Amish by Accident Read online

  She nodded back.

  “My guess is he’ll want to take you behind the barn and do some smooching. Then after that, he’ll want to take your kapp off so he can run his fingers through your—”

  “Jacob!” a gruff voice called from behind him, which she recognized as their father’s. “Don’t you have chores to tend to?”

  Brianna heard Jacob’s hurried steps clomping down the stairs. Her father knocked on the door, but didn’t open it. Instead, he mumbled through the door, “Pay no mind to your brother’s foolishness.”

  “Yes, Dad. Please tell Mom I will be down in just a bit,” Brianna said.

  “Alright, we will see you downstairs shortly.” Brianna then heard her father’s footsteps descend the stairs as well.

  Brianna brushed her hair with haste and tried her best to pin it up in a bun the way Rachel had yesterday. Several strands of hair fell down around her face and neck. She placed her kapp on her head and secured it with a pin, and then reached into her closet to find one of her old dresses. She picked out a plain blue dress and pinned on her black apron, glad that she apparently hadn’t gained any weight since she left two and a half years ago. She brushed her teeth and rushed downstairs to start her day, excited to learn all about the life she had lived for most of her twenty years.

  The moment she arrived in the kitchen, she knew she’d done something wrong. Her mother shook her head and clucked her tongue, but pulled her into an embrace just the same. “I still can’t believe that mei dochder has come home. Although, I can tell you will need much training before you can become a gut fraa for Luke Beiler.”

  Brianna’s cheeks reddened once again. She remembered from her flash cards that fraa meant wife in this context. Would he expect her to marry him right away?

  “First, come sit and I will fix your hair.” As her mother unwound the bun Brianna had secured just moments before, she explained why Luke had come to her window last night. “Normally, our young people court in secret. It is the Amish way. The young folks attend singings on Sunday nights. They don’t just sing, though. Sometimes, they will play games like volleyball or baseball. Usually a nice snack is served and the boys and girls talk amongst themselves. But it’s usually girls with girls and boys with boys, otherwise it is not proper. When the time winds down, that is when a boy will ask a girl’s brother if he may take her home in his buggy. If she agrees, she meets him outside at his buggy and rides with him. Oftentimes, this is arranged beforehand.

  Typically, they will go to the girl’s home and she will offer him snacks and drinks. They will often talk into the late hours of the night or early morning, when he then goes home. If they are both agreeable after the first date, they may begin a courtship that leads to marriage.”

  Brianna’s mind swam with questions as anxiety began to build. “What should I do if Luke comes to my window at night again? What if I go to the singing and nobody asks me to ride home? I don’t know if I can find my way back home by myself. I’m…I’m kind of scared to go. I don’t really know anyone except my brothers and sisters and Rachel. And—”

  “Ach, slow down, mei maedel. Too much worry is not gut. Jacob will go to the singing with you. He will be sure that you have a ride home. Your friends will be happy to see you. Trust in Der Herr. He will be with you,” her mother assured her, and then securely fastened her prayer kapp once again.

  Brianna took a deep breath, allowing herself to relax. “Denki, Mamm,” Brianna practiced her Pennsylvania Dutch.

  “Now, you must eat something. You are hungry, jah?” Mamm Schrock asked, while pulling out some fresh bread with butter and jam. Brianna nodded, and Mamm fluttered about the kitchen while she ate.

  “Where is everybody?”

  “Martha, Paul, Tabitha, and James are in school. Mary is outside helping Michael and Joseph with chores. Your vatter is out in the field,” Mamm informed her. “Everyone has their chores and helps out, so the home runs smoothly.”

  “What is my chore?” she wondered aloud.

  “Ach, before you left you would help me bake the bread and desserts every day. We would do the wash together on Mondays. You would help with mending and teaching the smaller ones. You always helped with dishes after every meal. And on Wednesdays and Fridays you would cook supper.”

  Brianna watched as Mamm’s eyes teared up. “What is it, Mamm?” She stood from the table and edged closer to Mamm Schrock, attempting to offer comfort.

