A Baby for Hannah (35 page)

Mosey jerked his head up and Hannah jumped as the screen door of the house slammed and Betty approached. “I’ve been waiting all morning for you to stop in, Hannah. How did the doctor’s visit go?”

“Fine.”

“Oh, it’s so
gut
to see you again,” Betty said, giving Hannah a big hug.

“I just saw you on Sunday,” Hannah reminded with a laugh.

“But with all that’s been going on, it seems like longer.”

“I know,” Hannah said, her face darkening. “Have you heard of any more of our people going to Ben’s tent revival?”

“No,” Betty said, her voice full of relief. “Not one single person! And that’s not everything…but maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t,” Hannah said. “I don’t think I can handle any more bad news.”

“It’s not like that,” Betty said, her smile never dimming. “This is
gut
news. Ben Stoll is upset that no more Amish have come. Can you believe that?”

“That
is
good news. I was sure hoping no one else would go.”

Betty glanced around, as if someone could be listening. “Ben has somehow found out about Jake’s opposition to the excommunication thing.”

“Oh no. I wonder how?” Hannah asked.

“I don’t know, but I imagine this will make Jake look good to Bishop John.”

“Because Ben found out about it?”

“No, silly, because Ben is blaming Jake for his failure to get more Amish people. For myself, I think the man had dreams in his head of being a minister. Maybe even of starting up a Mennonite church right in this area with the members he would steal from our community being his first converts.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Because now even Will is upset with Ben. I can’t believe that I am the first person to tell you this
gut
news. I thought for sure you had already heard.”

“Look,” Hannah said, taking Betty by the arm, “why would Ben blame Jake for his failure?”

“Because Jake was the one who opposed the excommunication, that’s why.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“See, Ben had his hopes set on the excommunication going through. He was planning to make a big deal out of it at the tent meetings. He even had plans to go door-to-door to all the Amish people and tell them how wrong Bishop John was. It was going to be his big chance to bring in many more from the community.”

“But it wouldn’t have worked. You wouldn’t have left, would you?”

“No, of course not, but some of the others might have if Ben was able to convince them that excommunication was too harsh. At least that’s what Ben was hoping for.”

“Who told you all this?”

“Rebecca,” Betty whispered. “Ben went by Will and Rebecca’s one night after one of the meetings and blew off a head of steam to Will about it. But now don’t you tell anyone I said so.”

Hannah smiled. “So now I can be really glad Jake stood by what he believed. Although it was really old Menno Troyer who should be thanked. He’s the one who said he wouldn’t vote for the excommunication and thus changed Bishop John’s mind.”

“But it all wouldn’t have happened without Jake. So don’t go saying Jake’s part wasn’t important. I know we’re not supposed to be proud of our husbands, but this was a really important thing. And Rebecca also said Ben is leaving the area for good next week.”

“But will he come back next year?”

“I don’t think so. Not since Will told him he’s changed his mind about joining the Mennonite church Ben wants to start up. Will said after having Jake as his minister and listening to Ben sound off, he could never sit on Sunday mornings listening to Ben preach.”

“Oh, but that’s an awful thing to say.”

“I don’t think so,” Betty said. “Ben had it coming to him for what he’s put this community through.”

“But we have to still love Ben.”

“I do,” Betty said weakly. “It will just be easier to love him once he and Sylvia are back in Kalispell for good.”

“What are Will and Rebecca planning to do?”

“It looks like they’re still going Mennonite, but just not here. It wouldn’t surprise me if Will took Rebecca back to Idaho where his parents are.”

“That would be too bad. Maybe he’ll change his mind?”

“Well, if he does, that would be a job for Jake.”

“Maybe if we pray,” Hannah said, looking toward the Cabinet Mountain range. The fluffy clouds were still there, sweeping across the ridges.

“This one will take more than prayer,” Betty said. Then she looked away and said, “Well, speaking of changing minds, I guess this is the time for me to admit that maybe I was wrong about Dennis.”

“Well, that
is
a change of mind.”

“
Jah,
it is. I can say now that I’m convinced that Dennis is
a gut man,
even though I’m still not so sure about Will. So there, I’ve said it. Beyond that I’m not responsible for the girl’s wild plans, nor am I responsible for what will happen when your mother finds out. It wouldn’t surprise me if we heard her scream all the way from Indiana.”

“What is Miriam planning to do?”

“I’m not saying,” Betty said, firmly placing her hand on her mouth. “There are some things that even
I
can’t say.”

“So where is Miriam?” Hannah asked, glancing around. “I didn’t see her in the barn.”

“She’s riding back by the river this morning—since we don’t have any people stopping by. I told her she needs to spend some time
thinking,
but I don’t think it will change her mind. She has a harebrained idea.”

“When will she be back?”

“I don’t know,” Betty said. “She’s been gone awhile.”

“Then you have to tell me what she’s planning to do. Is it something awful? It can’t be joining the Mennonites. You said there aren’t any more of our people attending the meetings.”

“I’m not saying. You’ll just have to wait until Miriam comes back and ask her.”

“I can ride out to meet her,” Hannah said, starting to move toward the barn.

“Not in your condition, you’re not,” Betty said, taking Hannah’s arm. “I’m not going to allow it. If something would happen, I’d never forgive myself.”

“But I know how to ride. I’ve ridden since I was a little girl.”

“You’re staying here, and there’s simply no question about that.”

“Then I’ll walk out to meet her.” Hannah said, taking a few quick steps.

“Hannah Byler, I declare! You are as stubborn as your sister,” Betty said with a sigh. “Oh, all right. If you insist, I’ll help you get the horse ready. But if you fall off, I’ll blame myself for the rest of my living days.”

