“And do you want it like that?”
“Oh, Ethan, are you serious? About us? Would you?” she beseeched him.
His gaze shifted. “Maybe I’m in the same shoes.”
“Then why—”
“We should try,” he said. “I really think so. How else will we know for sure, whether, at least on your part, it was worth it? I’m not the one who would have to make the most changes from the appearance of things.”
“So what are you saying?”
“Can I see you next week sometime? Pick you up for supper in town? We can talk and go from there.”
“Oh, Ethan.” She covered her face with both hands.
“Then it’s a go.” A smile flickered.
“Why not?” She tried to still the pound of her heart.
“Tuesday night,” he whispered. “But where?”
“At the junction of 170 and Peckville Road. I’ll be walking home from the schoolhouse at six.”
He nodded, and she turned to rush out of the barn and down the road toward the schoolhouse. A song rose unbidden in her heart. How could something so wrong make her heart sing? But the music was simply there, and she allowed the joy to flood all the way through her.
NINETEEN
Aunt Millie’s buggy pulled into Grandma Lapp’s driveway early on Saturday morning. Phoebe jumped up from the breakfast table and hurried outside to help her aunt unhitch. Aunt Millie was already out of the buggy with the tie rope in her hand, and she greeted Phoebe with a cheerful, “Goot morning!” and a concerned, “How are you doing, dear?”
“You didn’t have to come over and check on me,” Phoebe protested.
“Now, you know that’s not true,” Aunt Millie chided. “I saw Homer in town yesterday, and he told me he had stopped by on Monday and that everything was under control. But I could tell from the tone of his voice that trouble lurked in the air. I had to come right over this morning to see whether you were still alive after the week was done.”
Phoebe forced a laugh and reached for the tug on her side of the buggy. “It wasn’t that bad.”
Aunt Millie waved her away. “I’m only tying up. I can’t stay long.”
Phoebe stepped back and waited. Now that Aunt Millie was here, a flood of emotions threatened. To make matters worse, her aunt clucked her tongue and took Phoebe in her arms. “You poor dear. Just as I expected. A rough week.”
“Not bad enough that I should be blubbering like a boppli.”
“I’m thinking you held up quite well,” Aunt Millie comforted her. “But I still had to come and visit. That’s the least I can do. This will give you a chance to tell me all about it. Talking does much goot after rough days.”
Phoebe tried to smile. “I already told David about the first night with the boys. That was the worst spell, what with the horrible stories they told me. David was such a comfort.”
Aunt Millie’s face was full of questions. “Horrible stories from the boys and telling everything to David? Come up to the swing where we can sit.”
“I still have breakfast on the table. You could join me,” Phoebe offered.
“That would be even better.” Aunt Millie smiled and followed Phoebe into the kitchen, where she pulled out a chair.
“Help yourself.” Phoebe swept her arm over the plate of eggs and toast. “Not much, but it’s all I had the energy to make. I’ll have oatmeal for lunch, I think.”
Aunt Millie clucked her tongue again and studied Phoebe’s face. “Now what was this about stories and David?”
“He comforted me,” Phoebe began. “I couldn’t have recovered as I did without…well, I guess Uncle Homer came later in the morning, but David was better.”
“What were these stories?”
“Nothing you would want to know.” Phoebe studied her plate. “Young people live in a world I know nothing about. It’s not even decent to repeat the horror movies they watch.”
“But you told David?”
“Yah, but that’s different.”
Aunt Millie didn’t appear convinced.
“Of course, I would have told you that morning if you had been here, but it seems such things shouldn’t be revisited after a week. I don’t want to think about them again.”
Aunt Millie gave in. “We must pray then. But I’m worried, to say the least. These things might be affecting you, and you don’t even know it. Have you been sleeping okay?”
Phoebe nodded. “Since Monday night. Well, the boys didn’t settle down until well after midnight on Tuesday evening, but I made them get up at six, and on Wednesday evening they were asleep by ten. So you see, I’m feeling my way along and getting up my courage. Now I’m ready for next week.”
