Chapter 16
Willard Luft was well known for a variety of reasons in Walden. He was a master carpenter, raised champion horses, and took good care of his mother. He was also known to be a confirmed bachelor and a rather persnickety person.
Patti had known Willard for most of her life. Because he was a bit older, they’d never had much of an occasion to converse about anything other than the usual pleasantries whenever they passed each other on the street or spoke in church.
That was why she was mighty surprised when he showed up at her house on Thursday evening. In a clean shirt and freshly shaved face, no less.
“Hiya, Willard,” she said when she answered the door. A half-dozen questions hovered on her lips, but how did one go about asking if there was a reason a man stopped by unannounced? Every word on the tip of her tongue sounded rather rude.
That said, she felt flummoxed. No one in need of her bookkeeping services came over in the evening.
Then, too, was the way he was studying her.
She felt as if he was cataloging her face, hair, teeth, and greeting.
It was disconcerting! At least she was wearing a fairly new dress that fit her well.
The dove-gray color wasn’t her favorite, but she did like that it looked neat and clean.
After a pause, Willard inclined his head. “Good evening, Patti. May I come in? Or, would you like to come out to the front porch?” Before she could answer, he pursed his lips. “Now that I think about it, you’d best come out. It wouldn’t be seemly if I went inside.”
Seemly? She was tempted to giggle. And, if she was being honest, she was also tempted to close the door in his face. Who was he to say what she should do in her own house?
But, of course, neither option was going to happen, especially since she was starting to get the feeling that he was nervous.
“Willard, I’m afraid you’re going to have to backtrack a few steps. Are you in need of a bookkeeper?”
His chest puffed up a bit—as if he needed to emphasize his manliness. “I am not, Patti.”
“Then . . . ?” When he simply stared, she decided to be more forthright. “Is there something you need?”
“I realize that you have been off the shelf for quite some time, but surely you can remember what a caller looks like?”
He’d come calling. He’d come courting. Willard! Where was Kelsey or Beth when she needed them? Or even better, Sylvia! She and Sylvia had exchanged amused looks more than once when he acted full of himself.
Yes, she absolutely needed someone to exchange an incredulous look with while she did her best not to giggle. “Oh. I see.”
He exhaled as he folded his hands behind his back. “If you do, then you also must understand why we shouldn’t be alone in your house. People will talk.”
About what? she wondered. Oh, she wanted to be a good and proper woman! The type to graciously nod and invite him to take a seat on the porch while she prepared coffee or hot chocolate for them to sip on a chilly autumn evening.
Unfortunately, she just wasn’t quite that good or proper. “Willard, I run my own business. I have clients come over all the time to discuss their companies or their ledgers. Some of those clients are single men.”
“I am not like that. Please, get a shawl and join me on your porch. The chairs look somewhat clean. I’ll sit down and wait.”
He was ordering her about. “Yes. Please sit. I’ll be right there,” she said in a sweet tone. Right before she closed the door.
Leaning against the frame, she gazed up at the ceiling. “What in the world am I supposed to do with him, Gott?” she asked. “Willard is being insufferable and he’s only been here a couple of minutes.”
The Lord didn’t answer, but it didn’t matter, because it felt as if her mother was chiming in her two cents from up above.
Her directions were simple and direct, too.
Patti needed to put on a shawl, go sit outside on one of her somewhatclean chairs, and entertain Willard.
She needed to be polite, too. After all, he’d come all this way.
She couldn’t send him home without sitting with him for thirty minutes.
Hurrying to the kitchen, she grabbed her shawl off a peg near the back door and then strode to the front of the house. While she did, Patti purposely did not look at her kettle on the stove. She might owe Willard her time, but she was not going to make him hot chocolate or fresh coffee.
“Sorry it took me a moment,” she said in her best breezy tone as she joined him on the porch. “I couldn’t remember where I left my shawl.”
He did not stand up when she moved to the chair next to him. Instead, he crossed his ankles in front of him. “Do you normally misplace important items?”
“Nee, I do not.”
“Do you not consider your shawl to be important?”
“Willard, do you really want to talk about my shawl right now?” She smiled brightly. Just to take the sting out of her question.
“I suppose not.” His lips pinched before he chuckled. “I guess it’s obvious that you ain’t the only one who is out of practice.”
She kind of wasn’t, though. Martin had come calling quite a bit. And he had made no mistake about his appreciation for her. Especially when he kissed her. But how could she admit that without sounding like a hussy? “Hmm.”
“Hmm?”
“Willard, please forgive me. Even though we’ve known each other for years, I was surprised to see you on my doorstep. I never imagined you might be interested in me.” There. She sounded modest yet in need of an explanation. Her mother would be pleased.
After crossing his legs, he said, “When I reached my fortieth birthday, I realized that if I didn’t do something soon, I would grow old alone.”
