Read Holding a Tender Heart Online
Authors: Jerry S. Eicher
“You can sit on the couch while I get us something to eat,” Verna said with a smile.
The soft glow of the kerosene lamp filled the room as he returned her smile. “You don't have to bother. I had supper.”
“Oh, come on!” she teased as she made a funny face. “Not even a piece of shoofly pie?”
“Now that I can't resist!” Joe sat down with a pleased look on his face.
Verna scurried toward the kitchen. Her neck burned red from the pleasure of a correct guess on the first date. Not all boys liked shoofly pie, even though it was a common enough dessert in Snyder County. Emery was one of those who didn't. He claimed he couldn't stand the sight of it.
Thankfully the kitchen was empty. If either Ida or Lois had stayed downstairs unnoticed, she would have chased them upstairs at once. No one need eavesdrop on this her special night. Verna slid two pieces of pie onto plates and filled two glasses with milk. She was on the first trip to the living room when Emery came back downstairs.
He wrinkled his nose when he saw what she carried. “Yuck! I'd go straight home if I had to eat that kind of stuff.”
Verna gave the piece of pie and a glass of milk to Joe.
Joe looked at Emery and laughed. “Come on now! Don't tell me a Snyder County boy doesn't like shoofly.”
“Maybe it hasn't been made right yet.” Emery paused as if taking another look. He shook his head. “Don't think so. It's awful stuff.”
“Get upstairs right now!” Verna ordered as she went back into the kitchen. “I already know your feelings about shoofly pie.”
“But I'm enlightening Joe with my wisdom,” Emery said, keeping a straight face. “And I need a cup of water.”
“Get, my lad!” Verna ordered as Emery took his good old time at the kitchen sink with a glass of water.
Joe still had his grin on when Emery vanished and Verna came back into the living room with her own piece of pie and a glass of milk. “You have an interesting family, Verna,” Joe offered.
“A little too interesting sometimes,” she said. Thoughts of
Daett
and Lois flashed in her mind. What would Joe think if he knew all that went on? Well, he didn't yet, and maybe she could make a favorable impression on him before he found out.
“Every family has their ways.” Joe took a large bite of pie. He savored it before swallowing.
He likes the pie! Verna thought. That was another danger when one served a community staple. Every woman had her own touch to pie making. Apparently Joe liked
Mamm
's recipe. This evening was such a
wunderbah
night. And it would only get better, she was sure. Verna glanced at Joe. “So what have you been doing this week other than farming?”
He didn't answer right away. He chewed slowly. “Not much.
Daett
and I went to the Belleville auction on Wednesday, but everything was going too high. We didn't bring anything home.”
Why was Joe's face suddenly turning red? Verna wondered. Had she said something wrong? Or did Joe not like his pie after all?
Verna took a deep breath. “Did I say something wrong, Joe? Something seems to be bothering you.”
Joe looked at her steadily and then spoke after a long pause. “I suppose I'd better tell you this. You'll probably find out anyway. See, I drove a pickup truck around the lot at the auction barn. One of the
Englisha
boys wanted help. I knew I shouldn't, but something overcame me for a moment.”
Verna smiled slightly. “I thought it might be something I had done.”
Joe appeared puzzled. “I don't think you could do wrong, Verna. That doesn't go for me, of course. But I don't plan to give in to
temptation again. When our people drive
Englisha
vehicles for any reason it can't look
gut.
Even if I was just trying to help. I'm sure some of the younger boys saw me too. That's not
gut
.”
That was surely the reason he confessed so easily, Verna thought. As the bishop's daughter, he figured she'd find out eventually.
Daett
would find out and might bring it up before long.
Verna heard a tremble in her voice as she spoke. “It's okay, Joe. None of us are perfect.”
He looked relieved and took another bite of pie.
“I'm glad you understand.” Joe took a long sip of his milk. “This is
gut
stuff.”
Verna allowed her pleasure to show. “So tell me, Joe, what else went on at your farm this week? Any exciting stuff?”
Joe laughed. “I'm afraid nothing too exciting. The pigs are growing⦔
Verna listened and encouraged his chatter about common farm news. She soaked in each inflection and subtle change on his face.
Midnight arrived soon enough, and Joe rose to his feet. Verna stood up and walked him to the door.
“I've enjoyed this evening, Verna,” Joe said as he reached for his hat. “Any chance I can come back next Sunday night?”
She wanted to jump up and down with glee like Lois did sometimes, but she lowered her gaze instead. “You're more than welcome, Joe.”
“Thank you, Verna!” he said and slipped out into the night.
She shut the door and then waited by the front window until his buggy lights had gone out the lane.
“We're going to make it!” Verna said into the night. “Joe is a
gut
man, a very
gut
man.”
O
n Tuesday afternoon Debbie slipped into her car a little before three and left Destiny Relocation Service's parking lot. This had been her first day at her new job, and it had consisted mostly of orientation. Things had gone well, and she was off early. Tomorrow work would begin in earnest. Now she had to deal with the beginning of rush-hour traffic. This she wasn't going to enjoy. As she suspected, she no sooner pulled into an open lane when every vehicle in front of her slowed down. She might get home faster if she took Route 522, so she turned at the next side road.