  “I’ve just missed you so. When you left, my heart broke in two. I didn’t know if I would ever see the daughter I first gave birth to.” She quickly brushed away the unbidden tears.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry for leaving. I don’t know what I was thinking.” And that was the truth, she realized. She patted Mamm’s hand and turned when she heard footsteps.

  The back door swung open and in walked Jacob, accompanied by a young man. An attractive one, at that. Brianna quickly turned toward the sink, not wanting to seem too eager to meet Jacob’s visitor. Who was he?

  “Ach, I must go outside to check on the kinner now. Jacob, you will help me,” Mamm dictated.

  “Jah, Mamm,” Jacob agreed. “Luke, do you mind waiting for me here? I’ll be back shortly.”

  Luke? Brianna turned to see Jacob wink at her, and then he sauntered out the door with an enormous grin. No doubt, he found this situation humorous. Brianna stood near the sink in silence, unsure of what she should say to the handsome stranger. Her hands fidgeted.

  “Hullo, Elisabeth.” Luke stood by the door holding his hat in his hands, seemingly just as nervous as she was. “I…I’ve missed you.”

  Brianna allowed her eyes to wander up to his face. Immediately, she noticed his eyes. They were as blue as the beautiful sun-filled sky after a rainy day. His golden hair trimmed his face in the style that most Amish men wore. The blue shirt he wore under his black suspenders accented his eyes, along with his broad shoulders and toned arms. As far as Brianna was concerned, this man standing in her kitchen—her beau—was as close to perfection as one could possibly get. What on earth had she been thinking when she’d left?

  “Jacob told me about the accident,” he stated, attempting to make conversation.

  “What did he say?” she finally found her voice, trying not to stare.

  Luke took a few steps closer, and then paused. “He told me that Rachel saw you in the hospital and you didn’t know who you were. He also said you don’t remember anything from your past.” His eyes begged for an invitation to come near.

  “Would…would you like to sit down?” She gestured toward the table.

  “Jah, denki.” He moved to the table and sat on the side of the bench where her brothers had sat for the evening meal.

  Brianna took the bench opposite him, hesitant to look into his eyes. At least she was sitting now and no longer had to fear her knees would buckle. She spoke in a near whisper, “Did Jacob tell you that I have a brain injury? I have something called Retrograde Amnesia. I’m able to remember the things that have happened after I woke up from my coma, but my mind has forgotten everything from before. I didn’t remember my name or who my family was or where I came from. And I’m sorry, Luke. But I…I can’t remember you either,” as she said the words, tears spilled over her eyelashes and down her cheeks. Her heart became engulfed by loneliness and pain she’d previously felt, and guilt for reasons she knew not.

  In one fluid movement, Luke was by her side. He drew her head to his chest and held her tight while she sobbed. “Shh…it’s all right, Beth. None of that matters now. You’re home. You’re here and that’s all that matters to me.” His rugged scent and strong arms provided viable comfort.

  When Brianna caught her breath, she spoke again, “I don’t understand. Why did I leave here? Why would anyone ever want to leave?”

  “I can’t answer that, Elisabeth. Because I don’t know.” He released her, and she realized she was saddened by the action. “But I do know that I still love you. I haven’t stopped loving you.”
/>   Brianna peered up at him and smiled, brushing away the tears. “I’m sure I don’t deserve you. I…I left.”

  Pain still stabbed at Luke’s heart when he remembered how he’d felt the day she left, but he chose to let it go. His earlier resolve disappeared. His anger quickly melted away, now replaced with forgiveness and compassion. “Don’t say that, Lieb. The past is forgiven. We’re together now. And I’m hoping that this time you’ll stay and be my sweetheart…and marry me.”

  She looked into Luke’s pleading blue eyes and saw love. Brianna’s heart melted like candle wax under a hot flame.

  “I don’t want to leave anymore. I want to stay here…with you. But…” she hesitated, then continued, “I am not ready to get married yet. I know that I was your girlfriend, your aldi before I left. But you are a stranger to me now. I want to get to know you, and it might take some time. I hope you can understand.”

