On Her Own (30 page)

“One sounds fine.”

“And if you have the time, I’d like to discuss something with you then,” he added.

“I’ll make the time,” she replied in a shaky voice. Was Paul going to tell her that he’d decided to return to Pennsylvania? Or could he have something else on his mind?

J
ohn’s hands trembled as he tied his horse to the hitching rail near Margaret Hilty’s barn. Last night, he’d told his girls of his intention to marry Margaret and was pleased that they’d actually approved. Mary had spoken up right away and said she hoped Margaret would say yes because she was surely a good cook. And when John had explained that he’d fallen in love with Margaret, Betty had said she was glad he’d decided to marry for love and not merely for convenience. John had assured his daughters that he would always love their mother, and they’d said they knew that. Nadine had even told him that she thought he deserved to be happy again.

When John had gotten up this morning, he’d decided this was the day he would ask Margaret to marry him. He prayed she would be receptive to the idea and wouldn’t take offense
because she hadn’t been widowed a year yet.

John found Margaret bent over one of her flower beds, pulling weeds. “Wie geht’s?” he asked.

“I’m doing fairly well, thanks to the love and support of all my family and friends.” She straightened and offered him a sincere smile. “I saw your buggy come in and wondered if you’d come by to see me or my son-in-law, Jake.

“Came to see you.” John shifted from one foot to the other while he raked his fingers through the back of his hair. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something important.”

“Oh? What’s that? Is Barbara needing more help in her yard?”

“She probably does, but that’s not the reason I came by today. Could we find a place to sit while we talk?” he asked, as his stomach did a little flip-flop when she smiled at him again.

“Jah, sure. I’m in need of a break anyhow, so let’s have a seat over there.” Margaret took off her work gloves and pointed to a spot on her back porch where several wicker chairs sat.

“Sounds good to me.” John followed Margaret across the yard, and after she was seated, he lowered himself into the chair next to hers.

“Would you like something to drink?” she asked. “A cup of coffee or something cold?”

“Maybe a cup of coffee, but not until I’ve said what’s on my mind.”

Margaret’s pale eyebrows puckered. “You look so serious, John. Is there something wrong?”

He shook his head. “Not wrong, really. But there is. . .uh. . .something I need to ask you.”

“What is it?”

John swiped his tongue over his lower lip, wishing now he had taken her up on the offer of something to drink. But he needed to get this said before he lost his nerve. “I. . .uh. . .well, during the time we’ve spent visiting these past few months, I’ve come to realize that we have much in common.”

She nodded slowly.

He leaned slightly forward and stared at the porch floor, unable to make eye contact with her. “I’ve become quite fond of you, Margaret, and I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent together.”

“I’ve enjoyed being with you, as well.”

He lifted his gaze and turned to face her. “Enough to become my wife?”

Margaret’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened in obvious surprise. “You—you want to marry me?”

He nodded. “I know it hasn’t been a year yet since Dan died, but I’m willing to wait until the proper time if you feel it’s too soon.”

Margaret’s cheeks turned pink, and she placed both hands against them. “Ach, my! This is such a surprise. I never expected—”

He held up one hand. “I’m sorry if I’ve been too bold—too presumptuous. Maybe I’m out of line in thinking—”

She shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s just that I’m a few years older than you, and I—well, I thought you were interested in Barbara Zook.”

“You did?”

“Jah. In fact, someone mentioned not long ago that you had asked Barbara to marry you. So I just assumed—”

He lifted his hand again. “I can’t deny it. I did ask Barbara to marry me, but not because I’m in love with her.”

“Why, then?”

“I thought she needed someone to protect her.”

Margaret tipped her head as she pursed her lips. “Protect her from what?”

John swallowed hard. He couldn’t come right out and tell Margaret that he thought her brother-in-law was out to get Barbara’s harness shop. On the other hand, he couldn’t think of any sensible reply.

“What do you think Barbara needs protecting from?” Margaret persisted.

“I. . .uh. . .well, she’s been so tired since her boppli was born, and it’s getting harder for her to run the harness shop. I felt it was my duty as her bishop, and as David’s friend, to see that she and her boys were cared for and that no one came along and took advantage of her.” He reached up to swipe at the sweat rolling down his forehead. He decided it wouldn’t be right to tell Margaret that he had originally been looking for a younger wife who could give him more children. “I’ve come to realize that it wouldn’t be right for me to marry Barbara when it’s you I love.”

Margaret stared at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. After several seconds, she turned to face him and smiled. “When the proper time has elapsed for me to set aside my mourning clothes, I would be honored to marry you, John Frey.”

“I would be equally honored.” He reached over and took hold of her hand. “Now, if that offer of something to drink is still open, I think I’ll take a glass of cold water.”

On Saturday afternoon, Barbara was about to begin working on a new harness for Noah Hertzler when she spotted John Frey’s rig coming up the driveway. Since her father was in the back room taking stock of their supplies, she knew she would have to be the one to wait on the bishop.

A few minutes later, John entered the harness shop wearing a grin as wide as the Missouri River. “Just came by to share my good news,” he said, removing his hat.

“What news is that?”

John looked around, as though worried that someone might hear them. “Are we alone?”

“Dad’s here, but he’s in the back room right now.”

