“That was my one worry when I left, but I should have known it would come out all right.”
Arden, who was sitting tall on the driver’s side of the family carriage, glanced at her. “No doubt the People back in Leacock are still talking ’bout the sweet girl from Michigan who changed their lives.”
“Now, Arden . . .”
“Nee, really—you should hear what they say.”
Blushing now, Lena wished he wouldn’t go on so. “I hope to keep in touch with as many of them as possible.”
“Oh, trust me. You have a ready-made circle letter group anxious to hear how you’re doin’.”
“Do any of them know we’re courting?”
He paused, then smiled broadly. “A fella can’t keep secrets from his kinfolk, now, can he?”
Lena’s heart beat more quickly. “So everyone knows?”
“Manny first of all. And of course I told Eli and Lydia, too. Or do you think I didn’t have to say why I wanted to move way out here?” His eyes twinkled, and he told her that Lydia had known he was coming. “I told her at market,” he said.
She laughed. “I wondered. She was so secretive in her letter about that market day.”
Arden reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. “She’s all for it, as is my family.”
What a wonderful Thanksgiving! she thought, snuggling close to Arden.
Soon after she and Arden arrived, Lena had a chance to introduce him to Uncle Noah privately, before Wilbur came in his open carriage with Chris and the grandparents, whom he helped inside.
The twins arrived with Timothy and Benjamin around that time, as well, soon to be followed by Emma, Liz, and Verena.
Uncle Noah stood shaking hands and greeting all of them warmly, and then Aunt Mary suggested the men and boys take seats at the table while she and the girls brought over the hot turkey on a big oval platter, along with all the mouthwatering side dishes for the feast.
Lena smiled at Chris, touched to see that he was saving her a spot next to him at the table. And later, once everyone was seated and they all bowed their heads to ask the blessing, Lena found she was sitting between Chris and Arden.
Uncle Noah led the silent prayer, bowing his head longer than usual. Was he thanking God for bringing Arden their way? Certainly that was near the top of the list of Lena’s thank-yous.
As Lena was sure he would, Arden took great interest in talking with each one while the food was being passed around the long table.
Chris paid close attention to Arden, as well, not picking up his fork to eat just yet and glancing at Lena Rose a couple of times. He knows something’s up!
———
Aunt Mary’s generous spread of food was as delectable as Lena had remembered, and when Emma’s cherry pies were sliced and served, Liz and Verena sighed and looked at each other as if wondering how they were going to make room for dessert.
Naturally, none of their brothers seemed to have a problem with that, and all of them were as eager as Uncle Noah to dive into a piece of cherry pie piled high with homemade whipped cream.
Arden, for his part, made a show of leaning back in his chair and patting his stomach.
Uncle Noah must have noticed, because he nodded his head and said, “Thanksgiving comes but once a year, remember.”
“Well, if I could just go and pitch some hay, maybe I’d make some room for Emma’s dessert.”
“Oh now . . . eat yourself full,” Aunt Mary said as she cut an extra-big piece for Arden, which Lena and Arden ended up sharing.
Arden let her have the last bite, then returned his attention to those gathered around the table. “Once upon a time, Lena Rose and I shared a very generous slice of coconut cream pie,” he said, surprising her. “And, to tell the truth, I knew that very evening that Lena was the girl for me.”
Lena’s breath caught in her throat. Why’s he saying this?
Arden put down his fork and turned toward Lena, and she wondered what else he was going to say.
“Lena Rose, I’d like to ask ya somethin’ mighty important, right here in the presence of your beloved family.”
He looked at her, eyes smiling. “Will you be my bride, my dearest friend . . . and my sweetheart for life?”
Lena looked around at her brothers and sisters, all of whom were quite deliberately nodding their heads. Then, smiling back at Arden, Lena happily said, “I will . . . jah.”
Wilbur began to applaud, and right away everyone else joined in. A couple of the younger boys were cheering. Honestly, Lena thought it was the sweetest way for a man to propose. In fact, it was the only way Arden had wanted to do so, he told Lena on the ride back to Preacher Yoder’s with Chris, who’d asked to come, too.
“I wish Dat and Mamma could’ve been there,” Chris said as the carriage rumbled along.
Lena agreed. “Well, I really wonder if Arden would’ve proposed quite like that if they were still alive.”
Arden shook his head. “Nee . . . it’s because your parents aren’t around that I wanted the rest of your family to be in agreement.”
Chris said no more, and his silence seemed to indicate that he understood.
After they arrived at Dawdi and Mammi’s, Chris clambered out of the carriage, and she and Arden watched him run up the lane, turn and wave, and then scamper around the back of the house.
“I like your family,” Arden said quietly.
Lena had never felt more content. “I’m not surprised you feel that way.” Nor could she deny the strong pull she felt toward him as Arden drew her near. There, in the darkness of the preacher’s carriage, her darling’s lips found hers, and oh, how she loved being close to him this way as they sealed their love with a kiss.
“You know,” she said as he caressed her cheek, “my father wrote some postcards to Mamma long before I was born—before they were wed. I have them now, and there’s
