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Sarah gave each of the twins a fierce hug before she released them. “You know better than to run out into the parking lot!” she scolded. “You could have been killed!” She grabbed each boy by the hand. “You’re to stay here next to me,” she stated firmly. “Don’t move. Do you understand?” They nodded silently and cast their eyes downward. Obviously, they were too upset by the near-accident to say a word. She then took several deep calming breaths before turning a grateful gaze toward the man who’d saved them. “Danki,” she said softly, studying the rescuer for the first time. “They escaped so fast, I didn’t know where they’d gone.”
“We just wanted to pet the puppy,” Thomas explained and his brother nodded in agreement.
“Still, you know better than to run into the parking lot,” Sarah reminded them firmly. “And to leave without permission.”
“They are young boys eager to explore,” the man said quietly.
“Ja,” she replied, “and they are a handful on their best behavior.” She closed her eyes briefly and shuddered. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t been nearby.”
“The Lord planned for me to help.” His soft answer touched a chord in her. “The boys learned a lesson and won’t run into the road or parking lot without looking again...or without permission again. Will you, boys?” They looked up at their rescuer and nodded their agreement with their eyes wide.
Sarah smiled. It must be true. The Lord watched over her brothers and sent this man to help the boys when they were in trouble. She studied the man closely. “You don’t live here in Delaware.” The Amish man’s clean-shaven face told her he was still single. “Pennsylvania,” she guessed. At his nod, she asked, “Lancaster County?”
“Ja,” he said. He studied her, his look making her feel warm inside. “But you live not far from here.”
She blinked. “Ja, ’tis true...but what gave it away?”
“Your prayer kapp.”
Sarah smiled. “Ja, ours are shaped differently than the women from your area.” The back of their kapps was round, while the women in Lancaster wore kapps with a back that resembled a seamed heart.
She had relatives in Pennsylvania, although it had been many years since she’d visited them. Lancaster County was home to the largest Amish population in the country. Lancaster Amish returned each week to run the shops at Spence’s Bazaar Auction and Flea Market in the Farmers’ Market building.
“You have a table,” Sarah said.
“Ja. I came with my uncle to sell plants and his woodcrafts.”
“Do you know anyone who runs a Farmers’ Market shop?” She pointed toward a building that housed several mini shops.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I haven’t been inside the building yet.”
“You should take the time to go inside,” Sarah urged. “They have the best food. My cousin and I like the pork sandwiches from the meat shop.” Her heart skipped a beat as cinnamon-brown eyes met hers. “This is your first time here.”
“Ja. That is my uncle and this is our table.” He gestured behind him to where an older man stood helping an Englischer buy a jewelry box. “Arlin made all the wooden items. I brought plants from my mother’s greenhouse.” He introduced his uncle as Arlin Stoltzfus.
“You both should do well here,” she said after she and Arlin had greeted each other. “Englischers love to buy plants for their flower and vegetable gardens at Spence’s.” She glanced toward the man’s table and spied a potato bin among the items for sale. She turned back to smile at the man. “I’ll have to come back later to shop.”
The man studied her with an intentness that made her nape prickle. His dark hair under his straw hat was cut in the style of Amish men. His bright brown eyes, square, firm jaw and ready smile made her tingle and glance away briefly.
Her gaze settled on his shirt. She couldn’t help noticing the way his maroon broadfall shirt fit under his dark suspenders and the long length of his tri-blend denim pants legs. She had to look up to meet his gaze. He stood at least eight inches above her five-foot-one height. His arms looked firm and muscled from hard work. Sarah felt her face warm and she quickly averted her gaze.
Thomas tugged on her arm. “Can we go back to our table now?”
“We promise to be gut and sit nicely in the chairs,” Timothy added.
Sarah studied them a moment, until she realized that they were sincere. “Go ahead. Make sure you listen to Mary Alice...and sit and behave!”
With a whoop of joy, the boys scampered back to their table. Sarah watched with relief as they kept their word and sat in their chairs. Mary Alice was busy selling baked goods. There were several people waiting in line to make a purchase. “I should get back—my cousin needs help selling our cakes and pies.” She also didn’t trust her brothers to behave for much longer. “Danki for rescuing the boys—”
He smiled. “Jedidiah Lapp.”
