I don’t see why you have to eat dinner at the Lapps’ today,” Ezekiel’s mother said when he slipped on his jacket and started for the back door. “Our family should be together on Christmas Day.”
Ezekiel halted and turned to look at her. “I told you a week ago that I wouldn’t be here for the afternoon meal today.”
“Jah, but I thought …”
“What?” Ezekiel’s fingers dug into his palms. “Did you think I would change my mind and stay home today?”
Her nose crinkled. “Christmas is a time to be with one’s family, and I would think you’d want to spend the holiday with us.”
“Figured you wouldn’t mind, ’cause I ate the Thanksgiving meal here. Plus, I was here last night with all of you when some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins came over. I realize that I’ve never missed a Christmas here at home, but today, I wanna be with my aldi.” Ezekiel paused for a breath. “Since we’ve been so busy in the greenhouse these past few weeks, I haven’t had the chance to see Michelle much lately.”
Mom opened her mouth in readiness to say more, but Dad cut her off.
“Let the boy alone,” he spoke from across the room, where he sat at the table with a cup of coffee. “Don’t you remember how many holiday meals I ate at your folks’ house when we were courting?”
Ezekiel’s eyes widened, waiting for his mother’s response. She remained silent. He couldn’t believe his dad had stuck up for him and seemed to understand that he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend. If Dad was okay with him courting Michelle, maybe eventually Mom would be too.
Brad was eager to get to the Lapps’ house, but he kept his speed down since there was snow and ice on the road in many places where it had not been melted by the sun.
Ned left early to be with his family, but under his little three-foot Christmas tree, Brad had found a package for him. Grinning, he reached up and touched the red woolen scarf around his neck. “That Ned—always thinking of others.”
Even though he’d dropped off a cactus the day he arrived, Brad didn’t want to go to the Lapps’ empty handed, since they’d asked him to join their Christmas gathering and meal. So yesterday he’d gone to the local bakery and bought an assortment of cookies to bring for dessert. He looked forward to the meal, not to mention seeing Sara again. He hoped he might also have a few minutes alone with Michelle so he could ask some questions and hopefully find out if she was up to anything, as Sara suspected. He had stopped by the Lapps’ two days ago, but Michelle wasn’t home. Mary Ruth said she was out, seeking a job at one of the local restaurants.
With a houseful of company today, Brad figured he may not get the chance to speak to Michelle privately, but it wouldn’t stop him from making observations.
When Brad pulled his van into the Lapps’ yard, he spotted a horse and buggy at the hitching rail. He turned off the engine and got out of his vehicle, then joined Ezekiel by the horse. “Merry Christmas.” He reached out to shake his friend’s hand. “Nice to see you. How are doing?”
“I’m doin’ well, and Merry Christmas to you too.” Ezekiel grinned, returning Brad’s firm handshake. “It’s good to have you back in the area. How long are you planning to stay?”
“Just through the holidays. I’ll be returning to the university in Clarks Summit on New Year’s Day. I have a long ways to go before my studies are done.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” Ezekiel removed the bit from his horse’s mouth. “Since I’ll be here awhile, I’m takin’ Big Red to the barn. Want to come along, or are you anxious to get up to the house?”
“Can’t say I’m not eager to get in out of the cold or enjoy the delicious aroma that’s no doubt coming from Mary Ruth’s kitchen, but I’ll take a walk to the barn with you.” Brad was glad for the opportunity to talk to Ezekiel alone. Maybe he could offer some answers concerning Michelle.
When they entered the barn, Brad breathed in the aroma of sweet hay in the air. A couple of horses were already in the stalls, munching away on their supper.
Ezekiel put Big Red in an empty stall, wiped him down, and made sure the horse had something to eat and drink. Brad pet Sadie and Rascal as he waited until Ezekiel finished, then he asked his first question.
“I heard you’ve decided to join the Amish church, and that Michelle’s planning to as well.”
“You heard right.” Leaning against the horse’s stall, Ezekiel smiled. “I had an experience up in Harrisburg when I went there looking for Michelle. It made me realize that living the English life isn’t for me.” His face sobered. “Not to say all English are bad. I just came to the conclusion that I need to appreciate my heritage and don’t have to be embarrassed about the way we Amish choose to live. My family means a lot to me too which also helped in making the decision.”
Brad’s head moved slowly up and down. “Makes sense to me. I am a little curious though why Michelle, who led us to believe her name was Sara, decided to join the Amish church.”
“You know, she’s sorry for that.” Ezekiel’s gaze dropped for a few seconds, before he looked directly at Brad. “Has she explained things to you yet?”
“Some. But I’m not sure I have all the facts.”
Ezekiel brushed some stray pieces of hay from his jacket. “What do you wanna know?”
Brad figured he may as well be direct. “Why would she have let the Lapps believe she was Sara? Has she told you that?”
Ezekiel nodded. “Michelle’s had a rough life. When she was a kid, she and her brothers were taken from their abusive parents, and she lived with foster parents until she struck out on her own when she turned eighteen. To this day, she still doesn’t know where her two brothers ended up. Can you imagine that?”
“I’m sure it’s been tough, but what happened when she left her foster parents?”
