A Baby for Hannah (26 page)

“I think you are doing quite well about that,” Mary quipped. “That’s why I decided to do my part. Isn’t that what a wife—even a future wife—is supposed to do? Help pull her share of the load?”

Mr. Brunson let out a breath in astonishment. “Mrs. Keim, I hardly know what to say. I certainly wasn’t expecting any help from you. It’s not your place at all.”

Mary laughed. “You sure do speak like a man—always wanting to be in charge and doing all the work. Well, the Lord didn’t quite leave things like that, now did He? He made the woman for a helpmeet, and that’s what I always tried to be to Bert while he was alive.”

“So you took it upon yourself to attend the meeting. But I still don’t understand.”

“‘It will be a sign,’ I told myself. ‘If I attend the meeting on the first night, and you also do, then perhaps it’s possible between us.’”

“You would base so much on so little?”

“It’s not little to me, Mr. Brunson. I know we are a simple people, but when we talk to the Lord it is a big matter to us.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. But would you leave the Amish then?”

“Not to be
Englisha,
” Mary answered. “But would you consider joining the Mennonites? You were offering to join the Amish, and this should be much easier.”

“But what about you and leaving the Amish faith?”

“I’m not that young anymore, Mr. Brunson. My children are mostly raised, except the youngest, Henry. He’s dating Betty’s girl. He will be fine.”

“Mrs. Keim…Mary…I can’t tell you…” Tears formed in the man’s eyes. “If I seem startled it’s because of the suddenness of it all. I never expected this of you. And to think I almost didn’t go to the tent meeting tonight!”

“
Da Hah
has His mysterious ways.” Mary laughed. “I’m glad you came!”

“So where do we go from here?” Mr. Brunson asked. “And please call me Norman.”

“Norman’s a
gut
name and almost Amish.”

“Does that make you feel better about this?”

Mary smiled, the light of the kerosene lamp softening her face. “I would have accepted whatever name you had.”

“Then how do we proceed, Mary?” Mr. Brunson asked, taking both her hands in his. “May I stop by the house and see you, perhaps during the daytime? Or should it only be at night?”

“Always in a rush just like a man,” Mary said, laughing and pulling her hands out of his.

“Well, I am old, and there seems to be a lot of things to do.”

“You’re not that old. Perhaps you should begin by looking into joining the Mennonites, and I can do the same. We could start doing that by attending the rest of the meetings. Would that be okay with you?”

“Okay? It would be lovely.”

“Then that’s decided.”

Mr. Brunson reached across the table, taking both of her hands again, “I really think this will work out between us, Mary. I know we come from worlds apart, and that we have both been married before, but I feel a great love for you. I’ve grown weary and crusty from living by myself, so you’ll have to soften me up again. This church thing seems so big, but we must not let it separate us. Are you willing to try, to give us a chance?”

“Is that a marriage proposal, Norman?”

“It is—given with very clumsy words, I’m afraid.”

“They are fine words, Norman, and my answer is
jah
if we can both make it work with the Mennonites.”

“We will make it work,” Mr. Brunson said, squeezing her hands tightly. Oh how he wanted to kiss her! But what did the Amish allow in these situations? Who knew, and besides, enough chances had already been taken for one night.

“I will see you tomorrow night,” Mr. Brunson said, getting to his feet. “Do you want me to pick you up?”

“No,” Mary said, with a smile. “I think it would be best if I drive down in my buggy.”

Twenty-Seven

Jake ate his supper slowly as Hannah watched his face.

“I made pecan pie today,” Hannah said. “Especially for you.”

He smiled weakly, briefly meeting her eyes.

“It’s the Mennonite revival meetings, isn’t it?” Hannah asked, cutting a piece of pie and sliding it onto his plate. “Perhaps you’ll feel better after eating this.”

“Thanks,” Jake said, trying to smile again. “But it will take more than pecan pie.”

“I know—but maybe for a few moments you’ll feel better.”

“Mr. Brunson is acting mighty strange. He wouldn’t say much when he stopped in at the shop today, but his face was glowing.”

“Do you think he went to the meeting last night?”

“I don’t know,” Jake said, cutting into the pie with his fork.

“Do you like the pie?” Hannah asked, leaning closer to him as he took a bite.

“You know I love it. You make the best pecan pie in the world. Even Mom can’t make pecan pie like you can.”

“I don’t think you should ever tell her that, but you can sure tell me.”

They ate in silence until Hannah added, “Speaking of your mom, shouldn’t you write her back about her concerns?”

“I would if I knew what to say, but I don’t.”

“She’d probably appreciate anything. That was quite a long letter she wrote.”

“What would you write to your mom if she sent you a letter like that?”

“Mom wouldn’t write a letter like that, and I’m not a man.”

Hannah reached over to rub Jake’s shoulder, “So what do you think Mr. Brunson is doing?”

“I’m certain he’s up to something with Mary Keim, although I can’t think what it could be.”

“You don’t think he’s been to speak with her?”

“I wouldn’t know how or what
gut
it would do.”

“Maybe he’s spoken with her about going back East to join the Amish.”

Jake shook his head. “There’s the business to take care of, and Mr. Brunson wouldn’t defy Bishop John like that. He might be in love with Mary, but he’s still an honorable man.”

“Then perhaps you’ve been imagining things. Maybe he just had a
gut
day and was feeling well.”

“I hope that’s all it is,” Jake said, getting up from the table. “But Ben Stoll stopped by the shop today, and I know he’s up to something. He wanted to talk about us attending the meetings and wouldn’t give me a straight answer when I asked if any of our people had been there for the first one.”

