The Brethren (26 page)

Annie knew there was to be no talking about divine lots or God’s will today, not the way her mother stared and frowned so awful hard at her now.

Annie couldn’t bear to see Mamm so upset. “I was thinkin’ of Ben,” she admitted.

Her mother’s face softened. “Well, I can see you’re more than sweet on him. I shouldn’t be surprised.” She spoke of Isaac’s and Annie’s childhood days again. Then she said, “It was the dearest thing ‘tween you and me when your father came home with the wonderfulgood news. He was nearly speechless, completely overjoyed to know our Isaac is alive and well.”

“Daed’s overjoyed?”

304 “Why, sure he is. We all are, for goodness’ sake.” Mamm studied her for a moment. “It is a sign, I daresay. From almighty God.” She told of her dreams, especially the most recent one. “I just hope we can bring him back into community once again.”

Annie listened, taking it all in, but she was especially pleased to know how her father had responded to Ben being Isaac. She and Mamm sat and talked for a while longer, then she helped her roll out a few piecrusts, just as they’d always done together.

Later, when the pies were scooted into the oven, Annie left the house to go looking for Yonie. She found Luke first. He looked at her nearly cross-eyed before telling her, “Yonie’s in the barn, all dressed up. Ain’t that awful silly?”

When she located Yonie, he was pulling hard on his long, colorful necktie, which one of the cows had chomped on and was right this minute chewing.

“Oh, Yonie! For goodness’ sake!” She hurried to his side, trying not to laugh, but giggles spilled out of her anyway.

Her brother struggled and at last managed to get the dandy thing yanked away from the cow. “That’ll teach me, jah?” he said, not at all happy.

“Were you thinkin’ of goin’ out dressed like this?” She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not getting’ hitched today, are you?”

He shooed at her, but there was a grin behind his eyes.

“Well?” She stared at him, pointing at the mess he had hanging around his neck. “Best be takin’ that off before Dory sees ya like this.”

Scowling, he fumbled to unknot the slobbery, torn tie.

305 When he did, he wadded it up and tossed it into a trash barrel over in the corner.

He looked so down and out. “I spent thirty-five dollars on that there tie,” he fussed. Then he looked at her. “Your hair’s all a rat’s nest, in case you didn’t know.”

They shared a good laugh. “We’re both in a bad way, I daresay. That fancy tie nearly got you strangled.”

He agreed. “Life’s got a stranglehold on me, that’s for

sure.”

Something about the way he said it gave her pause, and her mind went back to her own present dilemma. “What do you know about the casting of lots?” she asked her brother.

“Nothin’ much.”

“Ach, surely you do.”

“Well, I have something of a problem with it.”

“How so?”

“It doesn’t work unless you fast and pray beforehand, I’m

told.”

Just what Julia might say I

He stared down at his shirt, now wet and dirty from his struggle with the cow. “But don’t listen to me, sister. Daed says I’m a Dummkopp. Sure looks like he’s right.”

She smiled at her favorite brother. uAw, you’re not dumb, Yonie. Just fur headed … like me.”

He nodded, wiping at a streak of dirt on his shirt. “Well, I best be headin’ back,” she said. “I needed to see you fighting for your own way I guess you and the cow.” Somehow she leaped ahead in her mind, suddenly grasping the stupidity of demanding one’s way at any cost.

She waved to him, eager to get back to Essie … and as soon as possible, to Ben.

Aiter breakfast the next morning, and following her outdoor chores, Annie ran to the neighbors’ barn and used their phone. Ben sounded pleased to hear from her and said he’d be happy to bring her art stored in Julia’s attic. Annie scurried back to Essie’s.

Ben’s been wanting to see all my work, so today’s the day! When he arrived, Annie was giddy with joy and nervous, too. She helped him carry the boxes into the front room and then waved him out into the kitchen to wait, saying, “Give me ten minutes.”

He smiled, clearly curious, and left the room. Gingerly Annie opened the boxes and removed the paintings, propping them one by one against the walls, creating something of a gallery around the room.

Essie peeked in to see what she was doing. “My, oh my, what’s all this?” she asked, a smile of wonder on her pretty face.

