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SAMANTHA COLLIER
One Amish Summer
The wide plains of Pennsylvania were like undulating waves, tossing over Delilah. She had never seen the sea, but she imagined that it must be like this: never ending, eternal. She felt alone, in the vast landscape.
They had been travelling for a few hours, and she was starting to despair. When would they arrive in at their destination? She had never travelled so far, and for so long. Any trips that her family had made over the years she had been exempt from, because of her health. Her mother had always said that she simply wasn’t up to long trips. And so, Delilah had always been left behind, in the care of relatives.
Until now. Now, she was going to stay with her aunt, over the summer period. And all by herself. Her father was taking her there, but he would return home almost immediately.
The buggy jolted over the unfamiliar terrain. Her father frowned, righting the carriage. He wasn’t used to this area of the country, either. And she knew that he was doing it under sufferance, at her mother’s insistence. He had work to do; he didn’t want to take time out of his schedule for this trip. As always, Delilah felt herself a burden.
She didn’t even know why her mother had insisted so vehemently. She would have been happier staying at home; she had never sought this out. Yes, it would be nice to catch up with her Aunt Mildred and her cousin Katura, but she had never been with them for long periods of time. She didn’t know what to expect.
Delilah had been thrust out of the comfortable bubble that she had lived in all of her life, and she was apprehensive.
At last. Her father turned down a dirt track, and Delilah could see the farmhouse in the distance. As they approached closer, she saw two figures in long blue dresses and crisp white aprons on the front veranda, waiting for them.
“Whoa.” Her father drew in the reins, causing the horses to stop sharply. And then, the two figures were running down the steps to greet them.
“You made it!” Aunt Mildred was upon them. Delilah noticed her familiar lopsided smile, and also that her aunt looked older. Her hair had gone almost completely grey. Well, it had been five years since they had last seen each other.
By her side was Delilah’s cousin, Katura. Delilah drew in her breath, sharply, when she observed her cousin. In the five years since she had seen her, Katura had grown from a lanky teenager into a well-rounded, confident looking woman. Her smile was bright, and everything about her – her stance, her mannerisms – spoke volumes. Katura knew her place in the world, and her value.
Delilah immediately felt insecure, even more so than usual. How must she appear to them? Had she changed, as well? But she knew, in her heart, that she hadn’t blossomed in the same way that her cousin had. She was still the frail, sickly looking girl she had always been.
“Come in, come in,” her aunt was saying now. “Welcome!”
Greetings exchanged, they all made their way into the farmhouse. Delilah looked around, entranced. She had never been here before. For the first time, she allowed a tiny stab of excitement enter her heart at the prospect of staying the summer here.
“How was your trip?” Aunt Mildred was bustling around, serving them coffee and cakes.
“Tolerable,” her father answered. “We took the back roads where we could, but we couldn’t avoid some major ones. The traffic was fierce in some spots.” He smiled, a bit wearily. Again, Delilah felt guilty. It was a familiar feeling; she was always demanding attention from her parents, even though she never sought it.
“Well, you are here safely,” her aunt answered. “That is all that matters.” She turned to her niece, her eyes quietly assessing her. “It is so lovely to see you again, Delilah. We are delighted to have you for the summer.”
“Thank you, Auntie,” Delilah answered, dismayed as always by how soft her voice was. Why couldn’t she be louder, more assertive? “I am pleased to be here. I am looking forward to the visit.”
Aunt Mildred smiled. “You will have a great time, I am sure,” she said. “Katura will take you under her wing, show you about the district. You have much planned, don’t you, Katura?”
Her cousin smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course, Mamm,” she said, in a bored voice. She didn’t once glance at Delilah. “Depending on how well Delilah feels, of course.”
This was how it had always been. Everyone always had to make allowances for her health. No wonder Katura already looked burdened with it. She probably had her own plans for the summer, and now she had to mind her sickly cousin.
“How is your health, Delilah?” Aunt Mildred asked. “Have you improved at all?”
“Much, thank you, Aunt,” Delilah answered, casting anxious eyes towards her cousin. “I can’t do any vigorous physical activities, but I can go for short walks, longer than before.” She turned to Katura. “I will try to keep up with you, cousin.”