“So, you decided to start calling on different women?” It might be a little odd, but she supposed it did make sense. Desperation did make a person do things that were out of the ordinary.
“Nee, Patti. I made a list, thought about who might best suit my needs, and decided that you would be the best choice.” He bared his teeth then, which she slowly realized was his attempt to smile.
And then he stared at her intently.
Just like he’d declared Patti the winner in a Publishers Clearing House giveaway!
She was becoming a little bit uncomfortable. “Wow, Willard. That is flattering, for sure. But, um, I don’t believe we would suit.”
“Why not? I am single and have a good job. I also want children. If the Lord decides that we could be fruitful, then you could be a mother.”
She did not want to ever think about having children with Willard. She also didn’t like him bringing up the possibility of her not being able to give a man a babe. “I do hope to be a mother one day. And, God willing, you will also be blessed to be a father.”
“Well, of course.” Up went an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
“About the two of us being together?”
“About us getting married.”
“I’m sorry, but your employment and single status isn’t a good enough reason to marry.” Not wanting to beat around the bush—or converse with him on her front porch any longer—she added, “Besides, I’m already seeing someone. I’m not actually available. I’m sorry you didn’t realize that.”
“Who are you seeing?”
“I fail to see how that is any of your business.”
“I think differently. I had plans for us.”
When he folded his arms across his chest and stared hard at her, Patti realized it was silly to keep Martin’s identity a secret. Taking a deep breath, she said, “It’s Martin Schrock.”
Willard’s eyes narrowed. “The Englisher?”
“Jah.”
“That’s impossible.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Patti Coblentz, I thought you were baptized.”
“I am.”
“When is he joining our faith?”
“I don’t know.”
“What if he doesn’t? Have you thought about that? Or, are you so smitten with his muscles and good looks that you’ve forgotten your vow to the Lord?”
“I have not forgotten anything.” Not her vow to the Lord . . . or Martin’s fine physique. Standing up, she said, “I will also not forget the way you came over unannounced and then very rudely informed me about your plans.”
“I haven’t been rude, Patti. Only direct.”
“I beg to disagree.”
“I am shocked by your news, though. I think most everyone we know would be.”
And . . . now she had no choice but to throw all of her mother’s good manners out the window. Folding her arms over her chest, she glared. “What does that mean? Are you going to gossip about me?”
Just as he was about to say something else, the now unmistakable form of Martin appeared.
“Patti?” he called out. “Are you all right?”
She walked down the steps eager to greet him. “I am now.”
He reached out for her hands. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” After taking comfort in his touch for a few seconds, she pulled her hands from his. “I promise, I’m fine.”
“I hope so.” After scanning her face again, he turned to Willard. “Hi. I’m Martin Schrock.”
“I know who you are.” At last, Willard stood up. “Willard Luft.”
Martin glanced her way. When he faced Willard again, he looked far less friendly and a good deal more irritated. “What brings you to Patti’s house at this time of the evening?”
“That is no concern of yours,” Willard said in a low voice.
Martin continued to stare at him. “I think differently.”
Patti supposed it was time to intervene. “Willard came courting, Martin.”
“Oh?” Turning to her, Martin scanned her face. “Did you invite him here?”
“I did not. I was just telling Willard that you and I were seeing each other when you walked up.”
“Good.” His blue eyes warmed.
“Nee, it isn’t good,” Willard said as he tromped down the front steps. “You are leading Patti on and encouraging her to break sacred vows. You are leading her down a very dark and terrible path.”
Some of the confidence in Martin’s expression faded. “Do you feel that way, Patti?” he asked her in a low tone.
“Nee. He dreamed that up.”
“I did not dream up the consequences you will face when you disappoint your entire family.”
Martin flinched as if he’d been struck.
“It’s past time you left,” she said.
“I’m going. I’m going. But listen to me, Patti Coblentz.
You might choose to ignore my interest and disregard everyone else’s opinions, too.
But it is wrong to pretend that these vows you made when you were baptized didn’t mean anything.
It wasn’t just a promise, Patti. It was a solemn vow.
And if you can’t keep that vow, how are you going to keep anything else? ”
Her mouth had gone dry.
Both she and Martin remained silent as Willard reached for his bicycle and pedaled off.
The scariest part was that she had no idea what she was going to say to Martin.
Because a part of her knew that Willard was right. She knew she was falling in love with Martin. She might be already there. But if she acted on those feelings and left her faith, it would be very hard.
No, almost insurmountable.
But if she broke things off with Martin, she had a feeling she would be spending the rest of her life alone. Substituting Martin for someone different wasn’t a possibility.
She’d be an old maid.
Staring into Martin’s eyes, she ached to step into his arms and relax against him. Admit her feelings. But if she did that, trouble would follow.
Her heart felt like it was breaking. How could something that was so right feel so wrong?