“You are welcome to ride with us,” Laura Beth offered.
“Danki. We will if the sleigh is badly damaged. I can’t believe how your little one has grown. I can remember when Faron was that age. It seems like only yesterday.”
Laura Beth nodded. “We can’t keep them little forever, no matter how much we would like to do so.”
The two mothers exchanged knowing smiles. Laura Beth kissed Caleb’s forehead. “I’ve learned never to take a day for granted.”
The sound of the men righting the sleigh made Ruth turn in that direction. After a brief consultation, Owen and Faron hitched up the horse again. Ernest came to hand Ruth the containers that hadn’t spilled.
She smiled at him. “You were wise to sample the cookies before we left the house.”
He chuckled. “I rescued some of them and put them in my pocket for later.” He glanced down at her feet. “At least now you have the perfect excuse not to skate.”
She shook her head at his foolishness. “My blessings never cease.”
Ella finished her examination of Ruth’s knee. “It isn’t dislocated. I think you should be fine if you stay off it for a day or two. If it doesn’t get better, you should have Granny Weaver look at it.”
Martha Weaver, the bishop’s mother, was eighty years old and known affectionately as Granny Weaver to everyone. She was a healer who used herbs and plants to treat the maladies of the community, but she was also quick to tell her patients to see the doctor if their illnesses were beyond her skills.
Ruth looked at Owen as he came to stand beside Ernest. “Can the sleigh be used? We are making the guests of honor late for their party.”
“The back runner is bent. The floorboard is cracked and the storage box behind the rear seat is shattered. Licorice is fine, but the sleigh won’t pull as easily for her.”
Ella patted her mother’s hand. “Zack and I will ride with the Kings.”
“We will follow you to make sure you arrive in one piece,” Joshua said.
Two more tractors pulling trailers loaded with Amish family members stopped beside them. Owen and Joshua explained the situation. No one else reported seeing the car. The women in the groups were quick to offer their assistance to Ruth. Embarrassed by being the center of attention, Ruth wanted to hide beneath her quilt. Instead she urged her friends and neighbors to go on ahead and not let the incident spoil the day. The women helped her to the sleigh.
Faron mounted the driver’s seat. He looked over his shoulder. “Ready to try again?”
Ruth nodded. “It was a beautiful day for a sleigh ride when we started out. It still is a beautiful day. I have always loved riding in the sleigh. We seldom get snow that lasts long enough to enjoy a ride like this. It would be a shame to miss it.”
Ernest sat in the rear seat facing Ruth. He piled the rescued food beside him, leaving Owen no option but to sit down beside Ruth. She quickly shifted over, leaving as much distance between them as possible. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes before he looked away.
Had her words and actions today truly hurt his feelings? Shame doused her anger. She needed to live the forgiveness her faith required and not simply give lip service to it. She would be polite to him no matter how hard it was.
* * *
IF RUTH COULDN’T bear to sit beside him, it didn’t bode well for the coming weeks. He was back to help with the farm. The main problem would be getting her to accept any help from him. Ruth was stubborn enough to work herself to the point of exhaustion rather than admit she needed him.
Owen was saddened by the chasm that seemed to stretch between them. Would he be able to regain her respect or was this going to be a wasted effort on his part? He knew he’d let her down, but he wanted a chance to prove he’d changed. He longed to be part of the family again if only for a few weeks.
“Here’s hoping the rest of the day proves to be less exciting,” Ruth said with a smile that looked forced.
“Agreed,” he said. She gave him another half smile and looked away.
The rest of the trip to Henry Shetler’s farm was uneventful. The horse was able to pull the sleigh, though it wobbled back and forth because of the bent runner. The pond where the party was being held was less than a quarter of a mile from Henry’s house. Already there were automobiles, tractors and buggies parked along his lane. Everyone in the community, Englisch and Amish alike, had been invited to see off the newlyweds.
Betty Shetler, Henry’s wife, came out of the house to greet them. “We heard what happened. It’s just terrible the way some people drive with no regard for anyone else on the road. Faron, drive on down to the pond so your mother doesn’t have to walk. Henry and the children are there getting things ready for her.”
Faron drove through the farmyard and out into the pasture. Ruth looked at Owen. “I wonder what she meant?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I reckon we’ll find out.”
Faron pulled Licorice to a stop beside several picnic tables set up together. Fifty-five-gallon steel drums had been cut in half and served as four fire pits located along one side of the pond. The shore had been lined with a dozen hay bales where skaters could sit and rest without taking off their skates. A group of youngsters were already speeding across the ice with happy shouts to one another. By the first picnic table was a rocking chair with a footstool in front of it. Henry was spreading a blanket over it. He beckoned to them. “Bring her over here.”
Owen got out to help her down. Ruth put her hand on Owen’s chest. “I am not going to sit in a rocker with my feet up like some ancient grossmammi. I can hobble to a picnic table and sit there.”
Martha Weaver came up to the side of the sleigh, leaning heavily on her cane. A tiny woman with gray hair and black piercing eyes behind rimless bifocals, she seldom minced words and everyone was a little in awe of her.
