“Looks like my dochder is full of energy this evening,” Jesse commented. “Did she get a good leie today?”
“Jah. In fact she took two naps.”
Mary Ruth chuckled. “I think you wore Cindy out with all the games you played with her.”
“What kind of games?” Jesse directed his question to Lenore.
“Let’s see …” Lenore tickled Cindy under her chin. “We played the kitzle game. I tickled Cindy under her chin, and she would laugh. Then I tickled her toes, and even her nose.” Lenore grinned. “It was so cute when she tried to tickle herself.”
Jesse rubbed the back of his head. “I’ve never tried anything like that with her.”
“Willis had your little girl laughing with all the silly faces he made too,” Mary Ruth interjected.
“Jah,” Willis chimed in. “When I made a growling noise, she growled right back at me.”
“Sounds like you folks know how to keep a boppli entertained.” Jesse laid a hand against his chest. “I should be doing those kinds of things with Cindy when I come home from work, instead of just sitting and cuddling her.”
“That’s important too.” Lenore bounced Cindy on her knee. “I’m sure as time goes on, you’ll find many ways to keep her entertained and help her senses develop.”
Jesse nodded, although he wasn’t sure he possessed the skills to be everything his daughter needed. Maybe Vera was right when she offered her opinion the other day. Could be that I do need to find a wife so my little girl isn’t deprived of having a mother. He glanced in Lenore’s direction again. She’s good with Cindy. I wonder if she might be a possible candidate for marriage. Jesse shifted on his chair. Of course, I’ll have to get to know her better before I bring up the topic. And she would need to understand that our marriage would only be one of convenience, since there could never be any love between us.
“Should we all go out to the kitchen and eat supper now?” Mary Ruth’s question drove Jesse’s irrational thoughts aside. And they were irrational, because the day Esther died he’d made up his mind that he would never get married again. It didn’t even make sense that the crazy notion of marrying Lenore had popped into his mind. Jesse barely knew the young woman, and he certainly wasn’t in love with her. Maybe after I’ve had a good meal, I’ll be thinking more clearly.
Chapter 11
Are you sure you don’t want to do anything special tonight?” Ezekiel asked as he and Michelle sat at their kitchen table eating supper. “If we can find a driver to take us there, we can go up to the Fourth of July celebration in Lititz tonight.” He grinned at her from across the table. “It’s always fun to watch the fireworks.”
She shook her head. “I’m content to stay here with you all evening. When it starts to get dark, we can sit outside and watch the feierveggel rise up from the grass.”
His forehead creased as he reached for a slice of Michelle’s homemade bread. “There’s nothing exciting about watching fireflies. I might have thought so when I was a boy and caught them to put in a jar, but not anymore.” Ezekiel chuckled. “I need a little more action than that.”
“I suppose you’re right, but I’d rather stay home tonight,” Michelle repeated.
Ezekiel slathered tghe bread with a little butter and plenty of honey from his beehives. “We’re just an old married couple now, jah?”
She snickered. “Not old, but we’ve definitely settled into the routine of married life. The only thing missing is …” Her voice trailed off. Michelle had almost broken the promise she’d made to herself not to bring up the subject of children again. It did no good to talk about her inability to conceive. And if she voiced her thoughts, it could put a damper on an otherwise pleasant meal.
“Would you please pass the lentil casserole?” Michelle said. “It turned out so well, I’m ready for seconds.”
Making no comment on her dropped sentence, Ezekiel pushed the casserole dish on its oversized potholder closer to Michelle.
“Danki.” Michelle put two heaping tablespoons on her plate and picked up her fork. But before she could take a bite, Ezekiel spoke again.
“I’ve been mulling something over in my mind for the past few weeks, and wanted to talk to you about an idea I have.”
She took a quick bite and swallowed. “What’s it about?”
“I’d like to leave Lancaster County and move to New York.”
Michelle’s head jerked back. “New York?”
