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She nodded. “I didn’t know that both of them are sweet on the Yoder sisters.”
Jed shrugged. “Why would any sister know? Unless she can read her brothers’ thoughts.”
“Praise the Lord that I can’t,” Sarah said with such feeling that Jed laughed out loud.
He saw her lips curve before her laughter joined his.
“Shall we take the long way home?” he asked, expecting her to decline.
To his surprise, she said, “You are the driver.” She frowned. “Do you know where I live?”
“Ja, I asked directions and realized that Arlin and I drove by on our way back from the Sale.”
She seemed content with his answer, and he drove at the slowest pace he could manage with the horse. He wouldn’t take the long way home; it wouldn’t be fair to her when he was leaving tomorrow. He would enjoy this time with her, even if in silence. Having her on the seat next to him was enough to keep him happy.
He didn’t like the thought of leaving her, of never seeing her again, but what could he do? They both had responsibilities and family in two communities a long distance from each other. If only she lived in Lancaster, or his family resided here in Kent County, Delaware.
But the Lord had granted him the pleasure of knowing her if only for a brief time, and he would pray to the Lord to help him when he was home again...to get on with his life...and find a woman to love and become his bride.
* * *
All too soon for Sarah, Jed was steering the wagon onto the driveway that led to her family farmhouse.
They had chatted easily, sharing stories of their siblings. As time passed and the Mast farm drew nearer, silence had reigned between them. Sarah wanted to say something, admit how much she’d enjoyed his company, but she was reluctant to do so. He knew her situation. Perhaps he was just being kind.
She was conscious of the sound of the wagon wheels over dirt and gravel as Jed steered closer to her house.
Soon, too soon, Sarah thought, the wagon was in her yard, at her front door.
Jed jumped down and rounded the vehicle to help her. He didn’t extend his hand as he had before. He simply reached up and grabbed her waist. She blushed, feeling the heat in her neck and cheeks, the tingling of his hands on her waist, as he promptly released her and stepped back. The action took only seconds, but Sarah knew she’d remember the moment for a lifetime.
“Home,” he announced. It was the first time Sarah thought that he looked uncomfortable.
“I appreciate the ride,” she offered shyly. “I hope God grants you a safe journey home tomorrow.”
He hesitated a few seconds. “I will remember this night, Sarah Mast.”
“As will I,” she admitted, her heart beating wildly.
Neither spoke as they looked out into the yard as if studying the way the moonlight played on the barn and property. Sarah chanced a look at Jed. His handsome features were clearly visible under the bright moonbeam. She saw that he looked troubled.
“Is anything wrong?” she asked, knowing that she shouldn’t ask.
Jed turned, then smiled, and suddenly it was as if she had only imagined his sadness.
The sound of a buggy coming down the dirt lane toward the house heralded the arrival of her brothers. She didn’t want her last moments with Jed to be witnessed by her older siblings.
“Jed...” she began.
“I will miss you, Sarah,” he said.
She blinked back tears. “And I will miss you.” She bit her lip. “I had fun today and this evening. I will thank the Lord for the moment when you stepped in to save my brothers.”
His smile was warm. “Did you know I first thought you were their mother?”
She looked stunned. “You did?”
“Ja. And I was disappointed, for I knew you must be wed.”
Her brothers’ buggy pulled into the barnyard. He glanced their way and seemed to feel the same urgency that she did. “I am glad you weren’t wed or I would not have had this time with you.” He grew quiet and then said, “I regret that the Lapp family farm is not in Kent County, Delaware.”
Ervin and Toby had climbed out of their wagon and approached them.
“Farewell, Sarah Mast,” Jed said, sending her a look that she would never forget.
“Farewell and safe journey, Jedidiah Lapp. Give my regards to Arlin.”
He nodded and then spoke briefly to her brothers before he climbed back onto the wagon and turned the horse for the Miller home.
* * *
Sarah stood, watching as the wagon headed down the lane, overwhelmed by a bittersweet mixture of sadness and pleasure.
Ervin came to stand next to her. “You like him.”
“Ja.”
“He lives far from Delaware.”
“I know,” she whispered, then managed to grin at her brother. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.”
