As the flames continued to cast a soft glow through the room, Marcus covertly studied their newcomer. Irene Keim was pretty. She was slim and had blonde hair, blue eyes, and an adorable dimple in one of her cheeks.
But she was more than that.
She had the type of angelic features Marcus had always favored in a woman. Maybe because he farmed all day and was accustomed to hard work, he’d always dreamed of having a woman who was more delicate. She would be someone he could care for, who would soothe his mind and body with her sweet softness.
Maybe even heal him.
But, of course, he now knew that such fantasies were for fools. Angelic sweetness and delicacy were useless in the real world. A man needed a partner, not someone to coddle.
Looks weren’t what was important either. He’d certainly learned that from Beth. She’d been lovely, but that loveliness had covered a deceitful character.
No, what really mattered was a good heart. Qualities like honesty and compassion.
As he recalled the rumors and the gossip that surrounded Irene after the incident at Floyd’s Pond, he feared she wasn’t nearly as sweet as his parents were making her out to be.
He thought he remembered something about her coming from a broken home. She’d been a little wild during her rumspringa. Maybe she still was. After all, the newspaper had reported that her friend who died was the leader of some kind of illegal gang from the big city.
Even if she was on the straight and narrow now, she didn’t seem like the best person to be living with his parents. They had always been far too trusting of others.
He became even more worried and turned to them. “So you two are really okay with Irene’s past?”
“Did we know that Irene here has been through a terrible tragedy and needed some comfort and kindness?” Daed asked, a new, disapproving tone tingeing his voice. “Jah, son. We did.”
He loved that his parents were so giving, but he feared that made them vulnerable too. They were getting older. Maybe even a bit forgetful. “Daed. You should have talked to me before—”
“Let’s all sit down and clear the air,” Mamm interrupted in that voice she’d perfected when he was young and sometimes argued.
No longer wanting to sit in the living room, Marcus walked over to the table, pulled back the unoccupied chair, and sat. His parents sat too.
But Irene stayed where she was, her hands now gripping the back of the rocking chair by the fireplace. Almost like it was a lifeline. “I think maybe it would be best if I went up to my room, Mary Ruth. That is, if you don’t mind.”
“But we didn’t finish our game,” Mamm said.
Irene darted a look his way before she faced his mother again. “I’m afraid it would be rude to finish it in front of your son. Plus, I think you all have some things to talk about.”
His father’s expression softened. “You’re part of the family now, Irene. We can include you in the conversation.”
Part of the family? Marcus barely stifled a groan.
Irene heard. “Danke, but I don’t think that would be best,” she replied in a strained tone of voice. “I have to work early in the morning. I should probably get some sleep.”
“You work?” he blurted. Inwardly, he winced. Even he could tell he sounded like a jerk.
“Jah. I’m a waitress at Bill’s Diner,” Irene replied, her voice as strained as her posture. She didn’t add anything else, just looked as if she would rather eat nails than stay in his company another minute.
“I’ll see you in the morning, dear,” his mother said.
“Jah. Sleep well, Irene,” Daed added.
Irene opened her mouth but didn’t speak. Just nodded before she walked toward the staircase.
The three of them stayed silent as she made her way up the stairs.
For a moment, Marcus felt a twinge of regret. He knew he’d been unforgivably rude, but he also knew he’d had no choice. Someone had to look out for his parents’ well-being, and that person was him. There was no one else.
When she was safely out of earshot, he spoke. “You all really should have talked to me before you invited her into your home. I’ll do my best to see that she leaves as soon as possible.”
His mother closed her eyes. “Oh, Marcus.”
“You will do no such thing,” his father bit out. “In fact, the only thing you should have on your mind is how to make amends to our guest.”
His father’s tone stung. “I know I was harsh with her, but you two don’t know her reputation. It’s worse than bad, Daed. I’m sure she’s been taking advantage of your kindness. Getting her out of your lives is for the best.”
“What exactly is your problem with Irene?” Mamm asked. “And you need to keep your voice down. I don’t want you to hurt her feelings any more than you already have.”
“My problem is that you’ve invited a woman you don’t know much about into your home to live with you. A woman who doesn’t have the best reputation.” He lowered his voice. “And I think you knew I would be concerned about her living here. It isn’t like you not to tell me about a new guest in your home, Mamm.”
“Perhaps we were hoping to avoid this very situation.” His mother stood and started cleaning up the coffee cups that were sitting on the table.
Marcus picked up a plate and placed it in the sink. “I know you think I’m being judgmental, but the man she admitted to being friends with wasn’t just an Englisher. He was a known criminal.”
