A Season of Love (9 page)
The bishop, his wife, the deacon, and his wife stood before Lindsay. The deacon’s wife removed Lindsay’s prayer covering. Lindsay’s body shook anew as the deacon poured water into the bishop’s cupped hands before it dripped onto Lindsay’s head. The water was cool and refreshing. She truly felt reborn!
Bishop Chupp then extended his hand to Lindsay and she rose. She closed her eyes while he recited a prayer. “May the Lord God complete the good work which He has begun in you and strengthen and comfort you to a blessed end through Jesus Christ,” he said. “Amen.”
The bishop’s wife kissed Lindsay as a symbol of the “holy kiss” before Lindsay was given her prayer covering, which she placed back on her head.
Lindsay closed her eyes and prayed while the baptism was completed for the rest of the candidates. She prayed for Rebecca,
Jessica, the rest of her family, and her friends who were also baptized today. When the process was complete, the bishop reminded the congregation to be obedient.
Once the service was over, Lindsay greeted her friends and family members and accepted their handshakes and words of encouragement. She was now a member of the church. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought of her mother, and she wondered if her mother had felt this same elation when she’d been baptized so many years ago.
“Congratulations,” Matthew said as he approached. He held out his hand, and she shook it.
“Danki
,
”
Lindsay said. “It’s really overwhelming. Just like you told me, I feel like I’ve been reborn.”
He hooked his thumbs around his suspenders. “I remember that feeling. It’s like a brand-new beginning, a new chapter in your life.”
“Ya
,
”
Lindsay said. “That’s exactly right.”
Katie walked up and pulled Lindsay into a hug. “This is the best day of my life. I’m so
froh
we could be baptized together. It was perfect!”
“I agree.” Lindsay smiled at her friend. “I can’t wait to tell Rebecca all about it.”
Lizzie Anne joined them and pulled them both into a group hug. “We did it.”
Daniel stepped over to Lindsay and touched her arm. “I’m so
froh
for you, Lindsay. Welcome to the church.”
“Danki.”
Lindsay gave him a quick hug. “I’m so glad you could be here.”
“I am too,” he said. “You know Rebecca wishes she could be here. I’m thankful
mei mamm
’s neighbor was able to help out with the
kinner
so I could attend and represent Rebecca and myself and our support of your new life in the church.”
“I know,” Lindsay said. “I’m glad you could share this special day with me.”
Daniel greeted Lizzie Anne and Katie before moving on to talk to another relative.
“We’d better help serve the meal,” Lindsay said before turning to Matthew. “We need to help the rest of the women set up lunch.”
“I know,” Matthew said. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Okay,” Lindsay said before turning to walk with her friends to the kitchen. She nodded greetings to relatives and friends as she passed.
Lizzie Anne leaned in close. “Now you and Matthew can really date!”
Lindsay’s stomach fluttered at the thought. “I’m not in any rush.”
Lizzie Anne stopped Lindsay by grabbing her arm. “You don’t have to rush, Lindsay. Just take your time. Samuel and I are getting to know each other slowly, and it’s been a lot of fun.” She grinned. “I’m sure you and Matthew will have a lot of fun too. Just be yourself and see where your heart leads you.”
Lindsay couldn’t stop her smile. “You sound like you’ve fallen in love with Samuel Kauffman. As
mei schweschder
would say, you’ve got it bad.”
Lizzie Anne laughed. “I guess I do.”
With a grin, Katie shook her head. “You two are
gegisch.
We need to serve lunch so we can eat. I’m starving.”
Lindsay looped her arms around Lizzie Anne’s and Katie’s shoulders. “This has been one of the best days of my life. Let’s go get some lunch.”
Later that afternoon, Matthew glanced out at the porch and spotted Daniel standing with his brothers, Timothy and Robert. He sidled up to the group and nodded a greeting to Timothy
and Robert. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said. “Daniel, may I speak with you for a moment?”
“Of course.” Daniel nodded toward the pasture. “Would you like to go for a brief walk?”
