Joseph felt like a new man. It seemed as though God had taken his burdens and replaced them with wings. He finally felt like he had direction in his life, a definite vision.
No, the goal was not Anna. But he hoped that somehow Anna would come to love and respect him as she once had. In a way, she’d inadvertently opened his eyes to the vision. But there had been several catalysts along the path to his discovery. Anna had been just one, Harv had been another, Linda’s confidence in him propelled the dream further, and now he knew his journey to Paradise had been a Divine appointment.
Jonathan’s words of commendation had set him on a new path. And after he’d experienced his secret encounter with Der Herr, he had been given strength and hope. Now he planned to use it for God’s glory.
He thought back on his past. There was something Mary had said that he never understood until now. He vividly remembered the conversation, as though it had just taken place yesterday:
It was the night of Mary’s death. Her eyes had been sparkling, like he’d never seen them before. He knew it was more than just the pleasure she derived from being in his presence. It was something else. “Joseph, I want to tell you about something.”
Joseph had been driving the buggy and they were approaching a bend in the road. He briefly glanced at her and smiled, granting permission to continue speaking. He’d been holding her hand, but now held the reins steady with both hands, keeping to the side so vehicles could pass.
“I had a secret encounter.”
The mysterious words peaked his interest. “A secret encounter?”
She reached into her purse and pulled out a small Englisch Bible – something verboten in their Swartzentruber district. “You mustn’t tell anyone.”
His eyes widened.
She held the small book to her chest, as though it had been the most precious thing in the world. “A secret encounter with Jesus.”
It was then the bright lights had flashed in his face, followed by a screeching sound, and subsequent crash. That’s all he remembered prior to waking up in the hospital and learning of Mary’s death. After that, nothing else mattered.
He’d completely forgotten the conversation, as though his mind had blocked it out. But now he knew. He knew in his spirit exactly what Mary’s secret encounter had been: she’d accepted Christ as her Saviour! What a wonderful gut revelation.
<><><>
As Joseph looked into the medicine cabinet’s mirror, he carefully shaved the excess hair from his face. He pondered how he might tell Anna about all that had happened in Paradise, as he prepared for work this morning. Linda had been relieved when he’d called late last night and told her he was back. Apparently, the Christmas shopping frenzy had not let up in his absence.
Harvey was happy to have him back. And Joe had to admit that he’d missed his old buddy. Harvey had said he noticed a difference in Joe, although they’d only spoken for an hour prior to turning in for the night. Harvey had been thrilled to hear Joseph’s confession.
Joe now moved throughout the shop, turning on the lights. He’d leave the door locked until Linda or Anna arrived. Surveying the store, he took a mental inventory of the things that had sold. One of Mammi’s quilts was gone. Joseph’s face brightened when he saw another quilt had replaced it. Anna and Mammi would be doing just fine financially for a while. The thought gave him a sense of satisfaction.
He glanced up at the clock. Linda would probably be coming soon, so he moved to the break room to start a pot of coffee. With that done, he sat behind the counter and took out his Bible. Daily reading had not been a habit, so it didn’t come naturally to him. However, when he picked up God’s Word and began reading, sometimes he had trouble setting it back down. The truths he’d unearthed in his brief moments of study had been amazing. Every time he read something new, he was blown away. There were so many treasures within the pages of this amazing book.
A knock on the door caused him to look up from his reading. It was Anna. What was she doing here this early? She usually didn’t show up until after Linda. He rushed to the door to unlock it, not wanting her to have to wait long in the cold. When Joe reached the door, he noticed Aaron behind her. He couldn’t help the groan that escaped his lips. He turned the key and allowed them entrance.
Anna’s eyes lit up as though she’d just realized it was him. “Joe?”
He was speechless when Anna threw her arms around him. He hugged her back, then let go when he noticed Aaron’s scowl.
“You’re back! I thought you were gone for good,” she said.
“No. I just went to Paradise for Samuel’s funeral.”
Aaron was visibly becoming impatient.
Bless them that curse you. Joe looked to Anna and Aaron. “Hey, I just made some coffee. Would you like a cup?”
“You made coffee?” Aaron scoffed.
“Sure. I’d love some,” Anna said. She turned to Aaron. “Do you need to go?”
Aaron nodded, eyeing Joseph warily. He leaned over and kissed Anna’s cheek. “I’ll see you tonight when I pick you up.”
Anna smiled and escorted him to the door. She turned the key to lock the door after Aaron exited. They wouldn’t officially open till eight o’clock.
Joe smiled when Anna entered the break room. He handed her a cup of steaming coffee. “Do you need the cream and sugar?”
“I can get it.” Anna moved to the refrigerator to get the creamer. She poured some into her mug, added a spoon of sugar, and then sat down across the table from Joseph.
“How are the wedding plans coming along?” Joe attempted to make small talk.
Anna frowned. “I’d rather not talk about that.”
Joe shrugged. “Okay. What do you want to talk about?”
“I had thought that you left for good. Jacob said you were leaving us.” Tears rose in her eyes, something Joe didn’t expect. “I thought you’d left without saying goodbye.”
“Did it matter?”
Anna stared at him forlornly. “Of course, it mattered. I thought I might never see you again.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Just because we aren’t together anymore, doesn’t mean that I hate you. It doesn’t mean that I don’t care for you.”
“What does that mean?”
She clasped her hands together. “We can still be friends, can’t we?”
“Aren’t you afraid I’m going to steal something from your purse? I’m a thief, you know,” he said sardonically.
“Can we put that behind us?”
He raised a cynical brow and crossed his arms. “I don’t know. Can we?”
<><><>
Anna wanted to scream. Where was the easy talk and mutual admiration they’d once shared? When she thought he’d left for good, her mind had filled with a thousand things she would say to him if she ever got a chance to speak with him again. Things like: I’m sorry. I was wrong to treat you that way. I missed you.
But it seemed things were different now. Her mistrust in him had erected an invisible wall – one that must be torn down before they could ever have any kind of relationship. Relationships were built on trust. But how could she trust a known thief?
That was one question she hadn’t figured out.
<><><>
Aaron couldn’t believe Joseph Bender had come back. He thought he’d been rid of him for good when Anna said that he’d gone. Now he was back, probably trying to wiggle his way back into Anna’s heart at this very moment. He had to do something. He swiftly moved to the phone in his shop and searched through the telephone book. He found the number he was looking for and placed a quick call.