“You don’t like it, do you?” Mose’s disappointment was palpable.
“I do like it. It’s just not what I’m used to,” she murmured.
“We don’t have to take it, Sarah. Like I said, Daed can easily rent it out to someone else.” He stood just inside the kitchen, his shoulder resting against a smooth wall.
“You like it, don’t you?” Sarah knew his answer before he spoke. She was able to read his expressions.
“I can see the kinder running and playing without bumping into walls.” He grinned, adding, “We’d have lots of room for a couple more bobbels here.”
Sarah’s tongue glued to the top of her mouth. She forced herself to look up. His smile was infectious and she returned a trembling, shy grin. They were alone. Nothing held her back from telling him her secret. She trusted him. Wanted him to know. Longed for him to be happy for them. Sarah took in a breath. “I need to talk to you about something wonderful, and I want you to hear me out before you speak.”
Mose frowned at her, his concern adding wrinkles to his forehead. “Did I upset you with the suggestion there could be more children growing up in this home?” He reached out to her.
Sarah grasped his hand in hers and smiled, strong feeling for this vibrant man building in her heart. “No, not at all. It’s just the opposite. I’m having a bobbel, Mose. I wanted to share the news with you.”
Mose pulled her into his arms and crushed her to his chest as he murmured, “I already know.”
Sarah leaned away. Mose’s smile of joy left her breathless. “You already knew?”
“Of course I knew, silly. I’m the father of two. I know when a woman is carrying a child. I’ve known since I met you.”
“But why didn’t you say something? Why would you marry me if you knew I was pregnant?” Sarah’s mind reeled, memories flashing like a slide show. She’d never known anyone as generous a Mose Fischer. He’d known all along and had never said a word, never questioned her.
“I first married you because I loved Joseph like a bruder. We grew up together, shared our hopes and dreams. I found his wife in need of me, and I found her fascinating. I needed a mother for my kinder. There was never a question of what should be done. It made perfect sense to do the right thing. Who else would love Joseph’s child as much as me? I’ll make a good father for him or her. I promise you.”
He pulled her closer as tears began to flow down her face. Tenderly he held her in his arms, patting her as she clung to the front of his shirt. Grief flowed out of her, and in its place came relief and gratitude. Weak with emotion, she leaned against his chest and took in gulping sobs of air laced with joy.
Joseph was gone, but Mose was here now.
“Have you seen a midwife yet?” His warm breath stirred her hair as he spoke softly in her ear.
“Not yet,” Sarah admitted, her head still pressed against his chest. She liked the feel of his arms around her, the way he tenderly kissed her cheek. “I just recently found out. But Linda says I must go to the Englisch doctor for a sonogram, to make sure the bobbel is okay.”
“We’ll get an appointment for you.” Mose rubbed her back, making her warm and breathless in the cool, air-conditioned house.
Sarah was thrilled and relieved that she wasn’t alone anymore. But did she truly deserve this happiness? She wasn’t so sure.
* * *
A few hours later, Mose and Otto lifted out the heavy sliding glass door and together leaned it against the patio wall.
“I just need to take these old runners out and put in some new ones.” Otto glanced Mose’s way. He grunted as he squatted, his old knees cracking like popcorn. It took only a moment to remove the old tracks, stuff the plastic packaging into his overall pocket and slip the new tracks in place. “I’m glad you two decided to take this place.” Otto checked the rollers and grinned in satisfaction. “I have a good feeling about this haus. It may be a bit fancy, but it will make a great home for the kinder to grow in.”
“Sarah’s finally okay with the haus. At first she was concerned what people might say, it being so different than the tract homes close by.”
Otto’s brows arched. “How are you two doing? Rumor has it the girl’s got a temper. She use it on you yet?”
Mose frowned in frustration. He dreaded the talk he knew he had to have with his father.
Together the two men replaced the door in its railing. Mose stretched out his back. “That door was heavy. Let’s rest.” He pointed to the wooden steps that led down into the shaded yard and sat on the first step. His father sat one step down.
