Sarah's Christmas Miracle Page 11

  Sarah smiled patiently at Rebekah, who felt left out because mamm kept requesting Sarah alone. Elizabeth had had few questions about Caleb when Sarah had first returned late Tuesday evening. By the time Mrs. Pratt had picked her up at the station and driven her home, it had been almost eight o’clock. Mamm’s questions had required a simple yes or no.

  “Was your bruder happy to see you?” More shocked than overjoyed.

  “How did you like Cleveland?” Loved the lake, the downtown skyscrapers, and the West Side Market, but Caleb’s apartment wasn’t fit for our sow and piglets.

  “Did Caleb look well?” Jah, unless you counted thirty pounds thinner, eyes that looked everywhere except into another person’s, and his garish snake-infested tattoo advertising someone named Kristen.

  But Sarah hadn’t mentioned any of that. She’d given little information about Caleb without outright lying. And mamm had seemed content with her abbreviated explanation. She’d been so happy that Sarah had returned that she hugged her like a bear, kissed her twice, and sent her to bed with a mug of hot cocoa. But over the next several days, Elizabeth’s curiosity about Caleb’s life had gotten the best of her while ironing in the kitchen, sewing by the fire, or hanging clothes on the back porch. Slowly, Sarah had been forced to admit Caleb was unemployed, broke, not eating properly, didn’t attend church, and had few friends. Yet she couldn’t reveal the things he’d done that kept him from coming home. Better for their mother to believe Caleb was experiencing a rough patch than know he’d grown hopelessly dissolute during the past few years.

  Sarah finished pinning her hair into a tight bun, slipped on her kapp, and went downstairs. “Guder mariye.”

  Elizabeth stood at the stove, frying bacon. “About time, young lady. Please start scrambling the eggs. Folks need to eat so we can leave for the preaching service. The hosting family lives an hour away.”

  “Do you suppose the Troyers will be there?” Sarah asked, breaking eggs into a bowl.

  “Don’t know why they wouldn’t be. Is that what took so long—taking extra care before you see Adam?” She clucked her tongue. “I thought I smelled something peachy when you walked into the kitchen.”

  Sarah felt herself blush. “Jah, I used some scented body lotion. I need to make a good impression.” She whisked milk and fresh mushrooms into the eggs.

  “It’s only been a week since you last saw him, not six months.” Elizabeth transferred bacon strips onto paper towels to drain.

  “True, but we argued at our last meeting, and I wasn’t very nice to him. We didn’t leave things on good terms.”

  “Oh? Do you wish to tell me why you argued?”

  “He didn’t want me to go to Cleveland. And when I said I was going anyway, he said he would come along to keep me safe.” Sarah couldn’t meet her mother’s gaze. “I told him I didn’t want him to accompany me.”

  Elizabeth pivoted to face her. “Oh, Sarah, that’s not like you to be so insensitive.”

  “I know. Now I’m anxious to make amends before he replaces me with a fiancée not so mean spirited.” She placed a lid on the pan and walked over to the counter to pour a cup of coffee, needing to get everything off her chest before the family came downstairs. “I told him I wanted to find out why Caleb left us.”

  Elizabeth looked white as a bedsheet as she turned back to the stove. After a moment she asked, “And did you find out, daughter?”

  “Jah. It was all about the money he could make on English construction crews. He found out how much union carpenters earned and couldn’t resist. He did quite well for a couple of years.”

  Her mamm snorted. “Money—love of the almighty dollar has led many young men to ruin. Perhaps someday his gold will lose its luster and he’ll be back.” She dried her hands on her apron with a face looking years younger than yesterday. “I’ll call your daed in from chores so we can eat. The Beachys aren’t sashaying into church late.”

  Sarah set the table and then poured tall glasses of milk. There was no way she could admit Caleb’s gold had already tarnished and disappeared long ago. It wasn’t easy money separating him from his family but specters of shame and regret. However, she had dwelled on her bruder’s woes long enough. Today, she must find the path of reconciliation back to Adam, if it wasn’t already too late.

