Shocked, and hurt, Joshua clutched Andrew close to him. Joshua decided that was enough for the day, so he closed up the shop and carried Andrew to the house.
“Andrew?” Samantha said from the couch. She sat up, staring at them wide-eyed, while Melissa rushed over to Joshua’s legs. He picked her up as well.
“Is Andrew hurt?” Samantha asked.
“Nee,” Joshua said.
“Miss Haier got rid of the desk Daed made for you, Samantha,” Andrew said between his sobs.
As she stood to her feet, Samantha frowned. “What?”
“Miss Haier got rid of the desk,” Andrew repeated.
“But why?”
"She wouldn't say why.”
Joshua continued to hush Andrew, but he looked at Samantha, stunned. “Something must be going on,” he whispered to her.
Samantha nodded and put a hand to Andrew’s head. “Andrew, I’m going to talk to Miss Haier tomorrow,” she said.
“And you’ll teach again?” Andrew asked.
“I don’t know. But I will speak with her and see what's going on.”
“I don’t want to go to school tomorrow,” Andrew sobbed.
Joshua clutched Andrew to him as he and Samantha shared a worried glance. “Maybe just for tomorrow, you can stay home,” he said at last. “All right?”
Andrew nodded, looking relieved.
* * *
That night, Joshua and Samantha sat together on the front porch. It had been a cooler day, but still nice, and Samantha was bundled in one of the quilts Joshua’s Mamm had made as a wedding gift. They stared out at the starry sky, silent as they listened to the crickets and tree frogs chirping.
“How are you feeling?” Joshua asked.
“Still tired and a little nauseous,” she said. She hadn’t even been able to eat much food, and had ended up just nibbling on dry toast.
“I’d really like you to see the doctor,” Joshua said.
“I will,” Samantha said. She stared off, anxious more about tomorrow than about feeling a little off.
After a few more minutes, Joshua looked back at her. “What are you thinking?” he asked.
Samantha sighed. “A part of me hopes that I will get the teaching job back. But I’m kind of worried about Ruth, to be honest. This seems really odd, that she’d go to all this trouble to be a teacher but struggle with it so badly. And I have to wonder if she’s just under a lot of stress, and of course the grief from losing her bruder.” She glanced at Joshua. “I also feel bad for thinking that either I get my dream or Ruth does, but not both of us.”
“Jah,” Joshua said. Normally, Joshua wasn’t one to share his innermost feelings. But there was something about Samantha that drew the truth from him. “I have to be honest,” he said, “I’m feeling conflicted as well. I love having you home. I know you love teaching, but I don’t want you to leave either, and I feel bad about it, as if either way one of us will be disappointed.”
Samantha drew Joshua’s arm around her tighter. “I have enjoyed my time here at home,” Samantha said. “I really have. Which is why this is so hard. I started to finally adjust to staying at home, but now I might need to switch again. It’s difficult, and my heart is fussing over it. I just want to do the right thing.”
“Jah. ” He took a breath. “Well, let’s pray about it.” Samantha nodded, and they clasped hands. “Dear Gott,” Joshua began, “we pray for Your guidance on this situation. We ask that You would grant Samantha Your wisdom and peace to speak with Ruth, and that whatever might be going on could be addressed. We pray that You would help show Samantha what the right thing to do is, and what would honor and please You most. Also, please help Samantha to feel better. May Your name be glorified. Amen.”
“Amen,” Samantha whispered. “Danke, Joshua.”
“You’re welcome. He kissed the top of Samantha’s head before they looked back out at the night sky, wondering how this would work out.
* * *
The next day passed too quickly for Samantha’s liking, and before she knew it was time to leave for the schoolhouse. She was glad she was able to rest most of the day, and felt a bit better now. She smoothed the folds of her blue dress a couple of times, and then she and Melissa headed out to the barn. Joshua was finishing up with Mary's crib, and when Samantha walked in he put everything away. Andrew was sitting on a chest nearby. Joshua had let him stay home for the day as long as he helped him in the workshop, and Andrew was all too happy to spend the day with his daed. Andrew came over and hugged her tight while Joshua hooked up the horse and buggy.
