A Season of Love (32 page)

“What?” Her voice cracked. “You’re just playing a cruel trick on me. This can’t be true.”

“It is true, Katie,” Jake said. “I’m going to join the Amish church. I’ve prayed about it for quite awhile, and I know the choice is the right one for me. That’s why I went to see Abner Chupp tonight. After I saw you in the barn, I knew I needed to do something so we could be together. I can’t live without you, and I can’t stand to watch you suffer anymore.”

Katie shook her head.
This is too good to be true.
“I don’t understand.”

“After I had Bishop Chupp’s blessing to join the church, he and I went to visit Bishop Swartzendruber,” he continued, holding her hands. “I’m going to join Bishop Swartzendruber’s baptism class next spring and be baptized in the fall with his district. Once I join the church, I want to marry you, Katie. I want to start a life with you. We can buy some land and have a little farm and someday have a family.”

She felt tears pool in her eyes while his words sank into her heart.
Can this be real
?
Is Jake truly going to be Amish
?

“I never meant to hurt you, Katie,” he said, pulling her closer to him. “I only want to be with you.”

Katie couldn’t contain her tears. His words filled her with a mixture of happiness and fear. She was happy to hear he loved her and wanted to convert, but she was afraid that it was all too good to be true.

He studied her eyes. “Are you crying because you’re happy or because you’re sad?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “All I know is that I’m confused.”

“Please tell me why you’re confused,” he said.

“Earlier this evening, I was certain you and I would never be together,” she began. “When
mei daed
sent me away, I prayed and asked God to heal my broken heart and guide me toward the path I’m supposed to follow. All evening long, I’ve struggled because I couldn’t stop believing the path would lead to you. And now here I am standing with you, and you’re telling me you want to be Amish. I think God is telling me the path has led to you all along.”

Before she could speak another word, Jake leaned down and placed his finger on her lips. “I love you, Katie Kauffman,” he said. “I want to be with you. My path has always led to you.”

“
Ich liebe dich
too.” Her smiled suddenly faded as she thought of her parents. “What do we do about
mei daed
? We can’t meet in secret until you’re baptized.”

“No, we can’t.” He nodded toward the back door. “Let’s get your things and then I’ll take you home. We’ll go talk to your
dat
right now.”

“No.” Her stomach twisted as she shook her head. “He’ll never accept us before you’re baptized. It’s not a
gut
idea.”

“I have to do this,” Jake said. “I have to make things right with your parents or we can never be together.”

She hesitated, and he tugged her toward the kitchen door.
Together, they walked into the family room. Katie’s grandparents both looked stunned.

“Jake,” Eli said, standing. “What brings you out here?”

Elizabeth also stood and looked curious.

Jake stood erect with a confident expression on his handsome face. “I came to tell Katie I love her, and I’m going to be baptized into the Amish faith in Gideon Swartzendruber’s district next spring.”

“You’re going to become Amish?” Eli asked.

“When did you decide this, Jacob?” Elizabeth asked. “This is a very serious decision.”

“I know.” Jake smiled at Katie, and her heart swelled with love for him. “I want to be with Katie, and I can’t stand watching her suffer because of me. This is the only way we can be together. I don’t want her to be shunned, and I don’t want her to leave the family and community she loves. Instead, I’ll sacrifice my modern way of life and become Amish. I want to do this for her. I can’t bear living without her.”

“Danki
,
”
Katie whispered, her eyes filling with fresh tears.

“That’s
wunderbaar!
” Elizabeth said, clapping her hands together.

Katie smiled as her grandmother hugged her. “The Lord found a way to bring us together,
Mammi
,” Katie whispered. “It was meant to be all along.”

Elizabeth smiled and touched Katie’s cheek. “I’m so
froh
for you.”

Eli and Jake shook hands.

“
Mei mamm
told Jake to bring me
heemet
,” Katie said.

“She did?” Elizabeth looked surprised again. “What happened to change her mind?”

Jake explained his visit with the bishop and how the bishop knew the truth about the day of the attack. He told Katie’s grandparents the bishop went with him to visit Katie’s parents.

