He covered her hand with his own, willing her to understand how much her words meant to him. “I’ll be careful, and I’m sorry. I hope you know that.”
* * *
Lillian smiled tenderly. “Not as sorry as I am. Are we friends again?”
“Always,” he whispered. His eyes darkened as he gazed into hers. His grip on her hand tightened, sending her pulse soaring.
Her racing heart was surely due to her close call with the fire and not to the simple touch of his hand. She stared into his eyes and saw deep affection in their depths. Was it only friendship, or something more? She looked away first.
They had both suffered a fright. It was only natural that it made her more attuned to him. She tried to get her jumbled emotions under control and put their relationship back on the proper path. Pulling her hand away, she took a step back. “Goot. Now go. Others need you.”
“Keep an eye out for any hot spots that might flare up around the building.”
“We will.”
He nodded once and then hurried out the door. She listened to the sound of his fire engine as it faded in the distance, and swallowed back her tears. Their friendship was mended and he was in God’s hands. She couldn’t ask for more. She turned her attention to the children gathered at the windows looking out at the charred field and the towering smoke.
Susan looked at Lillian with tears in her eyes. “I can see Mr. Hanson’s house is burning. I hope everyone is okay.”
“We can pray for them.”
“We should do something more. Can we take up a collection for them?” Susan asked hopefully. The Hansons were not members of their Amish community, but they were neighbors in need.
“Of course. When we come back to school on Monday, we will put together a gift basket for them.” Lillian knew they might not hold classes on Monday, but she wanted to reassure the children that things would return to normal as soon as possible.
Debra adjusted her foot with a grimace. “I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”
“You’re not trouble. I need help getting the word out that the children are safe. You have a phone.”
Lillian opened the top drawer of her desk. She took out a sheet of paper and handed it to Debra. “Here are some emergency contact phone numbers. They are our local telephone booths, some English neighbors of the children and several local businesses. Leave a message and your number if you get an answering machine.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Debra took the paper from her.
Lillian went to the front of the school and looked out at the porch. The steps and railing were charred, but most of the damage looked superficial. Her barn and Debra’s car beside it were little more than smoldering heaps of junk. Shading her eyes, she tried to pick Timothy out from among the firemen strung across the field and woods, but she couldn’t tell one from the other.
Three fire engines were parked along the road. One, a tanker truck, was dumping water into a large square yellow holding tank. When the tanker was empty, it made a U-turn and headed back toward the river. A smaller engine crew dropped a fat hose into the tank. A few minutes later, the men pulled it out, jumped back on board their truck and sped toward the fire. A white SUV with the sheriff’s logo on the door stopped on the road. She recognized the officer who got out as Sheriff Nick Bradley. “Is Hannah okay?”
Hannah’s mother was Sheriff Bradley’s adopted daughter. The little girl ran out onto the porch steps and waved. “I’m fine, Papa Nick.”
“Stay with your teacher until your mother gets here,” he shouted, and got back into his vehicle. A second later, he took off toward the blaze.
A column of dense black smoke boiled into the sky as tongues of orange flames leaped along the base that stretched the width of the field. It was moving away from the school toward a heavily wooded ridge with frightening speed. Beyond the ridge were ten more farms, Amish and English, including her home. She prayed for the safety of her brother and sister and for the men risking their lives to stop the wildfire.
As she turned to go back inside, she noticed a wisp of smoke rising from beneath the lowest step of the porch. Timothy had told her to watch out for hot spots. She went back into the building. “Abe, bring the fire extinguishers and come with me. I want the first, second and third grades to stay inside with Susan until someone from your family arrives. The rest of you come outside and help me put out any smoldering spots.”
The next hour was busy for Lillian. The Bowman women from across the river were the first ones to arrive. Ana Bowman, Rebecca, Samuel’s wife, and Hannah’s mother, Mary, climbed down from their buggy. Mary scooped Hannah into a fierce hug. Ana watched them with her hands pressed to her chest. “We give praise to the Lord this day. He has kept all our children safe.”
Rebecca carried a large quilted bag slung over her shoulder. She placed her free arm around Lillian’s shoulders. “I’m so glad you are unharmed. One of the firemen told us your visiting nurse was injured. Where is she?”
Before her marriage to Samuel Bowman, Rebecca had been a lay nurse in the community. She had plenty of experience treating sprains, burns, assorted injuries and illnesses. Lillian pointed toward the school. “She is inside. Her name is Debra Merrick.”
“I’ll see what I can do for her. It appears they may have the fire under control.”
Lillian turned to look north. While there was still smoke rising, it wasn’t as dense, and it didn’t seem to be moving. She noticed only a few flickering patches of orange flames at the far end of the charred field. “God be praised.”
Ana and Mary took Hannah home in the buggy while Rebecca remained with Lillian. By ones and twos, more mothers made their way to the school to collect their children. A half hour later, Lillian saw one of the fire trucks was making its way slowly back. It stopped in front of the school. Silas Mast, the school board president, climbed down along with Joshua and Timothy. Lillian’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Timothy’s soot-covered face. He gave her a brief nod before walking around the back of the school. The truck drove on. Carl ran out to meet his father. Abe followed more slowly.
