A Change of Heart

Chapter Twenty one

BISHOP EBERSOL GRANTED PERMISSION FOR AUNTIE RUTH to be buried in the Amish cemetery, even though she wasn’t a member of the Old Order. Aaron’s parents explained that Ruth didn’t have any other family, and since Ruth was Amish by birth, the bishop had agreed. An autopsy was waived because Aaron’s mother found Ruth’s medical records in her suitcase, along with all of her affairs neatly in order. She’d had chronic heart disease.

Leah looked for Aaron amid the crowd of people in attendance at the funeral. She recalled the way his bottom lip had trembled when he drove her home after hearing the news three days ago. He’d hurriedly kissed her on the cheek when he dropped her off, and Leah suspected he was anxious to be away from her to experience his emotions. Leah had cried when Abner told them the news, but Aaron had clamped his lips tight and merely nodded. Leah hadn’t seen him again until now.

She scanned the Lantzes’ den, surprised at how many people in the community were in attendance to pay their respects to Ruth. But as she overheard various conversations going on around her, she realized that Ruth had touched a lot of people.

“Remember when the Miller family suffered such tragedy when young Lizzie died four years ago?” she heard Amanda Graber’s mother say to her husband. “Ruth stood guard outside the gate and kept those pesky reporters away.”

Katharine Graber paused. “She certainly had a good heart.”

Leah walked across the room as people began to take their seats. Rebecca Miller was standing in a corner talking to Ben. Leah knew funerals were tough for Rebecca and her entire family. She was glad Ben was nearby, but Leah wondered if those two would ever become a couple. Rebecca seemed to be lost inside herself and kept most everyone at a distance. Particularly Ben. Leah reminded herself to say an extra prayer for Rebecca tonight.

“Did you know that Ruth helped to deliver you?” Leah’s mother whispered to her as they took their seats.

Leah didn’t know, and she turned toward her mother. “Really?”

“Ya. The midwife had taken ill, and Ruth filled in like she’d delivered a baby a hundred times.” Her mother smiled. “Turned out, you were her first.”

The room grew quiet, and Leah found Aaron sitting on the far side of the room with the men. Her heart hurt when she saw him hastily swipe at his eyes, and she wanted to run to him, hold him, comfort him.

During the two-hour funeral, many voiced their respect for Ruth, but the focus was on admonition for the living, as was the Old Order Amish way.

Following the service, they all made their way to the buggies, and the caravan accompanied Ruth to her final resting place where a hand-dug grave awaited. Her modest tombstone had been prepared, plain like the others in the cemetery.

When the bishop closed the outdoor part of the service, Leah knew that Aaron would stay behind to help close Ruth’s grave, so she left with her family to go back to the Lantz house where a meal would be served.

It was nearly two hours later when Aaron and Leah finally found some quiet time to talk, around the back side of the barn. Once they were alone and out of sight, Aaron wrapped his arms around Leah and kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

Leah burrowed her head against Aaron’s shoulder and basked in the feel of his arms, a place that felt safe and somehow . . . right. He gently eased away from her and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a red piece of paper, just like the one their notes had been written on.

“Mamm gave me this when I got home from our picnic.” Aaron handed Leah the note. “She was—she was writing us . . .” Aaron’s voice broke. “Auntie Ruth was writing a letter to you and me just before she died.”

Leah gasped. “What? Why?”

“Read it.” Aaron swallowed hard.

Leah unfolded the crumpled red piece of paper, took a deep breath, and read silently.

My dear Aaron and Leah,

I’m getting ready to lie down for a nap this wonderful afternoon. The birds are chirping, and it’s a beautiful day outside. But, Aaron, I ate your mother’s peas, and you know what those do to me. Got a bellyache. Feels like I swallowed a watermelon. Do her peas do that to you?

Leah smiled. Auntie Ruth wrote just like she lived. A maze of thoughts that somehow made sense.

Anyways, Leah and Aaron, I have you two on my mind this fine day. I’m sure you done figured out that it’s your old auntie who set the two of you up. Sneaky, ain’t I? But you two kids belong together. And all this moping around is a waste of God’s precious time that He allows us on this earth. Yes, Leah—I hear from Edna and Abner that you’ve been doing your share of moping around your house too.

Leah didn’t look up, but she could feel herself blushing.

Do you know that right now there are two redbirds sitting on my windowsill? They’re lovely. I think they’re a couple. I can tell these things.

So I hope my little plan brought the two of you together, as that was my intention. I’m tired now. Very tired. So I’ll close. Sending you both a big hug. Aaron, you’re my favorite, but don’t tell the others. Love, Auntie Ruth

Leah folded the letter up and handed it back to Aaron. She blinked back tears as she gazed into his eyes. “Aaron . . . ,” she whispered.

He kissed her again, this time on the lips, and Leah wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms forever.

Marian walked toward her husband. Most of the funeral attendees had left, and James was sitting alone at a picnic table in the Lantzes’ yard with his head in his hands. She sat down beside him.

