“Ach, Hope.” His voice was thick and unsteady. “You are so beautiful.”
She lowered her thick lashes, overcome by his words and his admiration. He cupped her chin in his hand and brought her liquid gaze back to his. His eyes caressed her softness, and then he shuddered slightly and straightened his shoulders.
“We can’t get carried away or do something unseemly.” He inhaled slowly, paused, and then smiled. “You asked about my leg. I go back to the doctor next week. But it’s not bothering me as much.”
He leaned heavily on his good leg. “Except it’s starting to itch. In fact, the itching is driving me mad.” His gentle laughter rippled through the air.
Hope grinned. “Abram, I’m sorry. You poor thing. But you truly think it’s better?”
“It’s better,” Abram answered, his voice deep and certain. “Now what’s this about you and pies I keep hearing about?”
Hope bit her lip. He’d already heard? She had wanted to be the one to tell him—she should have known that the Amish gossip line would reach him first.
“I’m earning money now, Abram.” She hoped he would understand why she had done it and not be angry with her. She sympathized about his dat’s struggles, but maybe this would help Abram see a different possibility—even though she knew he wanted to be the sole provider. “I’m selling pies five days a week. I don’t know how long they’ll keep wanting them. It will probably slow down during the winter months.”
“Who is ‘them’?”
“Three gas markets in Hollybrook.” She clasped his arm. “I like it, Abram. And I’m earning money for us. To help.”
A scowl touched his face. “I don’t like you thinking you have to work. That’s not the way I want it to be, Hope. We need to wait.”
Hope grew quiet. She looked at the set of his jaw and the intensity of his gaze. She loved him for his strength, even for his stubbornness. She wanted to honor him, but she knew that she could help. She was helping. Wasn’t there a way to do both?
She licked her lips and tried to find the right words. Abram’s gaze hadn’t left her face, but she saw the faintest hint of a smile begin to tip the edges of his mouth. She waited, and he shook his head with a look of begrudging amusement.
“What am I to do with you, Hope? Your face is such an open book. Every emotion you feel is stamped on it for all the world to see. You’re angry with me now, jah?”
She smiled and relief at his improving mood spread through her. “Maybe. A little. I want to help. I want to marry this year.”
He gathered her into his arms, and she once more felt his strong, quick heartbeat. He eased back from her and stroked her cheek with his calloused hand. “Hope,” he said, and his voice caught. “Hope.”
Hope took in every detail of his precious face. The touch of his lips on hers again sent shivers down her body. His kiss was as tender and light as a summer breeze. When he released her, he pressed the palm of her hand to his mouth as if drinking in her sweetness.
“Is there a chance, Abram? A chance we can still marry this fall? During the wedding season?”
Abram moved her hand to his heart where he clasped it hard. “With Gott, there is always a chance. But, please, don’t set your heart on it.”
Hope fell against him again, and they held each other for a long moment until Abram kissed the tip of her nose.
“We can’t stay here forever, Hope. It’ll be dark soon, and it won’t be safe for you to ride.”
“I know.” She paused, took a deep breath, and added, “I went to the house. Will you let me work on it?”
Abram’s eyebrows raised. “So, you saw it? Why am I not surprised? And what do you mean work on it?”
“Mostly scrub it from top to bottom. It’s not that bad, Abram. Truly, it isn’t.”
“There’s a leak in the roof over the back bedroom. I put a tarp up weeks ago, but it’s only temporary. And there are problems with the foundation. I need to get jacks under it. And that causes problems in the cellar.”
“Is it unsafe?”
He rubbed his chin. “No. Not for a while yet. But the foundation must be fixed. And I can’t do it. Well, at least, not yet.”
Hope clasped his hand. “We can ask for help.”
Abram shook his head. “It’s harvest season. No one has time for anything but the crops.”
Hope sighed. “I suppose you’re right.”
“There is one thing we can do. We can pray. Gott has everything in control. He’s proven it so many times.” A thoughtful smile curved his mouth. “Let’s pray together, and ask for His help, and then you must go.”
