Plain Proposal Read online

  “You didn’t think we’d move to Pittsburgh together without being married, did you? But only if you’re sure, Miriam.”

  “I’m sure!” She threw her arms around his neck, knowing that this was the piece of the puzzle she needed the most. Everything else would come together. Just knowing that Saul wanted to spend the rest of his life with her would ease the worry that was sure to come in the following weeks—she couldn’t imagine how she would tell her parents.

  Saul eased away from her, stepped out of the buggy, then walked around to her side. As he dropped to one knee, Miriam covered her mouth with her hand.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t do this properly.” He reached for her hand. “Miriam Raber, I’ve loved you since I saw you in the first grade, and I love you more now than I thought possible. I’m a plain man making a plain proposal, but I will love you forever and always take care of you if you’ll agree to marry me and become mei fraa.”

  Miriam jumped from the buggy and into his arms. “Oh, Saul! I will!”

  Shelby couldn’t believe how much time had passed. It was nearly four o’clock. She wouldn’t be home in time to help with supper preparation, and she’d been trying so hard lately to impress Rebecca. But she couldn’t recall having as much fun as she’d had today in a long time.

  She watched Jesse loading the fishing poles into the back of his topless buggy, and she wished this time with him could go on forever. They’d laughed, talked, and he’d shared Amish customs that she’d never heard of before. Her favorite was when he explained how a barn raising was done. When a young couple is starting out and needs a barn—or in the event of a fire—a new barn is erected in one day. Jesse told her that the entire community would arrive early in the morning to construct the barn. It was a family affair and a welcomed opportunity for fellowship in the community.

  She reached into her purse sitting on the front seat of the buggy and glanced at her cell phone. She’d charged it earlier in the week in town, and she saw that she now had two missed calls from her mother and four from her father. Suddenly they care about me? She tossed it back into her purse.

  “Missing your friends back home?” Jesse cradled her elbow and helped her into the buggy. He made her feel like a princess.

  “No. I really don’t.”

  He climbed into the buggy on the other side, flicked the reins, and backed the horse and buggy up. Shelby was hot, sweating like she couldn’t recall sweating before, had no makeup on, no perfume, no jewelry, and she’d never felt better—or more appreciated for the person she was—than at this moment. Jesse had listened to her all afternoon, and she found herself telling him things she hadn’t even told Miriam. Maybe it was an unintentional test to see if he would judge her for the mistakes she’d made. If so, Jesse had passed the test. He made her feel. . . worthy, like a person who deserved to be happy—and forgiven.

  Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful day.

  “So, Shelby. Tell me. What is the thing you like most about your visit here?”

  Shelby leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the wind in her face while she thought about his question. “Family,” she finally said as she turned to face him. “Not just Miriam’s family, but the way the whole community is like one big family. Everyone helps each other, loves each other.”

  Jesse smiled. “And what do you like the least?”

  Shelby laughed. “Would it be wrong of me to say the lack of air-conditioning?”

  “I take every opportunity to go into town and walk the airconditioned shops this time of year. We all do.” He smiled, then whistled for his horse to pick up the pace. “I wonder what it would be like to leave here sometimes.”

  Shelby was shocked. From everything that Miriam had told her about Jesse, she didn’t think Jesse would consider the idea. She blurted the first thing that popped into her head. “You don’t want to leave here, Jesse.”

  “What makes you so sure? I think about it sometimes.”

  “Because—because there’s a sense of peace here that’s hard to find out there.” She turned to look at him when she felt his eyes on her.

  “That peace is in your heart, Shelby. You can have that anywhere.” He smiled. “You just happen to be finding it here. It sounds like you’re working through things, healing from a bad time. But the peacefulness in your heart only comes from a true relationship with God. When you can let your cares go and trust that all things are of God’s will, then there’s no worry or fear, things that block the voice of God.”

  “Don’t you worry about things?” Shelby often chewed her nails to the quick with worry, and she thought about how freeing it must be to just turn everything over to God. She was working on that.

