CHAPTER
43

Gloria was relieved when several boxes arrived from Arkansas. “Mom came through for me!” she said, getting a kick out of how thrilled Leona was to help find places for everything, saying she wanted Gloria to feel absolutely at home there.

Pete, too, seemed energized when he stumbled onto “a great deal” on a used hope chest, which he sanded down and redid for her in a light oak stain, making Gloria feel even more like part of the family.

And, just as Deacon Ebersol had aptly instructed, Gloria spent time praying that her reasons for joining church be right and pleasing in God’s sight. Along with being asked to work for Ada Miller as a mother’s helper now that school was out, Gloria busied herself in her free time, sewing dresses and aprons, too, working on her Amish wardrobe in hopes this church district would accept her once she had the courage to speak again to the deacon.

June was cherry-picking time at Uncle Sol’s orchard. Leona, Gloria, and Mamma worked closely together, enjoying the companionship all the more as each day passed. Sweet cherries were ripe now and ideal for jam making, and in another week or so, pie cherries would be ready to pick, as well. Leona’s mouth watered at the thought of the delicious eating ahead, including the black raspberries coming in late June. By mid-July, juicy Redhaven peaches would be ready, and oh, the joy of canning and baking, especially with Gloria!

When the official start of summer came, Leona measured her days in chores and part-time work at Maggie’s store. Lots of work frolics ahead, she thought, excited to attend them with Maggie, Mamma, and Aunt Salome, as she did each summer. But it was Gloria who brought that special spark to their gatherings.

At the shop, out of earshot of customers, Maggie occasionally made veiled remarks about Gloria’s being in limbo. But one day Maggie went so far as to ask if Gloria might not be someone Leona would like to have as a wedding attendant.

Leona was quiet as she pondered this. “I’d always thought she would be in my wedding, but that was back when she and I were teenagers. She’s still not gone to see the deacon again, so I just don’t know.”

“You must have other girls in mind,” Maggie said as she counted the coins in the register.

“Anna and Miriam, of course . . . Tom’s courting-age sisters.”

Maggie smiled, looking up. “I’d wondered if ya might not choose one or both of them, since you don’t have sisters of your own.”

“Well, if a bride could have a sister-in-law as an attendant, you’d definitely be one. I mean that, Maggie.”

“Ain’t you sweet!”

Leona went to the window to look out. “Between you and me, if Gloria was actually baptized this September, she would be eligible to be one of my attendants.”

Maggie returned the change to the register drawer, the various coins clattering into their respective slots. “I guess you’ll have to wait an’ see, jah?”

“Maybe she just needs some encouragement,” Leona said, thinking that perhaps she could put a bug in Tom’s ear to have the deacon seek out Gloria. Just maybe.

The following weekend, while Leona and Tom were dining out, he asked what she would think of having a double wedding with Danny and his fiancée, Linda Miller.

“They’re engaged?”

Tom grinned. “They’ve kept it quiet, observing the Old Ways.”

“Not like us.” She smiled. “I think most folk know . . . or suspect, at least.”

He winked at her, and she dipped her head, blushing.

Later, when their meals arrived, Leona asked who would sign for Danny during the wedding service. “Or will he read lips?”

“Maybe the bride’ll sign,” Tom said, chuckling. “If I know them, they’ll figure something out. Linda’s a creative one, that’s for certain. Not sure just who’s gonna wear the pants in that family.”

“Well, bein’ that she’s related to the bishop . . . I see what you’re sayin’.”

They shared a discreet laugh, and Leona thought about Tom’s suggestion. “I do like the idea of a double wedding. And if you and I are married a few minutes before Danny, he could still be your wedding attendant. What do ya think of that?”

“Now you’re talkin’!” He reached across the table for her hand and held it for a moment.

Tom named off a few of the teenage fellows he’d considered to be in charge of the road horses the day of the wedding—their Hostlers. And then, pausing a moment, he said he’d like to ask Orchard John to be one of his two male attendants. “Would that bother ya?”

“John’s my cousin—it’s perfectly fine.”

Nothing was said about Orchard John’s impatience to start spending time with Gloria, once she got things squared away with the deacon. Tom had mentioned this to Leona before, so she knew it was surely in the back of his mind. “By the way,” she said, “I’m thinkin’ Gloria’s ready to talk to your father again about church. But honestly, she seems either bashful or just plain terrified.”

Tom seemed to understand what she was asking. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Leona hoped she wasn’t stepping out of bounds, but a nod from the deacon might just be the push Gloria needed.

It was a beautiful Lord’s Day afternoon, an off-Sunday from Preaching, and Gloria had been told by Leona at breakfast that the deacon wanted to see her.

A bit anxious, Gloria walked through the long field to knock on his door, being met by the deacon himself sitting out on the porch, munching on some pretzels in a bag. He motioned for her to join him and handed the bag over to her when she was seated.

“I’m glad you got my message,” he said, nodding his head. “Have you given some thought to what we talked ’bout before?”

“I’ve talked to my parents,” she said. And counted the cost in more ways than one. She considered her conversation with her dad and mom, and with Hampton, who had been sorry to lose her good waitressing help, and Darren’s surprisingly agreeable response, too.

