A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn(36)

That was when the tears had begun to flow.

She’d felt awful for making her mother cry. However, she couldn’t deny that she’d been excited to try something new. And, yes, she was now seeing Jay. After years of simply getting through each day, she was finally looking at another man. She was actually imagining that she could one day have another deep and meaningful relationship.

It might not happen anytime soon, or it might happen at lightning speed—only time would tell.

Until that time, she was going to take baby steps. And that first step for her was to host a gathering. It was only a taco casserole and tuna- and chicken-salad sandwiches, of course. But still, it was more than she’d done in a very long time.

“Lena, dear, let’s get your sisters and go to church. We don’t want to be late.”

Luckily, all three girls were ready and, after giving Frankie a good-bye pat, they were on their way. As they passed the houses on one block, then another, several other men and women joined them. Emma knew everyone well enough to let go of Annie’s and Mandy’s hands. The girls appreciated the freedom and skipped ahead, chatting with some of their neighbors as they all made their way to the beautiful Pinecraft Amish Church.

Though most Amish never stepped foot in a church, often choosing to worship in each other’s houses and barns instead, necessity had led to the building of the gray stone church with the metal roof in Pinecraft. Local Amish residents enjoyed not having to worry about hosting church and instead helped with the church’s upkeep and landscaping.

Emma enjoyed the opportunity to worship among other people of her faith from around the country. Everyone was friendly, and it was a rare Sunday when she didn’t return home with a new friend in her heart.

When they entered the building, she gathered her girls around her and sat down with the other women while the men sat on the other side of the aisle. As she spied Tricia and Leona Kaufmann just down the row, she smiled and settled in. It was time to cast aside her troubles and give thanks for the Lord’s many blessings.

TWO HOURS LATER, EMMA was walking out of the service when she caught sight of her parents with Sanford’s family. All of them stopped and waited for her on the front lawn. As always, the whole family greeted Annie, Mandy, and Lena with loving care. As Lena told them all about her week at school, Annie showed off her loose tooth, and Mandy told them about her skinned knee, her mother pulled Emma to one side.

Emma braced herself for another round. “Hello, Mamm.”

“Emma, I don’t want to argue again, but I would be remiss if I didn’t caution you to be careful. I spoke with your father, and he, too, fears you’re rushing into this relationship with Jay Hilty and his family.”

“I don’t want to argue, either,” Emma replied. Measuring her words carefully, she added, “I’m glad you shared with me how you feel. But I don’t happen to agree with you.”

“Still . . .” Her mother’s voice drifted off, and when she bit down on her bottom lip, Emma felt her irritation leave. Her mother was worried about their relationship changing.

“Mamm, it’s going to be okay. You raised me to be a careful woman. I still am that way.”

“But serving them all dinner sounds like a big step.” She glanced at her granddaughters worriedly. “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

Sure seemed to be a bit too heavy-handed, but she did know that she wasn’t making a misstep. “I know I am serving lunch to some friends today. Is that what you are referring to?”

Her mother frowned. “Of course.”

“It is just lunch, Mamm. That is all.”

“Still . . .”

She hated that her mother wasn’t pleased with her decision but she wasn’t going to back out of her plans. She was glad she had invited Jay and his boys and Tricia and Beverly over. She was looking forward to entertaining her new friends. “Would you and Daed like to join us?” she asked reluctantly.

“What would I tell Sanford’s family?”

“Simply that I’ve made some new friends.” Just then, Emma saw Jay visiting with William and another family. She’d meant to rush home so she’d arrive at least a few minutes before they arrived. “I need to get home to set everything up for lunch. But there’s plenty. Why don’t you and Daed join us?”

“Nee. I don’t think that would be a gut idea. I’ll come over to see you later this week.”

“All right.” She knew what her mother’s visit would entail, too. A firm talking-to and a reminder of her place in the world as Sanford’s widow. And though she knew her mother’s advice would be given out of love, Emma was just as certain that her advice would be difficult to follow. She was growing closer to Jay and his boys every day and definitely did not want to give them up.