Christmas in Paradise Page 3

  Carson picked up Elisabeth’s hand and grazed it with his lips. “Good, because I want my wife to be happy.”

  Elisabeth’s head snapped backward. “Was that Luke and Brianna’s buggy we just passed?”

  Carson shrugged and chuckled. “I can’t decipher whose buggy is whose. I believe that is a gift only the Amish possess. They all look the same to me. A buggy’s a buggy.”

  “If you’re around them all your life, it’s easy to tell whose is whose. They’re usually distinct in one way or another. My folks’ buggy, for example, has four rectangular reflectors that go straight across the back. The Fishers’ buggy has three on each side. The Brennemans’ buggy has differently shaped reflectors and there’s two on each side toward the bottom and one near the top in the middle.”

  “I guess I never really took those kinds of things into consideration.” He lightly rubbed the stubble on his chin.

  “And then, the horses are different too. Not only by what breed they are, but also in the way they trot. A person can usually tell who it is by just listening. Take Mamm and Dat’s driving horse, Peanut. He has a smooth steady gait, unlike my brother’s mare that thinks she’s still on the race track.”

  “I thought that depended on who’s holding the reins.”

  “That does have something to do with it, but not always. Horses tend to have a mind of their own sometimes.”

  “This city boy wouldn’t know.”

  “Former city boy,” she reminded him.

  Carson smiled as they pulled into the Schrocks’ familiar driveway. “Let’s go say hello to your parents.”

  <><><>

  Elisabeth sipped on the hot apple cider her mother handed her just a few minutes earlier. She looked at the familiar surroundings. It occurred to her that no matter how far she traveled, her folks’ place always felt like home. She briefly wondered how many children grew up with that kind of security, knowing home would be the same place they grew up and the place where their folks would live out their days on earth. She’d truly had a goodly heritage.

  “Was that Luke and Brianna’s buggy I saw on the road?” Elisabeth leaned back in the hickory rocker, another comfort from childhood. She momentarily pondered the possibility of securing a couple of the chairs for her own home.

  “Jah. Luke stopped by to say hello. He didn’t want to stay long because Brianna’s at home with their new boppli.” Her mother’s face beamed.

  “Have you seen the baby yet?”

  “Oh, yes.” Her mother nodded. “I stayed with Brianna for a couple of days after the boppli was born. He’s a strong, handsome little guy, like his dat.”

  Elisabeth glanced over at Carson and her father, who seemed to be lost in their own conversation. He caught her eye and winked.

  “Really? How often do you see them?”

  “They come by nearly once a week. You know, I kind of feel like Der Herr gave your vatter and me a new dochder when Brianna moved to Paradise. I think she sees us as her folks too, although she’s got Englisch kin in New York.”

  A small pang of jealousy crept into Elisabeth’s heart, but she mentally rebuked it. “Brianna’s a nice girl.”

  “Jah. And she and Luke make a perfect couple. More so than you and Luke did, I think.”

  “Well, I guess God knew what He was doing.”

  “That, He did.”

  “Mamm, I’ve always wondered something.” Elisabeth locked eyes with her mother.

  “Jah?”

  “Well, did you really think that Brianna was me? I mean, I know we could’ve passed for identical twins, but…I don’t know, we just seem so different to me.”

  “Honestly, I had some doubts. I think we all did. But you had been gone to the city for two years. People can change a lot during that time. Especially when becoming Englisch. And if you had been in an accident and didn’t remember who you were or anything about your past…”

  “I guess I can see that. But what about my accent? Brianna’s speech is much more Englisch.”

  “Sometimes people pick up other accents easily and you hadn’t been back home or around other Amish.” She smiled thoughtfully. “Part of it could have been that we wanted you home so badly that we didn’t even think twice about it not being you. We just figured that because you’d been Englisch and because of the accident that you were different now.”

  “Well, I admit that I was a little jealous. Here, I come home and someone else had taken over the life I had. She won her way into your hearts and Luke even married her! Let’s just say that it was a bit of a shock to me.” Elisabeth frowned.

  “I can see that. And we were shocked, too, when we heard that you came back and that Brianna was somebody else.” Mamm reached over and touched Elisabeth’s hand. “We loved her then like she was you, like one of our own. And we still do. But that doesn’t mean that we love you any less. We’re just thankful to Der Herr that we’ve been blessed with both of you.”

  Elisabeth nodded and Carson caught her eye.

  Carson stood up. “Well, Ben, Leah, it’s been nice talking with you, but your daughter and I have to go. We’re supposed to be on a date and we still have to stop by the Beilers’ before our sleigh ride.”

  Dat stood up. “It was gut seeing you two again. And we’ll be seeing you again on Christmas, right?”

  Carson looked to Elisabeth and she nodded.

  “Did you get your skates, Lis?”

  “Yep.”

  Mamm spoke up, “Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Have you seen Mattie Riehl since she’s been in town?”

  Elisabeth turned back to face her mother. “Mattie’s here?”

  “Heard she and the kinner arrived at her folks place a couple of days ago.”

  Elisabeth stared at Carson with her mouth agape. “That’s where she went!”

