Sobbing, she dashed across the room and into his waiting arms. There, she wept in harmony with her newest—and finally older—brother. “I’m so glad you came back.”
“Me too, sister.”
Samuel Stoll cleared his throat. “Peter?”
Releasing Rebekah, he swiped at his eyes with the back of one hand. “Mr. Stoll, I’m sure there’s rules about stuff like this, but—” He flickered his watery gaze around the room at each of the faces that stared back at him. “If it sounds fittin’ to you, I’d like to stay on. I’m handy with steel and can make some of the strongest horseshoes north of the Mason-Dixon.”
From the corner of her eye, Rebekah saw him suck in his lower lip.
Just like me.
“I know that took courage, Peter,” Samuel said cautiously, “but you’re right. Things like this aren’t normally done.”
Mr. Graber coughed. “Perhaps we could call a meeting of the elders and discuss the matter further?”
Mr. Yoder rose slowly, following Mr. Raber, Mr. Graber, Mr. Knepp, and Mr. Wagler into the Stoll kitchen. With a fleeting glance at Elnora, Samuel fell into step behind Mr. Odon and pulled the door shut after them.
***
“I reckon they’ll decide, then?” Peter’s voice broke the uneasy silence that had befallen the room. “I mean, if I can stay?”
Elnora plucked Beanie from his cradle and nestled him to her chest. The quilt Rebekah had given him as his very first gift was wrapped securely around him. “Tell me, Peter, do you love God?”
The women of Gasthof Village stared at him with stoic faces. Even bubbly Annie Knepp sat silent and still beside Katie.
Twisting his hat in circles before him, Peter looked at Joseph, who gave him an encouraging nod. “We were church goin’ folk before my parents died. I kind of lost my way after that.” He gestured to Rebekah. “As I was telling Hann—Rebekah—and Joseph last night, I attended Catholic Masses before.”
Elnora smiled. “That’s fine and good, but do you love the Lord.”
“I ain’t never professed it outright, but I got to see a little of His love since I found you folks. I could get mighty used to it.”
Mrs. Odom, perhaps the quietest woman in the settlement, spoke in her soft, singsong voice. “If you would like to receive our Lord as your savior, all you have to do is ask Him, Peter.”
“It’s as easy as all that?”
Annie and Katie’s mother answered. “It is. But in doing that, you’ve promised to live your life for Him and His Glory.”
Peter nodded. “That makes the most sense of anything I’ve heard in a while.” He eased down into an open spot on the floor. “All them churches I visited made it seem a whole lot more difficult.”
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.”
