When Noah stopped his vehicle and parked in his grandpa’s drive, Cyrus hurried out of the toolshed and headed his way wearing a scowl.
He stopped six-feet away. “Look, Noah, it’s great that you come out to visit Daed and help him on the farm, but it’s sending mixed signals. My parents have hopes that you’re going to join our community.” Cyrus’s tone changed from impatient to one of concern. “I think we both know you’re not going to do that. Daed is in the milking room, disinfecting the floor and stanchions. But it would be best if you left and didn’t come out again.”
The words bombarded Noah one after the other. He silently nodded and climbed back in the SUV, a knot twisting in his stomach. His hands gripped the steering wheel while his heart plummeted to his feet. He understood his uncle’s concern, but that didn’t make the situation easier.
Where the gravel road met the highway, Noah turned toward Iowa City. He couldn’t face Mary just yet. She’d ask him how it went at his grandpa’s farm, and he didn’t want to talk about it.
He parked behind his store and tried to muster up a friendly smile. His keys jangled as he unlocked the back door and stepped into a warm kitchen smelling of cinnamon and yeast rolls.
Sidney looked up. “Hi, boss. Since it’s Friday morning, I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“How about some help? I need to do some thinking, and the kitchen is where I do it best.”
“Always glad for the help.” Sidney gave him a curious glance but went back to his work.
When he left later that day, Noah called Jenny and let her know he was heading to their grandparents’ farm for a short bit before heading home. He parked in their drive, hoping Cyrus had gone home. He climbed the porch and knocked on the kitchen door.
Soft footfalls approached just before Grandma pushed the screen open. “Come in.”
When Noah entered, his grandpa was sitting at the oak kitchen, eating supper. His grandma took her chair.
“Sorry to bother you,” Noah said.
“Sit,” Grandpa invited. “Are you hungry?”
“No, thanks. I’m only going to stay a minute.” Noah rubbed his palms across the pockets of his trousers. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted to meet his grandparents and get to know them. But he had to do what was fair for everyone.
His grandmother was quiet, and he could see her uneasy gaze dart from his grandpa to Noah. His plan before he left Iowa City sounded good. Now, he wasn’t so sure.
“Grandpa, Cyrus said he thinks it’s best if I don’t hang around here. I was wondering if that’s the way you feel, too?”
The old man stopped eating and laid his fork on his plate. “Most times, Cyrus and I don’t see eye to eye, but this time, he’s right. The bishop doesn’t like a lot of fraternizing with the Englisch. It can give the youngies the wrong idea.”
Grandma sat with her head down, slowly eating. She didn’t acknowledge the conversation.
“Okay. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but I understand. I enjoyed getting to know you both.” The words caught in Noah’s throat and stumbled out.
Silence stretched across the room.
Noah turned and walked out of the house, quietly closing the door between him and his grandparents.
The goodbye cut deep into his heart. He wanted to be part of their family. But he couldn’t give up his SUV for a horse and buggy, he needed his vehicle. He owned an expanding business, and he had responsibilities. But that didn’t make the knot in his stomach go away.
The way he was shut out of his grandparents’ world, he would probably soon be shut out of Mary’s life, too.
Lord, God, I don’t know where You’re leading me, but I pray it’s for the betterment of my family. Because it’s tearing my heart in two.
When she heard the grocery door open, Mary had a feeling it was Bishop Yoder. She slowly lifted her gaze from her work at the bakery counter to the visitor, and blew out a long breath. “Gut Morgen, Ethan. I’m glad it’s you.”
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day. It’s nice to see you, too.” Ethan livened his step to the counter. “Why are you glad to see me?” He removed his straw hat and rubbed it across his blue chambray shirt and suspenders.
“When I heard the door, I thought it was the bishop. Emily wanted to go for a buggy ride yesterday. I let her have the reins, and I sat next to Noah. The bishop saw us and gave me a warning look.”
“Ah, the warning look. I know it well from my early rumspringa days. Tell the bishop you were bringing Noah out to see me.”