“Jah. There’s a newly established Amish community there, and I saw an ad in The Budget recently, placed by a man who lives in that community.”
“An ad for what?”
“He makes beekeeping supplies and will be getting ready to retire from the business this spring.”
“But you don’t make beekeeping supplies. You keep bees for their honey, which you sell to people you know and places of business here in our area,” Michelle reminded.
He nodded. “True, but I’d like to learn how to make bee boxes and many other things that are used for raising bees. I could continue selling honey from my beekeeping business too.”
“You have never before mentioned wanting to make the supplies you use for beekeeping.”
“Didn’t realize it till I saw the man’s ad saying he’s willing to teach the person who buys his business how to make and/or sell the supplies one needs to be a beekeeper.” Ezekiel leaned closer to Michelle. “As you know, I’ve never been happy helping in my folks’ greenhouse. This would be a chance for us to start over, and I would finally be doing something I’d really enjoy.”
“How do you know you’d like it, since you’ve never done it before?”
“Just do.” He tapped his chest with the palm of his hand. “I feel it right here, and I’m hoping you’ll be willing to make the move.”
Michelle sat silently, staring at her plate. The desire to eat more casserole had disappeared. Strasburg and people like Willis and Mary Ruth, whom she’d become close to, were like family. She couldn’t imagine leaving them and living someplace where she didn’t know a soul.
He reached over and patted her arm. “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Just think about it, okay?”
Michelle forced a smile she didn’t really feel and slowly nodded. In addition to thinking over Ezekiel’s idea, she would need to do some serious talking to God.
Lancaster
“How soon till you’re ready to go to your grandparents’ house?” Brad asked when he entered the kitchen where Sara stood working near the sink.
“Within the next thirty minutes or so.” She turned to look at him. “Too bad your folks had other Fourth of July plans. It would have been nice if they could have driven down from Harrisburg and joined us.”
“Yeah, but by the time I extended the invitation, they’d already agreed to spend the day with some close friends.” Brad stood behind Sara and put his arms around her waist. “The fruit salad you’re making looks delicious.”
She reached back and swatted his hand. “Don’t get any ideas about sampling some now. This is to share with the others who’ll be at Grandma and Grandpa’s today.”
“Okay, I’ll leave the salad alone.” Brad reached for a piece of cut-up watermelon that hadn’t made it into the bowl and popped it in his mouth.
Sara’s brows pinched together. “You’re incorrigible.”
Brad chuckled and leaned over to give her cheek a wet kiss. “Not to change the subject or anything, but are you sure you’re okay with me hosting a Bible study here in our home for new Christians?”
“When were you thinking of starting the study?” she asked.
“Maybe next Friday night, or the week after.”
“I’m fine with it, Brad. Since it wasn’t that long ago that I became a new Christian, I’ll probably benefit from the class too.”
“Christians—old or new—can always take something away when they study the Bible. What I’m mainly concerned with, though, is whether you’re okay with having it here.” Brad lean
ed his back against the counter. “With you working all day at the flower shop, it might be too much to have to come home, cook supper, and get ready for the class.”
She stepped in front of him and tweaked his nose. “I thought maybe you’d do the cooking on Bible study night.”
Brad’s eyes widened as he slapped both hands against his cheeks. “What? You expect me to cook supper?” Before Sara could respond, he winked at her.
She poked his chest playfully. “What am I gonna do with you? You’re nothing but a big tease.”
“Of course, and that’s one of the things you love about me.” He wrapped Sara up in a big hug. “Now you’d better hurry and get the lid on that salad bowl before I lose all self-control and eat the whole thing.”
Sara smiled. How grateful she was that God had brought her and Brad together. She looked forward to many years of serving the Lord as her husband’s helpmate.
Strasburg
“Oh, what a cute baby. What’s her name, and who are her parents?” Sara asked when Lenore met her on the front porch, holding Cindy.
“Her name is Cindy Smucker. She and her daddy are fairly new to our church district, and I recently began watching her while her father, Jesse, is at work.”
