Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) (25 page)

Ida choked up for a moment as she rushed over to give
Mamm
a quick hug. “I’ll miss you too.”

Daett
glanced up from his Bible. “You’ve always been a
gut
daughter, Ida. I want you to know that. Ben is getting a much better
frau
than he deserves.”
Daett
smiled. “But then don’t all of us get more from
Da Hah
’s hands than we should?”

“Thank you,
Daett
,” Ida whispered. “I’ll have my hands full, I’m sure.”

“That you will,”
Daett
agreed. “But you’re the woman for the task, Ida. You’re a credit to the community with your willingness to love Ben and Ben’s and Melvin’s children. Your life is an example we all should seek to follow.”

“Oh,
Daett
, that’s too much.” Ida felt her face grow hot from all this praise. She hadn’t expected this from
Daett
. Ben might say such things, but then he would soon be her husband.
Daett
was usually more restrained. Maybe his old age had cracked open his emotions.

“And
Da Hah
has left us Debbie,”
Daett
added, “to comfort us in our old age.”

Ida felt she needed to caution
Daett.
“
Yah
, but you know she might wed next year to Alvin, and then you’ll be alone.”

Mamm
reached up and touched her arm. “Don’t you worry about that, Ida. That’s a while yet. And maybe Emery will have settled down by then.”

“
Yah
, maybe,” Ida managed. She didn’t look at
Mamm
. They must all live in faith, she told herself, and hope for the best. Regardless of how things turned out, there would always be a way to serve
Da Hah
with a whole heart. That was the most important thing, was it not?

“Sounds like Ben’s here!”
Daett
’s announcement interrupted her thoughts.

“Oh,
yah
!” Ida gasped. “And I’m still in my chore dress.”

Mamm
smiled up at her. “He’ll like you just fine, Ida. There’s no sense in going all fancy this morning. There’s just us and the two of you.”

Mamm
was right, Ida thought, as she hurried to the front door. She would meet Ben out by his buggy in her chore clothes, and they would go from there.

Twenty-Four

I
da waited in the shadow of the barn door while Ben tied his horse to the stall post. Moments before she’d helped him unhitch and followed him into the barn. For some reason they seemed a little nervous around each other this morning. Surely something hadn’t happened since last night? Certainly not on Ida’s part. So it must be the newness of their relationship that would still take some getting used to.

Ida stepped closer as Ben finished.

A nervous smile crept across his face, and his hands fidgeted.

“It’s okay, Ben,” Ida whispered, taking both of his hands in hers. “With Barbara so recently gone, it must seem mighty strange to be alone here with me in the barn. And yet I’m your promised one. Isn’t that how
Da Hah
wills things?”

He nodded. A smile spread over his face as she continued.

“We must go on, Ben. Even I must forget about Melvin and the plans we had together. Melvin is with his beloved Mary now. They’re happier than any of us can even imagine. And Barbara, wouldn’t she wish you to seek help raising your children and even comfort
for yourself? She has all the joys of heaven now, and a man wasn’t meant to live on this earth alone.”

Ben’s face lit up.

A warm rush of emotion flowed through Ida. She’d said the right thing, even to a stern man like Ben. And he wasn’t stern really, not underneath all that strictness.

His hand touched her face. “You never cease to amaze me, Ida. You speak to my heart without knowing much about me. Truly
Da Hah
has sent you to bless my life. I can never thank Him enough.”

Ida smiled. She was sure her face burned red from his praise. “You say too nice things, Ben. I’m glad you’re comforted this morning. We don’t have to be nervous around each other. It’s not that long before we’ll be living together in the same house.”

“I know.” He let go of her hand, but his smile never left his face. “So have you and your
mamm
picked a wedding date?”

Ida nodded. “The first Thursday of November. Is that okay?”

Ben’s smile grew wider. “
Yah
, that’s fine. And maybe there will be less of the others marrying on that Thursday.”

Ida tilted her head. “I hadn’t thought of that. But ours will be small. I hope you don’t have a problem with that.”

He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “As long as you’re there, Ida. And the bishop is there to hear our vows. That will be enough for me.” He paused as a shadow crossed his face. “But are you sure about a small wedding? That’s not fair to you, is it? You’ve never been married before, and first brides like…”

Ida rubbed her burning cheek with one hand. “You have nothing to worry about, Ben. I also asked for a small wedding with Melvin, but
Mamm
wouldn’t listen. This time I’m getting my way.”

Ben grinned. “Putting your foot down, are you?”

“It’s what I want.” Ida stepped closer.

Ben shrugged. “It fits you. Selfless, giving, always thinking of others.”

Ida looked down. “You believe that because you haven’t lived with me yet.”

Ben glanced away for a second. “It will make no difference, Ida. I’ve already seen all I need to see to know you’re a woman after
Da Hah
’s own heart. He must have been saving you for my hour of trouble.”

Ida decided it was high time they changed the subject. “Come.” She motioned with her hand. “Let’s find a place to sit, and I’ll tell you the plans.”

Ben pointed toward a hay bale. “Then why not here? It’s warmer with the horses than on the front porch.”

Ida smiled. “Why not?”

Ben grinned as he heaved the bale against the wall and spread a clean feed bag across it. “Our couch. Quite nice, don’t you think?”

“I like it.” Ida sat down comfortably. “Wasn’t the Savior born in a barn? Why should we not speak of our wedding plans here?”