“Michelle went from town to town and worked at whatever jobs she could find.” Ezekiel licked his lower lip. “Then she got involved with an abusive man and lost her job in Philadelphia about the same time. There was one thing Michelle was sure of—she could not tolerate his abuse. She was desperate and went to the bus station to buy a ticket so she could get away from the boyfriend and start over in some other place.”
Brad leaned against the wooden beam near him. “Is there more to the story?”
Ezekiel nodded. “While Michelle was at the station, the Lapps showed up, thinking she was their granddaughter. You have to remember, the Lapps didn’t know they had a granddaughter until Sara wrote the first letter. So when they saw a young woman with the same auburn hair as their daughter’s, they were convinced she was Sara. Then, because Michelle was desperate to get away, on impulse, she went along with it and let them believe she was Sara.”
Brad’s head tilted while he mentally weighed this information. “Didn’t she realize the truth would eventually come out?”
“Sure, but like I said, she was desperate.” Ezekiel reached across the stall gate and gave Big Red’s head a few pats. “I’m not condoning what she did, but I wanted you to understand what drove her to making a poor decision.”
“Many people make wrong choices because of their circumstances, but lying, and even telling half-truths are never right.” Brad joined Ezekiel in petting the horse. “So what is Michelle’s reason for joining the Amish church? Is it to please you? I’ve known for some time that you were interested in her.”
Ezekiel’s cheeks reddened. “I can’t deny it. Ever since the first day I met her—when I saw her fall in the mud—I was attracted. ’Course I didn’t let on right away.”
“She’s interested in you too, I presume.” Brad couldn’t help smiling.
“Yeah. In fact, we’ve begun courting.”
“I see.” The word courting seemed a bit old-fashioned to Brad, and he was on the verge of posing another question, when the Lapps’ son, Ivan, entered the barn with his sons, Benjamin and Peter. Well, at least I found out the reason Michelle did what she did, even though it wasn’t right. Because of her deceit, the Lapps were hurt, and most of all, Sara. Brad looked out the barn doors toward the house. I need to reach out to her in support.
With the exception of Michelle’s presence, Sara couldn’t recall a better Christmas. Even though there was no tree, adorning ornaments, twinkling lights, or other decorations in her grandparents’ cozy home, it didn’t deter the spirit and festivity of the day. Except for Brad’s Christmas cactus and the two poinsettias she and Michelle had given to her grandparents, one would think it was a normal family gathering. Nonetheless, Sara felt the overwhelming joy of this holiday celebration. Last week, when she’d brought the chicken potpie home for supper, she’d felt the same joy, seeing the twinkle in Grandma’s eyes as she thanked Sara for her thoughtfulness.
This morning had started with a hearty breakfast. Afterward, preparation for the family meal began. Even before that, Grandma had put the ham in the oven for a slow bake. The aroma of the meat as it slowly warmed up made Sara’s mouth water in anticipation.
Grandpa and Grandma had insisted Sara and Michelle should not give them any Christmas presents. Grandma said just having them both here was gift enough, and Grandpa agreed. So Sara and Michelle said they didn’t want any gifts either.
Michelle wore another new outfit—a teal green dress with a black apron she had made, while Sara donned a pretty satin red blouse and black skirt. She wore a simple heart-shaped necklace, but decided to leave her earrings out for today.
Now as Sara sat at her grandparents’ extended dining-room table, she tried to keep her focus on the playful banter going on between Grandpa and Uncle Ivan. The love and respect they felt for one another was obvious, even with their kidding and poking fun at each other’s corny jokes. Every now and then Sara glanced at Brad, and each time she did, she noticed him staring at her. Sara wished she could get in his head and know what he was thinking. Did he find out something more about Michelle? If so, would he share it with her?
Before they’d sat down to her grandmother’s delicious ham dinner, Brad had sought Sara out and asked if he could take her to lunch again—tomorrow if she was free. She’d agreed to go—partly because he was good looking and charming, but mostly because she wanted to talk more about Michelle. Sara hadn’t mentioned it when she and Brad ate lunch at Isaac’s restaurant the other day, but she hoped that Brad might persuade Michelle to move out of their house. Giving the pretender the cold shoulder sure hadn’t worked.
Sara looked to her left, where Michelle sat, giving Ezekiel a dose of her cow eyes. Throughout most of the meal, their conversation had been to each other. Michelle was obviously smitten with him. A person would have to be blind not to notice her love-sick actions. Could she be using her relationship with Ezekiel to find favor with Grandma and Grandpa?
I wouldn’t put anything past her, Sara thought. Everything about today would be perfect if Michelle weren’t here. Sara forked a piece of succulent ham into her mouth. She’s not even part of the family, and yet here she sits at our table, sharing Christmas dinner as though she too is Grandma and Grandpa’s granddaughter.
Sara wondered how long she would have to endure this ongoing trial with Michelle. And how did this current test benefit her anyway? Sara felt sure she was in the right and Michelle was in the wrong. Sara thought she’d forgiven the imposter, but deep down, she hadn’t.
Sara’s only hope was for Michelle to either find a job and move out on her own or marry Ezekiel and settle into a home with him. Sara needed a chance to be with her grandparents without Michelle always around. Michelle needed to make a life of her own. The whole idea that the pretender was even living here was ridiculous. As far as Sara was concerned, Grandma and Grandpa’s generosity went too far. She didn’t want to see them get hurt again. But if Michelle was up to no good, there might not be anything she could do to stop it.