Sarasota Dreams (65 page)

As soon as Ruthie’s feet hit the ground, David leaned over and whispered, “Congratulations. I’m glad Charles found such a sweet girl.”

Ruthie felt her cheeks grow hot, but she didn’t look away as she would have in the past. Instead she met his gaze and said, “Thank you.”

Before entering her house, she stood facing the front door and inhaled the air that had started to cool down a bit. Charles said he would be here after he got home from work because he wanted to talk to her parents. She knew it would be difficult not to say anything to her parents, so she hoped Mother wasn’t home.

The instant she walked inside, she heard Mother puttering around in the kitchen, so she went straight to her bedroom. Mother must have heard her because she was there in a matter of seconds.

One look at her, and Mother narrowed her eyes. “What’s that funny look about, Ruthie?”

Ruthie just smiled.

Mother’s eyebrows shot up. “I heard the news about the Polks’ innocence. Your father and I are very happy.”

“Ya. Me, too.” Maybe Mother wouldn’t guess the rest.

“I need your help with supper. Your papa will be home early tonight. He said we’re having company for dessert.”

Ruthie’s heart thudded. Tonight wasn’t a good time to have company.

“Who?”

“The Polks, of course. We have a wedding to discuss.” Mother smiled as she closed the distance between them and gave Ruthie a big hug.

“You know?”

“Of course I do.” Mother chuckled as she captured a stray strand of Ruthie’s hair and tucked it beneath her kapp. “I am so happy for you, Ruthie. Charles is a very sweet boy, and his family is so nice.”

Ruthie couldn’t keep the tears from falling. Mother dabbed at Ruthie’s cheeks with her sleeve.

“Why don’t you freshen up and change clothes before everyone arrives?”

Ruthie was in her room changing when she heard Papa walk in the front door, so she hurried to join her parents. Papa motioned for her to join them for a family discussion.

“I want you to know that the church is demanding a public apology from the troublemakers,” he said.

“Have they apologized to the Polks yet?” Mother asked.

“Mr. Hostetler is over there right now, doing just that. I pray they find it in their hearts to forgive him.”

“Even for us it would be difficult, after those terrible accusations,” Mother said.

“What if the Polks can’t accept their apology?” Ruthie asked.

Papa placed his hand on her shoulder. “Do not worry about what you cannot control, Ruthie. This is in the Lord’s hands now. The church council is going to meet with all the families who tried to prevent the Polks from joining.”

Charles was nervous as he and his parents took off on foot for the Kauffmans’ house. Pop hadn’t wasted any time letting Mom know, and Charles had spoken to Ruthie’s father when Abe sent him home early. This would be the first time the two families would come together knowing they’d eventually all be part of one big family.

“Mr. Hostetler seemed very sorry,” Mom said. “I feel bad that he and the others have to speak in front of the church about what they did wrong.”

“I believe it’s the right thing for the church to do.” Pop smiled. “It reinforces my decision that we’re doing the right thing.” He turned to Charles. “You okay, Son?”

Charles cleared his throat. “I’m very nervous.”

“Relax, Son,” Pop said as they started up the walkway to the front door. “Everything will be just fine.”

Before they got to the door, Mr. Kauffman flung it open and pulled Charles into a bear hug. “Welcome to the family, Charles.” Then he turned to Mom and Pop with only slightly less enthusiastic hugs. “Esther and I are very happy.”

Charles saw Ruthie appear at the front door, her sweet, smiling face lighting up the near darkness.

“Go on, Son,” Pop said as he nudged him toward the house. “She’s waiting for you. Go make some memories.”

Without wasting another second, Charles ran toward Ruthie and pulled her into his arms. He leaned down and whispered, “Okay if I give you a kiss?”

She nodded. As he kissed her, their parents let out deep sighs, reflecting what Charles felt in his heart. He pulled away and looked into Ruthie’s eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you,” she said without an ounce of reservation. Yes, this was a moment he’d never forget.

R
uthie stood in the churchyard with her brand new husband of half an hour, watching Mary and Abe take turns chasing after their toddler. Her heart overflowed with joy, love, and peace like she’d never felt before.

“That’ll be us in a few years,” Charles whispered.

She turned to face the man she loved and trusted with all her heart. “I certainly hope so.”

As if on cue, Shelley approached and opened the blanket so Ruthie and Charles could get a better look at the bundle in her arms. Ruthie’s heart did a little flip. “He smiled at me.”

Shelley offered a beatific grin. “He senses your joy.”

Ruthie sighed. She couldn’t ever remember a time when she was this happy. She had a husband she adored, parents who loved her, in-laws who were happy to share their son with her, and friends who were a few steps ahead of her so she would have someone to ask questions when she and Charles started their own family.

“C’mon, Mary,” Abe called from the edge of the lawn. “Grab Elizabeth and let’s go. David will be here any minute.”

As their friends left the churchyard one by one, Ruthie and Charles hugged them and accepted their best wishes. They soon found themselves alone.

“Ready to go home now, my sweet wife?” Charles asked.

Ruthie’s eyes misted as she nodded. “Yes, my loving husband. I am ready to go to
our
home.”