A VOW for ALWAYS Read online

  “Eat slowly now, because later, we’ll be having some of the pumpkin and apple pies the girls made this morning,” Henry said, nudging Luke’s arm with his elbow.

  “Dessert is the only thing Grandma will allow me and Susan to help with when Thanksgiving rolls around.” Anne winked at Norma, who still had a gleam in her eyes, watching everyone enjoy their meal.

  “We can’t forget the ice cream, either,” Susan chimed in as she reached for a second helping of mashed potatoes. “I got vanilla, and it’s a new brand that’s supposed to taste like homemade.”

  Luke felt blessed being a part of this meal. Even though he couldn’t remember any of his other Thanksgivings, he knew without a doubt that he’d never forget this one.

  Ronks

  Luann’s forehead beaded with perspiration as she scurried around the kitchen, stirring kettles, checking on the turkey roasting in the oven, and making sure everything was just right for Thanksgiving dinner. She didn’t know why, but she seemed to work best under pressure. A lot was happening in the next couple of weeks. In addition to Thanksgiving, Laurie and Kevin’s wedding would take place on the first Saturday of December, and there was still much to do in preparation for that.

  Keeping busy helped Luann not to worry so much, and she was worried right now—worried about Laurie becoming a missionary and concerned about Meredith and her relationship with Jonah. They’d been seeing a lot of each other lately. Luann figured it was just a matter of time before Jonah asked Meredith to marry him. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Jonah; he seemed very nice and was kind and attentive to both Meredith and Levi. She just had this nagging feeling that wouldn’t go away, and it troubled her, thinking Meredith might not be truly happy if she married Jonah.

  I can’t share my feelings about all of this with Meredith, Luann thought as she lifted the lid on the kettle of potatoes simmering slowly on the stove. I need to keep my opinion to myself and trust the Lord to work everything out for His good.

  She glanced out the window, wondering when their company would arrive. At Meredith’s suggestion, Luann had invited Jonah and his folks to join them for Thanksgiving. Kevin and his parents would be here, as well as Sadie and Elam, so the house would be full when they sat down for the holiday meal.

  “We’re just about done here now,” Laurie said when Luann poked her head into the dining room and found Laurie and Meredith putting the finishing touches on the two large tables that had been set up to accommodate their family and guests.

  Luann smiled. “Things are getting done in the kitchen now, too, so once our company arrives, we should be able to eat.”

  Meredith stepped over to Luann. “Before everyone gets here, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about, Mom.”

  Luann’s mouth went dry. Has Jonah already proposed? Is that what Meredith wants to say?

  “Is anyone else in the kitchen?” Meredith asked.

  “Not at the moment,” Luann replied. “My mamm went to her room to change her dress; your daed and brothers are in the barn; and Kendra’s keeping the younger ones occupied in the living room.”

  Meredith motioned to the kitchen door. “Let’s go in there so we can talk.”

  When they entered the kitchen, both women took a seat at the table. “What’d you want to talk to me about?” Luann asked.

  “I’ve found someone to rent my house, and I was wondering if Levi and I could move back here for a while—until things improve for me financially.”

  Luann took Meredith’s hand and clasped her fingers. “You and Levi are welcome to stay here for as long as you like.”

  “Danki, Mom, I appreciate that. I know you and Dad have your hands full, but with Laurie getting married and leaving soon, I can be here to help out.”

  Luann breathed a sigh of relief. Since Meredith would be moving in with them, maybe she wouldn’t feel the need to marry Jonah, should he ask. She and the baby would be surrounded by their family, and Luann would make sure their needs were met, even if it meant making some sacrifices. After all, that’s what families were for.

  When Meredith returned to the dining room, she was pleased to see that Laurie had filled the glasses with water and everything was ready. Now all they had to do was wait until their company arrived.

  “I think I’d better see how Mom is doing,” Laurie said, brushing past Meredith on her way to the kitchen.

