On Saturday Ruth enjoyed visiting with relatives she hadn’t seen in years. Some had arrived a few days ago, and others were just getting there this morning. Each family brought several dishes, and the variety was wonderful, although Ruth wasn’t sure she’d ever seen so much homemade bread. It seemed like each family brought at least a couple of loaves. Ruth thought about how she still made her mother’s bread recipe in Florida.
Everyone was hopped-up about a return visit in the fall for Ben and Annie’s wedding. It would probably draw three hundred people, the same way Ruth and Gideon’s had. There would be enormous amounts of food, and while the gifts wouldn’t be expensive, they would be plentiful.
Even with wedding joy in the air and the reunion in full swing at Esther and Amos’s house, two people were missing. Gideon and his father. Ruth hadn’t seen John Beiler since her arrival. She already knew from the letters they exchanged that he was a bit of a recluse, even though that wasn’t the word John used. He didn’t go to church and was rarely seen outside his house. Occasionally, someone would mention seeing him at the market. Ruth wondered who cooked for him. Had he learned how to cook, do laundry, and other things Mae had done before she died?
Ruth stayed at the reunion long enough after the meal that she wouldn’t appear rude when she found Esther. “I know I should help you clean all of this up, but I’d really like to go see John Beiler.”
Esther waved a dismissive hand. “Go. Look around. All of these women will stay for cleanup. You won’t be missed.” She paused, sighing. “I didn’t expect John to show up, but I’m surprised Gideon isn’t here. I thought it was part of the reason he came home.”
Esther gave Ruth a quick hug and whispered in her ear. “Follow your heart. I’m sure Gideon will be there. Maybe you’ll have a chance to talk to him.”
Ruth wondered how much work Gideon had done at the house. Had he gone through the boxes? Uncovered the furniture?
“I can see the wheels turning in your head, Ruth. Listen for the word of Gott. He will speak to you in ways you might not always recognize.”
Esther smiled. “I’m going to hold out hope that you’ll decide to stay, whatever the outcome is with Gideon. You’re stronger now, and I know you’ve worked hard to get here. So I guess in some ways you have changed inside. But it’s a good change. And, besides, I want Becky to know her aenti.”
“I plan to visit more, but Bishop Lapp might not be tolerant if I’m here too often.”
Esther smiled. “Bishop Lapp has mellowed in the past few years. And you have unusual circumstances. Talk to him.”
Ruth sighed. “Maybe.”
“Ach, well, scoot.” She gave Ruth a gentle shove. “Go see Gideon and John.”
Ruth said good-bye to several people on her way to her car. She hoped she didn’t spook all the horses tethered nearby when she started the engine.
By the time she made the short trip to John’s house, her heart was at it again as she tried to identify her intentions. Yesterday she ran from Gideon. Now she was about to be face-to-face with him again.
John Beiler opened the door and a smile filled his face. Her father-in-law had aged a lot since she last saw him. His beard was almost completely gray, his salt-and-pepper hair thinning, and his jowls sagged in a way Ruth didn’t remember, like he’d been frowning for five years. She was happy to see him smile as she wrapped her arms around him. John held her for a long moment before he motioned for her to come in.
“Excuse the mess.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m afraid cleaning was always Mae’s area of expertise, and I’ve gotten used to things being like this.”
Ruth knew from Esther’s and John’s letters that the house wasn’t tidy, but she was surprised how bad it was. “I can help you clean this place up.”
John chuckled. “I’ve had lots of offers over the years. But to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be able to find a thing if it was clean. I know where everything is.”
“Sorry if I overstepped.” Ruth cringed as she looked down at her running shoes, deciding she probably didn’t need to take them off.
John shook his head. “No apology necessary. I’ve just turned into a sloppy and grumpy old man.” He grinned before he walked to the couch and moved a blanket and pillow to the floor. “Sit. Tell me about your life in Florida.”
Ruth told him about her job, her apartment, and how she enjoyed living near the beach.
“We had several gut vacations near there when Gideon was growing up.”
Ruth forced a smile. “Ya, I remember him talking about those trips.” Pausing, she glanced around. “Speaking of Gideon, I was surprised he wasn’t at the reunion. I thought that was partly the reason he came back.”