“So you’re sticking with it?”
“Yah. I can’t let Grandma down, to say nothing of myself.”
Aunt Millie laid her hand on Phoebe’s arm. “Dear heart, no one would blame you if you decided this was too much, or that the dangers were of the kind no one had anticipated. This farm can be sold in a jiffy, and you can go back to Lancaster next week—or you can stay on in the valley without the least disparagement cast on your character.”
Phoebe sighed. “I know. That does comfort me, but really, I’m okay. David is just great. He couldn’t—”
“David,” Aunt Millie interrupted. “Has he been…”
Phoebe laughed. “He’s been nothing but a big help. I’ve seen no signs of the reputation the Fisher family has in David. He is decent, hardworking, and dependable, and he’s someone I can talk to with confidence.” She finished with a smile.
Aunt Millie nodded. “That goot to hear, but if things get too rough, I hope you will let me know. I could come over for the night. I’d be more than glad to.”
“Yah, I know. And thanks.” Phoebe took another bite from her plate. “Aren’t you eating?”
Aunt Millie smiled and seemed lost in her thoughts as she slid an egg onto her plate and buttered a piece of bread.
“Here’s David now!” Phoebe exclaimed. She hopped to her feet to wave at the kitchen window. “He said he’d come up sometime this morning to get things ready for next week.”
“Are you falling in love with the man?”
Phoebe gasped and pulled back. “Of course not!”
“Are you sure?” Aunt Millie persisted.
“I’m sure! He’s…well, he’s….” Phoebe sputtered. “I can’t fall in love with him, and I don’t want to.”
Aunt Millie took a bite of bread. “You’re protesting a lot, Phoebe.”
“He’s a nice man, like I said, and…but, no. I’m not going there, and neither is he. You’re sounding like Leroy now, trying to imply wrong where there is none.”
“Falling in love isn’t wrong, Phoebe. It happens all the time to people like you and David who work together.”
“It’s not happening!” She sat down again and contemplated her empty plate. “And I’m not thinking about it. I need David to help me, and that’s that. You would take that from me?”
Aunt Millie’s smile was thin. “I’m not trying to take anything away from you, dear. It’s just that…well, so much has changed suddenly. You have to admit you wouldn’t have looked at him twice not so long ago, and now you’re singing his praises. He’s still Leroy Fisher’s boy, and you would be a Fisher if you married him.”
“Aunt Millie! Enough of this. So what if his name is Fisher? David is stepping up to the plate. Who would have thought I’d sit through a Poltergeist story not that long ago either?”
“So that’s what the story was about,” Aunt Millie muttered.
“You know this movie?” Phoebe stared.
Aunt Millie’s face reddened. “I wasn’t all I should have been in my rumspringa, Phoebe. And yah, we did see it, much to my regret. The others in my group and I vowed never to try out that kind of thing again. But that was a very long time ago. That movie’s old by now. Those boys must have really dug to find it.”
Phoebe bounced to her feet. “I’m not discussi
ng the stories again.”
“Sorry.” Aunt Millie rose and followed Phoebe to the kitchen window, where they watched David lead the ponies out of the back barn door.
“He is handsome,” Aunt Millie observed. “I have to admit that.”
“Would you stop it? I have to work with him, and I can’t…”
“I should be going, dear.” Aunt Millie’s hand was light on Phoebe’s shoulder. “Shall we pray before I go?”
“Yah, of course.” Phoebe didn’t hesitate.
She bowed her head while Aunt Millie held her hand and led out, “Dear Lord, thank You for protecting Phoebe this week from the evils of the world, and for giving us all grace when we stray from the narrow path. Be with Phoebe and David next week as they continue this journey of ministry to needy children. Help us stay alert to danger and not be afraid to ask for help. Bless both of them, and let Your will be done. Amen.”
“Amen,” Phoebe echoed. “That was just like the prayers Grandma has written in her tablet.”
Aunt Millie smiled. “Of course the Lord is the great teacher of all, but I am her daughter, and she taught us well. And don’t forget that you are Mamm’s granddaughter.”
