Yvonne tried not to go too fast in her rental as she drove from the Indianapolis airport toward Montgomery. It was difficult not to exceed the speed limit since it was lower in Indiana than in Texas, but she was eager to surprise Eva and Jake. With less than forty minutes left to drive, Yvonne’s mind wandered, but she mentally landed back on her feet after her thoughts had gone full circle. She would always miss Trevor, but she still had a life to live, and she wanted to make it the best she could—being true to herself, to God, and to those she loved. She’d probably never tell her aunt about her shift in beliefs unless the subject came up, which it rarely had over the years.
She was thinking about her aunt when her cell phone rang. She was surprised to see Eva’s number flash on the dashboard display. She was glad she’d taken the time this trip to Bluetooth her phone to the rental car.
“Well, hello.” Yvonne smiled. “This is a nice surprise.” And ironic since I’ll be seeing you soon.
“Are you busy?” Eva asked.
“Nope. I’m in the car, but I’ve got the phone set where I’m hands-free. How are you?”
“I’m doing gut. I went back to work last Saturday when I no longer resembled a fish.” She giggled. “And . . .”
There was a mysterious edge to Eva’s voice. “This must be about Jake. Did you two finally get together?”
“We did!” Eva almost squealed when she spoke. “And Jake asked me to marry him.”
Yvonne’s jaw dropped. “Wow. You people go from zero to full throttle in a very short time.” She thought about how long she’d dated Trevor before he popped the question. “But I am thrilled for both of you.”
“Well, we’ve known each other since we were children, and I guess when you know, you just know. We’ll be getting married in November. I know it’s a long way from Texas, but it would make us so happy if you were able to attend the wedding. That is . . . if it won’t be too difficult.”
“I would be honored.” Yvonne blinked back tears as she thought about her wedding dress still in layaway. She hadn’t quite taken care of everything related to her own wedding yet. “This is wonderful news.”
Eva was quiet for a few moments. “How are you doing, Yvonne?”
She pushed her sunglasses up on her head and took a deep breath. “I’m doing good. Really good. The days leading up to Trevor’s funeral, and especially the days that followed, were rough, but I feel stronger now and a little more prepared to face the world again.”
“I am so happy to hear this. I’ve been praying for you, and I know Jake has too. I can’t pretend to know how you must have felt, and still feel, but Gott has a way of giving us comfort during difficult times.”
“Yes, He definitely does. Let’s just say that things have . . . changed for me.” She smiled.
“That’s wonderful. You sound better.”
And from there, Eva bubbled with excitement as she told Yvonne about her and Jake’s first kiss, Lizzie trying to give her advice, and how her father caught them kissing in the back room.
Yvonne laughed as she pictured those scenes playing out, and Eva was still talking when Yvonne pulled up in front of the bookstore.
“Ach, a car just pulled into the parking lot. I was taking advantage of some time to myself so I could talk freely. Jake will be back any minute, but I suppose I’d better go and tend to whomever is coming in.”
Yvonne dropped her sunglasses back down on her nose, not wanting to spoil the surprise until she was actually walking in the door. “I’m so glad you called, and I am so happy for you and Jake. Please give him my regards.” Or I will when he returns.
She killed the engine and reached for the biggest purse she owned, which was on the seat beside her. She’d transferred the usual stuff from her other purse, but she’d made sure there was room for the book she was going to return to Jake.
When she heard the clippity-clop of horse hooves, she glanced to her right. Jake was pulling up to the hitching post. Yvonne kept her head down, deciding to wait until he was inside the store so she could surprise them both.
He sauntered up to the door, and Yvonne heard the bell ring from her car. He went straight to Eva, who was at the register, and kissed her. Yvonne brought a hand to her chest and sighed. It was so sweet, and Yvonne couldn’t have been any happier that Eva and Jake had admitted their love for each other and would be getting married. She hoped she would be able to attend.
Slowly, keeping her head down, she stepped out of the car with her purse, then walked to the door. She waited until she was inside to push her sunglasses up on her head.
“Surprise!” She bounced up on her toes within the pair of running shoes she’d chosen to wear for all the airport walking in Houston and Indianapolis.
Eva’s mouth fell open as she gasped. “I was just on the phone with you!” She pointed a finger at her as she rushed around the corner of the counter. “Tricky, tricky!”
“It was hard not to tell you I was almost here,” Yvonne said as Eva wrapped her in a giant hug.
