Last Bride, The (Home to Hickory Hollow Book #5) (25 page)

Hours later, after the shared meal, Levi managed to pass a note to her without being seen, or so Tessie hoped.
I’m mighty happy for
you,
it read.
My prayers were answered.

She, too, was happy . . . and sincerely thankful. The People truly cared for her, just as Mary Beiler had said.

Later, after the shared meal, when Mamma was standing with Tessie waiting for their horse and buggy, she reached for Tessie’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Your father and I love you very much, Tessie, dear. And your baby, too—our grandchild.”

“I know, Mamma. And it means so much hearin’ ya say so.”

She saw a tear on her mother’s cheek and looked over to see Dawdi Dave hobbling this way with his sturdy cane. She released Mamma’s hand and moved to make a spot for the dear man between them.

“Tessie Ann,” he said softly, eyes shining. “Blessings on ya, my dear girl.”

Now
she
was the one struggling with tears, knowing exactly what he meant.

On the buggy ride home, there was not a speck of talk about what had transpired at church, a sign that all had been forgiven—the Amish way. Neither, though, was any comment made about Levi Smucker.

As the buggy wheels rumbled over an uneven patch, Tessie unfolded his note once more where she sat behind Dawdi Dave. She found it curious that Levi had not asked to see her again.

I
t wasn’t until midweek that Tessie received another note from Levi—a supper invitation to his parents’ home this upcoming weekend. Such a surprise!

I realize this isn’t the way most couples court round here, but we aren’t most couples, jah? My parents are eager and willing to host us for the meal, where you’ll get better acquainted with the rest of my family, too. It’ll be one big feast, for certain. Let me know if this is agreeable to you, my dear Tessie.

“His parents want me to come to their home even before I agree to marry him?” she whispered, astonished as she put on her coat and outer black bonnet. She wanted to walk over to the cemetery and say one last good-bye to Marcus; it seemed like an appropriate time to do so.

Truth be told, she was feeling more interested in everything now, including attending the farm sales that week. Best of all,
she’d enjoyed some good fellowship with Mandy both at the house and once at the little shop. Mamma must’ve noticed they were on better footing, because when Tessie caught her eye at the store, where Mandy stood right next to her, Mamma looked to be brushing back tears of joy.

Tessie’s time in the cemetery was short-lived; she just didn’t feel as comfortable there anymore, and it wondered her. She did catch herself looking back, glancing once more over her shoulder before heading for the white gate.

“Good-bye, dear Marcus . . . I’ll see you in heaven, when it’s my turn.”

The weekend supper at Smuckers’ farm arrived quickly. Tessie amazed herself by eagerly anticipating the chance to spend some time with Levi’s parents. His devoted mother, Sarah, was every bit as encouraging as he was, and a wonderful hostess.

When she and Levi arrived together that evening, Sarah greeted her at the back door and offered to help by hanging up Tessie’s black shawl. “Come in and make yourself at home, dear.” Then she whispered, “You’ll be sitting next to me at the table.”

“Denki, sounds nice.” To be recognized in such a warm way by Levi’s family after all the secrecy she’d experienced with Marcus, well, it nearly seemed like a lovely dream.

Even Levi’s black-and-tan coonhound, Trickie, thumped his long tail each time Tessie Ann passed him on the porch that most pleasant springtime evening. “Guess our hunting dog likes ya, too,” Levi’s father said brightly.

Sarah Smucker remarked how the littlest children were drawn to Tessie. “You’re a magnet for Kinner,” she said before they all sat down to eat.

“’Tis a
gut
thing,” Levi put in quickly, and his father glanced his way, his raised eyebrows giving way to a warm smile.

“We’ll have as many children as the Lord God permits,” Levi told Tessie later, on the ride home. “That is, if you ever get around to answering my question.” He winked and slipped his arm around her, holding both reins with his right hand. “What do I have to do, my darling?”

“Guess I’m just bein’ cautious,” she said softly. “Are we rushin’ things?”

“Well, we’ve known each other our entire lives. And it’s obvious both our families approve.”

“’Tis true. It’s
gut
to have the support of our families, that’s for sure.”

“And no one loves you better than I do. So what do ya think—will you have me as your husband?”

“I do miss ya when we part ways,” she admitted.

“That’s one
gut
reason.” He held up his pointer finger.

“And I’ve seen you enjoyin’ my cookin’, too, after Preaching and whatnot all.”

He put up a second finger. “And?”

She enjoyed his company very much, but surely he knew that already. “I’ve prayed about it, not wanting to get ahead of the Lord God . . . this time.”

Levi held up three fingers.

She smiled; he was such a joy to her. And looking at him and watching his face burst into a grin, she laughed out loud. The devotion she’d cherished for Marcus’s memory—and now
their baby—seemed to somehow merge with the love she felt for Levi, creating a very different, very special kind of affection.

“When would ya like to go an’ ask for my father’s blessing?” Tessie ventured.

“Why don’t we go together . . . when the time’s right?” he suggested. “We’ll wait a little while, if you prefer that.”

She agreed, remembering how the rush to marry Marcus had led to heartache.

