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  “Amy, open the door. I just want to ask you some questions.”

  Hearing the back door open, then clap shut, Amy sighed again. “We can talk through the screen here. I need to get back to my bak—”

  “Amy, have I been trying to force you to quit your business?” Andy was tense and he paced back and forth.

  “Well...ya, you have. I don’t have very much savings left after my husband’s funeral and his medical bills.”

  “Why did you choose to start a tourism business catering to the English?”

  “Because it allows me to earn money without having to leave my house. I don’t have to get daycare for my kinder. I can take care of them while I work.”

  “And do they interact with your customers?”

  Amy knew this next answer was critical. “Only in directing them as to the parts of the farm they can go to. They know not to allow people into the house. They help people who get lost in the corn maze.”

  Andy stopped pacing around. Looking into the far distance, he considered. Looking at his boots, he seemed to make a decision. “Amy, did you know that the elders visited me today?”

  Amy was stunned. “Nee! I didn’t.” She wasn’t about to ask why because she’d been thinking of breaking things off with Andy before they went much further.

  Looking at her with expectation, Andy waited. He waited some more. Finally, realizing that Amy wasn’t going to ask, he spoke. “They were counseling me that what you do doesn’t violate the Ordnung. That you went to speak to the bishop before starting this business of yours.”

  “Ya, I did. I wanted to be sure that it wouldn’t violate anything. I don’t want to put myself or my children at risk of having to leave here.”

  “And? What did they say?” Andy’s shoulders and neck were tense.

  “That, as long as I showed the tourists how a typical Amish family lives—kind of an educational tour—I would be okay. I couldn’t allow them into the house. The barn would be okay, but I’m not too comfortable with that. So, I make baked goods, snacks and seasonal beverages they can enjoy at the end of their tours. At night, I work on small Amish dolls. I buy small, wood toys for the boys. After going through the corn maze, tourists can enjoy snacks and either lemonade or hot chocolate. Andy, I really have to get back—”

  “Let me in.” This was said in a low growl.

  “Nee, Andy. Go away.” As Amy gave this order, she gasped. Bishop Kurtz was coming into her yard. She said nothing else, not wanting to let Andy know what was going on.

  “Please. I just want to discuss this.”

  “Andy! I thought you were going to get back to work after the deacon and I left your barn!” The bishop’s tone was friendly, but his blue eyes were glacial.

  Andy, noticing the bishop’s temper, began to perspire even though the outdoor air was cool. “I came by to...uh...discuss this issue with Amy.”

  “Missus Hershberger, do you want him here right now?”

  “Honestly, no. I have a lot of baking still to finish, then supper to make. The kinder have their homework and baths, then bedtime because it’s a school night.”

  “Your next tour is this weekend, right? My wife and I were wondering if we could help you out.”

  Amy’s slender face lit up. “Ya, denki! We could always use the help!”

  “We’ll be here bright and early. You think of what you want us to do and we’ll take care of it. Andy? I believe you were leaving with me.”

  Andy was frustrated. With that direct order, he had no choice but to obey. Hearing the door close and lock, he sighed. He was displeased. All he wanted to do was get to a point where Amy had no choice but to agree to marry him.

  “Andy, you could see she was busy—flour all over the front of her dress and apron. She was baking. She had her kinder home because school has ended for the day. Still, there’s little Anna can do yet to help her with the baking. Their help comes more on tourism days. What was your purpose for this visit? And understand that I am aware you need to get back to your...chores.”

  Andy was trapped. “I just wanted to...to hint at the possibility of marriage.”

  “In the afternoon, before harvest season has ended? How long have you been courting her?”

  “Nigh on two months? Something like that.”

  “First of all, Andy, you are rushing things. This should be the ‘getting to know you’ stage of your courtship. Second, she didn’t look very loving toward you. She looked frustrated. Dare I say, angry.”

  Andy lost all discretion here. He couldn’t lose her! “Bishop, I figured that if she lost this chance, she would...” Gulping, he stopped speaking abruptly.