“What a miracle,” Eli said. “My son may soon see the light and realize he’s mistreated Katie all along.”

“I hope so.” Katie motioned toward the kitchen. “I’m going to get my things and try to make things right with
mei dat.
I can’t stand the distance between us anymore.”

Elizabeth touched Katie’s arm. “Go.” She smiled at Jake. “Take
gut
care of my Katie Joy.”

“I will,” Jake said with a tender smile. “I promise.”

Katie’s stomach fluttered with excitement and worry as she and Jake climbed out of the buggy in her father’s driveway. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she said. “Mei
dat
was so angry with me earlier. I can’t handle more yelling and accusations.”

Jake’s expression encouraged her. “Have faith, Katie,” he said. “You said you believed God led you to me. Don’t you think He’ll also lead your parents to support our relationship?”

Her hesitation vanished while she gazed into his determined eyes. “
Ya
, I think you’re right.”

“Gut
,
”
he said. “Let’s go tell your parents about our future.”

Although Katie knew in her heart she and Jake belonged together, her father’s warning echoed in her ears as they headed toward the back porch.

When they reached the back door, Jake stopped and faced her. “Remember, Katie, have faith. We’re in this together.”

Katie attempted to force a smile, but her lips formed a grimace.

Jake pushed open the door and motioned for her to follow him. They found her mother and her sister Nancy sitting at the kitchen table.

Her mother’s eyes widened and she jumped up. “Katie! You’re
heemet.
” She pulled Katie into her arms and hugged her, and Katie thought she might pass out from the shock.

“Danki, Mamm
,
”
Katie said. “It’s
gut
to be home.”

“It’s
gut
to see you,” Nancy said, hugging Katie.

“
Danki
, Nancy,” Katie said. “Where’s
Dat
?”

Sadie motioned toward the door. “He went out to the barn after the bishop was taken home. I think he’s contemplating everything the bishop said to him. They had a very intense conversation.”

“Do you want me to go get him?” Nancy offered.

“No,” Katie said. “I will.”

Jake looked surprised. “Are you certain?”

Katie nodded. “I am certain. I need to face him and tell him my plans for my future with you.”

Jake smiled. “I like the sound of that.”

Katie started out the door and met her father coming up the porch steps. “I was just coming to see you. Jake and I want to talk to you.”

“Go back in the
haus
,” he said. “I’m coming in.”

With her hands trembling, Katie stepped back into the kitchen, and her father followed. Nancy shot Katie an encouraging smile before slipping into the family room and out of sight. For a brief moment, Katie wished she could follow Nancy, but she knew she had to stay in the kitchen and face her father once and for all.

“Why are you back here, Katie?” Robert asked, pulling off his heavy coat. “You know you’re no longer welcome in this
haus.
”

“I told Jake to go get Katie and bring her
heemet
,” Sadie said, her voice loud and confident. “We need to listen to her, Robert.”

Katie met her mother’s gaze, and her mother winked unexpectedly. Katie smiled in response and was thankful for her mother’s encouragement.

Her father looked stunned while facing Sadie. “You’re going to tell me what to do, Sadie?”

“Ya
,
”
Sadie said. “I am. For nearly twenty-five years I’ve stood by you, Robert, and I’ve never doubted your decisions. Today,
however, is the first time I can’t stand here and listen without disagreeing. Katie has been through enough during these past few months. Let’s give her a chance and hear what she and her
freind
have to say. It might be something you’d like to hear.”

Katie held her breath while her father studied her mother. She prayed he would agree to her request, but in her heart, she doubted he would overcome his own stubborn nature for once in his life.

Her father trained his unwavering frown on Katie. “You have two minutes.”

“I want to come
heemet
,” Katie said, her voice thick with emotion. “I belong here, and you need to admit I’ve done nothing wrong. And I want your blessing for Jake and me to be together.”

“Katie and I are in love,” Jake added. “I told you I’m joining the church with two bishops’ blessings, so now you must accept that Katie and I will be together.”