  Luke grasped her hand, and held her gaze. “Take all the time you need, Beth. But it would make me really happy if we could marry this fall. I want to show you the place I built for us. We have fifty acres of land that we can farm and there’re plenty of rooms in the house for lots of bopplin.” His cheeks immediately reddened when he realized he’d gotten carried away in his excitement.

  Brianna just smiled as her cheeks blushed too. “I would love to see the place.”

  “I’d love to see the place too!” Jacob boomed as he clambered through the doorway.

  Luke abruptly put proper distance between himself and Brianna. He stood up from the table and placed his hat on his head. “I best be goin’ now. You’re comin’ to the youth gathering this Saturday, right?” Luke seemed as if he asked them both, and Brianna looked to Jacob for confirmation.

  “We might just do that. But I think I’m taking Sarah Anne home so you’ll have to find your own ride, Schweschder.” Brianna’s face heated again. Her brother couldn’t have been more presumptuous…or embarrassing.

  “No need to worry about that.” Luke tipped his hat and smiled before exiting the house.

  Brianna thought for sure her heart would sprout wings and fly right out of her chest. Could there ever be anyone sweeter than the man who had just walked out the door?

  <><><>

  Luke practically skipped home, grinning ear to ear. He combed his mind, arriving at the conclusion that he’d never been happier. Beth is home! Oh, but she’d never been so beautiful and sweet. Although he thought it odd that she couldn’t remember anything, apparently not even her Dietsch by the way she spoke. She sure had changed in the short time she’d been gone, but he realized most of her ignorance probably stemmed from her accident—not to mention the fact that she’d been in the world for the past two and a half years. She was bound to be different, he supposed.

  But none of that mattered. Elisabeth was here in Paradise and he’d even held her in his arms! Surely her scent would linger with him throughout the day and fill his dreams this night. And maybe, just maybe, he’d share his home with her someday. Hopefully, someday soon. Saturday couldn’t come quickly enough.

  He wasn’t sure what all she’d gone through out in the world, but was certain the accident and her subsequent amnesia had been beneficial. She had never seemed so vulnerable, so humble. Suddenly he’d been overcome with an overwhelming desire to love, comfort, and protect her. And the best way he could think to do that was by taking her as his bride. But first, he’d have to prove himself. Prove that he was worthy of her love.

  <><><>

  Chapter 8

  Elisabeth’s gaze moved over the many empty boxes in her apartment. She couldn’t believe that her friend Mattie was getting married. How different their lives had turned out from what they’d had planned as little girls. Back then, they were certain they’d be married to good, hardworking Plain men. They’d even role played sometimes. One of them would be the Amish man or a Mennonite man coming in from the fields after a hard day’s work, and the other would be the wife putting supper on the table and tending to the bopplin. Sometimes she’d even make her younger brother Jacob pretend that he was the Amish man.

  She smiled at the fond memory, and then shook her head at the absurdity of it all. Now she was engaged to a gorgeous, wealthy Englischer that made his living by trading on the stock market. The two images were complete polar opposites. Even so, she was still looking forward to a houseful of children.

  Mattie spoke up, pulling her out of her reverie. “What was that smile for?” She folded another one of her towels and placed it into a box.

  “I was just thinking of when we were kinner. Do you remember when we would pretend we were getting married?” She smiled at her childhood friend.

  Mattie’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I do. Poor Jacob, we always made him do our bidding.” She laughed.

  “I remember when you had a crush on Jake Yoder and you insisted Jacob pretend that he was him. Jacob had been furious about that. He didn’t want to because he secretly had a crush on you.”

  “No, he didn’t!” Mattie protested.

  “Yes, he did.” Elisabeth shook her head adamantly. “That’s why he kissed you after the ‘ceremony’!”

  Mattie laughed. “I remember that! I was so mad at him.” She shook her head. “And the whole time he was crushin’ on me. Oh, that’s so sweet.”

  Elisabeth laughed, a bittersweet moment to be sure.

  “And you liked Luke Beiler, even back then.”

  “I think most of my fascination with Luke was infatuation and his good looks.” Elisabeth decided.

  “I don’t know. I think it was more than that. All I remember is once Luke noticed you were alive, he was head over heels. No one could even hold a candle next to you in his mind’s eye.” Mattie reminisced. “How did you break it off with him? What did he say to you when you left?”