Ready to go, Joshua helped Samantha up into the buggy and the children scooted over to sit between them. They were quiet the entire ride to the schoolhouse, and she took the opportunity to rest and pray, thinking over what she might say.
They arrived just as the children were leaving the schoolyard. Samantha hesitated to get out of the buggy, observing their low-hanging heads and hurried walks away from the schoolhouse.
“I hope you can teach again,” Andrew said.
Samantha just smiled at him as she hugged him with one arm, unsure of how to answer his comment. She wasn’t even sure of what she wanted any more.
“It’s for Gott to decide,” Joshua said.
Glad all the more for Joshua’s steadfast love and strength, she leaned over and kissed him.
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” Joshua said. He arched his head down and kissed her a little more firmly. “It will work out,” he said. “We’ll wait here.”
“Okay,” Samantha said. Joshua came around and helped her down off the buggy. “I’ll be back soon!” she said, trying to keep her voice cheery. Between her nerves and whatever bug she had, she was beginning to feel a little nauseous again. Samantha waved at her family and walked over to the schoolhouse. She made her way to the door just as Kristen walked out.
“Samantha!” Kristen said. The older woman hesitated, looking at Samantha hopefully. “Is Andrew okay?”
“He’s fine, just a little upset. I need to talk to Ruth.”
Kristen didn’t say anything but she nodded her head as if she were unsurprised, and gestured into the schoolhouse. “She’s still in there with Ellen.”
“Ellen?”
“Ruth’s niece.” Kristen opened her mouth and then closed it, hesitating. “Well, I hope it goes well,” she said at last.
Sensing Kristen’s distress, Samantha put a hand to her arm and walked into the schoolhouse. Andrew was right – the desk was gone, and had been replaced with a smaller, more feminine desk.
In the corner was a young girl, about six or seven years old, with the angriest expression on her little face as she stared up at Ruth. Ruth was waving a finger up and down at her, and Samantha noticed that she had a frazzled appearance.
“You’re not my mamm!” Ellen said. “Stop telling me what to do!”
“Nee, but your mamm will be upset with you for acting like this!” Ruth said.
“Mamm doesn’t even—” Ellen suddenly stopped speaking when she noticed Samantha.
Ruth, noting her silence, turned to Samantha. There were tears in her eyes. “Ach, hello Samantha,” Ruth said. She took a breath and her face masked over into its stern expression. “Andrew didn’t make it to school today. Is he okay?”
“Jah,” Samantha said. “He’s upset, though, and I wondered if I could talk to you?”
Ruth glanced down at Ellen. “I want you to wait outside for me.”
Ellen rolled her eyes dramatically as she picked up her schoolbags and sauntered out of the building, glancing at Samantha as she passed by.
Ruth walked closer to Samantha, folding her hands behind her. “What seems to be the problem?”
Samantha gestured to the school desks and chairs, and they sat. “A couple of things have come up, and I was asked to speak with you,” she said carefully. She watched Ruth’s face, but it remained impassive and expressionless. “It was mentioned that the kinner have been acting out of sorts.”
> “A little,” Ruth said at last in the silence that followed.
“I was also told that there has been some trouble with the lessons,” Samantha said.
“Who told you this?” Ruth asked sharply.
Samantha gave Ruth a gentle smile. “It doesn’t matter who. It sounds like you're having trouble and I came to see how you were doing, and if there was anything I could do to help.”
The gleam of defiance in Ruth’s eyes softened. She blinked at Samantha. “Ach. Really?”
“Jah.”
Ruth hesitated. Then her mask fell away, she began to sob, and Samantha saw a scared young woman in front of her. Samantha stood up and walked over, wrapping her arms around Ruth’s shoulders.
“So what’s going on?” Samantha asked.
“I'm completely overwhelmed. As you know, my family moved to this community because my husband had found a new job here. And only a few weeks later, my husband was disabled. Besides my husband’s recent disability, my bruder passed away not long ago,” Ruth said, her strong voice wavering as she spoke hurriedly. “I wanted to help his wife, Rachel and her daughter while trying to find a job that would be sufficient pay to cover our needs.
Ruth paused to catch her breath, then continued.
