“Excuse us,” he said quietly as he led Emmie into the next room.
Barbara eyed Dottie, but neither made a comment about Gabe or Emmie. “So, back to your interesting stories,” Barbara said at last.
“I’ve been keeping a notebook of all the folks I meet on these tours,” Anna replied. “But now I guess I should be writing down the humorous things, too.”
“You do that,” Katie said with a mischievous smile. “And we’ll meet back here in a few weeks to hear what you write!”
This brought peals of laughter around the table. And even though the rest of their fellowship time was pleasant, the lack of an explanation for why little Emmie had kept Barbara and her husband up last night lingered in Anna’s mind long after she had bid farewell.
Chapter 32
As planned, Anna stopped by Molly’s house to pick up Sadie on her return. Seeing how gloomy Sadie looked as she got into the car, not saying much, Anna was concerned about her visit with Eva. But, wanting to avoid bringing up anything difficult, she made small talk and offered to help make the noon meal once they returned home.
“Oh, you needn’t do that,” Sadie said, her eyes pink, as though on the verge of tears.
Anna insisted. “I want to.”
Nodding, Sadie said softly, “We’ll have us a light dinner, of course, since you’re goin’ swimming afterward, jah?”
Anna almost wished she were staying home with Sadie, as disheartened as she seemed.
I wonder if Eva didn’t recognize her today. . . .
With that heavy possibility in mind, Anna felt as if she had frittered away her morning having iced coffee and treats with virtual strangers while dear Sadie was experiencing heartfelt pain.
Back at the house, Anna worked alongside Sadie in the kitchen, wanting to be there for her, in case Sadie opened up about her time with Eva.
After a while, Sadie asked, “How was your visit with Barbara Mast?”
“Oh, real nice. I got better acquainted with her and the two other women,” Anna replied, mentioning some of the funny things that she’d shared about her clients on tours. Then she said, “Not that it matters, but I didn’t realize Gabe and his daughter live with Barbara and her husband.”
“Well, I don’t believe they do,” Sadie said, looking surprised as she cut homemade bread for sandwiches. “He and Emmie go to Masts’ for meals now and then. Gabe’s home is across the road and down a ways.”
Anna considered that, wondering why that hadn’t occurred to her.
“So, was Gabe there?” Sadie asked, curiosity evidently replacing her former sadness.
“Jah, with Emmie, but not at the coffee gathering.”
“Well, did ya have a chance to talk—with Gabe, I mean?” Sadie looked a bit sheepish.
“Nee,” Anna replied, as she set the table after making lemonade. Why’s she asking about Gabe?
After the meal, Sadie headed next door to visit Marianna and help with Sally and Baby Jimmy. It would be nice to have a little fellowship with them while Anna was swimming with her friends.
Jimmy was asleep when Sadie arrived, and Sally and the older boys had gone with Luke to run some errands.
Marianna must need a break . . . like Molly, Sadie thought, not wanting to relive her rather difficult morning with Eva.
Marianna suggested they sit on the back porch, where an occasional breeze might cool them. “Would ya like some cold meadow tea?”
“Love some,” Sadie said. “Let me get it.”
“Nee . . . I’ve been sitting and rocking a fussy baby for an hour or more,” Marianna said, heading inside. “Somethin’s gotten into him.”
Must be the hot weather, Sadie thought, recalling how cantankerous Eva had been, too—grouchy that Molly was leaving her “alone with a stranger.” Even so, Sadie had tried not to let the reaction get to her.
Marianna brought out the tea, ice cubes clinking as she handed a tall glass to Sadie. She seemed pleased to have company and talked about wanting to start getting the house ready to host church in six weeks. “The time ’tween then and now will go fast, and with Jimmy’s colic here lately, I’ll have to pace myself.”
“We’ll all pitch in an’ help; don’t worry.” Sadie mentioned a number of relatives who would be happy to help, too. “And maybe Anna can babysit Jimmy in her spare time,” she suggested. “Remember how he and Sally took to her?”