“She’s adorable.” Sara reached out and stroked the little girl’s cheek. “Her skin is soft like silk.”
Lenore nodded. “She’s such a good baby and so smart. I’m going to miss her when I start teaching again next month.”
“I assume Jesse’s wife is not able to watch the child?”
“Cindy’s mother died while they were living in Kentucky, and Jesse brought his daughter here for a new start.” Lenore took a seat on the porch swing. “Would you like to sit with us? Cindy loves the rocking motion of the swing.”
“Sure.” Sara sat beside Lenore, and they both pushed against the wooden boards beneath their feet. In a matter of seconds, Cindy began to giggle.
Lenore looked at Sara and grinned. “See what I mean?”
Sara bobbed her head. “Does Cindy’s dad have any family members living in Strasburg? Is that why he chose to move to this area?”
“He has no blood relatives living nearby, but his wife’s uncle, Herschel Fisher, lives in Gordonville, and so do Herschel’s parents.” Lenore paused to wipe a blob of drool off Cindy’s chin with a tissue. “It’s my understanding that Herschel owns a house here in Strasburg and he’s renting it to Jesse.”
Tipping her head to one side, Sara tapped her chin. “Hmm … I wonder if it’s the same Herschel Fisher who comes into my flower shop sometimes. Herschel is not a common name, and if I remember right, according to the invoices for some of his floral purchases, Herschel’s home is in Gordonville.”
“It’s probably the same man then.” Lenore glanced in the direction of the barn, where she’d seen Sara’s husband go after their van pulled into the yard. Lenore’s parents had gone into the house to visit Grandma and Grandpa when they’d first arrived, but her brothers had gone out to the barn. Lenore figured Brad must have caught sight of them when he arrived and followed to see what they were up to. It was a good thing, because Lenore’s cousin’s husband had a level head and often offered spiritual counsel that any young man—Amish or English—could benefit from.
“Will Jesse and Cindy be joining our Fourth of July gathering?”
Sara’s question cut into Lenore’s thoughts.
“Yes. I invited him when he brought Cindy here yesterday morning, and he accepted without hesitation.”
“I’m surprised he doesn’t have plans to spend the evening with his wife’s relatives.”
“I asked that question, and Jesse said neither Herschel nor his folks do anything to celebrate the Fourth.” Lenore snickered. “I think the fact that we’ll be having a barbecue with plenty of good food may be the main reason Jesse’s coming. He admitted that he’s not much of a cook and usually ends up fixing sandwiches on gluten-free bread for his meals.”
“Maybe he ought to seek another wife.” Sara placed her hand on Cindy’s leg. “His precious daughter needs a mother too.” She looked directly at Lenore. “Maybe someone like you.”
A warm flush crept across Lenore’s cheeks. “Now don’t be silly. I barely know Jesse, and I’m sure he has no thoughts about getting married again—especially not to me.”
Sara elbowed Lenore gently. “You never know what the future might hold, Cousin. When I first met Brad, I never dreamed we would fall in love or that I’d end up becoming a pastor’s wife.”
Cindy began to fidget, so Lenore patted her back, which was a sure way to make the little girl relax. “What’s it like, being married to a minister? Are there many duties you must fulfill?” Lenore figured the change of subject would get Sara’s mind off the unlikely event that she would end up marrying Jesse.
“Not too many. Brad made it clear when the church hired him that I had a business to run and would continue to be responsible for that. Of course, I try to be involved in the church as much as I can. In fact, he and I will be hosting a Bible study in our home soon, for people in the congregation who are new Christians.” Sara shifted her position on the swing. “I’m actually looking forward to it. In addition to delving into the scriptures on the topic of a Christian’s growth, it will give both Brad and me the opportunity to get to know some of the people in a more personal way.”
“I hope it works out well for everyone who comes.” Lenore glanced toward the road as she heard the unmistakable sound of a horse’s hooves against the pavement. A few seconds later, a horse and buggy pulled in. “Looks like Cindy’s father is here. I’m sure he will enjoy meeting you and Brad.” And I will enjoy getting to spend more time with him, she silently admitted.
