A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters) (20 page)

She giggled. “That’s true. Back then, I had a job I loved, and I got to eat lunch daily with Samuel.”

“One more thing is that
Daed
said that they were a team when it came to making family decisions, but when it came to household expenses and things,
Mamm
made the decisions. So she said no to a phone. It wasn’t
Daed
.”

“I don’t understand why he never mentioned this to me.”

“I don’t know. He just told me. Maybe he thought we knew and he wished he’d gone ahead and put a phone in. He does feel terrible about not taking her to the doctor when she complained about not feeling well. Mrs. Maddox had offered to take her to the doctor, but she refused.”

“I’m glad you told me about the phone situation and Mrs. Maddox’s offer. I actually decided to forgive
Daed
a couple of days ago, but now I realize there wasn’t anything to forgive him for.” She took a deep breath. “How’s it going with all the work you got stuck with?”

“I’m never going to be a great cook, but I think I’m improved. It’s working out okay except for the fact, the boys went missing yesterday. I was sewing new pants for them and lost track of time.”

“I can’t believe they tried to travel to see me. I’ll be home soon. I miss all of you but I’m glad I got away. Hey, where are the boys and
Daed
now?” She noticed a few minutes ago, it was quiet in the background.

“They left to shoot basketballs.
Daed’s
even playing with them.”

She didn’t remember her father ever playing basketball with Matthew and Noah. That was nice. After a couple more minutes of talking, they ended the call. Running up the phone bill for one call wouldn’t be sensible. But it was
gut
to talk to her family.

This was a happy day, she thought, giving a broad smile to Violet and Adam. They didn’t notice, though, because Violet was playing a game on her cell while Adam read the paper.

The morning started out pleasant with a walk on the beach with the whole Robinson family before they got dressed for church. She stayed home to read the Bible and to pray by herself. It worked out that she wasn’t missing her district’s church meeting, because today was the off-week. Everything had been great until Uncle Scott brought home the papers hinting at a romance between her and Nick. Unbelievable. Then her
daed
called and he didn’t mention the pictures. It was nice to hear how her family missed her, too, but not that her brothers tried to travel to see her. The amazing news about a phone shanty on their property surprised her.

God had never stopped loving her, even when she was angry at her
daed
. He’d blessed her with many wonderful people. Especially Samuel. He’d surely understand if he heard about the picture of her with Nick. Wouldn’t he? Or would he think she went on her rumspringe to enjoy a few dates with an Englisher… like her Aunt Carrie did at her age.

She would try not to worry and focus on what Jesus said in Matthew, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”

* * *

While walking on the beach with her husband, Carrie wondered about his earlier statement.
Was Scott serious about leaving politics?
She couldn’t imagine him not being a politician. He was so good at it, but she did feel a moment of happiness that he was considering it. “Honey, were you kidding about not running again for senator?”

He gently squeezed her hand. “I like trying to make our country better, but I hate the corruptness that exists. I never realized how flawed people could be and how far political people will go to get what they want.”

“But you aren’t like that. You’ve done a lot of good by being a senator. People love you.”

“I’m afraid I’m not strong enough, and I’ll become corrupt by the system too. That’s why I’m afraid to stay in politics too long.”

“You won’t become corrupt. I won’t let it happen. I’ll be your moral conscience.”

“Seeing the picture of Rachel and Nick in the paper also was a reminder of how the media twists everything. If I ever ran for president, I know reporters would camp out in front of our house and David’s. Being connected to an Amish family would give them something else to write about. You know Rachel reminds me a lot of you at that age. Your Amish upbringing has made our family stronger.” He stopped walking, pulling her to him. Bending his head, he kissed her and she returned it, savoring every moment of his lips on hers. His kiss was as tender and light as the ocean breeze. When the kiss ended, he murmured, “I love you, Carrie. I miss you when I’m away from home.”

“I love you too. We need to pray about what you should do. God will guide us.” She gazed at the waves hitting the shore. “It’s beautiful tonight. I’m glad you could come here this weekend.”

“It went too fast,” he said as they resumed walking.