Phoebe tried to laugh. “Now you scare me. Those are big shoes to fill.”
“You’re doing quite fine.” Aunt Millie reached up to tuck several stray hairs back under Phoebe’s kapp. “Not so long ago you were a little bundle, and now look at you, all grown up and doing the Lord’s work.”
“You’ll have me crying soon,” Phoebe whispered as the two embraced.
Aunt Millie let go to lead the way toward the front door, where they parted with another quick hug. Phoebe watched from the door until Aunt Millie had untied her horse and hopped in her buggy to drive out of the lane. David showed his face in the barn door but stayed there. He must know that everything was under control. She waved to him, and a big smile filled his face. Phoebe ducked back into the house as her face reddened.
Aunt Millie’s words buzzed in her ears: “Are you falling in love with the man?”
There was no sense in being a blushing mess about things. David wouldn’t use their work situation to his advantage. They were partners in this venture. She should go out and wish him goot morning and face important subjects, such as Ruth. There hadn’t been time yesterday after Ethan left to discuss the matter, and she hadn’t wanted to mention the point to Aunt Millie this morning. Her suspicions could be wrong, but what if they weren’t?
Phoebe shuddered and closed the front door behind her to hurry across the lawn. David was gone from the doorway, and she paused just inside the entrance. He was silhouetted by the sun’s rays against a stall door with his back turned. He was spreading straw with both hands. She drew in her breath and waited. David hadn’t heard her enter. He was apparently caught up in his task. His arms were moving sculptures of strength—etched, hardened muscles under his long-sleeved shirt. His hair came to his shoulders and hung long over his ears. She knew how to give someone a trim.
She almost called out, “Surprise! Time for a haircut.”
But was such a thing decent? Maybe Ruth always did the task, or more likely David’s mamm, Priscilla. Phoebe had never thought to wonder. His thick locks would be a match for any scissors, but her fingers would make the cut evenly. She could feel them snap shut as she pressed down his hair with her free hand.
Phoebe gasped when David glanced over his shoulder. “Howdy there. I didn’t hear you come in.” A grin formed on his face.
“Hi. I…yah, goot morning,” she stammered. “I just came out after Aunt Millie left. She…how is Ruth?” Her face flamed bright red. David had caught her staring at him. There was no hiding the fact. At least he didn’t know what her thoughts had been.
“Ah, Ruth,” he said, obviously puzzled.
“Don’t you think she acted a little strange yesterday?” Phoebe rushed on. “She and Ethan had quite a long conversation together.”
David shrugged. “They knew each other before Ruth’s rumspringa ended. I figured it was old friends talking, that kind of thing. You don’t think Ruth would…” David appeared concerned. “Phoebe, you’re not accusing her of something, are you?”
“Of course not!”
David’s smile was crooked. “Thanks. Ruth seemed perfectly normal when she got home last night from the schoolhouse. Did Ethan say anything unusual to you before he left with George and Bill?”
“No.” Phoebe’s mind raced. “Nothing like…Sorry, I’m just…” She tried to laugh, but the result was a wild cackle. “Aunt Millie was just here,” she finished, which didn’t make the least bit of sense.
“Did she say something?” He stepped closer, the straw in his hand dribbling to the floor. His muscles rippled under his sleeve, and Phoebe felt her face blaze again.
She jerked her eyes away. “No. Aunt Millie was very supportive. I told her about Poltergeist, and she said she had seen the movie when she was on her rumspringa. Of course she was also horrified and would never watch the thing again.”
David studied her with concern. “Are you okay, Phoebe?”
Just blubbering, she almost said. She never blubbered. Never!
“Just the stress of the week working itself out,” she said instead. “I came out to say goot morning, and to wish you well, and to thank you for all you did last week.”
He nodded. “The first week is the rough one.” He smiled. “At least we hope so, but you are the one who did well, Phoebe. A little meltdown is in order, I guess.” He came closer and seemed ready to reach for her hand.
