Chapter 31 #2
Maggie shrugged her slim shoulders. “Not really, but Stephen’s sleeping right now, so I thought the two of us could sit outside and enjoy the crisp air of fall while we get better acquainted.
” She moved closer to Ivan’s worktable. “If we don’t get to know each other more personally, we’ll be like two strangers when we get married.
That wouldn’t be a good way to start our lives together as husband and wife. ”
Although his room wasn’t overly warm, Ivan’s forehead broke out in a sweat.
The thought of becoming Maggie’s husband filled him with dread.
Yet it was a fact—he had agreed to marry her, and he couldn’t take it back now.
But how could he live the rest of his life with a woman he didn’t love?
There were times when Maggie spoke too loudly and more often than he liked, and that got on his nerves.
It was especially irritating when Ivan tried to work on a clock and all he wanted was some peace and quiet so he could concentrate on the job at hand.
It would be one thing if she sat in silence while he labored over his project, or perhaps showed some curiosity about his craft, but it was quite apparent that Maggie had no interest whatsoever.
“Did you hear what I said?” Maggie’s high-pitched tone seemed even more shrill than usual. It was enough to put his teeth on edge.
“Yes, I heard you,” Ivan responded, struggling not to let his irritation show.
“Then don’t you agree that we need to spend more time together?”
“I suppose, but right now I’m busy, as you can certainly see.” Ivan gestured to the clock he needed to work on. “This is a gift for someone’s birthday, which is next week, so if I don’t keep working, it won’t get done on time.”
Maggie’s shoulders slumped, and her head lowered a bit.
“Okay. Guess I’ll find something else to do till Stephen wakes up.
” She turned and started for the door, but then paused and whirled around.
“If you don’t want to marry me, you may as well say it right now, so we don’t have to take those boring classes to join the church.
I’m sure you’re dreading it as much as I am. ”
Ivan’s mouth opened slightly, and at first, he couldn’t get the proper words out. Then, as she stood staring at him with a blank expression, he finally spoke. “I’m not dreading the classes. I’m looking forward to joining the church.”
“Really?” Maggie’s eyes widened.
“Jah, and as a matter of fact, for the last year or so, I’ve been thinking about joining. Just never got around to it till now.”
“I see.” Maggie’s lips pressed into a tight-looking grimace, but then her facial muscles relaxed and she said, “I really don’t mind the thought of becoming a church member. It’s just taking the classes I’m dreading.”
He tipped his head. “Why is that?”
“As you know, our instruction classes will take place in a separate room during our Sunday church services.”
Ivan merely gave a brief nod in response.
“And also,” Maggie continued, “we’ll have nine weeks of instructional classes to sit through.”
“That’s correct.”
“What am I supposed to do with the baby during the time we’re taking the classes?” she asked.
“I’m sure my mamm will hold him,” Ivan replied while he twisted another tiny gear within the mechanism of the clock. “If not, then maybe one of my sisters will be happy to do it.”
“Thanks for the suggestion.” Maggie placed her hand on Ivan’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Your family has been so nice. I really appreciate the way they’ve opened this home to me and Stephen, welcoming us like we are one of the family.”
Ivan’s only response was a slow nod. He wished Maggie would leave the room so he could keep working on the clock. Didn’t she realize how important getting this job done was to him?
In some ways Ivan felt sorry for Maggie.
She seemed so needy, which could be because her mother and father had asked her to leave their home soon after the baby was born.
It saddened Ivan to think that any parent would do that to their own flesh and blood.
One would think they would have been willing to help Maggie raise their grandson.
Maggie gave his shoulder another squeeze and said, “I can take a hint, Ivan. I’ll leave you alone to your clock repair. It’s obviously more important to you than talking to me.”
“Talking to you is important,” he replied.
Still crouched over his work desk, Ivan stretched his fingers, trying not to be too harsh with his choice of words.
“Just not when I’m trying to work. Please try to understand that it’s even more important to the person who will be getting it as a birthday present. ”
“Guess that makes sense. Sorry I bothered you,” Maggie murmured, lowering her head and speaking more softly.
“I’ll leave you alone now and find something constructive to do.
” Before Ivan could form a response, she left, closing the door behind her, but it hadn’t clicked, so it was still open a crack.
As Maggie’s footsteps receded down the hallway, Ivan returned his focus to the clock between his palms. His aching fingers were smeared with oil from all the work he had done thus far.
A part of Ivan wanted to exhale with relief that she had finally left him alone, but another part felt sorry for her, to the point that he almost set the clock aside to spend some time with her.
The determination and need to get it done on time won over, however.
After supper, Ivan would set some time aside and give Maggie and Stephen the attention they both needed.
After all, it was the right thing to do.