The Restoration (43 page)

I’m sure Jonah will eventually find out about me and Ben, so I’ll leave it in God’s hands. In the meantime, I’ll pray and seek God’s will for both me and Jonah.

P
riscilla didn’t know why, but she felt nervous this morning. It wasn’t like she’d never gone to church before. She just hadn’t gone with red blotches on her hands and arms. Her dress sleeves covered most of them, but her lower arms and hands showed, and she felt self-conscious about it.

“It’s good to see you here today,” Elaine whispered as she took a seat beside Priscilla on the women’s side of the room, waiting for the service to begin. Today church was being held in the addition Elaine’s grandfather had built many years ago for the large dinners her grandmother hosted. It looked much different now than when Elaine held the dinners. The tables she used to serve guests had been folded and put away. In their place were backless wooden benches, providing enough seating for those in attendance. A few folding chairs had also been set up for some of the older folks who couldn’t sit for a long period of time without back support.

“I’m glad to be back,” Priscilla responded. “And I’m sorry I missed seeing you yesterday. Mom said both you and Elam came by while I was napping. I wish she would have woken me up.”

Elaine shook her head. “I’m glad she didn’t. You needed your rest.”

“Seems all I’ve done since my accident is rest.” Priscilla huffed. “I’m anxious to get back to the task of living.”

“Coming here today is the first step of many.”

Priscilla glanced across at Elam and smiled when he gave her a nod. She noticed his leg twitching and then bouncing up and down, like he had a nervous tremor.
What does Elam have to be jumpy about? I’m the one full of anxiety today.

It seemed strange not to see David. He’d sat on the same bench as Elam during the last church service Priscilla had attended. It really bothered her that he hadn’t called or written.

Maybe I should write to him again or try calling his cell number. Maybe
that’s what I’ll do. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it till now.

Priscilla’s thoughts were redirected when everyone began singing. Their varied but blended voices bounced off the walls, lifting to the ceiling in worshipful praise to the Father. It was good to be back in church among her people. She needed to focus on that.

Elaine tried to concentrate on the song they were singing, but it was hard not to watch Jonah as he struggled to keep Mark from fidgeting. Sara had always kept him well occupied during church services. No doubt the boy still missed his mother.

I’m sure Jonah still misses Sara, too. I wonder if he loved her more than he did me. I’m sure Jonah’s feelings for me died when he married Sara.
Elaine’s fingers dug into her palms.
I shouldn’t be thinking such thoughts—especially not here in church.

She glanced at Leah and noticed her fanning her face with a piece of paper, while squirming on the bench. She was clearly uncomfortable today. The warmth and humidity likely played a part in that, and she was no doubt having trouble finding a comfortable position. It wouldn’t be long before Leah would be holding her baby in her arms. Elaine tried not to be envious, but having children of her own had always been a dream. It didn’t seem likely to happen, since she wouldn’t be marrying Ben, and Jonah had no interest in her. Perhaps someday she would meet someone else and fall in love, but that seemed doubtful.

Elaine drew in a quick breath, forcing her attention to the first sermon being preached.

Jonah felt relieved when his dad offered to take Mark. Due to the oppressive heat they’d been having lately, Jonah hadn’t been sleeping well, and dealing with a restless boy who was also tired caused him to feel more stressed. He couldn’t blame his son for fidgeting. Several other children in the service were fussy, too.

It was hard to concentrate on the bishop’s sermon, and Jonah knew he shouldn’t, but he glanced at the women’s section. His gaze came to rest on Elaine. Unexpectedly, she made eye contact with him, and he quickly looked away. He hoped no one had noticed.

Glancing at the bench where Ben sat, Jonah wondered once again what had really happened between Ben and Elaine. Were they still friends? Was there a chance they might get back together?

Jonah fanned his face with his hand.
I need to stop thinking about this and focus on the bishop’s message.

Elam was pleased to see Priscilla here today. Since he hadn’t seen her yesterday, he looked forward to visiting during the evening meal at her folks’ house. If she felt up to it, maybe they could go for a buggy ride after they ate, which would help them cool off and give them time for visiting privately.

He pinned his arms against his stomach, troubled by the bishop’s sermon topic on guilt. To make matters worse, the room they were in was so hot Elam could hardly breathe. Beneath his vest, Elam’s shirt clung to him like flypaper on the wall, while rivulets of sweat rolled down his temples. He couldn’t wait until the service was over so he could get outside, where he hoped the air would be less stifling.