“I’m so sorry for all the trouble,” Hannah said, giving Jake a quick hug. “But you are going to be a father soon. Just think about that instead of dwelling on church worries.”

“You’re right, of course. What would I do without you?”

“You wouldn’t be in this trouble if it weren’t for me,” Hannah said, meeting his eyes. “They wouldn’t have voted you into the ministry as a single man.”

Jake tenderly wiped a tear from her cheek. “You are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. I love you very much, Hannah.”

“Thank you. I needed to hear that.” Hannah lifted her face for a long kiss. “I love you too. Now, I better go clean up the kitchen.”

“Maybe I should help you tonight?”

“No, you have enough on your mind already.”

Jake released her with a smile and left for the living room, taking the gas lantern with him. Hannah lit the kerosene lamp and set it on top of the stove mantel. By its soft flickering light she heated the water, washed the dishes, and wiped them dry…all the while thinking of how Jake was bearing up under the load. He was holding up well considering all the pressures on him. Was there more she could do for him? Not likely, other than what she had already done—keep the house in
gut
order, prepare his supper, and give him the love and support he needed.

Thankfully Jake gave plenty of love back. It would be awful if he didn’t, and they had to go through this time bickering with each other as some couples did. He was such a
gut
man for her…and so wise. Which likely meant that Jake’s instincts were correct, and that Mr. Brunson was up to something with Mary, but what could it be? Would Mr. Brunson go behind their backs and lure Mary out into the
English
world? Surely he wouldn’t.

Perhaps she should go speak with Mr. Brunson tomorrow, but would that be wise? It was hard to tell.

Drying the last dish, Hannah opened the cupboard door, transferring the plates onto the shelves. Taking the kerosene lamp with her into the living room, she found Jake busy writing at the desk.

She gave him a soft smile. “Writing to your mother after all?”

“
Jah.
I just finished. Do you want to read it?”

“I like to read anything you write,” Hannah said, taking the paper from his hand.

Setting the kerosene lamp on the desk, Hannah walked over to the couch, and sat down to read.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Christian greetings of love. I received your letter and am very glad you shared your concerns with us. I had no idea this belief had become a problem nor was I aware of anything being taught differently here under Bishop John than what I had been used to growing up. We rarely talked about such things.

Please accept my apologies if we believe something you hold to be in error. I will try to look into this later, but I have not had the time yet. We are in the middle of so many things right now, and I hope you can have patience with us.

There are Mennonite revival meetings going on in the community, which are of great concern to us. I’m afraid it may involve some of our church members.

Hannah paused reading as a buggy rattled up the lane and turned into the driveway. She looked toward Jake, who had stood up.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Hannah asked.

“No. Maybe it’s Betty coming to borrow something or Miriam for an evening visit.”

“I’m going to finish the letter quickly,” Hannah said, glancing back down at the page.

Hannah is doing well with the baby, and we are looking forward to the birth later this year. I hope you can come visit then if that is at all possible.

With much love,

your son, Jake

“It’s a
gut
letter,” Hannah said, handing the paper to him.

Jake’s hand stayed limp at his side, his eyes staring out of the window. “It’s Bishop John and Minister Mose Chupp, and they haven’t brought their wives along.”

Hannah gasped, hanging on to Jake’s arm as he moved slowly toward the door.

“You had better go into the kitchen,” Jake said. “You can hear what they say from there.”

Hannah nodded, her heart pounding. “What have we done?” she whispered.

“I don’t know,” Jake said. “Quick, go into the kitchen.”

“I’m staying with you,” Hannah said, letting go of Jake’s arm and sitting on the couch.

“No,” Jake said, but the men were already on the porch. Opening the door, Jake stepped aside as they entered, their faces solemn. They removed their hats, laying them on the floor just inside the cabin door.

“I’m sorry to disturb your evening like this,” Bishop John said, “but something very urgent has come up.”

Hannah rose and motioned with her hand toward the couch. The two men sat down slowly, glancing at her. She turned and fled to the kitchen, pulling out a chair from the table and sitting down in the darkness. The low murmur of their voices rose clearly from the living room.

“I apologize again for this unplanned visit,” Bishop John said. “But this matter needs to be dealt with at once.”

“What has happened?” Jake asked.

“Someone said that you planned to attend the Mennonite meetings this week,” Bishop John said. “Is this true?”

Hannah almost jumped to her feet but forced herself to stay in her chair.

“No,” Jake said. “We have no such plans. And even if I wanted to go, Hannah would have strong objections.”

“We had hoped it was you who would have the strong objections,” Mose said.

“I do have them,” Jake said. “It’s not Hannah who’s holding me back.”

“That’s
gut
to hear,” Bishop John said. “But we still have great concerns about these meetings. Are you aware that our people are attending the meetings?”

“No,” Jake replied, “I am not.”

“Well they have,” Bishop John said. “Will and Rebecca attended, as well as Mary Keim.”

“Mary Keim?” Jake echoed.

Hannah rose this time.

“
Jah,
I’m sorry to say it’s true,” Bishop John said. “We have not yet had time to speak with Mary about the matter. Will, we suspected had a desire to join the Mennonites. It’s up to Rebecca now whether she will go with him or not. How we will handle the situation if she doesn’t is uncertain at this point. I really wish you had agreed to the excommunication of Ben and Sylvia, Jake. It would make things so much easier now.”

“I still don’t think it is the right course,” Jake said. “This is not an excommunication offense.”