The Secret Keeper Read online

  “Sure, I’ll try it.”

  Andrew grinned. “There’s something else you might like to help with.” He explained that his uncle Chester Lapp’s golden Labrador, Posey, had followed Marnie down the lane earlier and hadn’t returned. “Chester’s worried she might’ve gotten hit by a car, up near Route 340. I’ve already looked all along Hickory Lane searchin’ for her,” Andrew said, concern in his voice.

  “I’d be glad to help you look.”

  Andrew raised the lantern a bit. “It’s not too late, is it?”

  “I might need something to warm me up first. How about some hot cocoa or coffee? Would you care for something?”

  “I sure would.”

  His enthusiasm surprised her. And Jenny hoped Rebecca wouldn’t be too shocked to see Andrew following her into the house, all smiles as he was right now.

  Chapter 28

  Why’d I let Roy talk me into this? Marnie froze in place and glanced at her beau standing next to her. What on earth would she say to Cousins Dan and Katie?

  It’s been so long. . . .

  Her mouth was cotton, and she trembled at the thought of breaking the church ordinance. I’m taking a big risk.

  The front door opened and Cousin Katie appeared, wearing a gracefully long print dress, her hair in a bun covered by a formal Mennonite veiling. Her pretty face broke into a smile and soft brown eyes widened when she realized it was Marnie. Without hesitation, Katie stepped down onto the porch and reached to hug her. Roy moved aside, giving them some privacy.

  “Cousin Marnie . . . oh, sweetie,” Katie murmured into her ear. “I’ve missed you just terribly.”

  Marnie nodded her head, scarcely able to speak. Oh, the happiness of this reunion! “I thought I’d never see you again,” Marnie whispered. And she felt it might be the one and only time, so she let herself enjoy this precious moment.

  They looked into each other’s beaming, tear-streaked faces. The Bann kept us apart, thought Marnie, won over as always before by Katie’s warmth and love.

  “Are ya happy, cousin?” asked Marnie with a glance at the door, which had been closed.

  “Oh goodness, incredibly so, and counting my blessings every day! Wait till you see our little boy, Sammy, and baby Kate.”

  “Well, I’m really not s’posed to be here, ya know,” Marnie said, not that she had to explain.

  “You’ve come for the Bible study, then?” Katie’s eyes still glistened.

  “It was my beau’s idea.”

  “Well, it doesn’t matter whose it was; I’m so glad you’re here.” Katie turned and welcomed her inside. “Come and take a seat next to him.”

  As resistant as she’d been to attending, Marnie experienced such comfort talking with her dearest cousin. It was all she could do to keep her mind on the Scripture reading, at least for the first few minutes. She also noticed two other Amish courting couples present—one of the girls was the bishop’s niece Naomi Beiler, but none of them looked at all ill at ease. Marnie was curious to know what Roy thought of that.

  Katie’s husband, Daniel, hadn’t changed much since she’d last seen him. His hair was still quite fair and, oh goodness, those blueberry eyes Katie had always referred to. Marnie couldn’t help remembering what close friends Katie and Mary Stoltzfus Beiler had been in years past, since they were tiny girls. “Friends for life,” they’d always said of each other. Now to think Mary was the bishop’s wife and mother to his children . . . and Katie was far removed from the People.

  She sighed as Dan read the entire third chapter of the Gospel of John. Katie sat next to him in the circle of chairs.Marnie couldn’t help also watching her auburn-haired cousin, whose proper Mennonite head covering looked so different than the Amish one Katie had once worn—a squared-off cup shape with pleats ironed in on the sides.

  Does she adhere to any of her Amish upbringing? Marnie wondered, trying not to stare at the darling couple.

  Just then Roy held his New Testament out before her so she could follow along. She’d better pay closer attention, but it was ever so hard, considering the years she’d lost with her cousin and friend.

  “‘The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand,’” Cousin Daniel read again, his face radiant. “‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. . . .’”

  Marnie drank in the verse as if she were hearing it for the first time.