“I learned something about myself this past week with Rachel being here. Remember, how depressed I was when we went to Fields Corner to attend the funerals for my parents and Irene.”

“It was overwhelming and very sad.”

“Well, some of it was because I resented that I had left my Amish community. I missed not being around my parents, Irene and her family. I loved growing up Plain, and it never occurred to me that I wouldn’t join the church. Life was simple and wonderful. After their deaths, I kept wondering if I had been living in Fields Corner if I would’ve realized Irene needed to see a doctor. I’ve examined my life a lot with Rachel asking me different questions.”

“What did you learn?”

“That Irene might have still died. I can’t blame myself and I made the right choice in marrying you.” She gave him a playful nudge and said, “It’s good you weren’t a senator when we met. I don’t think I could’ve married a politician. But seriously, I know blending our backgrounds was the best for Adam and Violet. We each brought wonderful qualities to our marriage. We both simplify our lives whenever things get too insane and hectic. I think we realize more than some couples how important it is to mesh our ideas and stick to our basic priorities in life. ”

He grinned. “Whew, that’s a relief. As much as I admire the Amish faith, I don’t think I could go without electricity and drive a buggy.”

“I don’t think you could either.”

“Maybe you should be the politician. You’ve been the force behind me working hard for all the promises I made during my campaigns.”

“Me running for an office will never happen.” She teased, “But if you decide not to run again, I could enjoy not making speeches. And I’m sure your constituents will be thankful for that too.”

“How about we go back to the deck and smooch? The kids are probably in bed by now.”

“Especially Rachel. She gets up early to walk on the beach. Violet’s even walked with her a couple of times during the early morning hours. I’m glad the girls enjoyed spending time together. Violet has introduced Rachel to new things to experience that she won’t be able to do once she joins the church. In turn, Rachel has explained the Amish way of life to Violet. She asked Rachel tons of questions. Violet also seems to like learning Pennsylvania Dutch. I should’ve taught it to Adam and Violet before.” She paused for a moment. “Maybe Violet will decide to become Amish.”

She heard his quick intake of breath before he spoke. “That surprised me for a second until I realized you were kidding. Our daughter is the Queen of Twitter and has a Facebook obsession.” He laughed. “Can you imagine her withdrawal from our world? She gets upset if we’re somewhere for a short time with no cell phone reception.”

“That’s true. She hates when a snowstorm knocks out the power too.”

“We should rinse the sand off our feet before going in.” She stopped by the faucet at the foot of the steps, turning it on and carefully rinsing off each foot before putting her flip flops back on.

While Scott rinsed off the sand, she said, “Rachel seemed pretty happy to talk with David. I know she’s forgiven him. She told me so the other day.”

After they climbed the steps and were seated next to each other on the deck, Scott put his arm around her. “We should invite Rachel and her family to go to Outer Banks with us this summer. They can get a ride to our house. We can rent a big van.”

“That’s a good idea. It’ll have to be when David’s not as busy in the fields. Maybe Peter and Ella could come at a time that Adam’s at our beach house. That way there will always be one of them home to take care of their livestock.”

“You’re one clever woman. Always thinking of everything.”

“Now, how about the smooching you promised me. Don’t you dare renege on this promise, Senator Robinson.”

“I wouldn’t think of it. It’s one promise I mean to keep.”

She quivered at the sweet tenderness of his kiss.

Chapter Eighteen

Early Monday morning, Rachel gazed at the vastness of the ocean. She wore the tan capris and blue blouse she bought on the shopping trip with Violet. Since Mr. Sullivan and Nick had left Cocoa Beach, she’d decided not to wear her Plain clothing in the morning. The only people she saw on the beach weren’t close. It would probably be the last time she wore her English clothing. She’d give the few purchased pieces of clothing to Violet, except for the swimming suit. That she’d be able to wear again. Briefly she touched her ponytail, thinking how she didn’t pin her hair up this morning.

The gentle waves smacking against her feet soothed her spirit while she sat on a low beach chair. For a few minutes, she watched a few dolphins in the distance jumping out of the crystal blue water.
I wish the twins could see them with me.

