Caroline's Secret (27 page)

“Do you think they will be surprised to see us together?” Caroline asked as Andrew paid the driver.

He shrugged, but smiled. “I don’t think so. I think this is what they had planned from the start.”

“That we would come back together?”

“Jah.”

Caroline shook her head in disbelief. “That was very confident of them.”

“I suppose.” Andrew took her bag and slung his own over his shoulder as she perched the sleepy Emma on her hip.

“Did you believe this is how everything would turn out?”

He stopped, tilting his head to the side. “This is how I prayed everything would turn out.”

She smiled and started toward the bakery door. “It’s
gut
thing that God answers prayer,
jah
?”

He flashed her a grin of his own. “It is at that.”

The following Wednesday afternoon, the bishop called Caroline to let her know that he would be stopping by to talk to her that evening.

Her heart thumped painfully in her chest as she hung up the bakery phone.

“Caroline, whatever is the matter? You look pale as a sheet.”

“That was the bishop. He’s coming by tonight to talk to me.”

Esther gave a stern nod, then turned back to the bread that she had been kneading when the phone rang. “I guess from the look on your face it’s safe to say that this is not about the wedding?”

“Who said anything about a wedding?”

Jah
, Andrew had asked her to marry him while they were in Tennessee, but he hadn’t mentioned a word about it in the two days since their return.

“You know that boy is crazy about you.”

“Jah.”

“Boy plus girl plus love equals wedding.”

And normally that was the truth. “I have a
meidung
coming. We really can’t make any wedding plans until after that is over. And . . . well, it’s a big sin I’m up against. It may be months before the
bann
is lifted and Andrew and I will be free to start our life together.”

Esther shook her head, the strings on her prayer
kapp
dancing around her shoulders. “You might be surprised. Bishop Ebersol is a fair-minded man, for sure.”

Emily’s father was a fair man, even if he seemed a little hard when it came to matters of her friend. Still, she wouldn’t allow herself to be overly confident. She could only imagine the letter Bishop Glick had sent to Cephas Ebersol. David Glick was as conservative a bishop as there was. She had no doubt he didn’t spare a word in telling her sins in every detail that he could uncover.

She knew he meant well. Explaining her shortcomings and outlining them for Bishop Ebersol, David Glick was, in his mind, doing her a favor. He was allowing her the chance to confess all and receive a clean slate for her efforts. She should be thankful. Instead she was apprehensive.

“What about you and Abe Fitch?” It was better to change the subject than to dwell on matters she couldn’t change.

Esther blushed and covered the dough with a cloth. “We’re taking it slow. He’s been coming for dinner, and afterward we’ve been taking a walk.”

“He didn’t come by last night.”

Esther braced her hands on her ample hips. “We wanted to give you a little time to get settled in. Now, with the bishop coming by . . .”

“You could go there.”

Esther shook her head. “And leave you to face the bishop by yourself?”

Caroline wished the words didn’t make her stomach pitch. “I thought you said he was a fair man.”

“
Jah
, that I did, but I’m not leaving you to face him alone. Your mother wouldn’t be very happy if I’m not here to support you.”

Caroline wrapped one arm around Esther and pulled her close. “
Danki,
Esther.”

Esther patted her hand reassuringly. “It’ll be
allrecht, liebschdi
.”

And she knew it for the truth. She just wasn’t sure how long it would take.

Caroline about jumped out of her skin when the knock sounded at the door. She looked to Esther, who sent a sharp look back. Then the plump baker rose from her seat at the table and went to let the bishop in.

He wasn’t a very tall man, but something about the way Cephas Ebersol carried himself made him seem much bigger. The gray streaks in his chest-length beard gave him the air of wisdom, and the sharp light in his dark blue eyes saw through any façade and straight to the bones.

Caroline swallowed hard as he stepped into their apartment. He and Esther exchanged their niceties, and he hung his hat on the peg inside the wall where their black bonnets were also kept.

“Caroline.” The bishop greeted her.

“Bishop.” She stood. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

The words had no sooner left her mouth than another knock sounded.

Caroline and Esther exchanged another look.

“That must be Andrew,” the bishop said.

“Andrew is coming?” Caroline asked as Esther made her way back to the door.

“
Jah
. This concerns him, too.”

Caroline felt a warmth in her heart as Andrew came in. His eyes sought her out immediately, and just knowing that they were together helped to calm Caroline’s nerves.

Esther went into the kitchen to get them all coffee and cookies. And all too soon they were seated around the table.

“I suppose you know why I am here.”

“Jah.”
She also knew that since the bishop was there and not the deacon, it was serious.

“I received a letter from the bishop of your district in Tennessee.” He pulled the letter from a pocket inside his jacket and laid it on the table between them.

Andrew’s hand found hers under the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“He has made some pretty serious accusations.”

“I understand.” She nodded, strengthened by Andrew’s support.

“In light of these allegations, a shunning would be in order,” Bishop Ebersol continued.