“I saw you talking to Aaron earlier.” She put her hand on his leg. “It looked like a serious talk.”

“Ya. It was.” James shook his head, turned toward Marian. “He wants to marry our Leah in the fall. This fall.”

Marian jumped, then reached for James’s hand. “Ach! James! That’s wonderful! This is what we’ve been hoping, that Leah would find a gut mate and wed.”

“Ya, ya. I know.” James sighed. “But three weddings? We will have Edna’s, Mary Carol’s, and Leah’s weddings all within two months of one another.”

She squeezed her husband’s hand. “It will be fine, James.” Then she nudged him playfully. “Think how quiet it will be around our house.”

He smiled. “Ya. I reckon so.”

They sat quietly for a few moments. Marian was thankful for the slightly cooler temperatures, but the sun was bright as she raised her hand to her forehead and looked across the yard.

“Uh-oh,” she said. Then she nudged James again and pointed toward a couple over by the barn.

“No, no, no.” James shook his head as his face twisted in disbelief. “Not Kathleen too! Go over there and tell them not to be gettin’ any notions in their heads!”

Marian laughed aloud. “Now, James,” she warned, “you wouldn’t want me to do that.”

“She’s only sixteen,” he mumbled.

“Ya. It’s young for marriage, but I was only sixteen when I married you.” She laid her head on his shoulder, and they watched their youngest daughter grinning and talking with Mark Huyard.

Marian glanced to the porch where Mary Carol, Saul, Edna, and Abner were all sitting. Then she spotted Leah and Aaron chatting beneath an oak tree near the barn.

Marian wrapped her hands around James’s arms and squeezed. “We’re very blessed to have such wonderful daughters.”

He twisted his head, kissed her lightly on the lips, and smiled. “Ya. We are.”

Marian closed her eyes and silently thanked God for all she’d been blessed with. Not only for her four daughters, but for the wonderful man sitting next to her, whom she was just as in love with today as the day they married.

Aaron latched onto Leah’s hand and helped her up from their spot beneath the oak tree. “I have something else for you.” He motioned toward the double doors that led into the barn.

“Yesterday I went to town for Mamm to run some errands, and this was in the window of a little shop off Lincoln Highway.” Aaron pushed the barn door open with his shoulder and coaxed her inside. He pointed to a workbench against the wall.

Leah gasped. “That’s for me?” She dropped his hand and hurried to the bench, toward the typewriter sitting on top of it.

“It’s old. I think it’s an antique. And not electric, of course. But you said you wanted one.”

Leah caressed the black machine, surprised at what good shape it was in.

“It works too.” Aaron rolled the piece of paper that was already inserted upward. He eased her aside and began to type. I love you.

Leah bit her bottom lip, blinked hard, and turned to face him.

He kissed her gently on the lips, lingering there for what seemed like an eternity. Then he pulled back, cupped her cheeks in his hands, and said, “Leah, you’re never gonna be a traditional Amish fraa, and I’ll probably have to live on chicken salad and tomato pie for the rest of my life . . . but I’ve loved you since I saw you the first day of school.” He paused, took in a deep breath.

Leah could feel her heart pounding against her chest.

“I love your stories. I love the person you are. I just love—I just love you.”

“Oh, Aaron.” Leah wrapped her arms around him. Then she pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes. “I’ll try to learn how to make something besides chicken salad and tomato pie.”

“Love me, Leah.” He kissed her again.

“I do.”





READING GROUP GUIDE

*Guide contains spoilers, so don’t read before completing the novellas.



* * *



For reading groups with five or more members,

the author will participate in the discussion

of this collection. If you’re interested,

go to www.Amishhearts.com.



* * *




A CHANGE OF HEART



1. Leah’s father worries throughout the story that Leah will not master the skills necessary to become a good Amish fraa. At what point does he begin to realize that Leah’s stories are much more than just a frivolous waste of time?



2. Aaron agrees to read Leah’s books as a way to get close to her. What are some of the things Aaron learns about Leah by reading her stories?



3. Auntie Ruth nudges Leah and Aaron together by writing notes to each of them. What do you think would have happened if Ruth hadn’t done this? Would they eventually have found their way back to each other? If so, who do you think would have initiated a get-together?



4. Leah’s Englisch friends, Donna and Clare, are not at the same spiritual place in their lives as Leah. Can it be in a person’s best interest to avoid people with whom they are unequally yoked, as many Amish believe? Have you ever been friends with someone with whom you were unequally yoked spiritually? How did it affect you?





Amish Recipe


MARIAN PETERSHEIM’S TOMATO PIE



1. Mix until right consistency to press into bottom of pie dish:



2 cups Bisquick

½ cup milk

2. Slice 2 medium tomatoes and line the crust.



3. Sprinkle with:



1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

½ teaspoon thyme leaves

½ teaspoon oregano

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Salt and pepper

4. Mix together and spread over tomatoes and spices:



1 cup mayonnaise

¾ cup shredded American cheese

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown.





An Excerpt from Plain Perfect