The Shunning (13 page)

"I am so sorry, Atlee. I will not test you again," she promised. "I am ashamed of doing so this time."

"I did not enjoy making you cry, and if I did not love you, I would have walked away," he said. "You mean everything to me, Miriam."

She looked up at him and said, "I can feel how much you love me." It was a pitiful attempt at a joke, but she smiled, and so did he. "Could we wait a bit before we sit in the buggy? I hurt so much right now."

"And you will hurt for a couple of days," he informed her. He held her another few minutes and then said, "I need to see you home now, Miriam. Your parents will worry if you are very late."

"They like you, Atlee. If I need to tell them why we are late, I will be honest and explain. I am sure they would understand and support you. I have been warned several times by
Dat
and
Mamm
not to spread gossip. They will be happy with you for making your point so clearly."

"I do not wish for you to be embarrassed in front of your family." He felt that Sadie had suffered unduly the last two weeks since all of them knew of Samuel's displeasure with her.

"
Danki
, Atlee. You are a good man." She tried hard not to wince when he sat her on the buggy seat, but the ride home was hard on her bottom, even if her heart was singing in a way she did not understand. She'd expected to be furious with Atlee for punishing her, but, instead, she felt loved and cherished. The bletching proved to her that he was truly a man she could respect as well as love, and she was happier that she thought she could be. She could not wait to be baptized and welcomed into the community. Surely Atlee would formally propose then, and they would be married come fall.

* * *

Samuel was happy, and not even David's crisp, "Straight home with you, little sister," could put a damper on that.

"Do not worry, David. For once I am not in any trouble with Samuel," Sadie said, her eyes twinkling in good humor.

"Good," he replied, giving her a smile in return and nodding politely at Samuel. Even if his little sister did not understand his words, he knew Samuel did. It was not a time to test
Dat's
patience. He knew Sadie wanted to be allowed to court Samuel once they were both baptized, but
Dat
expected their obedience to his rules in the meantime. It would not do for either him or Atlee to reach home before their little sister.

"We will do nothing to upset your
Dat
, Sadie," Samuel told her. "It is not that much longer to wait for our courting days."

"I am trying to be patient," she said, looking forward to the long buggy ride home. "I had fun tonight, Samuel. You were so right about my behavior; at first, no one wanted me to sit in on their game. I realized how I was making others feel with my need to win all the time, and I learned it is sometimes just as much fun not to win. Or, if I must win, to do so with grace. Thank you for finally helping me to see that."

"You are welcome, Sadie." He changed the subject, and they spoke of other things. When she turned to look up at him, the moonlight bathed her face in a glow and he simply could not resist. He leaned down and kissed her. "I've wanted to do that all day," he admitted.

Sadie smiled and said, "I wouldn't mind if you did it again, Samuel." This time she was prepared when he lowered his lips to hers and she kissed him back, enjoying his kiss very much.

It was not long before they reached her home, and Samuel hated the thought of another two weeks of loneliness before he could hope to see her once again. "Oh, Samuel, how will we ever get through the next two weeks?" she asked, putting his thoughts into words.

"We will manage because we know this is necessary in order for your
Dat
to trust me with his little girl. Work on the quilt, Sadie, and help your
Mamm
. I will work harder on a few projects of my own, and the time will pass." He helped her down from the buggy and then walked her to the door. "Goodnight, Levi's Sadie." He gave her another little kiss, and then hurried to leave before he shamed himself.

* * *

Levi heard his daughter's footsteps on the steps and smiled to himself. Samuel was making it easier for him to give his blessing and he grew to respect him more each time he was around. Permitting Sadie to attend the singing tonight was a good idea, and the fact that she was home before either of her brothers spoke well of Samuel. Another month and they would both be baptized and he would allow them to court. He'd already told Martha that planting extra celery was a good idea, and she'd immediately teared up and said she couldn't believe their baby was already grown. Levi couldn't believe it, either, but all it meant was that he and Martha would have Sadie's
boppli
to look forward to.