  “Of course. I’m Amish, but I’m still human. I struggle with it all the time. Right now my aunt is sick. I’m worried she’ll die. It would be God’s will for her to go to her heavenly home, but I still worry. I would miss her.”

  They rode along quietly for a while. Soon Jesse would be dropping her off at home.

  Home. That’s what her cousins’ farm had become over the past couple of months. Only one thing bothered her about being here, and that was Rebecca, who still seemed guarded with her, as if her presence was a threat to their family somehow. If Rebecca only knew how much Shelby treasured what Rebecca’s family had, she wouldn’t be so fearful.

  When Jesse pulled up the driveway, Shelby turned to him. “Thank you so much for today, Jesse. I had a wonderful time.” She giggled. “Even though we didn’t catch a single fish.”

  “I had a gut time too, Shelby. We will have to do it again.”

  When?

  She waited until Jesse brought the buggy to a complete stop, then she picked up her purse and stepped out. She’d already asked him to hold on to her new fishing pole, hoping for another invite. “Thanks again.” As she was walking away, he called her name.

  “Yeah?” She turned to face him.

  “I have my lunch hour at the City Dump from noon until one o’clock.” He smiled. “Remember, that’s the name of the place where I work.”

  Shelby nodded, guessing what he was about to ask her.

  “Anytime you’re in town, I’d be glad to buy you lunch. Maybe Miriam can bring you sometime.”

  “That would be great. I’ll see you soon.”

  Jesse smiled. “I hope so.”

  Shelby wasn’t sure she’d ever really felt butterflies in her stomach before today.

  It was routine now for Miriam and Shelby to stay up late talking, later than they should considering that the day started at four o’clock in the morning. They were expected to help with breakfast no matter how late they’d stayed up the night before. But there was much to cover this evening. Miriam let Shelby go first, and her cousin told her about her day with Jesse. In light of Saul’s proposal, any thoughts of Jesse as her “safe person” had vanished.

  She was glad to see Shelby so happy, but she was worried for both her and for Jesse. Until, that is, Shelby told her what Jesse said.

  “You mean he actually said he thinks about leaving sometimes?” Miriam was shocked.

  Shelby’s expression grew solemn. “Why would anyone want to leave here?”

  Miriam laughed. “Usually the Englisch want to know why anyone would want to stay here.”

  Shelby ran her brush the length of her hair, and Miriam couldn’t help but think about her wedding night when Saul would see her hair in its entirety. Then she cringed when she thought about having to tell her parents that she would be leaving the community with Saul, but she tried to stay focused on the life she knew they would have.

  “I could live here.”

  Miriam sat perfectly still and stared at Shelby. “Really?” Then she folded her arms across her chest and stared at Shelby. “Shelby, you can’t choose to live here just because you might be falling for Jesse. That’s not right. That’s not our way.”

  Shelby’s eyes teared up, and Miriam regretted what she’d said. “I’m sorry.”

 
“No, it’s okay. I guess it must seem that way.” Shelby hung her head. “I just like you—and your family. I like being here.”

  Miriam didn’t say anything. Suddenly she wasn’t sure that this was the best time to share her news with Shelby. But if not Shelby, then who? She was about to burst, needing to share with someone. That someone couldn’t be her mother, which saddened her. She recalled a time when she used to tell her mother everything.

  “Although. . .” Shelby stopped brushing her hair and frowned. “I think your mother is ready for me to go.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  Shelby sighed as she stuffed her brush back into the drawer. “I overheard your mother saying that she thinks I’m a bad influence on you. More or less, that’s what she said.”

  “Are you talking about me sneaking out to meet Saul? Because if so. . . I already cleared that up with Mamm.”

  “You did?” Shelby straightened. “Was she mad at you?”

  “Not as mad as she’s going to be.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Miriam crossed her legs beneath her and folded her hands in her lap. “You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. Not until I’m able to tell my parents.”