  If Mattie returned home, wouldn’t that mean that she and her father had finally reconciled?

  Imagine that! Elisabeth never thought she’d live to see that day. Could it be true?

  Well, there was only one way to find out.

  “Carson, let’s go now?”

  Her husband nodded.

  She eyed her mother again. “By the way, Mamm, it’s Mattie Greene.”

  Her mother smiled. “That’s right. I couldn’t remember her husband’s name.”

  “Thanks for telling me about Mattie, Mamm. She and I have some catching up to do.”

  Chapter 5

  Brianna hesitantly approached Carson when Elisabeth disappeared into the kitchen. Since her accident nearly five years ago, she’d had little contact with her former beau, and they’d never really engaged in conversation outside a group setting. But recently, she’d been having more and more questions about the past – questions only Carson would have the answers to.

  She stared at her hands as they twisted in her lap. “I, uh, have been remembering more.”

  Carson eyed his ex-girlfriend. “That’s great.”

  She attempted to fake a smile. “Uh, yeah, well. It was about our past. About you and me.”

  “What did you remember?” Carson briefly wondered if it might be better for Brianna not to remember some things. But their past was what it was, and there was no going back and changing it. Fortunately, God was good and he offered forgiveness when we’ve made messes of our lives. However, the consequences of sin don’t die.

  “Did we visit some tropical place? I remembered being on a large fancy boat with you.”

  “That would’ve been our cruise to Mexico celebrating our first anniversary as a couple.”

  “And we…” Brianna’s cheeks flamed, but she continued on. “We shared a room, didn’t we?”

  That would’ve been one of the things he wished she didn’t remember. He nodded.

  Brianna swallowed. “I’d kinda hoped that I’d been pure before Luke and I married.”

  That, she was not. “I’m sorry.”

  “Was that the only time?”

  “I’m afraid not. It was one of many, unfortunatel
y.”

  “Oh.” She rubbed her head and frowned. “Carson, what kind of a person was I? I mean, am I all that different now?”

  “You’re very different now. And so am I.” Carson paused a moment to gather his thoughts. “I think God has worked a miracle in both of our lives. And He used your accident to do that.”

  “So, you got saved after my accident too?”

  “No, I’d been saved for about two years before the accident. I’d tried to talk to you about it many times, but you had absolutely no interest in the things of God.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, really. I’ve wondered many times if God let things happen the way they did to get us to where we are today. It’s been a pretty crazy ride, huh?”

  “Definitely crazy.” Brianna sighed. “Where do you think we’d be if the accident hadn’t happened?”

  “That’s hard to tell.”

  “Do you think we would have married?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t know. I’d wanted to marry you, but the more you rejected God, the more distant our relationship became. I knew I could never marry you if you didn’t accept Christ. My pastor said that was a recipe for failure. Precious few marriages last when a couple is unequally yoked.”

  “I’m glad the accident happened, then. Despite all the heartache it brought, I think there was more good.”

  “So, what did your family think about you marrying an Amish man?”

  Brianna laughed. “They were surprised for sure and for certain. They said that I could probably get an annulment on the grounds of mental instability. Of course, I refused their suggestion. Why would I want to leave Luke? He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. We love each other and I can’t imagine my life without him.” She shook her head. “They told me that I would come to regret it – especially when I remembered who I was. But I’ve never regretted it, not even for a second. How could I? I think I have a wonderful life. This is the life I know and love.”

  “Well, I admit. Never in a million years would I have ever pictured you becoming Amish. It’s pretty much the exact opposite of how you used to be.”

  “How was I?”

  “Well, you were definitely concerned with fashion trends. You insisted on wearing the newest and best clothes available. If your parents weren’t wealthy, you would have been in a heap of debt. You were pretty feministic too, I’d say. There’s no way you would have let a man be the head of the house. And you were independent. Not to mention, you hated long dresses. Yeah, so pretty much completely opposite.”

  “Did you ever think you would marry someone who used to be Amish?”

  Carson chuckled. “Can’t say I did. Before your accident, I thought we’d eventually get married. I thought that somehow I’d convince you to become a Christian.”

  “What did you think when you thought that I’d died?”

  “It tore me up.” Carson’s hand balled into a fist as he remembered that day. “I was so concerned with your eternal destination, and I was upset that you wouldn’t even listen to me. I thought that God had given you one last chance to hear the truth and you refused. I was so mad at you for your stubbornness. And at the devil. I thought that surely you’d gone to hell.”

  “That’s a scary thought.”

  He nodded once. “I guess God knew all along that you would eventually turn to Him, so He gave you another chance.”

  “I’m so glad He did.” Brianna smiled. “And, Carson. Thank you for trying to tell me about God. I know I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I can’t help but think that somewhere in my subconscious mind, I wanted to know. Maybe that was a stepping stone, though neither of us realized it then.”

  “In that case, I guess it was worth my frustration. We just never know what God might be doing inside a person’s heart.”

  Carson looked up and noticed his wife standing in the doorway. “Elisabeth.” He smiled. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “A little while.” Her smile seemed forced. “I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.”