A little patience can only bring
blessing.

And Tessie was thankful again for this wonderful young man beside her.

It was an especially warm afternoon six weeks later when Tessie spotted Levi at market. The afternoon customers were slowing to a trickle as he nearly ran across the aisle to where she was seated. Having spent every Saturday evening with him since the meal at his parents’ house, not to mention other times in between, she was beginning to realize that each time she saw him, her heart fluttered. And, too, thoughts of Marcus were fading, although she’d promised herself she would never forget him.

“Would ya like to ride back to Hickory Hollow with me?” Levi asked. “We can stop and get some ice cream on the way, if you’d like.”

She laughed softly. “How can I refuse?”

“That’s just what I was hopin’ to hear.” He leaned near and whispered, “I love you, Tessie Ann,” making her blush but good.

“I’m not goin’ to say it back, not in front of everyone.” She
smiled at him, too aware of the other Amish vendors, who were trying not to stare and not succeeding.

“But you’ll say it in front of God and the People . . . at least in the way they’ll expect, ain’t so?”

“And soon, too, I ’spect.”

He grinned at her as she eased out of her chair. “Of course . . . just as soon as we talk to your father.” They’d agreed recently that it was time.

Levi kept his hand on her elbow as they walked to his buggy, and he gently helped her in. “You know what I think?” Tessie asked.

“Hmm.” His eyes twinkled. “You’re ready for ice cream?”

“That’s not what I was goin’ to say, but sure.” She couldn’t help but smile again. “I honestly think Marcus would be very happy for me . . . and for you.”

He nodded wholeheartedly. “I think you’re absolutely right.”

They pulled into the ice-cream shop, and Levi tied the horse to the back hitching post, then stood near the carriage to help Tessie down. “Sweets for the sweetest girl ever.”

“You’re just full of sugary words today, ain’t?”

“And every word’s true.” Levi slipped his arm around her as they walked around the side of the little building.

“We should have plenty of homemade ice cream on hand for the wedding feast, jah?” she suggested.

“Whatever you’d like.”

She smiled. “Well, in that case . . .”

“Within reason, of course.” He chuckled as he opened the door to the cozy shop and they stepped inside.

I’ll
be the plumpest bride in Hickory Hollow!
thought Tessie.

W
hen Levi took her home later that evening, he accompanied Tessie into her father’s house. Mamma was nowhere to be seen, but Dat was sitting at the kitchen table working a crossword puzzle.

Levi went right over and sat down at the table beside him. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask ya something,” Levi began.

Dat looked over his glasses at him, then reached up and deliberately removed them. “What’s on your mind, Levi?”

Levi glanced at Tessie, who stood near, then back at her father. “I’m here to ask for Tessie’s hand in marriage . . . and for your blessing, Ammon.”

Dat’s lower lip quivered slightly, and he cleared his throat, gathering himself somewhat. Then, with what appeared to be tears welling up, he quoted from the book of Tobit: “‘And he takes the hand of the daughter and puts it in the hand of Tobias.’” With that, he reached for Tessie’s hand and placed
it in Levi’s right hand, cupping their hands in both of his before praying silently.

May Thy will be done, O Father God,
Tessie prayed, as well.

When Dat raised his head, he was unable to squelch his grin. He called for Mamma to come downstairs. “Such
gut
news,” he said. “When’s the wedding?”

“We’ll set a date as soon as we talk with the bishop,” Levi said, a broad smile on his handsome face as Mamma joined them. “We want his consent, too.”

Tessie agreed, scarcely able to contain her own happiness.

“Surely bishop’ll dispense with havin’ ya wait till the fall wedding season,” Mamma said, coming over to give Tessie a hug and Levi a handshake. “And if so, we can have the wedding feast here for just the two immediate families. If that’s what yous want,” she added.

There was a twinkle in Levi’s eye. “Well, we won’t be runnin’ off to elope, that’s certain.”

Tessie poked his arm. “Oh now, aren’t you a
gut
one!”

No one mentioned it was right smart to get plans under way, considering the baby was coming in a couple of months. Even so, that was definitely on Tessie’s mind as she cradled her stomach and walked with Levi to the outer room. She closed the kitchen door behind them. “I love you, I hope you know,” she whispered as he took her into his arms.

“So you’ll marry me, then?”

Tessie laughed softly. “What do
you
think?”

He kissed her cheek. “My father told me just today he’s ready to hand over the farm to me—lookin’ to retire. So we’ll live in the big house there, not far from your beloved childhood home.”

“Not as beloved as the one I’ll move to . . . with you.”

He smiled into her eyes. “I hope you’ll be happy there, Tessie Ann.”

Nodding and trying not to cry, she said, “Wherever you are, that’ll be home to me.”

He drew her near again and said how pretty she was. And always had been.

“Well, you must be blind just now.” She glanced down at her middle.

“Not blind at all, my love.” And with one more kiss on the cheek, Levi turned and waved good-bye. “We’ve got us a weddin’ to plan.”

“Not before we talk to the bishop, remember.” She watched him go, glad for the solar yard light her father had installed with Sylvan’s help last fall. “Till I see you again,” she whispered, her heart full.

