Chapter Eleven
After Priscilla’s mamm left, Gabe paced back and forth. The thought of confronting Matthew King left him cold inside. Would he be able to get a word out, form coherent sentences, get his point across?
Gabe couldn’t let that hold him back. Priscilla didn’t deserve to lose her job because of Matthew’s deception. Even if Gabe messed up his words, made no sense, or looked like a fool, he needed to at least try.
“Tim, can you come out here a second?”
“Be right there. I’m almost done with the cow’s milk.”
While he waited, Gabe should unpack some stock, fill orders, and balance books, but instead he walked from one end of the store to the other, rehearsing what he might say. As he ran each point through his mind, his mouth formed the words, and they flowed smoothly. But that was no guarantee they’d come out that way once he and Matthew stood face-to-face.
When Tim emerged a short while later, he gazed at Gabe with curiosity. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” At least he was right at this moment, as long as he didn’t dwell on Matthew. “Listen, I need to run an errand. It might take some time. You’ll be able to handle everything, right?”
“Jah.” Tim’s chest under his small suspenders puffed out. “I’ll watch out for robbers.”
Maybe Gabe shouldn’t go. The cow’s milk still needed to be bottled. And what if Fleurette or Defarge returned? Or if they both came together? Would they pressure Tim? What if one of them distracted his nephew while the other one stole? But Priscilla’s needs were more important than possible financial losses.
Gathering his courage, Gabe left Tim in charge of the store and drove his buggy to the orchard. He slowed his horse as he went past. Teams of men and a scattering of women had spread out among the rows of apple trees, some on ladders, others picking low-hanging fruit. A few Mennonite teens stayed close together and worked swiftly, stripping apples from branches and dropping them into bags strapped to their waists. One Amish girl hurried to a nearby wagon and emptied her bag into a huge bin, then rushed to another tree.
Gabe scanned the fields for straw hats. An Amish worker carrying a ladder approached a tree close to where Gabe had pulled over. The man leaned the ladder against the tree and climbed rapidly. His face looked familiar. The same Matthew King who’d almost run over Gabe’s camel.
Whispering a quick prayer for the right words to say, Gabe urged his horse off the road and tied him to a post. Then he hopped the split-rail fence and approached the foot of the ladder. Matthew’s fluid movements were impressive. He grabbed three apples in each hand and dropped them into his pouch.
Gabe disliked interrupting Matthew’s rhythm, but his concern for Priscilla increased his bravery. After taking a deep breath, he forced himself to call up to the man almost hidden among the branches, “Matthew? Matthew King?”
Matthew stopped mid-pull. “Jah?”
“I’d like to talk to you.”
“Did Mel send you with instructions?”
“No, I’m here to talk about Priscilla.”
The ladder shook and, with jerky movements, Matthew returned to picking. “I can’t talk during work hours.”
“We can talk while you pick,” Gabe pointed out.
Matthew glanced around nervously. “I can’t afford to lose my job.”
“I can understand that.” Gabe couldn’t keep a touch of sarcasm from his voice. “Priscilla doesn’t want to lose her job either.”
His face pale, Matthew demanded, “Who are you?”
“A person who cares about Priscilla.”
“How long have you known her?” Matthew’s rapid-fire question sounded like a challenge, and the tilt of his eyebrows revealed his suspicion.
Interesting. Matthew seems jealous. Is he wondering if Priscilla was cheating on him?
“I’m not sure that’s your business,” Gabe retorted. “I’m not here to talk about my relationship with Priscilla.”
In reality, friendship would be more accurate, or even acquaintance. But relationship might keep Matthew wondering. Usually Gabe preferred not to upset people, but after what Matthew had done to Priscilla, he deserved to squirm.
“I’m concerned about Priscilla’s future.” Matthew might not have long to talk, and Gabe needed to make his point. He hadn’t anticipated Matthew viewing him as a rival. But maybe that would work to his advantage.
Matthew’s eyes narrowed. “Her future? Exactly what kind of a relationship do you two have?”
For a man who’d just cheated on and jilted his girlfriend, Matthew certainly acted as if he still had a right to supervise what Priscilla did. Or was he the kind who liked to keep several girls dangling?
Ignoring Matthew’s question, Gabe went straight to the point. “Priscilla meets with the school board today at John Beiler’s house. You not only smeared her reputation, but now you’re making her lose her job so you can save yours.”
Matthew dismissed Gabe’s concerns with a snort. “Everyone thinks highly of her. She won’t lose her job.”
“Oh, really? What do you think the school board will say about her supposed wrongdoing? That she’ll be a good role model for children?”
“You don’t know what happened. Priscilla would never tell—”
Gabe cut him off. “About Mara?”
His voice shaking, Matthew demanded, “What do you want?”
“I want Priscilla to keep her job, but she’s being called before the school board today.”
For the first time, Matthew looked regretful. “I didn’t mean for her to lose her job. She loves working at the school.”
“And I’m sure she’s a great teacher.”
“Yes, she is. She’s very good with children.”
Gabe crossed his arms. “So, what do you intend to do about it?”
“I don’t know.” He looked around to see if others were in earshot. “I have to work.”
