“Not to change the subject or anything,” Anne said, “but Susan, I was wondering if you’re still interested in reading that Amish novel I told you about.”
Susan nodded. “Yes, I sure am.”
“Great. I’ll get it from my room as soon as we’re done with breakfast.”
“The Amish are quite an unusual group of people,” Grandpa said. “I admire their commitment to keeping true to their heritage.”
“Yes,” Grandma agreed. “Unfortunately, for many people, there isn’t much commitment to anything in this day and age, and if there is, it seems to be short-lived.”
“Speaking of the Amish,” Anne said, “I still want to visit Lancaster soon, to look around some of the shops where they sell Amish-made products.”
“Are you looking for anything in particular?” Grandma asked, finishing the last bite of her pancake as she took her plate to the sink.
Anne shook her head. “I think I’ll know it when I see it, though.” She looked over at Susan and grinned. “As soon as we both know our work schedules for April, let’s plan a day when we can go to Lancaster like we talked about doing before.”
“I suppose we could,” Susan agreed. “It would be something different to do, at least.”
Grandma nodded, testing the water in her sink before starting the dishes. “As hard as you two work, you deserve to do something fun on your day off.”
“Maybe you and Grandpa would like to go, too,” Anne suggested.
Grandma looked at Grandpa. “What do you think about that, Henry?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know, Norma. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.”
Bird-in-Hand
“Where are you headed, Son?” Jonah’s mother asked when he slipped into his jacket and put his straw hat on his head.
“Since today’s my day off, I plan to run a few errands, and I thought it’d be good to take my new gaul out for a run,” he answered, stopping near the back door. “In case you’re wondering, I should be home in plenty of time to help with the chores before supper.”
Dad looked up from reading the newspaper and frowned. “I still can’t figure out why you bought that gelding. The horse is too spirited, if you ask me.”
Jonah bobbed his head. “You’re right about that. Meredith warned me about his friskiness before I bought him. But I think with some work and a little time, Socks will settle down and be a good horse for me.”
“I’ve seen the way he acts around our hund,” Mom said, “and I don’t like it one little bit. Why, the other day when Socks was waiting at the hitching rail, he nearly kicked poor Herbie in the head.”
“That’s probably because the dog was pestering him,” Jonah said.
Mom shook her head vigorously. “Herbie’s an easygoing animal, and it’s not like him to bother any of our livestock. I think that new horse is just plain mean.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “I’ll bet the March winds we’ve been having will spook that critter of yours, too.”
Jonah didn’t argue. He figured there was no point. Once Mom made up her mind about something, it practically took a miracle to change it. Well, maybe after Socks became adjusted to his new surroundings, he’d prove to Mom that she was wrong.
“Speaking of Herbie, I’ve been wondering where he came from,” Jonah said, wanting to change the subject.
“Guess you could say that Herbie found us,” Dad replied. “A few weeks before you moved here, the dog showed up on our doorstep, and he’s been with us ever since.” He went on to explain how he’d posted Dog Found signs all over the community, on telephone poles, and in local grocery stores, as well as passing the word to folks when they came into his buggy shop. Since no one knew about any lost dog or who the border collie belonged to, as time went by, Herbie became one of the family.
“Ah, I see. And how’d you come up with his name?” Jonah inquired.
“That’s another thing that just seemed to happen,” Mom said. “When Herbie first showed up, we started saying ‘here boy’ whenever we took food out to him or when we didn’t know where he was. Then when it looked like the dog was here to stay, I decided to give him a name.”
“We never kept him tied or penned up, thinking that one day he might try to find his way home,” Dad put in, “but he seemed to like it here, and since he always responded to ‘here boy,’ your mamm came up with the name ‘Herbie,’ since it sort of sounded like ‘here boy.’” He chuckled. “Herbie seemed to like it, too, so that’s how the name stuck.”
“When we’re with him, Herbie watches, like he’s waiting for us to tell him to do something.” Mom glanced out the kitchen window, where Herbie lay in front of the buggy shop. “Just look at him out there. I’ll bet he’s waiting for someone to show up.”