Ben grinned. “You don’t have to convince me. Not with you here.”

“Enough of that.” Ida laid her finger on his lips.

He gripped her hand for a moment before he let go. “So tell me. What are these plans of yours?”

“Well, let’s start with our witnesses.” Ida leaned back against the wood wall. “You mentioned your brother for your side of the family. Is that still okay?”

He nodded. “Phillip and a friend of the family named Carrie. I’ve already written him to ask. Sort of trying to make peace in the family.”

“Okay,” Ida said. “And what about Debbie and Alvin for me? That’s a given, isn’t it?”

She was met with silence. Ida waited a moment before she stole a glance at his face. What had she said wrong? He looked very serious.

Ben hesitated a moment longer. “I suppose you don’t know about Alvin?”

“About Alvin?” Ida leaned forward. “What about Alvin?”

“Alvin has church problems.” Ben paused. “I guess it’s okay if I tell you. You’ll soon be my
frau
…”

“Go on, I’m listening,” Ida said, fear rising up inside her.

“What is your opinion of Alvin?” He regarded her steadily.

She paused a moment. “Does it matter what I think? Debbie’s opinion of him is what matters.” When Ben didn’t speak, she continued, “Okay, I don’t care for Alvin, but neither will he be my husband. He’s Debbie’s choice.”

Ben took a deep breath. “Ida, the ministry, myself included, have a lot of questions about Alvin’s character. What with his bringing that
Englisha
girl, Crystal, back in from the world.
Yah
, she seems like a decent woman. Of course, if Crystal should want to join the church—that is formally, we’d have to dig deeper. But there are other questions about why Alvin returned when he did. We think the man has a fascination with
Englisha
girls, and this troubles us greatly. Such a man in the midst of the community could cause no end of trouble down the road. If his heart is with us for the wrong reasons, it will surely show up in his children, let alone in what decisions he might make in the future for his family. We’re asking Alvin to voluntarily hold back from communion this fall… until the matter is cleared up.”

Ida forced herself to breathe. “And is he willing?”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t know. Deacon Mast went to speak with him last night. I suppose if Alvin agrees that will help restore some trust.”

Ida took a deep breath. “But I asked Debbie this morning, and she agreed to be my witness. How do I change that now?”

“I’m sorry, Ida.” He looked sorrowful. “Let’s just not say anything else until we know more. If Alvin will cooperate, it might be all right to have him sit as a witness for our wedding.”

“Oh, Ben!” Ida clutched one of his hands with both of hers. “Already I see that I have much to learn about being a
gut frau
. Please forgive me. I should have waited to ask Debbie until I had spoken with you.”

“
Ach
.” He stroked her hand. “There can’t be that much harm
done. But I see your
daett
is correct. Debbie has grown close to all of your hearts.”

“
Yah
, she has,” Ida mused. “But who shall I get if Alvin doesn’t work out?”

“Let’s hope he will,” Ben said. “If he doesn’t, we’ll have to deal with that then.”

“Okay.” Ida got to her feet and pulled him up with one hand. “Let’s go inside and see if
Mamm
has any questions for you about the wedding plans.”

He wiped his forehead and pretended to wobble to his feet. Ida laughed. She had never thought Minister Kanagy could be this much fun, but then he wasn’t Minister Kanagy to her anymore. He was
Ben
. Maybe that was what made all the difference.

Ida led the way across the lawn and glanced up at his face. “How’s Willard taking the news?”

Ben shuddered. “He’s not saying anything. I’m worried about him.”

Ida looked away. “That’s what I feared. He has gone silent since his
daett
died. With both parents gone, it’s no wonder. It will take a miracle from
Da Hah
to break through to his heart.”

Ben looked down at her. “If anyone can be that tool in
Da Hah
’s hand, it’s you.”

Ida didn’t meet his gaze. “Should I visit before the wedding? To speak with him?”

Ben didn’t hesitate. “
Nee.
He lost the hope of you as his
mamm
once when Melvin died. Let’s wait until we’ve said the vows. I think he’ll come around.”

When Ida opened the front door and the two of them walked in,
Mamm
and
Daett
looked up with smiles.

“I see our popcorn maker has arrived!”
Daett
teased.

“You’re getting none until this afternoon,” Ida said. “We have plans to go over.”

Out of the corner of her eye Ida saw Ben give
Daett
a wink. “Maybe I’ll help with that popcorn making, and then we can talk.”

“Spoken like a true man,”
Mamm
groused. “And since when do you know anything about popcorn making, Ben?”

“I don’t!” Ben laughed. “I did when I was single and at home, but I think I’ve forgotten.”

“Okay!” Ida held up her hand. “The men win.”

Daett
grinned up at Ben. “You sure you want to marry this woman?”

Ben didn’t miss a beat. “I’d say the vows today if we could.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you to say.” Ida snuggled into Ben until
Mamm
gave her a sharp glance. Ida stood up straight. Some things weren’t meant for public display—even before your parents apparently.

Daett
smiled. “I still haven’t seen any popcorn…”

Ida hurried toward the kitchen, and Ben followed her. She motioned for him to sit on a chair while she worked. It was nice to have his presence to herself. Once they said the vows and began their married life together, these moments would be difficult to find with eight children in the house. She would treasure every second she could catch alone with this man in their brief courtship.