The Bishop's Daughter (45 page)

He flicked on the light switch near the kitchen door and ambled across the room to turn on the coffeemaker. “Sure didn’t have this little convenience in the trailer house I rented from the Rabers,” he mumbled. “But then, I didn’t miss having an electric coffeemaker so much, either.”

During Jimmy’s stay in Lancaster County, he’d become used to doing without a lot of modern conveniences. Living behind the Rabers’ place had provided him with an opportunity to get better acquainted with Eli and his folks as well as learn many of the Amish ways.

While the coffee brewed, Jimmy went to the refrigerator and took out a carton of eggs. He removed six and cracked them into a bowl with the idea of making scrambled eggs. “These yolks are sure pale,” he mumbled. “Nothing like the fresh ones Esther Raber used to fix for my breakfast.”

The milk Jimmy added to the eggs was also store-bought, and he knew it wouldn’t be nearly as good as the fresh goat’s milk he’d become accustomed to drinking. With the exception of his camera, there weren’t too many modern conveniences he couldn’t do without. In fact, he hadn’t even missed watching TV while he was away, and he wondered if he would even care to watch it now. Until he’d left Amish country, Jimmy hadn’t realized how much he would miss the slowerpaced, simple life.

“I told you not to bother with breakfast,” Dad said as he entered the kitchen. “My stomach’s not up for more than a cup of coffee and a donut this early in the morning.”

Jimmy placed the frying pan on the stove and turned on the back burner. “You never have taken time to eat a healthy breakfast, Dad.”

“Guess that’s true.”

“I figured after you and Holly started dating she might convert you into a health nut.”

Dad removed two mugs from the cupboard and set them next to the coffeepot. “Holly has helped in many ways—getting me to go to AA meetings, listening to me gripe about complaining customers, and putting up with my sometimes gloomy moods.” He grunted. “But I doubt she’ll ever succeed in getting me to give up coffee and donuts.”

Jimmy chuckled. “She has been good for you, and I’m glad she came
by yesterday and had a part in leading you to the Lord.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Dad poured two cups of coffee, hauled them over to the table, and took a seat. “I think the two of you saved my life yesterday.”

Jimmy dumped the egg mixture into the pan and stirred it with a spatula. “Actually, it was God who saved your life, by sending His Son to die for your sins.”

“I know, and I feel as if that five-gallon bucket of paint I’ve been carrying on my shoulders for many years is finally gone.”

“Oftentimes, when someone confesses their sins and accepts God’s gift of eternal life, they feel that way—like they’re free from the burden that had been pulling them down.” Jimmy scooped the eggs onto two plates and joined his dad at the table. “Now that you’ve found forgiveness, in order to grow as a Christian, you’ll need to get into God’s Word and spend time in prayer. That will help you stay closer to Him.”

Dad nodded. “I know that, too. I’m planning to go to church with you and Holly this coming Sunday.”

“That’s good news.” Jimmy glanced at his dad. “Would you like me to ask the blessing?”

“I think I’d like to try my hand at that if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” Jimmy closed his eyes, and his dad did the same.

“Dear God,” Dad began in a hesitant voice. “I just want to say thanks for forgiving my sins—and for bringing my son home.” There was a brief pause. “Oh, and thanks for this food I’m being forced to eat. Amen.”

Jimmy chuckled and reached for the bottle of juice sitting in the middle of the table. “I’m glad things are back on track with you and Holly.”

“Me, too,” Dad said around a mouthful of egg.

“Are you getting serious about her?”

“Yeah—uh—well, sort of. Holly’s a wonderful woman, but I’m not sure we could ever have a future together.”

“Why not?”

Dad’s eyebrows drew together. “As I’m sure you know, your mother and I had a lot of problems during our marriage.”

Jimmy nodded. He remembered hearing his folks disagree about many things during his childhood. He had found Mom in tears more times than he cared to admit.

“Most of our problems were my fault because I frequently lost my temper and didn’t treat your mother with the respect and love she deserved.” Dad moaned. “I’m afraid if I were to get married again, I’d mess things up.”

Jimmy touched his dad’s arm. “Of course you would have your share of problems, but you’re a Christian now; with the Lord as your guide, you will not only be able to deal better with your dependence on alcohol, but I think that marrying Holly, or any Christian woman, would be different for you this time around.”

His dad stared at him a few seconds, and then his lips curved into a smile. “How’d you get to be so wise for one so young?”

“I’m not sure how wise I am, but I did learn a lot about love and marriage from Eli’s folks. I’ve never met a more devoted couple than Philip and Esther Raber.”

“You miss those people, don’t you? I can see the look of longing on your face.”

Jimmy nodded. He missed everyone he’d come to care about in Lancaster County—Leona Weaver, most of all.

“Do you miss the Amish way of life, too?”

“Yeah, I guess I do. Somewhere along the line, I learned to appreciate the simpler things. In fact, I was reading my Bible before I went to bed last night, and I came across a verse of scripture that made me stop and think.”

“What’d it say?”

