31
Ellie could scarcely wait to tell Leah what was happening with her and Sol. It’s the best feeling ever, she wrote in a letter before the sun rose the next morning. I dreamed the happiest dreams all night long!
The days continued to warm, the rains came, and the new semi-dwarf apple trees thrived. Prior to that planting, the acre had been resting, covered with sorghum-Sudan grass, then plowed to nourish the quality of the soil and prevent disease. Since they’d stopped bearing fruit, some of the old trees Dawdi Hezekiah had named years ago had been removed, and it had been hard to bid them farewell—especially the one he called Methuselah.
Meanwhile, the orchard workers mowed the grass between the many rows of trees with the horse-drawn mower, a constant chore to keep pests from invading the low-growing branches. It wasn’t something Sol could readily do with one hand just yet, though.
Ellie had started to occasionally work with her father in the barn office, helping take inventory of the harvesting tools and the right containers needed for the coming peach harvest in early July. They’d also discussed the fruit supply and the hoped-for demand for the next five years.
With some regular customers still backing away—likely due to Evan’s going to war—Dat had seemed concerned about the profitability of the orchard. “Those new clients you contacted came along just in time,” he told her. “Denki.”
“Whatever I can do,” she replied, grateful to be included. “I only wish all our Plain customers would realize that we’re the exact same people we were before Evan left.”
Dat gave her a smile. “Time will tell.”
“And I’ll keep makin’ new contacts for the future.”
Driving rain pelted the ground as Ellie ran out to get the mail in her raincoat and hat. Mamm had said she had the supper-making under control and to go ahead and make a dash for it.
On the way back, she noticed the column of woodsmoke billowing up from the chimney, then made her way around to the back of the porch, where she stood searching through the stack of mail for a letter from Evan. Instead, Leah had written, and Ellie quickly settled onto the glider to read her letter. Considering all the time she and Sol sat there talking privately these days, recently watching the sunset and enjoying every minute, she thought the glider had become one of the best investments Dat ever made. “Our courting spot,” Sol had referred to it.
Smiling at that, Ellie began to read to the sound of pattering rain.
Dear Ellie,
How are you? Still smiling-happy?
I could tell by your last letter how pleased you are to be courted by Sol. It was the dearest thing to hear . . . and one of my secret desires, too, for you to become my sister-in-law someday!
I’m thrilled for Sol as well—two precious people have found each other. I couldn’t be more excited. (I’ll be writing to him right after I finish this letter.)
And in case you wondered, things are going along nicely between Reuben and me.
Ellie smiled at Leah’s response, then read on and learned more about Bobby and his little twin sisters. All three of them had been asking Leah where she went off to on Preaching Sundays, dressed in her royal blue dress and white cape and apron. Their mother, Carolyn, seemed ferhoodled, not knowing how to answer when Bobby wanted to know why they didn’t go to Preaching, too.
Ellie caught herself nodding, thinking back on what Dawdi Hezekiah had said some time ago—how Leah’s influence on young Bobby might just change the little fellow’s life. As hard as it had been not having Leah around, Ellie could see that good things were happening because of her willingness to work there.
Leah also mentioned Evan in her letter, saying she was committed to praying morning and evening for his safety. The more who are praying, the better, Ellie thought, finishing the letter and eager to show it to Sol when she saw him next.
Thankfully, a longed-for letter from Evan arrived in June.
I hope you don’t think I’ve forgotten you, sister! he’d written. The monsoons keep me from writing often, so please share this letter with Mamm and Dat. It’ll rain cats and dogs practically around the clock till September, I’ve heard from guys who’ve been here long enough to know. Not sure I’ll ever get used to that.
But I wanted you to know I’m safe for today.
The letter continued, inquiring about the family, but it was shorter than usual. Even so, it’s a relief to hear from him, Ellie thought.
The month of August, just as sweltering and oppressive as July had been, was demanding, especially during “the overlap,” when the tail end of the peach harvest coincided with the beginning of the apple harvest.
Ellie looked forward to seeing Sol at the house on weekend evenings. They took long walks together through the orchard, occasionally with Dawdi Hezekiah and sometimes with Shadow, too. Oh, how she lived for Sol’s wonderful visits.
Though they had yet to join die Youngie at a Singing, on those nights they sang songs of praise while sitting on the glider, later munching popcorn and sipping homemade root beer or lemonade. Afterward, they played checkers and other games on a table on the porch. They missed the fellowship of die Youngie, yet they treasured the time they had alone to talk and open their hearts. And on the off-Sundays, Sol drove her around the back roads at twilight so they could at least have the experience of a buggy date now that his right hand was getting stronger.
When they finally attended Singing in mid-August, it was a treat to see everyone and confirm the grapevine’s news that they were indeed a serious couple.
Sol had been able to pick peaches with his recovering hand since late July, three months after his attack. Ellie was fairly certain he’d caught himself on his right hand when he’d fallen the day of the attack, but Sol couldn’t remember exactly.
As for his bum ear, Ellie was mindful to be on Sol’s right when they sat together or when they went walking in the meadow or orchard. And during one of their sunset strolls, Sol reached for her hand for the first time. It was unexpected, yet she’d longed for it. Even so, it took her breath away, and looking up at him, she couldn’t help but grin as butterflies whirled in her stomach.
At that moment, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him but thought she should wait for him to be the first to say it. Although each and every day, she did take in many indications of his love—helping her attach her harvesting bag, assisting her with deliveries while she drove, and providing a listening ear when she felt sad, missing Evan.