“Well, well . . .” Jake walked up behind Eva, and he also hugged Yvonne when Eva finally backed away. “Gut to see you.”
“Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Eva was all smiles as she pressed her palms together. “Where are you staying? How long will you be here?”
“I wanted to surprise you both. George doesn’t have me on any book hunts at the moment, and neither do any of my other clients. I thought a change of scenery would do me good. And I wanted to see you two. I hope I haven’t come at a bad time.”
Eva shook her head. “Nee, absolutely not. We’re thrilled you’re here.”
Yvonne’s stomach churned with excitement. She was anxious to return the book to Jake and to tell him and Eva about the author, how he had led her back to the Bible and ultimately to the realization that there was an afterlife. But she didn’t want any interruptions.
“You close at five, right?” she asked. “I was thinking I could take you both to dinner.”
Eva and Jake exchanged glances, then Eva said, “Jake is actually having supper with me and mei family, and we’d love for you to be our guest too.”
Yvonne flinched a little. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude. Will it be all right with your mother?” She recalled how tasty the food was here. She’d finally started to get her regular appetite back and had given up her pizzas and ice cream.
Eva chuckled. “Mei mamm will love having you for supper too. She asks about you often. And have you booked a place to stay?” Eva had the glowing look of a woman in love, and it warmed Yvonne’s heart.
“Not yet, but I can stay at Gasthof Inn again. Or, if they’re booked, I’m sure I can find a place.”
“Nee.” Eva shook her head. “Absolutely not. You will stay with mei family. I know mei mamm will insist on it.”
“Wow.” Yvonne’s heart warmed. “If you’re sure.”
“Ya, I’m very sure.” Eva smiled.
“It’s close enough to five. I’m going to start shutting things down so we can close a little early.” Jake walked toward the back of the shop.
After he was out of earshot, Yvonne gazed at Eva. “You look absolutely beautiful, like a woman in love.”
“Ach, Yvonne. I’m so happy.” Eva paused as her smile faded. “Are you sure you’re okay with us talking about . . . us? It hasn’t been long since Trevor passed.”
“I am totally fine hearing about you and Jake. It makes me truly happy to see you two together the way you’re meant to be.”
Eva hugged her again. “I’m going to clean out the register, and Jake should have things ready to go shortly.” She smiled again. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” Yvonne was still sad, but there was happiness in her future. She was sure of it.
* * *
Eva was ready to smack her three brothers during supper. David was fifteen, Amos was seventeen, and Josh was twenty-one. Apparently, they didn’t have the maturity not to drool over Yvonne, even though they had girlfriends. But at least they drooled in silence. Yvonne had mostly spent her last visit in Eva’s bedroom, too grief-stricken to do much of anything, and Eva’s father had made sure the boys made themselves scarce. So they were obviously making up for lost time. Eva’s family didn’t socialize much with outsiders, and it was clear the boys needed to work on their table manners when an English guest was present.
Yvonne was eating a lot more than when she was here before. Understandably, she hadn’t been hungry toward the end of her last visit.
“You’re looking well, Yvonne,” Eva’s mother said. “And Eva told me you haven’t booked a place to stay yet. I insist you be our guest.”
Eva glanced at her brothers, whose ears had perked up. She’d get hold of them later.
“Thank you very much.”
It would be nice having Yvonne sleeping in the other bed in Eva’s room, like a slumber party maybe. But Eva would leave herself completely open to listening to Yvonne and would try hard not to dominate the conversation with talk about her and Jake, even though being his wife was all she thought about.
After the meal, Eva’s father didn’t waste any time telling his sons either to busy themselves outside or to head up to their rooms. All three of them were gone in their buggies within fifteen minutes. Jake and Eva’s father went outside on the porch.
“I must apologize for mei sohns, Yvonne. You would think they had never seen an Englisch person before.” Eva’s mother carried a load of plates to the sink. “Ach, sorry. That’s what we commonly call a person who isn’t Amish.”
“They were fine,” Yvonne said as she picked up two tea glasses and carried them to the counter. Eva was stowing the chow-chow, jams, and jellies in the refrigerator.
“Nee, nee.” Eva’s mother waved a hand. “I will clean this up. You two go and enjoy your time together.”
Yvonne walked to Eva’s mother and hugged her. “Thank you for this lovely meal and for having me as a guest in your home.” She eased away, blinked a few times. “And I especially want to thank you for . . . everything the last time I was here.”
Eva recalled the way her mother had comforted Yvonne.