Silas knelt to put his arms around his youngest. “Are you boys all right?”
“It was a mighty exciting day at school, Daed,” Carl said with a big grin. “Was it fun to ride on the fire truck? I want to do that someday.”
“It wasn’t as much fun as you might think.” Silas rose and spoke to Lillian. “I will take them home now, for I know their mother is worried. Do you need any help here?”
“Not at the moment. We have some smoke damage inside, but I see no reason why we can’t reopen the school after things are cleaned. It shouldn’t take more than half a day. Joshua, Hannah has already gone home with Mary.”
The tension eased on Joshua’s sweat-and smoke-stained face. “My wife is a goot mother. You have my thanks for keeping the kinder safe.”
“And my thanks, as well,” Silas said. “I will come tomorrow and inspect the building to see what repairs are needed.” Taking his boys by the hand, he began walking toward his farm on the far side of the ridge.
Timothy came around to the front of the building. “I don’t see any problem spots.”
Lillian resisted the urge to gently wipe the grime from his tired face. “My students have been diligently putting out any smoldering places.”
Timothy nodded. “I think the danger of flare-ups here has passed, but someone should keep an eye on that car until we can get some flame-retardant to spray on it.”
Lillian scanned the charred field. “I can’t believe you got the blaze stopped before it reached the forest on the ridge.”
Timothy rubbed his eyes with his knuckles. “The water drops by the helicopter helped, but we wouldn’t have been able to stop it if Davey Mast hadn’t had the presence of mind and the courage to cut a firebreak between the burning
field and the woods. He saw what was happening and raced to get a tractor and plow from his employer’s farm.”
“He may have saved every farm beyond the ridge, including his father’s,” Joshua said.
“I saw his car go past shortly after the explosion, and I wondered why he was driving so fast. Many will be grateful for his quick thinking. Perhaps this will lead to a reconciliation of their family.” Lillian was surprised that Silas hadn’t mentioned his oldest son’s deed to her or the boys.
“I pray you are right, but Silas wouldn’t speak to him today,” Timothy said.
Silas wasn’t forbidden to speak to his son by the rules of shunning. Baptized members of the Amish church couldn’t eat at the same table with him, do business with him, accept anything from his hand or ride in his car. Thanking the boy for his quick thinking and courage was certainly permitted.
“Is Rebecca here?” Joshua asked.
“She is inside with the visiting nurse.”
“Two nurses, that’s great. We have several fellows with minor burns, including my reckless brother. I’ll send them here.”
She turned to Timothy in alarm. “Are you hurt?”
He shook his head. “I’m the cautious one. Noah is the fellow who rushes in where wiser men fear to go, and this time he paid a small price. Hopefully, it will teach him a lesson.”
Lillian pressed a hand to her suddenly tight chest. Drawing a deep breath, she waited until the painful hammering of her heart slowed. She was being foolish. Timothy wasn’t hurt. She could see that with her own eyes. “Bring anyone injured here. I will let Rebecca and Debra know they are coming. I have first aid supplies on hand, and I know Rebecca will have brought some with her.”
He nodded. “We’ll let them know.” The two men headed back across the burned field. A short time later, she saw Timothy driving a wagon toward the school. Noah and two other men sat in the bed of the wagon. After pulling to a stop beside her, the men got out and went into the school building all under their own power. Noah was the only one limping heavily.
Lillian stood beside the wagon gazing up at Timothy. “You look worn out.”
A half smile lifted the corner of his mouth. “Add hot and dirty to that description, and you’ll have me in a nutshell. I may jump in the river on my way home.”
At least he could joke about it. “Was it as bad as it looked from here?”
“It was. Do you need anything?”
“We’re fine. Most of the children have been picked up already. Was anyone hurt at the Hanson Farm?”
“I heard Mr. Hanson suffered some serious injuries in the explosion. His wife passed out from the smoke in the house, but one of the firemen was able to get her out in time. They have both been taken to the hospital. I’m afraid their home is a total loss.”
“How sad. Has anyone notified the family?”
“Sheriff Bradley said they notified a son who lives in Berlin.”
“Have you heard how the fire started?”
“I haven’t, but the men are saying it looks suspicious. I’m sure our fire chief will get to the bottom of it as soon as he can.” Timothy licked his chapped lips and grimaced.
“Let me get you some water. You must be thirsty.”
“I am, but I can get my own drink.” He jumped down from the wagon and stumbled slightly. She put out a hand against his chest to steady him. A jolt of awareness surged up her arm and sent heat rising into her cheeks. She’d never had this reaction to Timothy before. What was wrong with her today?
Chapter Seven
Timothy looked down at Lillian’s small hand pressed against his chest. The delicate hand of a capable woman. He covered her fingers with his own and wondered at the rush of emotion clogging his throat. He was a blessed man to have such a dear friend.