Caroline swallowed back her fear and remorse. “I am prepared to accept that. I have done wrong in the eyes of the Lord and the church. I understand that a kneeling confession and a
meidung
are necessary.”

The bishop sat back in his seat and thoughtfully stroked his beard. “I’m not sure that is the resolution we are looking for.”

This was her biggest concern, her greatest fear: that the bishop would think a mere confession and shunning would not be enough to absolve her of her sins.

“What would you suggest, then?” She tried to make her voice sound confident and sure. She didn’t quite succeed.

The bishop leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Caroline, there are some secrets that don’t need to be repeated.”

Her heart gave a pound of expectation. Was he saying what she thought he was?

“I’ve given this a great deal of thought, Caroline Hostetler. You came here alone and everyone assumed you were a widow. We took you in and didn’t ask any questions. I’ve watched you live a Godly life. You’ve raised your daughter on your own, attended church, worked for Esther here. You’ve become a
gut freind
to Emily and others, and in general, you have been an integral part of our district.”

Caroline held her breath as she waited for him to continue. Andrew squeezed her fingers once again, but kept his gaze on Cephas Ebersol.

“In the past two years you have been separated from your family in Tennessee. Living here and working here, and doing right by yourself. As far as I can see, you have served a shunning of your own design.”

Dare she hope? “I don’t understand.”

The bishop cleared his throat then gave them all a small smile. “There are some secrets, Caroline, that just are better left as secrets.”

“Are you saying there will be no shunning?” This from Andrew.

“Jah,”
Bishop Ebersol said. “I cannot see a purpose that would be served in having you stand in front of the congregation and confess sins they know nothing about. That would only hurt your standing in the community, and that of young Emma.”

Hope and something more rose inside Caroline. She had found her home. God had truly led her here for a reason. “
Danki
, Bishop.”

“I do not expect to talk about this matter again.”

Caroline shook her head, unable to believe the astounding way that God had answered her prayers.

The bishop drained the last of his coffee and stood. “I’ll see you all in church on Sunday?”

“Jah,”
they said together.

But as the bishop made his way to the door, Andrew stood. “There is one other thing.”

The bishop turned.
“Jah?”

“I have asked Caroline to be my wife. I am needing your blessing.”

The bishop smiled. “I can’t think of anything I’d like to see more. I’ll come by the shop tomorrow, and we can discuss dates.” He made his way to the door, but turned before his exit. “And that little sideboard in the window. Helen has had her eye on it since Abe put it up for sale.”

“I’m sure we can work something out,” Andrew said.

The bishop donned his hat, and with a nod to each of them, let himself out.

“Would anyone like some more coffee?” Esther stood to get the pot. Emma, who had up until then been playing quietly in her playpen, chose that moment to pull herself to her feet and demand attention.

Caroline rose to fetch her daughter, still a little numb from the shock she’d just received.

“Let me.” Andrew stood and lifted Emma high into his arms, laughing at her squeal of joy as he blew a raspberry in the crook of her neck.

“I can hardly believe this is happening,” Caroline said, loving the two of them together. Her heart ached for Trey and the sacrifices that he had made. But hopefully one day in the future she would be able to reunite them, even only for a time.

“It is a little unbelievable.”

“Not just the shunning,” Caroline explained. “But that we are going to be married.”

Andrew smiled. He let Emma slide down to the floor where she toddled to her toy cart and started to play. Then he pulled Caroline into his arms and showed her just how real it was.

At just after three the following afternoon, Abe walked into the bakery.

Esther tempered her smile and wiped her hands on a dish towel before coming around the counter to greet him.

“
Goedemiddag
, Abe Fitch. Did you come down for some more of those cowboy cookies?”

Abe took off his hat, holding it against his chest as his eyes studied hers through the thick lenses of his glasses. “
Nay
, Esther Lapp. I came for something else.”

“Lemon bars? Pumpkin bread?”

He shook his head. “Did you know the bishop came by to talk to Andrew about marrying your Caroline?”

“
Jah
, I’d heard some mention of it.”

Abe ran the back of one sleeve across his brow. She had never seen him so nervous before. “Andrew asked that the bishop allow him and Caroline to say their vows this coming September.”

“That soon? Though I’m not surprised. That boy is smitten with her for sure.” Esther was happy for her young friends. They had both been through so much, and each deserved this second chance at happiness. “What did the bishop say?”

“He agreed.”

Esther was not surprised. After their talk the night before, she’d had a feeling that Bishop Ebersol thought it best that the kids start their new lives as soon as possible.
“Gut, gut”.
It was good, so why was Abe so jumpy?

“I talked to the bishop as well.”

“Jah?”

He swallowed hard. “I asked him if it would be possible to have a double wedding.”

“A double . . .” Esther felt the normal color drain from her face to be replaced by a warm heat.

“What say you, Esther Lapp? Will you marry me alongside our young’uns?”

Happiness froze her in place. She couldn’t believe it was happening. After all this time, after the years that she had loved Abe from afar, he had proposed marriage.

“Esther?” A concerned frown wrinkled his brow.

“
Jah?
I mean
jah
! Of course I will.”

