Wisdom's Danger

By Monica Marks

Mary is engaged to Aaron but is having second thoughts about the marriage. She seeks counsel from her grandmother but rejects the advice...even saying insulting things to her Grandma. Her grandmother is hurt as is Aaron when he hears Mary is having second thoughts from one of Mary's friends. Now mortified, will Mary be able to salvage everything and make things right with Aaron and her grandmother?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trellis Publishing
• Release date: Jul 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201706432

Book preview

WISDOM’S DANGER

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MONICA MARKS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WISDOM’S DANGER

AMISH LOVE REKINDLED

BRIDGET

AN UNLIKELY AMISH UNION

AMISH SUNSET

Wisdom’s Danger

Aaron had an unsettling feeling that morning, one that Mark noticed the moment the two met on the road. They always met in the morning to share a buggy before heading into Paradise to deliver wares to their respective vendors. That day was no different but for the definitive sense that something was amiss. His childhood friend looked at Aaron with a curious sidelong gaze, his blue eyes unblinking.

Has something happened? Mark asked in his pleasant way.

Aaron returned Mark’s stare, slightly taken aback by the blunt inquiry.

"Nee. Everything is fine. Why do you ask?" he replied, brow creasing.

You seem distracted, Mark answered without hesitation. In fact, you’ve been distracted every day this week.

I wish I didn’t wear my heart on my sleeve like this.

Aaron purposefully avoided Mark’s stare abashed that his feelings were so clearly written upon his own face. Even if he wanted to discuss what was on his mind with Mark, Aaron was unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. What could he say, after all? He wasn’t entirely sure why he was feeling the way he was but something instinctive told him that there was a matter with Mary.

Isn’t there always a matter with Mary? He thought without a hint of amusement. He felt guilty thinking about her in such a way but it was the truth. In some way or another, Mary always seemed to linger in his mind and rarely were the thoughts good those days. In fact, it had been a good many days since he last heard her laugh.

Aaron found himself wondering how that had happened, how things had gotten so difficult over the past year or so. In his mind’s eye, Aaron could still see them as children, laughing and playing in the school yard.

Maybe that’s the problem, Aaron thought grimly. We’re not kinder anymore and Mary has outgrown me.

It was a disturbing thought, one that Aaron hoped wasn’t so but he was having a hard time understanding whatever it was that was going on in Mary’s head. She did little to confide in him, not like she had when they were younger. It was almost as though he had become a bothersome parent rather than a boyfriend and confidant.

You don’t need to talk about it, Mark offered, loading up the last of the dairy crates. "We can talk about my midder instead."

Mark was teasing. No one wanted to discuss his mother, the district’s gossip. Even her own children knew she talked too much and involved herself in everyone else’s business whether she was invited or not. No, Aaron had no interest in discussing Eliza Troyer. He decided there was no harm in asking Mark his opinion.

It’s Mary, Aaron confessed, strapping down the cart before moving along to reclaim the reins of his horse as Mark took his side.

Mary? Mark sounded confused. Haven’t you just announced your engagement? What problems could you possibly have already?

That was a valid question, one that Aaron had entertained himself. They had only just announced their intention to marry, the banns read at the last worship while the two had stayed home to have a quiet supper. It was around that time that Aaron had begun to feel truly unsettled about his fiancée, like the announcement had been a tipping point he didn’t understand. 

I don’t know, Aaron confessed, driving his trusted mare forward. "It’s dumkupp. It’s probably nix."

Gauging by the look on your face, I think it’s not nothing, Mark insisted. Did you have a fight?

"Nee, nee, Aaron said quickly, shaking his long, black curls so that they tangled in his suspenders. Nothing like that."

Mark eyed him curiously.

Well? he demanded, a note of impatience in his voice. Aaron wished he hadn’t said anything at all. He turned his vivid green eyes toward the road ahead, feeling the wind pick up slightly as they moved toward town.

I hope it doesn’t snow, Aaron said instead of answering his friend. Are they calling for snow?

Mark grunted slightly but he seemed to understand that Aaron no longer wanted to speak about Mary.

There’s nothing to discuss. Matters between couples should remain private, not shared with the entire district. Shame on me for saying anything at all. I’m getting to be no better than Eliza.

Whatever their issues, Aaron was sure he and Mary would work things out between them, without anyone else’s interference.

~ ~ ~

Mary! Eva cried, surprise and happiness coloring her face when her eyes fell on her visitor. "How wunderbar, liebling. Kumme inside. I have fresh schmierkees au lattwarrick and kaffi."

The old woman turned, glancing over her shoulder to ensure that her granddaughter was following, a pleased smile on her lips. Mary stood hesitantly in the doorway, suddenly wishing she hadn’t come. It had been many months since she had visited her grandmother and she remembered why she didn’t enjoy going.

There was a slight odor of sick in the air, a heaviness that clung to Eva Guth and her sparse belongings. It was disheartening to be in Eva’s house which was why Mary avoided it. Mary’s father did what he could to see to his mother but Eva was a stubborn woman who refused to leave the home she’d shared with her now deceased husband and raised eight children. 

It’s for the best that she stays here, Mary thought with some arrogance. I wouldn’t want to be around this all day long.