John tipped his head to one side and stared at her. “Gideon left yesterday. I thought he got word to you.”
Ruth bit her bottom lip, willing it not to tremble.
“He said he was going to hire someone to clean the house and do the repairs.” John seemed to be searching Ruth’s eyes, his brows furrowed. “He said he didn’t want anything in the house—except his grandmother’s rocking chair—that he was going to let you have whatever you wanted.” He pointed to the chair in the corner. “He brought the rocker over before he left.”
Ruth blinked a few times and took a deep breath. “I see.”
John stared at her for a long time again, still running his hand over his beard. “Tragedy affects all of us in different ways, mei maedel. But you and Gideon have always belonged together. I thought this reunion might help you both see that. I thought when the two of you saw each other, you’d see Gott’s plan for your lives wasn’t over.”
“Gideon has someone else.” Ruth fought the tears burning in her eyes.
“Do you?” John raised a bushy gray eyebrow.
Ruth shook her head. She’d spent years thinking she wouldn’t love anyone but Gideon, but maybe it was time to rethink that and at least open herself up to the possibility.
They were quiet for a few seconds, then Ruth heard the word stay in her mind as clearly as if someone were standing right next to her, breathing it into her ear. She remembered what Esther said about being receptive to the voice of God. Did He want her to stay here?
“I’m not sure how welcome I’ll be here by Bishop Lapp, but I’d like to stay and do the cleaning and repairs on the house myself or contract out the things I can’t handle.” Suddenly the thought of others trampling through her old home caused her to shudder. The house had served as a part of her healing, and her return visit hadn’t been the tormented experience she’d expected. Not until she fled from Gideon. Maybe more time in the house by herself was what she needed.
John smiled. “I’d enjoy having you around for a while. What about your job?”
Ruth hadn’t thought anything through, but she wanted to stay and work on the house. Shrugging, she smiled. “I have no idea. I didn’t know I was going to stay until just now. Did Gideon leave you the key?”
John stood up. “Ya, I’ll go fetch it.”
When he returned, he walked to the rack by the front door and put on his hat. “I suspect there are a lot of repairs you can’t do by yourself.”
“Nee, I can’t let you do that. I’m sure Esther and Amos will help. Mei parents both have back troubles, but I’m sure they’ll lend a hand too.” Having less traffic and fewer strangers in the house sounded appealing.
John smiled. “It would get me out of the house.”
That did it. Ruth smiled and stood. “Ok. Let’s go.”
John put an arm around her as they walked onto the porch. “Welcome home,” he said softly.
Ruth helped him down the steps. She had no clue what she was doing. She had belongings, friends, a job, and a life back in Florida. She had a rental car to return and a flight booked—
“You are home,” the voice whispered in her mind again.
She looked at John, smiled, and said, “Danki.”
Following the long drive home and a night to decompress, Gideon went to see Cheryl. He’d called her and asked if she wanted him to come over with a pizza. He needed to see her, to clear the images of Ruth he couldn’t seem to shed.
Cheryl met him at the door wearing jeans and a purple blouse. Her long red hair was pulled into a ponytail, the same way Ruth had worn hers the last couple days.
Gideon kissed her on the cheek and then handed her the pizza.
She set it on the coffee table and went back to him, hugging him tightly. “I missed you,” she whispered. She kissed him as if she hadn’t seen him in months. It seemed a bit excessive since they’d only been on a few dates.
As Cheryl kissed him, all Gideon could see was Ruth. He eased away from her and tried to smile.
“I’m exhausted from the long drive, but I wanted to see you.” He wanted normalcy, distractions, anything to keep him from thinking about his wife. Ruth had assumed he was serving her with divorce papers. He hadn’t realized it at the time, but the finality of such an action disturbed him. He snapped back to the present.
“Well, I was happy to hear that, and I’m glad you’re here.”
They cozied up on the couch. Cheryl had two paper plates already set out, along with some grated parmesan and napkins.
She tucked a leg beneath her and turned to face him as she handed him a plate. She blinked slowly, her long lashes brushing against her high cheekbones. She was a beautiful woman, and she had a look in her eyes that made Gideon wonder if pizza was the only thing on her agenda.