by Risner, Fay
On the way home, Tootie worried, “Everyone is going to wonder where we went today? I'd just as soon not get into where with Nora and Jim. They would ask too many questions. I'd be sure to say the wrong thing, and before I knew it, they would know more than I want them to know.”
“What should we tell them?”
“Take me by the cemetery if you have time. I'll say I wanted to visit Peter's grave,” Tootie said.
“I'll make time. That sounds like a gute reason to go for this ride,” Hal replied softly. “But only if you will do something for me in return.”
Tootie snorted. “Is this what you call blackmail for helping me?”
“Nah, I'd call it one hand washing the other. The next time my father is going to take this buggy somewhere I want you to volunteer to ride along with him,” Hal said.
Tootie looked put out.
“Aunt Tootie, you're hurting his feelings. You take the fun out of his owning this buggy by turning him down when he asks you to ride in it. It's about time you and Mom acted like you like riding with Dad. Besides, have you ever thought that Dad is dragging his feet about going home? He's hoping Mom and you will give in to liking his buggy first. The quicker you act like you like this buggy the quicker you could be going home,” Hal scolded.
“I did like riding in the buggy with Peter. Why don't you tell your mother to go with Jim? She's his wife,” Tootie retorted, pouting.
“Ach, don't worry. Mom's going to be the next one to hear from me. Now do we have a deal?”
“All right, but when is this ride going to take place?”
“When you see me nod at you. You wait for the signal,” Hal told her.
That morning, Emma had done a fair amount of baking. Hal asked for her to bake a coconut cream pie to take to the Bontragers. After lunch, Hal said, “Dad, will you do me a big favor?”
“Sure thing,” he said agreeably.
“Emma made a coconut cream pie I want delivered to the Bontragers this afternoon. Can you deliver it for me?”
“Sure, be glad to.”
Hal gave Tootie a nod and nodded toward Jim. Tootie cleared her throat. “Jim, could I ride along with you? I'd like to visit with the Bontragers. They are the nicest people.”
“Of course, you can,” Jim said with a pleased smile.
After they left the house, Nora stood at the kitchen window, staring at Jim and Tootie climbing in the buggy. “What do you suppose got in to that sister of mine? I didn't think she would ever get in that buggy with Jim.”
“Guess she just decided to be nice for a change. You saw how happy it made Dad to take her for a ride. You should volunteer next. Dad has had his feelings hurt a lot lately. You and Aunt Tootie have been so unkind to him about that buggy. You really should make it up to him,” Hal said.
When Tootie came back from her ride with Jim, she was all smiles. “Hal, I apologized to Jane for what happened at the quilting bee. She has forgiven me. Isn't that great.”
“It's very gute news. I'm glad you did that,” Hal said.
“Jane even invited me to come visit again when we're down this way. I promised to be on my best behavior next time so I wouldn't spoil her quilting bee. You should have heard her laugh.”
Later that afternoon, John appeared in the mudroom door. “Hal, clean up. You and me have some place to go.”
“Where?”
“Just come upstairs with me and get your fer gute clothes on so we can go for a ride,” he said, smiling at her.
“Are you sure? It's so close to supper time and chores,” Hal worried.
Nora winked at John. “Hal, just do as John says. Tootie, Emma and I can handle supper tonight.”
“Go on,” Emma insisted, pushing Hal out of the kitchen.
Jim said from the living room doorway. “The boys and I will milk. Get out of here. The buggy is out front waiting for you.”
Consumed with curiosity, Hal did as she was told. She put on her newest lavender dress and cape. John changed into his white shirt and black trousers. When John opened the screen door for Hal, she stepped out on the porch and stopped. “I thought Dad said the buggy was waiting.”
“It is,” John said, pointing to Jim's courting buggy.
“We're taking Dad's buggy?”
“Jah, he does not mind. Seems only recht to use it since we are going on a date,” John said, grinning at her.
“A date? Really? A real date.”
“Jah. Now go get in that courting buggy,” John ordered.
Hal stared at him as Mike started off. “Why all this?”
“Because you need a night off to get away from this mad house. Because I can't take care of this family without you if you really do decide to hide under the bed. Because I love you. Need anymore reasons?” John asked.