“Ellen has been very difficult to discipline, as she is so angry and still dealing with the loss of her father, and Rachel's so distraught that she won't discipline Ellen. And I’m so concerned about my husband and our finances. It's also been difficult to be in this new community without my own friends, and Ellen’s so angry – she won’t listen to me! She only listens to Rachel, and Rachel’s so distraught, she won’t discipline Ellen.”
Samantha, astonished, listened attentively, soothing Ruth, and when the young woman finished Samantha held her close.
“I am so sorry, Ruth.”
Ruth continued on. “And all I’ve heard since I’ve come is ‘Samantha this’ and ‘Samantha that. I’ve never felt so intimidated and overwhelmed, and I wanted to prove that I could do it. That I was strong enough. But I’m not.” Ruth sobbed into her hands.
“Dear one, I’m so sorry you’ve been carrying this burden on your own,” Samantha said. She hadn’t meant to address Ruth like one of the children – Ruth couldn’t have been that much younger than Samantha herself – but right now she sensed that Ruth needed it. She prayed with Ruth that God's peace, strength and wisdom would be upon her.
“Ruth, Gott has a plan for you and your family. Even though you are going through a very difficult time, you must trust that He is with you and will provide everything you need. He is good.”
She nodded, wiping her tears with her white apron. “Jah, you’re right.” Ruth looked up at Samantha and managed a small smile. “Now I know why everyone talks so highly about you. You’re a darling.”
Samantha chuckled. “Sometimes. I’m certainly not perfect.” She scooted a chair closer to Ruth and sat down. “So, do you truly like to teach?”
“Jah, I do,” Ruth said. “But I’m losing my patience too quickly with Ellen, and I’m too distracted to actually put together gut lesson plans. Let alone having patience with the rest of the kinner. I really thought I would be strong enough to do this.”
“I have an idea,” Samantha said. “Why don't I come back for one week, but just as an aide? And I’ll help guide the kinner to respect you and acknowledge you as the authority. I’ll also give you my lesson plans. You can always change the lessons, and as time goes on you’ll have your own ideas, but this way you aren’t having to build out an entire school year from scratch.”
“You’d do that?” Ruth asked. “Even after I said nee?”
“Of course.”
“I would very much appreciate that,” Ruth said. She gave Samantha a smile and sighed deeply. Danke, Samantha. You’re very kind.”
“Only because Gott is kind to us first. And I’m not going to lie – I miss teaching, and I wasn’t thrilled to leave the schoolhouse. But Gott has also given me appreciation for staying at home, and I know Joshua and Melissa- the youngest; love having me home.”
“Samantha, I do want you to know I really appreciate this job, even though it may not seem like it.” Ruth sighed again and looked down. “You have sacrificed so much for me. I feel terrible for the way I treated you.”
She smiled at Ruth gently. “Well, it’s not much of a sacrifice now, but it was hard at first. Regardless, you’re welcome. My last concern, however, is for Andrew.” She gestured to the new desk in the schoolroom. “He was thoroughly upset that you removed the desk, and I wanted to see what that was about?”
“Oh, the other desk?” Ruth asked. “I set it outside to make room for an indoor classroom activity, and when we had that sudden rainstorm, it was drenched so I took it home to restore it. I wanted to make sure it dried properly and polish it up. Then Andrew said his daed made it for you, so I decided I would bring it by once it was polished.”
Samantha laughed. “Andrew thought you were going to get rid of the desk entirely.”
“What? Nee,” Ruth said. She chuckled and then sighed. “The kinner probably all think I’m a mean person, though, so that doesn’t surprise me. I know Ellen does,” she added, glancing at the doorway to the schoolhouse.
“Let’s give the new arrangement a try,” Samantha said. “And I’ll focus on Ellen as an aide next week.”
Ruth’s face split into a beaming smile. “I would really appreciate that, Samantha. You are truly a blessing.”
Samantha smiled, and when they stood up she gave Ruth another hug. “Gott works in all of us. And please, if you need anything at all, you just let me know. Whether it’s help teaching or if you and your family need food, or if your bruder's wife needs company, anything at all, feel free to ask. The community here is very loving and they can help you as well.”
