A Sister's Test

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  I know it’s wrong to seek revenge, but I hope whoever’s responsible for killing Martin and doing such terrible things to my family is caught and brought to justice, Ruth thought as she stood at the gas stove, stirring a pot of soup for Abe’s lunch.

  She moved from the stove over to the window. Abe’s older children had gone to school this morning, and Molly and Owen were playing in the living room, so the yard was empty and quiet. Abe, though still hobbling on crutches, had gone back to work in the harness shop. Ruth had tried to talk him out of it, knowing he couldn’t do much with his leg still in a cast and him barely able to function because of his grief. But Abe said there was too much work for Ivan to do alone and that he needed to support his family.

  Ruth knew from a few things she’d overheard Abe say to her father that Abe was not only missing Willis but also battling a sense of bitterness toward Gideon for not watching his brother. To Ruth, Abe had said none of those things. He seemed to be avoiding her. Whenever they were in the same room, he only spoke if she asked him a question.

  Ruth sighed and glanced at the clock on the far wall. If only I could turn the hands on that clock back to a more joyful time—when my family wasn’t under attack; when Alma, Martin, and Willis were still alive; when the future looked bright and hopeful. Would I do things differently if I were given a second chance?

  Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. If only people would learn to make the most of each precious moment. No one knows when a tragedy might occur or a loved one will be snatched away.

  A loud crash, followed by a child’s wail, jolted Ruth’s thoughts back to the present. She dashed into the living room and discovered that the potted plant that had been sitting on a table near the window had fallen to the floor. Broken pieces of the clay pot, dirt, and chunks of green foliage lay on the floor. Molly sat in the middle of it all, sobbing her heart out. Owen stood off to one side, pointing at the plant and shaking his head.

  Knowing the first order of business was to get the children out of the room so she could clean up the mess, Ruth bent over to pick up Molly. Just as she reached for the child, a painful spasm gripped her back. Her knees buckled, and she dropped to the floor.

  “Ach! Owen, run out to the harness shop and get Ivan,” she panted. “I don’t think I can get up.”

  Rosemary stepped into Roman’s shop and spotted him sitting at his desk with his lunch pail before him. “Looks like I got here at the right time,” she said with a smile. “At least I’m not disturbing your work today.”

  “Nope, you’re sure not. Cleon went home to have lunch with Grace, and I’m eating in peace and quiet,” Roman said around a mouthful of sandwich. He nodded to the wooden stool near his desk. “I’ve still got plenty in my lunch box if you’d like to join me.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’ve already had lunch. I will sit a few minutes, though.” Rosemary scooted the wooden stool over to his desk and took a seat.

  “Is there something on your mind,” he asked, “or is this just a friendly visit?”

  “A little of both.”

  He tipped his head and gave her a questioning look.

  She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Actually, I came to say good-bye.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “You’re going back to Idaho?”

  She nodded. “Ken’s found a buyer for my house, so I need to go home and finalize the sale. Then I’ll have boxes to pack for my return trip here.”

  He looked relieved. “You’ll be moving here permanently, then?”

  “Yes. The little house I’ve been renting from the Larsons has an option to buy, and I think it will fit my needs. Once I’ve filled the place with my own things, it will seem more like a real home to me.”

  “What about your son? Is he in agreement with you moving here?”

  “I have Ken’s stamp of approval.” Rosemary smiled. “In fact, he and his wife plan to use some of their vacation time to help me move. It will give them a chance to meet all of you.”

  “That would be nice. I’d like to get to know my nephew and his wife.”

  Roman took a drink from his thermos. “How long do you think it will be before you get moved?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure. A couple of months, maybe.”

  “That’s not so long.”

  She reached across the desk and touched his arm. “I’m sorry for all the pain I put my family through when I was gone all those years.”

  He shook his head. “Apologies have already been said. No need to say ’em again. What counts is the now, not the past.”

  “You’re right, and I plan to make the most of whatever time I have left on this earth.”

  “Me, too.”