Ervin studied her a moment and seemed satisfied by what he saw. “I could use something to eat.”
Sarah laughed. “What?”
“Pie?”
“There may be a slice of apple or chocolate cream left.”
Ervin grinned. “Singing makes me hungry,” he said as they headed into the house.
Toby had already gone inside. Apparently, the singing had made him hungry as well, for he was already in the kitchen, delving into the extra cookies she’d made yesterday afternoon.
Later that night, as she lay in bed unable to sleep, Sarah thought of Jedidiah Lapp and the time she’d spent with him. As she chose to remember the warmth of his cinnamon-brown eyes and quick, ready smile instead of the fact that tomorrow he would be gone, Sarah finally fell asleep with a pleased smile on her face.
But when she woke the next morning, she thought of him leaving...then she tried not to think of him any more as she went about her daily chores and checked to see if her mother needed anything.
Still, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.
Chapter Five
Jedidiah Lapp had left Kent County a month ago, yet Sarah couldn’t stop thinking about him. She recalled the warmth in his brown gaze, the dark brown hair beneath his wide-brimmed banded hat, his grin. She knew she should forget him, but spending time with him had been a wonderful experience. She had enjoyed his company, his smile...the way he’d made her laugh...his pleasant voice lifted in song when they’d attended the singing that evening. She and Jed had talked during the buggy ride home. She had loved every second she’d spent with him.
It was late morning and Sarah was upstairs making the beds in the twins’ room. The sun shone brightly through the window and streamed golden against the sheets as she tucked them beneath the mattress. She picked up Thomas’s blue shirt and hung it on a wall hook near his bed. Spying a straw hat, she bent to retrieve it. As she set the hat on Timothy’s bed, she thought of her parents. Mam and Dat were sleeping downstairs now. Her mother’s strength was weakening, and Sarah knew she’d have to discuss her health with Dat soon.
“Sarah!” Her older brother Tobias stood at the bottom of the stairs as Sarah came out of the twins’ bedroom to the top landing. Toby had been working on the farm. He’d pushed back his straw hat and there was a streak of dirt across his forehead and on his left cheek.
“Ja, Toby?” Sarah descended the stairs.
Toby tugged on his suspenders. “Mam needs you.” He readjusted his hat, pulling the brim low.
Sarah hurried down the rest of the steps. “Is she all right?”
Her brother shrugged. “Seems to be. Except for being tired all the time.”
Sarah sighed as she left him, shaking her head as she crossed the family gathering area toward the small room where her parents now slept. At times she didn’t know what to make of her older brother. Didn’t Tobias realize their mother was ill? Their eldest brother, Ervin, understood the situation better than she’d expected, certainly better than Tobias did. Lately, she’d caught Ervin watching their mudder with an intentness that was telling. Last evening, he had discussed his concerns with her, and she’d been surprised that Ervin was worried about her as much as he was for Mam.
“Mam?” Sarah entered the bedroom, saw Ruth seated in a chair by the window. “Are you all right?”
She turned toward her with barely a smile and gestured for Sarah to sit on the bed. “Come in, Sarah. I need to talk with you.”
Sarah felt her insides lurch as she nodded and sat on the patchwork quilt. “Is it about your recent doctor’s visit?”
“Ja.” Ruth turned to fully face her daughter and reached to clasp Sarah’s hands. “There is something I need to tell you.” The daylight emphasized the tired lines in Mam’s face. She looked exhausted and much older than her forty-three years. “I need heart surgery. The doctor believes he can fix it, but it will take me a while to recover.”
“Surgery?” Sarah breathed. She could feel the weakness in her mother’s grip. She fought to stifle her fear, to keep her thoughts hidden. “That is something,” she murmured, “and I’ll be here to help.”
“Nay,” Ruth said. “We’re sending you with the twins to our cousins William and Josie in Pennsylvania.”
“But Mam—what if you need me?” Send her away? No, she didn’t want to go. How could she leave Mam? “Can’t I stay?”
“Nay. It’s best if you take the boys. I love Timothy and Thomas dearly, but they are a handful. Josie has boys near the same age. Your brothers will enjoy staying with them. I need you to go to make sure they behave.”
