Read Online Rebecca's Return by Jerry S. Eicher - Free Book Online Page A

get.”
    He watched her go, completely puzzled, then thinking this new turn might be a benefit to him. A wife, vigorous in her defense of church rules, might even enhance his standing in church.
    Relaxing, Reuben turned back to his paper and found Kalona, Iowa’s column on the third page, near the top. It was only later that he noticed the uneasy feeling settling into the pit of his stomach.

C HAPTER E LEVEN

     
    S lapping the reins, driving along the top of Wheat Ridge, John succeeded in getting extra speed out of his horse. He soon regretted it. He felt conflicted, not wanting to be seen hurrying to the Keim’s home, yet wanting to get there quickly.
    What if she isn’t there? What if she is still in Milroy taking care of her aunt’s baby? How would it look—me driving to her place? Can I climb out of this buggy and tie up with no Rebecca around to make things look appropriate? What about walking to the front door? What am I going to say when they open the door?
    Bein yusht nei shtobt, he would say, feeling thoroughly stupid. Just stopped in. How would that sound? Standing on the front porch, with my hat in my hand.
    Just stopped in. Stopped in for what? Their girl obviously. Rebecca, who might not be home, and he, John her boyfriend and supposedly the husband to be, shouldn’t they know where the other is?
    John almost pulled back on the reins but couldn’t. He simply had to know, whatever the embarrassment would be. Tomorrow was Saturday, and he could come back then, but that would require turning back, facing his parents, and explaining his retreat.
    Why is the world so complicated? Where is the simplicity of things? I had felt those feelings for Rebecca at the bridge and hope to feel them now.
    There it had been just her and him, the whole world spread out at their feet to walk in it as they saw fit. Why weren’t things staying like that? The question surprised and puzzled him.
    Was this what all good things became? He had been happy then, and now he wasn’t. Was this because happiness was always followed by cloudy weather? He didn’t know for sure. Neither of his parents had ever mentioned anything like this, but maybe they wouldn’t. They had raised him to be a faithful member of the church and to follow God. Surely with that record behind him and with the good parents he had, he would be okay.
    It will have to be okay, he thought. It just has to be. Glancing to his right, the eighty acres on Wheat Ridge came into view. He couldn’t see much in the early evening dusk, but his mind’s eye could see it all clearly. The single white framed house sitting on the knoll, red barn in the background, both built twenty years ago, still in good condition for the most part. It was the place he wanted so desperately to call home—not just his home but home with Rebecca.
    He had purchased the property late last year, with careful thought and knowing that he wanted to ask Rebecca the question. Waiting to buy until he asked hadn’t been an option because such places sold quickly along Wheat Ridge. The place had been offered to him without a realtor, the family knowing his family.
    Renters were living there now and would stay until the summer before the wedding. There was no sense in living there alone, when a little income could be realized on the side and while he was still welcome at home. Miriam and Isaac had gladly lent him the money for the purchase, at a little better than the interest rate they could get from CDs at the bank. The purchase had been a little scary, considering Rebecca had not said “yes” yet, but it was worth the purchase, he had figured, even if she turned him down. He had been so certain that they were right for each other and meant to spend their lives together, that his imagination failed him when he tried to consider any other girl. Being turned down would have been devastating, and he knew that with a certainty that sent chills up and down his spine.
    He felt like pulling back on the