Holding a Tender Heart by Jerry S. Eicher

against me. Maybe you’d better tell me what it is, Henry.”
    â€œI’m sure the church would also wish to hear about it, Bishop. So maybe I should tell them first?”
    Bishop Beiler sighed. “That’s not going to work, Henry. I’ll tellthe congregation I offered to make things right, but you held out so you could embarrass me in front of everyone.”
    Henry swallowed hard. “Okay, I’ll tell you. Your eldest daughter’s boyfriend, Joe Weaver, also seems to have a liking for Englisha vehicles. He’s been driving them around at the auction barn in Belleville for quite some time now. How’s that for being a bad example to our young people? At least I keep my things hidden behind the barn for the most part.”
    Bishop Beiler gathered his thoughts. “And you know this for sure, Henry?”
    Henry glared. “I saw him myself, Bishop. Quite a few times.”
    Bishop Beiler squared his shoulders. “Then it will be taken care of. And you can give your regular confession the same Sunday he does. But the next time I will call for a knee confession. I’m warning you, Henry, so take this seriously.”
    Henry didn’t say anything, so Bishop Beiler headed back to his buggy. So this did involve Joe Weaver. Well, confound it! he thought as he untied Milo and climbed into the buggy. Joe would confess in front of the church or he’d never bring Verna home from a Sunday-night hymn singing again. He drove Milo down the road. Now he knew the answer to the question of the Englisha girl. Debbie could move into their place. If Henry was determined to make trouble for his family, then he’d better take all the steps to help himself he could. And having Debbie live with them might keep Lois at home. Who knew but that Da Hah had supplied this very answer for his problem and he’d been too blind to see it. What better help could there be for Lois than someone living in the house who knew the Englisha world so well and could warn against its dangers?
    Bishop Beiler pondered the matter some more and felt a weight lift from his shoulders. This was indeed from Da Hah . The bishop hummed the Praise Song then allowed his voice to rise above the beat of Milo’s hooves. Even when another buggy passed him, he waved and lowered the volume only a little. The day had turnedout pretty well after all. There was still the administration of church discipline that lay ahead, and what Verna likely would have to say when she heard about Joe’s transgressions, but he could handle it. Verna would have to learn that he knew what he spoke of when it came to men. Maybe she would think twice about allowing Joe to bring her home again.

Ten

    L ater that evening Verna walked into the living room. Mamm was sitting on the couch with her hands clasped in front of her, a strained look on her face. Daett was in his rocker not smiling. Had she done something wrong? But what? “You called for me, Daett ?” Verna asked.
    Daett cleared his throat. “A matter has come up that concerns you, and…”
    â€œMe?” Verna sat on the couch. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
    Her daett watched her intently and said, “If you’ll let me finish, I’ll tell you.”
    Verna fell silent. Daett was about to tell her she couldn’t see Joe Weaver again. But why? She felt the words to come would be like an ax falling toward a fallen tree limb, prepared to split it wide open. And she would split, Verna told herself. Her heart would tear at the seams. How could Daett do this to her? And for no reason at all! The date with Joe had gone so well.
    Verna’s thoughts hung in the air as her daett spoke again. “It has come to my attention that Joe Weaver is driving Englisha vehicles at the auction barn in Belleville. The ministry will be asking him to make a church confession on the matter. Normally you wouldn’t betold about these church matters,