"Kumme, Eva called out again, her beam faltering as if she could read Mary’s mind. You’ll let all the heat out if you stand in the doorway. I have the fireplaces and the wood stove going. It’s lovely in here."

I came all this way, Mary thought, stifling a sigh. What harm will it do now? And it is warm in here. Unbearably so.

Begrudgingly, Mary closed the door behind her and entered the front hall, following after her shuffling grandmother as Eva rambled on.

How long has it been since I’ve seen you? Eva asked. "It must have been when Susanna was ime familye weg, ja?"

"Nee, Grossmidder, Mary contradicted, flopping down at the scarred kitchen table as Eva hurried to fix her a snack. I haven’t seen Susanna in a long while either."

Eva paused and looked at Mary, her brow furrowing slightly.

"You haven’t seen your cousins and onkles?" she asked, seeming distraught by the news. Mary ground her teeth together and steeled herself from rolling her hazel eyes in annoyance.

"We all have our own lives, Grossmidder, Mary said sharply. I can’t check on every one of our hundred familye members."

Eva didn’t respond but she turned back to busy herself in the kitchen.

"Let me put the kessel on and you can tell me all about how you’ve been, Eva continued, ignoring Mary’s snide remark. How is your midder?"

Mary sighed loudly and shook her blonde braid, sitting back to fold her arms over her chest defiantly.

"I didn’t come here to talk about my midder or vedder or anyone else in the familye," Mary grumbled, feeling unreasonably annoyed that her grandmother couldn’t understand that.

Can’t she see that me coming here is something special, something worthy of more concern?

Eva’s face shadowed with concern and she rushed to sit at Mary’s side.

"Oh, lieb, forgive me, she murmured. Tell me what’s on your mind."

The scowl fell off Mary’s face and she gave her grandmother a forgiving smile.

That’s okay, she said magnanimously. "But I had to come to you because no one else in the familye would understand. You’re the only one who will see things my way."

Curiosity overtook Eva’s look of concern as she nodded.

"Of course you can tell me anything, Mary. That’s what grosseldre are for. Oh, how I wish Abe were alive to see how lovely you’ve become."

A soft but melancholic look fell over Eva’s face as she stared at Mary and the younger girl smothered a groan of annoyance. Even so, Eva seemed to sense it. She reached forward and patted Mary’s hand reassuringly.

"Tell me, liebling. What is it?"

I have recently become engaged to Aaron Schrock, she explained. Delight lit Eva’s face and she nodded.

"Ja, I heard when it was announced at worship. I have been working on a quilt for your wedding, Eva replied, her smile growing. He seems like a good man, from a good familye. I—"

He’s not, Mary interjected flatly. Eva faltered and stared at her granddaughter, shocked by the words.

What has he done? Eva demanded, a fire lighting in her eyes. "You vedder and onkle will set him straight, whatever it is. Should we get Bishop Fisher involved?"

Mary moaned dramatically and shook her head.

"That’s the problem, Mammi. He hasn’t done anything. He’s boring."

Eva paused as though she was trying to process what Mary had said.

Well... Eva said slowly. The Ordnung does not speak to excitement and glamor, Mary, as you know. It talks about Gotte’s way and hard work. Do you think that Aaron is going against our ways?

Mary’s jaw clenched defiantly and she frowned. Of all people, she expected her grandmother to understand. After all, Eva had left the district for six months during Rumspringa with an Englischer. If anyone should know what Mary wanted, it was Eva.

Yet she’s staring at me like I’m narrich. She’s the insane one.

I never said he was going against the Ordnung, Mary snapped. I said he’s boring and I don’t think that’s the kind of man I can be married to for fifty years or more.

Eva pursed her lips like she was thinking of something to say and when she finally spoke again, she did so with a heavy wariness in her voice.

"A good, industrious man is not easily come by, even in our community, lieb. Boredom is something that can be cured but a man who abuses or drinks?"

Angrily, Mary sat forward, her eyes flashing indignantly.

A marriage can be bad for many reasons, she insisted. Just because he doesn’t use his fists, doesn’t mean I won’t be unhappy!

Eva’s expression of disapproval was almost palpable but when she spoke, her tone was even.

You remind me much of myself when I was your age, Mary, Eva said quietly. I, too, had a desire for something more than I thought the district could provide me.

"Ja and you went into the Englisch world for six months with a man you loved!" Mary reminded her. The surprise on Eva’s face told Mary her grandmother hadn’t realized others were aware of her generations old tryst.

You could have left the community during Rumspringa too, Eva reminder her. You chose to remain in Lancaster County and be baptized.

I didn’t realize how much more boring Aaron was going to become! Mary cried. She jumped to her feet and glared at her grandmother. It was a mistake coming here. You’re just as bad as everyone else who thinks I should force myself to marry the dullest man in the world.

Mary, Aaron Schrock is decent and he loves you. I wouldn’t throw away such devotion because you’re having second thoughts about your own wants.

I haven’t changed! Mary grumbled defiantly. Aaron is getting worse. If I have to hear one more word about dairy cows or milk machines...

Have you tried to learn more about the farm? Eva asked but Mary wasn’t listening. She paced the small kitchen, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Are you telling me that