“I have some news I wanted to share with you, but for now, I’d rather not tell anyone else. I would ask that you not mention it to anyone, either.”

“Whatever you say won’t leave this room,” Barbara promised.

“I’ve just come from seeing Margaret Hilty, and she’s agreed to become my wife.”

Barbara smiled. “That’s good news. The last time we talked, you said you wanted to marry her.”

“Jah, I was just waiting for the right time to ask.” He twisted the brim of his straw hat in his hands. “We won’t marry until Margaret’s set her mourning clothes aside, of course.” He took a step closer to Barbara. “Are you going to be okay here on your own? If I thought for one minute that you—”

She shook her head. “There’s no need for you to worry about
me, Bishop John. I’m praying about what God would have me do with the harness shop, and I’m confident that He’ll show me the way.”

He patted her arm in a fatherly fashion. “Jah, I’m sure He will.”

Paul was glad the hay had finally been harvested and that his dad had no problem with Paul taking off to go fishing with Aaron.

“It sure is a nice day for fishing,” Pop said as Paul hitched the horse to his buggy. “Bet they’ll be bitin’ real good, too. Won’t be long before the weather will be turning cold.”

“How about you and me going fishing sometime next week?” Paul asked.

“Sounds good. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Pop gave him a nod. “I hope you and Aaron enjoy your day.”

Paul grinned and hopped into the open buggy. “I’m sure we will.”

Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into the Zooks’ yard, eager to take Aaron fishing and anxious to see the boy’s mother. Much to Paul’s chagrin, he noticed Bishop Frey standing outside the harness shop talking to Barbara. As far as Paul was concerned, the older man stood much too close to the woman Paul wanted to make his own.

He clamped his teeth together and jumped down from the buggy.

Trying not to appear as though he were eavesdropping, Paul stroked his horse behind the ear and strained to hear what the
two of them were saying.

“I’m glad you agree,” John said, giving Barbara a wide smile. “I think we’ll be very happy together.”

Barbara nodded in return. “I think so, too.”

A knot formed in Paul’s stomach, and he nearly doubled over from the pain. Apparently, Barbara had decided to accept the bishop’s marriage proposal. Paul felt like climbing back into his buggy and heading straight for home, but just then, Aaron rushed across the yard waving his fishing pole and grinning from ear to ear. Even though Paul wasn’t in the mood to go fishing now, he had promised the boy, so he would see it through. When he brought Aaron home, however, he planned to tell Barbara he was leaving Webster County for good. He’d come back home planning to stay only a few weeks but had ended up staying several months. There was no point in him staying any longer.

With a sigh of resignation, Paul helped Aaron into the buggy, gave a halfhearted wave to Barbara, and pulled out of the yard.

“Sure have been lookin’ forward to this day,” Aaron said, nudging Paul’s arm.

Paul nodded. “Me, too.”

As they rode in companionable silence, Paul relished the sounds of birds singing from the trees lining the road and the steady
clip-clop
of the horse’s hooves against the pavement. It was quiet and peaceful on this stretch of road. For that matter, all of Webster County was quiet compared to the area he’d left back in Pennsylvania. Paul would miss all of this, and he sure wished he could stay. But it would be hard to stick around and watch Barbara become the bishop’s wife. Of course, if she married John, she would probably decide to sell the harness shop. Paul
could offer to buy the place, and that would mean he could stay here and live near his folks. But owning the harness shop didn’t hold nearly the appeal anymore. Not without Barbara at his side. No, the best thing he could do was return to Pennsylvania and try to forget he’d ever allowed himself to foolishly fall in love with Barbara.

Aaron poked Paul’s arm again, pulling him out of his musings. “Sure can’t wait to catch me some big old fish today.”

Paul smiled. “I hope they’re biting real good.”

A short time later, they pulled up by the pond. Paul hopped down and secured his horse to a tree while Aaron ran off toward the water.

They spent the next few hours sitting on a large rock, visiting and fishing. Paul was pleased that they’d each hooked a couple of big catfish. It would give Aaron something to take home to show his mother, and Paul would have some fish to contribute to his meal at home tonight.

“Guess it’s time for us to head for home,” Paul finally said, reeling in his line.

“Do we have to go so soon? It seems like we just got here.”

“It’s getting close to supper,” Paul said, ruffling the boy’s hair. “And I don’t want your mamm to worry about you.”

“Aw, she won’t worry ’cause she knows I’m with you.”

“Even so, I think it’s time for us to go.”

“You gotta catch me first!” Aaron hopped up and started running along the banks of the pond.

Paul set his pole aside and quickly followed. He’d almost caught up to Aaron, when the boy’s foot slipped on a rock, and he fell toward the pond. Paul reached out his long arm and
grabbed Aaron just in time. “Got you!”

Aaron looked up at Paul, his dark eyes wide and his mouth hanging slightly open. “You did it again, Paul. That’s the second time you’ve saved my life.”

“I don’t really think your life was in danger this time, Aaron. I just saved you from a chilly dunking, that’s all,” Paul said, his voice thick with emotion.

“I hope you stay in Webster County forever.” Aaron clung to Paul’s arm. “ ’Cause I sure do need you.”

Paul swallowed around the lump lodged in his throat. He knew he would be leaving soon, but he sure didn’t want to go.