“That’s right,” Dad agreed. “And the dog always lets us know when someone’s coming by giving a few loud barks.” He grinned. “Herbie’s friendly with most people, though. Whenever I’m in the shop and a customer comes in, Herbie greets them with a wag of his tail, and does he ever like the attention when someone stops to pet him.”
“It sounds like Herbie’s found himself a good home,” Jonah said.
“Jah, and we’re glad he’s here with us. Oh, by the way, Jonah, where all are you going today?” Mom asked as Jonah’s hand touched the doorknob.
“For one thing, I’ll be stopping by the Shoe and Boot store,” Jonah replied. He wished he didn’t have to answer to Mom; it made him feel like a schoolboy.
“That shouldn’t take all day,” she said. “Are there some other places you’ll be stopping, as well?”
“Stop badgering the boy, Sarah,” Dad said, flapping the end of his newspaper at Mom. “It shouldn’t matter where he’s going.”
Mom’s lips compressed. “I wasn’t badgering him, Raymond. Just was curious to know why he said he’d be home in time for the evening chores.” Mom glanced at the clock on the far wall, and then at Jonah. “It’s not even noon yet, and if you’re just going to the Shoe and Boot store, I wouldn’t think you’d be gone more than a few hours at the most.”
Jonah tapped his foot impatiently. This inquisition was getting worse. “If you must know, I’m planning to stop by the Kings’ place to see how Meredith is doing.”
Deep wrinkles formed across Mom’s forehead. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Jonah asked. He had an inkling of what she was going to say next but hoped she wouldn’t.
“Well, some folks might get the wrong idea.”
“The wrong idea about what?” Dad questioned.
“Meredith’s husband hasn’t even been gone two months yet, and some might think our son has taken an interest in her.” Mom tapped her fingers along the edge of the table. “That’s not the case, is it, Jonah?”
“ ’Course not,” Jonah was quick to say. “Meredith is just a good friend, and I’m doing what the Bible says in Galatians 6:2: ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.’”
“I know what the Bible says.” Mom flapped her hand. “But Meredith is the friend you had an interest in after you came back from Sarasota with stars in your eyes.”
“Well, you two enjoy your day,” Jonah said, giving no reply to Mom’s last comment. “Looks like we might get some rain,” he called over his shoulder as he headed out the door, needing to sidestep this conversation. He wasn’t about to say anything more, but deep down, he hoped that someday, after Meredith had recovered from her husband’s death, she might take an interest in him.
CHAPTER 4
Stepping onto the porch, Jonah realized it was raining. That was pretty typical for this time of the year, and it was a lot better than snow, but he really preferred sunshine to rain. He looked forward to nicer weather so he could get out Mom and Dad’s grill and cook some steaks, burgers, or chicken. He was sure Mom would appreciate not having to cook once he started grilling, too.
By the time Jonah got his buggy out of the barn and
Socks hitched to it, he was pretty wet. He grabbed the towel he kept on the floor of the backseat for such occasions, lifted his straw hat, and wiped his face and head. Hopefully the rain would let up soon, or he’d probably be drenched by the time he finished running all his errands.
Socks bulked a bit when Jonah tried to back him away from the hitching rail, but once he got the horse turned and headed down the driveway, things went okay. Socks liked to trot at a fairly good pace, so Jonah had to keep a firm grip on the reins. If he gave the horse too much slack, he’d take off like a shot. And on a busy stretch of road such as this, that would not be a good thing.
Jonah’s first stop was at the Shoe and Boot store, where Seth Yoder helped him find a good pair of work boots. As he left the store, a strong wind nearly blew his hat off. At least it had stopped raining. He glanced at the sky, still heavy with gray clouds. Now if only the wind would quit sending chills down the back of his neck.
Socks pawed at the ground, while chewing on the hitching rail. Talk about an impatient animal! “You can relax now, Socks,” Jonah said soothingly as he released the horse’s lines from the rail. “We’ll soon be on our way again.”