“Ach, sweet maedel.” Eva’s mother rubbed Yvonne’s arm. “There is no need to thank me. I’m glad I was able to offer you even the tiniest bit of comfort during such a difficult time.” She smiled. “Now, you girls go and enjoy this lovely evening.”
Eva motioned for Yvonne to follow her outside to the porch. Her father and Jake were sitting in two rocking chairs, and both stood immediately, even though four chairs were on the porch.
“I’m going to leave you three to visit.” Her father scowled as he shook his head, then turned to Yvonne. “Mei sohns are gone, presumably off to see their girlfriends, which they will possibly deny later. But I hope they didn’t make you feel too uncomfortable with their ogling.”
Yvonne smiled. “Sir, they were fine. I’m just happy to be here.”
Eva’s father tipped his straw hat before he went back into the house.
Yvonne put a hand over her stomach. “What a wonderful meal. I am stuffed.”
“I’m sure Mamm will leave desserts out on the table.” Eva motioned for Yvonne to sit in one of the chairs. Then she and Jake sat on either side of her. Smiling, Eva glanced at Jake. “I know Jake will want dessert later.”
He chuckled. “Ya, I’m not known to turn down anything sweet.”
“When my food settles, I’m sure I’ll be scanning the offerings also.” Yvonne stood up. “I left my purse on the couch. Actually, it’s more like a small suitcase.” She grinned as she rolled her eyes. But I need to go get it.” She looked at Jake. “I have something for you.”
* * *
Jake rubbed his chin. He supposed Yvonne could have brought them a gift from Texas, but he suspected it was something else. And when she walked out carrying the book, he realized his hunch had been correct.
“I’m returning this.” She held out the book, and after hesitating, Jake took it.
“You could have sold it, you know.” He ran his hand across the worn leather, happy to have it back in his possession, but he’d meant what he said about her keeping it.
“I know you said I could, but Eva probably told you that I read the book.” Tears formed in the corners of her eyes before she sat in the rocking chair again. “I never knew a book could be so transformative. Some of it was super hard for me to read, but it challenged me to look at things in a new way. It even led me back to the Bible.”
Jake was glad to hear that because in his mind and way of thinking, the Bible was the only real book to rely on.
“Anyway”—Yvonne dabbed at her eyes with her finger—“it’s clear to me that this is a book to be shared with others, those like me who are on the fence about God or who don’t believe in Him or possibly just don’t think there is anything for us after this life.” She glanced back and forth between Eva and Jake. “I know that I’ll see Trevor again. I know that if I live a good life based on the teachings of the Bible, through prayer and communion with God, I will go to heaven.”
Jake looked at Eva when she sniffled. Then she said, “Ach, Yvonne. This news makes me so happy, and I’m thrilled that you came to share it with both of us in person.”
His future wife was beautiful even when she was crying, but he knew these were happy tears.
“Those first forty pages were hard to read, but when the author finally found his faith again, I wasn’t able to put the book down. His words touched me in ways I don’t know how to explain, except that the book led me on an inner quest to really search my beliefs. God showed Himself to me through this author’s words, and He guided me to Him. I will be forever grateful that you snuck that book into my suitcase.” She paused and looked down before she locked eyes with Jake. “This is a book that should never be sold, only shared. For its content, yes. But there is another reason that you should never sell the book, Jake.”
He sat taller, his hand still on the book in his lap, his chest tightened from trying not to cry along with Eva. Yvonne’s news brought forth all kinds of emotions. He almost hadn’t put the book in her suitcase. If he hadn’t, would she still not believe in an afterlife? Or would God have still led her to Him via another path? Jake made a promise to God that he would read the book, especially if it served some sort of divine purpose. He waited for Yvonne to go on.
* * *
“It took me a few days, but I was so curious about the author that I began doing some research online.” Yvonne took a deep breath, unsure how Jake would respond to her news, but he needed to know about the author. “I’ve been chasing down rare books for so long that I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I’m in some groups on Facebook. I know people who know more about books than I do.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Anyway, the author embellished on his name a little.”
Jake and Eva exchanged looks of confusion.
“He wrote under a pen name. I don’t know why, but I can only assume that at the time, he didn’t want anyone to know he was the author. It took me some time to trace the book all the way back to its roots since it was published in 1875 by a small publisher who hasn’t been in business for over a century.” She paused, hoping Jake didn’t find this news upsetting, but the author had found redemption, and it felt wrong not to share what she’d discovered.