“Danke again, Samantha. Jah, the bishop and this community has been wonderful to my family. My husband and I have received many gifts and lots of food, but I’ll check with Rachel,” Ruth said.
They walked out of the schoolhouse once Ruth gathered everything, and after bidding Ruth and Ellen a good afternoon, Samantha headed over to the buggy. She was exhausted, but her heart was light.
“How did it go?” Joshua asked.
“Gut,” Samantha said. She smiled up at her family as she climbed into the buggy. “I’ll tell you about it on the way home.”
Joshua smiled. He turned the horse around as Melissa and Andrew clung to Samantha, wanting to hear the news.
No, Samantha wouldn’t be taking her teaching position back. Only helping as an aide, and definitely not long-term. But Samantha knew she’d done the right thing, and her heart soared with joy.
Samantha expressed her gratitude towards God. Danke, Gott, for Your wisdom and guidance. I'm amazed at how you are working in my life. I trust Your will.
* * *
Setting the last piece into place, Joshua secured it and stepped back, observing the crib he’d just put together. He pressed down on one of the feet and smiled as it rocked back and forth smoothly and evenly. Mary’s baby will sleep easy. Joshua could clearly remember sitting in the rocking chair his father had made him, soothing Andrew and then Melissa when they were babies.
Sighing wistfully, Joshua looked up and caught sight of Samantha hanging up newly washed bed sheets outside the barn; Melissa running in-between the sheets. He smiled, watching Samantha’s beautiful, small form, and the way the wind snagged a few strands of her blonde hair loose from underneath her kapp. He leaned against the barn column, glad for the joy that Gott had brought him with Samantha.
Now, if only Samantha would feel better, Joshua thought. Glancing at the wind-up clock in the workshop, Joshua began putting his tools away for the day. He was taking Samantha to see the doctor this afternoon, and they’d decided to pick up Andrew from the schoolhouse. Joshua wanted Samantha to go much sooner, but she had argued that her symptoms didn’t seem to get any worse, they were just persistent. She’d made it through h
er week of being an aide to Ruth and scheduled an appointment with the doctor for the following Monday. Far too long of a wait in Joshua’s opinion, but she kept assuring him that she was fine, and later admitted that she thought the illness really would go away on its own. But it hadn’t, and at last they were going to visit the doctor.
Hooking up the horse and buggy, Joshua walked over to Samantha just as she finished up hanging the last sheet. “Are you ready?” he asked.
“Jah,” Samantha said. She gave a sigh, looking exhausted, and Joshua couldn’t help himself but to carry her to the buggy and help her inside. She chuckled. “I’m fine, just tired and nauseous.”
“I’m worried, and I don’t like that we waited this long,” Joshua said.
“Me next!” Melissa said.
Smiling, Joshua picked up his daughter and set her into the buggy. He climbed up after them and they headed down the road.
When they arrived at the schoolhouse, the children were just leaving. Andrew spotted them and came running over, grinning from ear to ear. It was the happiest Joshua had seen him in a while, and Joshua relished the sight as his boy climbed into the buggy.
“Hi!” Andrew said.
“Andrew!” Melissa exclaimed. Giggling, the little girl wrapped her arms around Andrew, and Joshua got a little teary-eyed watching his two children hug.
“How was school?” Samantha asked.
“Gut!” Andrew said.
“And why was school gut?” Joshua asked as he turned the horse to continue on further into town.
“Miss Haier had us doing these funny games, and we got all tangled up!” Andrew said. “We had to help each other from falling down, and it was about how sometimes you need help because you can’t do it on your own. It was fun!”
Samantha smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“Are you still sick?” Andrew turned to Samantha.
Joshua was impressed that the boy remembered Samantha wasn’t feeling well. But, perhaps the fact that they were pulling up to the doctor’s office reminded him.
“Still tired and a little sick to my stomach, but danke for asking, Andrew.”
Joshua jumped down from the buggy, tied the horse’s reins to the fence, and came around to help Samantha and the children down. He guided Samantha by her arm and led the way into the doctor’s office. This late in the day and they were one of the last appointments, so the nurse was already waiting to take them to the patient room.
AMISH ROMANCE: Amish Dreams Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 6