“What about Emma?” she asked. “Can’t she take the boys?” Her older sister was married but had no children. If Emma took the twins, Sarah could stay behind to care for Mam.
Her mother rubbed the back of her neck as if it pained her. Catching Sarah’s concerned look, she smiled weakly and dropped her hand. “Your sister hasn’t been married a full year. I don’t want her to worry about your brothers. Soon, she’ll have a brood of her own. And Ohio is too far. I want you and the boys nearby, in case...”
“Nay, Mam! The Lord will heal you. We just have to pray.” Sarah felt a weight settle in her stomach at the thought that her mother might not fight to get better. “You’ll have the surgery, and you will get well. I’ll do as you say and take the twins to William and Josie’s until you call for us to come home.” She bit her lip. “But you must have faith.”
Her mother reached out to touch Sarah’s cheek. “You are a gut and kind daughter, Sarah.”
Tears filled Sarah’s eyes as she reached up to cover her mother’s hand, pressing it lightly against her cheek. “I wish I could stay,” she whispered.
“I know you do,” Mam said. “But your dat and I have discussed this, and we believe this is for the best.”
Dat felt the same way? Sarah sighed inwardly as she resigned herself to the trip. She was a dutiful daughter; she wouldn’t argue with her parents. “When do we leave?”
“The day after tomorrow. We’ve hired Mr. Colter to drive you.”
Mr. Colter was their neighbor and an Englischer.
“So soon?” Sarah’s spirits plummeted when her mother nodded. “We’ll be ready,” she assured her. “I’d better see that the twins’ clothes are laundered for the trip.” Sarah had to swallow against a painful lump as she rose to her feet. She bent to hug her mother. “I love you, Mam.”
She gave her a genuine smile. “I love you, Sarah.”
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Jedidiah pulled the family buggy to the front of the farmhouse and waited for his family to exit the residence.
His mother came to the door holding his baby sister. Little Hannah wore a lavender dress and white prayer kapp, and she was barefoot. “Have you seen Joseph?” his mother called.
“Not since breakfast,” Jed replied. He wondered if he should get out of the vehicle and help search. He had just made up his mind to go when his dat left the house, followed by his twin brothers, Jacob and Eli, and their younger brothers Isaac and Daniel.
“Did you find Joseph?” Jed asked as his father approached the buggy.
“Ja, but he’s managed to get his pants dirty. Your mam is making him change his clothes.”
Jed’s brothers Jacob and Eli climbed into the buggy’s backseat. Samuel Lapp hoisted young Daniel into the buggy, urged him to sit between Eli and Jacob, and then offered his hand to Isaac.
“I can manage, Dat,” Isaac said as his father helped him into the backseat.
“Ja, I suppose you can, Isaac,” Samuel said kindly, “but we’re late leaving, and I’m expecting you’ll have to find a quick seat and make room for Joseph. Hannah can sit on Mam’s lap.”
Katie Lapp locked the house and approached with Hannah in her arms and holding five-year-old Joseph’s hand. Joseph didn’t look happy, but he was neat, clean and dressed properly, and his mudder was content.
“How nice you look, Joseph,” Samuel said with a wink at his wife.
He hefted Joseph to sit between Isaac and Eli. The boys moved to accommodate their youngest brother. Samuel then took Hannah from his wife until Katie was comfortable in the front seat, then he handed back their daughter.
Jedidiah shifted to make room for his dat. “Visiting Sunday,” he said with a smile as he picked up the leathers and spurred the horse on.
“Wait!” Katie cried, startling all of them. “The food!”
Jed laughed. “Not to worry, Mam. I took the salad and cake over to the Kings early this morning. They’re going to bring them for us. I figured it’d be easier, and Mae offered yesterday.”
Katie released a sigh of relief. “Mae does have the room since Charlotte married and Nancy left to visit relatives in North Carolina.”
Hannah squirmed on Katie’s lap, and automatically Katie shifted her daughter toward the window opening so that the little girl could look out.
“What kind of cake did you make?” Daniel asked his mother.
Katie straightened her kapp. “Upside-down chocolate.”
“That’s Noah’s favorite,” Isaac complained.
“It’s my favorite, too,” his father said, glancing back to meet Isaac’s gaze.
“And mine,” Daniel added.