Katura snorted. “So no swimming or camping, then?” she said. Her eyes looked disdainful. “My friends and I were planning a trip next week, but I suppose I must decline.” She sighed, a tad dramatically.
There was an awkward silence at the table. Delilah felt her heart plummet in her chest. This was not a good start to the visit. Her cousin already resented her for being there.
“I am sure there will be lots that Delilah can do,” Aunt Mildred nodded her head, decisively. “We will just have to think it through.” Almost as an afterthought she turned to her niece. “You are most welcome here, Delilah.” Then her eyes turned to her own daughter. Waves of disapproval emanated from her. “Katura is also very glad to have you here.”
“Very glad,” echoed Katura. Delilah wasn’t fooled; her cousin wouldn’t even look at her.
Delilah felt the familiar dread. She had made a mistake. She should never have let her mother talk her into this trip. She had spoilt everyone’s summer.
But it was all too late, now.
***
Her father had left, declining the offer for lunch. “I must get back,” he had said. He turned to Delilah, taking her hands in his. “I hope you have a wonderful time, daughter.” Then he had put his black hat on his head and departed.
She was shown to the room that she would stay in, up the stairs, opposite Katura’s. It was a good sized room, with a wrought iron single bed covered by a colourful quilt. The window showed a view out to the valley, and beyond.
As she unpacked, she lamented her weakly constitution. It had always got in the way.
She remembered when it had happened. Before that, she had been the same as every other child, able to climb and run outside. She had been boisterous, and happy.
It had been a bitterly cold winter, the year that she had turned eight. So cold; Delilah could still remember shivering in her bed, despite layers of quilts. A virus had spread through the district, felling almost everyone in its path. It particularly struck the weak; old people with little immunity were keeling over from it.
When it had entered their house, she had been struck the worst. A very bad influenza, that racked her body. Her mother had tended her almost around the clock. And then, it had gotten worse. Pneumonia.
She could still remember how panicked she had felt, that she was unable to draw breath. She had felt that was drowning in the fluids in her lungs. And the fever! Half the time she had been delirious, not knowing where she was. She remembered her mother and father standing at the doorway to her room, their brows knotted with worry.
She had recovered, slowly. But the pneumonia had left its mark. It had scarred her lungs, and she simply was never the same again. She could no longer climb and run, as she once had. Most of the time, she stayed in the living room, a rug over her knees. She became known as delicate; the friends that she had once had no longer came to play. Her own brothers and sisters would run off outside, and they never asked her to join them, anymore. Even if they had, her mother wouldn’t have allowed it.
Delilah frowned, remembering. Had her mother been over protective? Could she have done more, or at least, been encouraged to? She knew that her parents worried about her, so much. She thought now that they had probably wrapped her in cotton wool. Which was why she had never been on any long trips, before.
“Are you unpacked?”
Delilah glanced up from what she was doing. It was Katura.
“Jah, all done,” she answered, looking at her cousin. “I am sorry, Katura. I don’t want to be a burden.”
Katura’s gaze softened slightly. “Don’t be silly,” she sniffed. “Can you sing? After service tomorrow, the Evening Sing is happening. I’d like you to come. There’s a young man I’ve got my eye on.”
“Really?” Delilah smiled. “What is his name?”
“Isaiah King,” Katura breathed. “He is wonderful! I think that he is going to ask me to court, soon.”
Katura sat down on the bed, and regaled Delilah with everything about this Isaiah: his manners, his history, and his appearance. Judging by her cousin’s shining eyes, Delilah could tell that Katura was serious about him.
She listened and nodded, but all the while felt sadness. It was ridiculous. She should be happy for her cousin. But self-pity overwhelmed Delilah.
She would never be courted, or asked to marry. She would never have a family or a home of her own, despite what her mother thought. Delilah knew that one reason her mother had insisted on this trip was in the vain hope that Delilah might meet somebody. No young man in her own district ever paid her a shred of attention, and why should they? She was known as sickly. She couldn’t do the things that everyone else could. What man would want a semi invalid for a wife? They wanted strong, vibrant girls who could work alongside them.
If she were honest, Delilah knew that her mother had half created the situation, by being so over protective. Maybe Delilah could have done more, or been pushed to at least try.
No, love wasn’t for her. Love was for girls like Katura, who shone with energy and life. Delilah was destined to be a spinster, forever sitting in her parents’ home, wasting away year after year.
