Chapter 28

This was worse than Zeke had thought. His behavior had brought Daed to Illinois to berate him among strangers. He cringed, glancing from Daed’s irritated grimace to Vernon’s perpetual smirk to stern Daniel Zook. Hopefully, they would try to make his scolding less public. At least away from Gracie. He didn’t want her witnessing the harsh words. He wanted her final memories of him to be positive, with them laughing, teasing, kissing…

He sighed as he dropped his bag, ran a hand over the dog’s head, then turned to Seth, postponing the inevitable. “Danki for your hospitality, Seth. I hope Jon is doing okay?” He wished he’d be around to know Jon had fully recovered. Maybe Cliff or Gracie would write and let him know. He hated leaving behind the man who could have been like a brother or friend, although not as much as he hated leaving Gracie.

Seth climbed up on the porch. “He’s showing some involuntary hand movements. And he opened his eyes briefly.”

“Oh, praise Gott,” Gracie murmured behind Zeke. He stepped to the side so she could see more than his back.

“His mamm insisted on staying again tonight, but I needed to pick up a few things here and then I’ll head back in the morning. Plus, my daed said there was something I needed to be here for.” Seth’s gaze landed on Zeke’s packed bag. “Are you boys leaving us?”

That would seem obvious. Zeke gulped and glanced at Vernon leaning against the porch railing.

Daed stood, extending his hand. “Ezekiel’s father, Elias.”

Seth shook it. “Seth Lantz. What can I do for you gentlemen?” He eyed Daniel Zook, where he sat on a bench, with a confused frown.

Daniel Zook opened his mouth but shut it again as a buggy rolled in, and Cliff and Bishop Nathan emerged.

Oh no—more people to witness Zeke’s disgraceful expulsion. At least his allies were now equal in number to his judges, until they hear of the most recent kiss. And with Timothy sitting inside and the door wide open, they surely would.

Cliff glanced at Timothy’s bike as he bustled up on the porch. “Oh good, we’re all here. Send Timothy out and let the party begin! Gracie, are those pies done?”

Party? This was no party. Zeke frowned.

“No.” She sounded stressed. “I sort of got sidetracked, but—”

“Well, get in there and make them. This doesn’t involve you.” Cliff pointed toward the door.

“It does involve me,” Grace objected.

Zeke glanced at her. Please, obey your daadi. The dog nuzzled him, and he looked down at a smiling Slush. As if there were something to smile about. “I don’t want Gracie to hear this.” His shame would only be compounded if she witnessed it. And why did Timothy need to be here? So he could gloat over emerging the victor? It was hard enough for Zeke to have wished him happiness. But also, what about the audience of Vernon smugly watching? That was bad enough.

Gracie touched his arm, sending fire to his heart. Oh, the ache. “But—”

“Go inside, Gracie,” Cliff reiterated.

She made a frustrated and hurt sound but went inside. The door didn’t click, though, so she must’ve left it open a crack.

Zeke glanced at Daed.

And…and was that a smile?

He blinked and looked again.

It was.

When was the last time Daed smiled at him? Certainly, he’d never smiled when Zeke had messed up, which was more often than not.

That smile. Oh, how he’d missed it and the relationship they used to have. If only he could feel his father’s love again.

Slush nudged him, knocking Zeke off-balance. He took a step, and then something propelled him forward—an almost physical pressure against his back.

Daed met him halfway.

Zeke almost cried as Daed folded him against his chest.

When was the last time they’d embraced?

Zeke might’ve clung.

“I love you, son. I’m proud of you.”

Proud? Of what? And who told him something good, because it definitely couldn’t be smug Vernon. Zeke rubbed his eyes. Perhaps he was dreaming.

The door creaked open, then slammed shut behind them. “You requested my presence?” Timothy sounded a bit cocky.

It wasn’t a dream. Zeke released Daed and half turned. Maybe what he’d thought was a nightmare humiliation might not be so bad after all. No matter what happened next, at least he’d heard those amazing words from Daed’s lips, and he had one reason to celebrate today, even if nothing else turned out well.

Slush growled.

“Shut up, dog.” There was a bit of that wild I need a fix light in Timothy’s eyes.

“Slush.” Zeke crouched. The dog leaned into him.

The bishop coughed and pulled a hot-pink, zippered cell phone case out of his pocket. The one Zeke had found in the underwear-strewn field. Bishop Nathan glanced from Cliff to Seth as he handed the colorful plastic-protected phone to Timothy, who winced. Paled. His hands shook as he took the phone.

Zeke’s stomach dropped. Even without the text message open, Timothy obviously recognized the phone, and that alone convicted him of wrongful behavior toward his intended bride…Oh, and based on their cafeteria conversation, this other woman Timothy loved wouldn’t let him into her new apartment. Zeke’s heart hurt for Timothy. He had some explaining to do—explaining that might postpone or cancel the wedding.

Bishop Nathan frowned. “We need to talk about this and a few other things, Timothy. Come with me to the barn. Seth, please join us.”

Cliff nodded at Seth. “I’ve got the rest of this conversation, son. Go with the bishop and keep your mind on Gott.”

Timothy’s hands shook harder. He dropped the phone.

Seth picked up the phone, handed it to the bishop, but frowned at Cliff. “Daed, what is going on?”

Jah, exactly. Was this a dream or reality? Zeke ran his hand over Slush’s head. What was going on? Something that might result in Gracie being set free. Please, Lord.

“We’re clearing the storm-muddied waters, son,” Cliff said. “Now, go do your part.”