  A sermonlike talk followed. Daniel reminded her of a preacher, without the singsong approach. It was surprising how relaxed and conversational he was as he spoke. He seemed to know just what to say about the chapter he’d read, focusing primarily on the final verses.

  How can this be? Marnie wondered, nearly in awe.

  “The verse means precisely what it says,” Daniel emphasized, leaning forward in his chair and folding his hands between his knees. “We have eternal life through Jesus Christ alone.” He continued, his eyes shining as he shared the “great joy and amazing peace” he’d found in “accepting this truth and receiving Jesus as my own Savior and Lord.” He paused to look around the circle, compassion on his handsome face. Dan’s deep voice grew softer then. “I have found a love I’d never known before, my good friends. And I’m thrilled to share it with all of you.”

  Marnie noticed one of the Amish girls struggling not to cry, her lower lip quivering as Daniel continued his testimony, sharing his personal background in the Old Order Amish community . . . and later, his excommunication. There was scarcely a dry eye in the room. Even Marnie had to hold her breath to keep from being overwhelmed. Anyone could see that Dan’s and Katie’s experience with God had changed their lives.

  When Daniel asked them to bow their heads while he led in prayer, Marnie felt a great yearning to be alone in her room to pray privately. The incredibly tender way she felt just now, there was so much she wanted to tell the Lord God.

  Afterward, Katie and Dan played their guitars, leading the group in a slow version of “Amazing Grace.” Now it was Marnie who could scarcely keep her tears in check as she blended her voice in unison with the others. To think the bishop had renounced their expressive playing.

  Following the final prayer, Katie invited all of them to the cheery kitchen for homemade refreshments: carrot and nut cake, vanilla ice cream, and root beer. Marnie was surprised how the folk there kept talking in hushed tones while they mingled—some of them praying for each other aloud. Clearly, they were eager to linger.

  When everyone was served, Katie silently motioned for Marnie to follow her upstairs. Still profoundly touched by Daniel’s words and the Scriptures he’d shared, Marnie looked fondly down at Katie’s darling children, an auburn-haired boy and a girl with blond ringlets, both sleeping soundly.

  “Oh, honey-girl,” Katie said as she slipped her arm around Marnie’s waist. “Go ahead, my sweet cousin. It’s all right to cry. . . .”

  Unable to speak, Marnie wept for the pain Katie and Dan had suffered for the sake of their obvious love for Jesus. And yet immense joy was written on their dear faces.

  Later, when she’d composed herself, Katie opened her arms and hugged and kissed her. “I hope you’ll come again, Marnie. You’re always welcome here.”

  “Denki,” she eked out.

  Katie leaned down and peered into her eyes. “Are you baptized, cousin?” she asked softly.

  “Not yet.”

  Katie seemed to sigh. “Then you can’t be reprimanded for visiting us.”

  “Pray for me, won’t ya, Katie?” Marnie told her how harsh her father had been toward Marnie’s older brother. “If I’m found out, I’ll be in trouble.”

  Katie promised to pray daily. “You can count on me.” She wiped Marnie’s tears with both thumbs. “All right?”

  Katie had such an appealing way about her—she stirred up the atmosphere with her love of people. Only a woman like Katie could believe the cure for her own sadness due to the Bann was in making others happy. She remained the cousin Marnie had always loved, even though they were not
blood kin. Truth be known, folk had been drawn to Katie since she first arrived in Hickory Hollow as a rosy infant with Uncle Samuel and Aunt Rebecca, who’d claimed her as their own nearly thirty years ago.

  “Our home is open to you, if you ever just want to come and stay awhile.” Katie told Marnie that one of the bishop’s nieces was considering doing the same thing.

  Marnie nodded gratefully, knowing in her heart that, with or without Roy’s wanting to return, there was nothing anyone could do or say to keep her away from the next meeting.

  Chapter 29

  Andrew Lapp’s flashlight paved their way with a white circle of light as Jenny kept pace with him. “How long has your uncle had Posey?”

  “Not long, which might be the reason she’s run off. You see, Uncle Chester’s a real stickler for obedience, not excluding his pets.”

  “So Posey must be a pup?”