She shouldn’t resent her cousin. It was unkind; God wouldn’t like it. He didn’t look kindly on girls who felt sorry for themselves. Acceptance, Delilah thought. I must accept my lot in life, and not dream of anything more.
With her resolve in place, Delilah turned to her cousin, and let herself truly feel excited for her.
“I can’t wait to meet Isaiah,” she told her.
***
Delilah glanced around the unfamiliar barn, and the unfamiliar faces singing to heaven. Her heart was pounding, painfully. She wasn’t used to being in crowds, and certainly not amongst unfamiliar people. The only person she knew at this Evening Sing was Katura, and of course her cousin knew everybody.
Her cousin nudged her, staring over at a young man further down. Judging by her cousin’s shining eyes, the young man was him. Isaiah King. The one that Katura was sure was about to ask her to start courting.
Delilah studied him. He was indeed handsome, and his eyes shone with kindness. She felt a stirring, an unfamiliar feeling entering her soul. She frowned – what was she thinking? Her cousin was sweet on this man. Delilah shook her head, trying to dislodge the feeling.
And yet it stayed with her, all through the hymns. A sweet, yearning feeling that she had simply never felt before.
The hymns over, everyone got up. Katura took Delilah’s arm, leading her over to Isaiah.
“Isaiah,” her cousin breathed. He turned around, looking at them both.
His eyes widened as he looked at Delilah. She felt herself blushing; it seemed to take over her, feeling much like a fever.
“This is my cousin, Delilah,” Katura said. “She is staying with us for the summer.”
The young man held out his hand. “Greetings, Delilah. Welcome to our district.”
She took his hand, shaking it. Did he hang onto it just a tad too long? He was certainly staring at her. Delilah glanced nervously at Katura. Her cousin was frowning.
Delilah broke the contact abruptly. “Thank you,” she said, awkwardly.
Another young man had come over to them, looking at them expectantly. Delilah turned to look at him. His eyes were cold, and he wasn’t smiling.
“Isaiah, we must away,” the other young man said. “You know how early a start we have tomorrow.”
Isaiah sighed. “Of course,” he said. “But you must meet the young lady who is visiting us for the summer. Delilah, this is my brother, Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah barely glanced at her. He was frowning. “Jah, nice to meet you,” he said. He turned back to Isaiah. He looked like he couldn’t wait a minute longer.
“Well, I’m sure we will see each other again,” Isaiah said to her. He looked at her one last time, then seemed to remember that Katura was standing there, looking at him. “Katura, are you coming swimming with us, over at the lake next week?”
“I would,” Katura answered. “But Delilah can’t swim, and my mother insists that I don’t do anything without her.” Was there a little eye roll as she spoke? Delilah’s face burned again.
“But Delilah must come,” Isaiah smiled. “Of course you must.”
“Oh, I have never learnt to swim...” Her voice trailed off. How pathetic must she sound?
“You can still enjoy the day, can’t you?” He smiled. “Even if you can’t swim, you can sit and be in nature, surely?”
“Well...” Delilah looked at Katura, a bit desperately. How should she respond?
“It’s settled, then.” Isaiah put his hat on his head. “I will pick both of you up this Thursday.”
“Isaiah.” Jeremiah was impatiently looking toward the door.
“Coming.” With a last glance back at the girls, Isaiah left with his brother.
Katura sighed, deeply. “See, what a wonderful man he is?” she said to her cousin. “Including you, just because of me! You must come, Delilah. As Isaiah said, you can watch.”
Delilah nodded, slowly. She didn’t seem to have much choice. And she had wanted to join in, hadn’t she? She had dreamed of being able to participate, and be included.
And then, there was the thought of seeing Isaiah again. Her heart started to beat slowly at the thought.
What was wrong with her? Her cousin liked him. She would pray, that God would stop this feeling. It felt wrong. Even though she knew it hardly mattered – it wasn’t as if Isaiah would ever consider her in that way, even if he had no interest at all in Katura.
***
“Isaiah! Stop splashing!”
Delilah watched from the bank, as the group of young people splashed in the water. Oh, how she longed to be able to join in! The water looked so inviting, especially on this hot day. She was sweating.
