The Peacemaker, page 14
Although Ephraim didn’t believe his grandmother would leave Bird-in-Hand and move to Allensville permanently, he nodded.
It would be a shame if the only good that came out of Dad’s heart attack was getting Grandma to change her mind about living here, Ephraim thought. But Grandma is a determined woman, and she might set her concerns about Dad aside in order to return to the place where she and Grandpa lived for so many years.
When his father’s eyes closed, and he made no further conversation, Ephraim figured he had probably fallen asleep. The puffiness beneath his father’s eyes was more prominent than ever, so no doubt he had been exhausted for quite some time.
Ephraim stood and quietly left the room. Would it be wrong to pray for a miracle—that Dad’s heart would heal and that Grandma would decide it would be better for her to remain in the Big Valley?
CHAPTER 15
Allensville
F RIDAY MORNING, AFTER EPHRAIM’S DRIVER dropped him off at the harness shop, he was surprised to discover a note taped to the front door. It was from Noah, saying that moments after he’d arrived for work this morning, he’d received an urgent phone call from his father, saying that his ten-year-old brother, Caleb, had been hit by a car while walking to school. Noah apologized but stated that he needed to call someone to drive him to the hospital where his brother had been taken. The last line on the paper read, “Ephraim, I hope you can manage by yourself here today.”
“I’ll get by,” Ephraim said aloud as he took out his key to enter the shop. He hoped Noah’s brother would be okay. Too many accidents occurred from careless drivers. Or maybe the boy hadn’t been walking where he should have been and stepped out in front of oncoming traffic. Either way, it was a shame that he’d been hit. Ephraim hoped Caleb’s injuries were not life-threatening.
After Ephraim opened the door and entered the building, he paused and inhaled deeply. It might seem strange to some folks, but he actually liked the pungent aroma of leather, linseed oil and other odors that permeated the harness shop. Ephraim also enjoyed the feel of the leather items he worked on, and he couldn’t imagine liking any job better than working in a harness shop. It was a shame that none of the harness shops he’d visited in Lancaster County wanted part-time help. If he could have been hired on at one of them, he might have enjoyed living in Lancaster County as much as he did here. Well, maybe not as much, he decided, but at least better than with no outside job at all. Helping Grandma out has never been enough for me. I need something more.
Ephraim leaned against one of the workbenches and groaned. Sure wish I could stay in Mifflin County permanently and work for my daed. If only—
The cowbell attached to the upper part of the shop door jangled, and Ephraim’s thoughts faded. He was surprised to see Ada step inside, holding a cardboard box.
“Oh, hey. It’s good to see you, Ada.”
“It nice to see you as well.”
Ephraim noticed a tinge of red on Ada’s cheeks, similar to the skin of a ripened strawberry, and he wondered if she may have been in the sun too long yesterday. “Did you get the message I left on your folks’ voicemail recorder about my daed?” he asked, scraping a hand through his thick hair.
“I did, and we’ve all been praying for him,” Ada spoke in a wispy tone of voice. “Is he still in the hospital?”
Ephraim nodded. “But he’s supposed to be discharged sometime later today.”
“That must mean he’s doing better.”
“Jah, but not well enough to come back here to work. Dad will have to lie low for a while and keep taking his medication, and I’ll be in charge of the harness shop until he can take over the business again.”
Ada moved forward a step. “It makes sense that he would need to rest. I’m glad you were able to come home to help out. I’m sure he appreciates it.”
“I hope so. Dad’s never been one to lie around or let someone else do his work, so it might be difficult for him.” He gestured to the box Ada held. “What have you got in there?”
“Three harnesses that need to be repaired.” Ada placed the box on the workbench, her hands fumbling before she crossed her arms. “Do you think you or your daed’s helper will have time to work on them? Noah’s still working here, isn’t he?”
Ephraim shuffled his feet. “Noah’s younger brother, Caleb, was hit by a car this morning, and he was taken to the hospital, so I’m not sure about anything right now.”