  “Oh, I hear the baby.” Brianna abruptly stood up. “She’s probably in need of a change and starving. Or thinks she is.”

  Carson and Elisabeth watched her flee the room in haste.

  “Wow! She doesn’t mess around.” Carson chuckled.

  Elisabeth frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” He reached for her hand, but she shook her head in refusal. “Talk to me, Lis.”

  Tears sprung to her eyes. “Do you wish you’d married her?”

  “What?”

  “If she’d gotten saved.” She sighed heavily, and struggled to hold back tears. “You wanted to marry her, right?”

  Carson raked a hand through his hair. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where’d all this come from?”

  “You just said–”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “No. I don’t wish I’d married her. I’m in love with you. It does no good to dig up the past and ponder what might have been. God knew exactly what we both needed.” He smiled and drew her close. “Each other.”

  “But Mattie and Richard–”

  “We’re not Mattie and Richard. I already told you, babe. You’re stuck with me.” He bent down and pressed his lips to hers. “If you want to get rid of me, you’ll have to kill me off.”

  Elisabeth giggled.

  “I’m totally serious.”

  She sobered. “What do you think will happen with Mattie and Richard?”

  “I really don’t know. Hopefully, Richard will wake up and realize what he’s doing.”

  She looked toward the bedroom and smiled when she heard the newborn cry. Little ones were so special. “I want to see Mattie tomorrow.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. I wonder if Richard knows where she is yet.”

  Elisabeth shrugged. “Maybe we should let Mattie call him.”

  “And if she doesn’t?” He eyed his wife. “A man should know where his family is, even if they’re at odds. If you couldn’t get a hold of Mattie, I’m guessing Richard can’t either.”

  <><><>

  “That’s not a word.” Jacob Schrock eyed his beautiful wife from across the Scrabble board.

  “It is too!” Rachel protested.

  “Shh…you’re gonna wake up the kinner.” Jacob glanced at the clock on the wall and wondered when Carson and Elisabeth would return. “Just because you use a word all the time doesn’t mean it’s acceptable in a Scrabble game. ‘Thingamajig’ is not a word. Look it up in the dictionary.”

  “You used ‘ferhoodled’! That’s not in the dictionary either.”

  “But it’s an Amish word. We agreed that Amish words were acceptable, remember?”

  “That’s not fair.”

  Jacob reached over the table and grasped Rachel’s hand.

  “Stop it.” She pulled her hand back. “I don’t want to hold your hand right now. I’m mad at you.”

  “You can keep the word, schatzi.” He forced the lower corner of his lip not to rise, although difficult. A small thrill tickled his soul whenever he innocently offended his wife. Perhaps it was because she made a certain expression he couldn’t resist? Or was it the fact that they would kiss and make up later?

  “No. I’m not a cheater.”

  “Í didn’t say you were a cheater.”

  “You may as well have.” She planted a hand on her hip.

  “Honey, I only said that ‘thingamajig’ is not a word. I made no reference to cheating.”

  “If I keep the word and win the game, you’ll say I didn’t win fair and square. If I don’t keep it, I’ll give up all those points. Either way, I lose.”

  “Ach, Rachel.” Jacob looked up toward the ceiling and raised his hands. “God, why did you have to make women so difficult?”

  “I’m not difficult.”

  “No, not you. Never. Did I say difficult? I meant delightful.” He smiled and rose from the table.

  “Where are you going?”

>   He took her hand and kissed it. “Let’s put the game away and call it a tie.” He tugged at the hand he’d just kissed. “Come, schatzi, let’s go snuggle on the couch.”

  “Oo…snuggling on the couch. Now that sounds like a good idea.” A male voice resounded. Carson’s voice. “What do you say, Elisabeth?”

  Jacob chuckled. “Carson, you’re back!”

  “I’m afraid you two will have to go home and snuggle on your own couch.” Carson smiled. “How were the children?”

  “They were great.” Rachel smiled, then proceeded to put the Scrabble tiles away. “I think they missed our kinner, though.”

  “It would’ve been too late for them. That’s why we left them at your folks’ place,” Jacob reminded his wife.

  Carson nodded. “How are Saul and Chloe doing these days?”

  Rachel smiled. “They’re good. They love having the kinskinner over.”

  “And they’re spending the night.” Jacob smiled and raised his eyebrows twice in quick succession.

  “Thanks for watching the children, but I think it’s time for you two lovebirds to scoot.” Carson winked at Elisabeth.

  “You’re right. Ready, Rach?” Jacob tilted his head.

  “Jah. Did you turn the buggy heater on already?”

  He rubbed his hands together. “About ten minutes ago. It should be nice and toasty.”

  “You should have a pleasant drive. There isn’t much traffic on the road tonight,” Elisabeth interjected.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to leave the buggy here and pick it up tomorrow? It’s quite a long drive. I could give you a ride,” Carson offered.

  “Nah. I like it. It reminds me of our courtin’ days.” Jacob pulled his wife to his side, then he waved to Elisabeth. “Goodnight, sis.”

  “Thanks again,” Carson said as Jacob and Rachel stepped out the door.

  Chapter 6

  Richard closed the door behind him and walked into his house.