Mose prayed to Gott as he looked at his scuffed steel-toed boots and tried to gather the right words to say. “I don’t know what temper you’re referring to, Daed. Sarah’s never flared up at me, but that’s not saying she won’t, or that she doesn’t have a temper. Most women do, including Mamm.” He and his father shared a secret grin. “Sarah and I are getting along fine and the kinder seem happy, which makes me happy. I’ve got nothing to grumble about, except certain family members who keep poking their nose where it doesn’t belong. Especially Ulla. You know what she’s like. You’re her bishop. Maybe you could help keep her in line and out of my personal life.”
“I have talked with her, Mose...but you must talk to her, too.” Otto swatted at a mosquito. “Ulla thinks you’ve replaced Greta too soon. She’s hurting. Gott made women tenderhearted. She needs time to heal. It’s the other rumors causing all the family to chatter. Ever since you brought Sarah home there’s been speculation flying back and forth between Pinecraft and Lancaster County. Mostly about her behavior back home. Even your mamm’s guilty of adding to the drama. She thinks Sarah’s pregnant.”
Mose rubbed his hand across his damp forehead. “Sarah is pregnant.”
“Then why in the world would you...” Otto’s sandy brows furrowed in astonishment as he looked up at his son.
“Marry her? Is that what you’re asking? Why would I marry Sarah and raise Joseph’s baby as my own?”
“How can it be Joseph’s kinder, Mose? Do the math. He’s been dead for six months. She’s feeding you a lie and you’re believing her. Ralf Miller warned me Sarah would bring trouble to our community. I’m beginning to believe him.” Otto stood up, his face flushed with anger.
“Lower your voice, Daed. Sarah’s just inside the haus. She might hear your foolishness.”
Otto sat back down on the step with a thump. “Then tell me. How do you know for sure this baby is Joseph’s?”
“Because I trust Sarah. I’ve never caught her in a lie. She’s an honorable woman. She didn’t suspect she might be pregnant before Joseph died, and later blamed her weakness and bad stomach on grief, but I knew better. She’s had a test and it was positive.”
“Gott bless her. Poor woman.” Otto wiped sweat from his upper lip. “Joseph died in such a tragic way. I can see how she could have missed the signs.”
“Life’s caught up with her. The bobbel will be due in a few months, maybe less. Sarah will have an appointment for a sonogram in a couple of days. When we tell the family, they’d better be kind to her, Daed. I won’t have her upset over their unwarranted suspicions. She’s been through enough.”
Otto’s shoulders visibly slumped. “Pregnant. Who would have guessed? I’ll talk to the family and church elders. They’ll be good to her and the kinder or they’ll answer to me. What a blessing this child would have been to Joseph’s mamm and daed.” Otto met Mose’s gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. I should have known there would be more to her story.”
Mose put his hand on his father’s bony shoulder. “Sarah and I are going to break the news about the baby at Mercy’s birthday gathering tomorrow night. Maybe once everyone knows the facts, they’ll shut their mouths.”
“Don’t count on it, especially when it comes to Ulla.” Otto smirked. “She likes to talk.”
Sarah slid open the glass door and stepped out onto the wooden deck behind them. “The door opens so easy now. You two did a
fine job.”
“That we did.” Otto stood and wiped his brow.
Mose patted the wooden step his father had just vacated. “Come, join me. You haven’t seen the back yard yet.”
Sarah hurried over, gathered up her full skirt and eased down on the wooden plank. She scooted close to Mose as Otto stepped past her with a smile.
“It’s lovely out here. Just look at that palm tree.” She pointed to a tall, well-trimmed tree in the corner of the fenced yard. “It has to be twenty-feet tall. The kinder are going to enjoy playing in the shade in the afternoon.” Sarah’s eyes were bright with excitement.
“I can see the two of them digging in that flower bed. Beatrice loves to eat dirt. We’ll have to watch her closely.” Mose laughed and grabbed her hand, his thumb rubbing the top of her knuckles, his heart full of joy. Sarah had become his friend, and now other emotions flooded his mind. He longed to pull her close, touch her hair, where a soft curl danced in the wind.