  “She would, what? Agree, out of desperation, to marry you?” Totally frustrated himself, the bishop threw his black hat onto the grass. Striding over to pick it up before the stiff breeze could blow it away, he turned to look at Andy. “You are trying to manipulate her situation. Harm her financially.” Closing his eyes, the bishop breathed in and exhaled deeply, trying to regain control of his emotions. “Understand this. All during her husband’s stay in the hospital, I came to regard her as a daughter. So did my wife, along with many of us here. If they were to know what you were trying to do, they would make you leave and never let you return!

  The talk that the deacon and I had with you earlier today still holds. I am going to add one more thing to that: Stay away from Amy Hershberger until you understand that she has the right to choose how she will support her family. She has no husband. And second, if she does decide to remarry, she can choose whom to marry. By trying to manipulate her financially, you are abusing her. And I have to warn you, Mister Stoltzfus, that if you continue to do so, we will be forced to discuss your actions with you. Even more, if you still don’t stop, you could face the Meidung. You don’t want that. Please go home right now, Andy. Go home. I’m going to be watching from the yard. Don’t come back.”

  Feeling as though he were no higher than a slug, Andy trudged to his buggy. Climbing in, he obeyed the bishop’s order and went home.

  In Amy’s yard, the bishop waited until he was sure that Andy had gone home. Wheeling about, he returned to Amy’s house, knocking at the front door.

  Seeing Anna on the other side of the screen, the bishop smiled. “Hello, Anna! I need to speak with your mamm.”

  “Okay, but she’s baking. She says she’s very busy.”

  “Ya, I know she is. I want to discuss that with her.”

  “I hope you’re not going to tell her she can’t do this anymore. My brothers and I, we enjoy helping the tourists.”

  She is a smart little one. “I know. You’ll be able to continue helping them. May I speak with your mamm?”

  Anna sighed. “Come in.” She unlocked the screen door, looking outside and all around the yard.”

  “He’s gone, Anna. I made him leave.”

  Anna sighed, closing her eyes in relief. “Denki. Mamm wasn’t happy with his visit today. Mama! The bishop is here!”

  “Oh! I hope...” Amy came into the living room wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She now had a smudge of flour on her forehead.

  “Mama, bend down.” Plucking the dishtowel from her mamm, Anna scrubbed the flour off her face. “You had flour on your face.”

  Amy flushed slightly. “Denki. Tell your brothers supper will be ready soon. Do your homework. Bishop, come into the kitchen.”

  The bishop followed her. “I am sorry for disturbing you once again, Amy. I thought I should stop by after we had our talk with Mister Stoltzfus.” Looking around, he made sure Anna wasn’t in listening range.

  “Let me.” Amy moved quietly to the hallway. Listening, she heard the three kinder beginning their homework. “They’re doing their homework. What happened in your meeting?”

  “Have you ever heard the term ‘sexism’?”

  “Ya, I have. And I do feel that what Andy has been doing is sexist. He wants to manipulate my ability to earn, take it away from me along with my right to make decisions on behalf o
f my children, so he can make me marry him.”

  The bishop was temporarily speechless. “My! You are direct. Gut! He did say that, after courting you for two short months, he is thinking of asking you to marry him.”

  Amy’s fair skin went even paler, making her look like a brown-haired ghost. “What? Nee! I’ve been getting to know him and he is not what I want in a husband. He’s trying to manipulate me. That’s not very loving.”

  “Has he told you he loves you?”

  Amy nodded. “He’s tried. I’ve told him that love takes much longer to develop. I was married to the most wonderful man placed on God’s earth. God decided he needed Matt. I am blessed with Matt’s kinder and I take my responsibility toward them seriously. If I meet the right Amish man and we grow to love each other, I will marry him if he asks.”

  The bishop closed his eyes, giving thanks. “I am so relieved to hear what you said. Ya, he is trying to manipulate you. He has personally brought complaints to the elders about your business, even after we have told him that you discussed your ideas with us. For that reason, all of the elders and our wives are going to be here every weekend, helping you with the tours. Just let us know where you need us and what you want us to do. I am praying that he will get the message that way.”