Oh, goodness, she hadn’t expected to like Levi this much. Like him,
and
fall in love with him, too. Why, she hadn’t expected to care deeply for anyone ever again, after Marcus. But the Lord certainly had worked in wondrous ways—if not miraculous ones—and Tessie was thankful for the surprising gift she’d found in her wonderful-
gut
husband-to-be.
A precious gift, indeed
.

A few days later, as they rode around in his black open buggy, Levi asked if Tessie was ready to go and apply for their marriage license now that they had the bishop’s permission. He, too, had agreed the wedding should take place sooner rather than later.

“I want to be sensitive to your feelings about that, ya know.”

She glanced at him, glad for his understanding spirit. “Ach, I appreciate you for it, Levi. I’ve come a long way, believe me.”

He held the reins as he turned to look thoughtfully at her. “I believe you, love.” He reached for her hand. “I do.”

Tessie felt self-conscious as they entered the Chester County courthouse later that week. She looked about, then ducked her head, hoping no one would recognize her and feeling squeamish at being there as a pregnant bride-to-be.
And for
a similar purpose to last September.
This time, though, she would gladly follow the church ordinance and marry in front of the bishop and the People.

Thanks to the Amish grapevine, more of the Hickory Hollow Plain community had begun to express interest in attending their wedding. Eager whispers and hopeful smiles were offered at the marketplace and farm auctions, as well as at various gatherings for the womenfolk. It wasn’t long till Mamma told Tessie Ann that their original plan for a small guest list simply would not do.

So, two weeks before the Thursday wedding, Tessie’s father cheerfully stood up in church and invited all of the membership to his house for the wedding.

Four hundred and fifty guests came to honor Levi and Tessie that lovely, sunshiny May morning, including Tessie’s four
sisters and their spouses, and Mamma’s and Dat’s many siblings and their families, too.

After the three-and-a-half-hour Preaching service, as was their custom, Tessie and Levi went to stand before the bishop with their four wedding attendants, including dear Cousin Emmalyn.

The bishop read a Bible quotation from Ephesians chapter five: “‘Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.’” Then he read further. “‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.’”

Next, Tessie answered the important questions asked of a bride, including the very last one: “Do you confess, our sister, Tessie Ann Miller King, that you accept this, our brother, Levi Emmanuel Smucker, as your lifelong husband, and that you will never leave him until death divides you?”

Tessie was momentarily distracted by Marcus’s last name—her former married name—and paused, though she kept a solemn expression. “Jah, I do,” she said, looking into the bishop’s face. “With all of my heart.”

Levi was then asked the same questions, his words serious as he immediately answered.

Tessie thrilled to hear Bishop John declare them husband and wife at the end of his prayer. “Go forth in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

The couple returned to their appointed chairs, and Tessie looked forward to what was to come as they sat patiently through the testimony of one of the church members. Next, several ministers were invited to comment on the sermons, as well as to offer good wishes to the couple. Hearing her
new last name made Tessie Ann smile a little, although she was careful to maintain an attitude of respect in the house of worship—today, her father’s home.

When everything was accomplished in an orderly manner, her Dat got up and thanked everyone for coming and also those who’d helped cook the upcoming feast or assisted with the horses and carriages outdoors. Once Dat was seated, Reuben Smucker walked to the front, hands folded and eyes glistening. Reading his comments from a small piece of paper, he, too, made a short statement of gratitude, thanking everyone in attendance.

After the final prayer, given by the bishop from the old
Christenpflicht
prayer book, the People waited for the benediction to come, and the last song, which told of the marriage supper of Jesus Christ, the Lamb.

Levi waited till they were alone upstairs in her old room to take Tessie in his arms and kiss her tenderly. Smiling, he admitted, “I’ve waited since seventh grade to kiss you like that,
mei lieb
.” He did not stop with one, and Tessie embraced the fervency of his affection, thinking she might just melt right there in his arms. “Ach, I love you so,” he said between each kiss.

“I’m ever so happy,” she finally breathed.

“Well then, I am, too.” Levi pulled her gently near again.

It was impossible for Tessie to count her blessings.
Blessings and
mercies.
Ach, so very many.

Later, when she spotted Mandy in the kitchen helping to set the long tables, she noticed a sweet smile on her face. Was her sister just delighted for Tessie and Levi—was that it?

Yet the more Tessie looked her way, the more she wondered
if Mandy had something special to tell her, just maybe. Oh, she could scarcely wait to find out!

At the wedding feast, Dawdi Dave was grinning to beat the band, happier than Tessie had seen him since before Mammi Rosanna’s passing. After a couple bites of the delicious wedding cake, she even briefly left Levi’s side to tell him so.

Levi’s family members were ever so cordial, though the grandparents he’d traveled to Florida to see in early March had stayed put, due to his grandmother’s ongoing health struggles. Levi had told Tessie that he’d confided in them about her while there and was nearly pushed out the door as they’d encouraged him to hurry home to Hickory Hollow . . . and to Tessie. “Yet another confirmation we were meant to be together, don’t ya think?” he added, and she wholeheartedly agreed.