Dear to Me (32 page)
Gabe glanced over at Melinda and winked. “That’s what they all say.”
Aaron’s face turned bright red, but he gave no retort.
Grandpa Hertzler stepped up to the table. “I left my gift for you on the kitchen table,” he said, leaning over to give Melinda a hug. “It’s a box filled with jars of my homemade rhubarb-strawberry jam.” He winked at Gabe. “Melinda’s mamm taught her how to make it, but I think mine’s much better.”
Melinda and Gabe laughed, and Melinda turned to embrace Susie, who sat next to her.
“I’m glad you decided not to leave home,” Susie whispered in Melinda’s ear. “Although, I may be leaving.”
Melinda tipped her head, as confusion swirled in her brain. “Why would you leave home?”
“I got another letter from Jonas the other day, and he wants me to come to Montana for a visit. He said he’s hoping I’ll like it there.” Susie’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “Doesn’t that sound like a good sign to you?”
Melinda nodded and gave Susie’s shoulder a squeeze. “It sounds to me like there might be another wedding in our family soon.”
Susie shrugged. “One never knows what the future will hold.” She patted Melinda’s arm.
Isaiah came by next. He smiled at Melinda; then he turned to Gabe and said, “I’m sure happy you’re married to my sister now. Maybe someday, when you think I’m old enough, we can go huntin’ together.”
Gabe glanced over at Melinda.
She nodded and said, “Just as long as neither of you does any hunting on
our
property.”
“Wouldn’t think of it,” Isaiah and Gabe said at the same time.
Papa Noah and Mama stopped at the table, offering their congratulations. “When I was your age, I was out on my own in the English world,” Mama whispered to Melinda. “I’m sure glad my daughter had more sense than me.”
Melinda wiped tears from her cheeks and gave her mother a hug. “But you returned home, and because of it, you married Papa Noah. That was a very schmaert thing to do.”
Mama nodded. “And now you’re married to a wonderful man, which is also smart.”
“It took me awhile, but I finally realized what I have right here is more important than anything the world has to offer.”
Melinda’s folks moved on, and Dr. Franklin and his wife, Ellen, stepped up to the corner table. “I not only wanted to say congratulations to both of you,” Dr. Franklin said, shaking Gabe’s hand, “but I wanted to apologize to Melinda.”
Melinda tipped her head in question.
“It wasn’t right for me to push you into taking your GED or try to influence you to become a vet.”
Melinda gave Dr. Franklin a hug. “You were only trying to help me take better care of the animals I care so much about.”
“That’s true, but I should have realized how important the Amish way of life is to you, and I should have tried to help you find a way to care for your animal friends without having to leave your faith to do it.”
“It’s all right; that’s all behind us now,” Melinda said tearfully. “I want you to know that I appreciate all that you’ve taught me about animal care, and I’m glad you were able to find a replacement for me at the veterinary clinic.”
Ellen spoke up. “Yes, my nephew, who just graduated from high school, is quite excited about becoming my husband’s new assistant.” She patted her husband’s arm. “Who knows, maybe Len will enjoy working at the clinic so much that he’ll decide to become a vet.”
“You never know how things are going to turn out.” Dr. Franklin gave Gabe’s hand another hearty shake, and he and his wife moved on.
Gabe’s parents showed up then. Leah’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Melinda. “Take good care of my boy, okay?”
Melinda nodded. “I will, Leah. You can count on that.”
“I have a wedding present for you that couldn’t be put on the gift table,” Gabe’s dad said.
“Is it a new buggy horse?” Gabe asked with a hopeful expression.
Stephen shook his head. “It’s something I think you’ll like even better.”
“What is it?”
“I made an important decision the other day.” He clasped Gabe’s shoulder. “You are now the official owner of Swartz’s Woodworking Shop.”
Gabe’s eyes grew large, and his mouth hung wide open. “You mean it, Pap?”
Stephen nodded. “I’m sixty-five years old, and for some time, I’ve been wanting to take life a little easier. I’d like to spend more of my days fishing and whittling. But of course I’ll be available to help you in the shop whenever you need me.”
Melinda could see by Gabe’s strained expression that he was on the verge of tears. “I’ll do my best to keep the place running smoothly, Pap. I’d count it a privilege to have your help anytime.”
When Gabe’s folks moved away, Melinda reached over to quickly touch her husband’s clean-shaven cheek. Since he was now a married man and would begin growing a beard, there wouldn’t be many days left to touch the smooth skin on his face. But that didn’t bother her. She had always enjoyed the feel of Papa Noah’s and Grandpa’s fuzzy beards.
“You know what, Gabe?” she said as he stared lovingly into her eyes.
“What?”
“I’ve learned many things in the last few months, but one thing stands out as most important.”
“What’s that?”
“Like an obedient fawn follows its mother, I will always follow God, because I am his dear child. And as I follow God’s leading, each day will be blessed because you’ll be at my side.”
Gabe pressed her fingers into the palm of his hand. “I feel the same way.”
Melinda smiled and gently squeezed her husband’s fingers. Today was the happiest day of her life. She glanced at Aaron and Susie talking to some other young people. She wondered what the future held for her and Gabe’s two best friends. She hoped Susie and Aaron would both find someone as dear to them as Gabe was to her. And most of all, Melinda hoped she and Gabe would be blessed with a whole houseful of kinner so they could teach them the importance of God, family, and friends.
R
ECIPE FOR
G
RANDPA’S
R
HUBARB
-S
TRAWBERRY
J
AM
Ingredients:
8 cups of rhubarb, cut into small pieces
4 cups of mashed strawberries
6 cups of sugar
Wash the fruit and cut the rhubarb into ½-inch pieces. In a large kettle, cover the rhubarb with half the sugar and let it stand for 1 to 2 hours. Crush the berries and mix with the remaining sugar, then combine with the rhubarb. Place the mixture on the stove over low heat until the sugar dissolves, then boil rapidly, stirring often to prevent burning. Cook until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat, pour into sterilized canning jars, and seal while hot.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
W
ANDA
E. B
RUNSTETTER
enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.
Wanda and her husband have been married over forty years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys reading, ventriloquism, gardening, stamping, and having fun with her family.
In addition to Wanda’s novels, she has written several novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.
Table of Contents
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