“And I am Sarah Mast.” She returned his smile. The intensity of his regard made her face heat. “I hope you sell everything you brought today, Jedidiah Lapp.”
“I hope all of your cakes and pies sell quickly,” he replied.
She was conscious of the man’s gaze on her as she hurried back to her table. A pie, she mused. She’d bring him a cherry pie in appreciation. Perhaps purchase some plants from him for their vegetable garden.
She chanced a quick look toward his table, watching as he helped a customer make a purchase. Jedidiah Lapp, she thought, intrigued. He remained in her thoughts as she worked with her cousin to sell the rest of her baked goods.
As the day went on, Sarah couldn’t help the occasional glance toward his table to see how Jedidiah was doing. Normal curiosity about the man who saved my bruders, she told herself when she caught herself looking toward him often. Or is it?
* * *
Later that afternoon, when she’d sold all of her baked goods but one, Sarah picked up the cherry pie she’d saved for Jedidiah and headed toward his table.
“I see you sold most of your items,” Sarah said with a smile as she approached.
With an answering grin, Jedidiah came out from behind the stand. “Most, but not all. What we don’t sell today, we’ll sell tomorrow,” he said. “Will you return?”
“Nay,” Sarah said, feeling suddenly disappointed. “We had a gut day, too. Sold everything we intended.” She handed him the pie. “I saved this for you. I hope you like cherry.”
Jedidiah looked startled. “It’s my favorite. How did you know?”
“I didn’t,” Sarah said, pleased by his reaction. “I’m glad to hear it.” The man’s eyes suddenly focused on something behind her. She turned and saw her young brothers as they approached.
“They don’t seem too upset by the experience,” Jedidiah said as he met her gaze.
“Not a bit,” she agreed with a half smile. “But I can’t say the same for you or me.”
“When are we going for ice cream?” Thomas asked.
Timothy jerked a nod. “Ja, when can we go?”
“Is that any way to greet Jedidiah?” Sarah scolded.
They looked at Jedidiah and grinned. “Hallo, Jedidiah. Have you seen the puppy?”
“Timothy!” Sarah exclaimed, embarrassed.
The man laughed. “I’m sure my brothers and I were just like them.” He tugged on the brim of the boy’s hat. “Afraid I haven’t seen the puppy, but don’t worry—I’m sure he’s all right.”
Both brothers looked relieved. “We don’t have a dog,” Thomas said. “We want one, but Dat said it wouldn’t be gut for Mam.”
Jedidiah studied her with a curious frown. Sarah looked away, unwilling to satisfy his curiosity. She wasn’t going to tell him about her ill mother. She’d come not only to give him the pie but also to make a purchase. “I’d like four pepper and three tomato plants.” She drew money from her apron pocket. “And that wooden bin.”
He quickly placed the plants in a plastic bag. After the exchange of money, Jedidiah picked up the vegetable bin. “May I carry this to your buggy?”
Sarah nodded, pleased. “That would be helpful.” She gestured to her brothers to follow and led Jedidiah to her family’s buggy, where Mary Alice stood outside waiting.
“Jedidiah, this is my cousin Mary Alice Troyer. Mary Alice, this is Jedidiah Lapp from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.”
“Jed,” Jedidiah invited, meeting Sarah’s gaze with a warm smile before turning toward her cousin. “Jed is fine.”
After her cousin and he greeted each other, Jedidiah leaned inside to place the bin toward the rear interior of the vehicle and straightened. “There you go.”
Sarah nodded her thanks. “Gut sales tomorrow.” She climbed into the buggy and took up the reins.
“Behave and keep out of trouble,” Jedidiah said with a smile to the twins, who assured them they would try. “You should mind your mam.”
“We will!” the boys said simultaneously.
Sarah urged the horse on and with a wave she steered the buggy out of the Spence’s lot, then left onto the paved road. She glanced back once to see Jedidiah—Jed, she thought—still standing in the same spot. She hesitated and then waved a second time. She saw Jed lift a hand again in a silent farewell before he returned to his stand.
As she steered the horse toward home, Sarah thought of Jedidiah and sighed with regret. Too bad I’ll never get to see him again.
