Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Wonderful.”
* * *
Sarah had been right about one thing. Having children in the house kept her from dwelling on the sadness of holidays past.
Rosanna was a quiet child, but Merle never walked if he could run and he ran as often as possible. Her fishing trip with him to Elam Sutter’s pond was half a success. She had a nice visit with Katie Sutter, and Merle caught four fish but none that were big enough to keep, much to his disappointment.
The following evening, Levi was waiting beside her gate when they came outside. Sarah looked around. “Where are the twins?”
“I decided not to risk spoiling your brother’s visit by subjecting his family to them.”
“So you didn’t invite them?”
“Nope. I decided not to spoil my evening by subjecting myself to them.”
“They aren’t that bad, Levi.”
“That’s what you think.”
As her family piled in her buggy, Sarah found herself wedged between Levi and the children in the backseat while her brother drove through the quiet streets of town. Along the way, they enjoyed the Christmas lights and display in the English homes and businesses.
“Oh, how beautiful,” Rosanna said when they passed the stately pine in the center of the town square. It was covered with multicolored lights and bore a shining silver star on the highest branch.
Phoebe turned to her father. “Why can’t we have a tree like that at our home? We have big pines.”
Vernon shared a knowing glance with his wife and then said, “Sarah, do you remember asking Father that question? Why don’t you tell Phoebe what her grandfather had to say about the subject?”
Sarah smiled softly at the warm childhood memory. “We were traveling to visit Aunt Emma, and we passed by this very tree. It was smaller then and so was I. I said, ‘Papa, why can’t we have pretty trees like the Englisch?’”
“What did he say?” Merle asked.
“He said that when our Lord and Savior was born, no one decorated a tree for him. No one put fancy lights on the roof of the lowly stable. Jesus came to us quietly, in a plain and simple way. We have no need of glowing lights to remind us of His coming, for His light is bright and strong in each of our hearts. And when Jesus looks down from heaven to see how we are celebrating his birth, He looks for the simple light that shines from inside us, where it counts. All those of us who keep His light in our hearts make a more beautiful display to His eyes than any English tree.”
Vernon looked at his daughter. “So, Rosanna. Do you want God to see lights in our pine trees or do you want him to see the light in your heart.”
“I want Him to see the light in my heart,” Rosanna answered quietly.
“Me, too,” Phoebe said.
“Me, three,” Merle chimed in.
“Me, four,” Sarah added. Levi took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She had let the light of God’s love grow dim in her heart. The sorrows of the past could not be forgotten, but they could be endured.
Sarah couldn’t remember when she’d had a more enjoyable evening. The food was excellent and made better by the fact that she didn’t have to cook or clean up afterwards. She had pork roast so tender it fell apart when she put her fork in it. The green beans were steamed to perfection and the sweet potato fries were delicious. She didn’t have room for dessert when she finished her meal. Levi had no trouble putting away a slice of peach pie topped with vanilla ice cream.
As they were getting ready to leave, Elam and Katie Sutter came in with their family. Seeing Levi, Elam stopped by the table with his infant son in his arms. The chubby baby sported a pearly white bottom tooth when he grinned at Merle and Phoebe’s baby talk.
Levi looked to Elam. “Are you getting more sleep these days?”
“Finally.”
The men grinned at each other and Elam left to join his wife and children in a booth at the back of the room.
Sarah’s heart warmed as she imagined Levi with a child of his own. He’d learned some hard lessons raising his brothers and sister. Sarah suspected he would do things differently with his own son or daughter, for the better.
Vernon covered his mouth and coughed deeply, then he grimaced and rubbed his chest.
Alma looked at him with concern. “Are you sick?”
“I’ve got a scratchy throat, that’s all.”
Levi said, “Take care of yourself. There’s a nasty flu bug making the rounds. I had it myself, and it wasn’t fun.”
He glanced at Sarah, but she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. She looked away, afraid he would see how much that time alone with him had meant to her.
On the way back to the house, Sarah wished she lived miles from the inn instead of a dozen blocks. If she did, she’d be able to sit snuggled beside Levi for hours. As it was, they reached their destination all too quickly. Watching him walk home, she began to miss him before he was even out of sight.
Whenever Levi was near, she only wanted to keep him near. When he was away from her, all she wanted to do was to see him again.
The intensity of her feelings frightened her. How long could she keep them hidden if he loved another? How could she keep them from growing stronger?
Later, when she was ready for bed, Sarah knelt beside her mattress and prayed. She prayed that her feeling wouldn’t grow into love.
She slept poorly, but it was the only rest she would get for many hours. Before dawn, there was a knock on Sarah’s door and her sister-in-law came in.
Sarah sat up in bed. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Vernon. He’s very ill. Can you come help me?”
* * *
“It sure seems quiet over at Sarah’s place. Has her family gone home?” Atlee stood at the workbench looking out the window.
Levi stopped working. “Their buggy was still parked beside Sarah’s barn when I fed our horses this morning.”
Atlee said, “Merle is normally up and about this time of the day. Usually, he’s running back and forth along the fence hitting the pickets with a stick. It beats me why he gets such a thrill out of it.”
