Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) (15 page)

He appeared relieved. “
Yah
, that’s okay. Whatever works. And I will begin telling the others about Melvin’s children living with us.”

“
Yah
, thank you. What about the witnesses for the wedding? Do you have a preference for your side of the family?”

He waved his hand about. “I don’t care, Ida. Phillip, my youngest brother, would be the natural choice for me, but he’s still sore at me, I’m afraid.” Ben gave a nervous smile. “I was a little harsh with him once, but I’ll ask him anyway. Feel free to ask whomever you wish for your side of the family.” He got to his feet and took her hands in his. “I just want to wed you, Ida.”

“Ben… ” she whispered, feeling the heat rise in her face again. “Thanks for saying such
wunderbah
things about me tonight.”

He smiled. “Now I’d better go. I’ve kept Joe and Verna up long enough.”

Ida remained seated. “You haven’t finished the story about Barbara and you.”

A smile played on his face. “I have said enough, Ida. Barbara was a
wunderbah frau
for me—while
Da Hah
allowed it. But she has gone on to a better place where I fear she has long forgotten me in
the wonder of that splendid land.
Da Hah
has given me you, Ida. To comfort my heart, to bring joy to my old age, and to bring happiness into my home. You mean much to me.”

He sat down again and pulled his chair closer. “I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to properly court you, Ida, such as taking you home after the hymn singing in a buggy with a fast horse.” He laughed. “My old plodder, Misty, can hardly pick one foot up after the other anymore. I really must get a better horse for you. I can’t expect you to drive around the community looking like your horse is ready to die on you. I will see what I can find in Lewistown soon—before the wedding.”

Ida laughed. “You don’t have to. From the looks of things, I won’t be leaving the house much anyway!”

He still looked concerned. “So you don’t mind the lack of a proper courting?”

Ida felt the sting of tears and made no attempt to hide them. “I’ve had my proper courting from your brother. We loved each other, Ben, with all our hearts. We were looking forward to a long life together. I never could understand why it couldn’t be.” Ida paused to wipe her eyes. “So a proper courting?
Nee
, I think it’s best this way. We’ll make our own memories in life. They’ll just be different from what we’ve had before. But isn’t that how it should be?” It had been many months since Melvin passed, and Ida was surprised at her tears. Ben had drawn surprising emotions out of her.

He squeezed her hand. “You’re a very wise woman, Ida. But I really must be going. Perhaps I can see you again soon? Maybe some Saturday afternoon?”

Ida nodded as she searched for her handkerchief.

Ben stood and smiled down at her. “Are you coming with me to the front door?”

Ida stood. She gave her eyes one last dab before she followed him down the stairs. Verna and Joe were waiting, sitting quietly with Sarah Mae. Ida did her best to hide her tear-stained face. No doubt
both Joe and Verna were curious about what had gone on upstairs, and she couldn’t blame them. This was all so unexpected to them.

Ida gave Ben one last smile at the front door and then closed it.

“Well!” Verna said before Ida had even turned around. “Tell us what happened!”

“Is it going to… work out okay?” Joe asked, cradling his daughter in his arms.

“
Yah
, it’s going to work out just fine. The wedding will be sometime in November.
Mamm
and I will get down to the planning as soon as I’m back home.”

“Well!” Verna exclaimed again. “If that doesn’t beat all!” She rose to give her sister a hug. “I’m so happy for you,” Verna whispered.

Ida pressed back the sudden sting of tears again.

Fourteen

S
aturday afternoon Ida sat beside Joe as he pulled into the Beiler driveway and came to a stop by the hitching post. Her long week at Verna’s house was at an end, but the glow of happiness remained. Now with the meeting with Ben having gone so well, she must begin her wedding plans at once. There was so much to report and discuss with
Mamm
she could almost explode.

Joe glanced at Ida. “Do you want me to help you down?”

Ida laughed. “I’m quite capable, thank you. And I only have a satchel.”

“I feel like I should do something special for you.” Joe held the reins tightly as Ida climbed down. “You have been so
gut
with the baby.”

“Just take care of Verna.” Ida smiled up at him. “And don’t drop little Sarah.”

Joe grinned as he slapped the reins and guided the horse, turning the buggy around in the driveway to head home.

Ida took a deep breath as she looked around. The home place still looked the same. But then why shouldn’t it? She hadn’t been
gone that long, even though it seemed a year. A life had come into the world in that time, and, in a way, a new life had begun for her. She’d felt a stir of love for Minister Kanagy… for Ben.

Verna had teased her this morning in the kitchen. “I think you’re really in love with that stern old man, Ida.”

Ida had smiled and allowed Verna to think what she wished. She had, in fact, thought of the oldest of Melvin’s boys, Willard. He’d be ten now. He had begun to show his
daett
’s build, but there remained a sorrow that hung about him. Ida had so longed these past months for the opportunity to pull him close in a tight hug and whisper words of comfort in his ear. That wouldn’t have been appropriate, but all that was about to change—and very soon. Hopefully Willard’s heart was still reachable. But surely it would be or
Da Hah
wouldn’t allow her this opportunity.

Ida moved toward the front porch.

The door burst open and Debbie raced toward her across the lawn.

