The Gift (25 page)

Earlier, while Adam was gathering wood for the bonfire, Leah had stood watching the girls trying to catch frogs near the pond’s edge. Their laughter, as well as the excitement they still exuded after learning about the upcoming marriage, put a smile on Leah’s face. Already she felt as if they were a family.
How could this be wrong? Surely God would not object to me helping raise Adam’s nieces, whom I already love so much.

Leah had always enjoyed cookouts, especially roasting hot dogs over an open fire. But as the evening wore on, she found that with each bite she took, it was getting harder to swallow. Even with the hot dog on the verge of being burned and smeared with lots of mustard and relish, just the way she liked it, Leah couldn’t seem to enjoy it. Somehow she managed to take the last bite. That little bit of happiness she’d felt earlier had been replaced with apprehension. Was it too soon to be announcing their news? How would her friends react when Adam told them that he and Leah were planning to be married?

Elaine sputtered as smoke wafted from the fire in her direction then lifted into the air. “Oh my!” She coughed. “I thought I might have to move my seat, but it seems to be better now.”

Ben grabbed hold of her hand. “You know what I’ve always heard? ‘Smoke follows beauty.’”

“Behave yourself.” Elaine blushed while the others laughed.

Spending time with her two best friends had always been fun, and when times got tough, they’d been there for one another. But this evening, knowing the reason she and Adam were having this gathering, Leah felt tense and ill at ease. She couldn’t stop wondering what Elaine and Priscilla would think of her sudden plans to marry Adam. She swallowed hard, getting the last mouthful of her hot dog down as she watched Adam stand up to make his announcement.

“I’m glad you could all be here this evening,” he said, shifting his weight, as though unsure of himself. “Leah and I have an important announcement to make, and except for the girls and Leah’s parents, you are the first ones to know.”

With the glow of the fire, Leah could see that all eyes were focused on Adam as everyone got quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the croaking of a frog and the crackling wood in the flames of the fire. She held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

“Leah and I have decided to get married,” Adam proclaimed. “The wedding will take place the second Thursday in November, and we would like the four of you to be our witnesses.”

No one said anything at first, making Leah wonder if they all disapproved. Maybe the frogs approved, though, because now there was a chorus of them singing.

Finally, Ben left his seat and came around to shake first Adam’s and then Leah’s hand. “Congratulations.”

Elaine joined him, and after shaking Adam’s hand, she gave Leah a hug. But Leah suspected from the look on her friend’s face that she had some misgivings.

Priscilla and Elam came next, offering handshakes and hugs as well. Priscilla’s smile appeared to be forced, and Leah figured Priscilla wasn’t happy to hear this news, either. Since she couldn’t come right out and ask in front of the others, Leah decided to wait until she had a chance to speak with Elaine and Priscilla alone.

“Sure wish Leah could move in with us right now,” Linda said after Adam handed her another hot dog to roast. “November’s a long way off.”

Leah reached over and touched the child’s arm. “It’ll be here before we know it.”

“The girls are pleased that Leah and I getting married,” Adam spoke up.

“I imagine they would be, especially since Leah’s such a good cook.” Elam bumped Priscilla’s arm with his elbow. “Don’t you think Leah’s a good cook?”

Priscilla responded with a brief nod. Something was wrong, and Leah planned to find out what it was before the evening was out. Watching the tips of the flames as sparks disappeared into the air, Leah prayed that her friends would understand and be happy for her.

After everyone had eaten and the girls began roasting marshmallows, Leah gathered up the rest of the food and took it into the house. She was glad when Elaine and Priscilla came along, carrying some of the items.

“Are you in love with Adam?” Elaine asked the minute they entered the kitchen.

Placing the tray of food on the counter, Leah smiled and said, “Adam has many good qualities. I think he’ll be a good husband.”

“But do you love him?” Elaine repeated, setting her items on the table.

“Well, I…” Leah’s face heated. “Adam and I are not in love, if that’s what you mean, but we do respect each other.”

Priscilla’s gaze flicked upward. “Then you shouldn’t have agreed to marry him.”

“I agree with Priscilla,” Elaine interjected. “I’ve always felt that a person should marry for love.”

“I love Adam’s nieces. That ought to count for something.”

“Is that the reason you’ve agreed to marry Adam—because of the girls?” Priscilla crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“That’s mostly the reason,” Leah admitted. “He needs someone to be with the girls full-time. Even when Adam’s at home, he has a hard time managing things.”

“Have you prayed about this?” Elaine questioned.

“Well, not exactly, but I feel confident that—”

“So you’re going to make the ultimate sacrifice and marry Adam in order to make his life easier because he can’t take proper care of his nieces?” Priscilla uncrossed her arms and tapped her foot. “Look what happened when Elaine sacrificed her needs to take care of her grandma. She ended up losing the man she loved to another woman, who was more than happy to marry him, I might add.” Priscilla’s hands shook as she held them close to her sides.

Elaine’s chin quivered and her eyes filled with tears. “I thought you understood why I broke up with Jonah. I thought you supported my decision to put Grandma’s needs ahead of my own.”

“I did, but…” Priscilla turned and fled the room.

Leah watched as her friend dashed down the hallway and into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Stunned by Priscilla’s outburst and feeling sorry about what had been said, Leah slipped her arm around Elaine’s waist. “I’m sure Priscilla didn’t mean to hurt you. She’s just concerned about me marrying Adam and doesn’t want me to sacrifice my own needs.”