As they traveled down the road toward the Kings’ place, Socks started tossing his head from side to side, especially when a gust of wind blew clusters of old wet leaves across the road in front of them. A couple of times the horse acted like he was going to rear up, but Jonah quickly brought him under control. As they neared the furniture store where Meredith’s husband used to work, Socks bolted right into the parking lot, nearly running into the fence along the side of the road. Was this overly zealous horse looking for his master? Jonah wondered. Did Socks miss his previous owner? Could that be why he was acting up? Of course, it didn’t help that the roads were still wet, but Jonah had a feeling there was more to it than that. Socks might be a one-man horse; however Jonah had always had a way with horses, and he was determined to win this one over.
“Easy now,” he said, turning the horse back onto the road. “Your master’s not here anymore. I’m your new owner.”
A car whizzed by, and Socks whinnied. “It’s okay, boy,” Jonah called. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
As soon as Jonah spoke, he realized his words weren’t exactly true. Horse and buggies were vulnerable on the roads. As a buggy maker, he knew all too well how devastating an accident could be to a buggy, its passengers, and even the horse if it was hit by a car, or worse a big truck or bus. And there were lots of tour buses in Lancaster County.
Jonah grimaced, remembering a time when a speeding pickup truck had crested a hill near the small town of Charm, Ohio, and smashed into the back of a buggy. Another time, the driver of a car in Sugarcreek swerved to avoid hitting a buggy and ended up ramming into another buggy going in the opposite direction.
Other vehicles weren’t the only thing that caused buggy accidents, though. Horses sometimes spooked and ran out of control because of water splashing from passing vehicles, loud noises, or uneven roadways. Jonah had seen many buggies in such bad condition that they were beyond repair. That meant the owner had the expense of buying a new one, which could cost anywhere from two thousand to five thousand dollars.
All of Jonah’s knowledge about buggy accidents made him work even harder to keep Socks under control. Finally, the Kings’ house came into view, and Jonah was glad when the horse turned easily up the driveway. No doubt Socks had brought Meredith and Luke here a good many times, so he probably felt comfortable in his surroundings.
After Jonah had Socks secured at the hitching rail, he sprinted for the house. He was about to knock on the door, when it swung open, and a freckle-faced boy, who looked to be around ten or eleven years old, stepped onto the porch. “Can I help ya?” the little fellow asked.
Jonah nodded. “I’m Jonah Miller, and I’m here to see Meredith.”
The boy squinted his blue eyes as he stared up at Jonah. “So you’re the buggy maker’s son, huh?”
“That’s right, and I’m also a buggy maker.”
The boy nodded. “My naame is Stanley.”
Jonah held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Stanley. I’m guessing you’re Meredith’s little bruder.”
Stanley squared his shoulders and stretched to his full height. “I ain’t her little brother. Owen’s the little one. He’s three, but I’m twelve.”
Jonah bit back a chuckle. “When your sister and I were teenagers, she mentioned you in one of her letters, but you were her only little bruder back then.”
Stanley flicked a blob of white cat hair off his trousers and grinned. “Guess that was true enough.”
“So is it okay if I come in?” Jonah asked, hoping he’d won the boy over. “I’d like to see how Meredith’s doing.”
Stanley shook his head. “She ain’t here.”
“She ain’t? I mean, she’s not?”
“Huh-uh. Meredith went back to her own house this mornin’ ’cause the little ones were gettin’ on her nerves.” Stanley snickered. “Oh, and Dad’s snorin’ was keepin’ her awake at night, too.”
Jonah smiled. “So I assume if she went home that she must be feeling better?”
Stanley shrugged. “Don’t know for sure, but I do know that our sister Laurie went with her, ’cause Mom said she had to.”
Before Jonah could comment, Meredith’s mother stuck her head through the open doorway. “Wie geht’s?” she asked, smiling at Jonah.
“I’m doing fine. I came by to see how Meredith’s doing, but Stanley said she went home.”