  As much as she enjoyed worship services, especially during Advent when the ministers read the Christmas story from all four Gospels, she couldn’t wait for church to be over. She hadn’t seen Adam beforehand, and she couldn’t locate him in the men’s rows. If he hadn’t come today, when would they find a chance to mend fences?

  Finally, while the ladies carried hot food from the house to the barn for the noon meal, she spotted him talking with a group of men on the porch. Sarah approached until certain Adam had seen her and then waited until Samuel finished a long-winded story.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Beachy,” said Adam, coming down the steps. “I see you’ve returned to Wayne County after all.” His expression remained placid and unreadable.

  “Of course I’ve come back. There never was any doubt.”

  “And what did you think of Cleveland?”

  “Big, slushy, beautiful town square, lots of empty houses, and a wonderful lake with hundreds of seagulls.” Nervous anxiety made her breath catch in her throat.

  “And your brother—did you find him? Is he faring well?” Adam walked a step closer.

  “Jah, I found him at his last address, but he’s not doing as well as he would like. He’s fallen into some bad habits, I’m afraid.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” He stepped out of earshot from those on the porch, looking saddened by her news.

  “But I don’t want to talk about Caleb, at least not right now.” Her forehead and back began to perspire despite temperatures in the thirties. “I want to talk about us, Adam. I’m sorry I’ve been so standoffish. I do wish to be your girl. That is, if you haven’t already replaced me with someone less wishy-washy.”

  His face melted into a grin as he reached for her hand. “I thought I’d give you another year before rushing out to find a replacement. While you were seeking answers from Caleb, my sister explained a few things to me. Apparently, decisiveness and determination can easily become inflexibility and intolerance.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened. “Who taught you this?”

  “Amanda,” he said with a twinkle in his cornflower blue eyes. “She’s taken me under her wing in the romance department.” He pulled her to his side.

  “Amanda Troyer is giving courting advice?” she asked, leaning into his shoulder. “Well, this is the season for miracles, no?”

  “It is. Let’s get in line for lunch. My appetite has mysteriously returned with a vengeance.”

  “One more minute,” she pleaded, not ready to join the others yet. “I decided something else on the bus ride home—I want to become baptized and join the church.” Voicing the words aloud caused a flutter of nerves in her stomach. She glanced into his face with anticipation.

  He lifted one eyebrow. “Jah? But I heard that class was filled up and there wouldn’t be another for at least a year. Looks like you’ll have to wait.” He patted her shoulder.

  “What?” she squawked. “I never heard of such a thing! Maybe I can take classes in another district. Or maybe the bishop will—”

  Adam pressed a finger to her lips. “I’m teasing, Sarah. While you were in Cleveland, I found a sense of humor. There was a perfectly fine one lying on the side of the road that someone had thrown out…”

  While he rambled Sarah bent down for a handful of wet snow, which she shaped into a ball. “I’ll give you a three-second head start, and then I suggest you take cover, Adam Troyer.” She packed the snowball tightly between her fingers.

  With a laugh, he ran a zigzag pattern across the yard, but Sarah’s snowball still found its mark squarely in the middle of his back.

  And she’d found her mark here in Fredericksburg, Ohio. She’d grown lonesome for home during her
brief time away, but absence had especially made her heart grow fonder for Adam. He was more than a good man—he loved her, and it’d taken a heartbreaking peek into Caleb’s sorrowful life to realize that she loved him too. Sometimes a person didn’t appreciate the goodness the Lord has bestowed until it was almost gone.

  FIFTEEN

  Christmas Eve

  Sarah heard the commotion in the kitchen and knew Adam had arrived. He was taking her to the schoolhouse for the Christmas program. She’d barely had time to change her clothes after helping Mrs. Pratt all morning. Although no guests had stayed the previous night and none were expected today, Country Pleasures Bed-and-Breakfast was filled with people. Mrs. Pratt bustled around her kitchen like a bee in spring clover. Her daughter and family pulled up the driveway yesterday afternoon, bringing a ham, stuffed turkey, and all the trimmings. Her son had rented a car at the Cleveland airport and arrived last night, also a surprise. The Pratt family would be together for Christmas. And Sarah would divide her time between the Beachys and the Troyers…if she got moving right now.