Elaine sniffed. “I don’t regret caring for Grandma. Jonah is happy being married to Sara, and I’m glad for them. Someday, Lord willing, I’ll find the right man and know the kind of joy Sara feels when she’s with Jonah.”

“What about Ben? He’s been courting you for a while now. He seems quite attentive tonight, so I assumed you two might be getting serious.”

Elaine twisted her finger around her head covering ties. “I enjoy being with Ben, but right now we’re just friends.”

“Friendship should always come first,” Leah said. “Perhaps it will blossom into love.” She cringed, thinking about her own situation.
Are Adam and I really friends?

Priscilla leaned against the bathroom door, sobbing and berating herself for the hurtful things she’d said to Elaine and Leah. She didn’t know what had come over her to spout off like that. Elaine and Leah were both good friends, and she’d never intentionally hurt either of them before. Yet that’s just what she’d done.

Pressing her hands against her forehead, Priscilla tried to figure out what had just happened.
When Elaine broke up with Jonah, I tried to be understanding and supportive. So what made me say what I did just now? I should have just congratulated Leah on her engagement to Adam and shown support, even if I’m concerned about her reason for marrying him. And I never should have brought up the topic of Jonah to Elaine. She didn’t deserve that.

More tears fell as Priscilla came to grips with her feelings. As much as she hated to admit it, she was jealous because Leah would soon be getting married. All these months Elam had been courting her and he’d never said a word about marriage. Yet Adam hadn’t courted Leah at all, and he’d asked her to marry him.

Of course,
she reasoned,
he only asked her because he needs a wife
—
someone to take care of his nieces and cook and clean.
If Adam and Leah were deeply in love, she’d be even more envious. And it hadn’t helped to hear Ben make that remark to Elaine about her beauty and then tenderly hold her hand. Priscilla felt even sorrier for herself. Elam had never said such sweet things to her, although he did sometimes hold her hand.

It wasn’t right to envy her friends, and she should never have taken her disappointment and frustration out on them. Grabbing a tissue from the vanity, she wiped her eyes and blew her nose. She owed Leah and Elaine a heartfelt apology.

When Priscilla stepped into the kitchen, she found Leah and Elaine sitting at the table. “I’m sorry for the way I acted and the horrible things I said.” She placed her hands on Elaine’s shoulders. “I do understand why you broke up with Jonah, and I shouldn’t have brought that up. I hope you will forgive me.”

Elaine reached back and patted Priscilla’s hand. “You’re forgiven.”

Priscilla touched Leah’s shoulder. “If you feel that marrying Adam is the right thing to do, then I’m happy for you.”

Leah smiled. “Danki. I appreciate that.”

“It’s hard for me to admit this,” Priscilla said, taking a seat across from them, “but the truth is, I’m jealous.”

Elaine’s forehead wrinkled. “About what?”

“I’ve known Elam since we were kinner, and we’ve been courting for several months, yet he hasn’t said a word about marriage. Makes me wonder if he’s stringing me along until someone better catches his eye. Or maybe Elam only sees me as a friend.”

“I’ve seen the dreamy way he looks at you,” Leah said. “No man looks at a woman like that unless he cares deeply for her.”

“Then why hasn’t he asked me to marry him?”

“Perhaps he’s afraid you’ll say no,” Elaine suggested.

Priscilla shook her head, gripping the tissue she held tightly in her fingers. “I wouldn’t say no.”

“Does Elam know that you love him?” Leah questioned.

“Well, he ought to. I think my actions have proved that. Surely he must realize that I would have broken things off with him by now if I didn’t love him.”

Elaine nodded. “But have you actually said the words?”

“Course not. That would be embarrassing. Besides, I think he should be the one to say it first, don’t you?”

Leah shrugged. “I suppose so, but then I’m no expert on love.”

“If my grandma were still alive, I’ll bet she’d say, ‘If you love someone, you ought to let them know; if not in word, then by your actions,’” Elaine put in.

“Is there something you could do to let Elam know you love him?” Leah asked.

“I’m not sure.”

“Maybe you could cook a tasty meal and invite him over for supper,” Elaine suggested. “You know what they say about the way to a man’s heart being through his stomach.”

Priscilla snickered. “I don’t think that would get a marriage proposal from Elam. He’s sampled my cooking several times, and even though he said what I fixed was good, he didn’t mention marriage.”

“You could let him know that you think he’s handsome and strong,” Elaine said. “His love language might be words of affirmation.”

Priscilla’s eyebrows lifted. “Love language?”

Elaine nodded. “There’s a book about it. According to the author, certain things cause a person to feel loved. One is words of affirmation, and then there’s—”

Linda tromped into the kitchen with her hands on her hips. Turning to Leah, she said, “Uncle Adam wants to know if you three are coming outside to roast marshmallows with us. He said if you’re not, then he’s gonna eat the whole bag himself.”

Laughing, Leah pushed back her chair and stood. Elaine and Priscilla did the same.

“Guess we’d better get out there,” Leah said, still chuckling, “because we sure wouldn’t want Adam to eat all the marshmallows and end up with a
bauchweh
.”

Linda shook her head. “No one likes to have a stomachache.”

Feeling a little better about things, Priscilla followed the rest of them out the door and headed toward the fire burning brightly in the yard. She wasn’t planning to tell Elam that he was handsome, but maybe there was something she could say that would let him know she thought highly of him. If words of affirmation really was his love language, maybe they would give him what he needed to finally pop the big question.