  Meredith smiled. She knew her sister was getting nervous about her upcoming wedding, which was probably why she wanted to keep busy. Meredith understood that. She’d felt the same way before she and Luke were married.

  Meredith moved to the window and stared out toward the barn. She could hear joyous sounds of laughter coming from the yard, where her younger brothers raced through the fallen leaves, chasing each other, as well as the dog they’d recently acquired. He’d been abandoned at the schoolyard, and the boys had brought the mutt home. Of course, Mom couldn’t say no to their sad looks, so now Freckles, the brown-andwhite mixed terrier, had a new home.

  Meredith’s thoughts went to Fritz. When she and Levi moved here, she’d have to bring the dog along. She wondered how well he’d get along with Freckles. If it turned out to be a problem, she might have to ask Luke’s folks to take Fritz. That had been his home before Luke and Meredith got married, so maybe he’d be happy there.

  Meredith was glad Luke’s parents had been invited to join them for dinner. Since none of Luke’s siblings had been able to come for Thanksgiving, Sadie and Elam would have been alone today if Mom hadn’t extended the invitation.

  Meredith had been feeling a lot better about things since Sadie now accepted the idea of her being courted by Jonah. She hadn’t said anything to Mom or anyone else in the family, but she had a feeling Jonah would ask her to marry him sometime in the spring. She’d begun praying about what her response should be. She cared deeply for Jonah and was sure he would be a good father to Levi. But did she love Jonah enough to be the kind of wife he deserved?

  Pushing her thoughts aside, Meredith noticed the low-hanging clouds that threatened to unleash the drizzle that had been predicted for Lancaster County. That was okay with her. She was never disappointed when Thanksgiving Day was overcast or even snowy. It was sort of a prelude to the Christmas season.

  Continuing to stare out the window, as her breath steamed the glass, Meredith looked beyond the yard into the fields, catching sight of the baled hay that was ready to be brought into the barn.

  Suddenly, an image of Luke came to mind, and she was reminded of last Thanksgiving, when they’d had the meal at their house. They’d invited both of their families to join them for the feast, and everyone had been in good spirits throughout the day. Even though Meredith had been a bit frazzled getting everything ready that morning, the meal and all the trimmings she’d prepared had turned out quite well.

  Meredith rested her forehead against the cool window glass and sighed. When she’d first learned that Luke had been killed, she’d felt guilty for all the times they’d disagreed on things and thought she could never be happy again. Now, just ten months later, she felt a sense of peace, and a reason to go on living. Not only had God blessed her with a precious son, but now she had Jonah and his friendship.

  Soon everyone would be sitting around the tables. It would be wonderful to enjoy Thanksgiving with those who meant so much to her.

  My son is blessed, even though he doesn’t know it yet, she thought. If things work out between me and Jonah, Levi might end up having three sets of loving grandparents instead of the normal two. Well, I shouldn’t let my thinking get carried away; Jonah hasn’t asked me to marry him yet.

  Meredith headed back to the kitchen to help with any last-minute tasks. One thing she wanted to make sure was that when all the family sat down to dinner, the bowl of mashed potatoes would be sitting right next to her plate. Everyone knew Meredith got first dibs on her favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast.

  CHAPTER 4

  Bird-in-Hand

  Where’s
Dad?” Jonah asked when he stepped into the living room and found his mother on the sofa by herself. “We need to leave now if we’re gonna be on time for Laurie and Kevin’s wedding.”

  “He went out to the buggy shop. Said he wanted to check on something before we left,” she replied.

  Jonah grunted. “He picked a fine time to be doing that. We should be on the road already.”

  Mom flapped her hand. “Ach, Jonah, just relax. You’d think you were the one getting married today.”

  Wish I were, Jonah thought. I’d give nearly anything to be marrying Meredith today. I just need to be patient and wait till the time is right.

  “Think I’ll go out and see what’s taking Dad so long,” he said.

  Mom rolled her eyes. “Go ahead if you must, but I think you’re being too impatient.”