“Don’t expect this ancient grandmother to crawl under a picnic table to look at your knee, Ruth Mast. What are you waiting for, Owen? Pick her up and carry her to the chair. Faron, take your animal back to the barn. I don’t want horse apples decorating the snow by these tables. Ernest, you stay out of the way. Get a move on, Owen. I’m not getting any younger.” She stomped away, forgetting to lean on her cane.
“You heard Granny.” Owen swept Ruth up in his arms. She instantly stiffened. Faron turned the horse around and went back across the pasture at a fast trot.
“This is ridiculous,” Ruth whispered in Owen’s ear.
He could have kissed Granny for insisting he carry Ruth. “I don’t know, I kinda like it.”
“You would enjoy making me look like a fool.”
“Nee, I enjoy watching folks take care of you instead of the other way around.” He deposited her in the rocking chair. Granny Weaver shooed him out of the way. One of the Shetler children produced a folding stool for Granny and a large brown bag.
Granny looked up at the crowd gathered around her. “You men go find something else to gape at. No respectable woman wants a bunch of thickheaded fellows staring at her limbs.”
The men immediately left the group. The women drew into a tight circle around Ruth and Granny. Owen lingered nearby. He heard Granny muttering but couldn’t make out what she was saying until she asked for her bag. “Arnica cream with peppermint oil is what you need. Stay off your feet for a day at least. If it hurts to walk, rest with it up on a pillow. If it doesn’t hurt, use it but take it easy.”
Owen was thankful Granny didn’t think it was serious enough for Ruth to see a doctor. Faron came up to him carrying all their skates by the laces. “How is she?”
“Okay as far as I can tell. Do you think we can keep her on the couch with her leg up on a pillow for a day or two?”
“If Ella and I both sit on her, maybe.”
Owen smiled. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
; “Do you want your skates?” Faron asked, holding out Owen’s pair.
“Sure. That’s why we came.” They walked down to the edge of the pond and sat on an empty hay bale.
“Can I ask you something, Cousin Owen?” Faron took off his boots, pulled on his skates and began to lace them up slowly.
“Sure.” Owen followed his lead, waiting for the boy to work up the courage to talk about whatever was on his mind.
“What did you think about Ella’s suggestion earlier today?”
“It’s been a long day. Which suggestion?”
Faron glanced up. “When she said Mamm should think about getting married again.”
Owen frowned. “I thought your mother answered her. She said she isn’t looking for another husband.”
“I know what she said, but don’t you think it’s time?”
Owen concentrated on lacing his own skate. “It doesn’t matter what I think. Love isn’t something you can find at the drop of a hat. It’s something that finds you.”
“Ella and I have been talking about this.”
Owen didn’t care for the direction the conversation was taking. Faron stopped talking when several young women skated in front of them. Once they were out of earshot, he met Owen’s gaze. “You could ask her to marry you. Ella and I wouldn’t object. That way the farm would stay in the family like Mamm wants.”
“She wants you to carry on farming your father’s land.”
“I know, but I’m not sure I want to be a farmer. Will you at least think about it?”
Owen couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. “I could never replace your father in your mother’s eyes. Besides, she doesn’t like me very much and I’m only going to be here for a few weeks.”
Faron tied a bow in his laces and stood up, wobbling slightly. “That’s what I said, but Ella made me promise to ask.”
“I hope you two haven’t said anything to your mother about this.” He held his breath, waiting for the answer.
“Nope. We decided to talk to you first. Can I ask you something else?”
“Okay.”
“You liked seeing new places and traveling, didn’t you?”
“I went to a lot of places because I was trying to locate my sister Rebecca. You know that, right?”
“Sure, Mamm and Daed told us all about how you were separated after your parents died and she was sent to live with your mother’s sister while you were sent to live with Daed’s family. Then your aenti sort of vanished and took your sister with her.”
“Your grandmother was sick when I came to live with them. She didn’t think she could take on two extra children at that time. When she got better, she wrote to Aunt Thelma telling her she was able to take Rebecca. Thelma refused to give her up. She moved away without telling anyone where she was going. I guess she was afraid of losing Rebecca.”
“But it was exciting to see new places, wasn’t it? I mean, nothing ever happens in Cedar Grove.”
Owen took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I guess it was exciting.”
Faron’s eyes brightened. “I knew you’d say that. Want to race?”
“Maybe after I get the hang of being on skates again. It’s been a while.”
“I remember watching you and Daed race. You always won, so don’t pretend you couldn’t beat me with both hands tied behind your back.”
Skating was the only thing he ever did better than Nathan. “Maybe I could beat you, but to say so would be boasting and show I lack daymoot.”
“I’ve never heard anyone question your humility. I’m glad you’re back. I hope you stay a long time.” Faron skated away without waiting for Owen to answer him.
“I second that remark.” Bishop Weaver had come up behind Owen. “It is goot to see you again. What is this I hear about a drunk driver colliding with your sleigh?”
“There was a collision, but I can’t be certain the driver was drunk.”
“Could anyone identify the driver?”
