The Yoder pup bounded into his lap, his pink tongue flying on its own with reckless abandon.
Heloise adjusted her splinted leg. “It can be difficult, but if you’re sincere in asking for His forgiveness and turning from sin, He will give it.”
“Like I told you earlier,” Joseph added, “Love and forgive others as He loves and forgives us. That’s the main rule right there.”
Rebekah’s pulse quickened at Peter’s enthusiasm and that of her family and friends to answer his questions. “Attend church meetings and do good works by helping your neighbors to show His love. That’s our way of life.”
Before Peter could answer, the kitchen door squeaked open. The elder men of Gasthof Village emerged. Their expressionless faces revealed nothing of a decision or lack thereof.
Samuel Stoll stepped forward. “Peter?”
He rose, hat in hand. “Yessir?”
“Come stand here before us.”
Peter did as he was commanded with his blue eyes as wide as a child’s.
Samuel cleared his throat. “Your only relation is Rebekah, and you wish to join our community here in Gasthof Village, correct?”
Peter bobbed his head.
“Your intention is to join our Amish community. To live as us, dress as us, work as us, to love God, work for Him every day, and in turn, be a member of our church and society?”
Peter puffed his chest out. “Yessir, that is correct.” His sure words echoed off the walls of the house.
Samuel glanced back at the other elders. “Very well. We have come to a decision.”
“Sir, may I say one thing before you tell me your decision?”
Rebekah sucked in her breath and shared a glance with Joseph. He appeared as eager to hear the decision as her. All the good-natured chatter had ceased when the men reemerged, and an almost tangible tension hung in the air.
Just let Pa tell us yes or no!
“I understand if the decision is no, I see why you want to keep your ways on the straight and narrow. It’s a mean world out there. I’ve lived it, I know.” Peter glanced at the faces of the women. “But since meeting you all, my life’s already changed for the better. I can only imagine, if given the chance to become a part of you, a part of your faith, a part of your traditions…” He shook his head. “Well, that’d be almost heaven.”
A few of the women bounced a knowing smile between them.
Peter continued. “Despite what your decision is today, it’s important for me to tell you I’ve changed. Even if I leave here alone today, your family has changed my life for the better, and for that I’m forever indebted to you.”
Samuel crossed his arms. “One year.”
“Sir?”
“Live with us, as we do, for one year.” Samuel glanced at the faces of his friends and family. “If, on this day next year, you still wish to join us, you may.”
Rebekah’s knees quaked, and happiness bubbled in her stomach. Unable to contain herself, she clapped her hands together in a sharp snap. Joseph laughed.
Simon Wagler stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “I’m Simon Wagler. It was my son, Elijah, who pointed you here in the first place.”
Peter’s eyes widened as he grasped Mr. Wagler’s hand.
“That there’s my wife, Sarah.” He nodded toward the throng of women. “We’d be much obliged if you’d stay with us for the duration of this year.”
“Thank you, Mr. Wagler. I’d be much obliged.” Peter’s smile was so wide that it seemed he could hardly force his mouth to form words.
Simon clapped Peter on the back. “Come on then, let’s get you into some more fitting attire.”
“Ma, can we come down now? Jeremiah’s read our Bible lesson to us four times already.” Thomas’s tiny voice sounded supremely put-out. Glancing down the stairs, his eyes lit on Rebekah. “Sissy!”
Quicker than a fish could find a hole in a fishing net, Thomas flew down the stairs and into Rebekah’s waiting arms. The rest of the Stoll boys thundered after him. “Sissy. Oh sissy, you’re alive! I prayed for you all night long.” Wrapping his little arms around her neck, he buried his face in her shoulder. His tiny hat fell to the floor.
“I love you, littlest brother.”
Thomas sniffled. “I love you, too.”
In the midst of the commotion, Rebekah noticed Joseph and her father slip out the front door.
Probably getting something for Peter or putting up his wagon.
Well-wishes from the Stoll boys ended with Jeremiah approaching Rebekah last. “I didn’t like your display at breakfast the other day.”
“I’m really sorry, Jeremiah. I meant to apologize to you and the boys when I got home, but everyone was fishing, and I went to wash the clothes—”
He held up his thirteen-year-old hand. “But I probably would have made an even bigger scene if I’d had gotten the same news.” He grinned. “Welcome home.”
She grasped her biggest little brother in a tight embrace and planted a kiss on the top of his best hat. “Thank you, I missed you.”
Jeremiah flushed and waved her off. He turned toward the kitchen, where Heloise Graber had started serving the lunch. Before he stepped away, he turned back. “Missed you, too.”
“Rebekah?” Her pa’s voice called her attention away from the little men. “Joseph asked me to tell you that he’s on the front porch if you need to find him.”
“Did he wish to speak with me, Pa?” She glanced from side to side. “Pa?”
Hmm, where’d he go?
Rebekah wove through the families of Gasthof Village until she finally arrived at the front door.
“Rebekah?” Katie’s voice came from beside her.
“Hallo, Katie.” She placed her hand on the doorknob. “I finished my quilt, thanks to your squares.”
“Good. Um, Rebekah, I was wondering…”
“Yes?”
The girl stared at her hands. “If, well, the next time you talk to Peter—” Her gaze danced around Rebekah. “If you might tell him I know a great place to picnic.”
Katie spun on her heels and retreated into the mass of people.