Those storm-muddied waters were crashing over Zeke in waves that gave him moments of hope mixed with equal parts of terror.

“Come, Timothy.” Bishop Nathan gave him a stern look, turned, and headed to the barn.

After a moment, Timothy followed. Except, he stopped and grasped his bicycle handles. Straightened it. Started to swing his leg over.

Seth grabbed Timothy’s shoulder. “To. The. Barn. Now.”

Timothy stumbled, dropped the bike, and obeyed.

Except, he pulled what might be a homemade cigarette out of his pocket. Lit it.

After a moment, the breeze brought the unmistakable odor of marijuana to the men on the porch. Hopefully, Gott would show Timothy a way up from rock bottom and help him get the help he so desperately needed.

Seth grabbed the joint, threw it on the ground, and crushed it with his shoe. He said something Zeke couldn’t hear to Timothy, then picked the crushed cigarette up and carried it into the barn. Probably to show to the bishop. As if there weren’t enough evidence against Timothy already. Just like there was plenty of evidence that Zeke had crossed the line and broken trust.

Zeke patted the dog one last time, then stood. “I suppose we should go. It was nice getting to know you, Cliff.” He swallowed a sob, grabbed his bag, and moved toward Cliff and the stairs.

Cliff grabbed him by both arms. “Stop right there, boy. We aren’t done with you.”

“Have a seat, Zeke.” Daniel Zook pointed to an empty chair across from Vernon—which would put Zeke in the hot seat.

He grimaced. “Do we have to do this here?”

“Sit.” Cliff gave a gentle shove.

Zeke sat. And tried to keep his eyes on Jesus and find that same peace he’d felt yesterday over there in the partially built barn when he prayed with the missionaries. He shifted his gaze back to the man in front of him. He’d take his punishment like a man.

Daniel Zook leaned forward. “So, I heard from Vernon—”

“Yes, sir. And I’m sorry—”

“There is no rule against a girl developing a crush on you. Especially since you didn’t date her. Although I did hear the story of her kissing you.” Daniel Zook glanced at Cliff and smiled slightly.

Zeke’s face heated.

Daed chuckled.

“From what I understand from reports coming in to the rescue/relief center, everyone loved you, while”—he glanced at the silent Vernon still leaning against the railing—“Vernon kept complaining about being stuck with jobs like finding lost cows.”

Zeke had wished he’d had that job over washing a dog or fixing a mailbox with a pink hammer. To think they’d been jealous of each other’s jobs.

Daniel Zook nodded at Vernon. “I already had a heart-to-heart talk with Vernon about reasons for the assignments, motives, and jealousy.”

Vernon squirmed.

In what universe did perfect Vernon get the lecture? And how that must have stung!

Wait. Everyone loved him? Zeke didn’t know quite what to say to that. Maybe he wasn’t as much of a loser as he’d thought. But would they still love him if they knew how he’d kissed Grace upstairs? How he’d hoped Timothy wouldn’t be found so Grace was free?

Daed reclaimed his seat next to Daniel Zook and clasped his hands over his knees. “Back home, I was getting phone messages from Daniel Zook reporting how you saved a man from falling off his roof. How you comforted a grieving man. How you rescued a family stuck in a storm shelter. Positive comments from everyone here. Seth called. Cliff called. Then Vernon called, and I knew I had to come.”

Zeke cringed. So, all the positives were lined up on one side, and it only took one voice from home to erase it all.

“I know I let you believe I was the bad guy,” Vernon said with sincerity and a glimpse of admiration in his eyes, “and I know I poisoned your relationship with your daed over the factory job, and I’m sorry about that. But you were wasted there. I fired you because I knew you needed to sacrifice the good to get the better, and now you need to sacrifice the better to get the best.”

Zeke blinked. Was that supposed to make sense?

“Everyone needs someone who believes in them more than they believe in themselves,” Vernon continued, glancing down at his feet. “I didn’t explain myself back then. I should’ve, but I didn’t know how until I talked to Daniel Zook today. And jah, I was jealous then, and the last few days brought those feelings back even more. He helped me see that, too. Everyone loves you. Even cows, dogs, and special-needs people. I’m good for nothing but bossing people around. And they resent that.” He gave a short laugh. “The world is chaos. I must be in control.”

Zeke’s mind struggled to process it all. A dull ache began in his temples.

“I’m sorry for acting out toward you. I called your daed to tell the truth about everything I lied about. So many things.” Vernon hung his head. “I’m truly sorry.”

“I’m truly proud of you, son.” Daed rubbed a fist over his eyes. “So when Vernon called after talking to Daniel Zook, I dropped everything and left on that four-hour drive. Vernon is going home tonight, but I’m staying until Monday.”

“So I’m not leaving now?” Zeke pressed against the ache.

Cliff chuckled from his guard post by the stairs. “If things go as I hope in the barn, you aren’t leaving ever. Luke wants to hire you as an apprentice in his furniture-making business.” Cliff glanced toward the open barn doors.

“Really? But I don’t know what I’m doing.” But he’d love the challenge.

“Or, your current boss is talking about expanding into this area,” Daed said.

That was news to Zeke, but he would enjoy that.

“But no dating while you’re here as a mission worker,” Daniel Zook said with a bit of a teasing smirk.

Cliff laughed. “We’ll do that skip-the-dating-and-cut-straight-to-marrying thing.”

Zeke was afraid to hope. But jah, please, Lord.

The three men emerged from the barn wearing matching grim expressions.

And the hope died.