Katura was laughing, enjoying herself. Delilah watched her look at Isaiah from beneath her eyelashes, making every excuse to be near him. Delilah didn’t think that Isaiah looked at Katura in any special way; he was equally friendly with everybody. Had her cousin misread his regard for her?
She watched his brother, Jeremiah, off by himself. He didn’t seem to want to join in with the others. He gazed over the lake, seemingly deep in thought. He didn’t look happy. Delilah felt a dark wave go over her. Why didn’t she like him? There was just a feeling she got. As much as she had felt a glow when she had first met Isaiah, she felt a darkness around Jeremiah.
She had always been intuitive about people. It was like she could read them, straight away. Maybe it was her spells of illness; it had heightened her senses, in some way. She had always been an observer of life, rather than a participant.
The swimmers waded out now, laughing. But Jeremiah stayed by himself in the water, a dark cloud hanging over his head.
Isaiah looked at Delilah. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked her, smiling. “It is such a beautiful day.” His eyes locked into hers. Delilah didn’t think that she had ever seen such blue eyes before. They seemed to sear into her soul, touching her inside.
“Delilah,” he said, seeming at a loss of words. He looked over his shoulder at Katura, who had wondered along the bank with some other people. “I was wondering whether you might like to accompany me to a restaurant in town, next week?” He looked down, blushing.
Delilah’s breath caught in her throat. “With Katura, you mean?”
“Nein,” he shook his head, gazing at her again. “I mean, just you and I.”
Was he asking her to court? Delilah couldn’t believe it; had she imagined the words? She stared at him, dumbfounded.
“But...but...” she stammered. “Don’t you like Katura? She likes you.”
Isaiah looked back at Katura. “I know she does,” he sighed. “But I like her just as a friend.” He gazed at her, intently. “The minute I saw you, Delilah, I knew. That we had a connection. Can you deny it?”
She shook her head, slowly. She had felt it, too, instantly, but she had dismissed it. She wasn’t used to it, and besides, Katura liked him.
“I just don’t know,” she whispered. She could see Katura looking over at them, frowning. Oh dear Lord, what was she doing?
“Think about it,” Isaiah said. “There isn’t anything between Katura and I, despite what she may wish. There would be no betrayal of her, if that is what makes you hesitate.”
“I will think about it,” Delilah whispered.
Isaiah smiled. “Jeremiah, Samuel and I are going to do a spot of fishing, now,” he said. “Maybe you can tell me your decision when we all meet up, again.”
Delilah watched Jeremiah leave the water, staring over at his brother. The other young man, Samuel, had already picked up their fishing rods. “Are you ready, Isaiah?” he called.
“Coming,” he called back. He smiled at Delilah, then joined the others. They walked off, into the woods.
“What was Isaiah talking to you about?”
Delilah started. Katura was looming over her. And she didn’t look happy.
***
Delilah wondered later, after the events of the day had unfolded, how everything changed in a heartbeat.
Katura had pressed her for details about Isaiah, but Delilah had said that he merely was chatting with her. She knew that she should have told her cousin that Isaiah had asked her out, but she couldn’t bring herself to.
They had both sat there, in stony silence, when they heard it.
The scream. A bloodcurdling scream, which seemed to echo around the woods.
Delilah and Katura jumped to their feet, looking at each other fearfully. “What was that?” Katura said. “Is it the men?”
Katura ran off, and Delilah jumped to her feet, following. She couldn’t run as fast as the other girl; even now, her breath came in painful rasps. The woods seemed impenetrable. What had happened?
Eventually, she got to where Katura was, standing still. And she saw everything.
Isaiah and Jeremiah, standing there. But Samuel was on the ground, seemingly out cold. The two brothers looked down at him. They both looked like they were in shock.
Delilah didn’t think. She simply rushed over to the prone man, crouching over him. His eyes weren’t open. And there was a deep gash on his forehead, oozing blood.
“What happened?” Delilah ripped her apron, pressing the material against the head wound, trying desperately to stem the bleeding.
The brothers stood there, looking down. Neither of them spoke.
“Katura,” she called. “Can you help?”
Her cousin seemed to come to her senses, rushing over to them. “Dear Lord, is he alive?”
Delilah pressed her face against his chest. “Just barely.”
