Plain Promise

by Beth Wiseman

  “Is something wrong?” Kade asked.

  Linda walked to the window and pointed outside. “Is that yours?”

  “Yes. What do you think?”

  Linda raised her brows, and her eyes were as large as golf balls. “Do you know how to drive a horse and buggy? And where did you get that horse?”

  Kade smiled. “Jonas has been teaching me. He’s been letting me drive his for about two weeks.”

  “Where’d ya get that horse?” Linda’s eyes were still wildly curious.

  “From Big Jake, down past the Gordonville Bookstore.” And what a deal he’d gotten. He couldn’t wait until Sadie saw him pull up in his own buggy for church service this Sunday. It would be Kade’s first time to attend worship since he’d been back, and a bonus that it would be at Sadie’s house, a place filled with grand memories for him. He knew enough about the Ordnung at this point to know that pride was an unacceptable trait, but he suspected the emotion might surface just the same.

  “That’s what I thought,” Linda said smugly. Then she abruptly spun around and faced Kade with warning eyes. “You bought Loco.”

  “What?”

  “We call ’im that cuz he’s a crazy horse. That’s why Big Jake ain’t been able to sell him.” She paused and tapped her finger to her chin. “But I reckon you got him all the way here, so you must know what you’re doin’.” Linda shrugged.

  “Well, actually—” Kade scratched his forehead. “Big Jake brought Loco, as you call him, early this morning. He hitched the horse up to the buggy for me. I purchased the buggy yesterday from Lester Lapp. He delivered it.”

  Linda giggled. “So, you ain’t ever been behind the reins with Loco then, huh?”

  “Loco, loco, loco!” Tyler exclaimed from his spot on the floor where he was playing with his letters.

  “That’s right,” Linda said. “Your Pop is loco if he gets in the buggy with that horse a-pullin’ ’im.” She shook her head.

  Kade felt a hint of nervousness, but if he was going to give the Amish life a try, he needed to live as they did. He had been doing a pretty good job so far. No electricity, for starters. It wasn’t in the King house when he purchased it. Plus, he’d come a long way with his studies of the Ordnung. It was all strange and new—wonderfully strange and new. He and Tyler were settling into this peaceful community, and Kade had never been so relaxed in his previous life in California. Only one thing was missing, and he was working on that.

  He was probably the richest Amish wannabe in history, but he was living proof that money didn’t buy happiness, and he’d spent the last few weeks spreading his wealth around to those who needed it the most. He did miss one thing—his music. He missed listening to the radio. Most of what made up his past life—the business meetings, unscrupulous deals and people, the rat race—he was glad to be rid of.

  He would miss a few people at his office, along with neighbors down the street. And he’d miss Penelope. He’d even miss the doorman at his favorite restaurant. The elderly man had opened the door for Kade at the eatery for seven years and then parked Kade’s car, always with a smile on his face and, Kade believed, with the Lord in his heart. In many ways, the man had shone a wealth of spirit that Kade had never possessed with all his money. Until recently, Kade only knew the man as Jerry. But Kade made sure that Jerry wouldn’t need to park another car for the rest of his life, unless he chose to do so.

  Since he’d been gone, several high-profile publications had offered a pretty penny for an interview about Kade’s transformation, and he’d declined. He knew they would print their own version of what they would call an early midlife crisis.

  “And another thing.” Linda’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “I don’t reckon it’s right for you to be driving the buggy around like that.” She pointed to Kade, dressed in his blue jeans, white T-shirt, and tennis shoes. “You don’t look Amish.”

  “I’m not Amish. Not yet.”

  “Then why are you wantin’ to drive the buggy?”

  This girl was frustrating him. “Because I need to be able to get around, and I’m trying to live—”

  “I seen a car in the barn.” Her hands landed on her hips.

  Kade sighed. “I’m trying to live the Amish way. But I guess I’ll just take my car,” he conceded, deciding Linda was probably right. “I’ll be back in an hour or so then.”

  “Take your time. Me and Tyler will be just fine.”

  Kade pulled into Noah’s clinic about ten minutes later.