  “Jah, the runt of the litter. She comes from a long line of pedigreed Labs owned by my Dat’s family for several generations.”

  “Interesting.”

  Andrew nodded and looked her way. “My uncle also has two golden retrievers for hunting small game, Skip and Sparky.”

  Trying to be helpful, Jenny asked, “Could Posey have followed Marnie?”

  “I doubt that, ’cause Uncle Chester said Marnie left in a van, headed somewhere. It’s a mystery why Posey’s still missin’.”

  Jenny purposely breathed through her nose and tried to keep from shivering as she walked. The moon was a delicate light behind a stream of clouds, but the night was very still. She listened for anything that might sound like a puppy.

  Up the road, they heard the fast trot of a horse with an enclosed buggy behind it, bright lights on both sides. “Someone’s late for supper,” Andrew joked.

  “Can you differentiate between one neighbor’s buggy and another’s?” she asked.

  “Sometimes, jah . . . after you’re around the different road horses.”

  Jenny wondered if she’d ever reach that point and, intrigued by this, forgot to call out for Marnie’s father’s dog. She liked Andrew’s willingness to answer her questions and his free and easy style, much like his casual stride.

  Another horse and carriage approached now and began to slow. “Can you tell whose horse it is from here?” she asked Andrew.

  “If it was daylight, I could.”

  “Hullo there” came a low male voice.

  Jenny looked closer and could see an older man waving through the windshield.

  “Who’s there?” Andrew called, stepping closer to the shoulder with Jenny.

  “It’s Preacher Yoder.” The horse halted in the middle of the road. “You two headed somewhere?” The man had slid over and was looking out at them from the passenger side of the front seat.

  “Just out searchin’ for Uncle Chester’s Labrador. Did ya happen to see a small yellow pup anywhere?” Andrew asked.

  “Wasn’t payin’ any mind, to tell the truth.”

  Andrew chuckled. “Aren’t you usually in bed at this hour?”

  “Bishop sent me out on an assignment.”

  “Well, don’t let us keep ya, then.”

  “That’s all right—got what I needed.” The preacher nodded his head.

  “Gut Nacht,” Andrew said, and Jenny repeated it.

  After the horse pulled forward and headed on, Andrew said, “Wonder why he’s out after dark.”

  Jenny wondered the same, as well as what reason the bishop might have for sending the preacher. Bishop Beiler’s nice enough, she thought, thinking back to their brief meeting and having seen him around the farm on days she baby-sat there. It was still hard to imagine that Bishop John was as stern as Marnie and others made him out to be.

  “I’ve been wantin’ to mention something, Jenny,” Andrew said after they’d walked awhile without speaking. “I daresay you’re paying us Amish folk a big compliment.”

  “You think so?”

  He paused a moment and looked at her, his flashlight still shining on the road. “I don’t know any other Englischers who’d give up everything to do what you’re doin’, or fight so hard to be Amish.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “It can’t be easy for ya. And I admire your courage.”

  “With the Lord’s help, I’m doing my best.” She never would have thought she’d feel comfortable talking like this with him, especially as attractive as he was. “I appreciate your prayers.”

  “It’s the least I can do, Jenny.” He laughed again. “That, and help ya learn to hitch up.”

  “I must be a slow learner.”

  He asked her to count for him in Deitsch and she smiled, happily able to get to zwelf—twelve.

  “Lots of Amish folk mix up their numbers with English, did ya know that?”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  “My own brother would have to think a second to say the Deitsch for, say, ninety-five.”

  Jenny wondered if that had come about because so many men now worked among Englishers, away from the Amish community.

  Andrew asked her to run through some of the easier sociable questions, the same ones Rebecca had gone over with her, and Jenny remembered each one. It struck her funny that Andrew seemed so pleased about it, even energized by her small triumph.

  “You’re doin’ very well, Jenny. Won’t be long and you’ll be talking up a storm like the rest of us.”

  “Deitsch is slowly starting to make sense. I just wish some of the other things would, too.”

  “Like what?”

  She wasn’t sure she should say. After all, he wasn’t sharing his inner struggles. And, too, they hardly knew each other.