Chapter Two
Saturday, after a day spent at the Sale, Jed and Arlin returned to their cousin’s house and pitched in to ready the Miller property for tomorrow’s church services. The bench wagon had been pulled up to the barn. Services would be held in a large open area in the new building. Jed grabbed a bench, carried it inside and set it down. “This in the right place?” he asked their cousin and host, Pete Miller.
“Ja, that is gut,” Pete said. “We’ll need all of the benches in the wagon and some of the chairs from inside the house. We have guests coming from another district. I hope we have enough room.”
Jedidiah studied the huge barn that had been cleared for tomorrow’s use and nodded. “Looks to me like you’ll seat fifty to sixty easily. Will there be more than sixty coming?”
“Nay.” Pete took off his straw hat and wiped his brow with his shirtsleeve. “Maybe just under fifty.”
“No need to worry, then,” Arlin said. “You’ll have plenty of room without the chairs.”
Jedidiah, Arlin and Pete made several trips with benches. Pete’s two eldest sons pitched in to help finish the job, as did two other churchmen who arrived a half hour after they had. It wasn’t long before the room was set up with benches on three sides facing the area where the appointed preacher would stand and speak. The women would sit on one side, the men on the other. Women with their children would remain together, listening and singing the hymns sung every church Sunday. After services, the church community would gather outside to enjoy the midday meal. The women had prepared food prior to Sunday, and cold meat, salads, vegetables and desserts would be shared among the families. The men usually ate first, with the women and children taking their meal afterward, but tomorrow would be different. The church elders had decided that families would be allowed to eat together this church Sunday.
After they’d finished with the benches and brought in the Ausbund hymnals, the men lingered outside and enjoyed glasses of lemonade from the pitcher that Pete’s daughter Lydia had brought them. As they quenched their thirst, they chatted about Sunday services, the weather and the crops they’d planted this year.
“Pete! Arlin! You bring Jed and the others in for supper!” Pete’s wife, Mary, called out to them in the yard. She stood inside the screen door and redirected her attention to Ned Troyer as he climbed onto the bench wagon and took up the leathers. “Ned, come inside to eat.” She stepped out into the yard and approached.
“I appreciate the offer, Mary,” Ned said, “but Sally is waiting for me at home.” He leaned over the side of the wagon and lowered his voice. “She’s made some gut strawberry jam.” He grinned. “I convinced her to make tarts for tomorrow.”
Mary smiled. “Tell her we look forward to tasting her tarts. The berries are extra sweet this year. I haven’t made jam yet—we’ve been too busy eating the fresh berries.”
“Ja,” Ned said. “Strawberry shortcake...fresh strawberries and cream. A gut year for Delaware strawberries!” He clicked his tongue and steered the horse toward the road. “See ya tomorrow.”
“Ja,” Pete said. He turned toward his cousins as Ned headed home. “Jed, there will be a singing here tomorrow night. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Jed nodded. He enjoyed singings. Back home in Happiness, Pennsylvania, he’d been the one to lead the first hymn. He liked gathering with friends, spending time with the young people in his community and those nearby. He was now older than many who attended. His brother Noah married last year. He was twenty-two and should be wed himself by now, but he hadn’t found the right woman. He’d thought for a time that she might be Annie Zook, but there seemed to be something missing between them. Annie would make a wonderful wife, but she wouldn’t be his. When they discussed their relationship, he and Annie had reached the conclusion that they would be better friends than sweethearts. There were other girls who watched him as if interested, but Jed didn’t have strong feelings for any of them. He wanted to find a love like his brother Noah had. He longed to find a woman who fully captured his heart and loved him completely in return.
Someone is out there waiting for me. He knew it. He hoped he’d find her sooner than later. He wasn’t getting any younger. He was the eldest son of Katie and Samuel Lapp, and he wondered if he’d ever find love...a love like Noah and Rachel’s...a love like his dat and mam’s. He wasn’t going to settle for anyone just to wed, even though he knew that many who married eventually came to love his or her spouse. It wouldn’t be fair to marry any woman unless he truly loved her.
* * *
Sunday morning, Sarah sat in the back of the family buggy, a pie and a cake cradled on her lap. “You all right, Mam?” she asked as she leaned toward the front seat.
Her mother turned to smile at her. “Ja, I’m fine, Sarah. Stop your worrying.”