Morning arrived early, but Levi rose and went downstairs at the usual time, knocking on doors as he went, waking the household so that everyone's chores could be done before work and school took them away from home. To his surprise, Sadie was already awake. "You are up early, daughter."

"
Ja
, I woke early and decided to get up and help Mama.
Dat
, why is it that time goes so slowly when you wish for it to go faster, and if there is something you don't wish to do, time rushes swiftly by?"

Levi had to laugh. "When you figure that one out, please come and share with me, Sadie. I have no answer. I also have no answer as to why one person thinks time passes swiftly while another thinks it passes slowly." He saw the unhappiness in her pretty eyes and said, "I do not mean to make light of your problem, daughter. Of course you wish the time to pass when you wish to be with Samuel. This is normal. I do not wish to be mean to you, but the time gives you both a chance to consider if a relationship is what you want. If you must know, I do like Samuel. He has done much to prove himself to me, and I do believe he is sincere in his commitment to the Amish way."

"Then why must we wait until we are baptized,
Dat
?" she asked.

"Because I love you, and you are still young, even if you do feel grown up. Perhaps the time is more for me, Sadie, so that I will have the time to accept the fact my eldest daughter is a grown woman now...? Another month will not be so long, will it?" he asked.

"It will seem like forever,
Dat
," she answered truthfully, but then added with a smile, "I will keep my promise to you, and so will Samuel. He respects you, and so do I."

"It will not be so long, Sadie," he told her, and then left the house for the barn. Atlee and David came down and filed out the door right after him. Martha came down, and was pleased to see that Sadie had a breakfast casserole ready to go into the oven. She started coffee.

"You look sad this morning," Martha said quietly. "Is something wrong, Sadie?"

"No, Mama. It is just that two weeks is a very long time to wait to see Samuel again."

"Yes, it is," she agreed, deciding she would ask Levi if they could have Samuel to dinner one night soon. "Your
Dat
was pleased when you were home in a timely manner last evening."

"We do not wish to do anything to upset
Dat
, Mama," Sadie said as she slipped the casserole in the oven.

"I suppose you allowed Samuel to bring you home again...?" Mary asked, a frown on her face.

"Of course I did, sister," Sadie replied.

"Mary, I thought your
Dat
and I made our feelings clear last evening on this subject?"

"You can forbid me to speak of Samuel and my feelings against him, but you cannot change what I am feeling,
Mamm
." With those words, Mary clamped her mouth shut and she started setting the table.

Sadie shook her head and ignored Mary. She told her Mamm about the singing, and what a great time she had. Martha laughed at some of the antics from some of the young crowd, and it wasn't long before the men came inside.

"
Kaffi
, please!" Atlee begged.

"It is ready, as is breakfast," Martha said with a laugh. "Mary, go and see what is keeping those children. Tell them I am going to take a stick to them if they are not down here in three minutes!" Mary gave her
Mamm
a dirty look, but she went to go after the younger kids, and her twin, who was known as a lay-a-bed in the mornings.

One by one the children came to the table, and Mary returned with her twin in tow. "We'll pray now," Levi said, and everyone bowed their head in silent prayer. Sadie gave thanks for Samuel and asked for patience to endure the next month with grace.

"You are in a silly mood this morning, Atlee," Martha said with a smile. "I take it you solved your problem?"

"Yes,
Mamm
, I did," he replied politely, then asked for more
kaffi
. Sadie got up to get the coffee pot and poured him another cupful. He looked up at her and smiled and mouthed, "
Danki
." Sadie was positive he was thanking her for more than the coffee and she gave him a smile, thankful that all was well between him and Miriam.

It was sometime later in the morning when Levi came inside to ask Martha for a thermos of coffee for himself and their sons. "It is cold outside this morning," he said.

"Well, I am glad you came up to see me, Levi. I have something to discuss with you. Could we invite Samuel to come for supper one evening this week?"

"No."

"Why not?" she asked, surprised by his reply.

"I want Sadie and Samuel to think about being together, to learn if it is really what they desire."