  “Hello, there,” Noah said when he walked in. “Perfect timing. I don’t have another patient for about a half hour. That will give us time to talk.” He motioned Kade down the hall and toward an office on the right. Kade took a seat in front of Noah’s desk in one of the two high-back tan leather chairs.

  “These are the plans I had in mind.” Kade handed him a rolled sheet of paper. “I’ll leave this with you to take a look at. See what you think, and we can talk next week.”

  Noah tapped his pencil on the desk. “Lillian told Carley that you haven’t seen Sadie since you’ve been back. I thought . . . Well, let’s just say I’m surprised.”

  “It hasn’t been easy,” Kade said. “I want to spend every waking minute with her, but Jonas made a good point when he said I need to decide if I truly want to convert to the Amish ways before I pursue Sadie. So I guess I’ve been trying to do that.”

  “Sadie’s pretty upset,” Noah said. “According to Carley, Sadie thinks you only moved here for business reasons, and the other girls aren’t saying otherwise. They’re afraid you won’t make the commitment, and they don’t want to see Sadie get hurt.”

  “Makes sense. Sounds like all those women really watch out for each other.”

  “They’re all daughters of the promise,” Noah said.

  “What?”

  “Each one of them has been on a journey toward faith, hope, and love—a spiritual journey. These women all have a very strong faith, even my wife, Carley, who isn’t Amish.”

  “Noah, you walked away from being Amish. How can I be certain converting is the right thing? I mean, I want to be with Sadie, but I honestly don’t even know if she’ll have me. Plus, I really do want to make a decision of my own volition.”

  Noah shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised that you’re considering such a radical change. But I will tell you this—these people live the life they believe in. They don’t just talk about it or admire what it stands for. They live it. Each and every day. And as someone who has lived it before, I can vouch for the tranquillity that such a life has to offer.”

  “But you left.” Kade needed more.

  “Yes, I did. But I have Amish roots that will never be completely severed. Part of me will always be Amish, even though I don’t mention that to most folks. I’m a blessed man, Kade. I get to live among them, take care of them, and yet still follow my own calling. At one point, I turned it over to God, and He showed me my place in this grand community.”

  Kade didn’t say anything. How was he to know if he was truly following God’s plan or if he was just running away from a life that caused him heartache?

  “One thing I should mention, Kade,” Noah went on. “You don’t have to be Amish to have a relationship with God. The kind of peace you’re looking for can be found anywhere.” He paused, then smiled. “I think it’s just easier to recognize that peace here in Lancaster County.”

  “I feel better than I’ve felt in my entire life, Noah,” Kade said. “I have hope. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes. It does.” Noah smiled. “But once this school is built, what are you going to do with yourself? Somehow, I don’t see you as a farmer. No offense intended.”

  Kade chuckled. “None taken. I don’t know the first thing about farming. But I guess if it’s meant to be, God will open doors for me.”

  “Yes. I believe that to be true. When things come very easily to us, it is usually because we are taking the path God wants u
s to take. Too much opposition means we are straying from His plan.”

  Kade smiled. “This has all happened easily for me—disbursement of funds, rearranging my life, finding the King farm, all of it. Tyler has adjusted well, and he seems to like it here too.”

  “I will continue to pray for you, my friend. You’ll make the right decision.”

  Kade stood up and shook Noah’s hand. “Thank you, Noah.”

  As Kade got into his car, he knew he needed to talk to Sadie on Sunday.

  “Are you sure he’s coming?” Sadie asked Lillian Sunday morning.

  “Grandpa said he is.” Lillian set a large bag on Sadie’s counter.

  “There are seven loaves of homemade bread in here. But we might want to warm them a bit later.”

  Sadie nodded, then moved to the far corner of the room to make way for Samuel and his brother Ivan to carry another bench through the kitchen and into the den.

  “I don’t know why they’re not carrying those things through the den,” Lillian complained.

  Sadie shrugged. “What did Jonas say about Kade?”

  “Just that he’s comin’. That’s all.”

  Sadie’s hands landed on her hips. “Why do you never want to talk about Kade? He has been here for weeks, and I know he spends a lot of time with Jonas. And yet, I reckon no one tells me anything, and—” Sadie choked back tears.

