Leah struggled to breathe as Samuel and Jacob locked eyes, reflecting the battle of anger and agony that waged inside each of them.
What had happened here? She had wanted them to talk, and now … She swallowed hard. Jacob’s use of the word brother rang in Leah’s heart.
The sense of betrayal for Jacob was clearly more than he could bear. He turned and walked out.
Leah looked at Samuel. He seemed every bit as broken as Jacob. What would happen to the new settlement? To Kings’ Orchard? To them as a family?
Rhoda stood in her room, her empty suitcase open on her bed, staring up at her. In the blink of an eye, her life had become as vacant as the inside of this oversize piece of luggage.
She went to her drawers and began emptying them.
It had been four days, and she’d heard Jacob and Samuel yelling at each other less than an hour ago. When Jacob first came home and implied she needed to leave, she thought he would cool off and talk to her. But it was no use.
He wouldn’t even look at her.
Or eat with the family.
Or speak to his brother.
He had told everyone that he and Rhoda weren’t seeing each other anymore and that it was his fault, but life would go on as before.
Everyone knew Jacob was furious with her.
She imagined they all had speculations as to what had happened.
And Samuel?
He had said nothing to her.
Nothing!
That she didn’t understand. But she understood that Jacob was hurt. Unfortunately, his pain and anger were increasing as the days went by. She could see the agony in his eyes—when she could catch a glimpse of him.
His letter had yet to arrive. Had he really written to her, or had he lied to her?
Either way, it was time to give up or at least give him space and hope he would come around. But she wasn’t going far. She and her brother had a stake in this business, and she would do her best to make it a success.
If only she could understand. How could Jacob love her so deeply and yet be unable to reach past the pain and offer even a crumb of forgiveness?
Maybe after she gave him the space he wanted, he would be able to reconsider.
Rhoda sighed. Was that what she really wanted—for Jacob to reconsider his stance?
Who knew? Certainly not her.
Her drawers and tiny closet were empty now. All her clothing lay folded and waiting on her bed, but she hadn’t been able to make herself put the items in her bag.
As weary as she was of trying to get Jacob to talk to her, she was more weary of feeling like a harlot.
And Samuel?
Ever since Jacob had set foot in the barn four days ago, Samuel had back-pedaled from her like she had the plague. Was it because he regretted his actions and now wanted to wash his hands of her? Or did he think that’s what she wanted him to do?
What did she want him to do?
Confusion had her addled, much as it had the days after her sister was murdered. It crowded out every bit of clear thinking, and she didn’t know what she felt or thought or wanted.
The sound of tires crunching on the driveway caused her to move to the window.
Nicole. Apparently here for another visit.
Samuel walked out of the barn just as Nicole got out of her truck.
A suffocating weight wrapped itself around her, making it hard to breathe. Samuel went to Nicole, and after a few moments they turned toward the orchard. Nicole looped her arm through Samuel’s as they walked.
So …
Had Samuel cared for Nicole all along?
Someone tapped on her bedroom door. She unlocked it and eased it open, hoping to see Jacob.
“Phoebe.” Rhoda backed away, letting her in.
Phoebe motioned at her suitcase. “I figured this was coming. So did your brother. Where will you go?”
“Camilla and Bob invited me to stay with them for a while. I won’t abandon the canning business, but I can’t stay here.”
“Steven has doubled his efforts to find us a home, something with two kitchens so you can have one for canning.”
Rhoda nodded. She never had to doubt the faithfulness of her family. She picked up a stack of folded dresses and slid them into the luggage. “You or Steven have yet to ask me anything.”
“We didn’t have to.” Phoebe sat on the bed. “How could you not have seen what was happening between you and Samuel?”
Rhoda swallowed. “I love Jacob.”
“And Samuel?”
Samuel. Rhoda returned to the window. Samuel and Nicole were out of sight now. Was Samuel wondering how he would navigate the Amish ways while caring for a non-Amish woman?
“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”
Tell them.
The phrases reminded her of when she had been so sure what she needed to tell Jacob and Samuel—to confirm to them her faith in each one. But now neither man cared what she thought. Or wanted. Or needed.
Dumont.
How long had it been since that name had come to her?
“The atmosphere is suffocating around here right now.” Rhoda put the last of her clothes in the suitcase. “Call Landon on the walkie-talkie for me, would you?”