“Well, you could tell me what Miriam is up to, then I wouldn’t have to go.”

“No, I won’t do that. I suppose you’ll be okay if you take the mare. She’s gentle.”

“Okay,” Hannah said. She waited while Betty went to the barn for the horse.

When Betty returned with the saddled horse, she helped Hannah pull herself up on the mare. Mosey whinnied loudly in objection.

“You just stay here and behave yourself,” Hannah told him. “I’ll be back before long.”

At the trail’s head, Betty let go, and the mare trotted quickly toward the river.

“Now, don’t you go too fast,” Betty hollered after Hannah, and she turned to wave.

What on earth is Miriam up to?
Hannah wondered. Betty said it was
gut news,
but news that would still upset their mother. With a quick kick against the mare’s side, Hannah urged the horse into a gallop. The soft gurgle of the river reached her ears long before she saw the water through the trees. Perhaps Miriam was already on her way back, and she wouldn’t have to ride far. Hannah pulled back on the reins when she reached the bank and looked north where the trail followed the river. There was no sign of Miriam or her horse.

Quickly Hannah moved on, falling into the soft roll of the mare’s movements. She was an easy horse to ride, as were all of Betty’s horses. It was a requirement in her business. Stopping at the next rise, Hannah still didn’t see Miriam. Here the mountain range could be seen on all sides, and Hannah slowed to study the beauty around her.

She had brought Jake here before they had spoken of their love for each other. They had ridden along this river and laughed at the joy of each other’s company, even though it was forbidden then to speak of their feelings. How mixed up she had been, and how close she had come to making the biggest mistake of her life. Was Miriam about to do likewise?

Betty’s reassurances were small comfort. Hadn’t Betty’s idea of the right man for her been Sam?
Jah, it had.
Betty had a wonderful heart, but she wasn’t always on the right track with her feelings. Had she talked Miriam into something she shouldn’t be doing, like she had done with Sam and her?

Urging the horse on, Hannah moved along the riverbank, keeping the reins taut in case there was trouble. Surely she could keep her balance even with a stumble, but there was no sense in taking any chances.

Coming over the next ridge, Hannah caught sight of Miriam ahead, seated on the best horse Betty had—a beautiful gelding with a golden-brown coat ending in white stockings on both front legs.

“Miriam,” Hannah yelled, but Miriam continued looking toward the northern range of the distant mountains.

At a fast trot, Hannah went down into a slight dip in the trail, riding up the other side with the mare’s sure feet never missing a beat.

“Miriam,” she called again.

This time Miriam turned and waved, but didn’t move her horse. Hannah approached, finally coming to a stop beside her sister.

“What are you doing out here?” Miriam asked, turning around again.

“Looking for you and wanting to hear this great secret Betty says you have.”

“I’m glad she didn’t tell you,” Miriam said, her eyes back on the mountain range. “Although I expect it must have been hard for Betty to keep such
gut
news from spilling out.”

“So what exactly are you up to? If you don’t tell me soon, I’ll scream.”

“How did your doctor’s appointment go?” Miriam asked with a straight face.

“Fine,” Hannah said. “Tell me.
Now
!”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Miriam said. “It would have been awful to hear bad news from the doctor on the morning your sister tells you of the biggest, the best, the most wonderful news she has ever had to share in all her life.”

“Just say it,” Hannah said, leaning forward over the mare’s slim neck.

“I’ve had to spend all week convincing Betty,” Miriam said. “That woman is the limit. It would be easier to convince a porcupine to take in its quills than for that woman to change her mind. If you ever say a doubtful word about this in her presence, then I’m sure she’ll flip right back and you’ll have undone my hard work. So you have been warned.”

“Miriam,” Hannah said, “I have work to do at home. Get to it.”

“I know,” Miriam said, a look of sheer joy filling her face. “And so do all of us. Dennis and I are getting married early this fall. Right here in Montana. Betty has agreed to have the wedding at her place.”

Thirty-Eight

Hannah was setting the table as the sound of Jake’s buggy came up the lane. She paused to listen for a long moment before turning back to the cabinet drawer for the forks and spoons. Jake was home. Would he have news to share? Maybe. With the way things were going, Mr. Brunson might have stopped by the shop and announced his wedding plans!

Sliding the potato and meat plates out of the oven, Hannah placed them on the table on hot pads. Jake hadn’t had a meat-and-potato supper all week, and he deserved it more often. He might think she was celebrating once she told him Miriam’s news, but the supper preparations had been started early in the morning even before she knew about Miriam and Dennis’s plans.

Walking to the cabin door, Hannah waited until Jake was on the porch before she stepped out and wrapped her arms around him in a big hug.

“Well, this is a nice welcome! Good news, perhaps?” he asked, holding her at arm’s length.

“Yes,” Hannah whispered. “
Gut
news all day and then some. I don’t know if I can handle anymore…if you happen to have some.”

“The only news I have is a letter from my mom.”

Hannah glanced up at his face. “I hadn’t thought of that. Surely your mom wouldn’t send bad news after your nice letter to her.”

“No,” Jake said, “probably not. I haven’t read it yet, but she would not send bad news, I’m sure. But you should be full of news about your doctor appointment. Did it go well?”

“Yes, everything is fine and on schedule. No problems at all. Now, come eat your supper. It shouldn’t get cold. We can read the letter afterward.”

Jake said, “There
is
some other good news. I brought home the plans for the new log house.”

“
Gut.
Then we’ll look at the plans too—after we’ve eaten.”

“I hope you like them,” Jake said as Hannah took off his hat and laid it by the front door.

“I’m sure I will. Now come,” Hannah said, leading him by the hand.

Silently Jake sat down at the table and bowed his head in prayer. Hannah held her breath as Jake prayed out loud.