Chapter 12
Your little girl is adorable.” Sara gestured to Cindy sitting contently on her father’s lap.
Jesse smiled. “Thank you. She takes after her mother in many ways.”
“Would you mind if I held her?” Sara hesitated. “That is, if you think she will come to me.”
“Cindy’s usually fine with strangers. I’m sure she won’t mind if you hold her.” When he handed his daughter to Sara, she was pleased that the little girl made no fuss. In fact, Cindy leaned her head against Sara’s shoulder as she popped a thumb into her mouth.
“Aw, so she’s a thumb sucker, huh?” Sara chuckled. “My little brother sucked his thumb until he was nearly four years old. I remember how Mama fretted about it, worried that Kenny might be doing that by the time he started kindergarten.”
Jesse grunted. “It makes no sense to me, but Cindy prefers her thumb to a pacifier.”
“Every child is different,” Grandma said as she took a seat on the picnic bench beside Sara. “When your mother was a little girl, she sucked on the end of the little blanket I had made her.” A faraway look entered her eyes. “I can remember the way she clung to that blanket just like it was yesterday.”
Sara’s throat tightened. Poor Grandma. The whole time she and Grandpa were raising their children, I’m sure they had no idea their daughter would run away from home when she grew up, never to be seen or heard from again. If only Mama would have contacted them before she died. What was Mama thinking? Didn’t she realize how much she’d hurt them? For that matter, she hurt herself by severing all family ties.
Sara hated rehashing this scenario in her mind. She had gone over it so many times in the past. When she had finally forgiven her mother, Sara thought she’d come to grips with it once and for all. It was frustrating how a person could think they had worked through a situation, even felt peace about it, and then out of the blue, the pain of it all came right back to haunt them.
I won’t allow my mind to dwell on it, Sara told herself. Tonight is a special time to be with our friends and family, and I refuse to let anything spoil the evening. Maybe Mama did what she thought was right, so I need to give it to God again and let it rest.
Lenore sat silently on the other side of the picnic table, observing Sara as
she held Cindy. No doubt, Sara and Brad would become parents someday. Judging from the way Jesse’s baby responded to Sara’s gentle voice and touch, Sara would make a good mother.
It was wrong to envy, but little seeds of jealousy crept in every time Lenore saw a mother—or even a potential one—with a child.
A light breeze lifted the ties on Lenore’s covering, and she tied the ends to keep them from swishing across her face. What if I never get married or become a mother? Can I be satisfied teaching children all day but never nurturing any of my own?
“Oh, look, there are fireworks over in that direction! I wish we had some we could set off.”
Lenore smiled at her brother Peter’s enthusiastic tone. She looked toward the area where he pointed. Sure enough, the sky was full of shimmery light, falling toward earth like a shower of red, white, and blue fiery sparks.
“It’s pretty, but in my opinion, fireworks are a waste of money that could be spent on more practical things.” Dad’s forehead wrinkled as he looked at Peter. “When you’ve worked as hard and long as me, maybe you’ll understand the value of a dollar.” He pointed to another set of fireworks going off. “To me, that’s just a lot of money going up in smoke.”
Lenore’s mother reached over and gave him a nudge. “Now, Ivan, don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud.”
His brows furrowed. “I’m just trying to use common sense.”
Lenore remembered back to one of their Fourth of July family get-togethers when she and her brothers were young. Mom had bought balloons for them to fill with water and throw at each other. Lenore, Peter, and Ben thought it was great fun, but Dad grumbled and complained about the muddy mess in the flower bed, created by the water spigot they kept leaving on. Later, when Mom brought out a box of sparklers for the kids to light, Dad alternated between reminding them to be careful not to catch their clothes on fire and fussing about the money Mom had wasted buying the sparklers.
The Healing Jar Page 7