The Betrayed Fiancée (10 page)

“How are things between you and Joel these days?” Mom inquired.

“We're going on a picnic after church this Sunday.” Kristi's stomach tightened. No way was she going to tell her mother about Joel taking money from their joint account. It would give her one more reason to question his ability to be a good husband. She would probably say Joel was deceitful and couldn't be trusted. Lately, Kristi had to admit, she felt the same way, but her love for him always won out. He'd apologized for taking the money, and Kristi was confident he wouldn't do it again.

“I hoped you hadn't made any plans for Sunday afternoon.” Mom touched Kristi's arm. “I planned to ask if you and Joel could come over to our house to eat after church. Your dad mentioned it's been some time since we've visited with both of you.”

“Can we do it next Sunday instead? Joel called last night and said he has something special to give me, and he'd probably prefer being alone.” Kristi had a suspicion Joel might be planning to give her an engagement ring, but wondered how he could afford it, given his financial circumstances.
If it is a ring, I hope he didn't charge it, or we'll be stuck with making payments for a long time
.

As eager as Kristi was to make their engagement official and set a wedding date, she didn't want to start their marriage deeply in debt. She'd been praying Joel would land a big job soon and be able to replace what he'd taken from their account. Surely, with all the building going on in the area, something would open up.

“Next Sunday will be fine.” Mom rested her arm on the sofa pillow. “We can confirm it when the time gets closer and you've had a chance to speak with Joel. He might not be interested in having lunch with us.”

Kristi couldn't imagine why he wouldn't. After all, Mom and Dad would be his in-laws once she and Joel were married.

Berlin, Ohio

“Are you feeling all right, Doris?” Brian motioned to her half-eaten supper plate. “You've barely touched your food.”

Doris exhaled as she pushed her beef stew around with a fork. “My stomach is queasy and has been all day. This flu bug I came down with on Monday is determined to stick around. I may have picked something up the day of the funeral with so many people around.”

“Maybe it's not the flu. Have you called the doctor and told him your symptoms?”

“No, but if I had called, he'd probably tell me all the usual things to do for the flu—drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest—which is what I've been doing.”

Brian touched her forehead. “You don't have a fever. Do you feel achy?”

“No, only my stomach's upset.”

His eyes darkened, and a sly grin appeared on his lips. “You don't suppose….”

“Suppose what?” Doris reached for her glass of water and took a sip.

“Is it possible?… After all this time, could you be having morning sickness because you're expecting a boppli?”

“I don't think so, Brian. Besides, the nausea I've felt isn't just in the mornings. Sometimes it lasts all day.”

“Have you talked to your sisters to get their opinion? They've both experienced what it's like to be pregnant. I'm sure they'd know if what some folks call ‘morning sickness' could occur at other times of the day.”

“I suppose I could ask them.” Doris fiddled with the napkin beside her plate. “But I'm sure it's a lingering flu bug.” She forced herself to take another bite of stew and closed her eyes.
Wouldn't it be something if I was actually pregnant? I won't get my hopes up, but it would truly be a miracle and an answer to prayer
.

Akron

Joel leaned back in the recliner and checked his phone messages. There were two from people asking for bids on small jobs, and a message from Elsie saying the will had not been found.

He leaped from the chair and started to pace.
This is ridiculous! How long can it take for my sisters to find Dad's will? There are three of them, after all, plus Aunt Verna and Uncle Lester, if they decided to stick around awhile
.

Joel had half a mind to get in the car and go over to his dad's house and search for the will himself. But he didn't feel like making the hour's drive, since Charm was more than sixty miles away. It would take too much time to drive there, search the house for the will, and drive back home. If at all possible, he wanted to hit the hay early tonight. Right now, he had a few jobs lined up, which he needed to get started on early tomorrow and Friday. Fortunately, he'd given a few of his subcontractors part of the money he still owed them, so they'd agreed to do the jobs Joel couldn't do, such as the wiring and plumbing.

He stopped pacing long enough to grab his cup of coffee and take a drink.
If I don't hear anything from Elsie by the time those two jobs are finished, I may drive over to Millersburg and talk to her in person
.

This Sunday, Joel would be taking Kristi on a picnic, and he'd like to tell her the will had been found. With the exception of his relationship with Kristi, it was hard to find much good in his life these days. “ 'Course, there's also my beautiful Corvette,” he mumbled. “Think I'll get it out right now and take a short spin.” Looking at his watch, Joel realized he still had enough time to go out and be back in plenty of time for bed. One thing Joel had discovered since he'd gotten the classic car: driving around in it helped him to relax and forget his troubles—if only for a little while.