  Rosemary stepped down from the stool and gave him a hug. She was pleased when he patted her back and said, “I love you, sister.”

  “I love you, too.” She blinked back tears. “Guess I’ll say good-bye to Judith and the rest of the family now.”

  “That’d be good. I’m sure Judith will be glad to hear that you’re planning to move to Holmes County permanently. She’s been terribly upset since that last attack. Maybe this will give her something to smile about.”

  “Still no clue as to who let the horses out and killed your chickens?”

  “No, and I’m beginning to think we’ll never know who was behind any of the attacks.”

  “Would you like me to speak with the sheriff and see if he has any leads or suggestions as to what you might do to prevent further attacks?”

  He grunted. “I think he’s pretty much given up on finding the one responsible.”

  Rosemary’s heart went out to her brother. She could see the look of despair on his face and wished there was something she could do to make things better. “I’ll be praying,” she said. “Praying that God will uphold you through this difficult time and that the culprit will be found and brought to justice.”

  As Abe sat at one of his workbenches, cutting strips of leather, his thoughts went to Ruth and how she had looked holding Molly this morning after breakfast. There was a look of love on Ruth’s face whenever she did anything with his children. He knew without reservation that she would make a good mother. He thought about the day she’d been sitting on the sofa near his feet and had asked if he would like to marry her. Even now, he could see the desire in her eyes, but he knew it wasn’t a desire to be his wife; it was a longing to be his children’s mother.

  He gripped the piece of leather tightly. Ruth’s a good woman, and I’ve allowed myself to feel something for her that I have no right to feel.

  “You’re lookin’ kind of thoughtful there,” Ivan said, stepping up to the workbench. “Is there something you’d like to talk about?”

  Abe shook his head. “No point talking about what can’t be changed.”

  “Are you thinking of Willis?”

  “Jah, that and a few other things.”

  Ivan opened his mouth as if to respond, but the shop door flew open just then, and Owen dashed into the room. “Daadi, kumme—schnell!”

  Abe’s heartbeat picked up speed. “Where do you want me to go quickly, son?”

  Owen pointed to the door. “Ruth! Sie is yuscht umgfalle.”

  “Ruth fell over?”

  Owen nodded, and his dark eyes widened with obvious fear. “Kumme, kumme.”

  Abe grabbed his crutches and hobbled across the room behind Owen.

  “I’d better come with you,” Ivan said from behind.

  Cleon hurried into the barn with the intent of getting some boxes in which to load several jars of honey he planned to deliver to some stores in Walnut Creek. He’d only taken a few steps when he heard Anna’s voice.

  “It’s not my fault baby Daniel got borned.” Sniff. “It’s not fair that Papa don’t love me no more.” Sniff. Sniff. “If I got a new doll, I’d still love you, little faceless friend. I’d love you both, not one more than the other.”

  Cleon leaned against the wall, too stunned to move. Did A
nna really think he didn’t love her anymore? Maybe he had shown Daniel a lot of attention since he’d been born, but he was just a baby, and babies needed attention. Even so, he knew he’d been remiss in spending time with Anna, and maybe he’d been a bit short-tempered with her, too. And if he were completely honest about it, he’d have to admit he’d chosen to discount Grace’s warnings about Anna’s feelings.

  Deciding that the boxes could wait awhile, Cleon hurried toward the empty horse stall where he’d heard Anna’s voice. “Anna, what are you doing?” he called.

  She darted out of the stall, eyes wide and body trembling. “I didn’t do nothin’ wrong, Papa. I was just—”

  “Anna, we need to—”

  The child pushed past Cleon and dashed across the room to the ladder leading to the hayloft. She was halfway up before Cleon reached the bottom of the ladder.

  “Anna, don’t go any farther,” he called.

  She halted, turned to look at him, then whirled back around. Her foot had just touched the next rung when—snap!—the rung broke. Anna screamed as she fell backward.

  Cleon leaped forward and caught the child in his arms. “It’s okay, Anna,” he said, hugging her tightly. “Papa’s got you now.”