Peace washed over her as she continued praying, giving thanks for all her blessings. She thought how even Jesus had gone to lonely places to pray. Yesterday during her Bible reading, she recalled it said in one of the chapters in Luke,
“But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.”
God had meant for her to visit the ocean. He knew she needed to get away from family and focus on what had turned her world upside down when
Mamm
died suddenly. Here, she’d fully opened up to her heavenly Father. She hadn’t been able to do this at home.

After giving her bitterness and problems to God during this week and forgiving her father in her heart, she’d realized her
mamm
missed them. But
Mamm
was happy to be in heaven.
Mamm
would be glad she no longer blamed
Daed
. That was a certainty. Even if there had been a phone nearby to use,
Mamm
could’ve died. Going to an English doctor might have made a difference, and she would still be alive. Why didn’t she ask Mrs. Maddox to give her a ride? Whenever one of her children needed to see a doctor,
Mamm
hadn’t hesitated to get a ride for them.

Tears racked her body. Moisture pooled in her eyes, blurring the vision of the ocean. She missed her
mamm
so much. Maybe someday Fields Corner would have a medical facility with all kinds of physicians. But obviously, it had been Irene Hershberger’s time to die a year ago as written in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose in heaven. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to reap that which is planted.”

She took a deep breath of the air while finishing her thoughts and prayers. After she stood, she folded the chair. Around nine o’clock she’d call Samuel at the furniture store. She couldn’t wait to talk to him and tell him how she’d decided to join the church. Tomorrow they were starting back to Kentucky. Violet needed to take a flight out of Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon. Her college classes started again on Thursday. Adam was going to help drive and stay at home for a couple of days before flying back to his college.

* * *

“Aunt Carrie, you look pretty.” Rachel said. Her aunt was going to drive Uncle Scott to the airport. She wore a pale pink sundress with a light white sweater. She’d gotten a shade darker from enjoying the seashore so her bare legs looked great in white, strappy and elegant sandals.

“
Danki
.” Aunt Carrie held her phone out to her. “Here’s my phone. Samuel will be happy to hear your voice.”

Glancing at the kitchen clock, she saw it was nine o’clock. “I can’t wait any longer. He sometimes enjoys a cup of coffee in the bakery before going to his store but I’ll try to get him now.”

Aunt Carrie grinned. “I’m sure he only did that when you were working at Weaver’s Bakery. I doubt he’s sitting in the bakery without his favorite girl around.”

The phone rang once. Her jaw dropped when she heard a female voice saying, “Hello. Weaver’s Furniture Store.”

“Hello. Is Samuel there?”

“Rachel, is that you? I’m Samuel’s secretary right now. First, I got a job at the bakery. I suppose even in Florida, you heard that bit of news. Mrs. Weaver really needed the help. Now I get to answer the phone for Samuel.”

She clenched her jaw.
Mary Zook is now answering Samuel’s business phone. Why did Samuel need to hire Mary Zook, of all people? And why did he even need a secretary?
“Mary, I’d−”

“Guess what?”

Does she ever shut up, Rachel wondered as Mary didn’t give her a chance to ask to speak to Samuel. She better listen to Mary’s chatter.

“And he loved it. He enjoyed me bringing him a slice of the coffeecake with a nice cup of steaming coffee. You really should try this recipe for Samuel if you return to Fields Corner. Oh, here’s Samuel now.”

“Hi, Rachel. I’m glad you called.”

“Is Mary really your secretary now?”

“No, she’s not. Hold on for a second. Mary’s going back to the bakery. I want to thank her for the coffeecake she brought this morning.”

When Samuel returned, he said, “I was in the back looking over some new wood when Mary answered the phone. She came back over to see if I wanted another piece of coffeecake.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry. It wasn’t as good as yours.”

“I guess Mary’s trying to impress you with all her wonderful skills while I’m away. It’s definitely a small world. While Violet and I walked on the beach the other day, we met a cousin of Mary’s. Apparently, Mary told them she likes working at the bakery because it’s next to your furniture store and she’s interested in you.”