"That does not make sense, Levi. If you want those children to learn what they want, then they need time together to see if they suit. Keeping them apart only makes them long for each other."

"Wife, it has been a while since I disciplined you, but I have not forgotten how. There will be no courting until they are baptized, and that is final. I'll not have my wife aiding in defying me." He got up and headed outside, the
kaffi
forgotten.

Martha looked after him and shook her head. It had been too long since she reminded Levi that she also had a mind of her own, and that he wasn't always right!

Chapter Nine

Sadie tried to stay busy so she would have less time to miss Samuel, but even though her hands were busy, her mind managed to wonder what Samuel was doing and if he missed her as much as she missed him. The restaurant was busy now that winter was over and the tourists were returning to do their shopping in the small towns in the area known as 'Amish County'. Sadie was polite to all of the
Englishchers
, ready to smile, and she tried to answer the questions she could with a good spirit. Her tips grew for all the extra work she was doing, and she was pleased she could help out her family. Sadie was tired in the evenings when Wade came to drive her home, but she didn't complain. She helped her
Mamm
fix dinner, and once the dishes were done, she spent time working on her quilt. It was easy to dream about Samuel and their future together while she worked on the quilt that she hoped would eventually cover their bed.

It was Thursday when she arrived home, a bit later than usual. "I am sorry to be later than usual, Mama," she said as she hurried into the kitchen to see what she could do to help. "What would you have me do?"

"Set the table, please, Sadie," Martha said calmly. "We are expecting a guest, so add one more, please."

"Oh, you didn't say anything earlier, Mama," Mary said, looking at Martha in surprise. "Who is coming?"

"It is a surprise," Martha said, and then smiled nervously when there was a knocking at the front door. "There is our guest now. You girls take up supper." She hurried toward the living room and was there when Atlee answered the door. "Come in, Samuel," she invited. "I'm glad you could come."

"I've been looking forward to a home-cooked meal all week," Samuel said, smiling. "Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Miller. I really appreciate it." He looked around. "Where is Sadie?"

"She just got home from work, and I think she is going to be surprised to see you, Samuel.
Mamm
kept you a secret," David said teasingly, grinning until he saw the look on his
Dat's
face. It was clear as could be that Levi hadn't known of the invitation, either, and
Mamm's
guilty expression told all. "Come on, Samuel. We'll go and see what's for supper. I'm sure
Mamm
outdid herself since you're here."

Samuel followed him from the room, sensing that Levi knew nothing of the invitation. He didn't want to come between the Miller's, but as long as he was here, he wanted to say hello to Sadie.

"Samuel! What are you doing here?" Sadie squealed when she saw him standing there.

"Your
Mamm
invited me for supper," he explained, smiling at the obvious pleasure in her pretty eyes.

"I'm sure
Dat
didn't know... or approve!" Mary declared. "You'd best leave at once!"

"Mary, you're asking for a
bletching
, ain't so?" David demanded of the pretty blonde. "Since when do we treat guests so rudely in this home?"

"Mary, you are excused. Please go to your room at once and remain there." Levi was displeased that Martha disobeyed him and invited Samuel after she was told not to, but what was done was done, and he wouldn't shame his home or his wife by refusing hospitality to young Samuel. He would not tolerate Mary's behavior, either, and this time she'd gone too far. She was long overdue a spanking if she thought she could treat a guest in this home so rudely.

"I don't want to be the cause of trouble, sir," Samuel said as Mary ran from the room, crying.

"Samuel, you are welcome at my table, and if this is all it takes to see such a wonderful
goot
smile on my Sadie's face, then I am happy to see you. Martha, where are the little ones?" he asked pointedly.

"I'll get them,
Mamm
," Mark offered, hoping to check on Mary and make sure she was all right. She'd sure been bent on pushing
Dat
lately, and she was going to pay the price tonight. He just didn't understand why she was so dead set against Sadie courting with Samuel. Samuel was a good man and he would make Sadie a good husband.