Grace knocked on the door before entering the room. Her father was lying there on a bed, machines beeping around him. He had a tube coming from one arm leading to a machine where a bag of clear fluid hung. His eyes were closed, and he wore a hospital gown. Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Daed,” she whispered.
His eyes opened. “Grace. Sorry, I can’t sit up at the moment. Come here so I can see you.”
She hurried to his bedside and sat on the chair next to him. “I’m so sorry, Daed,” she said, putting her head down.
“For what?”
She looked at him and wiped her tears. For a man who just got struck by lightning, he looked pretty relaxed. In fact, more relaxed than she’d seen him in a long time. “I’m not getting married,” she blurted.
“What? Where did that come from?”
Taking his hand, she said, “I’ve been selfish. I haven’t been thinking about your feelings at all, just mei own. I already told Joel that we’re going to wait.”
“And he’s all right with that?”
“He has to be.” She looked over. Her father was staring at the ceiling now. “We won’t marry until you give us permission. And we won’t try to force you.”
“Is that what you and Joel really want?”
Grace nodded. “That’s what we want.”
Her father let out a big sigh as a nurse walked in. “He should get some rest,” she said. “We’ll be moving him to a room soon.”
Grace stood. As she walked away she whispered, “I love you, Daed.” The nurse was already taking his blood pressure, so she headed for the waiting area.
She paused in the hallway and took a deep breath. Daed was okay. So was Joel. That’s all that mattered right now. Everything else could wait.
Joel returned to his uncle’s house later that night. He was beat. The adrenaline had finally left his body, and now that he knew Vernon would be all right, he’d managed to settle a little bit. But he was still on edge. When Grace came back from visiting her father, she’d hardly spoken to Joel. The Miller women were planning on staying until Vernon was settled in his room. Since the hospital was busy and full, the staff wasn’t sure when that would happen. Joel said he would stay with them, but Grace insisted he leave.
“We’ll be fine,” she said. “You need to get some sleep.”
But how was he supposed to sleep when she told him she wanted to postpone the wedding? True, he felt like a heel even thinking about his and Grace’s future when Vernon was still in the hospital. But everyone was sure he would be okay. And Joel was certain that after today, Vernon would at least give Joel another chance to plead his case. Except now it turned out he didn’t have to. Grace had made the decision for him.
He shook his head as he walked into the house. He’d have to sort this out tomorrow. He didn’t want to wait, but if Grace insisted, he’d have no choice. He’d honor her wishes.
“Well, if it isn’t the hero.”
Joel looked at his uncle, who was seated in the rocking chair reading his evening newspaper, as he did every night. He nodded toward the couch. “Have a seat, hero.”
Joel frowned as he sat down. His uncle had the most impassive face of any man he knew. It was almost impossible to tell whether he was joking or being serious. “I’m nee hero.”
“That’s not what I heard.” He set down the paper and gave Joel a ghost of a smile. “The taxi driver who takes you to the roofing job stopped by earlier tonight. Said you saved Vernon Miller’s life.”
“It wasn’t like that.” He explained what happened.
His uncle leaned back in his chair. “That’s exactly what it sounds like. I’m glad those CPR lessons were put to gut use. Is Vernon all right?”
“They say he will be.”
“What about you?”
“Me?” He leaned back and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m fine.”
“You look like a wreck.”
“Gee, thanks.”
His uncle looked at him. “Make any headway with the wedding plans?”
“That’s not exactly an appropriate thing to bring up at a time like this.”
“Nee, but you said Vernon will be all right. Seems to me he owes you one.”
Joel’s shoulders slumped. He didn’t want Vernon’s blessing because he saved the man’s life. He wanted it freely. Not that it mattered anymore. “I’m heading for bed,” Joel said as he stood.
His uncle folded the paper in half. “Seems like Vernon is going to be out of work for a little while until he’s fully recovered.” He looked up at Joel. “If you decide you need a longer sabbatical, let me know.”
Joel nodded, surprised at the offer. He went upstairs, took a shower, then dressed in a T-shirt and shorts and climbed into bed. But he couldn’t sleep. Finally, he got up, dropped to his knees, and prayed. He prayed for Vernon, for Grace, for their family, and especially for the patience he would need to wait to marry Grace. That would be the hardest thing he’d ever have to do.
After spending the night and most of the day in the hospital, Vernon finally came home. The paralysis had worn off, thank the good Lord. The only residual effect was a headache, and even that was at a dull roar. The doctor had prescribed painkillers, but Vernon doubted he would fill the prescription. He could handle the pain.
What he couldn’t handle was Grace putting off her happiness for him. How had he let this get so far? And how could he have doubted Joel? But he realized the situation had nothing to do with Joel and Grace. It was his own pain, stubbornness, and pride, and he had dragged the two of them into it. Now it was his job to fix it.