“That would be
wunderbaar
,” Matthew said. He followed Daniel down the steps. “I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter.” He swallowed and hoped he would choose the right words. “It’s something I’ve been considering for a while now.”
Daniel frowned. “This sounds like something serious. Are you unhappy at the furniture store?”
“No, no.” Matthew shook his head as they approached the barn. “I’m perfectly
froh
at work. It has nothing to do with that.” He looked back and saw Lindsay stepping out onto the porch, and he gestured toward the barn. “Could we please go inside the barn?”
Daniel shrugged. “That would be fine.”
They stepped into the barn and Matthew took a deep breath.
“What’s on your mind, Matthew?” Daniel asked. “You look
naerfich.
”
Matthew nodded. “I am.”
“Go ahead,” Daniel said. “You know you can talk to me about things.”
“Danki
,
”
Matthew said. “I want to ask your permission to date Lindsay. I really care about her, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her since I moved here. Now that she’s baptized, I’d like to ask her to be my girlfriend.”
Daniel smiled, and Matthew felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
“I knew this day would come.” Daniel shook Matthew’s hand. “You have my permission. I trust you with her.”
“Danki
,
”
Matthew said with a smile. “I will treat her very well, Daniel.”
Lindsay spotted Elizabeth on the porch and rushed over to touch her arm. “I was looking for you.”
“Lindsay.” Elizabeth took her hand and steered her away from the group of friends who had surrounded her. “I wanted to speak with you too.” She pulled her into a hug. “I’m so
froh
you’ve joined the church. I’d hoped this was the path the Lord would choose for you.” She looked down at Lindsay’s green dress. “You look so
schee.
Is this a new frock?”
Lindsay ran her hands down her dress. “I’ve been working on it for a few weeks. I made it special for today.”
“You positively glow.” Elizabeth touched her cheek. “This was the right choice for you.”
“Danki.”
Lindsay fiddled with the ties to her prayer covering as her thoughts moved to Rebecca. “I can’t stop thinking about
Aenti
Rebecca. I wish she’d been here.”
Elizabeth’s expression was sympathetic. “I know you wanted to share this moment with her,
mei liewe
, and I know she wishes she’d been here. But she was thinking of you and praying for you today. I’m certain her heart is full of joy. You and your
schweschder
are like her
dochdern
, and your decision to stay and join the church has given her more joy than she can ever express to you. Even though she couldn’t be here today, she’s celebrating with you in her heart.”
Lindsay sighed. “I know you’re right, but I just wish
Aenti
Rebecca and Jessica could’ve been here to celebrate with us in person.”
“Lindsay, you know things don’t always work out the way we want them.” Elizabeth sat on the porch swing and patted the spot next to her. “Sit,
mei liewe.
Remember that verse from Joel that the bishop read?”
Lindsay lowered herself next to Elizabeth and nodded.
“It tells us, ‘Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring
rains, as before.’ “ Elizabeth touched Lindsay’s hand. “Even though Jessica and Rebecca weren’t here physically, they were with you in your heart. Like your parents always are.”
Lindsay gently pushed the swing back and forth. “What do you think my mom would think about me joining the church?”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth looked confused.
“She joined the church and then she left to marry my father,” Lindsay said. “Would she be
froh
for me today?”
Elizabeth paused, considering the question. “You never would’ve come here if your parents hadn’t died, so it’s a complicated question. However, your
mamm
chose Rebecca as the guardian for your
schweschder
and you, which means there’s a reason why you’re here. Therefore, I think she would be very
froh
to see how you’ve grown, matured, and also assimilated into the community here. That makes me believe she wanted you here so she could provide the best life for you and your
schweschder
, if you each chose to take it.”
Lindsay smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Elizabeth laughed and hugged Lindsay again. “Are you heading
heemet
now? It’s getting late.”
Lindsay nodded. “
Onkel
Daniel should be around here somewhere.”