The bishop’s voice grew louder as he expounded on the need to confess one’s sins, using Acts 3:19 as a reference. “‘Repent ye… and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.’” He also quoted John 8:32: “‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”

When the service was finally over, Elam made a dash for the door. Taking in several deep breaths he headed toward the barn, pausing to lean on the fence.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked, stepping up to Elam. “You look umgerennt.”

Elam rubbed the back of his neck. “To tell ya the truth, I am upset.”

“Do you want to talk about it, or should I mind my own business?”

Elam scrubbed his sweaty palms on the side of his trousers, struggling with the desire to flee. As much as he wanted to tell someone the way he felt, Elam wasn’t sure he could spit the words out. Yet if he didn’t get this off his chest, he feared it would eat him alive.

“Promise you won’t say anything to Leah about what I’m going to tell you?”

Adam frowned. “What’s this got to do with my fraa?”

“Nothing. It’s just… Well, she’s one of Priscilla’s closest friends, and if Leah finds out what I did, she’ll probably tell Priscilla.”

“Tell me what?”

Elam whirled around. “Priscilla! I didn’t know you were there. I thought you were helping the women get lunch on the tables.”

“I was, and it’s ready. I came to tell you that.” She looked at Elam strangely, her eyes narrowing slightly. “What were you going to tell Adam you don’t want me or Leah knowing about?”

Elam glanced at Adam then back at Priscilla. As hot as he’d felt inside, it was nothing compared to the way he felt now. If he didn’t get this off his chest, he might never tell Priscilla the truth. He hoped when she found out, she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

T
hink I’d better go and leave you two alone.” Adam gave Elam’s shoulder a squeeze and headed back to the house, where lunch was being served. From Elam’s somber expression, Adam had a hunch whatever he’d been about to tell him was something serious.

“Where have you been?” Ben asked when Adam entered the house and took a seat beside him at one of the tables. “Thought maybe I was gonna have to eat your share of the food.”

Adam thumped his stomach. “It wouldn’t be the end of the world. I could probably stand to lose a few pounds.”

Ben rolled his eyes. “Are you kidding? You’re about as fit and trim as any man I know. Must be all the hard work you do at your store.”

They bowed their heads for silent prayer. When Adam opened his eyes, he glanced out the window and saw Elam and Priscilla near the barn.
Sure hope everything goes okay between them right now.

“What is it you didn’t want Adam telling Leah because you were afraid she’d tell me?” Priscilla moved closer to Elam.

As though needing support, he continued to lean on the fence post while clearing his throat. “It’s… umm… about how you got burned.”

Priscilla’s eyebrows squeezed together. “What do you mean? I know how I got burned. The sleeve of my dress caught on fire when I tried to turn off the stove.”

Elam shook his head. “I’m talking about how the pan caught fire.”

“David forgot to turn off the burner before he went outside to check on his horse. Why are we talking about this again, Elam?” Shooing a pesky fly off her arm, Priscilla felt more confused than ever.

Elam shifted from one foot to the other. Priscilla couldn’t figure out why he was acting so strange. Then she remembered during the service how fidgety and nervous he’d seemed. “What’s wrong, Elam? How come you seem so naerfich today?”

Elam blew out his breath. “The fire didn’t happen the way you think, Priscilla.”

She tipped her head. “How did it happen?”

“The truth is, I’m the one who left the stove on.” Elam dropped his gaze to the ground.

Stunned, Priscilla backed up to the nearest tree. “Wh–what do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“When David went outside to check on his horse, he turned off the stove. Thinking it would be good to get the popcorn done, I turned the stove back on. Then I went to the bathroom, but before I was able to return to the kitchen, the pan must have gotten too hot, and it caught fire.”

Priscilla’s eyes narrowed. “This whole time you knew David had turned it off, but you let him take the blame? How could you, Elam?”

He lifted his face to look at her. “I was ashamed to admit I had done it, and I was angry at David, because—”

“So you let David and me think he was the one responsible?” Priscilla’s finger shook as she pointed at Elam. “You’re not the man I thought you were.”

Elam reached his hand out to her, but she pulled back. “I know what I did was wrong, Priscilla, and I’m begging you to forgive me. My only excuse is I love you so much and was afraid if you knew I was the one who caused the fire, you would choose David instead of me.”

Priscilla’s voice trembled. “Oh, really? Is that how you show your love for me—by lying?” She turned away. “Well, Elam, know this. It’s over between us.”

“Oh, please, Priscilla, you can’t mean it. We’ve been a couple for a long time, and I want to marry you.”