Sewn with Joy (20 page)

Matthew could tell there was a problem as soon as he arrived on the job site. Abraham stood near a stack of sheetrock. He turned and eyed Matthew with a look of concern.

“Please don't tell me the plumber called to cancel again.” Matthew wiped his brow with his handkerchief and then stuck it back into his pocket. Last night's rain had made it extra muggy. “Today's not the day for problems. We really need him to finish the pipes before we get the sheetrock up.”

“Oh, it's not that. I checked last night and the plumber will be here by noon. It's just that I went to Yoder's for breakfast.”

“And…”

“Well, it's where Joy's sister works.”

“
Ja
, I know that.”

“Have you talked to Joy lately?”

The slightest smile touched Matthew's lips as he remembered the happiness on Joy's face when
Mem
described the recipes she
was keeping for her. He looked back to Abraham. “I talked to Joy yesterday. She stopped by our house for
Mem
's breakfast. It was her birthday.”

Abraham tucked one hand into his jeans pocket. “And you haven't talked to her since then?”

Matthew's brow furrowed. Why was Abraham leading him like this? Why wasn't he just coming out with whatever he had to say? “When do you suppose I've talked to her?” His voice grew sharp. “We were working late last night, and then after breakfast I came right here.”

Abraham shrugged. “Maybe you should.”

“Can you please just tell me what's going on?” Whatever it was, it didn't seem like good news.

Abraham hesitated. “It seems Joy has a second job, working for that television program. Faith wasn't working at Yoder's today because Joy got her a job too. They're supposedly sewing dresses for the actresses.”

Abraham's words felt like a punch to his gut. “She's…she's sewing dresses for the television show?” He pressed his fingertips to his temples, wondering why she would do that. Hadn't they talked about the television show? Hadn't she agreed they should stay as far away from them as possible? Or had he just imagined that conversation? “Well, maybe Joy is doing the sewing through the fabric shop. It only makes sense.”

“It's not through the shop. She's working directly for them. Faith asked one of her coworkers if she wanted extra sewing work too.”

Emotion grew in Matthew's throat. He tried to clear it away, but it did little good.

“Not only that, but people are saying you and your
dat
must approve of the television show. That he must have changed his
mind. We all know a woman you were courting wouldn't do such a thing if the bishop didn't approve.”

Sudden anger boiled up in Matthew. If this was true, he had to talk to Joy. Didn't she understand that her actions impacted not only her and her family, but him and his family too?

Matthew was also angry with himself. He'd watched Joy from afar for so long. He'd tried to make sure she was of fine character and moral standing. He knew how often little things one overlooked in courtship often became big things in marriage. What had he missed? “So you're certain she's working for the television show?”

“
Ja
, one of the waitresses at Yoder's said Faith asked her to cover her shift this morning. And then one of the Millers' neighbors said there was a whole group of
Englischers
there yesterday.”

“Doing what?”

“They didn't know, but everyone assumes they were getting fitted for dresses. I thought you would know though. Because out of all people, I was certain Joy would have talked to you.”

Matthew lifted his face and resisted the urge to shout at the beamed ceiling overhead. A vein throbbed in his neck, and he clenched his fists.

“I actually asked her to forgive me for being angry the other day,” Matthew mumbled to himself. “I assumed it was that
Englischer
who was trying to pull her in. I'd never have guessed she'd walk through those doors so easily. I thought I was overreacting, but it turns out I was right.”

“Excuse me?” Abraham removed his hat and scratched his head. “It sounds like you didn't know about this.”

“I didn't. Do you think I'd be here if I did?”

“Well, I was surprised to see you show up. I thought it would take longer.”

“What?”

“Some of the men from the community were going over to talk to your
dat
about it, to see why he changed his mind. I thought it would be a while before I saw you, since I assumed you'd be in the middle of that conversation. It's not every day that someone like Joy is so boldly going against the bishop's wishes, especially when she's dating his son.”

Matthew blew out a heavy breath, and he looked at all the unfinished work around him.
Should I go see
Dat
? Should I tell him I had no idea?

Matthew pictured his father's disapproving look. Mainly because it was the same one he'd seen last night. After dinner, while
Mem
was cleaning the kitchen, his father followed him into his workshop and noticed the small pieces of wood Matthew was preparing for recipe boxes.

“What are those?”

“Oh, something I'm working on the side.”

“Are those for the recipe boxes for that pie shop?”

Matthew hadn't denied it. “
Ja.
Just something I'm doing in my spare time.”

Dat
's eyebrows had lifted. “Hobbies are called hobbies for a reason. There's
ne
use giving up well-paying work, especially when you're considering taking on a wife. I hope you do not let these take too much time—or let your work suffer.” Matthew had nodded, acting as if he agreed, but deep down he was thankful at least Joy understood. At least Joy believed in his dreams.