Sarah laughed with him. “This is going to make a wonderful home for us, Mose. You, me and the kinder.”
Mose glanced at his father and smiled. Everything seemed to be falling into place. He hadn’t felt this worry-free since before Greta had died, and the feeling was wonderful. Thunder rumbled overhead, the fast approaching cluster of dark clouds threatening a storm soon to come.
Chapter Thirteen
Linda honked from outside, the golf cart motor revving as the front door opened. Sarah gave her impatient friend a wave. She grabbed her satchel and turned to Mose’s mother.
The old rocking chair groaned with Theda’s every movement. Her fingers knew when to pull and tug on the thick yarn as she crocheted a pink blanket for Beatrice.
“I won’t be long. Linda and I are just going to Mose’s shop to pick out some furniture for the new haus.” Sarah rubbed her hand across her slightly protruding stomach, the baby’s movements growing stronger as each day passed. “The girls should sleep for at least another hour.”
“Don’t worry about those two. Do your shopping and have a nice time. And tell that girl I said not to drive so fast in that fancy cart.” Theda sounded firm but softened her words with a generous smile.
Pausing at the opened door, Sarah straightened her kapp and reinforced several pins to make sure the lightweight prayer covering was firmly held down. The brisk Florida winds often caught her unaware.
“Is there anything I can get you while I’m out? We’re going to the market for a few things for the party tonight.”
“Nee. Everyone’s bringing a dish. There’ll be enough food. Go. Enjoy yourself. You spend too much time in the house worrying about those girls.”
Sarah hurried out the door, her blue dress flying behind her as she ran across the grass to the light blue golf cart. She plopped on the passenger seat. The new cart’s seat cushions were made of the softest leather. She allowed her fingers to knead into the soft hide before buckling her seat belt, and then fiddled with the dangling white leather canopy that embellished the fancy cart. “Another Englisch contraption, Linda? Does no one use a buggy in Pinecraft?”
“Not really. There’s one parked at the restaurant on the edge of town, but it’s just for show. Kurt took the van this morning, so it was the old tandem bicycle or this. What would you have grabbed?”
Her question was accompanied by a mischievous grin. Linda’s dress, the palest pink, matched her flushed cheeks to perfection. Sarah noticed her white kapp sat sideways on a twisted bun of dark hair positioned at the back of her head. Her sister-in-law looked surprisingly spry for a very pregnant woman due to have her first baby soon.
“Ya, I think the golf cart.” Sarah had no idea what kind of driver Linda might be. A shiver of excitement tingled down her spine. She’d longed for change and now she had it. “I shouldn’t be enjoying all these new experiences so much. Gott’s going to get angry at my growing Englisch ways.”
With her petite hands on the steering wheel, Linda looked at Sarah and made a silly monkey face. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re no longer Old Order Amish or under your father’s thumb. Gott just wants us to love Him. He doesn’t worry Himself with how we get to and fro. Besides, the cart only goes 25 miles an hour and that’s only if the wind’s blowing at your back.” Linda hit the gas pedal, glanced behind them and backed out of the drive. The street was quiet, not a car in sight, which wasn’t unusual that early in the morning. “I won’t be able to drive much longer. I’m going to enjoy my time behind this wheel while I can.” The cart sped down the tree-lined street, going full out. Loose strands of Sarah’s long hair whipped her in the face. She leaned back, grabbed the metal frame of the canopy and held on with a death grip.
* * *
The old barn smelled of freshly cut wood, stain and the heavy cologne of Mose’s last Englisch customer.
He wiped a tack cloth over the dusty spindle he’d just cut, admiring the shape and feel of the wood in his hand as much as he had as a boy, when the dream of owning his own furniture business began to form and then consume him.
His father had expected him to become a farmer, like him and his father before him. But Mose had stood his ground, only working on the family farm during harvest, when everyone was expected to pitch in before the weather changed and ruined the crops with frost back in Lancaster County.