She turned to the two men. “You have to pick him up!” she shouted. “Why are you both standing there? We have to get him to hospital, as quickly as possible.”
The two men came over, the spell broken. “Jah, of course,” said Jeremiah. He picked up Samuel’s legs. Isaiah slowly walked around to his head.
“Oh, God,” he suddenly cried. His face was ashen. “This is my fault. I did this.”
Delilah’s heart went cold.
***
It was all like a dream, afterwards. The trip to the hospital. Desperately trying to stem Samuel’s bleeding. The questions, none of which she could answer.
And then, as they all sat in the hospital ward, waiting for news about Samuel’s condition, the police had arrived.
They had questioned them all, separately.
Delilah had left the room, to get herself a drink of water. She was shaking from delayed shock. The nurses had told her that she had done the right thing, trying to stop the bleeding. She had probably saved Samuel’s life, but he wasn’t good. He was in a coma, and she could tell by the rushing around, the whispers and frowns, that it might still happen. He might die.
Then the police had taken Isaiah away. Delilah still couldn’t believe it. How could he be responsible for this? She didn’t know him well, but her instincts had never been wrong about people before. He was a good man, she knew it.
And then, it hit her: she was falling in love with him. She had never thought that it could happen so quickly. She had heard about love at first sight, but always dismissed it as fiction. But it was true: it had happened to her.
And now, she watched helplessly as her new love was dragged away, seemingly about to be charged for this evil act.
She turned to look at Jeremiah. How was he feeling – it was his brother, after all, that had just been taken away by the police.
But Jeremiah sat there, a stony look on his face. A nerve twitched in his brow, but he said nothing. Nothing.
Katura was pale. “Delilah, we should leave,” she whispered. “My mother will be worried, we are so late. There is nothing more that we can do here.”
Delilah nodded. But she watched Jeremiah as they left, sitting there like a statue. She could almost see the dark cloud over his head.
There was more to this. She just knew it.
***
That night, she and Katura stayed up late, drinking cocoa and trying to make sense of the strange and troubling events of the day.
“I simply can’t believe it,” Katura whispered, shaking her head. “It is so out of character. I went to school with Isaiah, and I have never once seen any anger or tendency to violence in him. Not once!”
Delilah sipped her cocoa, frowning. “Tell me about Jeremiah. What is he like?”
Katura shuddered. “I have never liked him,” she said. “Furtive. Always watching, but not in a good way.”
“Have you ever seen him act in a violent manner?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Katura frowned, thinking. “He is not hot headed. At school, he was always behind the scenes if there were any altercations. I always got the sense that he might be egging things on, but he would never act himself.”
Delilah frowned, thinking it through. It was a mystery.
The fact that Isaiah had asked her out, just prior to the incident occurring. He had seemed carefree, happy. What had gone on between the three men, to change everything so drastically? They had set out to fish. It had been a beautiful day.
A vision of Jeremiah in the water came to her. Frowning. Separate.
“And what about Samuel, Katura?” she asked her cousin. “Is he close to both?”
“Samuel is Isaiah’s best friend,” answered Katura. “They have been inseparable since they were little.” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I cannot think about it anymore. I must go to bed. Will you retire also?”
Delilah smiled faintly at her cousin. “In a moment. I will finish my drink. Good night, dear cousin.”
She reached out and took Katura’s hand. Her cousin looked surprised, but squeezed it. Then she drifted up the stairs to bed.
Delilah felt so tired she could almost have put her head on the table and slept there. She should go to bed, but her mind was whirring so much she knew that sleep would elude her.
The sudden, world shifting attraction between Isaiah and herself. Then the incident, that Isaiah had taken responsibility for. She still didn’t know what had happened; both men refused to speak. Had Isaiah pushed Samuel because of a sudden disagreement, and he had hit his head? Or had the act been more deliberate? But Samuel was his best friend. And Isaiah didn’t have that darkness in him; she was sure of it.
And then there was the fact that Jeremiah had said nothing. Not even when the police had taken his brother away.
Was Isaiah covering up for Jeremiah? But, why would he?
Delilah looked at the clock. It was about to chime midnight. There would be no answers tonight. She would think about it tomorrow, with a clear head.
She drifted up the stairs to bed, worry eating at her soul.