Her dat glanced back briefly to meet Sarah’s gaze before turning his attention toward the road. Sarah knew Dat was as concerned as she. It had been too long that her mother felt poorly. Mam was pale and constantly tired. She prayed that God would make her well soon.
“It’s a lovely day for church services,” Sarah said to fill the silence.
“Ja,” her mother agreed. “It’s nice to get out and about. I look forward to visiting with our friends after church.”
Sarah felt the same way. She was glad Mam was feeling well enough today to visit. She never missed a Sunday church service, but Dat usually took her home immediately afterward.
The only sound for a time was the clip-clop of their mare Jennie’s hooves on the paved road as they headed toward the Millers’ farm, the location for this Sunday’s church services. Sarah’s young twin brothers were surprisingly silent beside her. She glanced over and realized why. Just that quickly the boys had fallen asleep. Each child looked nice in his white shirt, black vest and black pants. They had managed to keep their clothes clean this morning and their usual wild mop of red hair beneath their black Sunday-best hat neatly combed. She smiled; they were miniature versions of their father. They were gut boys and they did listen and obey her, but still, she didn’t always know what to expect from them.
There was a shift in the direction of the vehicle as Daniel Mast steered the horse onto the dirt lane that led to the Miller farm. Suddenly, Mam turned toward Sarah. “I don’t want you to fuss over me,” she said, holding her daughter’s glance before shifting to send the same message silently to her husband.
“You will tell us if you’re tired?” her father asked softly.
“Ja,” she said. “I will come to you or send someone to find you.”
“Fair enough, then,” Sarah’s dat replied as he pulled the horse into the Millers’ barnyard and parked the vehicle within the row of family buggies on the left side of the dirt drive.
* * *
Dressed in his black Sunday best, Jedidiah stood on the Millers’ front porch and watched as buggies rolled down the dirt lane to the farmhouse and parked in the barnyard.
“Do you know anyone?” Jed asked his uncle, who stood beside him.
“A few,” Arlin said. He ran a hand over his bearded chin. “I recognize the Samuel Yoders. That’s Samuel getting out of that buggy near the barn. He has five sons and a baby on the way. He lives on the neighboring farm.”
“Is that his oldest son?” Jedidiah asked, studying a lad of about twelve years old.
Arlin rubbed his beard as he followed the direction of Jed’s gaze. “Ja, that’s young Abe.”
Jedidiah instantly thought of his mother and wondered how she’d coped when he’d been that young age with four brothers not long behind him. It couldn’t have been easy for Katie Lapp, but his mam had taken joy in raising her sons. It had never occurred to him how much work Mam had endured as a mother to five sons. And since then, she’d given birth to two more sons and a daughter.
Another vehicle pulled into the yard. Jedidiah watched casually as the driver stopped the buggy and climbed down from the carriage. The bearded older man went around to the other side to help someone out of the vehicle, while a young woman climbed from the backseat on the driver’s side, a dish in each hand.
He felt his heart give a lurch, then pound rapidly as he noted the shock of red-gold hair peeking out from beneath her black bonnet. Sarah Mast, he thought. The young mother stood with her hands full near the buggy while her sons Thomas and Timothy scurried out after her. He saw her bend to speak briefly with the twins, watched as the boys nodded before racing toward a group of youngsters who stood waiting outside the barn for church services. He saw the driver—Sarah’s husband? Nay, her dat, he suspected—had helped someone out of the carriage. Sarah’s mother?
Jed frowned. Where is Sarah’s husband?
He watched Sarah pause to wait for the other woman to catch up before they headed toward the Miller farmhouse together. The older woman carried a basket. Jedidiah didn’t know what possessed him to move in her direction, but within seconds, he was reaching out to relieve the frail older woman of her burden. “Let me,” he said with a smile. The basket wasn’t heavy.
Sarah’s mother looked up at him and responded in kind. “’Tis nice of you,” the woman gasped, out of breath.
Jed turned toward her daughter. “Sarah,” he greeted. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Jedidiah.” Sarah looked surprised to see him. Her voice was soft and slightly breathless. “I thought you would have gone home by now.”
“Nay. We leave tomorrow.” He could sense Sarah’s mam’s curiosity. He nodded at the woman respectfully.