  Amy was relieved. Anna and Joshua were seven and six, barely old enough to help her out. At five, Matt, Jr. was just too young, so she kept him with her as she worked with the tourists.

  “And another thing... You won’t have to pay any of us for our work. Our pay will be seeing your Amish tour become a huge success. Because, if you decide not to remarry, you’ll need to establish some form of reliable income for you and your kinder. The more you can put into the bank, the better.”

  Amy’s smile was grateful. “Denki. I hope he will get the message. But, bishop, somehow he may take his sweet time doing so.”

  “You just let any of us know if he’s becoming a pest. Does your fence have a locking door?”

  “Nee.”

  “I’ll look around for one, bring it over and install it. Thankfully, you have a six-foot fence around your property.”

  “Bishop, why are you looking out for me like this?”

  “Amy, all through the struggles after your husband’s accident, we all came to see you as our daughter. We all feel a responsibility toward you and your kinder. Now, I think I remember who might have a fence gate. I’m going to go check and, if so, bring it back and install it.” Jumping up, he left and went on his errand. Amy had finished her baking and was busy making supper for her and the children when he returned.

  “Gut news! I found two gates and they will fit! Both lock. I picked up locks as well. You’ll have to add two keys to your ring of keys. After I install them, make sure they are locked every time you leave and at night”

  Amy’s smile was grateful. “I will, denki!” Thinking, she pulled a plate out and filled it with cookies. Seeing the bishop working in the backyard, she sent Joshua out. “Tell him I have a plate of cookies for him and his wife.”

  After the bishop had left, Amy gratefully locked both gates. She felt somehow more secure now. Andy couldn’t get into the house, unless he was able to climb a high fence.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  That Sunday was a Meeting Sunday. Arriving at the Lapp house for the service, Amy and Anna took the lunchmeats and pickles into the kitchen. Making sure all three of her children were with her, Amy found a seat in the meeting room. “Joshua and Matt, go sit with the boys and behave. I can watch you.”

  Several minutes later, Amy was confused when the boys came running back. “Why? You’re supposed to be—”

  “Sc-c-ary man ca-ame.” Matt had begun to stutter shortly after his daed’s death. Andy’s intensity didn’t help his speech.

  Sighing, Amy looked around. She saw the deacon’s wife, Lovina King, smiling at her. She shrugged, a “what can I do?” gesture.

  Lovina sat next to her and began to speak. “As soon as Andy went to the men’s area, Matt and Joshua scuttled over to you. I believe our kinder can sense the gut and the bad in people.”

  “Ya, Matt has always been wary of him. I want to thank you for agreeing to help us when tourists come to my farm on weekends. It will be such a big help.”

  “We’re happy to do so, child.”

  In the men’s section, Andy stewed quietly. He had seen Matt and Joshua hurry over to Amy when he came in and sat in back of them. He just wanted to be sure that they were listening to God’s word! Boys needed a firm hand and male leadership. Stealing a glance Amy’s way, he sighed, seeing her in quiet conversation with the deacon’s wife. She appeared calm, her hands resting naturally on the boys’ shoulders. Really, she was spoiling them. She should have made them return. If the deacon’s wife weren’t sitting next to her, he would have already gone over to her and made the boys return with him. He looked expectantly at the elders, hoping they would see what was wrong with the boys sitting in the women’s section. He watched for several seconds as the elders conversed quietly. He watched their gazes sweep over the women’s section, and he held his breath. But...nothing. Why didn’t they see the violation? He would be discussing that with the bishop after service.

  Amy listened closely as Lovina King told her about an upcoming peer group meeting. “I would have to bring the kinder.”

  “Ya, they are welcome! We have teen girls who supervise them while we discuss the day’s topic.”

  “Would they be sensitive to Matt’s stuttering?”

  “Of course. I’ll make sure of that. Is he still stuttering badly?”

  “It’s not as bad as right after their daed died. Only when he feels stress or is scared does it come back out. The doctor said just to work with him on breathing and spacing his words. We’ve even been told to allow him to sing.”