“Jake, what was your grandfather’s name?” She needed to be completely sure she was correct.
“Benjamin Lantz,” Jake said, eyeing her skeptically.
“And he was named after your great-grandfather, correct?” Jake nodded, and Yvonne took a deep breath and waited to see if Jake made the connection. After a few seconds, she said, “The author’s name is Jerry Lance, but that’s the name he wrote under. His real name is Benjamin Lantz. Your great-grandfather.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “Mei urgrossvadder wrote the book? That would explain why mei grossdaadi didn’t want me to sell it, at least partly.”
Yvonne nodded. “If that’s the word for great-grandfather, then yes. It’s a very raw retelling of how he lost his faith, then found it again. Any idea who MAC is? That’s who he dedicated it to.”
He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
Jake, I truly believe the book should never be sold but only loaned out to those who might need it. The average person will never know that it has a financial worth that far exceeds most books, but always be careful whom you loan it to. I feel like God will guide you in that effort. I know the three of us believe the Bible is the ultimate reading guide for truth and guidance, but if Walk with Me leads someone onto the correct path—the way it did me—then I believe it is meant to be shared.”
“I will make it a point to read the entire book,” Jake said as he stared at it in his lap. “Maybe Eva and I will read it together like we originally planned.”
“I’d like that,” Eva said softly.
Jake stared at Yvonne. “Danki for learning about the author and for bringing it back to me.”
Yvonne blinked her eyes as she tried to keep from crying. “No, Jake. Thank you, for knowing in your heart that I needed it in some way.” She swiped at a tear that slipped down her cheek despite her efforts. “It helped to change my life. It helped me work through my grief by knowing that I will see Trevor again someday.”
The three of them were quiet for a while, each lost in thoughts that probably varied in many ways.
For Yvonne, she could sum up her emotions in one word: hope. And she would be forever grateful for God’s perfect plans. For her. For Jake and Eva. And for all those who reached out to Him in an effort to do His work and to be their best person.
Smiling, she stood up. Despite being emotional, Jake and Eva were aglow with newly acknowledged love for each other. Yvonne kissed them each on the cheek, then excused herself to go to bed so they could enjoy some time by themselves. So many nights Yvonne had been uncomfortable being trapped with her thoughts, but tonight she felt a peacefulness that she was sure would only get stronger with time.
* * *
Eva stood up when Jake did, and they glided toward one another like skaters on ice until they were fully embracing. He held her tightly before gently easing her away, kissing her tenderly. Eva savored his touch, the way he smelled, held her, and continued to show her how much he loved her.
“I think Yvonne is going to be okay,” Eva said when they’d finally separated a little more. “And if I had a schweschder, I would want her to be someone like Yvonne—smart, compassionate, and maybe even just a little bit worldly. Someone older than me.” She gazed into Jake’s eyes. “It’s nice that she took the time to find out who the author of the book is and that she made the trip here so she could tell you in person.”
“All part of God’s plan for her. I suspect she is wondering where life will take her from here.” He stared into Eva’s eyes. “I can’t imagine losing you. My heart hurts for her.”
Eva’s eyes grew moist as she locked eyes with her one true love. “I don’t think we can really understand how she’s feeling, but I know that I can’t stand the thought of not being with you either. At least now Yvonne believes she will see Trevor again, and she’ll carry that belief with her, helping her to heal. And you played a part in that.”
Jake pointed upward as they stood underneath the porch awning, stars glistening in the distance. “Gott gets credit for that.” He twisted his mouth from side to side as he often did when he was thinking. “I really am going to read the entire book, like I told Yvonne. It feels more important than ever now that I know mei urgrossvadder is the author. And Gott might use me again to make sure the book gets into the hands of the right person. I wish I knew who MAC was, but something in my heart tells me I’m not supposed to know.”
“I think you are probably right. Do you still want to read it together?” Eva’s hand slid down to her side and found Jake’s, their fingers melding together into a natural fit.
“Ya, I would like that.” He squeezed her hand as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before he found her eyes. “I would like to spend mei life doing everything together with you. Forever.”
Eva’s eyes widened. She’d never grow tired of hearing that.
“Would that be okay with you?” He kissed her again, something else she’d never tire of.
“I think that would be lovely.”
He turned her around until they both faced the starlit sky, and he wrapped his arms around her waist just as a falling star shot across the sky.
Eva closed her eyes and made a wish. Then smiled at the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with.