****
The following Tuesday afternoon after delivering her pies, Hope stopped at Feed & Supply. She put a bucket, mop, broom, scrub brush, rubber gloves, and cleanser onto the expansive counter. Mrs. Troyer glanced at it all and then at Hope.
“Spring cleaning in the fall, dear?” Her high-pitched voice warbled. She raised her eyebrows so high, Hope half-expected them to fly off her face.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” Hope quipped.
Mrs. Troyer chuckled and rang her purchases up on the battery-generated register. “Jah, ‘tis true, ‘tis true.”
Hope gathered her things and returned to the buggy. She gently slapped the reins and Chocolate clip-clopped toward the old Miller place. When she drew the buggy near the porch, she craned her neck, hoping no one was in the vicinity to notice. How would she possibly explain why she was taking supplies to Abram Lambright’s newly-purchased farm? She scrambled out of the buggy and took all the cleaning supplies inside. She dropped them in the corner of the living room, barely taking the time to glance around. Even so, her heart quickened with excitement simply from walking over the threshold. Without stopping to revel in the pleasure, she hurried back to the buggy and headed for home.
She’d come back later to start the cleaning.
Sally was standing next to the hen house when Hope pulled into the drive. She waved at Hope and went to meet her at the barn.
“Did you sell all your pies?” she asked. “Next time, take me, okay?”
Hope jumped down and unhitched Chocolate. “All right.”
Sally pressed her lips together and turned away. Hope saw her tremble and touched her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
Sally slowly faced Hope, her expression contorted and tears flowing. “You’re asking me what’s wrong?” Her voice shook. “What’s not wrong? I’m stuck on this stupid, stupid farm all day long, that’s what’s wrong!”
Hope gaped as if slapped. She’d thought Jack was the one having problems adjusting. She hadn’t realized Sally was suffering so deeply.
Sally’s chest heaved, and her body stiffened. “I can’t stand it here! There’s nothing to do! No friends! I’m even looking forward to school in pathetic Hollybrook. That’s how desperate I am!”
Sally’s face burned red and her breath came in gasps. “I’m sorry, Hope” she muttered. “I’m sorry.”
She turned and half-ran toward the cluster of oak trees behind the house. Hope slapped Chocolate on the bottom, sending her into the barn and her stall. She quickly latched the gate and hurried after Sally.
Sally had collapsed on the dirt beneath a towering oak. Her head was bowed and muffled sobs flowed, punctuating the air with her pain. Hope dropped beside her on the ground. “Sally,” she crooned, “I’m so sorry. I thought you were adjusting, even liking it here.”
Sally hiccupped but didn’t raise her head.
“What can I do? How can I help you?”
Sally shook her head over and over. “You can’t,” came her muffled reply.
Hope rested her hand on Sally’s knee and simply sat with her. She waited while Sally’s sobs slowly turned into sniffles.
Hope tucked her legs beneath her and breathed in the humid air and wished for a breeze. Her neck was sticky and moisture gathered on her upper lip. She sent up a quick prayer for wisdom.
“Sally?” Her voice was a whisper. “You�
�re the only one who knows.”
Sally tipped her head an inch and looked at Hope through scraggly brown strands of hair.
“You’re the only one who knows about Abram and me. Not even Mary.”
Sally leaned her forehead against Hope’s shoulder, and Hope rubbed her back lightly. “Do you want to clean my new house with me? It has to be a secret.”
“I’m not a baby—I know what you’re trying to do.” Sally swallowed hard. “You’re trying to make me feel better because I’m your secret keeper.”
“You’re more than my secret keeper, Sally. You’re my cousin, my dear cousin. I’ve grown awfully fond of you.”
“Still trying,” Sally said.
Hope grinned. “It’s working, jah?”
Sally bit her lip, and then offered Hope a feeble smile. “A little.”
“So? Will you help clean?”
Sally nodded, and they both got up and brushed the leaves and dirt off their backsides.
“We’ll leave after we tidy up the supper dishes,” Hope said. “On bikes.”