  Anna’s tears wet the front of his shirt as she buried her face against his chest and sobbed. “I could’ve fallen. You saved me, Papa.”

  He stroked her back. “I love you, Anna.”

  She pulled back and looked up at him with tears clinging to her lashes. “Really, Papa?”

  “Jah. You’re my special little girl.”

  “As special as Daniel?”

  He nodded. “Just as special.”

  “But you talk about the boppli all the time and won’t let me hold him.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Anna,” he said, his throat thick with emotion. “I’ve been a bit overprotective of Daniel, and I haven’t been fair to you. Will you forgive me, daughter?”

  She nodded and hugged him around the neck.

  “Why don’t you get your doll now and go into the house? I’ve got some boxes to get, and then I’ll join you and your mamm for lunch.”

  “Okay.”

  He set Anna on the floor, and she scurried into the empty horse stall. She returned a few seconds later with her faceless doll. “See you in the house, Papa,” she said as she skipped out the door.

  As soon as Anna disappeared, Cleon made a beeline for the broken ladder. “This makes no sense,” he mumbled. “I’ve had that ladder only a few months, and it shouldn’t have broken like that.”

  A chill shot through him. What if someone had come into the barn and cut the rung on purpose? Could this have been another attack?

  He grabbed the ladder and laid it on its side near the back of the barn. He would replace the rung as soon as he could, and he would keep the barn door locked from now on!

  Are you comfortable enough? Is there anything else I can do for you?” Mom’s wrinkled forehead and the concern in her voice let Ruth know how worried she was about her.

  “I’ll be fine,” Ruth said as she tried to find a comfortable position on her bed. Even after several visits to the chiropractor, she was still experiencing back spasms. The doctor said she needed rest and couldn’t return to work until her back was better. Much to Ruth’s chagrin, Abe’s neighbor, Marlene Yoder, was helping in her absence. Marlene was an older woman whose children were grown and married, so she had the time. Ruth’s only concern was whether Marlene could keep up with Abe’s active children, especially the two youngest ones.

  I miss Abe’s kinner so much. Ruth grimaced. I find myself missing Abe, too.

  “You are in pain. I can see by the look on your face that you’re hurting.” Mom moved closer to the bed and stared down at Ruth.

  “As long as I don’t move, I don’t hurt.” Ruth compressed her lips. “What hurts the most is not being able to care for Abe’s kinner.”

  “You’ll return to your job once your back has healed.”

  Ruth groaned. “I still can’t believe the way it went into a spasm just because I bent over wrong.”

  “Dr. Bradley said it’s a fairly common occurrence—especially when someone’s had to deal with the kind of stress you’ve had.” Mom’s hand shook as she reached up to swipe at a wisp of hair that had worked its way loose from her bun. “I understand that, because all the attacks that have occurred around here have made me feel jittery as a June bug. They’ve affected my ability to sleep well, too.”

  “I know, and now here you are taking care of me.” Ruth hated to be laid up like this. Seeing how tired her mother looked today made her feel guilty for being such a bother.

  “I don’t mind.” Mom patted Ruth’s hand. “Martha’s been helping when she isn’t working for Irene or spending time caring for her dogs. Heidi’s going to have another batch of pups now, you know.”

  “Jah, Martha told me.”

  “I still wish she’d give up the notion of raising hundlin.”

  “It’s what she enjoys, and we can’t fault her for that.” Ruth sighed. “I enjoy my job working for Abe, which makes it all the harder to be stuck here in bed.”

  “You really miss his kinner, don’t you?”

  “Jah.” Ruth almost said that she missed Abe, too, but she caught herself in time. No point giving Mom any hope that she and Abe might marry. He’d made it clear enough the day she’d mentioned marriage that he had no interest in her.

  “Well,” Mom said as she moved away from the bed, “I’m going downstairs to start lunch. I’ll bring up a tray for you when it’s ready.”