“Gut,”
he said, donning his hat and tipping the brim in her direction. “I’ll be by after work, and we can all have dinner at the farm and discuss our plans.”

“Jah,”
Esther murmured again, unable to stop her wide smile as the bell over the bakery door jingled, and Abe let himself out.

“You have to tell us everything,” Lorie said as Caroline slid onto the park bench next to Emily. “Everything.”

Caroline smiled. What a wondrous two days it had been. Today was starting out to be just as promising. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and she was surrounded by
gut freinden
who loved her. “Well,” Caroline started, making a mental note to bring Emma back out to the park after her nap. It was too gorgeous a day to spend it entirely indoors. “Last night, we all went out to the farm to make wedding plans.”

Lorie and Emily clapped their hands together and nudged each other.

“I told you,” Emily said.

“You only knew because your
dat
is the bishop,” Lorie protested.

“Still, I was right.” She gave them a small smirk, then took a drink from the to-go cup in front of her.

“Andrew and I aren’t the only ones getting married.” The words left Caroline on a rush of air. She’d been about to bust with excitement from holding them in.

“What? Who?” the girls asked over each other.

Caroline smiled. “It seems that Abe Fitch has made his intentions known to Esther Lapp. They shall be getting married in September as well.”

“September?” Lorie exclaimed. “That’s just a couple of months away.”

“We had talked about a December wedding, but we asked the bishop if we could get married a little before the wedding season. My folks have to come all the way from Tennessee, and I would hate for them to get caught out here in an Oklahoma snowstorm.”

They all nodded in agreement. There was one constant when it came to the weather in the Sooner State, and that was its unpredictability. It could be sixty-five degrees on Christmas Day, or there could be a foot of snow on the ground. A body just never knew.

But secretly Caroline was glad. She was more than ready to start her life with Andrew.

“September doesn’t give us a lot of time to plan a wedding,” Emily said.

“It doesn’t have to be anything big—” Caroline started, but Emily and Lorie immediately shook their heads.

“This is your wedding,” Lorie said, a romantic gleam lighting her deep brown eyes.

Her wedding. Just the word sent excited chills racing up her arms.

Emily nudged her. “Who knows? We may have another wedding coming soon.” She looked pointedly at Lorie.

But the blonde shook her head. “Jonah and I broke up again.”

“Again?” Caroline asked. What was wrong with the couple that they bickered constantly? It was as if they were inexplicably drawn to each other even though they had nothing in common.

She shook her head. “He wants to get married, and before we do that, I have to join the church.”

Of the three of them, Lorie was the only one who hadn’t knelt before the congregation and pledged her life to God. Caroline didn’t fully understand Lorie’s reluctance but knew that it had something to do with the paintings she had secreted away in the room above her family’s restaurant.

Lorie had taken her there and shown them to her once, though Caroline didn’t think Emily had any idea of their existence.

“What is with you two?” Emily asked.

“Us?” Lorie exclaimed. “What about you and Luke?”

A dim light filled Emily’s dark blue eyes. “You didn’t hear?”

Caroline shook her head. She had been so wrapped up in her own problems that she hadn’t given much thought to the talk around town.

“He finally did it.”

“He did?” Lorie asked.

“He left?” Caroline added.

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes and she dashed them away with the back of her hand.
“Jah.”

“To drive a car around in circles.” Caroline hated her incredulous tone, but she could hardly believe what she was hearing.

“It’s called racing,” Lorie said.

“It’s called stupidity,” Caroline accused. “He gave up everything to drive a car in circles.”

She was normally not one to cast stones. She had been through her share of troubles and knew better than to accept rumors at face value. But in leaving Wells Landing, Luke Lambright had hurt Emily. Caroline was as fiercely protective of her friends as they were of her.

“Well, it’s not like he’ll be shunned. I mean, he hasn’t joined the church. He could come back someday,” Lorie said.

Emily shook her head. “I have, though.”

Caroline caught the underlying meaning. Emily’s father was the bishop, hard though fair. But Cephas Ebersol was as no-nonsense as they came when he dealt with his daughters. With Emily being the eldest of his five daughters, he expected her to set the example. Hanging around with the likes of Luke Lambright was not behavior he condoned.

Emily shook her head and replaced her melancholy with a sweet smile. It didn’t reach her eyes, but Caroline allowed her to change the subject and silently prayed that Lorie would do the same. “Enough about that. We have a wedding to plan.”

And with those words, Caroline allowed herself to be swept along as her best friends planned a wedding like Wells Landing had never seen.

The Oklahoma wind gusted lightly and cooled the heat as the sun set on the farm. Andrew couldn’t imagine a better place to walk and talk and plan his new life with Caroline. The farm offered him peace and relaxation, enough solitude for reflection. Now all he had to do was start his new plans, but a lot of that had to do with the woman at his side.

“Caroline.” He held her hand in one of his as they walked, Moxie running around their feet. In his other he held the handle to the wagon in which Emma rode. “September will be here soon.” Not soon enough, though.