Free Whispers of a New Dawn by Murray Pura Page B

before God. Lyyndaya and I are happy she wants to marry Moses—happy she wishes to become Amish and stay here with all of you. That is a blessing— das ist ein Segen . And while our minds are not completely made up, I know Lyyndaya and I would like nothing better than to stay here with her, with all of you, and take up the Amish way once again. There is a very good chance that is what we will do.”
    Bishop Zook smiled, fingers in his white beard. “You would give up the flying? The planes?”
    Jude glanced at Lyyndaya and she nodded. “Yes. She would. I would.”
    “Never to fly again? Never?”
    “Never.”
    Becky found herself wanting to smile and wanting to cry, excited that her parents might live with her in Paradise for the rest of their lives, upset that they would give up soaring in the sky to do it. She rubbed her fingers under her eyes and brought a tissue from her dress pocket but did not use it.
    “We must know.” Pastor King again. “When will this decision be made? Next week? Next month? When?”
    Jude shrugged. “Tomorrow morning we might say yes. Or a week from now. But we are here until Becky is baptized for sure. By then we will tell you.”
    Pastor King grimaced. “That’s next spring. Almost a year away. That is too long.”
    “No, I will not be baptized next spring, Pastor.” Becky stared atthe four men. “I ask permission to take my vows at Thanksgiving. Or sooner. I will be an attentive student. You will see.”
    “We do not baptize in November,” replied Pastor King.
    “But you marry in November and December. I cannot wait a year to follow the Amish faith. And I cannot wait a year-and-a-half to be married to Moses Yoder. I ask to complete my instruction this fall. I can do it. I will apply myself.”
    The pastors were silent. Bishop Zook plucked a cookie from the half-empty plate. “And the flying is over, Rebecca?”
    After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Yes… Ja .”
    “It is over for good? No more crop-dusting?”
    Becky nodded.
    “I don’t need a vow from you. Not yet.” The bishop bit into the cookie. “Well, well, we shall see. If your progress is good, if the Lord’s hand in all this is unmistakable, who knows? Maybe a November baptism followed by a December wedding. Your teachers will decide.”
    “And who will they be?” asked Becky.
    “The ministers. And their wives. Oh, yes. Six teachers.” He winked at Becky. “And myself. No, we cannot leave out the bishop. How does this number seven suit you, hm? Seven Amish teachers.”
    Becky’s eyes were sharp and green and stayed on his. “So much the better.”

S EVEN
    I have never milked a cow. I’m a grain farmer.”
    “Look. You just do this. Okay?”
    “It seems crazy.”
    “My Aunt Ruth will be here in a few minutes. Come on.”
    Moses held the lantern away from the cow and toward Becky’s face. “If she will be here in a few minutes then I’d rather do something I can’t do when she’s around—like maybe a milking kiss?”
    Becky stared up at him from her stool. “A milking kiss? What are you talking about?”
    He knelt beside her. “It’s the least you could do for bringing me out here at four in the morning.”
    “I thought you wanted to come.”
    “Sure. But not for the cows.” He set the lantern down carefully and put a hand on each side of her face. “I love you.”
    He began to kiss her slowly but deeply. At first she remained turned toward the cow she had started to milk. After a few moments she moved to face him and put both arms around his neck. Moments later she pulled away.
    “You never know when to stop. How can I marry a man who wants to kiss me from morning to night and do nothing else? I won’t last a year.”
    He put his lips against her cheek. “How were your classes last night?”
    “The usual hard time from Pastor King and his wife. Pastor Miller always runs to my support.”
    “But you knew your Bible verses.”
    “Yes, I knew my Bible verses. And my German