“Oh dear.” Ada’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope the boy’s injuries weren’t serious.”
“I hope so too. But if they are, or if, God forbid, the child doesn’t make it, Noah will likely be off work for some time.”
“Will you be able to manage the shop on your own without extra help?”
Ephraim shrugged. “I won’t have any other choice, so I’ll do the best I can.”
“That’s all any of us can do during difficult times.” She lowered her gaze. “Just keep moving forward, taking one day at a time.”
“You’re right.” Ephraim wondered if Ada might be thinking about the situation with Rosa, and how her disappearance had affected both family and friends. They’d all been forced to carry on with their lives, but not knowing what happened to Rosa had taken a toll on everyone who had cared for her, including him.
Standing a short distance from Ephraim, Ada toyed with her neckline to release a little of the strain she felt. She was certain he had no idea how much she’d always cared for him, even when he and Rosa were a couple. Every time Ada had seen Ephraim hold hands with her friend, or whisper something in Rosa’s ear, she’d struggled not to feel envious. When he’d moved to Bird-in-Hand to be with his grandma, Ada had hoped her feelings for Ephraim would fade, but seeing him now, she knew her desire to be with him had not gone away.
In an effort to keep her irrational thoughts from taking over, Ada gestured to the box. “Do you think you’ll have time to repair my daed’s harnesses?”
“I believe so, but I do need to check the work orders and see what has been brought in ahead of yours. As soon as I know where I’m at with my workload and how soon Noah will be back, I’ll give you a call.”
She swallowed a couple of times before speaking. “All right, that seems fair.” Her cheeks felt like they were on fire as Ephraim stared intently at her.
“Is there anything else I can help you with, Ada?”
“No … well … umm … I was wondering if you plan to stay in the Big Valley indefinitely now.”
Ephraim’s forehead wrinkled as his shoulders rounded. “I’d sure like to, but when Dad is better, and able to work here again, Grandma will probably want to return to her home in Bird-in-Hand.” He paused a few seconds and rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “No doubt she’ll expect me to go with her.”
“If you said no, would she change her mind and stay here too?” It was a question Ada hadn’t thought through—it simply popped out of her mouth.
Ephraim shook his head. “Short of a miracle, I don’t think anything will change my grandmother’s mind about moving here permanently.”
“That’s too bad. I’m sure your father would like to have his mother living close by.”
“I would think so—especially since Grandma isn’t getting any younger and can no longer do everything she used to be capable of doing.” He heaved a sigh. “It’s too bad Grandma can’t see that.”
“I guess when we get to be her age, we’ll understand things better. It can’t be easy for our elderly relatives to accept their limitations.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, I should get going. I need to be at the greenhouse for work soon.” Ada moved away from the workbench and was about to start for the door, but a thought popped into her head and she turned to face him again. “I know you’re really busy here and probably at home too, but a group of young people will be getting together at the park for volleyball next Friday evening. If you can get away for a few hours, maybe you’d like to join us.”
“That’s tempting, and I appreciate the offer, but in addition to my job here, I have too many chores waiting for me at home to do, so I won’t have time for socializing.”
“I understand, but all work and no play is not good for a person. My mamm reminds me of that all the time, because I have a habit of staying too busy and not relaxing enough.”
“I hear you, but sometimes we have to get our priorities straight and forget about fun and games.”
With a nod, Ada said goodbye. She figured she’d said enough on the topic. Truth be told, Ephraim was probably right. He did need to keep his focus on helping his family right now. It was selfish of her to think otherwise.
Wishful thinking—I’m good at that, Ada thought as she returned to her driver’s van. Even if Ephraim didn’t have family obligations right now, he’d probably avoid most social activities. A lump formed in her throat. And even if he could attend a young people’s gathering, he wouldn’t see me as anything more than a friend.
