Rebekah's Quilt (12 page)

Sure enough, there was her Pa. He had put the apples in to soak in the wooden barrel, but he had neglected to put on the lid. There were the twins, bobbing away amid the apples. Apparently, they had decided to swim and snack at the same time. Each twin grasped a thoroughly-gnawed core in their chubby hands.

The boys, though, weren’t what Samuel’s squawking’s were meant for. His new draft horses, bought just the day before from Mr. Yoder, had helped themselves to the apples, as well.

“Ma’s not going to be too happy about this,” Rebekah muttered as she stepped out to join her family.

Samuel stood, hands on his head, as his horses trotted back toward his new barn. Rebekah could hear them crunching, even from where she stood. She drew a hand to her mouth in a poor attempt to stifle a giggle as Jeremiah plucked the boys from the apple barrel. Stifling the giggle didn’t work.

“Oh Pa!” she managed between giggles. “I’ll start the pies with the apples we have left.”

Her father’s brown hair stuck out from his head in angry wisps. “That Mr. Yoder. He didn’t tell me dem horses had a taste for apples!” His eyes twinkled as his soaked little twin boys dashed by, just shy of Jeremiah’s reach.

“Thank you for putting them in to soak, Pa,” Rebekah started. “What with all the commotion lately.” She twisted her fingers together. “It’s a wonder any of us can think at all!”

Samuel smiled his knowing smile. “Jeremiah can get the boys cleaned up and ready. Who knew the apple barrel was the best place to take a swim?” Looping his arm around her shoulders, he gave a quick squeeze. “It does my heart glad to know you’re going to the festival tonight on the arm of Joseph Graber. He’s a fine young man, he is.”

Rebekah studied the ground. The strings of her covering dangled in her vision, drawing her attention to any menial thing that
wasn’t
talking about Joseph Graber with her Pa. “It’s good you’re pleased,” she managed.

Obviously sensing her discomfort, Samuel patted her shoulder. “Go get to baking, Daughter. We can get a handful of pies made if we start now.”

“We?”

Samuel ran his thumbs along the inside of his black braces. “I was a mighty fine pie maker back in Canada. I baked a pie for your Ma when we were courting.”

Rebekah cocked an eyebrow. “Ma never mentioned that.”

“Oh
ja
, I’ll never forget the look on her face when she tried that first bite. Her eyes might near popped right out of her head!”

Forgetting her anxiety over Joseph, Rebekah stared at her father in disbelief. “It was that good?”

Samuel rubbed his chin, obviously deep in thought. “Her exact words were, ‘
You mixed up the salt and the sugar. Good thing I know the difference, otherwise we could never host any families in our home!
’” Samuel cut his eyes over to Rebekah. “I asked her to marry me that night, and thankfully, she said yes.”

“Oh, Pa, that is the sweetest story.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know about sweetest. I figured it to be the saltiest.”

The sun crept from the east to the west with all the sluggishness of a snail. By the time the pies were cooling on the front porch, all of the boys were dressed in their Sunday best and ready to go.

Elnora fussed over Beanie’s outfit while Rebekah and Samuel tidied up the kitchen.

“Thanks for letting me help, Daughter.”

Rebekah stowed the white sugar back in the safety of the highest cabinet, far away from grabby boy fingers. “Thank you for letting me measure out the salt and sugar!”

They shared an easy laugh, just as the evening birds began their nightly song.

Samuel twirled a rag around his hand. “Young Joseph should be getting here soon.”

Rebekah froze.

Samuel’s words came out soft as the spring rain. “No matter what happens tonight, Rebekah, follow your heart. Your mother and I want nothing more than your happiness.” Giving the rag a fling, it landed expertly in the dry sink.

Before she could contemplate her father’s heartfelt words, Jeremiah stuck his head in the kitchen. “Joseph’s here.” With his lips pulled back in his most mischievous grin, he continued “And boy does he look pretty!”

Flushing, Rebekah tugged at her cape. After straightening her covering she smoothed at her dress.

“Are you going to leave him waiting for you all night?”

Satisfied, Rebekah swept past her biggest little brother. “Of course not, silly.”

Everyone had congregated in the sitting room, but she spotted Joseph in a moment. A head taller than even her father, he stood out in a crowd. Rebekah sucked in her lower lip as she beheld the sight of him, laughing and teasing with her mother. His black felt special occasion hat was clutched in one hand while the other was tucked securely in a pocket. Those ebony curls that never failed to grab her attention were slicked back and he wore his deep green shirt; the one that matched her favorite dress. He was long, lean, and in Rebekah’s eyes, most beautiful.

“My mother and father took our food on to the festival,” Joseph explained. “Do Rebekah and I need to take any of the pies for you?”

Samuel shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I believe we can handle those pies.” He offered a hand to Joseph.

Carefully, Joseph removed his hand from his pocket and shook Samuel’s hand. Quickly, he tucked it away again.

“
Hallo
.” Rebekah was aware that her voice was quiet, but Joseph took instant notice. Stepping through the throng of little brothers, though he rightly could have stepped over them what with being so tall, he joined her.