  Just as her mother called her name, Sarah ran down the steps and flew into the kitchen.

  “Guder nachmittag, liewi,” Adam greeted, his smile filling his entire face.

  She blushed. Such endearments were seldom uttered in company. “Good afternoon to you.”

  “Eat your lunch, daughter,” commanded Elizabeth. “Have you eaten, Adam?” She pointed to a plate filled with ham-and-cheese sandwiches already made.

  “I’ve eaten, Mrs. Beachy, danki.” His focus darted toward the door and back.

  “May I eat mine on the way? As soon as the kinner have eaten lunch, they’ll set up for the program. We don’t want to miss a thing.”

  “Go on then,” Elizabeth said. She took a sandwich from the plate and wrapped it in a napkin. “Christmas comes but once a year.” Her face shone with joy. “And don’t forget to bring Katie home. No sense in her walking while you’ve got a buggy. And Adam, I expect you to stay for supper tonight since I’m losing my girl to your mother’s good cooking tomorrow.”

  He nodded in agreement. Sarah kissed her mamm’s cheek, and then they hurried out the door. During the ride to the schoolhouse, Adam filled her ear with the young Troyer preparations for the annual event. New carols had to be learned, red-and-green paper chains hung from the ceiling, and lines had to be practiced until they could be recited without a stutter. Sarah loved Adam’s devotion to his nieces and nephews.

  He would make a great father.

  And with God’s help, she would make a good mother.

  When they entered the schoolroom of eight mixed grades, Sarah’s heart leaped with delight. The girls had strung cutout letters spelling “Merry Christmas” across the room and drawn Christmas scenes in colored chalk on the board. Boys had set up folding chairs and benches for parents, dawdis and mammis, and the English friends who’d been invited. She felt proud to be part of the love filling the room.

  Just as she and Adam found seats, the teacher rang the bell on her desk and everyone grew quiet. A small girl stepped from behind a makeshift curtain to recite a poem about the baby Jesus. The child focused solely on Sarah during her recitation. With a start, Sarah recognized the youngest of Adam’s nieces, the one who’d placed the coals for the snowman’s mouth. Two skits came next—one in English by the older scholars and another in Deutsch by the younger students. Christmas carols then filled the room as everyone joined in the singing.

  Unexpectedly, Sarah’s eyes brimmed with tears as they sang “Silent Night,” her favorite. As the children exchanged small gifts, she fought back waves of emotion threatening to ruin her afternoon. Why do I want to cry watching kinner exchange books, colored markers, fruit, and candy?

  Perhaps because she had so easily dismissed this future for herself. Now she yearned for a family of her own more than anything, if it wasn’t too late.

  At the program’s conclusion, several of his nephews ran to greet Uncle Adam. Joshua threw his small arms around Adam’s neck and hugged.

  Lydia Troyer, his eldest niece, approached their seats. “Danki for coming today, Sarah,” she said shyly.

  Sarah recalled that his niece had called her “Aunt Sarah” the day they had built the snowman. Why had she dropped the fond address? Sarah reached out to squeeze the girl’s shoulders. “You’re welcome. You did a good job during the skit, speaking your lines calmly and clearly.”

  Then Sarah spotted her little schwester standing by the window eating an orange. She hurried to commend Katie’s performance too during the skit and singing. Katie chattered for a few moments about her many flubs during practice sessions over the last few days. Yet her solo stanza of “Joy to the World” had been flawless. Katie showed Sarah her sack of gifts, including a book on wildflowers, trail mix, and soaps shaped like hearts.

  All too soon people began collecting belongings and putting on cloaks and bonnets. While Katie ran off to bid her friends “Merry Christmas,” Sarah noticed Amanda standing near the door with her beau. She’d also come to see her nieces and nephews, yet she was staring at Sarah with a grin on her face.

  Blushing, Sarah approached Adam’s sister. “It was wunderbaar, jah?” she asked.

  “Truly was. It filled me with the joy of the season. That, and seeing you and my bruder patched up.”

  Sarah’s blush deepened to crimson. “Seeing my bruder made me appreciate my blessings all the more.”