The family exodus to Florida had been his dream’s saving grace. He’d bought the old barn with his own hard-earned savings, and soon orders for oak furniture were coming in faster than he could fill them. He’d been forced to hire help, and even with the economy’s downturn, he’d found himself dedicating more and more time to furniture-making.
Mose dusted off his pants and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. He never wore a hat while he worked, but he reached for it now. His growling stomach reminded him he had a roast beef sandwich waiting for him in the cooler up front. Placing the straw hat on the back of his head, he made a move for his office, his mouth watering.
“Another order for that bishop bench came in,” Samuel Yoder called over to Mose as he weaved through the sales floor littered with furniture waiting for pickup or delivery.
“Gut. You can work late tonight making the seat since you’re so good at it.”
Short, blond and full of energy, the young new hire gave his boss a grin. His apprenticeship was going well, and he’d soon be working in the back next to Mose. Another man would have to be hired. Someone who would learn like Samuel, by trial and error. They would soon need another hand to fill orders. Mose had learned from the beginning, you got more work out of a happy employee.
“I’m eating early,” Mose called over his shoulder. “Sarah made roast beef last night and the leftovers are calling to me. I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
Samuel sent an envious smile Mose’s way and playfully flipped the dust cloth at him as he dusted the table tops around the showroom. “Someday I’ll find myself a wife and have a fine sandwich waiting for me, too.”
Mose laughed and went into his office just off the main door, his thoughts on Sarah, until Greta’s face pushed its way into his mind. His smile faded. He’d begun to miss Greta in a different way since he’d married Sarah. Thoughts of his dead wife came less and less often. He tried to remember how her voice sounded, but Sarah’s voice filled the void in his mind. Was it possible to love two women at once?
The bell over the sales door rang out. A strong gust of wind blew in, disheveling papers on his desk. Mose looked up and saw Linda hurry in with Sarah close behind, both women’s dresses spotted with fat drops of rain. They busied themselves righting their kapps. Sarah waved at Samuel and greeted him. “How are you this fine morning?”
Samuel blushed a fire-engine red as he always did when he saw Sarah. He smiled and dipped his head. “Guder mariye, Mrs. Fischer.”
Sarah looked young and happy, her pregnancy beginning to show under her loose-fitting dress. Joseph would never see the glow of pregnancy on her face or watch her body blossom with child. Mose pushed
away the grief he felt for his friend and forced a smile of welcome on his face. His heartbeat quickened as he walked toward Sarah. “You ladies picked a fine time to be out. It’s about to storm from the looks of it.”
Sarah whirled at the sound of his voice and rushed over to him. “Mose, the cart ride was wonderful. I felt like a child again, the rain hitting me in the face and the golf cart sliding on the pavement.”
He stood and pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her face dry as her eyes shined at him. He fought the urge to kiss her, his feelings for her becoming more obvious to him every day.
“I’m sorry I dampened your handkerchief.”
“Silly girl. That’s why I carry the rag. To help beautiful damsels in distress.” He heard the flirting in the tone of his voice, like he might have done at nineteen when he’d first met Greta. He cleared his throat and sat back on his leather chair, his thoughts scrambled with joy and sorrow. Greta was his past. Sarah his future. He got up and walked around the old wooden desk that had been his grossdaadi’s pride and joy. “You’ve come to pick out furniture?”
Linda stumbled into the room, using the hem of her skirt to wipe away the last of the rain drops from her face. “We have. I hope now’s a good time.”
“It is. Business has been slow all morning, but Samuel tells me he sold another bench earlier.”
Samuel grinned, still busy dusting furniture. “I put all the pieces you mentioned in the corner.”
Mose took Sarah’s elbow, leading her through a maze of dining-room tables and chairs.
Linda followed and then stopped to touch a rocking chair with a padded seat. “We’ll both need one of these soon, Sarah.”
Mose watched a happy expression soften Sarah’s face. Her hand went to her protruding stomach. “We will, but for today its dining-room furniture that brings me.” A warm glow coursed through his body. He’d felt the same draw to Greta while she had been pregnant. The urge to protect and provide. To love.
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