“They certainly did.” Marianna nodded and glanced toward the house. “I noticed she had more friends stoppin’ by for her again today.”
“Oh jah. Anymore, our Anna’s becomin’ a social butterfly.”
Marianna turned to look at her. “You sound real happy ’bout that.”
Chuckling, Sadie said, “Anna’s making gut connections, which might make it more likely she’ll stay round here, ya know.” All the same, she felt torn. “I doubt Anna’s parents would smile on her spendin’ time with the family of an eligible Old Order widower, though.”
“You must mean Gabe Allgyer.”
Sadie nodded. “I feel responsible for her, considering her upbringing’s so different than ours. And her parents, ’specially her mother, are trusting Glen and me to look after her.”
“Well, she’s of age, so Anna’s ultimately the one responsible for what she does, jah?”
Sadie couldn’t deny that.
“Besides, didn’t ya say she’s been seein’ a Mennonite fella she met at work? And Anna is attending the same type of church as back home in Mifflinburg, too, right? I would guess that fella’s church would be more in keepin’ with what she’s used to.”
Sadie took a drink of her iced tea. “Honestly, she seems more enamored with the horse-riding retreat and all the Amish folk over there.”
Marianna gave a little shrug. “Gabe and his volunteers are harmless. You don’t have to worry ’bout them trying to get her to be Old Order.”
Sadie thought on that; she was rather hoping Gabe might seek Anna out. It would keep her round here, if he succeeds in getting her attention.
Marianna gave her a knowing smile. “Don’t borrow trouble.”
“Well, I’m not Anna’s Mamm, so I have nothin’ to fret about.”
They sipped their tea and watched the hummingbirds flit and flirt, performing their U-shaped aerials as they showed off for potential mates.
Several cats from the stable wandered over across the lawn, meowing, and Sadie began to fret again over Eva, wishing something could be done to bring her back to herself.
There was a bit of a lull where Marianna leaned her head back against the chair and closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Sadie stared at the clouds, watching the shapes slowly move and change. How she longed for autumn, when cooler days and nights meant time for apple picking and then applesauce making and cider pressing. Eventually, they would butcher a steer for the winter. Many of the turkeys would be sold in late October and early November, too, and Glen would help Luke with the harvesting process.
Marianna sighed loudly. “I want Jimmy to be my last baby,” she said out of the blue, jarring Sadie from her reverie.
Sadie looked at her, trying not to overreact. “Havin’ a hard day, dear?”
Marianna nodded her head slowly. “I catch myself comin’ and goin’, all day long. Feels like it’s never ending.”
Sadie reached to pat the back of her hand. “Bein’ a Mamma is hard work, but let me remind ya: These baby days won’t last for long.”
Marianna glanced out toward the meadow. “I know you’re right.”
“Taking one day at a time is best,” Sadie added, squeezing her daughter-in-law’s hand. “Sometimes one hour . . .”
To try to get Marianna’s mind off her stress, Sadie mentioned all the fun the upcoming months would bring, including the Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival in Bird-in-Hand.
“Would you ever go up in one?” Marianna asked, crossing her legs and straightening her long green dress.
Sadie shrugged.
“Just maybe?” Marianna was grinning
at her.
“I s’pose at my age, what’s there to lose? If the balloon goes down, I’ve lived a long and happy life.”
“Oh now, Mamm . . . don’t be thinkin’ thataway.” Marianna shook her head. “Luke’s been dropping hints ’bout taking me up this year.”
“Really, now? Would ya want to?”
Marianna nodded emphatically. “‘Wither thou goest, I will go’ . . . remember, from the Good Book?”
Sadie chuckled, ever so glad she’d dropped by. It’s been good to forget myself for a while.
Chapter 33
Anna could smell the barbequed chicken on the grill not far from the Denlingers’ pond at their farm, where she, Heidi, Eleanor, and two of their cousins—nineteen-year-old Shelley and sixteen-year-old Carol—were swimming that Friday afternoon. The cool water felt refreshing in contrast to the sun’s heat and the sultry atmosphere, the perfect remedy.