Millersburg

Elsie had been thinking about Doris and was considering going to Berlin to see how she was, but the day had gotten away from her. She'd rushed about cleaning; had stripped all their beds; and washed sheets, towels, and clothes. Now it was time to get supper on the table.

Her thoughts jumped to Joel, another family member to be concerned about.
Dad was right. Joel acts spoiled and only thinks of himself
.

Elsie paused in the hall and took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself before going to the kitchen. She still had some laundry to take down from the clothesline, so she asked Mary to get it.

“Sure, Mom, I'll do it right now.”

On entering the kitchen, Elsie was pleased to see Hope peeling potatoes and putting them into a kettle for boiling. The roast was in the oven, and Elsie had sliced some tomatoes she'd picked from the garden this morning. So far, they'd had no frost, and if the weather held out, they could get tomatoes for a few more weeks. John was home from work and was out in the barn with the boys, so they would eat soon after they came in from doing their chores.

Hope dropped a potato into the kettle and turned to face Elsie. “I miss Grandpa so much.” Tears welled in her eyes.

“I do, too.” Elsie gave her youngest daughter's shoulder a tender squeeze. “Let's try to remember all the good times we had with him.”

“I will, but it's hard knowing both he and Grandma Byler are gone.”

Elsie's eyes filled with tears as she gave her daughter a hug.

“Hey, are you two all right?” John asked when he stepped in from outside.

Elsie patted her damp eyes. “We miss my daed.”

“We all do.” John moved closer and rubbed Elsie's back.

She sniffed. “Did you get all the chores done? Where are the boys?”

“They're feeding the cats. I told 'em to hurry. Oh, and I checked phone messages. There was one from Doris.”

“What did she say?”

“Said she's felt nauseated off and on all day.” His forehead wrinkled. “She's been
grank
for a few days now. Has she seen the doctor?”

“I'm not sure. I'll give her a call after supper.”

“Might be a good idea.” John sniffed the air. “Dinner smells good. How long till we eat?”

“Fifteen minutes, maybe,” Hope spoke up. “As soon as the potatoes have cooked.”

“I'll go out and hurry the boys. Then we'll all wash up.”

Elsie watched out the window as her husband returned to the barn.
I wonder what's going on with Doris
. She thought back to when she was expecting.
Could my little sister be pregnant
?

“I got the clean laundry off the line and brought in.” Mary bounded into the kitchen.

“Danki.” Elsie placed a serving fork on the table for the meat. “After you wash your hands, would you please help your sister set the table?”

“Sure, Mom.” Mary headed down the hall toward the bathroom.

Elsie was sure her oldest daughter missed her grandfather, too, but she seemed to be holding it inside, going about her business as though everything was normal.

Elsie leaned against the counter and closed her eyes.
We all need to grieve—even Joel. I hope he feels some remorse for the way he talked to Dad when he was alive
.

W
hat a beautiful day for a picnic.” Kristi sighed as she set her wicker basket on the blanket Joel had spread on the grass. “Fall is my favorite time of the year. Look how pretty the leaves are getting.” Kristi pointed to a grove of sugar maples with leaves of red, orange, and yellow.

Joel stared blankly at them as he took a seat on the blanket beside her. He didn't seem interested in the beautiful trees. He had been quiet and pensive ever since church let out. Kristi wished she could read his mind.

“Before we start eating, I have something for you.” Joel reached into the pocket of his denim jeans and pulled out a small velveteen box.

Kristi's heart quickened as he placed it in her hand.

“Go ahead. Open it.” Joel's sudden smile caused her heart to beat a little faster.

Kristi's fingers trembled as she untied the ribbon. When she opened the lid, an attractive pair of pink earrings, sparkling in the sun, peeked out at her. She lowered her head, staring intently at them. Although disappointed he hadn't given her a ring, in one sense Kristi felt relief. She was certain Joel hadn't spent nearly as much on the earrings as he would on a diamond ring, which meant he hadn't put himself in financial jeopardy.

“They're beautiful, Joel. Thank you,” Kristi murmured. “But you didn't have to get me a gift. It's not my birthday or anything.”

He smiled. “It's a token of my affection, and a reminder of how much I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She closed the box and put it inside the picnic basket.

“Aren't you going to wear them?”

“Not right now. I'll save them for a special occasion.” She reached for his hand.

He leaned over and gave her a kiss. “Should we eat? I'm hungry.”

“Of course. Should we pray the Amish way before I take out the food?”

“Sure, that's fine.” Joel bowed his head, and Kristi did the same.

When they finished silent praying, Kristi handed Joel a paper plate and got out the bucket of chicken they'd picked up on the way. They also had bottles of sparkling lemon water, as well as some sliced veggies she had fixed this morning.