Phoebe unclipped it from the bib of her apron. “You don’t even want Jacob or Samuel to hear your voice through this, do you?”
Rhoda choked back tears. “They don’t want to hear it.” She swallowed hard.
Phoebe pressed a button on the walkie-talkie. “Landon, could you come upstairs, please?”
“Sure. I’m filling the woodbin. Be there in just a minute.”
Tell them … before it’s too late.
The little girl’s voice rang out clear, and Rhoda knew the them was Bob and Camilla.
“Tell them what?” Rhoda whispered.
Phoebe stared at her. “Huh?”
Tell them I’m a Dumont.
If Rhoda lived with them for a while, could she uncover what this voice wanted her to do?
She’d already lost Jacob, so whatever trouble she stirred, it wouldn’t bring it upon his head. And Samuel seemed to think she should face her gifts, not run.
Someone knocked on the door.
“Kumm,” Phoebe answered.
Landon stepped inside. His eyes moved to the suitcase. “So it’s come to this. Leah and I have been wondering how long you would put up with Jacob’s silent treatment.”
“I’m at my wit’s end, and I can’t wait until Steven and Phoebe buy a house.”
Landon put his arm around her shoulders. “Did you want to move in with me and Granny? She would love it.”
“Thank you, but you see enough of me while we’re working. Would you take me to Camilla’s? I can’t lug my suitcase that far.”
He squeezed her shoulder. “It’s you and me again, just like it was before we met the King brothers. Well, and Leah. She wants to help us can too. Whether we use Granny’s kitchen or the one in the house Steven and Phoebe will buy or Camilla’s, we’ll can apple products and be a bigger success than anyone has imagined.”
Hope and courage trickled into her broken heart. “You’re right. You are absolutely right.” She hugged Phoebe. “I’ll have to return to work in the greenhouses, so tell Steven I’ll see him then.”
“I will.”
Dumont.
Rhoda zipped her suitcase. She slid into her coat, took a last glance around the house, and left.
Maybe this is what God had intended all along—for her to finally be free enough of any Amish restraints to do His bidding.
And if not, she’d figure that out too.
Main Characters in The Winnowing Season
Rhoda Byler—A young Amish woman who is skilled in horticulture and struggles to suppress the God-given insights she receives. Before her fruit garden was destroyed, her canning products were carried by stores in several states under the label Rhode Side Stands.
Samuel King—Loyal and determined, he is the eldest of thr
ee sons, and he’s been responsible for the success of Kings’ Orchard since he was a young teen.
Jacob King—Irrepressible and accepting, he is the middle King brother. He began courting Rhoda a few months before the opening of The Winnowing Season.
Leah King—At seventeen she’s the eldest King daughter and moves to Maine with her brothers Samuel and Jacob to establish a new orchard.
Eli King—The youngest of the King brothers. He remains on the farm in Pennsylvania.
Benjamin King—The father of Samuel, Jacob, Eli, Leah, and their two younger sisters, Katie and Betsy. He runs the family’s dairy farm.
Mervin King—Benjamin’s brother. He’s an Old Order Amish preacher in Lancaster.
Karl Byler—Rhoda and Steven’s father.
Steven Byler—Rhoda’s brother who moves to Maine to help found the new Amish community.
Phoebe Byler—Steven’s wife.
Isaac Byler—Steven and Phoebe’s four-year-old son.
Arie Byler—Steven and Phoebe’s two-year-old daughter.
Emma Byler—Rhoda’s younger sister, who was murdered almost three years ago.
Catherine Troyer—Samuel’s former girlfriend and Arlan’s sister.
Arlan Troyer—Leah’s friend and Catherine’s brother.
Landon Olson—A single, non-Amish man who has worked as Rhoda’s assistant and driver for several years.
Erlene Olson—Landon’s grandmother, who lives in Unity, Maine.
Rueben Glick—He destroyed Rhoda’s fruit garden in book one, A Season for Tending.
Urie Glick—Rhoda’s bishop and Rueben’s uncle.
David Yoder—Samuel’s bishop.