  Elisabeth suddenly turned serious. “I couldn’t tell him. I knew if I had to face him, then he’d talk me into staying. I couldn’t do it. So I just left a note.”

  Mattie cringed. “Oh, Lis. You can’t be serious! I bet poor Luke is dying of a broken heart even as we speak.”

  “Don’t say that. I feel bad, I really do. I guess I took the coward’s way out.” Elisabeth shrugged.

  “Well, I guess it’s all in God’s hands anyway. He has a way of making things turn out,” Mattie asserted.

  “Yes, He does. Doesn’t He? Thank you for reminding me of that, Mattie.” She gave her friend a hug. “Sometimes it’s hard not to second guess the choices I’ve made.”

  “I know what you mean. When life brings changes, I think we tend to do that more.” Mattie wiped away a tear. “I miss the old life sometimes. It was a lot of work, but it was simpler—slower-paced. But I know this is God’s will for me now. And God’s will is always best, whether we realize it at the time or not.”

  “I’m glad you’re marrying Richard. He’s a fine Christian man and I know he will love you,” Lis added.

  “Me, too.” Mattie took a deep breath. “So when does your new roommate move in?”

  “In two weeks. I guess that’ll be about the time you and Richard are cruising the Caribbean.” Elisabeth couldn’t help the envy that crept up.

  “I can’t wait!” Mattie shrieked. “Have you and Carson discussed a honeymoon yet?”

  “No, but I think I’d like to visit the Hawaiian Islands. Or maybe Fiji,” Elisabeth said dreamy-eyed.

  “This is crazy, you know! Two Plain little country girls living in New York City and marrying two fancy Englischers.” Mattie laughed.

  “Yes, well, neither of us will be marrying anyone if we don’t stop talking and get these boxes packed.” Elisabeth looked at the clock and realized half of the day had flown by. “And I have a date with my fancy Englischer tonight. We’re having dinner at his folks’ house.”

  <><><>

  Rachel made the short trek over to the Schrocks’ home to see how Elisabeth was faring. Since she lived just over on the other side of the hill, she’d always cut through the Schrocks’ pa
sture. One time, her mother had scolded her for tearing her dress on the fence post, so she had since learned to be more cautious.

  When she entered the neighbors’ property, she spotted Jacob out riding one of their painted mares. How she longed to join him. She enjoyed riding horses as well. Sometimes, when they were a bit younger, she and Jacob would ride together. That had come to an abrupt stop when her mother had found out about it. She insisted it wasn’t proper for a maedel to ride astride a horse—especially accompanied when by a young man. But it wasn’t before Rachel’s heart was stolen away. She thought maybe Jacob had feelings for her too, but after they stopped riding together he seemed to distance himself from her. She’d always wondered why.

  Jacob rode up to her with a smile and tipped his hat. “Would you like a lift?” His eyes sparkled.

  Oh, how she wished she could say yes. “Ach, I better not. Mamm doesn’t think it’s proper.”

  “Jah, sure, your mamm,” he said with a hint of sarcasm, rolling his eyes. “Whatever you say, Rachel.” And with a huff, he rode off in the opposite direction.

  Rachel swallowed the lump in her throat. Jacob didn’t have to be rude just because she wasn’t allowed to ride with him.

  Maybe she should quit holding out for Jacob’s affection and ride home with Jake Yoder at the next singing. It was obvious Jacob had no interest in her, so she may as well. Jacob hadn’t asked her to go riding in his buggy once, but she’d already had two offers from Jake. Although she didn’t care for him in a special way like she did Jacob, surely it wouldn’t hurt to be taken home by a good looking young man. Who knows? Maybe she’d come to care for Jake the way she did Jacob Schrock. It was unlikely, though. Jacob had been the only bu to make her heart flutter whenever he was around. She just wished he wasn’t so gruff with her.

  <><><>

  “Oh no! Not again!” Rachel heard Brianna’s voice cry from inside the house. Rachel quickly entered the back door and coughed when she was swallowed in a billow of smoke. She waved the smoke away from her eyes in an attempt to see her way to the stove.