  As Jonah headed out the back door, he heard Herbie barking. Then he caught sight of the dog running out of the buggy shop, yipping like his tail was on fire.

  “What’s the matter, boy?” Jonah asked when Herbie dashed up to him and started pawing at his pant leg.

  Woof! Woof! The dog raced back to the buggy shop, as though he was trying to coax Jonah to follow.

  Sensing that something was amiss, Jonah quickened his steps. When he stepped into the buggy shop, he found Dad trapped between a buggy and the floor.

  “Dad!” Jonah hollered, rushing across the room. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

  “Th–the buggy…slipped off the prop…and has me pinned,” Dad panted in raspy breaths. “It’s…tight against my…chest and hard…to breathe.”

  “Stay calm, Dad; I’ll get you out of there,” Jonah said, trying to compose himself.

  Using strength he didn’t know he had, he lifted the buggy off Dad and put its frame back on the prop where it had been.

  Dad stood, but after a few seconds, he started to fall. Jonah was able to catch him and help him lie on the floor. “It’s okay, Dad; I’ve got you.”

  Dad’s breathing improved, and the color started coming back to his face. “Just stay put,” Jonah instructed. “I’m going to the phone shack to call 911.”

  Just then, Jonah’s mother rushed into the shop. “What happened?” she asked, with a look of alarm.

  “Go to Dad!” Jonah pointed to the spot where Dad lay on the floor. “He got pinned under the buggy, but he’s breathing somewhat better now. Stay with him while I go and call for help.”

  Paradise, Pennsylvania

  Meredith smiled as she watched Laurie and Kevin take their places at the front of the Mennonite church, in readiness to say their vows. Joy radiated from both their faces, and Laurie looked lovely, wearing a modest, beautiful, white satin dress. Kevin, dressed in a dark suit and white shirt, looked equally handsome.

  As the young couple looked lovingly into each other’s eyes, Meredith’s thoughts went to Luke. It was hard to believe he’d been gone nearly a year. So much had happened since then—Levi’s birth, putting their house up for rent, and now being courted by Jonah, a man Luke had never met. But over the last couple of days, Meredith had sensed that if Luke had known Jonah, he would have had a good opinion of him, just like everyone else in their community did.

  Continuing to watch her sister’s wedding, it was hard for Meredith not to think about the day she’d wed Luke. Other than the birth of her son, her wedding had been the happiest day of her life. She and Luke had been joyous, filled with dreams for the future.

  Things had changed the day Luke left for Indiana. No one planned for disaster. Without warning, tragedy had ripped her heart out. But as much as she hadn’t wanted it to happen, life had moved forward one step at a time.

  Meredith glanced around the church. I wonder where Jonah is. He and his folks had been invited to the wedding, and they’d said they would be here. It seemed strange that they hadn’t come. It made Meredith wonder if everything was okay. Surely they hadn’t forgotten.

  She closed her eyes and offered a prayer: Be with the Millers, Lord, and if they’re on the road with their horse and buggy, please keep them safe.

  Philadelphia

  “I appreciate you coming with me today,” Susan said as she and Luke entered a furniture store on the outskirts of the city. “Grandpa’s old chair is getting pretty worn, so Anne and I want to get him a new one for Christmas.” She smiled at Luke. “I really need a man’s opinion.”

  He grinned back at her, and her heart nearly melted. Not counting Grandpa, she’d never felt so relaxed and contented with any man the way she did with Luke.

  “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be,” he said, “but I can try out a few chairs and let you know which ones feel comfortable to me.”

  “That’s all I want.” Susan led the way through the store to the section where sofas, recliners, and rocking chairs were sold. “Here’s a nice blue one.” She motioned to a larger recliner. “Take a seat and tell me what you think.”

  Luke sat down and stood back up almost immediately. “That one’s too big, and it wasn’t very comfortable. The chair would swallow him up, I think.”

  “Okay. How about that one over there?” Susan pointed to a tan recliner that also rocked and swiveled.