Tomorrow she wouldn't have to rush as much, but tonight she had to arrive at the Beilers' residence before their suppertime. After she'd practically invited herself to lunch last week, she couldn't do the same tonightâor even give that appearance. Not with what she wished to ask of the Beilers. Tonight she planned to make her big play, her start into a new life. She was going to ask Bishop Beiler and Saloma if they would consider taking her on as a boarder. No doubt the bishop would find such a request from an
Englisha
girl unusual. When such a thing happened, it was usually between two Amish parties or between
Englisha
people. One didn't mix things up. That was the problem. But perhaps if she dropped hints of things beyond
thatâ¦like the fact she wanted to eventually join the Amish faithâ¦the bishop might at least consider her request. But would all that said in one evening be too much? The Beilers were cautious people, not given to sudden moves even though they knew her well. Still, this idea just might work.
Debbie drove several roads to the north. Finally she turned east on Route 522. Thankfully the traffic didn't pile up beyond the normal slowdowns caused by Amish buggies. Her thoughts of the evening ahead continued. What many a tourist only dreamed of might turn into reality for her. She already had access to an Amish homeâand a bishop's at that. If things went well, she might even become Amish someday. Now wasn't that some goal to set? Certainly better than climbing the corporate ladder at Destiny Relocation Servicesâher mom's latest wish for her. But here she went again with the wild thoughts that could hardly come true. Joining the Amish faith couldn't be easy.
Despite the negative thoughts, Debbie felt her pulse quicken. What if this all worked out? Then she could attend Amish church services. Would Alvin Knepp notice her there? And if he did, how did dating work in the Amish world? There were no cell phone calls between an Amish dating couple, for one thing. And Amish girls didn't make the first move toward eligible boys. That much she knew. But dating Alvin was too much of a fantasy and too much to hope for. She really shouldn't even think about it. Besides, Alvin wasn't the reason for wanting to board at the Beilers' home.
Debbie grimaced. If Bishop Beiler caught a whiff of her feelings toward Alvin, the bishop might never give his consent. And she couldn't blame him. Bishop Beiler would think her motives polluted. But they weren't. She would join the Amish faith for her own reasonsâif she joined at all. Beyond that, finding love would be an added benefit. But love wasn't what she dared hope for right up front.
Debbie took the next turn, and moments later pulled into the
Beiler driveway, coming to a stop beside the familiar buggies lined up beside the barn. She parked and climbed out, taking a deep breath while closing the car door with a soft click. In the distance a team of horses pulled some farm apparatus in a field. They appeared tiny across the vastness of the open acres. Debbie waved and a hand came up in response. From here she couldn't tell whether it was Bishop Beiler or Emery. She didn't wish to meet either of them at the moment. She'd decided it would be better to talk to Saloma or maybe Verna first. It would be better that way.
Turning toward the house, Debbie watched the front door burst open. Lois raced out, bounced to a stop in front of her, and gave her a big hug. “What brings you back today? Have you found another reason to celebrate with us?”
“Not really,” Debbie said. Now that she was here, how was she to begin? Obviously not with Lois.
“You look somber, Debbie. Has something happened?” Lois asked.
“No.” Debbie smiled a little. “I just need to speak with your mom or Verna. Are they at home?”
“Of course!” Lois's face had brightened considerably. “Verna and Ida are almost ready to begin with the chores, and I've started supper.”
“Then I'll try not to be long,” Debbie said.
“You can stay as long as you wish.” Lois's face glowed again. “You always bring a fresh breath of air to this stale family.”
“Now, Lois, that's not nice.” Debbie frowned.
Lois pouted. “Well, it's true. Although Verna did finally bring home a man last Sunday night. Can you believe that? The first male company we've had on a Sunday night in, like, forever!”
“She did? That's wonderful!” Debbie exclaimed.
Lois wrinkled her nose. “It was only boring old Joe Weaver, so I wouldn't call that very exciting. His old girlfriend, Rosy, dumped him not that long ago. That tells you how interesting he is.”
“Verna must think he's interesting, and she's a good judge of people,” Debbie protested.
Lois grimaced. “Joe's okay if you plan to stay boring Amishâwhich I don't.”
“Lois!” Debbie gasped. “Don't speak like that.”
“Who would've thought you'd be on my family's side?” Lois said sourly. “You're
Englisha
and all. You should be for them, not for the Amish.”
Wait until you hear what I'm here for!
Debbie wanted to say, but that wouldn't be wise.
Lois led the way to the house. Verna was waiting at the front door, beaming a happy smile.
“Good afternoon!” Debbie greeted.
“And a
gut
afternoon to you,” Verna replied. “What brings you out today?”
“She wants to speak with you or
Mamm
,” Lois said.
“Have you got a moment?” Debbie asked as a questioning look crept over Verna's face.
Verna glanced down at her chore dress. “Sure. We don't have to go out for another ten minutes or so. Come in. Did you notice if the men have brought in the horses?”
“No, they were still working in the field,” Debbie said as she stepped inside. Verna didn't know how great a compliment she had just paid her by expecting her to notice things around the farmâenough at least to comment on them. The evening was off to a good start!
“Mamm!”
Verna called over her shoulder. “Will you please come in here? Debbie would like to talk with us.”
“Yah!”
Saloma answered. She appeared moments later.