“Ben’s been asking ‘bout these,” Annie told her. “And I’ve been puttin’ him off.” In more than one way…

After making over the paintings, saying she’d never seen

307 the likes of so many “perty pictures,” Esther offered to keep the children occupied. “You know, so the two of you can have some time to yourselves.”

But before calling for Ben, Annie looked around the room alone, whispering a prayer for strength. Slowly, her eyes took in each drawing, each painting, recalling the precious time and joy of creating them in the privacy of Julia’s attic.

Finally, Annie ushered Ben back into the front room. He seemed genuinely pleased to study and admire her work, beginning with the very first drawing she’d kept, then mov’ ing on to her paintings.

When she’d answered his questions about various ones, the two of them settled down on the settee to talk.

“Annie, I’m so glad you called.” Ben reached for her hand, scanning the room, taking in all of her art. “Every piece you’ve shown me here is excellent amazing. How can I possibly ask you to walk away from this?”

She fought back tears, wanting so much to see his dear face, his eyes … the way he looked at her with such affection. “I couldn’t decide this before, but now I can.” She sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Oh, Ben, I want to join church. I’m willing to give up my art for you.”

“Annie?” He touched her face, his eyes searching hers. “Are you sure?”

She looked at him, so near. “And I want something else.” She leaned close to whisper. “Is your proposal of marriage still good?”

“Of course it is.”

“Oh, Ben … I do love you,” she professed, her breath

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coming quickly. “I want to be your bride.”

It was all she could do not to cry as his lips found hers in a tender kiss. “We must go and talk to my father right away.” Overwhelmed with a mixture of joy and love, she was anxious to do the will of her heavenly Father … obeying this sacred ordinance she had so long put off. “I just hope it’s not too late to get into baptismal instruction,” she said.

“Well, what’re we waiting for? My car’s outside!” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Oh, and I’ll need some lessons on hitching up a horse, by the way.”

She laughed. “This is going to be so much fun,” she said, following him through the kitchen and outside.

“An adventure,” Ben said.

“That’s puttin’ it mildly,” she said, her heart so full she felt she would surely burst.

Jesse was worried when Ben and Annie came rushing out to the barn, nearly breathless, asking if they might talk with him privately. He feared Annie had come to say she was “jumpin’ the fence” planning to go fancy with her beau.

Annie got things started. “We’d like to ask you a favor, Daed.”

Glancing at Annie first, Ben explained, “I don’t know if you would consider special treatment, but we’d like to have baptismal instruction to join church this fall. I understand we’ve missed some weeks.”

“You and Annie both, ya say?” The joyful words nearly caught in his throat.

“Yes, sir,” Ben said.

If ever there was a blessed day, it was this one. Jesse

309 shook Ben’s hand, glad for the strong grip a sure sign of a good man. “I’ll see to it that you get caught up, jah. No question on that.”

“Thanks, Preacher,” Ben said, looking fondly at Annie.

“Don’t thank me. …” He paused, gathering his wits. Such a fine surprise this was! “I’ll teach you all you need to know for that most holy day myself. And we’ll talk with the bishop, if need be, and all the brethren, since you’ve got yourself a lot of catchin’ up to do … Isaac.” He couldn’t help but grin now, looking at this fine young man. A man of the People, for sure and for certain.

He turned to his daughter, this girl who’d given him fits a-plenty. “Annie, I’m mighty pleased at this important step you’re makin’. You and Ben both.” He assumed the next step forward would be marriage, but he would pretend he didn’t suspect as much. Let the young folk have their secret romance, as his parents and grandparents and all the great grand parents before him had done. It was their way… .

Zeke agreed to stay put at Preacher Zook’s place, at least for a week or so sharing a room in the Dawdi Haus with his own father. His head was still swimming with all that had happened since Dat’s return and the confirmation that Ben was his brother. God knew the end from the beginning, he thought.

Several days after Zeke moved into the Zooks’ Dawdi Haus, Irvin offered to drive him home for his first visit, and Preacher Jesse rode along in the back seat.

“Miracles do happen,” Zeke said, grinning.