Glossary
Ausbund—Amish hymnal
Daadi—grandfather
Daed—dad or father (pronounced “dat”)
denki—thank you
Englisch/Englischer—a non-Amish person
Grossmammi—grandmother
guck—look
gut—good
hallo—hello
Kapp—a prayer covering or cap
Kinner—children
kumm—come
Mamm—mom or mother
nee—no
Ordnung—means “order,” and it was once the written and unwritten rules the Amish live by. The Ordnung is now often considered the unwritten rules.
Pennsylvania Dutch—Pennsylvania German. Dutch in this phrase has nothing to do with the Netherlands. The original word was Deutsch, which means “German.” The Amish speak some High German (used in church services) and Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch), and after a certain age, they are taught English.
Plain—refers to the Amish and certain sects of Mennonites
rumschpringe—running around. The true purpose of the rumschpringe is threefold: to give freedom for an Amish young person to find an Amish mate; to give extra freedoms during the young adult years so each person can decide whether to join the faith; to provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood.
ya—yes
Pennsylvania Dutch phrases used in The Winnowing Season
Bischt allrecht?—Are you all right?
draus in da Welt—out in the world
Frehlich Grischtdaag—Merry Christmas
Gern gschehne.—You’re welcome.
Ich see. Du hab Bobbeli.—I see. You have a baby.
* Glossary taken from Eugene S. Stine, Pennsylvania German Dictionary (Birdsboro, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1996), and the usage confirmed by an instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language.
∼ THANK YOU ∼
To my untiring, devoted, and lovable family! Were it not for you, the challenges that faced me while writing this book would have kept me from finishing it on time, even by hook or by crook.
To my kind and gentle husband who spends time each day
serving and helping me along life’s way.
To Justin and Shweta, my eldest son and his wife,
who filled in richly for this absentee Mom and Mimi without an “outside” life.
To my son Adam, who juggled an internship and work to proof, edit, and plot
so I could get done what I ought.
To his wife, Erin, and their daughter, little Lu,
for without your love I wouldn’t know what to do.
To my son Tyler, who moved to Manhattan to learn to write in different ways than I know how.
I thought your leaving the nest would work differently somehow.
Who knew Mother Nature—by way of Hurricane Sandy—would use that time to say I’m no dish of candy!
∼ And THANK YOU ∼
To my Amish friends who shared their personal stories
in order to make Rhoda’s journey carry honest faults and glory.
To those who truly know apple orchards and herbs,
you nurtured me just as fully so I’d have the right words.
To everyone at WaterBrook Press who worked with diligence and care,
you made yourself an answer to prayer.
A very grateful, special thank-you to my editors Shannon Marchese and Carol Bartley—
I must add that each of you make me look smart-ly.
About the Author
CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of twelve works of fiction and one work of nonfiction whose connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media and throughout Christian news outlets. She lives outside Atlanta with her family.
If you’d like to learn more about the Amish, snag some delicious Amish recipes, or participate in giveaways, be sure to visit Cindy’s website: www.cindywoodsmall.com.
Also from
CINDY WOODSMALL
Also available in
a 3-in-1 volume:
The Sisters of the Quilt series
The Ada’s House series
Read an excerpt from these books and more on WaterBrookMultnomah.com!
Read an excerpt from these books and more on
WaterBrookMultnomah.com!
Old Order Amish Rhoda Byler and Samuel King are brought together by fate, but can the two opposites work together toward a common good?
Read an excerpt from this book and more at
www.WaterBrookMultnomah.com!
Look for Book Three in the
Amish Vines and Orchards Series Fall 2013!
NovelCrossing.com is your source for all things Christian fiction including news, exclusives, community, reviews and more.
Visit NovelCrossing.com to:
• Write a 1-sentence or full-length review
• Keep track of the books you want to read, are reading, and have already read
• Connect with other Christian fiction readers
• See what books are coming up
• Leave a note for your favorite authors
Twitter.com/novelcrossing
Facebook.com/novelcrossing
NovelCrossing.com is your source for all things Christian fiction including news, exclusives, community, reviews and more.
Visit NovelCrossing.com to:
• Write a 1-sentence or full-length review
• Keep track of the books you want to read, are reading, and have already read
• Connect with other Christian fiction readers
• See what books are coming up
• Leave a note for your favorite authors
Twitter.com/novelcrossing
Facebook.com/novelcrossing
The Winnowing Season Page 32