“You don’t get a midday break to eat?”
“Well, I do, but I already have plans.”
“You can cancel them. Doing the right thing is more important than any arrangements you might have with Mara.”
Matthew blanched, and his hand faltered. “How do you know we have plans?”
“Just guessing, but you proved me right.”
“All right,” Matthew agreed in a sullen tone, “I’ll do it.”
“I’m glad to see you have a conscience.”
“I—I have to wait for Mara. She’ll be upset at the change of plans.”
“I can stay here and tell her,” Gabe volunteered.
“No, no. I need to tell her myself.”
“I’m sure you won’t mind if I stick around to be sure you get off safely.”
“They don’t like us leaving the orchard during breaks.”
So Matthew hadn’t been planning to go. Gabe needed to increase the pressure. “Maybe I should mention your evening activities to your boss.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? Maybe I’ll tell him what happens in these fields at night. If I owned this place, I’d want to know. I might hire someone to patrol for prowlers.”
“We’re not prowlers.” Then realizing what he’d admitted, Matthew backtracked. “I mean, we’ve never had prowlers in the orchard after dark.”
“You know that for a fact?” Gabe pressed his point. “I’m sure your boss will want to be certain.”
Matthew tried for a nonchalant look, but the effect was spoiled by the fear in his eyes.
Gabe didn’t trust Matthew. He returned to his buggy and pulled alongside the fence so his driver’s window faced the spot where Matthew was working. He planned to stay in plain sight to be sure Matthew followed through.
Matthew still worked rapidly, but his previously smooth movements had turned jerky. Every once in a while, he glanced over his shoulder to see if Gabe had gone.
Gabe returned his looks with a steady stare he hoped made his message clear. I don’t trust you to do the right thing, so I’m not leaving.
A short while later, a pretty blonde tripped through the trees with a wicker basket in hand, trying to appear casual, but her destination was obvious. That must be Mara.
Now Gabe would see if Matthew kept his promise.
“Are you ready to eat?” she cooed.
“I can’t, Mara. I have to run an errand during my lunch break.”
“But I brought the picnic basket and everything.”
“I’m really sorry.” He turned to glare at Gabe.
“But you promised we could go to the creek today.” Mara’s whining grated on Gabe’s ears.
“I know, but something’s come up. We can go tomorrow.”
Mara tossed her head. “I might have other plans. In fact, I’m sure plenty of people would be happy to share this lunch with me today.”
A sick look crossed Matthew’s face. “Neh, Mara, don’t—”
“If you don’t have time for me, I’ll find someone who does.” She flounced off.
Matthew stared after her, anguish twisting his features.
Gabe couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. But this fool had cheated on Priscilla with a shallow flirt like Mara. What had he been thinking?
Matthew glowered at Gabe as he climbed down, then he stomped toward the barn. He swiveled his head as he walked, scanning the orchard. Probably trying to see if Mara had made good on her threat.
Gabe untied his horse and headed for the driveway leading to the barn. He waited nearby until Matthew’s buggy rumbled down the wide, gravel-lined path. After Matthew turned onto the street, Gabe followed at a distance to be sure he headed to the school board meeting.
Not until Matthew pulled into a house with several buggies parked by the barn did Gabe head back to the shop. He only prayed it was the right house and that Matthew hadn’t tricked him. Gabe had done what he could to save Priscilla’s job and reputation.
One thing surprised him, though. In his worry over Priscilla, he hadn’t stumbled over his words. Maybe the key to getting over nervousness was to let concern for someone else override his fears.
A twinge of guilt nagged at Gabe for using blackmail. But he had to protect Priscilla. He tried to tell himself that helping her was his way of repaying her for defending him, but the truth of the matter was he cared about her. Was it right to have these feelings for someone when you couldn’t act on them?
* * *
Priscilla arrived ahead of time and sat in her buggy, one hand on the reins, the other pleating her apron fabric into tiny bunches. The whole way here, she’d argued with herself about whether or not to tell the school board about Mara. Gabe’s advice ran through her head. Jah, she would. Then an image of Ruth intruded. Neh, she shouldn’t.
Ach! If she didn’t stop this, she’d be late. That was the last thing she needed. John Beiler already had concerns about her tardiness.
Climbing out of her buggy, Priscilla tied up Butterscotch with shaking hands. Smoothing down her dress and apron, she paused for a brief prayer.
Lord, please help me to say the right thing. I don’t want to do anything to harm Ruth, but if it is Your will for me to keep teaching, please take charge of the meeting and my mouth.
Swallowing hard, she mounted the steps to the porch. Her future was at stake. She tapped at the door. Before she could compose herself, John’s wife answered, a sleepy baby in her arms.
“I was just headed upstairs to put Ellie down for a nap.” With a sympathetic smile, Naomi waved toward her left. “The other couples are in the living room.”
All eyes turned toward Priscilla when she reached the entryway, and her steps slowed. How could she face their accusations? She couldn’t talk back to the school board. She’d prepared remarks to rebut the charges. But with everyone’s concerned looks focused on her, her throat constricted. She’d be lucky if she could manage a nod or head shake. Now she understood Gabe being tongue-tied.
