Sarasota Dreams (33 page)

“Mother, you get to see your grandchildren quite often, and it’s not like they live all that far away. They always come when you need them. I pray every day that Paul comes back to our church and brings his family with him because I know it means so much to you.” She took Mother’s hand and held it tightly. Although Paul still walked with the Lord and attended a good church, her mother’s heart was set on them being together as a family.

Her mother’s eyes misted as she sighed and pulled her hand away. “Let’s finish up supper so we can eat as soon as your father gets home.”

As they worked in silence, Shelley allowed her thoughts to wander, and they settled on Jeremiah. Even though she’d seen some big changes in him, there was no way her mother would ever accept him. Shelley figured it was futile to even consider a relationship with him. Her mother would never forget that he’d left the church once, and she’d worry herself sick over the thought he might do it again. If he’d managed to continue walking with the Lord when he left, things might have been different, and her mother might have been more accepting.

Shelley was happy that he’d found a place with Abe though, even if she’d never be able to share it with him. She sighed and then startled as she realized the subconscious thoughts she’d been harboring. In spite of her words and attempts to keep her emotional distance from Jeremiah, she’d started to fall in love with him. That simply couldn’t be. She’d hurt her family if she even suggested any such thing.

On Monday morning, Jeremiah worked hard at finishing the task Abe had assigned so he could start a little early on his own crops. Abe gave him a specific task each day now and told him that once it was done, he was free. Since he didn’t need Charles today, he only had to be concerned about finishing his own work.

As he walked the rows of trees, he thought about how closed off Shelley’s family had seemed at church yesterday. After the services were over, the Burkholder family left before he’d had a chance to say more than good-bye to Mr. Burkholder and William. He’d seen Shelley across the room sitting in the midst of a group of women, but she wouldn’t look up at him.

“Good job, Jeremiah,” Abe said from behind. “You look like a man on a mission.”

“I am.” Jeremiah suspected Abe only knew half the mission—the part about him having his own land. The other half was still in the works—the part with Shelley by his side as his wife. It would be a challenge, but that didn’t deter Jeremiah. He’d overcome much more difficult tests, so he had no doubt he’d find a way to make Shelley realize how sincere he was.

“Do you need anything?”

“Not at the moment.” At least not anything Abe could help him with.

“Good. Let me know when you’re done.”

After Abe took off toward another part of the property, Jeremiah let his mind wander to his personal life. During the time he’d been away from the church, he’d experienced myriad emotions, starting with a sense of freedom and ending with desperation for not being grounded anymore. How anyone could get through an entire life without their faith in God was beyond him. Not being connected with his church left him with an empty feeling. He had friends, but they could only do so much to satisfy the emptiness only the Lord could fill.

Once it became evident he needed to reconnect, he’d fought God in his mind and by acting like someone he didn’t know. He cringed as he remembered some of the things he’d shouted from his car when he’d seen Abe and Mary. Fortunately, they’d forgiven him and never even brought it up again. Now it was time for him to settle down and make a life for himself that was pleasing to God. He wanted a family, but he needed a wife who was interesting, intelligent, and could challenge him when he strayed in thought and word.

Shelley was perfect for him. He found her dedication to her family very attractive. Jeremiah was aware that he’d be taking on more than a wife if Shelley agreed to marry him, but he was fine with that. He liked William, and he was pretty sure William liked and respected him.

Now all he had to do was find a way to gain her family’s trust. Her father was busy with his job, and her mother’s emotional health seemed precarious, so it wouldn’t be an easy feat. This would take considerable thought, but that was fine. He wasn’t in a hurry.

After Shelley got off work on Monday afternoon, she walked to the church school. She knew that the van often waited at the school for William to get out of class, and she hoped that would be the case today. As soon as she got close enough to see the front, she saw that the van was there. She quickened her step until she approached the driver.

“Excuse me, but do you have room for one more person today?” she asked.

He turned and gave her a confused look. “I beg your pardon?”

Shelley explained that she wanted to go to William’s workplace, but she didn’t drive. He’d been in the area long enough to understand her situation.

“I think that would be fine, as long as it’s just this once,” he said. “A couple of the people are on vacation, so we’re not full this week. This is my first stop, though. I still have a couple of stops to make.”

“Good. Mind if I get in now?”

He opened the door for her, and she climbed into the very back seat. A few seconds after she buckled herself in, the front door of the school opened, and the kids streamed out. Only a couple of school-aged kids went to the shop where William worked, and William was the only one from the Pinecraft community, but the van was generally full at the end of the workday when the driver took everyone home.

Shelley sat and waited for William to board the van. He didn’t seem to notice her at first, but she said his name, and he turned around. At first he appeared happy to see her, and then his expression quickly changed.

“Why are you here, Shelley?” he asked. “Are you spying on me?”

“No, of course I’m not spying on you. I just want to see where you work and meet some of your friends.”

“You just want to make trouble for me and Myra.”

“I would never do that, but I do want to meet Myra. I’m sure she’s a very nice girl.”

“She’s the nicest girl in the whole wide world. I love her.”

“Then don’t worry, William. I’m sure I’ll love her, too.”