Belleville
Sarah had scurried about the house most of the morning, making sure everything was ready before Lewis came home from the hospital. Dorothy had left with her driver a few hours ago to pick up Lewis, and Sarah hoped they would be here sooner rather than later.
She’d been alone at the house since Ephraim and Lydia had left for work and the two younger girls had gone off to school. Sarah didn’t mind, though. It had given her some quiet time to do some baking and make sure everything in the house was in good shape before her son arrived.
Lewis has been worried about me since his daed died, and now I’m concerned about him, Sarah pondered as she fluffed up a full-size pillow she’d placed on the couch in case Lewis wanted to rest there instead of going to bed when he got home. She had also made her son’s favorite pumpkin cookies. Even though the pumpkins in Dorothy’s garden were not ready to pick yet, Sarah had found a jar of home-canned pumpkin puree on a shelf in the cellar.
The teakettle whistled, and Sarah filled her cup with hot water. After adding a peppermint tea bag, she took it to the living room and seated herself in the rocking chair. Sarah was about to take a sip when Blue jumped up in her lap, which jostled the cup. Luckily, she was able to keep the tea from spilling out, and she quickly set the cup down on the small table next to her chair.
“For goodness’ sake, Blue,” she said as the cat began to purr. “You choose the most inopportune times to demand my attention.” Sarah placed her hand on Blue’s back, enjoying the softness of his silky hair and feeling the pleasant vibration of his purrs. It was impossible to be upset with a cat so endearing.
Sarah rocked gently for a few minutes, and she was about to pick up her cup again, when a knock sounded on the front door. That can’t be Dorothy and Lewis, for they surely wouldn’t have knocked on their own door.
Sarah lifted Blue from her lap and plopped him on the floor, ignoring his shrill meow. She then made her way into the hall and opened the front door. A tall, elderly Amish man with a gray beard and hair the same color greeted her with a tentative smile.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but have you seen a black female cat with four white paws? Her name is Mittens, and she’s been missing since yesterday morning.” His pale blue eyes held no sparkle as he stood with one arm hanging loosely at his side, while the other held on to a black cane.
Sarah didn’t recognize the man and wondered if he might be visiting one of Lewis and Dorothy’s neighbors. She gave a shake of her head. “I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen any katze in my son’s yard matching that description.”
“I’ve only had the cat a few days, and Mittens slipped out an open door before I knew it.”
“I understand how frustrating that can be.” Sarah glanced behind her to make sure Blue hadn’t followed. The last thing she needed today was for him to make an escape. It would mean that she too would be out searching for a runaway cat.
They stood looking at each other for a few awkward seconds, and then the Amish man extended his free hand. “My name is Josiah Weaver, and I recently moved here from Lititz to live with my son, Aaron, and his wife, Katrina. They live two farms north of here, and I haven’t met many of the neighbors yet—until you, that is.”
She shook his hand. “I’m Sarah.”
“Have you and your husband lived here long?” he asked.
“Oh, no, this is my son’s place. Earlier this week, I came up from Bird-in-Hand to help out because Lewis recently had a heart attack.”
“Then your son must be Lewis Peight. Aaron mentioned that one of his neighbors had suffered a heart attack. I hope he will be all right.”
“I believe he will,” Sarah responded, shifting her stance. “And I plan to make sure that he does.”
“I bet you will. My wife, bless her departed soul, always took good care of our son when he lived at home. Even after Aaron got married and moved up here to Mifflin County, she worried about him—right up until the day she died.”
“So you’re a widower?” Sarah’s face heated. She didn’t know why she’d asked such a foolish question. If Josiah’s wife had died, then of course that meant he was a widower.
“Jah, Rebekah passed on two years ago.”
“I lost my husband too, and it’s been a difficult adjustment. My cat, Blue, has been a comfort, though, and so has—”
A cat, the color of coal, with ivory paws, streaked across the front lawn just then. “That’s my katz!” Josiah shouted. He said goodbye, rotated, and made his way down the porch steps with the aid of his cane. “I’d better try to get him while I have the chance.”