  Shelby’s eyes widened. “I won’t. I won’t. What is it, Miriam?”

  “I’m leaving here. With Saul. In one month.”

  13

  REBECCA PULLED A RHUBARB PIE FROM THE OVEN and placed it on top of the stove to cool. She was alone in the house, so she sat down at the kitchen table and picked up a copy of The Budget. Before she started reading, she glanced around the room. It seemed almost sinful to just sit and do nothing. But Aaron and the boys were working outdoors, and Miriam and Shelby finished their chores in record time this morning, so Rebecca said they could take the buggy to town. Every day they charged through their chores so they could go to town at lunchtime. Those girls were up to something, but she wasn’t sure what it was.

  She opened the newspaper and began to scan the happenings in Amish and Mennonite communities in the United States. A warm breeze blew through the opened windows in the kitchen, and the smell of freshly baked rhubarb wafted through the air. As she began to relax and not feel guilty for allowing herself idle time, she heard a buggy coming up the driveway. She closed the newspaper and walked to the front door where she saw Marie King and her daughter, Leah, step down from their buggy.

  “Marie, Leah. How nice to see you.” She kept the door open while the women made their way up the porch steps. “I just pulled a rhubarb pie from the oven, and I was looking for an excuse to have a piece. Can I get you both some pie?”

  “No. Danki, Rebecca.” Marie didn’t seem her usual bubbly self, and Leah kept her head hung low and avoided looking at Rebecca.

  “Marie, is everything all right?” Rebecca motioned with her hand for both women to take a seat at the kitchen table. “Here, sit. No one is at home, and this is the perfect time to talk. Can I get either of you some kaffi?”

  Marie shook her head, a solemn look on her face, and Leah still wouldn’t look up.

  “Rebecca. . .” Marie took a deep breath. “Leah told her father and me some—some upsetting news.” She paused as a frown set into her features. “News that I don’t think you are aware of, and I have much concern about it.”

  Rebecca’s pulse picked up. “Marie, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

  “It’s about Miriam.” Marie reached across the table and put her hand on Rebecca’s. “Leah tells us that Miriam is leaving the community, and maybe she’s already told you, but—”

  Rebecca pulled her hand away and brought it to her chest. “What?”

  “Oh dear.” Marie sighed. “I was afraid she hadn’t told you, and maybe it’s not our place, but it worries me so, this situation.”

  Rebecca stared hard at Leah as she tried to calm her beating heart. “Leah, what did Miriam tell you?” Oh dear Lord, don’t let it be true. Leah blinked back tears. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I should have waited to tell Mamm until I was sure that Miriam told you.”

  “No, Leah. You did the right thing,” Rebecca said as she fought her own tears. “What exactly did Miriam tell you?”

  “She—she said that. . .” Leah turned to her mother. “Miriam is never going to forgive me for this.”

  “Leah, please,” Rebecca prodded. “If I need to get Bishop Ebersol involved in whatever is going on, I need to know.”

  “She’s going to marry Saul Fisher, and they are leaving the community.” A tear rolled down Leah’s cheek.

  Rebecca stood from the table, turned, and faced the window, then covered her mouth with her hand. This can’t be happening. She spun around and faced Marie and Leah. “Miriam told you this? When?”

  “Saturday at the creek.”

  Marie stood up and walked to Rebecca. She put her hand on her shoulder. “I just thought you should know, that maybe there might be time to talk Miriam out of this.”

  Oh, I will talk her out of it. “Danki, Marie.” She glanced at Leah. “And you did the right thing, Leah. We will surely have a talk with Miriam.” She shook her head as she spoke. “Miriam has always been committed to live her life here.” I’m sure Saul has been pushing her to do this.

  Marie folded her arms across her chest. “They are evidently planning to get married and leave here the end of August.”

  “What?” Rebecca shrieked. “That’s barely a month away.”