“That’s right, and Laurie will be staying with her most of the time. When Laurie’s working at the farmers’ market, Alma Beechy will be with Meredith.” Deep wrinkles formed across Luann’s forehead. “I’d be a nervous wreck if Meredith was home by herself right now. She came close to losing the boppli, and might have, too, if you hadn’t been there to call for help.” Her face relaxed some. “I believe the Lord must have sent you to my daughter’s house that day.”
“I think you might be right about that.” Jonah shuffled his feet a few times. “Do you think Meredith would mind if I stopped over to see her right now? I want to make sure she’s doing all right and see if there’s anything she might need.”
Luann smiled. “That’s nice of you, and since you’re going that way, would you mind taking something to Meredith for me? I was going to send it with her this morning, but things got hectic around here and I forgot.”
“I don’t mind at all. What have you got?” Jonah asked.
“A bunch of posies,” Stanley spoke up, motioning to the two pots of primroses sitting on one end of the porch. “Meredith likes blumme.”
“I’d be happy to take the flowers to her,” Jonah said. “There’s more than enough room in the back of my buggy.”
Luann glanced across the yard. “How’s Luke’s horse doing for you? Has he given you any trouble?”
Jonah wasn’t about to admit that Socks had acted up on the way over because he didn’t want Meredith to hear about it and feel guilty for selling him the horse.
“Socks and I are still getting to know each other,” he said, carefully choosing his words. “And I’m sure after a while we’ll get along just fine.”
Stanley frowned. “I don’t like that gaul. He tried to bite me once when I was hitchin’ him to the rail for Luke.”
Jonah didn’t like the sound of that. If Socks had been unruly even when his master was around, maybe he’d never get him trained. Well, he’d just have to keep trying.
“Stanley, why don’t you help Jonah by carrying one of those pots out to his buggy?” Luann said. “Just be sure you stay away from the horse.”
“Okay, Mom.” The boy bent down, picked up a pot, and tromped off across the yard.
“Is there anything else you’d like me to take Meredith?” Jonah asked as he picked up the second pot of flowers.
Luann nodded. “As a matter of fact, there is. My mamm made some of Meredith’s favorite ginger kichli
n this morning, and I’m sure she’d enjoy having some.”
“No problem. I’d be happy to take the cookies to Meredith.” Is it too much to hope that Meredith might offer me a few of those cookies? Jonah thought as his stomach rumbled.
“What would you like for lunch today?” Laurie asked Meredith as they sat on the sofa in the living room, drinking hot chocolate while they visited.
Meredith shrugged. “It really doesn’t matter. But you don’t have to wait on me, because I can fix my own lunch.”
“If I don’t take good care of you, I’ll never hear the end of it,” Laurie said. “In case you didn’t know, Mom’s really worried about you.”
“I realize that, but she doesn’t need to worry. I’m feeling fine right now.” Except for missing Luke, she thought. I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from that.
Laurie patted Meredith’s arm, the way Mom often did. “That’s great, and we want to keep you feeling fine.”
Meredith smiled. Laurie reminded her in many ways of their mother. She had the same blond hair and pale blue eyes. She even had Mom’s light complexion and oval face. Meredith figured the way Laurie looked right now was probably how Mom must have looked when she was nineteen.
“Sure wish I could get the boppli’s room painted,” Meredith said, redirecting her thoughts. “There’s so much left that needs to be done before the baby comes.”
“I know, but with the help of your friends and family, it’ll get done.”
Meredith sighed. “I hate asking for help all the time, but now I feel like I have no other choice.”
Laurie set her cup of hot chocolate on the coffee table, and turned to face Meredith. “You need to let others help. Remember, as Grandma Smucker always says: ‘Next to the gift of Jesus Christ, the greatest gifts in life are family and friends.’”
Laurie was right, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept help. Meredith was about to suggest that they go to the kitchen to see about fixing their lunch, when she heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves coming up the driveway.
The HOPE of SPRING Page 3