  “Danki. In the meantime, would you give me my Biwel? I’d like to read a few chapters.”

  Mom picked up the Bible from the table by Ruth’s bed and handed it to her. “I’ll be back soon.”

  “Okay.” Ruth turned to the book of Ruth and read the account of how the biblical Ruth had made herself known to Boaz. “It may have worked for Ruth from the Bible, but it sure didn’t work for me,” she mumbled when she’d finished reading it. “Whatever possessed me to do something so bold? Is the strained relationship I now have with Abe just one more test I’m being faced with?”

  Knowing that Job went through numerous tests, Ruth flipped to the book of Job. “ ‘But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold,’ ” she read from the twenty-third chapter.

  She closed her eyes. Are the tests Abe and I have been faced with refining us, Lord? Will we someday come forth as gold?

  Her eyes popped open. As soon as my back is better, I’m going to share that verse with Abe.

  Abe entered the kitchen to join his two youngest children for lunch and was shocked to discover a mess. Several boxes of cereal were strewn on the floor, along with some smaller boxes of candy-coated gum. Molly and Owen sat in the middle of it, wearing blue smiles on their faces.

  “Bloh,” Molly said, holding up both hands, which were also colored blue.

  “Jah, blue hands, blue teeth, and blue lips.” Abe bit back a chuckle. It was comical to see how the children looked, but he had to wonder how they’d managed to make such a mess.

  “Where’s Marlene?” he asked Owen.

  The boy pointed to the door leading to the living room. “Schlofkopp.”

  “Sleepyhead?” Abe repeated in English.

  Owen nodded.

  Abe stepped into the living room and discovered Marlene stretched out on the sofa, fast asleep.

  He cleared his throat.

  No response.

  He moved closer to the sofa and bent close to her ear. “Marlene, wake up!”

  “Was is letz do?” The poor woman jumped up as though she’d been stung by a bee.

  “What’s wrong here is that my two youngest kinner have been in the kitchen making a mess while you’ve been asleep.” Abe frowned. “And I’m hungry as a mule and there’s no lunch ready.”

  Marlene clambered off the sofa. “Ach! I had no idea it was lunch-time already. I came in here to re
st my eyes a minute. Guess I must have dozed off.”

  “Aren’t you getting enough sleep?”

  “I sleep well at night, but I’m not used to running after little ones all day. To tell you the truth, I’m feeling plumb tuckered out.” She sighed and pushed an errant strand of grayish-brown hair away from her face. “How soon do you think it’ll be before Ruth comes back to work?”

  Abe grimaced. He wasn’t sure he wanted Ruth to continue working for him. He’d come to realize that not only did his offspring miss having Ruth around, but he did, as well. It wasn’t just the good job Ruth had done with the house and children that Abe missed, either. It was her smiling face, caring attitude, and gentle ways. Even so, he wondered if it might be better if Ruth didn’t come back once her back was healed. He had feelings for her, which she obviously didn’t return. He figured having her around so much would only complicate things. On the other hand, if she didn’t come back—

  “Abe, did you hear what I asked about Ruth?”

  Abe blinked. “Jah. Just don’t have an answer for that right now.”

  Marlene shrugged and turned toward the kitchen. “I’d better tend to Molly and Owen. Then I’ll get something put together for your lunch.”

  “Just worry about lunch,” Abe said, following her into the other room. “I’ll clean up the kinner.”

  “I’m not sure who I’m most worried about—Mom or Ruth,” Grace said as she placed a sandwich on a plate and set it in front of Cleon. Since Anna was in school and the baby was asleep, Grace hoped she and Cleon would have a chance to visit without interruption.

  He looked up at Grace, and his eyebrows drew together. “It won’t do any good to worry. I’m sure they’ll both be fine.”

  Grace pulled out a chair and sat down. “I’m not so certain about that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “First off, Ruth’s back seems slow in healing, and she’s getting depressed lying around all day.”

  “The doctor took X-rays and determined it was nothing more than a pulled muscle, right?”

  She nodded.