Mamm invited Sol to join them on weekdays for the noon meal along with the rest of the family. Not long after that, Dat confided in Ellie that he hoped Sol knew how happy he and Mamm were about his becoming a serious beau.
Whenever the boys and their families came over for picnics or ice cream, Dat went out of his way to include Sol. And when little Alma brought her first nine-patch square to show Ellie, Sol made over it, too. In fact, Alma slid up on his knee and told him she wanted him to be her “Onkel Sol someday,” which delighted Ellie no end but made Lydia’s eyes pop with embarrassment.
There was no getting around that this was a very different kind of courtship than any Ellie had ever heard of, since most courting couples kept their relationships fairly private, even from family, until after their wedding dates were published following church in late October. Even so, she was thankful that her parents and siblings and their families enjoyed Sol’s company so.
One Sunday evening, as Sol and Ellie stood near the porch steps quite reluctant to part ways for the night, Sol mentioned that, early on, he’d worried that he was somehow taking Evan’s place in Ellie’s heart. “Not that I ever could. I just didn’t want to be a brother figure, ya know.”
Ellie shook her head. “Never once did I think of ya that way,” she said, assuring him.
Humorously, Sol wiped his brow. “Whew, that’s a relief.” They laughed together at his joshing, and then he took her into his arms for the first time.
Weary at day’s end, Lyle removed his soiled work socks and placed them in the hamper near the closet. He wandered over to sit in his chair near the small table where the lantern glowed a perfect ring of light. He’d made the mistake of going into the back of the carriage shed before coming into the house, spotting the black courting carriage he’d purchased for Evan on his sixteenth birthday. It just sits there, he thought, recalling one of Evan’s letters to Elisabeth where he’d admitted to often thinking about his Amish life there in Bird-in-Hand.
Lyle sighed.
Across from him in her pale pink robe, Elisabeth was reading A Devoted Christian’s Prayer Book. He recalled a lot of interest in and a big push for this project among the Old Order Amish community when it was first published. One of his Indiana cousins was still involved with the publishing company, Pathway Publishers.
Lyle picked up the newspaper, which he hadn’t read yet today. The number of reported war casualties set him back. The articles were bad enough, but oh, the horrific images. He’d considered canceling his subscription.
To think our Evan’s over there . . .
He recalled what Ellie had told them back in early June. She’d said Evan had written he was “safe for today.” Evan must be terrified, Lyle thought, still feeling concern, even dread, as well as bewilderment that a child of his would choose this life.
But that was more than two months ago, and Ellie hadn’t shared anything more. He assumed she was still hearing from Evan occasionally, because he’d seen the APO address on the front of envelopes. When he did, it would hit him again, and mighty hard, that Evan was gone from the People, fighting in a war he should’ve never been a part of.
While he’d thought a few times of writing his son, he hadn’t known where to start. But now he felt a sudden sense of urgency to sit down and share his thoughts with Evan.
He went to the front room, located a pad of paper and pen, and wrote.
Dear Evan,
I think of you and pray daily. But in case you wonder because of my silence, I want you to know how much I love you, son.
On Saturday evening, Sol came to visit Ellie with Shadow. Together, they strolled through the backyard, the air warm and breezy. The clouds opened up to let the sunshine through as they made their way past the Dawdi Haus, where Dawdi Hezekiah was watering multicolored petunias in his nearby flower bed. They waved, and Dawdi waved back, beaming.
“You’ve got yourselves a chaperone,” Dawdi said, pointing at the dog.
Sol chuckled.
When they were deep into the orchard, he reached for Ellie’s hand. “Anymore, I dislike our partings. I’ve been missin’ ya,” he said, “even though I see ya practically every day. I hate goin’ home. Guess my heart’s stuck right here.”
She nodded, her heart in tune with his. Each time they said good-night, she longed to have more time together. “I feel the same way.”
He stopped walking then, still holding her hand as he removed his straw hat. “I know how we’d never have to say good-bye again,” he said, smiling down at her. “And I want that, if you do.” He paused, his eyes sparkling. “That is, if you’ll marry me.” His eyes searched hers. “I love ya, Ellie.”
She held his gaze. “Jah, I’ll be your bride, Sol. I love you, too.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m the happiest man on earth, here in this beautiful orchard where we first became friends.” He opened his arms to her, and she moved toward him, her cheek resting against his shirt and suspender.
The dog nosed between them, tail wagging fast.
“Shadow approves,” she said, laughing, then stepping back. “When shall we wed?” she asked, holding her breath now, the reality sinking in.
“How ’bout as soon as wedding season starts?”
“First Tuesday in November,” she said, although he surely knew when that was.
He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “November second . . . two and a half months away,” he whispered.
“Talk it over with your Dat and Mamm and decide,” he said. “I’ll wait to hear from ya, then tell my parents.”
Ellie nodded and thought this night was the time to celebrate their love, to look ahead to becoming husband and wife. Her happiness knew no bounds, and she could hardly wait for Sol to hold her near once again.
Wisely, though, he turned to follow Shadow as the dog wagged its tail contentedly, and she and Sol talked hopefully about their future married life, where they might live, and the family God would give them, Lord willing.
“Will ya get to have one of the dogs once we’re married?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t wanna ask Dat.”
She nodded. “That’s up to you, but I think ’specially Shadow would miss ya.”
Sol slipped his arm around her waist as they ambled along, and thoughts of dogs and nearly everything else flew out of her head. She was going to marry her darling beau!