***
She tossed and turned all night. When she was asleep, strange, vivid dreams took hold of her.
They were back at the lake. Jeremiah was in the water, way into the distance. She was watching him, her breath getting shallower. Suddenly, she was in the water herself, desperately trying to swim.
“Help me,” she cried out. Jeremiah watched her, his face impassive. She knew he had heard her, but he didn’t move.
Then, Isaiah was there. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I will save you.” Samuel was by his side, nodding. “Trust him, Delilah,” he said. “He won’t let you down.”
She woke up, suddenly. She was indeed gasping for breath. She sat up, and reached over for the glass of water on the bedside table. Her hand was shaking.
Isaiah wasn’t guilty. She knew it, now. He could never do such a thing.
But Jeremiah could. She was equally sure of that.
***
Delilah watched Samuel in the hospital bed, hooked up to machines. His eyes were closed; he looked like he was sleeping peacefully. As if his eyelids might flutter suddenly, and he would stretch and awaken.
But it wasn’t as simple as that. For Samuel was in a coma, and he mightn’t ever awake from it.
And if he didn’t, Isaiah would be charged with murder.
Delilah came into the room, resting on her knees beside the bed. She prayed to God, fervently. She prayed that Samuel wouldn’t lose his life. He was so young, and had his whole life before him. Delilah didn’t know him at all, but she had liked him. She also prayed for Isaiah. She still simply could not believe that he had done this. She prayed that the truth of what had happened would be revealed.
She picked up Samuel’s hand. His family had left the room, just five minutes prior. She still felt the awful grief and horror that had been left in their wake. His mother had looked devastated, as if her world had collapsed. And his father had been tight lipped with grief.
“Samuel.” She whispered, stroking his hand. “I know I don’t know you well. Please wake up. Your family need you. Wake up, Samuel, and tell people what really happened to you. We need to know.”
She watched his face, but there wasn’t a flicker. The only sound in the room was the beeping of the machines.
Delilah sighed, feeling as low as she had ever felt. She loved Isaiah. Why was he claiming that he had done this? She knew in her heart it simply wasn’t true.
She must speak with him.
***
Isaiah looked like he had aged a thousand years. Grief etched his features.
Delilah sat opposite him, across the sparse table at the police station.
“How are you?” she whispered.
He sighed, blinking back tears. “Don’t ask me,” he responded. “I don’t deserve it. I deserve nothing.”
Delilah closed her eyes for a moment. “Isaiah, I don’t believe you. I know that you couldn’t have done this to Samuel.”
Isaiah just looked at her, sadly. “I am so sorry, Delilah,” he sighed. “For everything. For what could have been, between us. I know it is sudden; I know that we hardly know each other. But I was falling in love with you.”
Tears slid down Delilah’s face. “I am in love with you, Isaiah. I tried to fight it, because of Katura, but it is what it is. Like what is between us existed before we even knew about it.” She wiped the tears away. “And that is how I know that you are innocent. I am very intuitive about people; I knew straight away that you were a good soul. But what about Jeremiah?”
Isaiah looked up at her, sharply. But he didn’t say a word.
“What about us?” she pressed. “If you take responsibility for this, we will never have a chance. And your life will be over.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” He looked haggard. “But family is family. And Jeremiah is my little brother.”
Delilah looked at him, sharply. There it was. She knew for sure, now.
Jeremiah had done this. And Isaiah had taken the blame, because he was his baby brother, and he wanted to protect him.
Isaiah was willing to give up his own life, to protect his brother. That was the type of man he was. Delilah wanted to shake him, say that Jeremiah didn’t deserve this loyalty; that if he hurt Samuel, he needed to take responsibility for it. That Isaiah wasn’t helping him. He was just ruining his own life.
But Isaiah had closed down, and wouldn’t speak further. “I am so sorry, Delilah,” he whispered. “Please, don’t come again. Find a man who deserves you. I pray to God that your life will be happy.”
He stood up, and left the room. Delilah watched him leave, her heart breaking.
***
Katura sat with her that night, in the living room.
“I know,” she said, turning her head to Delilah. “About you and Isaiah. That you have fallen in love with each other.”
