Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) (34 page)

Paul gave her a quick glance. “You’ve always been close to all three sisters.”

“
Yah
, and Ida and I have grown closer since Lois left and Verna married.” The observation was perceptive of him, Debbie thought. She wasn’t used to this kind of depth in Paul. Perhaps the accident really had changed him like Ida thought it had.

“Do you know him?” Paul nodded off to the side toward Phillip.

Debbie glanced that way. “Not before today.”

“He’s been looking at you all day,” Paul remarked, his gaze directed off in the distance.

Debbie laughed. “You’re teasing, right?”

Paul shook his head. “You didn’t notice during the service?”

Debbie paused a step, but she quickly resumed her pace. “You’re not jealous, are you?”

“I’m dying of jealousy.” Paul wrinkled up his face in pretend agony.

Debbie laughed. “That sounds more like the Paul I remember.”

Paul winced. “It takes more than the loss of an arm to change a man, I suppose. Although… ” He shrugged. “Maybe I’ve been adjusted around my sharp edges. I hope so. I do know I haven’t always been… appropriate or kind with you, Debbie. Throwing my interest at you like I deserved to be noticed. I’m sorry for all that.”

She gave him a steady glance. “You don’t have to apologize to me, Paul. And you still are a man, you know.”

“A man with feelings,” he admitted slowly.

Debbie drew in a deep breath. Was he trying for her attention again? “Paul, don’t go there. Not today. Not with me.”

Paul glanced at his empty sleeve, but he kept his walk steady as they entered the upper level of the Beiler barn. Paul took his seat without comment. A shaky smile was pasted on his face.

The last thing Debbie wanted to do was fight with Paul on Ida’s wedding day.

People came by to express their congratulations to Minister Kanagy and Ida. Debbie snuck a glance at Paul and tried to say something appropriate. “I’m glad you had the courage to come out and attend the service today. It meant a lot to Ida, and I think it’s good for you.”

He nodded.

She was used to Paul in all his glorified honesty, even if it made her angry. This new attitude would take some getting used to.

He leaned closer. “I was glad to help out.” He looked hopeful. “I know I was clumsy, but perhaps we could have a fresh start now that Alvin… ”

When she didn’t respond a shadow crossed his face. “I was sorry to hear about Alvin. I really was.”

“You don’t see me dancing in the streets,” Debbie retorted.

Paul was silent for a moment. Finally he said, “I guess I was just hoping, that’s all.”

What was she to say to that? “I’m not the girl for you, Paul,” she asserted as gently as she could. “Someday you’ll find the woman for you.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Paul sighed.

She reached over to squeeze his hand. That Paul still cared about her was a little bit flattering. She decided to admit it. She gave him a sideways glance. “You’re a sweet man on the inside, Paul. Thanks for still thinking about me that way. I’m flattered.”

“You’re welcome.” He added, “So, we’re still on speaking terms?”

She returned his smile. “At least for Ida’s wedding day.”

He laughed, the sound infectious. His laugh sounded almost like it had before his injury. Maybe she had done Paul some good today, which would be a great thing to happen on Ida’s wedding day. Ida would appreciate that.

Thirty-Four

T
he late-afternoon sun hung low in the sky. Ida’s wedding was over. Debbie stood beside Paul’s buggy as he pulled himself up with one arm. His face was etched with pain as he took a seat beside his sister Esther. With a quick wave Esther took off down the lane. Paul barely attempted a goodbye. He was obviously tired and in pain. He shouldn’t have stayed this long, Debbie thought. He was barely fit to leave the house this morning, and yet he had come. If she hadn’t insisted over an hour ago that Paul consider a return home, he’d still be here. Paul had exhausted himself well beyond his current endurance level. That wouldn’t be good for Paul’s long-term health and recovery.

From the other side of the lane where a small group of people had watched Paul leave, Minister Kanagy spoke up. “That was the smart thing to do. He was obviously tired.”

Debbie nodded as she walked over and joined the group.

Ida clung to his arm and agreed with her new husband. “He was really suffering.” Ida glanced over at her friend. “Now Debbie has no one to sit with her tonight.”

Ben’s face brightened at once. “Phillip has offered a suggestion,
and I kind of like it. He’s offered to take Paul’s place, and one of our cousins can sit with Carrie. I’m sure Debbie wouldn’t mind.”

“Oh!” Ida hesitated. “Well,
yah
, if you think so.”

Debbie exchanged looks with Ida. She didn’t want to reveal that she didn’t want to sit with the handsome newcomer because of the many stares he’d cast her way all day.

Ben grinned. “I think this will work out well. Let me go confirm it with Phillip.” He sent a meaningful glance toward Debbie before heading to the barn. Debbie let out a sigh. First she had had to deal with Paul’s semi-unexpected attention. Now this Phillip cousin. What if he asked her home for a date on Sunday night? That is, if, as expected, he stayed over the weekend to visit family. Well, she would just tell him
no
. That’s all there was to it. She wasn’t ready for a romantic adventure. Not until she was sure
Da Hah
was behind it.

Ida walked over to Debbie. “I saw the way you were so kind with Paul. That was nice of you.”

Debbie shrugged. “He was at the end of his rope and too stubborn to admit it.”

“I noticed you spoke with him a lot.” Ida continued to probe.

“We had a good time…”

Ida brightened a bit. “Maybe the sparks will fly for you yet.”

Debbie laughed. “You have some impractical theories, you know that, my friend?”