Deacon led her through a series of questions, many like those before, but with a few new ones. She answered each one thoughtfully, confidently.

And she sensed he was building up to the clincher: “Have you forgiven your father?” She was prepared for that, but then he surprised her by saying, “His check arrived the other day.”

Gloria nodded, relieved.

“Do you know ’bout that?”

She told him the truth: that while she and her father had stopped for coffee on the drive home, Gloria had urged him to make things right with those whom he had cheated.

“And apparently he has, although I’d forgiven his debt years ago,” Deacon said.

Knowing the minister, he would put the money in the alms fund for anyone in need amongst the People. It was one of the things about Deacon Ebersol—and this community—that Gloria respected so much.

Then came the final question. “Did you return primarily for your friendship with Leona?”

“In many ways, yes.”

His eyes widened.

“From what I’ve experienced through the years, Amish society is about community,” she said. “We’re linked together by family and lifelong friendships, and it’s this tradition that weaves us together, encouraging one another in the Old Ways as a people set apart. We’re loyal to our family and friends,” she said, meaning it. “And sometimes we return for the same reason—relationship is the tie that binds us in unity with God.”

The deacon nodded thoughtfully, a slight glint in his eye. “If you’d said no,” he replied now, smiling, “I would have worried.”

She hid her own smile. A trick question.

The deacon rose, and she stood with him, returning the remaining pretzels. “I’ll give you further information about your Proving.” He extended his callused hand. “Willkumm heem, Gloria.”

Gloria tried to stand still on the wooden kitchen bench that evening while Leona pinned her hem for the new dark green cape dress, but she was ever so keyed up and eager to share her conversation with the deacon that day.

All the same, she was completely surprised when Millie mentioned that Pete and the deacon had put their heads together at a farm auction the other day. “Mose asked if we’d be willin’ to be your overseers till your Proving’s done.”

Leona jerked around with a straight pin in her hand, poking Gloria in the leg. “Ach, sorry!”

“I’m okay,” Gloria assured her, even though Leona looked dismayed when the pinprink had drawn blood. “I couldn’t imagine a better match.”

“Me neither,” Millie agreed.

Gloria was conscious of the summertime sounds just out the back screen door—crickets twittered heartily, and hoot owls supplied the bass line for a hundred-bird chorus.

“Just think, you’ll get to visit with Orchard John from time to time when he’s over here for supper and board games,” Leona said as she dabbed a wet tissue at Gloria’s leg. “Maybe Tom and I can double-date with ya, since we’re both church members. What ’bout that?”

Gloria glanced at Millie. “Do you think that would be all right with the brethren?”

“As long as you’re in the company of other church members, you should be fine.” Millie made a motion as if to zip her lips, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Now you’re talkin’!” Gloria said, which caused Leona and her mother to dissolve into laughter.

“There—your hem’s marked.” Leona got up from her knees, and Gloria hopped down from the bench.

“Denki, now I just need to make the apron.” She went over and planted a kiss on Millie’s cheek. “That’s for bein’ so wunnerbaar.”

Millie looked like she might faint. Come to think of it, so did Leona.

“I mean it,” Gloria said, “with all of my heart.” And she flounced off to hang up her new dress, pleased to have been given a second chance, not to mention a second mother.

And a sister!

The following Saturday evening, Pete and Millie wasted no time in inviting Orchard John for a supper of chicken and dumplings, topped off by Gloria’s cherry cobbler, which turned out better than any other time she’d made it. Pete contributed the homemade ice cream, and Benuel told his laugh-out-loud tales, making for a very merry time around the Speicher table.

Afterward, the six of them played a rousing game of Dutch Blitz. Gloria couldn’t stop smiling, appreciating how Pete, Millie, and Benuel were chaperoning the evening—the first of many to come, she suspected from the look of admiration on John’s handsome face. Or is it love?

When it was time for John to leave, he asked if he might speak to Gloria out on the back porch, and Pete agreed after taking time to light a lantern and hand it to him.

“I want to win your heart,” John told her when they’d sat down just outside the back door.

“You did that years ago,” Gloria said, meaning every word yet mindful of the restrictions on their relationship. “If things hadn’t been so complicated, I would’ve been baptized in a heartbeat. If I’d had the gumption, I would’ve returned sooner.”

Sitting there with her first beau felt so familiar and normal, a reminder of the best year of her life.

John’s eyes held her gaze. “Would ya consider letting me court ya, once you’re baptized?”

She remembered what Deacon Ebersol had said about her Proving—that she must remain within its guidelines. “I’m not baptized yet, but if I were, my answer would certainly be yes.” She paused. “Well, jah.”

John brightened all the more. “You’ve given me the gift of hope.”

“There’s always that.” Gloria nodded. “Perhaps I’ve given more hope than I should’ve at this point.”

He started to reach for her hand, then caught himself. “Just so ya know, I’ll be counting the days and weeks.”

She smiled and wished she could let him know how very happy he made her, but that day would come. Surely it will . . . in the Lord’s good timing.