Ida dropped her satchel and opened her arms.

Debbie paused a few feet away before she wrapped Ida in a hug. “You look so happy. Must be taking care of babies suits you well.”

“You only know the half,” Ida gushed. “So much has happened the past week, my head is spinning.”

Debbie smiled. “Then you’d better start talking. You know I want to hear everything. Especially about Minister Kanagy. Are you expecting him to call on you soon? I’m surprised he hasn’t been here already, knocking down the door looking for you.”

“Maybe we’d better begin there.” Ida hid a smile. “Ben came over to Verna’s last night, and we had a
gut
talk.”

Debbie was shocked. “The man hunted you down at your sister’s place?”

Ida laughed. “You make it sound horrible. But things went very well. And I have permission to set the wedding date with
Mamm
. And all of Melvin’s children are coming home to live with us.”

“Whoa! Whoa!” Debbie held up her hand. “Isn’t this moving a little fast? Are you telling me you were engaged last night?”

Ida felt heat rise up her neck, and she figured she couldn’t hide this from Debbie. And she wasn’t ashamed of how things had happened. “Actually, Ben sort of asked me last Sunday on the back porch after the service at Deacon Mast’s place… and I sort of accepted. And then last night we worked out the details. We don’t have much time until the wedding season.”

Debbie’s shock didn’t go away. “You knew on Sunday… and you hid it?”

Ida winced. “I wasn’t trying to trick anyone. It was a little sudden for me, you know. I needed some time to process it.”

“Oh, you dear!” Debbie groaned before she wrapped Ida in another hug. “If you’re fine with the stern man, why should I care? But doesn’t he just freeze the blood in your veins?”

Ida looked away, but Debbie would still see the rush of red. This part she wouldn’t share. Debbie had no need to know that she and Ben had kissed last night. What a scandalous thing to even think about, let alone do. But she had done it!

Debbie eyed her skeptically. “Well, to each her own, I guess. You don’t have to tell me more right this minute. Come! Your
mamm
is waiting impatiently for news.”

Ida pulled on Debbie’s sleeve. “How’s Emery doing? Has he tormented you with any more teasing about that
Englisha
girl?”

Debbie glanced away before she answered. “We’d better not talk about Emery. I spoke with him last night. I’m worried that he’s not just teasing. He knows all about Crystal and wants to support her efforts should she decide to join the community.”

Ida shrugged. “Emery puzzles me. I don’t understand why he doesn’t show more interest in the community’s girls. What about you and Alvin? Anything going on there?”

Debbie lagged a step behind. “I have to face Alvin on Sunday night. He’ll have some explanation I’m sure.”

Ida frowned. “You know how I feel about Alvin. Getting rid of him wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Debbie managed a smile. “Then it looks like I’m telling my troubles to the wrong person.”

Ida appeared pensive. “You do have other options, you know. Alvin can take care of himself.”

Before Debbie could respond, the front door opened again and
Mamm
hollered out, “Are you girls going to chatter on the lawn all day? This old woman is waiting for news.”

Ida laughed and rushed forward to give
Mamm
a hug.

Mamm
protested. “You’re going to smother me, Ida. Has Verna’s
boppli
so affected you?”

“She’s such a sweet bundle,” Ida gushed. “And growing even more beautiful since you saw her on Monday night.”

“I should have visited today, I suppose.”
Mamm
led the way inside. “But there will be plenty of time. Is Verna coming to church on Sunday?”

“I don’t think so.” Ida took a seat on the couch, and
Mamm
settled into her rocker.

“Thank
Da Hah
she has that much sense,”
Mamm
said. “Some of our young women are being influenced by the
Englisha
ways the past few years, thinking they have to bounce right up after only a few days of rest.”

“I made sure Verna got plenty of rest,” Ida assured her. “And Joe wouldn’t let Verna out of the house even if she wanted to. That man is the most doting
daett
I’ve seen in a long time.”

A slight smile crossed
Mamm
’s face. “You never got to see your
daett
and the way he acted. The way he cooed over the crib for weeks after your births.”

Ida could imagine that.
Daett
had kept that attention up over the years, even to the present day. She could only hope Ben would be as attentive.

She had been so eager to talk to
Mamm
about her wedding plans… but now that she was home, she decided that could wait a few hours more. This evening she would take in the full flavor of life here, the place where she’d grown up. She’d help with the chores and later with the supper dishes. But
Mamm
should be told about the engagement.

Ida took a deep breath. “I’d best confess something,
Mamm.
Minister Kanagy spoke with me last Sunday, and I’m promised to him. He came over to Verna’s last night, and we spoke of it again.”

Mamm
didn’t say anything for a moment. “So that’s why he stopped by the other evening. I thought something might be up.”

“You don’t object, do you? Will
Daett
?” Ida waited.

Mamm
shook her head and sighed. “It’s for the best, I suppose. A little soon, perhaps, but people will understand.”

Silence fell between them as the seconds ticked past.
Mamm
felt the same as she did. Neither of them wanted to speak further on the matter. It was as if they both tried to hold off the inevitable but knew that was impossible. In the meantime, these last few savored moments of how life once was would give them strength for the journey ahead.

Fifteen