“It was from the book of Psalms, chapter 27, verse 11. ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path.’ ”

Dad stared at him with a wrinkled forehead. “Do you think you belong here?”

“I–I’m not sure where I belong anymore.”

“As much as I would hate to lose you, I want you to be happy, Jimmy.”

“I want you to be happy, too.” Jimmy’s throat clogged with unshed tears. Feeling the need to change the subject, he said, “We’d better eat so we can get on the road, don’t you think?”

“Yeah,” his dad said with a nod. “This is the first day of my new life, and I want to start it off on the right foot.”

Y
ou seem kind of distracted today. Is everything all right?” Holly asked Jim as they walked hand in hand along Owen Beach.

“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately,” he admitted.

“Have you scheduled too many paint jobs?”

“Not really. Since we’ve had so much rain this spring, we haven’t been able to do many outside jobs, but I’m sure the weather will cooperate soon.”

As they continued down the rocky beach, Jim prayed for God’s direction and the courage to say what was on his mind. Finally, he halted and dropped to one knee.

Holly squinted at the stones in front of him. “What’s down there? Did you find another agate?”

Jim shook his head and stared up at her. His mouth felt dry, and he could barely breathe. He couldn’t remember being this nervous since he was a teenager preparing to ask one of the high school cheerleaders for a date. “I’m—uh—in love with you, Holly, and I’m hoping that we can—Well—uh—when the time is right, would you consider marrying me?”

Nothing. No response. Holly just stood there with her lips pursed and her forehead wrinkled.

“If you don’t say something soon, my knee’s going to give out.”

Holly’s face relaxed, and she placed both hands against his cheeks. “I think we both need more time to get to know each other and allow our relationship to mature.” She smiled. “But, yes, when the time is right, I will consider becoming your wife.”

Jim stood, and drawing Holly into his arms, he kissed her gently on the mouth. When the kiss ended, he pulled back slightly. “How about the two of us going somewhere nice for lunch to celebrate my six-week sobriety and our future possible engagement?”

She nestled against his chest and murmured, “That sounds good to me.”

When Leona stepped out of her buggy and headed for the schoolhouse early one morning in May, she was surprised to see Abner standing on the front porch. She glanced around thinking he might have brought his brother to school, but she saw no sign of Emanuel. “Guder mariye, Abner,” she said as she reached the porch. “What brings you by here this morning?”

“Good mornin’ to you, too.” He stared down at his boots. “I—I wanted to tell ya something.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

Abner shifted his weight from one foot to the other and slowly raised his head to meet her gaze. “I—uh—wanted you to know how grateful I am that you put in a good word for me with Mary Ann.”

Leona smiled. “I heard the two of you have been courting.”

He nodded and leaned against the porch railing. “I’ve asked her to marry me in the fall, and she said she would.”

Leona’s smiled widened. “Congratulations! I’m happy for both of you.”

“I’m glad you approve.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? You’re a nice man, and you’ll be getting a wunderbaar woman.”

“Jah, I agree.” Abner turned to go, but he’d only taken a few steps when he turned back around. “Mary Ann’s prayin’ you’ll fall in love with someone soon.”

Before Leona could offer any kind of sensible reply, Abner sprinted across the lawn and hopped into his buggy.

“ ‘Mary Ann’s prayin’ you’ll fall in love with someone soon,’ ” she mumbled. “Mary Ann must believe in miracles.”

“What can we do to help?” Leona asked as she and her mother stepped into Naomi’s kitchen two weeks later. Their entire family, including
Arthur and his brood, had been invited to the Hoffmeirs’ for a picnic supper. Abraham and all of his family had also been included, and most of the men were in the backyard setting up tables.

“Ruth, Elsie, and Darlene are getting the meat ready to barbecue,” Naomi said, nodding toward the counter where three of her sisters-inlaw stood. She motioned to the table. “Abby, Mary Ann, and Nancy are making up the salads.”

“My daughter and I can carry the plates and silverware outside if you’d like,” Leona’s mamm volunteered.

“Danki.” Naomi smiled. “Many hands make light work.”

“That’s so true,” Abby agreed.

“Lydia, if you don’t mind taking over the job of flattening ground beef into patties, I’d like to help Leona set the table,” Mary Ann spoke up. “It will give us a chance to visit before the meal is served.”

“Don’t mind a bit.” Mom went over to the sink and washed her hands, and Leona opened the silverware drawer to take out what they would need.

“You’re awful quiet this evening,” Mary Ann said once she and Leona were outside on the porch. “Did you have a rough week at school?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. I’m just feeling kind of down.”

“Sorry to hear that. Maybe some time spent with family will cheer you up.”

“Jah, maybe so.” Leona draped her arm across Mary Ann’s shoulder. “Abner dropped by the schoolhouse a few weeks ago and told me your good news. I’m real happy for you.”

“Danki.”

Leona sighed and stared at the porch.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You look so down in the mouth.”

“I’m feeling kind of frustrated over Papa.”

“How come?”

“He hasn’t been the same since Jimmy left, and he even seems to have regressed some.”

“In what way?”