  “Well, if you really want to know.”

  “I do,” he said quietly.

  “I’m not sure how well I’m emulating the seemingly ingrained attributes I’ve observed in the People.” She thought suddenly of Rebecca’s visit to her daughter, Katie. “Well, in most of them.”

  “Not sure who you’re talking ’bout, but I don’t know anyone born into this world with a pure heart.”

  His words echoed in her mind as they continued walking farther away from the Lapps’ farm. “We’re not perfect,” Rebecca had once said.

  In the distance, Jenny thought she heard a shrill whining, and she stopped walking to listen more closely. “Did you hear that?”

  Andrew pitched forward, cupping his ear.

  Jenny held her breath for a few seconds. There it was again. “Sounds like there might be a lost pup over that way.”

  They turned off the road to hurry through a pasture in the direction of the crying. According to Andrew, this was Nate Kurtz’s meadow. She was thankful for the large flashlight, not wanting to step in a cow pie!

  Jenny glanced at Andrew as they picked over the uneven ground and nearly tripped. He put his arm out and reached for her gloved hand.

  “You all right?” he asked, still holding her hand.

  “Jah.” She laughed. “I’m fine, thanks. Denki,” she said and slid her hand gently out of his.

  Self-conscious now, they walked in total stillness. And Jenny almost forgot to listen for the puppy’s cries.

  Chapter 30

  Jenny left with Andrew Lapp after makin’ hot cocoa for him,” Rebecca told Samuel as they sat at the kitchen table that evening.

  “’Twas the oddest thing, Andrew askin’ for her like that.” Samuel went on, indicating that he’d thought their nephew only wanted to help her learn the unhitching process. “Tricked me, I guess.”

  “Oh now.” Rebecca sprinkled a few more miniature marshmallows on the hot chocolate in Samuel’s big brown mug.

  “You just don’t know, do ya, with these young folk?”

  “Jenny’s not someone he should be takin’ a shining to, is she?”

  “May God grant him wisdom if he does.” Samuel stirred in the marshmallows with his spoon. “They’d best be waitin’ till she’s safely baptized before any formal courting.”

&nb
sp; Safely baptized.

  Rebecca tensed up and wondered what Jenny would reveal when Preacher Yoder asked her the most important question, after the six weeks of instruction for baptism next summer. If she’s invited to take part. She shivered and her husband looked up, his brow furrowed.

  “What is it, dear?” Samuel raised his sturdy mug to his lips.

  She tried to calm herself. “What are the chances Jenny Burns will last round here?”

  He drank slowly and lowered his cup. “That’s one question I’ll leave with the Good Lord.” Samuel locked eyes with her. “He alone knows the intent and purposes of the heart.”

  “’Tis best, jah.” She suddenly felt almost too weak to sit there as Samuel’s eyes continued to probe hers. Does he suspect?

  “I’ve noticed some tension between you and Jenny here lately,” Samuel added. “I think it’s wise you keep her at a cautious distance.”

  She said nothing to that.

  “I approve of the way you’re heedin’ my advice, dear.”

  Lowering her gaze, Rebecca felt all the more guilty.

  “I hope ya don’t think I was too forward back there,” Andrew said as he and Jenny stood in Nate Kurtz’s field. They’d stopped walking when Jenny heard another sound in the distance.

  Jenny blushed and was thankful the flashlight wasn’t shining in her direction. “Listen,” she said. “I just heard it again.”

  Andrew turned off the flashlight. The moon skimmed out of a translucent cloud, brightening the landscape somewhat. Then the piercing cries came once more, and Jenny darted off in that direction, not waiting for Andrew.

  Posey sounds hurt!

  When Jenny found her, the poor thing was trapped, her collar caught on a raised tree root. “Quick, Andrew! Help me pry her loose,” she called as he approached. She worked the thin root back and forth rapidly, trying her best to break the pup free. “Do you have a pocketknife?”

  He did, and when Posey was free at last, she held the whimpering pup close, carrying her back across the field, toward the road. She snuggled her face into the pup’s downy body.