  “Sadie, don’t cry.” Lillian hugged her friend. “I’ve been worried to voice my opinions just yet.”

  “But why? You are my best friend. You know how much I care for Kade and Tyler, and still you won’t open up to me about why he’s here or what Jonas is saying. Nothing. I don’t understand.”

  Lillian kissed Sadie on the cheek, then brushed a tear from her face. “I think you will understand soon enough.”

  Sadie was having one of those days where she couldn’t stop feeling sorry for herself, yet those emotions were mixed with extreme levels of excitement at the prospect of seeing Kade and Tyler. But if he really cared for her, why hadn’t he been around?

  “Well, I don’t understand. That’s for sure.” She shook her head and began hastily unpacking the loaves of bread from the bag. “I don’t understand at all”.

  Jonas arrived at Kade’s farm at seven thirty Sunday morning, with Lizzie by his side. Kade had forgotten that he’d asked Jonas for a ride to the worship service this morning. He didn’t want to drive up in a car. But that was before he’d gotten a buggy and horse.

  “Good grief,” Jonas said. He stepped out of the buggy and walked toward Kade, who was standing in the front yard with Tyler. “What have you done?”

  “It’s our clothes, huh?” Kade felt ridiculous. He’d picked up clothes for him and Tyler at an Amish-owned shop in town.

  Jonas stroked his beard. “No, you look mighty fine. Yes, you do. You both make fine-looking Amish gentlemen.” Jonas pointed across the yard. “But, what have you done?”

  “Oh, I was going to surprise you. I bought a buggy and—”

  “Loco. You bought Loco! Boy, what were you thinkin’?”

  “Big Jake said he’s a great horse, and he gave me a really good deal on him. I’m taking the buggy to church.”

  Lizzie walked up beside her husband. “Is that Loco over there?”

  Jonas began laughing so hard that he had to lean down and put his hands on his knees. Then he snorted, and said, “Ya, that’s Loco, all right. And Kade thinks he’s gonna have Loco pull that buggy all the way to Sadie’s place.”

  Lizzie grabbed her chest and gasped.

  Kade frowned. This was humiliating. “Don’t let the name fool you,” he said casually.

  “Ach, we’re not!” Jonas exclaimed. “Ain’t foolin’ us one bit. That horse is crazy as can be. And so are you if you think he’s gonna get you to Sadie’s in one piece.”

  “I’m counting on it.” Kade held his chin a little higher. “Tyler and I were getting ready to leave.”

  “You do what ya want, but the boy rides with Lizzie and me.” Jonas shook his head. “It’s your funeral.”

  Kade’s stomach twisted. How bad could this horse possibly be? “Kade, I think maybe you best be ridin’ with Jonas and me,” Lizzie said softly.

  “No, I’m taking Loco, and I’m driving this buggy to Sadie’s house!” It was becoming a matter of principle at this point.

  “Fine. But the boy comes with us.”

  “Fine.”

  Jonas turned to leave with Lizzie and Tyler, but turned back. “Ach, wait. I almost forgot. I brought you something.” He pulled the seat of the buggy forward and reached into the backseat. He pulled out . . . What? A radio?

  He handed it to Kade. “I know it’s not fancy, like what you must be used to, just a battery-operated device, but it’ll serve its purpose.”

  Kade accepted the radio but eyed Jonas with skepticism. “But, Jonas, it’s not allowed. If I’m going to really be Amish, then I shouldn’t have it.” He pushed the radio back toward Jonas.

  “Hogwash. Lots of folks have radios.” He grinned. “Be best to listen to it in the barn, though.”

  Kade folded his arms across his chest, atop his new suspenders. “If I recall, I suggested not telling Bishop Ebersol something not too long ago, with regard to Sadie, and you said, ‘But you will know and God will know.’”

  Jonas twisted his mouth to one side. Then he leaned in toward Kade, a twinkle in his eye. “I reckon you need this to check the weatherman’s forecast, no?”

  Kade grinned back at his friend. “I suppose so.”

  “As you grow in faith, you’ll know which rules are meant to be bent, and which ones ain’t.” He winked at Kade. “And there’s a little something for Sadie inside that trapdoor on the radio.” Kade pushed the button marked Eject, and a CD popped out. Favorite Country Gospel Tunes, he read aloud.