They took turns jumping off the end of a weatherworn dock. Each time Anna made her way back through the water to the grassy bank and up to the dock, she wished there was a pond at Glen and Sadie’s. I’ll just come here whenever I’m invited, she thought, also looking forward to the cookout with the whole Denlinger family, except for Lester, who was haying with his married brother. Thinking of that, she remembered that Mart would be cutting hay tomorrow for his dairy-farmer uncle.
Just then, Shelley swam over to Anna, bobbing out of the water, her dripping-wet braids a dark red. “Heidi says you’re volunteering over at Peaceful Meadows on Saturday mornings.” She blinked water droplets off her eyelashes. “How do you like it?”
“I love it,” Anna told her. “Are you interested in being a volunteer?”
“Maybe next summer.” Shelley smiled. “I’ve heard a little about the horse riding therapy, since Gabe Allgyer’s building a tree house at our place. I’ve been talking to him more about it. He’s such a nice guy!”
“And he has a real knack with the young riders,” Anna replied.
Shelley mentioned that Gabe had been working late hours to complete the structure. “I guess his sister-in-law has been babysitting for Emmie a lot.”
Maybe that’s why Emmie was at Barbara’s overnight, Anna thought.
“Gabe built a tree house for my relatives’ grandkids, too,” Anna said. “It’s really something.”
Shelley nodded. “It’s been so much fun to watch it come together.”
Now Carol swam over to them. “Are you two whispering about boys?”
“No, silly,” Shelley said, treading water. “I was just telling Anna about our wonderful tree house.”
By now, Heidi and Eleanor were swimming this way, too. And when all five of them were together, Heidi suggested they see who could hold their breath the longest underwater.
This is what it would be like having a bunch of sisters, Anna thought, wondering if Wanita had ever wished for more.
Saturday was just as hot and muggy as the day before, and Anna was happy to have the opportunity to work in the tack room prior to the passenger van’s arrival at the retreat.
Bennie Glick and Freckles waved at her, grinning as they walked to their waiting horses and side walkers. Emmie approached with her Aendi Barbara, hanging back a bit as she often did until she spied Promise. Then came the familiar slight smile on her pixie face.
Anna’s heart rose at the sight of her, and she walked over, carrying the grooming brushes. “Guder Mariye, Emmie,” she said, handing her a curry brush. “Promise is happy to see you, and so am I.”
Emmie began to work with Anna, standing closer to the pony and to Anna than ever before. Barbara told Emmie she would return for her at the end of the session, and Emmie scarcely seemed to notice when her aunt left.
———
During the short ride to the round pen, Emmie looked Anna’s way several times. And by the time they’d walked once all the way around, Emmie was noticeably staring at her. Dottie was the other side walker today, and she often talked to Emmie during the ride, but Emmie hadn’t so much as glanced at her.
Anna felt touched. She had grown quite fond of Emmie. Not that the other children didn’t tug at her heartstrings, but there was something about Emmie that called to her. But she wasn’t sure she should encourage it—after all, the little girl had many aunts and two grandmothers who surely made over her.
At the end of the first session, Barbara Mast met them in the stable and thanked Anna for coming to coffee yesterday. “We all really enjoyed hearin’ your stories ’bout your tours.”
“Well, I had a nice time, too. And oh, was your sweet bread ever delicious!”
Barbara smiled, and Anna leaned down to talk to Emmie, whose eyes were fixed on Promise. “Remember what I told ya last week?” She glanced at the pony. “Promise picked you.” Anna rose to tell Barbara what she meant, explaining that the pony had clearly dipped his head toward Emmie when she’d stood near him.
“How dear,” Barbara said. “Ain’t so, Emmie?”
Silently, Emmie walked over to the pony, moving right up next to him and smiling.
“Just watch the two of them,” Anna whispered to Barbara as she stood there with her.
Emmie very slowly raised her dimpled hand and patted the pony’s nose timidly once, then a second time.
Anna held her breath, captivated again by this precious child.
Barbara clasped her hands in front of her as if transfixed. “I’ve never seen her do this with Promise,” she said softly.
