Marta Perry - The Promised Amish Bride

Instead, with his backpack slung on one shoulder, he walked down the lane at the King place, headed for the house and whatever welcome awaited him. Here was the Prodigal Son returning, that was certain sure.

Sally took a deep, calming breath. It had shaken her, seeing Aaron after so many years. Not that she’d forgotten him. A girl never forgot her first crush.

She didn’t doubt that Aaron would be welcomed warmly, just as that prodigal had in the story Jesus told. The only reason Onkel Zeb wasn’t running down the lane to greet him, like the father in the parable, was that he didn’t know Aaron was coming.

Ach, how foolish Aaron was, not to realize they’d be eager to see him. After all, hadn’t Daniel traveled all that way out to Indiana just to talk to him once they’d found out where he was?

It was the same with most Amish families who’d had a child jump the fence to the Englisch world. They waited, they prayed and they longed for the time when their child came home. The happy ending they wanted didn’t always come, of course. But it looked as if the King family would have their prayers answered, at least for today.

Star nuzzled her as if to ask why they’d slowed down, and Sally patted him absently. Funny that she hadn’t seen Aaron for so many years, and yet she’d known him the instant she saw his way with the horse. Aaron had always had that gift—some said he must have been born with it.

That had been what she’d recognized, rather than his face. Her steps slowed again. He’d looked older, of course. She had to expect that. But she couldn’t have anticipated those deep lines in his face—lines of bitterness, she suspected. And the golden-brown eyes that once danced with amusement or flashed with lightning anger were now wary and watchful. The charm that had once had all the girls in a tizzy was gone. Aaron had looked braced as if ready for an attack. What had happened out there in the world to change him so?

Sally gave herself a shake. She couldn’t stand here dreaming. She had things to do, and even now she saw Elizabeth, her sister-in-law, peering from the window to see what was keeping her. Suppressing any negative thoughts about her brother’s wife and her endless curiosity, she hurried on toward the barn.

When Sally entered the kitchen after tending to the horse, Elizabeth was rolling out pie dough. And lying in wait for her, it seemed, as she instantly swung around, a question on her lips.

“Here you are at last. Who was that Englischer you were talking to out on the road?”

Sally had implied to Aaron that she wouldn’t spread any rumors about him, but she could hardly deny it was he. And little though she knew the Aaron who’d returned, she could be sure he wouldn’t imagine he could keep his being here secret.

“It wasn’t an Englischer at all. It was Aaron King, on his way home.”

“Aaron King!” Elizabeth’s round face flushed with excitement, probably at being one of the first to have the news. She swung round as Ben, Sally’s brother, came in the door. “Did you hear that, Ben? Aaron King has come home. With his tail between his legs, I’ve no doubt.”

As usual, Elizabeth managed to rouse Sally’s ire in a matter of minutes. Sally took firm control of her tongue, something she’d had to learn to do since her parents went to her sister’s for an extended visit and Elizabeth and Ben moved in. School days weren’t so bad, since she was out and occupied, but weekends could be difficult.

“I wouldn’t say that, Elizabeth. You know Daniel had asked him to come, even if just for a visit. They’ll all be so happy he decided to, I’m sure.”

Ben, with his characteristic slow reaction, mused for a moment and then smiled. “Aaron finally home. That is gut news, ain’t so? It seems like just yesterday that we were walking down the road to school together.”

“I don’t know what call you have to be so happy,” Elizabeth said. “He wasn’t much of a friend, never getting in touch with you in all these years.”

By the time her parents returned from their lengthy visit and Ben and Elizabeth moved back to their own house, Sally figured her tongue would have calluses from biting it.

“He could hardly be in touch with Ben without letting his folks know where he was,” she pointed out.

“That’s so,” Ben said. “Aaron back again, think of that. Too bad tomorrow is an off Sunday for worship, or he’d have been able to see the whole church at once.”

Sally smiled. Ben couldn’t imagine that someone might not want to be confronted with the rest of the Leit all at once.

“Maybe it’s just as well he has a chance to settle in before greeting the whole community,” she suggested.

“Yah, maybe so,” Ben admitted. “I heard he was working with horses somewhere out west.”

“I don’t know about out west, but it looked as if he was giving Sally a hand with that fractious gelding. That animal’s too much for her.” Elizabeth frowned, then launched on her repeated refrain about Onkel Simon’s gift.

“Star was just a little leery of being on the road, that’s all,” Sally said, no more eager to get on to this subject of conversation than to talk about Aaron. She wasn’t about to admit how scared she’d been before Aaron came to the rescue.

“You’re making light of it, but I know what I saw.” Elizabeth gave the rolling pin a decided thump. “Ben should have refused that animal for you the minute your uncle showed up with it.”

The quick retort she’d been congratulating herself for keeping under control slipped loose. “That was not Ben’s decision. It was mine, and I’ll thank you to remember it.”

She was sorry, of course, the instant the words were out, but then it was too late. She sent up a penitent prayer. Would she ever learn to control her unruly tongue?

Elizabeth swung on her husband. “Tell her, Ben. Tell her that horse is too much for her.”

Ben, after a cautious glance at his sister’s flushed face, shook his head. Then he sent Sally a pleading look that she could hardly refuse.

She took a deep breath and fought for patience. “Don’t worry so much, Elizabeth. I won’t take any chances with Star.” She’d have to give more, if only to restore peace. “If he’s not learned to behave himself by the time Daad gets back, we’ll let him decide what to do.”

Elizabeth still looked a bit miffed, but she nodded. “I only want you to be safe,” she said.

To do her credit, that was probably true. Elizabeth had a kind heart to go with that tart tongue.

“That’s settled, then.” Relief filled Ben’s voice. Poor Ben. He only wanted peace, something he couldn’t get with two strong women after him.

But nothing was settled as far as Sally was concerned. She had no intention of giving up the liberty granted by having her own buggy horse. And she’d just had a thought that might well solve her problem.

Aaron King. If anyone could do anything with Star, it would be Aaron. Now all she had to do was convince Aaron of that.

* * *

Those moments with Sally Stoltzfus had distracted Aaron from his apprehension, but it had flooded back the instant she turned away. If he’d thought the road filled with memories, it was nothing compared to the flood that threatened to overwhelm him as he walked down the lane to the farm. Every fence post, every tree, every blade of grass even, seemed to be shouting his name.

Welcoming him home? Or reminding him that he no longer had a place here? He wasn’t sure. Just as he wasn’t sure he even wanted to be here. Or to belong again.

He’d have to make up his mind soon. He could only hope no one would force an answer about his plans. Or be too curious about what had caused him to return now. His mind winced away from that thought.