Five
Hope’s hands cramped from gripping the scrub brush so hard. Kneeling, she put all her weight into the last corner of the kitchen floor and then sank back on her haunches.
“Done!” she exclaimed.
Sally peered at her from behind a cupboard door. “It looks good, Hope. ’Course now we have to walk back across it.”
“I’ll scrub the bottom of our feet then!” Hope laughed.
Sally was proving to be a hard worker, and Hope felt deep gratitude. They’d done an amazing amount of work in a couple hours.
“Mamm and Ruth will be looking for us. We’d better get back.” Hope stood and tried to stretch the kinks out of her legs and back.
The front door banged shut and Sally and Hope stared at each other in shock. Hope hurried from the kitchen and came to an abrupt halt when she saw who it was.
“What are you doing?” cried Mary, her face full of accusation.
Hope’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know we were here?”
“And Sally is with you?” Mary’s icy stare took in Sally.
“Does Mamm know we’re here?” Hope asked.
Mary’s shoulders rose and tension filled the room. “How could you?” she said, her voice tearful. “You brought Sally but not your own sister?”
Hope’s breath seeped out. She had been sneaking about—which was bad enough. But the fact that she hadn’t taken her sister into her confidence was plain wrong. And hurtful.
She took an awkward step toward Mary. “I’m so sorry. You’re right.”
Sally cleared her throat. “If it helps, Hope didn’t tell me. I guessed.”
Mary leveled a bitter look her way.
Hope mouthed a thank you to Sally and then turned to her sister. “Sally’s telling the truth. I didn’t really tell her.” She dropped her gaze. “But you’re still right. I should have told you.”
Hope took Mary’s hands, but Mary shook them loose and began walking around the room, gazing at everything. “So this is Abram’s new place.”
Hope nodded.
“And going to be yours, too, I assume.”
Even feeling guilty about Mary’s pain, Hope couldn’t completely stop the joy flowing through her at the words.
“Jah,” she whispered.
Mary stopped her inspection and stared at her sister. She was quiet for a long moment, and Hope could see her struggle. Forgiving others had never come easy for Mary, and this time was evidently no exception. Hope held her breath and waited to see which way the wind would blow.
After a large gaping silence, Mary finally said, “We could have a cleaning frolic.”
Hope’s brows rose in amazement.
“A frolic?” Sally asked. “What’s that?”
Mary ignored Sally and kept her gaze steady on Hope.
Hope turned to her cousin. “It’s basically a work party. We all get together and laugh and joke and work. It’s our way. We help each other.”
Hope looked back to Mary, her excitement rising. “Are you serious, Mary? Even after the way I behaved?”
Mary walked to a wall and ran her hand down it. “We could get this place shining in no time. New paint, too.”
Hope stared at her and the sound of the crickets outside grew more insistent. And then with a rush of emotion, she said, “Mary, you’re the best sister ever. I don’t deserve it, but thank you.”
“What else needs done?” Mary asked.
“The foundation needs work and so does the roof.”
“We need men for that and with harvest time here, it won’t happen. But, later, it could.” Mary’s face was solemn. “I’ll get the frolic planned. Abram’s sister can help. If you take charge, everyone will know why.”
Hope shook her head in wonder. “Thank you, Mary. Thank you.” Hope marveled at how severely she had underestimated her sister. Had she been that consumed with her own issues?
“How’d you get here?” Sally asked.
“I walked. I figured Hope disappearing had something to do with Abram, and then the thought of his farm came to me. It took me a while to get here.”
“You can balance on the back of my bike on the way home,” Sally offered. “I’m an expert at riding double. Used to cart Jack around everywhere.”
Mary agreed, and the three of them headed home, racing against the dark.
****
Mary and Abram’s sister Mercy were able to put the frolic together within a week. Because of the harvest, the timing was bad, but a group of women felt so sorry for Abram Lambright that in true Amish fashion, they gathered together.