Anna said not so much as a peep, not wanting to interrupt whatever was going through Emmie’s head. The little girl and her trusted pony were a sight to behold.
Sadie had been spending her morning at market with Lillian, and after being there for several hours, she remarked to her, “I’d forgotten how busy Saturday market can be during the summertime.”
“Well, it really is today.” Lillian walked over to the long table and counted Sadie’s remaining homemade cards. “Only seventeen left,” she said happily. “I knew they’d go over big with tourists.”
Sadie felt pleased and a little surprised.
“You know what this means, don’t ya?” Lillian asked.
“Prob’ly that I’d best be makin’ more.” Sadie could hardly believe how quickly the cards had sold, and at the stiff price Lillian had set, too. I’ll have extra money to buy more fabric, and then some, she thought, thinking it would be fun to save some of the proceeds to surprise Glen with something special. Maybe a new felt hat for winter . . .
While saying good-bye to Emmie and her aunt Barbara, Anna was surprised when Emmie crept over behind her and furtively clutched her long apron. Anna looked around and saw Emmie staring up at her, her beautiful blue eyes pleading.
“I’ll see ya next week, sweetie,” she said to Emmie, longing to reach down and pick her up, though she held back. She watched as Barbara led her niece out to the passenger van and stepped inside, out of sight. Emmie must be lost without her Mamma, Anna mused, sorrowful at the thought.
She rounded the bend, heading back to the tack room, where Dottie looked surprised to see her.
Dottie frowned. “Were ya cryin’?”
Anna wiped her eyes, surprised to find tears. “Didn’t realize it.”
“You all right?” Dottie asked, touching Anna’s arm.
“Oh, my heart just goes out to the riders.” That wasn’t entirely true. She shook her head. “I mean . . . mostly for little Emmie.”
Dottie nodded. “It’s been two long years since her Mamma passed.” Dottie’s voice was soft, even solemn. “We keep thinkin’ she’ll come out of it, but it’s like Emmie’s fallen into a cavern somewhere in her mind. And no one, not even her father, can lift her out.”
Anna mentioned Emmie’s growing attachment to Promise. “Have you seen her with him lately? There’s something special happening.”
“Well, I’ve noticed Emmie with you, Anna. She’s really taken to you.”
Anna nodded.
A few minutes later, when Gabe p
oked his head in, Anna was in the farthest corner, putting the pony saddle away. “Here, let me help ya,” he said, taking it from her.
Dottie and the other two volunteers left the tack room, glancing back at them.
“I was hopin’ I might catch ya, Anna. Are ya busy after this session?” He paused and looked about the room again to see if they were indeed alone. “I have to run an errand and hoped you’d come along.”
“I’ll help if ya need me.” She really didn’t know what he was asking. Did he want to talk about something personal? Emmie, maybe?
“Denki,” he said. “Meet me at the carriage shed after this session, then, all right?” His eyes sparkled, yet his countenance remained sober.
She could not read him well enough to guess what was on his mind. But she knew instinctively that she wanted to ride along with him.
Yet I really shouldn’t, she thought.
Chapter 34
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1948
Eliza was murmuring to herself while she and Great-aunt Joanna ate dinner that noon. “I can resist and reject, but in the end, curiosity might just get the best of me.”
Aunt Joanna’s brow pinched into a glower. “What’re ya sayin’, Eliza?”
They were sitting at the small square table, lingering over a dessert of peach cobbler made with fresh peaches Eliza had purchased from a roadside stand just up the road that morning.
Eliza held her breath, realizing she’d unthinkingly blurted her thoughts, and now her poor aunt was as befuddled as Eliza was with herself. “Ach, sorry.”
“Somethin’ must be on your mind,” her aunt pressed.
Thinking again about the unexpected note Eb had slipped between the stones up yonder, Eliza couldn’t imagine telling her aunt about it. I daresn’t!
“Didn’t your Mamm teach ya it ain’t polite to start something and not finish telling it?”
Eliza’s face burned with shame. She nodded her head, missing home all the more.
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