“No one saw who was behind the wheel or recognized the car. It was dark green.”
“If it was one of our youngees I would like to know about it. The sheriff has asked for my help in reporting underage drinking and driving so that our youth can be educated on the dangers during their rumspringa years. I don’t normally believe in involving the Englisch law, but I feel Sheriff McIntyre has the best interest of our people at heart.”
“It could’ve been one of our teenagers being reckless in a borrowed car, but unless he or she comes forward we will likely never know.”
“I fear you are right. Enjoy your afternoon. I’ll go check on Ruth.” The bishop turned and walked away.
Owen skated out into the center of the pond and made slow circles on the ice. Ella and Zack skated past him, holding hands. The skaters and picnickers were a mixture of Amish and non-Amish having fun, visiting with each other and enjoying a break from the dreary winter days. The Amish children in the area attended a public school and often remained friends with their Englisch classmates years after they left school.
Several races were getting underway by age group. Henry enlisted Owen’s help to judge at the finish line. An hour later Owen left the ice and made his way to where Ruth sat wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot chocolate while she visited with her friends.
“We’ve come up with something to occupy Ruth’s free time,” Betty Shetler said.
Julie Temple, one of the two teachers at the public school, clasped her hands together and grinned. “She’ll do a wonderful job.”
“At what?” He looked at Ruth.
“They want me to become the community scribe for The Diary newspaper and for Family Life Magazine.”
He nodded as he thought over the idea. “Gathering information on families and reporting those things in the Amish publications might suit you. I know you enjoy gossiping.”
All the women groaned. “It’s not gossip,” Julie said sternly. “It’s news. This community has been underrepresented and it’s time we let other Amish settlements know about our accomplishments as well as our troubles.”
Owen noticed Ruth grimace as she moved her leg. He could see she was in pain even if she wouldn’t admit it. “I think it’s a goot idea. Now I would like to take the new scribe home if she is ready.”
Granny Weaver nodded her agreement. “See that she stays off that leg for at least a day.”
“What about Faron, Zack and Ella? Are they ready to go?” Ruth looked toward the ice. Faron and Ernest sat with their heads together on one of the hay bales.
“Joshua and I will see that they get home when they are ready,” Laura Beth said.
Owen smiled at her. “Danki.”
“Owen, how long are you staying in Cedar Grove?” Julie asked.
“I’m just here to keep an eye on Ernest’s farm while he is gone.”
He couldn’t stay longer. An unexpected letter had arrived from his sister a week ago. In it she said she was coming to see him in Shipshewana on the fifteenth of April. Letters were the way Amish families notified each other of their visiting plans. It wasn’t unusual.
What was out of the ordinary was the lack of a return address on the envelope that had been mailed from Columbia, Missouri, and the last two lines of her note.
I need your help. Don’t tell anyone.
CHAPTER THREE
RUTH WATCHED AS Faron left Ernest’s side and jogged up to her with his skates in his hand. “Mamm, after talking it over with Owen and Onkel Ernest, I’ve come to a decision.”
“That sounds serious,” Granny said with a grin for Ruth.
Faron drew himself up to his full height. “I’m going to Missouri and Arkansas with Ella, Zack and Onkel Ernest for a month.”
Ruth couldn’t believe the words coming out of her son’s mouth. She was acutely aware of the women surr
ounding her and listening intently. “If you are trying to be funny, Faron, you aren’t.”
“I’m serious. I can experience the outside world during my rumspringa and I want to see new places and meet new people before I consider taking my vows.”
Ruth drilled Owen with her gaze. “Did you tell him to do this?”
“Nee, I... He took my words wrongly.”
“Oh, I just imagine how wrongly he took them.” She didn’t want to have this conversation in front of the women of her church. “We’ll talk about it at home.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m going.”
“Faron, I can’t spare you for a week let alone a month. The lambs will start arriving in three weeks. We have a lot of work to get done before then.” He didn’t know how important this lamb crop would be. She never discussed the finances with him and she wouldn’t in front of so many people. Family business was private business. It was prideful, but she didn’t want others to know she was having trouble meeting her bills or that she might lose some of her land.
Faron waved aside her objection. “Owen will be here to help you. You don’t need me. I’m going. You can’t change my mind.”
She was trapped by the number of people around her. She had to moderate her tone as she felt sure Faron knew when he’d chosen such a public place for his announcement. How long had he been planning this? “We’ll talk more about this when we get home. I’m ready to go now.”
She had a lot more she wanted to say to her son and to Owen about his interference. Her worst fear was coming true. Owen’s stories were finally luring her son away from her.
“Joshua is taking Ella, Zack and me home later. I’ll tell Ernest you’re ready to go and bring the sleigh down.” Faron hurried off. It seemed her son wasn’t eager to have that conversation.
A short time later Ruth was seated in the sleigh, facing Ernest while Owen drove them home. The blue sky had vanished behind a wall of gray clouds advancing from the north. Fat snowflakes began swirling down. Ruth waited for Ernest’s cheerful teasing to start, but he was uncharacteristically silent.
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