“Falling in love is not a reason to join the church,” her father said, looking unconvinced. “You join because God has called you to it.”

“I’m a solid Christian,” Jake said with a serious expression. “I’ve taken a lot of time to consider this. I’ve spoken to my parents, my grandparents, my friends, and two bishops. I know the conversion will be difficult, but it’s important Katie and I share the same faith. I want to be with her, and I’m willing to sacrifice for her. She’s suffered enough for me.” He smiled at Katie, and her heart turned over in her chest. “I hope by the time I’m baptized I’ll have my own house, and I can ask Katie to officially be my girlfriend once I am finished with the class. I look forward to living the life I feel God is leading me to live with the woman I’m meant to be with. I want to marry her next fall.”

A surge of confidence filled Katie, and she looked at her parents. “I want you to accept that Jake and I will be together,” she said, her voice steady and strong. “We want your blessing. He’s
a
gut
man, and you know his family. He’s already thought this through, and he’s gotten two bishops to support him. You should too.” She looked at her father. “I never did anything wrong, and you need to let me come back
heemet
and be a part of this family.”

“The bishop told you the truth about what happened the day he saw us on the corner,” Jake said.

Sadie nodded and touched Katie’s hand. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you, Katie. You needed my love, not my rejection that day.”

“I forgive you,” Katie said, hugging her mother again. She then looked at her father and thought she saw tears glistening in his eyes despite his frown.

Sadie touched Jake’s arm. “
Danki
for saving my Katie that day. Abner told us what his neighbor saw, and I shudder to think what could’ve happened if you hadn’t come along. You’re a blessing to my Katie, Jake.”

“Danki, Mamm,”
Katie said. “I’m so
froh
you feel that way.”

“I’m sorry I was wrong that day,” Robert said. “I should’ve listened to you instead of worrying about what the bishop said.”

Katie launched herself into her father’s arms as more tears sprinkled her cheeks.
“Danki, Dat,”
she said.

He nodded without responding.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman,” Jake began, “will you give us your blessing? Katie and I want you to support our relationship.”

“I give you my blessing,” Sadie said. “You’re a
gut bu.
You will be
gut
to my Katie.”

When her mother leaned over and shook Jake’s hand, Katie couldn’t help but smile as she turned her gaze to her father. She hoped he, too, would have a change of heart.

“This is unusual,” Robert said, his expression hardening once again. “You’re converting, and it’s rare folks who aren’t Amish convert.”

“My grandparents are Amish, and my mother was raised in the community. It’s not foreign to me,” Jake said. “I’ve worked
in the furniture store for years and I’ve always spent a lot of time with my grandparents. I’m a part of this community whether I am Amish or not.” He looked at Katie. “Now I know my heart is here, and I can’t wait to join it.”

Her father’s expression softened. “You’ll be welcome here at the
haus
, but I would like you and Katie to not start dating until after you’re a member of the church. You know that’s the rule we live by.”

Katie swallowed a squeal of joy.

“Danki!”
Jake said, shaking Robert’s hand. “
Danki.
I will respect all of your rules. I promise you that.”

“
Danki
for listening to us,” Katie said, touching her father’s hand. “
Ich
liebe dich
so much. I never wanted to hurt you. We won’t let you down.” She paused. “Does this mean I can come home?”

Still frowning, her father’s nod was stiff. “
Ya
, you can come back. This is your
heemet.
Now I’m going to the
schtupp
to read the paper.” He then disappeared into the family room.

Katie touched her mother’s hand. “
Danki
for standing up to him,” she whispered in her ear. “I can’t
danki
enough.”

“I just wanted to see you
froh
, Katie,” her mother said, cupping her hands to Katie’s cheeks. “I couldn’t stand watching you suffer anymore. And, again, I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I was not a
gut mamm.
”

“I forgive you,” Katie repeated. “It was all a horrible misunderstanding.”

“
Danki
, Sadie,” Jake said. “I’ll make Katie very
froh.
I promise you.”