“Shame on you, I couldn’t lie. Besides, it was a harmless buggy ride. So what would you like today?”
“A double-chocolate donut and a black coffee.”
She set his order on the counter. Ethan handed her the money, picked up his purchase, and turned to go but stopped.
Mary’s eyes followed his stare.
Bishop Yoder held the door while Bishop Ropp entered.
Mary cringed. How long had they been standing there?
Ethan hurried out the door while Bishop Ropp walked around the bakery section, trying to decide what he wanted.
Bishop Yoder’s stare was icy as he approached the counter. “Mary,” he whispered, “you are making a mistake running around with that Englischer.”
She clenched her fist. “I’m not involved with Noah. He generously offered me space in his store so I can keep customers with standing orders.”
“It’s time you thought about getting married, jah?”
She cringed. “Did you forget that just a year ago Seth dumped me to go live with the Englisch? And after we both had been baptized and joined the church.”
“I haven’t forgotten, but our faith tells us to forgive. Seth was immature. He was not ready to settle down when he decided to get married. He has repented and went through and the rite of restoration. He’s back now and willing to pick up where you two left off.”
Mary straightened her back and sucked in a deep breath. “I can’t believe you’re encouraging me to marry him.”
“He cares for you in spite of his careless actions. Think about it rationally, you will see he’s a gut fit for you.”
“Mary,” Bishop Ropp interrupted. “Do you have any Bismarcks with the lemon filling like Sarah’s papa’s partner often made?”
“No... Sarah never mentioned her vater had a partner. Who was he?”
“That’s too many years ago, I can’t remember his name.” He waved a hand in the air as if to bat the question away.
Mary stared at the old bishop, hoping he wasn’t getting senile. “Do either of you wish to make a purchase?”
They each shook their heads.
The old bishop shuffled out the door as Bishop Yoder held it open. As he turned to leave, he tossed Mary a stern look. “Go for a buggy ride, Mary, and give Seth a chance to explain. You know as well as I do that Noah will never give up his Englisch ways. If you leave our church, you will be shunned.” When the bishop let go, the door banged shut.
She’d never marry Seth Knepp, no matter what the bishop said. But he was right about one thing, Noah would never give up the Englisch ways.
The swinging door from the kitchen creaked and Noah’s footfalls grew louder with each approaching step.
She turned as he reached the counter. His brow was creased, and lines pulled at his eyes. “You look tired. Did you do a lot of work helping your grossdaddi?”
Noah stood silent a moment. “I drove out to help grandpa. Cyrus met me in the drive and said he thought it would be better if I didn’t come out there anymore. He claimed my grandparents were getting their hopes up that I’d join the community, which I have no intention of doing. I drove back out to see them when Cyrus was gone, and my grandpa said the same thing.”
Mary flinched at his admission that he wasn’t going to join their community. “Noah, I’m so sorry they feel that way. But our bishop doesn’t encourage friendships with the Englisch.”
“I understand, but I was still hoping for some kind of relationship.” He turned and headed back to the kitchen. “Have a good evening, Mary.”
Jah, she knew that wasn’t what Noah wanted to hear. The bishop paying her a visit today was a not-so-subtle hint to her, too, about the same thing.
Mary grabbed a wet cloth and started to tidy up the bakery counter before she left for home. She turned at the sound of shoes tapping the flooring toward the counter. “Jenny, I haven’t seen you all day. You must be really busy.”
“I’m glad you haven’t left yet, Mary. I’m in the process of packing, and I’ll leave for school this weekend. I wanted to make sure I said goodbye.”
After blotting tears from her eyes, Mary crushed Jenny in a hug. Over her days here at the store, she and Jenny spent many coffee breaks together each day talking about their girlhood, growing up and their dreams. “I’ll miss you and will pray for your success on the journey that Gott has set your feet upon.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Jenny stepped back with tears escaping down her cheek. She dug in her pocket, pulled out a tissue and wiped them away.
Mary swallowed hard. Her life had changed so much in just a few short weeks. She loved her Englisch friends and didn’t want to say goodbye to Jenny...or to Noah.