Hope stayed in the background of the planning as best she could, but when Saturday morning came, she was there scrubbing and painting and laughing with the rest of them. By early afternoon, Hope was astonished at what had been accomplished. After sweeping up the last of the mess, she leaned on the broom handle and marveled at how much more homey everything felt.
Mamm came to stand next to her. “Mary’s a good sister,” she stated.
Hope’s breath caught. Of course, Mamm would have guessed all this was really for her.
Mamm smiled and patted Hope on the shoulder. “As I’ve said, Abram is a fine young man. This house will serve him well.”
Hope glanced at her mother. Mamm’s face was serious, but there was the hint of a twinkle in her eye. Hope’s heart warmed to see Mamm acting almost normally again after all the shock of Priscilla’s passing.
Hope knew the twinkle was there for her. For her and Abram. She gave a deep and gratifying sigh. Surely, she and Abram could be published in October now.
All of the women returned to their own homes and chores. Ruth drove Mamm, Sally, Ann, and Mary in the buggy. Hope stayed back as she had ridden a bike, hoping to have a moment alone in her future home.
She set the broom against the kitchen wall and surveyed the room. It was now a pale blue. The cupboards looked almost new after a fresh coat of white paint. The floor was well-worn, but Hope loved knowing how many people had used the kitchen in the past. Her kitchen, the heart of her future home. She closed her eyes and visualized herself cooking, and canning, and serving, with little bopplis tugging on her skirt, completely underfoot.
She grinned.
“What are you smiling about?” Abram’s rich, deep voice teased.
She twirled to face him. “How did you get in here? Why didn’t I hear you?”
“I saw your bike so I came in especially quiet.” He laughed at the embarrassed look on her face. “Can I hope you were smiling because you love the house?”
“Nee.”
At her denial, a look of disappointment shadowed his face.
“I was smiling because I love both the house and you.”
Abram grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. She rested her head against his heart. Then she pulled back.
“Wait! You shouldn’t be traipsing around on that leg, should you?”
&nbs
p; “No way I was going to miss what you ladies and your frolic accomplished.” With his hand still on her waist, his gaze traveled the room. “It looks remarkable.”
“Good enough to live in, right?” she asked.
He shook his head and laughed, and the sound of his pleasure filled her with delight.
“You won’t give up, will you? Is this what I’ve got to look forward to all the days of my life?” he asked, turning her to him so he could gaze deeply into her eyes. “Ach, Hope, I’m so eager to make you my bride.”
“My pies bring in steady money now. And look, you’re up and about. Things are improving. Gott is answering prayer.”
“I never doubted Gott would answer prayer. But I never wanted to be foolhardy, either. I want to do this right—I don’t want to end up suffering like Dat and Mamm.”
“But we’re not your dat and mamm.” Hope raised her hand and gently touched his cheek. “We’re you and me. Things don’t have to be the same for us as they were for them. I don’t want to be crazy either, but you make me feel safe, Abram Lambright.”
“I never want you to feel otherwise.” His voice broke with huskiness.
“And I won’t,” she murmured.
He grabbed up his crutches and the two of them wandered from the kitchen. “I’m well pleased with your work. Amazed even. It was all Mary’s planning, wasn’t it? And Mercy’s?”
Hope nodded. “Mostly Mary. She knows, Abram, and I feel badly I didn’t tell her straight away. She would have kept our secret. She’s my sister, and we’re close. I should have told her.”
“I’ve been to the doctor, Hope.”
Hope swirled to him. “What did he say? Is your leg going to be all right?”
He rested his strong hands on her shoulders. “I need physical therapy like I thought. Nearly everyone with this type of break does, so it’s not unusual. But our doctor knows a therapist who works with the Amish. One who understands that we don’t have health insurance and charges accordingly.”
“Ach, Abram, that’s wonderful!”
“It will help, no doubt.” He adjusted the crutches under his arms. “But my knee may never be sound again, and I have to be prepared for that. I don’t know if I can handle all that needs to be done on a farm. Not just now, but in the future.”
Amish Romance BOXED SET: Amish Days: Hope's Story Page 9