Joseph’s eyes were especially blue as he offered her his arm. “Shall we go?”

Cheeks afire, Rebekah flitted a glance to Elnora, only her mother wasn’t looking at them. Instead, she was sharing a smile with Samuel. Together, they turned their attention to the young couple.
What is going on? Why so much secrecy tonight?

Following Joseph, mostly because she held his arm, they made their way out the front door.

Just before the door closed, Elnora’s voice met Rebekah’s ears. “We will see you there!” Then, she and Joseph were alone.

The festival was a wonderful gathering of friends and family and, once he had gotten over his initial shyness or whatever had him so out of sorts, Joseph had been a perfect gentleman. For Rebekah, being with him was as easy and natural as getting honey from a beehive. The few looks Katie had tossed their way were easy enough to ignore. Still, it was no secret that the younger of the Knepp twins spent the evening wishing
she
had arrived on Joseph’s arm.

Rebekah twirled the clover thistle Joseph had picked for her on the way between her fingers. “Thank you for a lovely night.” The evening of food, fun, and fellowship – and of course being near to Joseph-- had left her starry-eyed and a bit giddy.

“I should be the one thanking you. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have had a soul to drink apple cider with.” He rubbed his belly with one hand. “And to share that last piece of your Ma’s apple pie. If I had been forced to finish it all alone, my folks may well have had to roll me home!”

Rebekah dipped her head to sniff her thistle, and to hide her smile. “Actually, Pa and I made the pies this year. Ma wasn’t feeling up to it just yet.”

“I thought they tasted a little extra-cinnamony.” Joseph bent and scooped up a rock. “I must say Rebekah; you certainly got all of her skill in the kitchen.” He gave the rock a fling into the woods. It thunked against a tree. “All of it and then some.”

“You’re awfully complimentary tonight, Joseph Graber.”

He grinned. “Could you get used to it?”

“Maybe,” Rebekah retorted, returning his mischievous smile.

Something bumped her hand. “Oh!”

“What is it?”

“Something bumped me!” She shuddered.

“Something like this?” Under the cover of darkness, Joseph’s hand bumped hers again. This time though, his fingers twined around hers, linking them together.

A wave of shyness swept over her, leaving her hand trembling and her stomach knotted. How she’d dreamt of the day when he would take her hand in his, or even brush against her. In her daydreams, it was always wonderful. But this moment left her daydreams all behind.

“Looks like your folks set the lanterns out for you,” Joseph observed. “Was a shame they had to leave the festival early.”

Though she wanted to respond and continue the jovial conversation with Joseph, who was obviously now her beau, she didn’t trust her own tongue just yet.

Indifferent to her lack of words, Joseph continued. “Suppose Elnora didn’t want little Beanie Bull to catch a chill.” Finishing his theory just as they reached the porch, Joseph pulled Rebekah close, their hands still intertwined. His other hand was hidden away in his far pocket. The lamplight glinted off his eyes, making them appear to be nothing more than a sea of azure sparkles.

“Rebekah, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” The resolve in Joseph’s strong voice wavered. “It’s no secret–”

Something cracked from the understory. Joseph froze and both he and Rebekah swiveled their heads in the direction of the noise.

“Well, well, well. What have we here?” Slowly, Peter emerged from the woods.

Joseph squared his shoulders at the perceived threat. “Now’s not the appropriate time to come for your wagon.”

A sliver of ice slid down Rebekah’s backbone at Joseph’s tone. Had she been a man, she would have backed off. As things were though, she felt in awfully capable hands.

Peter leaned and spit as he stepped nearer to them. “I’m not here for the wagon just now. I’m not here for you either.” His spurs jangled and a swift breeze blew back his duster, revealing the shiny pistols.

Joseph slipped his hand from Rebekah’s, which had grown suddenly sweaty. She linked them behind her back and shrank behind Joseph.

“Then I don’t see as you having any business here at this hour.” Had Joseph been a cat, his tail would have been bottle-brushy.

Ignoring him, Peter shifted his steely stare to Rebekah. “I need to speak with you.”

Rebekah shook her head infinitesimally.

“It’s important.”

The door to the house squeaked open. “
Hallo
, Peter. Did I hear you mention you needed to speak with my daughter?” Samuel rested his hands with his thumbs on the inside of his black braces.

“Yes Sir.”

Samuel nodded. “I see. However it is much too late and, Rebekah, you should be getting on to bed. Joseph, you come in, too. Your Pa is here.” Samuel motioned toward the door. “Peter, won’t you come back in the morning? Breakfast is at six. You can talk to Rebekah about what’s on your mind then.”

Peter nodded. “I’ll be back then.” He spit a brown stream into the yard.

“Joseph, your Pa is in the sitting room. He figured you’d walk Rebekah home and may like a ride to your place.” Samuel’s voice was untelling of any nervousness he may have been feeling. Rebekah’s wasn’t.

“Goodnight, Joseph. Thank you again for a wonderful evening.” She tried not to bite off her farewell, but not only was her Pa right there, but the romantic moment, illuminated by moonlight and lanterns, was forgotten. She started up the stairs, careful of the creaky one.