  “Gut! What kinds of songs?”

  “Children’s songs and I’ve chosen a few simple ones from the Ausbund. It seems to help him.”

  “I’ll pass that on to the girls. Maybe a sing-along would help him feel welcome. During lunch, I’d like to speak with you...alone.”

  Amy nodded. Not looking at Andy, she knew it was about him.

  At lunch, the Peace Valley women trooped out of the kitchen, bearing food and beverages for the elderly, then the men, and then the kinder to eat. When the women could finally sit down to eat, Amy was starving. Feeling Lovina King and Linda Yoder joining her, she smiled.

  “Keep smiling. Andy Stoltzfus looks like a grim thundercloud. And he’s coming this way. Whatever he demands, refuse it.” This was Linda Yoder.

  “Amy, I need to talk with you. Come.” Andy’s voice was a menacing growl.

  “Nee, I’m finally enjoying my lunch,” she started as Andy clamped his hand painfully on one shoulder. “Take your hand off me. Now.”

  Andy, seeing the women’s gazes trained on his hand, slowly removed it, letting it fall at his side. “Why didn’t you send your sons back to the men’s section? That was a violation. I would have supervised them for you, gladly.”

  Amy had had enough. Setting her fork down, she stood, facing Andy. “Andy Stoltzfus, I am a woman of twenty-eight. I believe I can make decisions for my own kinder and do quite well at it. I chose to allow them to stay with me after Matt told me that you had sat behind them.”

  “What? Did he stutter in that cute way of his?”

  Amy gasped at the cruelty of his words. She was speechless.

  “Your boys are being raised by just a woman. They need a gut, strong man in their lives if they are going to be upstanding Amish men.”

  “Excuse me! Ya, I am widowed. But I am following my husband’s wishes in how they are raised—”

  “Mister Stoltzfus, maybe you should go back with the men,” Lovina’s voice was low, but had a thread of steel running through it.

  “Andy, I’m more than, what did you say? ‘Just a woman?’ I am their mamm. I look out for their physical, spiritual and emotional needs. I will not be seeing you again, from toda
y onward. I cannot be courted by someone so overbearing.”

  Andy’s high color suddenly faded to the color of old canvas. “What? Are you breaking up with me? I’m the best thing that ever—” As the bishop clamped his hand hard on Andy’s shoulder and neck, he startled.

  “Nee, Mister Stoltzfus, you are not the best thing that ever happened to her. She married that man. Sadly, Gott took him, or she would still be married to him. Now, go. We will be by later on to discuss this issue with you.”

  Andy stalked away, diminished and embarrassed. Amy let out a long, shaky sigh. “Denki, bishop. I had already decided on a parting of the ways. When he said that, I was—”

  “Sickened? Did I hear him say that you are ‘just a woman’?”

  “Ya, you did.”

  “Okay. We’ll have a meeting with him about his actions and attitude this afternoon. Missus King? Missus Yoder? Will you be assisting Amy this afternoon?”

  “Ya, we will follow her to her house and discuss her options with her there.”

  “Gut, because it looks like Andy just started a round of gossip.” Raising his voice, the bishop spoke. “Everyone! It won’t be easy forgetting what you just saw and heard here. Ya, Missus Hershberger just had a parting of the ways with Andy Stoltzfus. He brought it on himself. Now, you know that gossip is deadly...and a violation of our community’s Ordnung. You can’t forget it, but you can resolve that you are not going to tear down reputations by besmirching gut names. Amy, tell me if you hear that the gossip has continued.”

  Sitting quietly in the corner with her mamm, Beth Zook marveled. “Mamm, she was so strong! She didn’t take any of his nonsense.”

  “Nee, she didn’t... I hope you will take this as a lesson in what to do with John Andrews.”

  Beth, who had just taken a healthy sip of iced tea, gasped, choking on the drink. Flapping her hands in the air, she tried to get her breath.

  Mrs. Zook whacked Beth on the back until her daughter could breathe. “Are you okay?”

  “Ya, but you...surprised me.”

  ***