She pulled away from him. “You look ready to fall over, and Rebecca doesn’t need another patient. Wait here, and I’ll get you some water.”
“Bossy, bossy, bossy. Just like the dog in the book.” He winked, and she gave him a timid smile.
“It comes from being a teacher. I tell children what to do and I expect them to do it.”
He leaned against the wagon wheel and sighed. He was bone-tired. “I shall be a good pupil and do as the teacher says.”
“That kind of attitude will move you to the head of the class.”
“I’m not at the head of your class already?”
“Nee, you are not. I consider you more of a problem child. You have plenty of room for improvement.”
He laughed out loud. “I pity the fellows who come looking to court you. I can imagine you handing out grade cards on their performance as suitors.”
Her chin came up. “None have risen above a C-plus. Alas, now you know why I’m still unwed.”
It was good to be teased by her and to respond in kind. This was the way their friendship had been for ages. He began to see how rare and special their relationship was, and he cherished it even more. “I’m glad none have made a better grade in your eyes.”
She tipped her head to the side. A strange look entered her eyes. “Are you? Why?”
He almost blurted out that he was glad she didn’t find anyone else attractive enough to court, because he wished to court her.
Where had that thought come from? The idea was as frightening as the fire had been.
He managed to say, “For the children’s sake. You are a fine teacher, and they need you.”
For a moment, he thought she looked disappointed, but she quickly smiled. “I do love my job. I can’t imagine meeting someone who could make me want to give it up. I’ll be right back with that drink. Should I send water out to the other men, too?”
“That would be great.” As she walked away, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Courting Lillian was a ridiculous idea, wasn’t it? They were friends and had been for years. Yet something had changed today. After fearing for her life and then holding her safe in his arms, he realized his feelings for her had gone beyond those of a friend.
What, if anything, should he do about it?
If he did ask her to walk out with him, what would she say? She was likely to tell him no. And then what? How could they return to a simple friendship after that? And what if she said yes? Where would that lead?
Lillian returned with a large pail of water, a ladle and several plastic cups. “This is the best I could do.”
“It’s fine.”
Her warm smile and her bright eyes gazing at him made it hard to think straight. He needed to put some distance between them before he said or did something stupid. Like kiss her. She had the most kissable-looking lips. Why hadn’t he noticed that before?
He was definitely suffering from some kind of shock.
Taking the water and supplies from her, he put them in the back of the wagon. Then he climbed onto the seat, picked up the reins and put the horses in motion. He glanced over his shoulder to see her watching him with a worried expression on her face. He was overwhelmed with the need to go back and comfort her, but he didn’t give in to that desire. Instead, he pushed the horses to a faster trot until they rounded the bend in the road and left the school behind.
If only his mixed up emotions were as easy to outdistance.
* * *
Lillian frowned as she watched Timothy drive away. Something about his abrupt departure didn’t feel right. It was as if he were running away from her.
Sighing, she dismissed the notion. He needed to get back to his fellow firefighters, and she was reading too much into his behavior. It had been a trying day for everyone. Over the next half hour, she saw many of the volunteers returning home. A few of the men stopped to pick up their children. She kept watching the activity on the road, but she didn’t see the Bowman brothers leave.
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A short time later, she saw her brother coming across the field toward the school. She wasn’t surprised to see him. He would’ve seen the smoke and come to investigate. He was riding bareback on Goldie, the little Haflinger mare who normally pulled their pony cart. He hadn’t wasted time harnessing her.
Lillian waited until he drew close. “I am well, bruder.”
“I’m right pleased to see that. Looks like it might have been a near thing.”
She glanced around at the blackened grass, burned-out barn and heavily damaged porch. “It was. We were truly blessed that it wasn’t any worse.”
“Whose car is that?” he asked, staring at the charred wreck that was still smoking.
“It belongs to the visiting nurse.”
“I hope she wasn’t in it.”
“Nee. She was inside with us, but she is stranded here until tomorrow. Where is Amanda?”
“I left her with Granny Weaver.” The elderly woman wasn’t related to Lillian’s family, but everyone in the area called her Granny. She lived with her son, and daughter-in-law on a farm a half mile down the road from Lillian’s house.
Jeremiah waved a hand toward the charred cornfield. “Old man Hanson should have let me harvest his crop last week. I offered to do it for a fair price and he practically threw me off the place. Shouted at me like I was some kind of thief. Now he’s left with nothing, and it serves him right.”
“We must not take delight in another man’s misfortune. He and his wife were injured.”
His eyes filled with remorse. “I didn’t know that. Were they badly hurt?”
“Timothy said they were both taken to the hospital. Have you seen him out there?”
“I saw all the Bowman brothers and Isaac, too. Why?”
“Most of the men have left, but I haven’t seen Timothy leave yet.”
“I’m sure some of the firemen will be watching for flare-ups for the next few hours. Have all the kinder gone home?”
“Sophie Hochstetler is still here. She is inside with the nurse. Once her father comes, I will be free to go.”
His Amish Teacher Page 6