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As they drove on Frogtown Road, Zeke kept seeing young Amish boys on in-line skates or scooters, and he began to laugh. Not the cackling, irrational laughter he was known for when folk looked at him half cockeyed. It was a hearty, satisfied, even gleeful laughter, born out of overcoming much sorrow and defeat. For the first time in years, he was experiencing hope.

“The lost is found,” Zeke said, sitting up front with Irvin. “And don’t mistake my meanin’, Preacher.” He turned around to glance at Jesse. “You’ve heard of the ninety and nine … the lost sheep. Well, that’s me. The Good Lord’s reached down from on high and found me, I have to say.” He hoped Irvin, of all people, understood.

But Jesse Zook’s swift words took some of the joy out of the return home when he stated, “The brethren will be wantin’ a word with you, when you’re able.”

Zeke froze, the mirth of the moment fading.

Yve been found out.

Once Zeke had greeted Esther and was settled in at the kitchen table, the preacher and Irvin left him to visit with her. He sat drinking his wife’s tasty brewed coffee while the children napped upstairs. They were alone together for the time being, as Annie had kindly gone home to spend the afternoon with her Mamm. Even though Zeke was enjoying sharing a room over yonder with Dat, he was mighty glad to spend time with Esther now.

He could see in Esther’s eyes that she was struggling to recognize him, here in her kitchen where they’d fought and he’d caused her such heartache again and again. No doubt

she was confused as to what had transpired in him, but in all truth, the change had come in stages through Irvin’s talks and prayer, his father asking for forgiveness, and most of all his father recognizing Ben for who he was. Ben was always my brother, and I never saw it! But the Good Lord opened my blinded eyes … in more ways than one.

He had been fortunate enough to see quite a lot of Ben recently he and Dat both had. Dat planned to sell his home in Canada and move back to Paradise permanently a bittersweet prospect considering Zeke’s impending shun to come. In time, neither his brother nor Dat would be allowed free association with him. Yet even this could not dishearten Zeke. No matter how anyone looked on it, God had worked a wonder in their lives. And Zeke had no doubt they had not seen the end of God’s compassion and power. Zeke, after all, considered himself living proof of that.

“We’ll trust God to see us through the storm to come,” Zeke told his wife, words that still seemed out of place com’ ing from his lips, though ever so true.

Esther nodded, eyes brimming with tears. “It’s wonderfulgood the way our Lord works, jah?”

He led her upstairs to their room, mindful of the sleeping baby in the corner. Zeke kissed her yet again, vowing never to lay a hand of rebuke on this lovely woman the Good Lord had given to him. “My wife … my bride,” he whispered, reaching for her hand and pressing it against his heart. “Will ya ever find it in your heart to forgive me? My awful harsh ways?”

Esther leaned up and kissed his face, touching his soft beard. “Ach, how I love you.”

He was moved to tears himself and caressed her face. “Dear lady of mine.”

They stood together quietly. Oh, how he loved her … too much to fall back into his old ways. Still, he planned to talk and pray with Irvin twice each week to keep himself accountable. For as long as necessary, the kind man had suggested.

Esther sighed, tucked in his arms. “I prayed for this day to come, Zeke. I prayed earnestly.”

“And God heard, didn’t He?”

Zeke stroked her face, then was surprised when she took his hand and led him down the narrow hallway to Annie’s room, where they could talk without worrying about waking Essie Ann. They sat on the edge of the bed, and Esther’s eyes shone with great compassion.

He’d hated mentioning it, as fondly as she was looking at him just now. “We may end up being’ shunned together, and what would you think of that, Esther?”

She nodded. “I presumed as much. Irvin’s church will take us in. I know that for sure. If that’s what you want.”

He leaned his cheek against her head. Repentance wasn’t the issue this time. “I want to tell you something. I’ve become a follower of the Lord Jesus, just as you are, Essie. Through reading Scripture and my talks with Irvin … well, it seems so simple. Life really is quite that you choose to follow God or you don’t.”

She listened, eyes blinking as the tears fell.

“No amount of talk from the brethren or anyone else is goin’ to change what I know in my heart … in my knower. God brought Isaac back to me to us for a reason. I never