“I know,” Ida admitted. “I guess I should stop worrying about other people and find Lois while I have a free minute. I really need to thank her for making the extra effort today. My wedding wouldn’t have been the same without the awesome food she and
Mamm
prepared for the noon meal. And there’s more coming tonight, I’m sure.” Ida turned and rushed off toward the house.

Debbie waited. Ida would never stop showing her concern for people. It was her lot in life. She always seemed to know what needed doing. Like thanking Lois for her help with the wedding. Lois had appeared cheerful enough all day, but she was here without
her husband. That must wear on her. Whether Doug was Amish or not, he was still her husband.

Debbie walked toward Minister Kanagy as he came out of the barn with a big grin on his face. She already knew the answer from Phillip long before she reached him.

“Phillip is more than glad to help us out,” Minister Kanagy said. “He said he almost feels like he knows you.” The man’s eyes twinkled. “I want to take this chance to tell you, Debbie, how much I appreciate how you’ve been handling yourself since Alvin is no longer seeing you. Ida told me it was all Alvin’s doing. And I’ve noticed he’s already dating Mildred. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—other than his hurting your heart. Some young women might have gotten bitter through the experience. I’m glad to see you’re not holding anything against him. Ida told me about you asking to wash Mildred’s feet at the communion service. No one was expecting that of you, Debbie, but you did it anyway. This is something we can all be thankful for—having someone like you living amongst the community. I sometimes don’t even think about you coming from the outside anymore. It’s as if that never was.”

Debbie felt herself turn red. “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Ben smiled. “You’re welcome. And I’d best be off to find Ida, my
frau
.”

Debbie directed him toward the house with a wave of her hand. When he was gone, she stood silent and amazed. After all his months of scrutiny, she had finally managed to impress him. She had received praise from Bishop Beiler
and
Minister Kanagy.

A shadow crossed Debbie’s face at the memory of Paul’s assertion that he still cared about her. Paul had probably accepted Ida’s invitation to serve as a witness out of his friendship with the Beiler family, yes, but his purpose had gone deeper. He had clearly hoped he’d have a chance to advance his continued affection for her because Alvin was out of the way. Apparently he hoped to win her over before another man got in his way again.

Debbie told herself she ought to be honored with the continued attention from unmarried Amish men. But the one man she’d wanted to marry hadn’t seen things that way.

Debbie’s brow furrowed as she thought of Paul. The poor man.

But right now she’d better get ready to meet Phillip Kanagy or he would catch her flat-footed. The man was good looking, Debbie admitted.

She walked back into the barn and up the stairs. She stood by the upper barn door looking out. Below her the washroom door opened, and a long line of teenaged girls walked out for the evening hymn singing and supper. The older boys had already gathered outside the barn where they’d pair up with the girls before they took their seats.

Debbie watched Ida come out the front door of the house and run across the lawn to join Ben. They hurried into the barn, and soon Debbie heard them thump up the stairs. She turned and watched them go to the head of the line and take their places at their table. An unfamiliar man was already seated with Carrie, who appeared happy enough with the change in plans. Now what was Debbie to do? Ida hadn’t said anything as she zipped past. And she was taken up with Ben at the moment.

Well, Phillip could find his own way, Debbie decided. She would take her seat. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a man’s deep voice stopped her.

“I’m right behind you.”

A quick retort sprang to Debbie’s lips, but it died when she turned around. Phillip was much more handsome than he’d appeared at a distance. Much more!

“Debbie?” he asked, though it was obvious he knew good and well who she was.

She relaxed. “And you’re Phillip.”

“That’s my name.” He smiled. “I hope you don’t mind the change in plans. That fellow you were with today seemed like a very decent man. Sorry about him having to leave.”

“Poor Paul,” she murmured. “He put himself out for the Beiler family today.”

“That was very thoughtful of him. Ben told me all about him.” Phillip motioned toward the table where Ida and Ben were sitting. “Shall we be seated?”

Debbie liked how he took charge yet wasn’t bossy. And he sounded like he cared about Paul’s condition, and yet he wasn’t full of angst that she’d been with him all day.

“Are you a local?” Phillip asked as he glanced her way.

Debbie smiled. “
Yah
, you could say so.” Apparently no one had filled Phillip in on her past history or he was a very good actor. She decided to see how long she could convince him she was raised Amish.

“I know you’re Debbie, but that’s about all. I don’t even know your last name.”

“Yoder,” she said lightly, watching his face. He didn’t register any surprise at the Amish name, but Ida clearly heard. She gave Debbie a sharp glance. Debbie smiled at Phillip. “Actually, I’m a Watson—Debbie Watson. I was
Englisha
until I graduated from college. I’ve boarded with the Beilers for a long time, and it seems like I’ve always been drawn to the life of the Amish community. Now I’m Amish. I joined the church only recently.”

The drop of his mouth was unmistakably genuine. And he seemed, well, interested. Intrigued almost.

“Is that really true?” The surprise still lingered in his eyes. “I believed you when you said your name was Yoder. You look quite Plain.”

She smiled. “I was raised living next door to the Beilers. I hung around with the Beiler sisters—Verna, Ida, and Lois. When I finished college, I made the jump…once Mom pushed me out of the nest, so to speak. And here I am.”

“You’re baptized in the Amish faith?” His expression revealed his fascination.

She nodded. “This fall,
yah.
I just had my first communion.”

He seemed pleased. “And where was this college you went to?”