John Beiler glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. She’d arrived five minutes early. One hurdle crossed. How would she manage the others?
Floyd Chupp motioned her to a chair facing him. “Have a seat. I’m sure you know why we called you here today.”
Someone knocked at the door. John Beiler stood. “Naomi’s upstairs with the baby. Excuse me while I see who it is.”
John’s voice drifted into the living room. “Matthew?”
Her Matthew? No, not hers anymore. What was Matthew doing here? Priscilla craned her neck to peek out the door, but John’s body blocked her view.
“I have something I need to tell the school board.”
Priscilla would know that voice anywhere. Definitely Matthew.
“We’re in another meeting right now,” John said in a kind voice, “but you’re welcome to come back another time.”
“Neh,” Matthew insisted. “It needs to be now. It’s about Priscilla. You can’t make a fair judgment without knowing this.”
Did he plan to tell the truth? Priscilla’s eyes watered. If he did, he might save her job. Please, Lord, help him to be truthful.
“I don’t know.” John glanced over his shoulder at the others, a question in his eyes.
“Let’s hear what he has to say,” Floyd said.
John opened the door and led Matthew into the room. He waved to the rocker next to Priscilla. Then he took his seat on the empty couch cushion beside Floyd and Mary Chupp. James and Martha Raber sat on chairs at the other end. Lined up like that, they appeared to be a row of judges, ready to condemn the guilty.
They all sat there silent until Naomi hurried down the stairs and perched on the arm of the couch beside her husband. His eyes turned tender as he smiled at her. “Is the baby asleep?”
She nodded, and a secret look passed between them.
Priscilla’s heart ached at their love for each other. Would she ever experience that? Joking with Gabe about being his wife had made her feel warm and fluttery inside, but did she have any hope of a relationship? After Matthew, she was afraid to trust anyone. And with her reputation in tatters . . .
The school board members turned their attention to Matthew.
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he cleared his throat. “The deacon—your brother”—Matthew nodded in James’s direction without meeting his eyes—“believed he saw Priscilla that night, but it wasn’t her. The girl I was with looks a little like Priscilla.”
“Who was it?” John asked.
Matthew hung his head. Staring down at his clenched hands, he refused to answer.
“Matthew?” Floyd prompted.
Lifting his head, Matthew met the question with defiance in his eyes. “I won’t smear another girl’s reputation.”
He’d suddenly developed a conscience and a spine? At least when it came to protecting Mara. Too bad his chivalry hadn’t kicked in earlier. Still, Priscilla was grateful he’d come of his own accord to defend her.
“Yet when you confessed, you let everyone assume Priscilla was guilty and unrepentant?” The reproach in Floyd’s tone had to sting.
Priscilla hoped the sharp rebuke would make Matthew think twice about concealing the truth. Or, to be more accurate, lying.
He could have destroyed her career, her life, her future. Even with his confession today, the rest of the community remained unaware of her innocence. Would Matthew straighten that out too? He had to know nobody from their district would date her.
Priscilla smiled. She might not need to worry about that. Perhaps in time, Gabe . . .
John leaned forward, his attention on Priscilla. “Why didn’t you speak up instead of letting us believe a lie?”
Under his searching gaze, she rutsched in her chair. If she said because Matthew had asked her to, she’d be blaming him for her decision. Lowering her gaze, she answered, “I didn’t want Matthew to lose his job. I was worried about Ruth.”
“It’s good to care about others, but if we don’t have the facts, we can’t make the right decisions.”
“That’s what Daed told me.” She should have listened to his advice and spoken to the bishop. He’d also suggested she pray about it, which she hadn’t done—except for her desperate prayers today.
The three couples turned to one another and seemed to be conferring silently. Then John nodded and turned back to Matthew and Priscilla.
“Naomi,” John said, “could you show Matthew to the door?” He faced in Priscilla’s direction again. “Matthew, you may go. Thank you for coming. Priscilla, perhaps you could sit in the kitchen while we confer. We can have root beer and cookies after we come to our decision.”
The second John dismissed him, Matthew shot out of his chair and hurried to the door.
Priscilla should head to the kitchen, but she needed to talk to Matthew first. “Matthew, wait!” She rushed after him.
Rather than stopping, he hopped off the porch and headed to his buggy. “I don’t have time. I need to get back to work.”
“I just wanted to thank you for coming and telling the truth.” He’d only done what was right, but for him to take off work to make sure she could keep her teaching job had been a sacrifice.
Matthew climbed into his buggy. “Don’t thank me. Thank your boyfriend.”
What? Priscilla stared at him. Whatever was he talking about?
He started out of the driveway, but before he drove past her, he pulled to a stop beside her and leaned out of the driver’s window. “You know, I wondered why you took my news about Mara so calmly. You just sat there with your hands in your lap. I don’t feel so awful about cheating on you now that I know you were doing the same thing.”
“Huh?” Before Priscilla could ask what he meant, Matthew’s horse galloped down the driveway and out into the street. She stood staring after him, puzzled and uneasy. Had someone started more rumors?