Daed folded his arms across his chest. “You sure know a lot about an incident that wasn’t any of your business.”
“That incident was all anyone talked about for days,” Marcus retorted, unable to keep from raising his voice. “It was on the front page of The Budget. Television crews came to town too. Surely you both remember how awful it was.”
“We know how awful an experience it was for Irene, Marcus,” Mamm corrected.
“We know her friend that you don’t think she should have known saved her life. He took a bullet for her. He drowned because the ice broke. Because of his sacrifice, Irene and her friend Alice survived. He was a hero.”
“But he shouldn’t have been in Hart County in the first place. He was the leader of a gang. After that all happened, Alice Yoder left the faith and moved to Cincinnati.”
“Alice didn’t simply leave the faith, Marcus. She married the other man who helped save them,” his mother corrected. “Nothing is ever as simple as it might seem.”
“All I’m saying is that trouble seems to follow her around. I don’t want any of it to touch you.”
To his surprise, instead of looking shamed or even reflective, both of his parents laughed.
“I’m a little too old to worry about getting a new reputation,” his father said. “And truth be told, if people started thinking I was a bit dangerous, I might even like that.”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know you are, son. And I appreciate your concern, but it’s time you settled down. Right now you seem to have forgotten everything we taught you about forgiveness and compassion.”
Forgiveness. Compassion. Marcus felt his cheeks heat with embarrassment. His mamm and daed were right. Even sheltered women with fine reputations like his ex-girlfriend Beth could do hurtful things. He knew that better than anyone. He shouldn’t have lashed out about Irene’s past.
No, he shouldn’t have been so quick to judge her. “I’m sorry, Mamm.”
“I am too.” Eyeing the staircase, his mother sighed. “Lord only knows how I’m going to get poor Irene to feel comfortable here again. I hope she doesn’t decide to leave.”
“She won’t, Mary Ruth. She knows we need her here.”
Maybe that was what had really bothered him. “Why do you need Irene here, Daed? I try to visit you several times a week. Is something going on with you both that I don’t know about?” Studying them carefully, he swallowed. “Is one of you sick?”
“Nee,” Mamm said quickly. “Nothing like that. It’s more that she’s been helping us with the cooking and cleaning. It’s been wonderful having her help.”
“Are you sure you’re both all right?” Guilt flooded him as he realized just how much he’d taken their steadiness for granted. He’d always adored them and never imagined that they wouldn’t be there for each other.
Daed patted his shoulder. “We’re fine, Marcus. Don’t worry about us.”
His father’s brown eyes looked clear and direct. He wasn’t hiding anything. Feeling a little better, Marcus exhaled. “I’ll try not to worry. But I have a feeling I still will.”
“Instead of worrying about us, I’d rather you concentrate on how you are going to mend things with Irene.”
“Yes, sir.”
Looking pleased with him at last, his father reached for the small brown envelope on the table and carefully pulled out the three cards hidden in it.
“Professor Plum. Rope. Dining room. Huh. Never would have imagined killing someone with a rope in the dining room. You’d think a candlestick would be a better option.”
His mother yawned. “All this excitement has made me tired. You’d best be on your way, son.”
Still feeling like things weren’t settled, he hesitated. “All right. But I’ll be back tomorrow morning to apologize to Irene.”
“She won’t be here. She’ll be working. You can talk to her at Bill’s.”
“And then?”
“And then? We’ll look forward to seeing you soon.” Mamm smiled at him softly before she walked toward her bedroom.
There it was again. His mother illustrated how to behave with grace and forgiveness.
Marcus told his father good night, then grabbed his jacket and walked out the door. The night air cooled his face, and he realized that was the first time he’d left his parents without feeling like everything was right in the world.
Once he climbed into his buggy, he let up the brake and clicked his tongue. “Let’s go, Sue,” he said as he gently motioned the mare forward.
For the majority of the drive, he reviewed everything he’d said to Irene. Then he thought about all the things his parents had said.
Then, to his dismay, by the time he unhitched Sue and gave her fresh water, Marcus was thinking about Beth Vance again. He remembered how sure he’d been that everything between them would always be picture-postcard perfect.
He remembered how hurt he’d been when he realized she’d been cheating on him.
At last, he forced himself to face the fact that he’d never dealt with her betrayal. Instead, he’d pretended that he wasn’t hurt and that he hadn’t really loved her.
He realized now that all that covering up hadn’t helped him recover from Beth’s rejection at all. Instead, the pain had festered inside of him, never reaching the surface but tainting his future relationships.
“You hurt me, Beth, but I’m going to move on,” he said to the empty barn. “It’s time. Nee, it’s past time.”