Sarah considered trying to help him catch the feline, but after hearing Blue’s continued meows grow louder as he approached from behind, she figured it would be best if she went back inside. She sure didn’t need two cats running around the yard.
From inside, Sarah watched out the living-room window and felt relief when she saw Josiah scoop the cat up and tuck the critter under one arm. She continued to observe him limping along until he’d left the yard and was out of sight. He would no doubt return to his son and daughter-in-law’s home feeling joyous that he’d found his cat.
Belleville
“Do I look all right?” Susan asked Tena as she passed her in the upstairs hallway Friday evening.
With her head tilted slightly, Tena squinted her hazel-colored eyes. “You’re fine, and in my opinion, you worry too much about your appearance.”
“That’s not true. I just want to make sure I look presentable before Ben gets here.”
“You really like him, don’t you?”
Susan nodded. She couldn’t deny it. In the short time she’d known Ben, she’d found herself thinking about him a good deal of the time. Even in her dreams at night, she often saw Ben Ebersol. Not only was he good-looking, he was a lot of fun to be around. Ben wasn’t afraid to take chances either, and Susan liked that daring, adventurous side of him. Hopefully when he came for supper, Ben would make a good impression on her family members—especially Dad and Norman, the two people she figured would be the most likely to judge him.
“I’m going downstairs now to see if Mom needs my help in the kitchen. Are you coming?” Tena asked.
“In a minute. I want to check my head covering in the mirror to make sure it’s on straight.” She retreated swiftly to her bedroom.
Glancing around the room that used to belong to Rosa, Susan muttered, “And it is my room now.”
At one time, Susan had believed her sister would return, but it no longer looked like a possibility, and in some ways Susan was glad. Rosa had once been their mother’s favorite daughter, but since Rosa’s disappearance, Susan had done everything in her power to make herself look good in Mom’s eyes. Even Dad, who had struggled in his relationship with Rosa due to her rebellion, didn’t pick at Susan nearly as much as he had Rosa. Of course he had made it clear that he didn’t approve of her seeing Ben, but tonight Susan hoped that would all change. This would be a chance for Susan to prove to Dad, Norman, and the rest of her family that Ben really was a nice guy. And maybe, Susan thought with a grin, Ben could potentially end up marrying me in the not-so-distant future.
When Susan came down the stairs a few minutes later, she caught sight of Norman, Tena, and Alvin standing close to each other in the living room. Norman said something, and they both nodded, but Susan couldn’t make out what he’d said. She didn’t have long to ponder the question, for the clip-clop of a horse’s hooves drew her attention elsewhere. Her skin tingled from the combination of nervousness and the excitement she felt knowing Ben must have arrived.
Susan’s hand quivered. She was tempted to open the door and wait for him on the porch, but she held herself in check. I don’t want to appear too eager. But another thought popped into her mind. I should let Ben know that he can put his horse in one of the empty stalls in the barn, rather than leaving him tied to the rail while he’s in here eating supper and getting acquainted with my family.
Susan started for the door, but Norman hurried out of the living room and blocked her path. “I’ll tell Ben where to put his gaul while you go to the kitchen to help Mom and Tena get supper on the table,” he stated, glancing over his shoulder.
Susan stood there with her mouth open as Norman rushed out the front door. She grimaced, while her internal temperature climbed. Susan had half a mind to go after him but decided against it, knowing it wasn’t worth the effort. As usual, that brother of mine has to tell me what to do. She heaved a lingering sigh. I hope Norman doesn’t say anything unkind to Ben. If he does, it may be the last time Ben comes here to see me. For that matter, he might break things off with me altogether. Then what would I do?
CHAPTER 16
T HE CHICKEN-AND-RICE CASSEROLE IS READY to go on the table,” Ada told her mother as she removed the glass pan from the oven.