They arrived at the shop a few minutes later. After the kids got out, Shelley hopped down from the van, turned around, and thanked the driver.

He waved. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Do you have to go in with me?” William asked. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m a baby.”

“Why would anyone think you’re a baby? You have a real job, so I’m sure they won’t think that.”

William looked uncomfortable before he finally said, “I want to tell Myra you’re coming.”

Shelley understood, so she told William to go on ahead of her. “I’ll just walk around outside for a little while before I come back.”

“You’ll have to ask the man at the door to let you in. They are very strict about people coming into the building.”

“Good,” Shelley said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

She made a lap around the building, thought about what she’d say, and then walked up to the front door. Right after she opened it, she saw a man sitting on a stool behind a desk.

“I’d like to meet my brother’s supervisor,” she said.

The man looked her in the eye. “Do you know his name?”

Shelley knew he was inwardly laughing at her plain clothes and kapp, but she didn’t care. She was used to it. “Walter, I think. Walter …” She couldn’t remember his last name.

“Walter O’Reilly?”

“Ya, that’s his name. I’d like to see Walter O’Reilly.”

The man picked up a phone and punched in a couple of numbers. After a few seconds he said something she couldn’t hear, and then he placed his hand over the mouthpiece. “What did you say your name was?”

“Shelley Burkholder. I’m William Burkholder’s sister.”

After the man said her name, he nodded, said, “I’ll tell her,” and then hung up. “He’ll be right out to escort you to the workroom.”

“Thank you.” Shelley stood staring at the bare wall, feeling as awkward as she’d ever been. She rarely left the Pinecraft community, and now she remembered why. When one of the teachers at the school had recommended this job for William, the family had discussed the pros and cons and decided it would help him feel more valued and independent. Shelley knew her mother continued to have reservations, even after she’d agreed to let William work.

A few minutes later a man with a name tag that read
O’Reilly
came to the door. “So you’re Willie’s sister, huh? He said you were coming.”

“Ya, I’m William Burkholder’s sister.” She regretted her decision to visit her brother at work, but it was too late now. “W–would it be all right if I saw his … um … work space?”

Mr. O’Reilly laughed but not in a mean way. He gestured for her to join him. “That’s perfectly fine. Right this way, ma’am.” As they walked down a long corridor, he explained that the employees did mostly contracted piecemeal work for local businesses. They got a variety of jobs, including assembling simple components for factories and putting stickers on packages. “I’ve been doing this a very long time, and I can’t think of a job I’d like more,” he added with pride.

“Good,” she said. “Everyone should enjoy their work.”

They arrived beside a large, soft-peach painted, well-lit room filled with dozens of people similar to her brother, all working side by side, soft music playing in the background, some of the workers chattering with the person next to them. It seemed very pleasant.

“Where is William?” she asked.

“Follow me, and I’ll show you.”

She did as she was told and quickly found herself standing behind her brother, who still wasn’t aware she was there yet. “William?”

He spun around and flashed a huge grin. He was about to say something when the girl to his right turned, looked at Shelley, and started laughing.

“What’s so funny, Myra?” William asked.

“That woman. Look at that funny-looking outfit. It’s so ugly.”

Shelley was taken aback. Mr. O’Reilly touched her arm, but William stood from his chair, placed a hand on his hip, and shook a finger at Myra.

“That woman is my sister, and she is beautiful to me.”

Myra continued laughing. “Not to me.”

“How can you say that, Myra? I think she’s beautiful.”

“She is not beautiful. She’s ugly.”

Mr. O’Reilly stepped forward to intervene, but he stopped when Shelley shook her head and whispered, “I think it’s best to let them work this out on their own.”

William scowled. “That’s mean. Take it back.”

“No, I will not take it back. It’s the truth.”

“I don’t want to marry you anymore then. I love my sister, and no one is allowed to say mean things about her to me.”

Myra stopped laughing and then shrugged. “That’s okay by me, William. I think you’re sort of funny-looking, too.”

Mr. O’Reilly looked just as surprised at Shelley felt. “In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen anything like this happen. I am so sorry.” He hung his head. “Myra hasn’t been around many Mennonite or Amish people, I’m afraid. Her family isn’t from here.”

“Mr. O’Reilly, may I please be moved?” William asked. “I don’t want to work next to Myra anymore.”

“Yes, of course, Willie,” Mr. O’Reilly said. He turned to Shelley with an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry this happened, but I really need to tend to my workers right now.”

“Oh, please,” Shelley said. “Go right ahead. I’ll just stand here and observe if you don’t mind.”

Shelley stood and watched Mr. O’Reilly move her brother to the other side of the room. The two men carried his tools and equipment and placed it on an identical work space as far from Myra as they could go in the room. She wasn’t sure what to think about what she’d just witnessed, but it clearly showed a side of William she’d never seen. He’d stuck up for her at the risk of his own happiness. Shelley couldn’t remember ever being more proud of her brother than that very moment.

She turned back to see what Myra was doing. She half expected to see a shred of sadness, but what she saw was a silly young woman laughing with the guy on the other side of her. It didn’t appear to Shelley that there was any deep love lost.