  Luke sat down, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. He stayed like that for several minutes, causing her to wonder if he’d fallen asleep. Susan was about to give his arm a shake, when his eyes popped open. “This chair feels good to me. I think your grandpa would like it.”

  Susan smiled. She hadn’t expected they would find one so quickly. “Great! I’ll talk to the salesman and see if I can put some money down on the chair and then pay the rest before Christmas. You can wait there if you like.” She giggled. “Just don’t fall asleep.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows playfully as he started to rock the chair. “I’ll try not to.”

  Susan headed to the counter, where the salesman waited on another customer. When he was done, it didn’t take him long to write up the paperwork for Susan’s purchase. She returned to where she’d left Luke, but he wasn’t there.

  Susan glanced around and was relieved to see Luke standing beside a beautiful oak dining-room table that could have easily seated ten or twelve people. He was bent over, looking closely at the table, and rubbing his hand over the wood grain with an odd expression. “Luke, is something wrong?” she asked, approaching him.

  He straightened and blinked his turquoise eyes. “I used to work in a furniture store.”

  As they got closer to Darby, Luke stared out the window of Susan’s car, barely noticing the snowflakes coming down. All he could think about was the fact that he’d remembered having worked in a furniture store. But where was that store? Did he own it or work for someone else? Had he been a salesman there, or was he a woodworker who built some of the furniture?

  Luke leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Why can’t I remember the details? Will my past ever come fully back to me?

  “Are you okay?” Susan asked, reaching across the seat to touch his arm.

  “I’m fine. Just thinking, is all.”

  “About having worked in a furniture store?”

  “Yeah. I wish the pieces would come to me. I’m tired of struggling to remember who I am,” Luke murmured in frustration. “I know I should be happy that even a little bit is emerging about myself, but I get discouraged when I can’t recall the rest of it.”

  “You know that your name is Luke, and I think you’re on the verge of getting your memory completely back, so cling to that.”

  Susan sounded so sincere, Luke almost believed her. Maybe these little flashes of memory he kept having were a sign that he was on the threshold of remembering everything about his past.

  “I can’t believe how hard it’s snowing; especially when it wasn’t doing anything when we left home,” Susan said, motioning to the heavy flakes hitting the front window. It looked as if they had the makings for a full-blown snowstorm. The windshield wipers could hardly keep up.

  “I love the snow, but I don’t l
ike to drive in it,” Susan said, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the steering wheel.

  Luke wished he could offer to take over the driving, but he didn’t know whether he’d ever driven a car. Besides, he didn’t have a driver’s license.

  “I don’t think the weatherman said anything about getting a lot of snow this morning,” Susan observed. “He did say a few snow squalls could move through our area, and sometimes those squalls can give us a couple inches when all’s said and done,” she added.

  Knowing she was nervous and wanting to keep the conversation light, Luke grinned at her and said, “Hey, if the snow keeps up like this, maybe we can build a snowman when we get home.”

  She nodded and seemed to relax a bit. “That sounds like fun.”

  Paradise

  “Congratulations to both of you,” Meredith said as she greeted her sister and new brother-in-law with a hug. “I hope you’ll both be very happy.”

  “I know we will.” Laurie’s face beamed as she clung to her groom’s hand.

  Kevin smiled down at her. “With God at the center of our lives, every day will be an adventure.” He nodded at Meredith. “I want you to know that I’ll take good care of your sister.”

  She poked his arm playfully. “You’d better, or you’ll have to answer to me.”

  “I sure wouldn’t want that.” He winked at Meredith.

  “Where’s Jonah?” Laurie asked. “I thought he and his folks were coming to the wedding.”

  “They were planning to,” Meredith replied. “Something must have happened.” It had started snowing during the ceremony, and now the roads were covered. She didn’t voice her concerns to Laurie, but she was worried about Jonah. It wasn’t like him to say he was going to do something and not follow through. Maybe he and his folks had been in an accident.

  “We’d better go into the fellowship hall,” Kevin said, smiling at Laurie. “Everyone’s gathered for the reception.”