  Marie pulled Rebecca into a hug. “I know, dear. I’m so sorry. I can imagine how I would feel if it was Leah doing this. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  “Ya, I will.” Rebecca eased away from Marie. “Please don’t tell anyone about this just yet. I want to have time to talk to Bishop Ebersol, and of course, I need to talk to Aaron. And Miriam.”

  “Hannah knows too,” Leah said softly.

  Rebecca drew in a deep breath. Hannah’s mother, Eve, couldn’t be quieted when it came to gossip. “All right. Danki for stopping by.”

  After they were gone, Rebecca sat back down at the kitchen table, covered her face with her hands, and cried.

  Miriam dropped off Shelby at the City Dump at noon, then went to meet Saul at his place. When she pulled up in her buggy, Saul was leading two horses to the barn. She waved at his father and two brothers as she passed them on her right working in the fields.

  “I brought turkey sandwiches.” She stepped out of the buggy. “I would have brought enough for your daed and brothers too, but you said not to.”

  “Plenty of leftover meat loaf for them inside.” He took the picnic basket from her. “I know it’s hot, but do you care if we eat outside, by ourselves? I have some stuff to show you.”

  “Okay.”

  Saul led her to a picnic table nestled beneath a grove of oak trees. Miriam started laying out the food.

  “You look so pretty,” he said when she looked up and saw him staring at her.

  “Danki. I’m happy.”

  “Me too.” He glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then leaned over and kissed her. “Wait ’til you see what I have to show you. I went to the library yesterday, and the lady who works there helped me print some stuff.”

  Saul waited until after they ate to go into his house. When he came back, he was carrying a stack of papers. “These are places that we can rent, and they’re close to my new job. I have enough saved for a year’s rent.”

  Miriam looked through the pictures of small apartments not much bigger than their basement. She looked up at the man she was going to marry. “Saul, what will I do while you’re at work?”

  “I’ve thought about that, Miriam. What do you want to do? Do you want to try to go to school, or get a job, or stay at home and take care of our house?” He smiled. “And someday, our kinner.”

  Miriam felt her cheeks reddening. “I think that I should probably get a job and work, don’t you? We’ll need to save our money so we can buy our own home someday. What do you think?”
/>   The flow of Saul’s smile warmed her. “I just want you to be happy. I’ll make a gut life for you, Miriam.” He paused, as if far away for a moment. “I can picture me as a chef in a fancy restaurant. And just think how gut we’ll eat at home.”

  Miriam smiled as she thought about Saul cooking for her in their own home. She couldn’t imagine her father or brothers ever cooking a meal. “Here comes your daed,” she said when she saw Zeb Fisher walking toward them. She stood up to greet him.

  “Keep your seat, Miriam. Nice to see you.” Zeb smiled as he walked past them and toward the house.

  “Have you told your daed yet?”

  Saul shifted his weight on the bench. “No. What about you? You tell your folks?” He shook his head. “Your parents are gonna be real upset. Do you want me to be with you when you tell them?”

  “You’d do that?” Miriam’s insides warmed as she sat back down across from him.

  “Of course I would.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’ll do anything for you.”

  Maybe it was the way he was looking at her, so solemn and serious, or maybe it was his soft, raspy, level tone of voice, but no matter what. . . she believed him. Saul was the kind of man she wanted to live the rest of her life with.

  “I love you, Saul.”

  “I love you too, Miriam.”

  Miriam and Shelby talked and laughed all the way home. Miriam was still worried about what was happening between Shelby and Jesse, but it was good to see her cousin so happy. Turns out, Shelby used to be a big reader, and Jesse read a lot too. They’d read some of the same Christian books, and Shelby said they’d spent their entire lunch hour talking about books.

  When Miriam pulled to a stop at home, she saw her parents sitting on the front porch in the rocking chairs, and they didn’t look happy at all. Mamm’s arms were folded across her chest, her legs were crossed, and she was kicking that rocker so hard it looked like it might lift off the ground at any moment. Daed was scowling in a way that made Miriam want to turn the buggy around and leave.