Levi rose from his stool at the counter and moved to the window. Movement at Sarah’s kitchen window caught his eye. It looked as if Sarah’s sister-in-law was crying and Sarah was comforting her. He said, “I think I’ll go over and see if everything is all right.”
He left the shop and hurried across the street. Sarah’s front gate squeaked when he opened it. He would have to tell Atlee or Moses to oil it. Sarah opened the door before he reached it. Merle stood at her side.
“Is everything all right?” Levi asked.
“Papa is sick and we have to be quiet,” Merle told him solemnly.
Sarah said, “I think it’s the same flu that you had. So far, none of the rest of us are sick. What did you need?”
“Nothing. Atlee noticed Merle wasn’t out banging on the picket fence. I wondered if everything was okay.”
“Mamm says I can’t make noise so Daed can sleep.” Merle looked sorely disappointed.
“What can I do to help?” Levi asked.
She smiled, but she couldn’t hide the fear in her eyes. “I am low on some medicines. Could you go to the drugstore for me?”
“Of course.” He came inside while Sarah wrote up a list of things she needed. He wanted to hold her close and offer his comfort, but he didn’t dare. He didn’t know if she would welcome his attention. If only he had spoken before. As soon as he was granted another chance, he would accept it gladly. He couldn’t bear not knowing how she felt.
After fetching her supplies, he returned as quickly as he could. He handed them over. “Would you like me to sit with Vernon for a while? You look tired.”
“I didn’t sleep well. I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about Alma.
She’s four months’ pregnant, and it hasn’t been an easy pregnancy for her. This stress isn’t good for her or the babe. If we can’t get Vernon’s fever down in a few hours, I will send for the doctor.”
“I’ll be close by if you need me.”
Her grim expression lightened. “I never doubted it for a minute. Can I ask you one more favor?”
“Anything.”
“Can you take Merle with you for a few hours? He’s restless.”
“Sure. Atlee and Moses can take him to the park. I imagine he’d like the slide and the swings. They can take the girls, too. It’s a cold day, but if they dressed warm, they should be okay.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll make sure it’s okay with Alma, and I’ll send them over when they’re ready. Thanks for stopping by, Levi. You’re a good friend.”
He reached out and grasped her hand. “We’re more than friends, Sarah. I hope you know that.”
Panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly subdued it. “Best friends,” she said and withdrew her hand.
He had to leave it at that.
An hour later, Phoebe and Merle arrived at the shop. Levi looked out the door. “Where is Rosanna?”
Phoebe said, “She wanted to stay home even though Mamm says she can’t be in Papa’s room because she might get sick, too.”
Atlee and Moses came forward when Levi beckoned to them. Moses said, “I can’t believe we have to babysit. What if somebody from the gang sees us?”
Levi frowned at him. “You’ll live. Do not forget all Sarah has done for us. This is the least we can do to ease her burdens.”
Although the twins grumbled about being stuck with a pair of babies, they left the shop with the children happily tagging along behind them.
Levi waited, but Sarah didn’t come get him that morning. He figured Vernon must be better. Sarah wouldn’t hesitate to involve the doctor.
The twins returned with two tired children just before noon. When questioned, Levi discovered his brothers actually enjoyed spending time with the little ones. Merle was so taken with Moses that he asked if Moses would take him to the park again tomorrow.
Moses ruffled the boy’s hair. “Sure, kid. Why not?”
Late Friday morning, Levi stopped in to check on Sarah again. She looked worn to the bone and more worried than ever. She offered him a seat at the kitchen table and a cup of coffee.
He asked, “Is Vernon worse?”
“No, but Alma has made herself sick with worry and work. I went to the Wilsons’ down the street and used their phone to call the doctor. He’s with Alma now.”
“Is it the babe?”
Sarah nodded. “I can’t bear to think of her losing her baby. Why can’t we have one Christmas with something joyous to remember?”
The sound of the doctor’s footsteps coming down the stairs had Sarah out of her seat. Her hands were clenched tightly together.
Dr. White came in the kitchen. A tall, dignified man with silver hair, the elderly physician was well past eighty, but still practiced in the community that he loved with the help of a partner. “I won’t beat around the bush. She needs rest. She needs to stay in bed for a week at least. I’m going to send my granddaughter-in-law, Amber, over to give you a break, Sarah.”
“Danki, Dr. White.”
“Don’t mention it. Alma is worried about her other children. Is there someone in the family who can keep them for a while? I think it would ease her mind and help her rest.”
“I’m sure my Aunt Emma will be happy to take the children for a few days.”
“Good. Call me if anything changes, Sarah.”
Levi walked him outside. The doctor asked, “How are you? No lingering ill effects from your bout with this mean virus?”
“I feel fine.”
“That’s great. I hear there is a winter picnic out at Leah Belier’s home tomorrow. I remember what fun they could be.”
“You’re welcome to come.”
