.”

“You seem back to your old self.” Annie sat on the edge of the bed.

“Oh, ever so much better, jah.”

They sat quietly, looking at each other for an awkward moment, and it was clear to Esther that Annie had some’ thing on her mind. “What’re you thinkin’ tonight?”

“Truth be known, it’s my art. I’m itchin’ to start up again. Been waiting till the middle of July, which is comin’ fast now.” She sighed. “You may think this odd, but I feel only half alive without it.”