“I want to have Joel over for supper tonight,” he told Ruby as she forced him to lie down in bed.
“Tonight?” She pulled the quilt over him, even though he wasn’t the least bit cold. “Don’t you think you should rest instead? I’ll have one of the girls bring you supper in bed.”
“I’ve never eaten a meal in bed, and I’m not about to start now.” He was about to toss the covers off and stand up, but he didn’t want to draw Ruby’s ire. “The least I can do is have Joel over for supper, after he saved mei life.”
She looked down at him. “You can wait to thank him.”
But he didn’t want to wait. He wanted to settle this marriage issue once and for all. He’d made them suffer too long. “Have Charity run over there and let his uncle know we’ll see Joel at supper.”
“I don’t suppose I can convince you otherwise,” Ruby said. At Vernon’s headshake she added, “Then at least rest for the next couple of hours.”
Somehow, he managed to fall asleep, and he woke up to the delicious smells of supper cooking. He sat up, his body more stiff than usual. The doctor said he had to take a few days off work to rest and heal, but Vernon wasn’t sure if he could do that. Each day he didn’t work, he lost money. That was reality.
When he walked into the kitchen, Ruby said, “Just in time. I was going to have one of the maeds come get you.” She took a plate of rolls to the table. Only then did he notice Joel seated next to Grace.
“Joel.” He walked over to his chair and sat down.
“Vernon.”
The kitchen was quiet, which unnerved him. He missed the constant chatter of his daughters and wife. Since Grace and Joel’s announcement, they had been subdued. Tonight they were downright mute. After Ruby sat, he bowed his head. Instead of asking for blessings on the meal, he asked for forgiveness. I’ve been wrong, Lord. I’ve been so very, very wrong.
But he was ready to rectify that, and when he lifted his head, he looked at Joel. “I give you mei blessing. You and Grace can get married as soon as you want to.”
Joel’s mouth dropped open and he looked at Grace, who seemed equally confused. “But, Daed,” she said. “I told you we were going to wait.”
Vernon glanced at Joel and saw a flicker of consternation fly across his face. Clearly the man wasn’t in agreement, and Vernon didn’t blame him. “You don’t have to wait.” He picked up his knife and fork, ready to dive in to the thick slice of meat loaf on his plate. “You’re free to get married.”
“Nee.”
Vernon looked at Joel. This time he was shocked. “What?”
“We’re not getting married. Not like this.” He turned to Vernon. “Can we talk in private?”
Vernon looked at the meat loaf, which was growing colder by the second. But his family was more important than meat loaf. He nodded. “Let’s geh outside.”
Joel followed Vernon out the back door. There was still plenty of light, but the sun was starting to set. Vernon walked slowly to the end of the patio, then turned around. “You wanted to talk, so talk.”
Joel gulped. A part of him wondered what he was doing. He and Grace were free and clear to marry now. Vernon had finally given them his permission and blessing. But it didn’t feel right. “You don’t owe me anything,” Joel said.
The older man’s brow lifted. “Owe you?”
Joel swallowed again. “I don’t want yer permission to marry Grace because I saved yer life. I want it to be genuine. I want to earn mei place in yer familye.”
“Don’t you think you did that already by saving mei life?” Vernon crossed his arms over his chest.
“It’s not the same.”
“All right.” Vernon walked toward him. “What if I told you I want you to be a part of this family, and not because you saved mei life or because you work hard? That I was wrong to keep you and Grace from getting married.” He paused, his bottom lip trembling slightly. “I shouldn’t have denied mei dochder—and you—your happiness because of mei pride.” He looked away. “I thought I had forgiven you for betraying me. But I hadn’t. I held on to the bitterness.” He shrugged. “I’m not even sure why.”
Joel was surprised at the confession. He knew how hard it must be for Vernon to say these words. “I never meant to betray you,” he said, his voice laced with emotion. “I was a dumb kid trying to impress mei onkel and vatter.”
“I know. And I should have realized that long before now. But the truth is, I’m not a gut businessman. It was easier to blame you than take responsibility for the mistakes I made. Ya, the job would have gotten me out of a bad situation, but would it have lasted? I shouldn’t have been in that tight of a predicament in the first place.” He let out a sigh and put his hand on Joel’s shoulder. “Yer a gut mann, sohn. Grace is blessed to have you as her husband.”
Joel’s eyes burned as he nodded. This was more than he’d expected. “Danki.”
His future father-in-law dropped his hand. “Now, you can geh back to work at yer business. Nee need to work with me anymore.”
