Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:9
“Why do you seem so surprised, Marlene? Mamm told me that I should go for a walk.”
Marlene placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. “It would be just like you to disappear when there’s work to be done.”
She was doing it again, but this time Grace was determined not to let her get away with anything. “That’s not so, Marlene, and you know it. You told me there was only room for two in the kitchen, and you said that you and Mamm were fine.”
“Grace, I told you I was feeling unwell. Couldn’t you have been a little more caring?”
Grace wanted to groan. How could she answer without sounding like a mean person in front of Adam? Marlene would’ve known that Adam wanted a decent, hard-working woman as a wife and now she was making out that Grace was lazy.
To Grace’s surprise, Adam leaned over and touched Grace on her shoulder. “Grace is not feeling well.”
Marlene’s mouth fell open. “I’m the one who’s sick. I told her that back at the haus.”
“Will you give us a moment, Marlene? We were having a private discussion. When you get back home, tell your mudder-in-law that Grace won’t be long.”
Marlene looked as if she were about to say something, but instead, she turned and stomped away.
“I hope you feel better soon,” Adam called after her. He waited until Marlene was farther away before he spoke to Grace again. “Don't worry; I know what she’s like. It took me a while but eventually I figured it out.” He laughed. “It didn’t take me that long, but when I realized she’d been lying about you and the Englischer, it was too late - you’d already left the community. I tried to find you and that was when I found out you were already living with him. I was a little surprised that you moved so fast.”
“You found out she’d been lying?”
He nodded.
“I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been. I acted too hastily. I was young and stupid and didn’t think things through. You must think I’m a fool.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Impulsive is the word I’d use. I hoped you’d come back one day. I never thought it would be under these circumstances. And I don’t think you’re a fool.”
He held out his hands. When she put her hands in his, he pulled her to her feet. “Come on. I’ll walk you back to the haus so Marlene can't tell your mudder some large stories about what we were doing out here.”
“Don't you mean tall tales?”
“Those too,” he said with a laugh.
When Grace's house came into view, Adam said, “Will you forgive me for believing Marlene? I’ve felt bad about that for so long.” He put his hand on his heart. “Even though my feelings toward you were strong, I listened to what Marlene had said, and it was dumb of me.”
“Let’s put that behind us. I’m just glad that you know now that she made the whole thing up. Jeremy had made advances toward me, but I never responded, not once. I told him I had a man in my life already. When things with you were over, I agreed to go on a date with him. I guess it felt good that someone wanted my company and was giving me the attention that I wished you were giving me.” She was glad that she finally had the chance to explain things to him. It was one burden lifted off her shoulders.
Adam nodded. “I can see how it would’ve happened, and I don't blame Marlene. She was young at the time and immature. I guess we all were back then.”
“That’s true.” Yes, that’s true, but you didn’t run away and marry someone totally unsuitable. And Marlene made a good marriage with my brother.
He stopped and touched her arm slightly, so she stopped too.
“I know this might be too soon for you, Grace, right after your husband has gone, but do you think I might be able to see you again sometime soon? Just you and me?”
Grace’s heart pumped hard against her chest. “I'd like that.” Those were the only words she could manage.
His concerned face relaxed into a smile as he placed a hand on the small of her back while they walked forward.
When they arrived at the house, Grace’s mother raced out to meet Adam. “Come in, Adam. Marlene said you were with Grace. Come on in and I’ll make you that strong coffee you like.”
“Denke, Mrs. Byler, but I really do need to get back.”
“Nonsense; come inside. We’re due for a break, and we can have a nice talk about things.”
“Any other time I would, but I’m expecting someone back at the haus.”
Mrs. Byler’s brow furrowed. “How about you join us for the evening meal, then?”
“Tonight?”
“Jah, tonight.”
“I'd love to.”
Grace stood next to her mother and watched Adam walk away. Once he was gone, her mother went upstairs while Grace went to the kitchen. Grace rolled up her sleeves ready to wash the dishes when Marlene came up beside her.
“No one will think it's right if you start making eyes at him after your husband has just died.”
She turned and looked into Marlene's glinting green eyes. For once in her life, Marlene might have been right, and from the look on her face, she knew it.
With her chin tilted in the air, Marlene continued, “No one would better for you than Adam, and you’ve got a second chance now that Jeremy’s out of the picture.”
“If things are meant to happen between us they will.” Grace filled up the sink with hot water and squeezed a little soap from the dispenser.
“You’re not going to make a move on him?”
Grace frowned at her sister-in-law. “You just told me everyone would think it too soon.”
“Mamm doesn’t believe so. She couldn’t wait for him to come to dinner tonight.”
“He often used to come for dinner.”
“I can’t wait to see what happens tonight.”
Grace turned the tap off and plunged her hands into the sudsy water. “Please don't embarrass me in front of everyone.”
“It’ll only be our familye and Adam.”
Grace’s mother stuck her head into the kitchen. “I hope you girls aren’t arguing again.”
“Nee, Mamm. I was just trying to talk Grace into making some shoofly pies to impress Adam.”
“Jah, gut idea, Marlene.”
“Mamm!” Grace turned to look at her mother.
“I said the shoofly pies were a gut idea. We haven’t had them in ages. That’s all I meant,” her mother said, moving further into the kitchen.
“Oh.” Grace turned back to the dishes.
“I know you like him, Grace, but don’t you think that if something were going to happen, it would’ve already?” Marlene asked.
Grace had to stop herself from saying, Thanks to you it didn’t.
“Everything happens in Gott's timing, Marlene. That's why you haven't had a boppli yet - because Gott is waiting for His perfect timing.”
Marlene's jaw dropped in shock at what her mother-in-law had said. She threw the tea towel down on the sink and marched straight out of the room.
Seeing how upset Marlene was, Grace immediately felt sorry for her. “Mamm, that was a little harsh.”
Her mother shrugged. “How would I know that she’d be upset by hearing about Gott’s timing?”
“She's been married for nearly four years, and there’s no boppli. It’s only natural to be upset about that.”
Marlene and Matthew had been married shortly after Jeremy and Grace. The last thing Jeremy had wanted was a baby, so they had been taking precautions, whereas that wasn’t traditionally the way of the Amish.
Grace's mother shrugged her shoulders once again. “Gott waits for the timing of things to be right. Surely that should have been a comfort to her. She needs patience.”
“Sometimes saying things like that don't help a person feel better. You never had any trouble having bopplis, so how could you understand someone who has?”
“Jebediah was born one year after your vadder and I got married. Then I had a new boppli almost every year or two after that. I suppose I shouldn't have said it, but sometimes Marlene just can't see any other side of things than her own.” Her mother sighed. “I'll go and see if she's all right. And while I'm doing that, you make something delicious for our dessert tonight.”