She pulled back. “I’d best be going. I have the house to clean and sweep, and I need to get ready for whatever comes next week, and…” There came the cackle again.
Thankfully, David seemed unconcerned when Phoebe turned and fled. She almost ran across the lawn and back into the house. Why did Aunt Millie have to say what she did about David, and love, and falling…Phoebe was not in love, and David was not…
“Confound it all!” Phoebe exclaimed. “I will get over this, whatever it is. It shall pass. I will be my levelheaded, secure, normal self come Monday morning. I will! I will!”
She plopped on the couch with a thud. This was a meltdown. That’s all it was. A little one, thankfully, and David was so understanding. She would never be able to repay him, but he didn’t ask her to. So there! Take that!
Phoebe took deep breaths and willed the pounding of her heart to slow down. David didn’t think she was wild and wicked. The look in his eyes said that plainly enough.
TWENTY
On Monday morning, Phoebe waited on the front porch as the van pulled into Grandma Lapp’s driveway with Mrs. Broman at the wheel. There was no sign of Ethan in the passenger’s seat. Instead, Phoebe caught a glimpse of a young girl’s face. There would not be a repeat this week of all boys. Even if three boys had climbed out of the van, Phoebe could have handled them and remained calm and collected. There would also be no repeat of her meltdown. Her composure was back after a long weekend of rest, and Bishop Rufus had preached a wunderbah sermon at the Sunday service about trusting the Lord in all situations. There was no way the bishop could have known of her personal needs, but the Lord had still provided.
Phoebe came to halt at the end of the walk and waved as Mrs. Broman climbed out of the van. David appeared in the barn door and approached cautiously on the other side.
“Goot morning,” he called out.
Phoebe hurried to join him in greeting the new arrivals. The van door opened, and a young girl climbed to the ground, dressed in a pretty yellow dress with flowers.
“Goot morning, sweetheart!” After her words burst out, David looked strangely at Phoebe. The girl, though, said nothing.
Mrs. Broman appeared with two more girls in tow, both younger than the first.
“Thank You, dear Lord,” Phoebe whispered. She had been prepared for the worst.
David reached over to squeeze her hand. “The Lord is at work indeed,” he whispered.
Mrs. Broman turned to face them and announced with a big smile, “Good morning, folks. Here we are again with Sadie, Eva, and Bella.” Mrs. Broman patted each head in turn. “And girls, here are Phoebe and David, the people you will be staying with this week.”
All three pairs of eyes studied them, while David smiled his brightest. Phoebe hurried forward to open her arms. None of the girls flinched as she gave them hugs, but they didn’t respond either.
“Shall we show you around the place before I leave?” Mrs. Broman bubbled with forced joy.
None of the girls appeared impressed as they peered around.
“We can start with the ponies,” Phoebe suggested.
There was no answer from the three.
“How about I take you inside?” Phoebe tried again. Mrs. Broman gave her a quick nod, so that must have been the correct answer.
David seemed to know that he should make himself scarce as Phoebe took the youngest girl’s hand and led the way forward. “How old are you?” she asked Bella.
“Six. What is this place?”
At least someone was talking.
“A farm,” Phoebe told her. “We have…” She stopped. The ponies were the staple of the place, but her instincts warned her to steer in another direction for the present.
Phoebe turned to give Sadie and Eva a warm smile. Mrs. Broman walked behind them with her arms outstretched as if afraid the two would bolt.
“Are they orphans?” Phoebe mouthed the question to Mrs. Broman over the tops of their heads.
“No,” Mrs. Broman mouthed back.
Then why were the girls here? But now was not the time for such questions.
Phoebe paused near the front porch steps and motioned with her hand. “There’s our swing, Bella. You can sit there on warm evenings and read a book or chat with your sisters. Would you like that? Maybe you’d like to try the swing out now?”
Sadie piped up. “Can I bring Forrest out to sit on the swing with me this week?”
“You will do no such thing,” Mrs. Broman retorted. “This is a week to get away from your world and explore new horizons.”
Phoebe's Gift Page 14