Joel shook his head. “I told yer boss I would stay for two weeks. I intend to do that. Besides, they’re short another man now.”
“Nee, I’m going to work in the morning.”
“Does Ruby know that?” Joel thought he saw Vernon pale a little under his tanned skin. Before Vernon could say anything, Joel added, “Take the time off. You deserve it.”
Vernon’s eyes misted. “We better get back before the meat loaf turns into a cold brick.” He looked at Joel. “We have an understanding then?”
“Ya.” Joel grinned. “Understood.”
Although it was strange not to go to work the next morning, Vernon had to admit it was nice to take things easy for a change. He didn’t sleep in, but he did take his time with breakfast, and after his daughters left for their jobs, he and Ruby relocated to the back patio to enjoy another cup of coffee.
“Still feeling all right?” Ruby asked.
Vernon turned to his wife. She was seated close enough that he could see the tiny lines of worry at the corner of her mouth. “I’m fine, lieb.” He smiled, then took a sip of his coffee and looked out into his tidy backyard. He was more than fine. He was truly at peace. He hadn’t realized until now that the bitterness from his failed business had always been there over the years, humming in the background, keeping him from fully trusting God. Now he felt light, as if a burden he hadn’t realized he was carrying had been lifted.
“Gute morgen.”
He looked up to see Abner walking toward them. He set his coffee mug on the plastic side table and stood. “Morning,” he said, keeping his tone neutral.
“I knocked on the front door, but when no one answered, I thought I’d check back here.” He smiled and nodded at Ruby, then looked back at Vernon. “I thought we could talk for a few minutes.”
Vernon moved closer to his wife, wary. What did Abner King want now? Hadn’t he taken everything from him?
He halted at the thought. Blaming Abner for his troubles had become a habit. One he intended to stop right now.
“I need to get started on mei sewing anyway.” Ruby placed her hand on Vernon’s arm, then turned to Abner. “Can I get you some kaffee?”
Abner shook his head. “Had three cups before I came over.”
Ruby gave Vernon an encouraging glance, then went inside.
Bolstered a bit by his wife’s confidence, Vernon gestured to the now empty seat next to him.
“What do you need to talk to me about?” Vernon said once they were both seated.
Abner leaned back in his chair. “You’ve got a real nice place here.”
Vernon gripped the arms of the plastic patio chair. Was that a dig? But when he turned to look at the man, Vernon saw sincerity in his eyes. And why not? He did have a nice place. Along with a wonderful family, and now that he was seeing things clearer, a great life. Vernon relaxed his grip on the chair and nodded in acknowledgment.
“I’ve been thinking things over.” Abner folded his hands across his belly. “A lot of things. Ever since Joel asked me for the time off to work with you at the roofing company, mei mind has been stuck in the past.” He turned to Vernon. “It’s not pleasant mulling over regrets.”
Vernon nodded. “Nee. It’s not.”
Abner let out a long breath. “I’ve been wondering what would have happened if we’d been partners instead of competitors.”
Now that wasn’t what Vernon had expected. “Really?”
Abner nodded. “I’ve been a greedy mann, Vernon. I can admit that. Which is why it never would have worked out for us to combine our businesses when I was younger. But now that we’re soon to be family, I think it would be a gut move for both of us.”
Vernon turned in his chair to face Abner. “I haven’t been in the lumber business for years.”
“That doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten it.” He paused. “Surely you’d rather be working with me and Joel than boiling on rooftops in the hot sun.”
Hesitating, Vernon looked out at the yard again. Abner was offering him a great opportunity. More importantly, he was giving Vernon a chance to leave the roofing company, something he’d wanted to do but knew he never could. Not if he wanted to support his family.
After a few more thoughtful moments, he turned to Abner. “Danki for the offer, but I can’t accept it.”
Abner frowned. “You and that stubborn pride,” he muttered.
“Nee. It’s not about pride this time.” God had given him the roofing job when he was financially desperate. Through that job he’d been able to get back on his feet and take care of his family. And while it was hot, hard work, it was also satisfying. He could see that now. He’d spent so much time being angry over losing his lumber business that he hadn’t appreciated the good job he had. Even now he was itching to go back to work, despite the fact he was doing the right thing by taking the time off.
“I’ve got a job already, Abner. One I’m not interested in leaving.”
Abner squinted at him. “Yer serious, aren’t you?”
“Ya,” he said. He managed a smile. “I am.”
Rising from the chair, Abner hooked his thumbs under his suspenders. “The offer will always stand. Just want you to know that, in case you get tired of climbing those ladders.”
Vernon stood and held out his hand. “I appreciate it, Abner. I truly do.”
The man grinned back. “We’re family, after all.”
“Ya,” he said, shaking Abner’s hand. “We are.”