“There he is,” Elizabeth said as she stood. “He’s over by the barn talking to Matthew.”
“Oh,” Lindsay said, looking to where her uncle and Matthew stood together. “I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“Why don’t you go find out?” Elizabeth asked.
“That’s a
gut
idea.” Lindsay stood.
“Gut nacht.”
Lindsay left the porch and walked toward her uncle and Matthew. She approached and overheard them talking about the weather.
“I guess it’s time to go,” Daniel said. “I need to hitch up the horse.”
“I’ll help you,” Matthew said.
“No, no,” Daniel said with a smile. “You go on and say
gut nacht
to Lindsay while I hitch it up.”
“Okay,” Matthew said.
“Danki.”
Lindsay thought she saw a private expression pass between her uncle and Matthew, and she wondered what it meant.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Matthew said as Daniel walked away.
“That sounds nice,” Lindsay said, falling into step with him while they walked toward the pasture.
“It was a nice day, ya?” Matthew finally asked.
“
Ya
, it was nice,” Lindsay said, fingering the wooden heart she’d kept in her pocket for the baptism.
“What were you and Elizabeth discussing on the porch?” he asked.
“I told Elizabeth I wished
mei aenti
and
schweschder
could’ve been here today, and she reminded me they were all celebrating with me from afar even though they couldn’t be here.”
He nodded. “That’s very true.”
“I also asked her if she thought my mom would be happy for me today, and she said that she thought my mom would be
froh
that I’ve made a life in this community.”
“I agree.” Matthew smiled. “I’m very
froh
too.”
“So we can be
froh
together,” Lindsay joked.
“I’d like that very much.” He looked serious and Lindsay’s skin tingled.
She asked him about work, and they talked about their upcoming week as they stood by the fence. She wished the evening could last a few more hours. Being in his company was relaxing, fun, and exciting all at once. She spotted her uncle leading the horse and buggy toward the fence. “I guess I better go.” She gestured toward the buggy. “The horse and buggy are ready.”
“Lindsay,” Matthew said, “wait. I need to ask you something.”
Her heart pounded in her chest as she met his serious gaze.
“Ya?”
she asked.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately, ya?” he asked.
She nodded.
“And we have a
gut
time when we’re together, ya?” he asked, his expression anxious.
“Always,” Lindsay said.
“I was wondering if maybe you’d consider …” he paused. “Would you be my girlfriend?”
Lindsay couldn’t stop her grin. “I’d love to.”
“Gut.”
A nervous smile crossed his face. “We’d better get you to the buggy before Daniel gets impatient.”
“Did you think I’d say no?” she asked with surprise, walking beside him toward her uncle.
“I hoped you wouldn’t,” he said.
“Gut nacht
,
”
Lindsay said when they reached the buggy. “I hope you have a
gut
day tomorrow.”
“I hope the same for you,” Matthew said. “I’ll talk to you soon.
Gut nacht.
”
Climbing into the buggy, she couldn’t stop her pulse from pounding or her smile from deepening. This had been the best day of her life.
Daniel sat beside her and took the reins. Still smiling, Lindsay waved at Matthew as the buggy bounced down the driveway toward the road.
12 cupcake foils
1 can of cherry pie filling 12 vanilla wafers
2 eggs
¾ teaspoon vanilla
4 3-ounce packages of cream cheese
¾ cup sugar
Place vanilla wafers in the bottom of each cupcake foil. Beat cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Fill each cupcake foil 2/3 full with mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove cakes and let stand 25 minutes before topping with pie filling. Refrigerate for at least 90 minutes.
T
he following Saturday, Katie sat on the floor and pushed a toy train toward Daniel Junior. He grinned and pushed it back. With a squeal, Emma launched herself across the floor, intercepting the train before it reached Katie’s legs. Katie laughed while Daniel Junior frowned.
“Did you want the train, Emma?” Katie asked in
Dietsch
while picking up the toy. “Can you ask for it?”
Emma held out her hand and grunted while Daniel Junior continued to glower.