But now he questioned all he knew about her. Had she really taken a job with the television show without even talking to him about it? His teeth clamped down, and rage seethed below the surface. Her decision not only made him look bad, but it made his
dat
look bad too.

Matthew picked up his tool bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I'll be back. Hopefully before lunch.”

Abraham's eyes widened. “Where are you headed?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

“Most likely to see Joy, but I'm not certain that's a
gut
idea.” Abraham took a step closer and paused. “Maybe you should wait. Work a while.”

Matthew squared his shoulders. “Why?”

Abraham shrugged. “I'm just surprised, that's all. In all the years I've worked for you, I've never seen you lose your temper.”

“I'm not going to lose my temper.”

“I might believe that if I didn't see the vein about to pop through the skin on your neck.”

“I just want to talk to Joy, that's all.”

“Oh.” The word fell from Abraham's lips.

“What does that mean?
Oh.
”

“Well, if you were headed to her house, she probably won't be there. That's another thing I've yet to tell you.” Abraham lowered his gaze as if afraid to meet Matthew's eye as he spoke. “I knew what they were talking about is true because I saw Joy this morning.”

“On the way to the fabric store?”

“
Ne.
Heading the opposite direction. She was walking toward the television show's warehouse, and she was carrying a dress on a hanger. If you want to find her, you might want to go there.”

Matthew put down his tool bag. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene. If he did, then people would be pointing fingers and saying more than they already were.

“So…you're not going.”

“Ne.”
He picked up a hammer and swung it around in his hand. “I think anything I have to say will hurt the situation, not help it.”

Abraham stroked his chin. “
Ja
, well, I have two comments then.”

“What's that?”

“Well, first, I'd recommend that you do what most Amish do around here…get the advice of the bishop before you do anything rash.”

“Ja.”
He lowered his hammer, feeling the weight in his hand. “And what's the second comment?”

“Do you mind if I go work on the other side of the room? I've seen you swing a hammer when you're upset, and it can get pretty intense.”

Matthew didn't want to laugh, but he did. He then closed his eyes and told himself to remain calm. As his
mem
had taught him, his reaction was just as important as another person's wrong actions. Maybe even more since he was the bishop's son.

Matthew opened his eyes, blew out a deep breath, and looked at his friend. “You can work over there if you want, but I promise I'll calm down. I know high emotions never help when building a house.”

Abraham tentatively walked to the area he'd been working on before.

Matthew cleared his throat. “
Danke
for telling me. I'm glad to have a friend who's willing to tell it as it is.”

“I figured you'd want to hear it from me rather than someone else.”

Matthew reached for his pouch of nails. “Oh, I'm sure I'll hear it from others. Of that I have no doubt. A lot of caring people in this community like to watch out for their own.” He opened the pouch and pulled out a handful of nails. “Sometimes too well.”

He'd talk to Joy. He'd talk to her soon, but first he needed to clear his thoughts. He was starting to realize Joy wasn't the
woman he thought she was. Had he made a horrible mistake? How could someone so wonderful make such poor decisions? As much as his heart ached, at least he was discovering this now. But what did it mean—for them, for their relationship? He didn't want to think about that now. Not yet. He'd focus on one conversation at a time without worrying that everything he'd dreamed for his future was blowing away like sawdust on the wind.

Nineteen

We are not bound to win; we are bound to be true.

A
MISH PROVERB

J
oy was holding her breath as she waited for Alicia to exit the dressing room. But there was a slight smile on the
Englisch
woman's face when she walked out wearing the coral dress and
kapp
.

“You're not going to believe this, but I'm as excited about this dress as I was for my last Golden Globes gown.” She did a slight twirl. “I can't believe you actually made it to flatter me and sewed it overnight. Unbelievable.” Alicia smoothed her dress with her hands. “I hope you didn't cancel any special plans with your boyfriend. You do have one, don't you?”

Heat rose to Joy's cheeks. “Yes, I suppose you can say that.” Warmth filled her chest at the memory of how Matthew had looked at her yesterday morning. Love was evident in his eyes. Even more so, she treasured the thoughtfulness of tucking those recipes from his grandmother into his
mem
's recipe box. The loving gesture brought much happiness, but the thoughts of being here—at the set—brought worry.

Last night she walked over to his house after dinner, but no one answered the door. She'd considered walking over to his job
site, but it was all the way across town. She hadn't wanted to take the time to go without being sure he was there. He and his
dat
could have taken his
mem
out for a birthday dinner for all she knew.

So instead Joy had hurried home, back to the many dresses she had to sew. And as she walked with quickened steps, she'd thanked God for the unexpected way He had provided money for
Dat
's treatments. Surely when she explained, Matthew would agree that she'd made the right decision. After all, what could be more important than her father's health?

“The dress fits me perfectly.” Alicia's words interrupted her thoughts. The
Englisch
actress pressed her hands into her hips. “Seriously, I have no idea how you sewed this in such a short amount of time.”