  Amanda pulled her into a tight embrace. “With a little training and some patience, Adam should make a right fine ehemann.” The two women shared a hearty laugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow for Christmas dinner,” Amanda said as she slipped out with her fiancé.

  Sarah herded Katie to Adam’s buggy along with Joshua and his parents, who had walked to the school. With so many people in the small surrey, she didn’t think Adam would attempt any private conversation during the ride. She was mistaken.

  While Joshua described the morning’s preparations from the backseat, Adam leaned close to her ear. “You seemed to have enjoyed yourself this afternoon.”

  “I did. Danki for escorting me this afternoon.” She focused on the road ahead, which blessedly had little traffic tonight. “And thanks for not trying to stop me from visiting Cleveland,” she added in a whisper.

  “I had no right to do that even if I wanted to, which for a while I did.”

  Sarah shifted on the seat, feeling her palms grow clammy.

  “Did you find what you were looking for in Cleveland?” he asked.

  “Jah, and it broke my heart when I saw how Caleb was living—not the grand life we’d assumed since he’d landed a good job. Apparently, jobs come and go with the weather, and he wasn’t left with much when his dried up.”

  “Then he should have swallowed his pride and come home. He hadn’t joined the church yet. He would have been accepted back, and in time everything would have been forgotten.”

  Adam sounded short tempered, and Sarah regretted bringing up the subject. She dared not mention the burden of guilt Caleb carried. Adam might resent him all the more. “He had his reasons,” she murmured, turning to watch the scenery.

  Adam grunted for a final comment on the topic and then remained quiet for the rest of the drive.

  Is he wondering what sort of evil Caleb had fallen into? Does my bruder’s shame reflect on me?

  When the buggy stopped in front of the Troyer house, Joshua and Katie jumped out to play in the snow. Adam’s brother and wife bid her goodnight as they walked arm in arm toward the house. Sarah remained where she was, uncertain and uncomfortable, while Adam began unhitching the horse.

  “Have you forgotten me? I still need a ride home. And I thought you were eating dinner with my family tonight.” Her voice sounded weak and childlike.

  Adam leaned his head back into the buggy. “I thought it would be more romantic if I took you home in the sleigh. Would you like that, Sarah?”

  Her heart began to pound within her ribcage. “I would love a
sleigh ride, but don’t forget my sister will be with us.”

  “Oh, I think I’ll get a chance to ask a couple questions I’ve had on my mind, as long as Katie sits in the backseat.” He winked impishly. “Why don’t you gather some wool blankets while I hitch up a fresh horse? I’ll be back in a hurry.” To his nephew he called, “Joshua, ask your daed to rub down my horse so we can be off. And you can help him.”

  Sarah watched the child run off as her spirits soared toward heaven. Trust the Lord’s timing in all things. If only she could patiently wait and not worry so much.

  Adam disappeared into the barn with his gelding but soon returned driving the sleigh with his Percheron crossbreed, bells on the leather harness jingling. Although less than twenty degrees outdoors, warmth filled every part of her as she met Adam’s gaze.

  He loves me. He loves me after all.

  “Katie!” she hollered. “Say goodbye to Joshua and come get your things.”

  “A sleigh ride!” the girl exclaimed. She grabbed her lunch box and sack of presents from the buggy and scrambled up next to Adam, hoping to wedge in for warmth.

  “Crawl beneath those wool blankets in the backseat, please. Adam and I wish a little time alone.”

  Katie made a humorous clucking sound but did as instructed. Sarah snuggled close as Adam tucked a thick lap robe around their legs. In another moment, they were flying down the driveway onto the road.

  “Whoa,” he called to the horse, tugging the reins. “We don’t want to get home too soon, do we?”

  Seldom short on words, Sarah merely shook her head. Something had closed off her throat, rendering speech impossible.

  For half a mile, Adam kept the sleigh toward the side of the road, though no traffic whizzed by due to the weather. “So, Miss Beachy, since you’ve decided to join the church and remain Amish, I have a question for you.” He cocked his head.

  Sarah clasped her hands under the blanket. “What question would that be?”

  “Would you like whole berry or jelled sauce with your turkey tomorrow?”