Love Beyond The Rite

Chapter 17

Ember

Ember

I woke up to the sound of commotion outside my room, jolting me out of a peaceful sleep. Checking the time, I saw it was 9:30 am - a late start for me. I guess I needed the rest.

Chris's laughter echoed through the hallway, accompanied by Agnes's gentle voice. They sounded like they were having a lively conversation.

The enticing aroma of breakfast wafted into my room, making me drool

Getting ready to face my brother, I took a moment to assess my reflection. It had been five years since we'd last spoken, and I wasn't sure what to expect.

I studied my face, noticing the changes since returning home. My chubby cheeks, the ones Chris had last seen, had slimmed down, and my skin had a healthy glow. I looked different, more confident.

I took a deep breath and walked out of my room, ready to face my brother. As I entered the hallway, Chris's laughter caught my attention. He was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, a big smile on his face.

He spotted me and his eyes widened in surprise. "Hiya sis. Gosh, you're so tiny now. Where did you go?" he exclaimed, opening his arms for a hug.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to react. It had been so long since we'd hugged, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. But Chris's warm smile and enthusiastic tone put me at ease, and I stepped into his arms.

The hug was nice and familiar, and for a moment, I forgot about our past disagreements. I realized I did kind of miss my brother.

I sat down and started eating the delicious breakfast Agnes had made. She's a godsend.

"Em, what are your plans for the day?" Chris asked.

"I was going to read to Mom for a bit, then I need to go into town to find an outfit for dinner with the Troyers tonight. Nothing I have fits me anymore," I sighed.

Chris nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, we need to sit down and create a schedule. Abigail's coming tomorrow, right? With us three and Agnes, we should be able to manage."

He pulled out a chair and sat down, pulling out a notebook and pen.

"Let's make a list. Who's doing what and when?"

I raised an eyebrow, impressed by Chris's organizational skills.

After finalizing the schedule with Chris, I spent some time reading to Mom, watching her drift off to sleep. Feeling satisfied, I decided it was time to head to the dry goods store in town.

I needed a simple, muted outfit for dinner tonight with the Troyers. It wasn't about impressing them, but showing respect for their family. I also wanted to cover my tattoos, not wanting to give anyone a heart attack.

I walked into the dry goods store, greeted by the familiar scent of fabric and the soft hum of conversation. The shelves were stocked with plain clothing, and I scanned the racks, searching for something suitable.

A saleswoman approached, eyeing my tattoos. "Can I help you find something, dear?"

I explained my need for a simple outfit, and she nodded understandingly. "We have some lovely dresses and tops that should fit the bill."

She led me to a section of the store, and we browsed through the selection. I tried on a few options, settling on a modest dress in a muted green color.

Trying it on I couldn’t help but smile. I wore something similar growing up when I went to gatherings with Elijah. Everyone knew I wasn’t part of the community but they applauded my efforts and respected me more. The dress fit perfect and covered most of my tattoos.

The saleswoman smiled. "That looks perfect. You look like a true Amish sister."

I smiled back, feeling a sense of belonging. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was part of something bigger than myself.

I paid for the dress and apron, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Now, I just needed to figure out how to cover the rest of my tattoos.

As I walked back home, I thought about my conversation with Chris earlier. We had discussed Abigail's upcoming arrival and how we would manage the household chores.

When I arrived home, Chris was busy fixing a broken chair. "Hey, sis! How was your shopping trip?" he asked.

"It was fine," I replied. "I found a nice dress for tonight."

Chris nodded. "Good. Now help me tighten the bolts on these chairs.”

I obliged and looked over the schedule. It looks like I have mainly morning shifts with mom. Which I liked best.

With a couple hours left until dinner with the Troyers, I headed to the bathroom to shower and get ready. As I was washing my hair, my phone buzzed with a text from Connor.

"Hey pretty lady, I haven't heard from you. Hope you're doing well," he wrote.

I felt a pang of guilt and anxiety. I had forgotten about him with everything going on in my head.

I quickly typed out a response. "Connor, I'm so sorry. I meant to text, but things have gotten hectic at home. My brother just arrived, so I hope it eases the craziness soon. See you soon?"

I hesitated for a moment before sending the message. Connor still made me feel a little uneasy, but maybe it was just nerves from being back in the dating scene.

I finished getting ready, trying to shake off the lingering unease. As I styled my hair, I thought about Connor's text and our seeing him again soon. I know he wanted to take me home, which usually meant he wanted to do more than just talk. Would that be such a bad thing? i could use a good release from something uncomplicated. Maybe next time I’ll just go with the flow. I started thinking about what it would be like to be under Connor and how he would feel. Would he be vanilla like Paul? Or would he push my limits.

I styled my hair into a simple and sleek low bun. I wasn’t part of the community so I didn’t need a covering but I wanted to look decent. I covered my tattoos poking out the sleeves and on my hands with concealer. Leaving my face make up less I took a step back to examine the way I look.

You would honestly think I was a part of their world if you haven’t known.

I actually look pretty.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the doubts. I was ready to face whatever came next.

As I walked out of my room, Chris saw me. “You look nice sis. Don’t be nervous. Remember they watched you grow up.”

He was right I can do this.

I made my way to the Troyers' house, feeling a mix of emotions. What would they think of me now ? I may have grown up a little bit more since the last time they saw me but I was still me.

The dread of seeing Elijah and his wife made me nauseous.

When I arrived, Mr. Troyer greeted me warmly. "Welcome, Ember. We're glad you could make it."

I smiled, feeling a bit nervous. "Thank you, Mr. Troyer."

As I stepped into the Troyers' home, I was enveloped in a warm, cozy atmosphere. The simple, unadorned walls seemed to fade into the background as I took in the bustling scene before me. Mrs. Troyer was busy in the kitchen, her hands moving deftly as she prepared dinner. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with anticipation. The Troyer children were scattered about, their laughter and chatter filling the room. Mr. Troyer, a kind-eyed man with a gentle smile, greeted me warmly and guided me towards the kitchen.

Two young girls were helping Mrs Troyer and her daughters Mary and Sarah get the dinner ready.

Mary looked over and saw me standing in the kitchen in my simple outfit and smiled from ear to ear.

“There she is! Emmy you look so grown up.” Mary beamed.

“As do you Mary! Despite all these years the house still looks the same as I remember it. Cozy.”

Mary's smile lit up the room, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me. It was like no time had passed at all.

“Oh Emmy, you haven’t met Zachariah’s wife Esther yet.” Mary walks me over to a shorter woman with brown eyes and a gentle smile. “Esther this is Ember, she has been a neighbor and friend to us for years” she introduces us.

I smile “it’s very nice to meet you Esther”

"Come, Emmy, help us with the vegetables," Mrs. Troyer said, handing me a basket of carrots and potatoes.

I nodded, joining the girls at the kitchen table. Mary chatted excitedly as we worked, filling me in on the latest news and gossip.

Sarah, quieter than her sister, smiled shyly at me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

As we worked, the kitchen grew warmer, filled with the scent of roasting meat and baking bread. My stomach growled in anticipation.

I took a quick glance around the kitchen, searching for Elijah's wife. She should be here helping out, but I recognized everyone in the room, which didn't seem right. I assumed the two little girls were Elijah's daughters, since they shared his bright blue eyes and mischievous grin. Dinner was almost done, and I could hear the men approaching from the fields, their boots thudding on the porch.