Delilah gasped. “How did you know?” she asked. Tears streamed down her face, for the second time that day. “I am so sorry, Katura. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“It’s okay,” whispered Katura. “I think I knew, deep down, that Isaiah wasn’t interested in me. And he never gave me any indication that there might be a possibility of the two of us courting. It was all just wishful thinking on my part.” She breathed out, deeply. “It’s alright, Delilah. You both have my blessing.”
Delilah leaned over and hugged her cousin. “It doesn’t matter, anyway,” she whispered. “Isaiah is determined to take the blame for the incident, and he told me that I should move on. That I should find someone else.” She sighed, deeply. “But I never will.”
“You don’t think Isaiah did it?” said Katura. “You think it was Jeremiah?”
“I do,” said Delilah. “But he won’t admit it. Why is he doing this?”
Katura smiled, grimly. “There is only the two of them,” she said. “Their parents died years ago, and they have no one else in the family. They live together, on their property. Isaiah has always looked out for Jeremiah, protected him.”
It made sense, then. Isaiah’s overarching loyalty to Jeremiah. A loyalty so strong, he was even prepared to take the blame for something that would ruin his life. And Samuel was his best friend, as well.
“We should pray,” whispered Delilah. “It is the only thing that we can do.”
Both young women closed their eyes. Delilah prayed harder than she had ever in her life.
***
God answered their prayers.
Aunt Mildred told them the good news as soon as they came down for breakfast. “Girls, Samuel Stoltzfus has woken up!” she said, her eyes shining. “The Lord has heard us.”
Delilah and Katura embraced, hugging each other tightly. Tears of joy fell down their faces.
“And you know what else?”
They both looked at her, expectantly.
“Samuel has told the police that Jeremiah pushed him,” Aunt Mildred continued. “He said they argued, and Jeremiah just lashed out. Samuel must have hit his head on a rock when he fell.” Aunt Mildred lifted her eyes to heaven. “Isaiah has been released from custody.”
Delilah gasped. All her prayers had been answered. Isaiah was free! And he hadn’t done anything to Samuel. She had known, all along!
She started weeping. Aunt Mildred came over to her, looking at her tenderly.
“I think you should go and see him,” she whispered. “I will drive you over there myself.”
***
He was standing on the front veranda when they pulled up. Delilah could see his eyes light up when he realised it was her.
“I will pick you up later?” asked Aunt Mildred. “Or will you bring her back?”
“I will bring her back,” smiled Isaiah. “Thank you.”
“I am so glad everything has worked out,” Aunt Mildred said. Then she turned and drove off.
They looked at each other shyly. He took her hand, and led her up onto the veranda. They sat down, staring out over the farm.
Delilah kept sneaking glances at him. She simply couldn’t believe that he was here, and that everything had worked out, in the end.
Isaiah couldn’t stop staring at her, either.
“Where is Jeremiah?” she whispered.
“At the police station,” he said. “Giving another statement. I’m sorry, Delilah. I thought I was doing the right thing, protecting him. But I shouldn’t have done it.” He sighed, deeply. “But it wasn’t deliberate. Jeremiah pushed Samuel, but he didn’t intend what happened. I know that.”
Delilah frowned, thinking of the dark cloud that surrounded Jeremiah, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
“Samuel is going to be fine,” she said, instead, focusing on the good news. “Apparently, he is going to make a full recovery.”
“Praise the Lord,” said Isaiah. He looked like he was going to break down, again. “What about us, Delilah? Will you be willing to marry a man who has been charged with attempted murder?”
Delilah looked at him, filled with love. “No,” she said. He looked devastated. She smiled. “Not a man charged with attempted murder. But I would be willing to marry a man who is so loyal to his brother, he will do anything to protect him.” She paused. “Even if that loyalty was misguided.”
Isaiah stood up, pulling her up with him. “What about Katura? Does she understand?”
“Jah,” answered Delilah. “We spoke of it the other night. She is happy for the both of us.”
“Then everything is how it should be,” Isaiah breathed. “We can start over. What about that date on Saturday night?”
Delilah burst out laughing. “Why not?” she answered.
They walked down the veranda steps, laughing and talking. Delilah reflected that it had certainly been a summer to remember, so far. A crime, a jilted cousin, and a marriage proposal.
What on earth would the rest of the summer bring? She would leave that in the hands of the Lord. He seemed to make everything good, in the end.
THE END