“That will do for starters. Where are we going?”
To the Gingerich sisters for supper and for a long moonlit ride,” John said, grinning at her.
“Uh huh. Would this ride happen to end up going down Bender Creek Road?”
John chuckled. “How did you guess?”
That later evening, after a wonderful supper prepared by great Amish cooks, John turned onto the Lover's Lane. With a full moon glowing down on them, Hal's senses came alive. She felt the heat of the breeze on her face and dampness coming off the creek. A sweetness from the timber leaves scented the air. She reminded herself places like this was the reason she loved this part of the country. Most importantly, she loved the man beside her on the courting buggy seat as they enjoyed this place together.
The next morning, Jim announced at breakfast they should head home the next day. They had been gone long enough. It was time Nora and Tootie to pack their bags.
“I'm going for one last ride around the countryside in my buggy this morning,” Jim announced.
Hal caught her mother's eyes and nodded at her father. She mouthed the word go.
Nora licked her lips and swallowed hard to keep from chocking on her words. “Sounds like a nice ride. Can I go with you?”
“You sure can,” Jim said, smiling from ear to ear. He hitched the buggy to Mike and waited for Nora to climb in. They rode down gravel roads now as familiar as the country roads around their home. As they passed each farm, echoes of the Lapp farm, they chatted about what they saw happening. It was as if the Plain people had always been their neighbors.
After awhile, Nora realized she didn't mind riding in the buggy as much as she once thought she did. “I've been thinking, Jim. If you really want to take this buggy and horse home, why don't you hire a truck to haul them?. That would be the safest thing to do.”
Jim asked, “You really think that would be all right?”
“Yes, taking the buggy home is what you want, isn't it?”
“Well, I thought it was, but before you know it, winter will be here. I'd have to get out on cold snowy days to take care of the horse. Then when we came back here to visit I'd have to haul the buggy and horse back down here where I really like using the buggy. I think I'd rather leave the rig here and dream about using it next year.”
“Whatever you think is best,” Nora said.
When they arrived back at the house, Jim stared out the living room window at his courting buggy and horse parked by the barn.
Nora asked, “Jim, are you sure you've decided what you're going to do with that buggy? You look as if you hate to leave it behind.”
John said, “We will be glad to store the buggy here and keep the horse for you. When you come visit you will have it to use, Jim.”
“There you see. That sounds like a good idea,” Nora added.
“That's what I'd like, but I don't want John stuck with feeding my horse on my account, and the buggy just parked, gathering dust and not being used. I've decided I want to give it to Noah to use when I'm not around,” Jim said.
“Really, Dawdi Jim,” Noah said excitedly.
Hal intervened, “But Dad he's only fourteen.”
“I've seen how he can dr
ive and take care of a horse. He will take good care of my buggy and horse,” Jim defended.
“I know Noah would, but he's a little young for a courting buggy. We have an open buggy he uses,” Hal insisted.
“Time goes fast. He and Daniel can use it to go to the singings. Before you know it, Noah will have a girl in the seat with him,” Jim said.
“That's what worries me,” Hal said dryly.
“What do you think about this, Noah?” John asked.
“I would like to have the buggy to drive,” Noah said. “I'll take gute care of it.”
Jim said, “Three things you need to know if you use my buggy to cinch this deal. So you better think about this a minute, Noah.”
“Jah, tell me, Dawdi Jim.”
“One is I want the buggy well taken care of and my horse, too. I already know you can handle that. Next, I get to use the buggy when I come back on vacation like it's still my buggy. Third, when you don't need the buggy anymore Daniel gets his turn to use it. He can pass the buggy on to whoever is next in line,” Jim said.
“I agree,” Noah said eagerly.
“Maybe I should have said four things. I want to pay for the horse's feed,” Jim said to John.
“That is not necessary,” John protested.
“That's nice of you, but if I took Mike home with me, I'd have to buy his feed or pay to board him. I think I owe you that much for the pleasure I'll have when I'm here,” Jim insisted.