“No, these bones are too old to sit on hay bales around a bonfire. You young people go and enjoy yourselves while you can. See if you can get Sarah to go. She needs a break. She doesn’t say anything, but I can tell she’s under a lot of strain. It can’t be easy having her only remaining sibling ill and lying in the same room where her husband died. For some reason, she thinks she is to blame because she invited them.”
“I thought Vernon was getting better.”
“Oh, he is, but I’m not sure Sarah can see that past the painful association she has with past events. It isn’t rational, but for her it is a very real fear.”
Levi shook his head. “I doubt she’ll go to a picnic. I plan to stay home, as well. Someone should be close by if she needs help.”
“You’re probably right. I’ll stop in at the Wadler Inn and ask Naomi Wadler to put the word out that Sarah could use an extra pair of hands.”
The doctor settled his gray fedora on his head and glanced at the gray overcast sky. “My old bones think it’s going to snow. They’re usually right.” He nodded to Levi and walked briskly up the street toward his clinic.
Levi was preoccupied with thoughts of Sarah as he entered the shop. The twins were working on a banged-up courting buggy that had ended up in a ditch when the driver should have been paying attention to the road and not the girl beside him.
Levi looked at the clock. It was getting late.
He spoke to the boys. “I’ve got to get going. Leah Belier is expecting me. If Sarah needs anything, I know she can count on you until I return.”
Moses tipped his head to the side. “You’ve been seeing a lot of Leah lately. Is there something you want to tell us?”
“Not right now. Maybe later.” He didn’t want to say anything until he heard back from Leah’s cousin about a job for only one of them in Sugarcreek.
“What does that mean?” Atlee asked.
“It means I may have news to tell you later but I don’t have anything to say about it now.”
Moses tipped his head toward the door. “Come on, Atlee, let’s get the buggy ready for Levi while he gets cleaned up, or he’ll be late for his date.”
“And she may not wait.” Atlee chuckled at his rhyme, but Levi just shook his head.
Moses said, “Leah hates it when people are late.”
When Levi came out of the house a half hour later, his horse and buggy were waiting outside the front door. The twins were nowhere in sight. He caught sight of Sarah back by her barn slipping a headstall on her gray. Where was she headed?
He walked toward her. As much as he wanted to take her in his arms, he knew his timing couldn’t have been worse. She had too much on her plate at the moment. She didn’t need to hear his lovesick utterings. If only he could manage some time alone with her, then he might find the courage to tell her how he felt.
“Sarah, can I give you a lift somewhere? My horse is ready to go.”
She turned around with a grateful sigh. “I need to take the children out to my Aunt Emma’s farm. Naomi Wadler and Amber are sitting with Alma and Vernon so I thought I would go now and be back before dark.”
Her aunt’s farm wasn’t exactly on the way to Leah’s place, but he didn’t mind the detour. Not if it meant spending time with Sarah. “I’ll drive you out.”
“Really? But where were you going?”
“To help Leah set up for the winter picnic. I honestly don’t mind going a little out of my way.”
“That’s hardly a little out of your way.” She bit her lip.
“Okay, I don’t mind going a lot out of my way. I’ll drop you off and pick you up in a few hours. You can fill Emma in on what’s been happening and not have to rush off.” Would she accept? It might give him the opportunity he’d been hoping for. Time alone with her.
“All right. I’m so
tired, I was worried I’d fall asleep and who knows where old Gray would take us. I’ll go get the children.”
Levi could barely contain his excitement. Without the children in the buggy, he and Sarah would be alone on the ride home. He’d have a chance to tell her how his love for her had grown and discover if she could return those feelings.
His hands were ice-cold when they finally got underway. He wanted to blame it on the rapidly deteriorating weather, but the truth was he was as nervous as a man could be. Merle was excited about the trip. Rosanna put up a weak protest. She didn’t want to leave her mother. Phoebe was quiet and held tightly to her doll. Sarah kept up a running conversation in an effort to reassure the children.
He put his horse into a fast trot. The sooner he delivered Sarah and the children to her aunt, the sooner he could finish his work at Leah’s and be back in this same buggy for a leisurely ride home with Sarah at his side.
The snow quickly changed over to sleet, and then back to snow as they traveled. The road became slippery, even for his surefooted mare. A half hour later, they were rounding a curve on a steep hillside when Levi felt something shift in the buggy beneath him.
The horse felt it, too, and cocked her head to the side. Her move carried the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Sarah grasped his arm just as the buggy lurched sharply.
In horrifying slow motion, the buggy tipped over and tumbled down the ravine. He heard Sarah scream his name and then everything went black.
Chapter Fourteen
Levi pressed a hand to his aching head. He winced when he felt the lump above his right eye. The sound of whimpering slowly registered in his foggy brain. He tried to sit up, but someone lay sprawled across his chest. Forcing his eyes to focus, he realized it was Rosanna.
He moved her gently to the side. “Rosanna, are you hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Where, honey?”
“My face hurts.”
He sat up and looked. She had a knot forming on her cheekbone that would turn into a bad bruise and a nasty gash on her chin. The good news was that it had stopped bleeding. He searched for the other children. Where were they? Where was Sarah?
A Hope Springs Christmas Page 16