  “The girl loves music.”

  “I know.” Kade smiled, remembering how Sadie had loitered on the cottage porch, listening to his music playing, and how much she enjoyed listening to the jazz melodies in his car. So much had happened since then.

  “I figured there’s a chance the two of you might be seeing each other in the near future.” Jonas paused and stared warmly into Kade’s eyes. “You’re ready, Kade. And it’s truly been an honor to travel on this journey with you.”

  “The honor has been mine, Jonas.” It was a special moment, and Kade could feel God working in his life in so many ways.

  “Hope you live long enough to enjoy the radio.” Jonas snorted, tipped his hat back, and headed to his buggy.

  Kade shook his head, a smile on his face. Then he headed to his own buggy. And Loco

  It was ten minutes until eight when Jonas pulled up with Lizzie. Most of the people Sadie expected to attend were already there. She was surprised to see Tyler with Jonas and Lizzie. Obviously, Kade wasn’t coming after all.

  She hugged Jonas, then Lizzie, when they stepped out of the buggy.

  “Hello, Tyler,” she said, squatting down.

  Tyler wrapped his arms around her neck. “Sadie, Sadie,” he said, almost bouncing up and down.

  “I’m so glad you came, Tyler.” She looked up at Jonas and tried to sound casual. “I suppose Kade isn’t coming?”

  Jonas let out the silly snort he was known for. “Ach, ya. He’s comin’ all right. Just ain’t sure if he’ll arrive in one piece.”

  Sadie stood up. “What do you mean?”

  Before Jonas had time to answer, all their attention was drawn to the noise coming from down the road. Sounded like a man yelling.

  “I reckon that’s him coming now,” Jonas said.

  “What’s all the racket?” Sarah Jane stepped onto the porch, then eased her way to the yard where Sadie, Jonas, Lizzie, and Tyler were standing. The rest of the people who had gathered in the den made their way outside.

  “Oh no!” Mary Ellen screamed. “Someone is in that buggy, and the horse is out of control!”

  Dirt flew from beneath the wild animal. And the
group could hear a man yelling, “Whoa! I said whoa!”

  “That ain’t just any horse,” Jonas said. “That’s Loco. And the crazy person in the buggy is Kade Saunders.”

  “What?” Sadie couldn’t believe it. “How do you know? What is he doing with Loco?” She shook her head. “Surely not.” Sadie grew concerned. Please, God, don’t let anything happen to Kade.

  “I told Jonas when we left Kade’s haus that we shouldn’t be lettin’ that boy behind the reins with that crazy horse leading the way,” Lizzie said.

  “What? Jonas, how could you?” Sadie started down the driveway toward the road. The large crowd began to follow.

  “Pop!” Sarah Jane said. “Why didn’t you stop him? We all know that horse is crazy! And shame on Big Jake for selling it to Kade!”

  Sadie’s heart was thumping hard against her chest. They all continued down the driveway and were almost to the road when Kade came barreling by. The buggy wheels were lifting off the ground, and Kade was yelling at the top of his lungs. A memory surfaced in Sadie’s mind—one of Ben lying on the road among the scattered fruit, the buggy toppled. It sent a chill up her arms.

  Jonas shook his head. “I warned the boy.”

  “You should have stopped him!” Sadie yelled.

  Lillian then faced off with her grandpa. “Shame on you, Grandpa!”

  “You girls need to quit blaming an old man for a young man’s stupidity.” He shook his head. “It ain’t right.”

  No sooner had Kade passed them by than he came barreling back by in the other direction.

  Jonas snickered. “I reckon he’s gettin’ control of that animal after all. He got him turned around.”

  Lillian gave her grandpa an incredulous look. “But he passed us up again. And at warp speed, I might add!”

  “This is baremlich! What do we do?” Sadie looked to Sarah Jane for guidance.

  Samuel was already in his buggy, and preparing to go after Kade, when they heard the buggy coming back down the road in their direction. Kade was no longer yelling, and he eased the buggy onto the driveway. Everyone cleared out of the way.