The next morning, Jim, Nora and Tootie left early, hoping to make it back to Titonka that evening. After they left, the house was quiet. Too quiet without the extra people around.
After dinner, Hal stared at the dish pans. “Emma, which one of us is going to wash and which one wipe this time?”
“I have wiped for a long time. I do not mind washing dishes if you wipe. Just one thing. I am not sure I want to wash the slop pail. This morning, my Aendi Tootie warned me I should dry from now on. Washing the slop pail was a bad job to have,” Emma said and broke out in a smile.
Hal giggled. “Aunt Tootie is one of a kind.”
“That's why we're going to miss her,” Emma said sagely. “She had a way of livening things up around here.”
Hal laughed. “Ach nah! You think?”
After supper, the Lapp family formed a circle in the living room so John could read devotions. Hal said, “I have something that's been bothering me that I want to bring up before you start, John. Before our company left this morning, my father said I should as he put it let Noah and Daniel off the hook about their dog's name.”
“He said that?” Noah asked, surprised.
“Jah, he told me that Biscuit is not considered a gute name for a dog,” Hal said as she looked from Noah to Daniel. “I told him I already knew that. I've watched the two of you struggle with the dog's name to please me. You should know I picked the name Biscuit because you were bribing me by giving me the privilege of naming the dog so you could keep him. Your father said I was being mean. I said I meant to be. Now I'm feeling less mean. I'm willing to let you pick a name for the dog that suits you on one condition. From now on when you want a pet or anything else, you just say so instead of worrying about what I will think. Deal?”
“Jah,” Daniel said sheepishly.
“That is a deal, Mama Hal,” Noah agreed.
“Now your turn, John,” Hal said, winking at him.
For bible devotions, John finished by reading, “All ye have done for the least among you, you surely have done unto me. That is devotions for tonight.”
Hal declared, “John, I can't think of a single reward we received from hosting Aunt Tootie.”
Emma defended Tootie. “Hallie, Peter might have disagreed with you.”
John grinned, “Who knows? Maybe your Aendi Tootie was an angel in disguised sent to teach us the patience of Job.”
Hal snorted. “I don't think so. If that was so, it didn't work on me.”
“Do not be so hard on, Aendi Tootie,” Emma scolded playfully. “I think this time she was busy being Peter's angel not ours.”
Hal gave that a moment's thought. “Great, Emma! Whose angel is she going to be the next time she come?”
About The Author
Hello! I'm Fay Risner, and I go by booksbyfay online. I enjoy writing about the life of Nurse Hal while she struggles to understand Amish life. My books are designed to offer some humor along with the serious moments.
As well as these books, I write a historical mystery series set in Iowa and westerns. Also, I've written two books about Alzheimer's disease. I worked for many years in a local nursing home and helped my mother care for my father which gave me insight about what caregivers deal with. Switching genres, when an idea comes to me, gives me flexibility as a writer.
I write in 12 font to make reading my books user friendly.
My husband and I live on an acreage with chickens, rabbits , cats and through the summer months a flock of goats. We enjoy raising a large garden and flowers. For fun, we go fishing in the summer and read a lot in the winter.
Fay Risner's books sold by her at her bookstore at [email protected], on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and Kindle
Nurse Hal Among The Amish Series
A Promise Is A Promise
The Rainbow’s End
Hal’s Worldly Temptations
As Her Name Is So Is Redbird
Emma’s Gossamer Dreams
Amazing Gracie Historical Mystery Series
Neighbor Watchers
Specious Nephew
The Country Seat Killer
The Chance Of A Sparrow
Moser Mansion Ghosts
Locked Rock, Iowa Hatchet Murders
Poor Defenseless Addie
Westerns
Stringbean Hooper Westerns
The Dark Wind Howls Over Mary
Small Feet’s Many Moon Journey
Tread Lightly Sibby
Ella Mayfield’s Pawpaw Militia
Christmas books
Christmas Traditions - An Amish Love Story
Leona’s Christmas Bucket List
Children Books
My Children Are More Precious Than Gold
Nonfiction
Alzheimer’s disease
Open A Window - Caregiver Handbook
Hello Alzheimer’s Goodbye Dad-author’s true story