Saturday morning Charity was relieved to see the storm had passed over and the day apparently was going to be clear. She smiled at the figure of her son scooted down half-way in the bed under the quilts. How was he breathing? She decided to leave him in his comfort and go about her chores.
It was five twenty when Charity walked out her back door to go to the barn. She met her baby brother, Joseph, coming with a bucket full of milk. She hugged him and told him how much she appreciated him. He had fed all the animals and milked the cow, but the eggs were still to be gathered and the chickens fed. She took care of that and then ran in to get a big breakfast for them.
Jeremiah wandered sleepily in and scolded her for not getting him up to help with the work. He was delighted to see Joseph. Charity made oatmeal for them. While Joseph and Jeremiah ate, Charity made their favorite pancakes and put a bowl of applesauce on the table. She had served coffee and milk to her two boys and now poured a second cup of coffee for Joseph and herself. Jeremiah loved her pancakes. There was fresh churned butter on the table with fresh caught maple syrup. She had helped stir the sap.
She hurriedly cleaned the kitchen and made the beds. By seven thirty Joseph left to go home and take Jeremiah with him. Jeremiah protested all morning that he had never seen an open house and wanted to go with his mother. Charity and Joseph both told him it only meant that all people were invited to come in and see her new store and maybe they would trade with her.
He left kicking the dirt and refusing to hold Joseph’s hand. There had been so much rain during the night that Charity knew he was getting a lot of mud on his boots. She knew he would have to remove his boots and clean them before going in the house.
Rosemary’s younger brother, David, was in rumspringa and was driving a car. He had offered to come take Charity to the store and she gladly accepted. By ten until eight they were at the store. Rosemary had a key and had already opened. All of the workers were present including Lisa Kennedy. She was so grateful to Charity for giving her a chance to prove her worth as a friend and worker.
A group of Amish came in first eager to see all that the Bishop had approved. They were amazed that there was electricity and a bathroom in an Amish store. There was even a telephone, but it was only for business.
Some town people came in a little later followed by tourists and more town people. Everyone thought the food was delicious and bought some to take home with them. Some of the women were kept busy preparing more food.
The two English women, working in the sewing room, showed catalogues of clothes they could make to the town people. The Amish women took measurements and allowed the buyer to select her own cloth for the clothes. Some of the English selected embroidery items to be appliquéd on the cloth.
A few larger women were thrilled to get this special service. It was difficult for them to buy from a store and still obtain style and looks. They all made appointments to return and pay for the clothes.
The tourists were thrilled to see the hand-made furniture, the faceless dolls and the fancy candles. Some furniture sold and arrangements were made for shipping. They also asked for her card to share with friends back home. Charity had to quickly write this information out and a note to herself to get some cards made. She knew it would probably be considered worldly, but she would only use them strictly in a business opportunity.
Charity and her workers took turns going into the storage room to quickly eat a sandwich and drink coffee or a soda. She tried not to take much time because she wanted her workers to have a rest and a chance to eat.
As she stepped out of the room a deep voice behind her said, “Finally, I caught you.” She whirled, ready to scream, with her heart fluttering and found herself hugged by Dr. Isaac Yoder. She quickly stepped back because she did not want the Amish to report her to the Bishop.
“Dr. Yoder!” she exclaimed. “What a nice surprise and how wonderful to see you. What brings you all the way here?”
“Dear lady, I came especially to see you. I’m in the area on business and happened to hear of your wonderful success, and I just had to come and help you celebrate.”
“I am so happy you came by. Friends, I want you to meet the wonderful doctor who took care of me when I was in the hospital in Shipshewana. This is the marvelous Dr. Yoder.”
“You were in the hospital when you went to Shipshewana!” She had not told everyone of her horrendous experience.
“Yes,” Dr. Yoder continued, “three hoodlums decided to make a punching bag of her and try to take advantage of her, but two former football players took them out of commission. She was taken to the hospital where I worked for bruises and trauma.”
“Mamm! Some bad men hurt you? You did not tell me. Why did not you let me go with you? I would have beat them up for you. I do not want anyone hurting my sweet mamm.”
“Jeremiah! What are you doing here? Did Joseph bring you?”
“No. I am big enough to come by myself. I walked and ranned.”
“You ran. For shame. You ran off and they are all probably looking for you and getting so worried. How could you shame me like that?”
“I am sorry, but I have never seen an open house and you would not let me come.”
“You can see for yourself that it is nothing unusual. It is just people shopping.”
Isaac Yoder could not contain his laughter. “I assume this is your offspring. Determined and independent just like you,” he laughed.
“Yes, this is my disobedient Jeremiah. Jeremiah, this is the nice Dr. Yoder who took care of me in the hospital.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Dr. Yoder,” he said with a handshake. Charity was proud of him for being a gentleman, but he did disobey.
Joseph ran in the door out of breath. “Charity, Charity. I am sorry to bother you, but Jeremiah ran away and I can not ----. There you are. Ooh, I am going to give it to you for scaring us like that.”
“Jeremiah, go on home now with Joseph and we will talk about this when I get home.”
“Can I have some cookies?”
“May I? And no you may not. Little boys who do not mind are not given cookies. Now go on and stay at home.” Joseph left holding on to the struggling Jeremiah.
“Well, may I have a cookie and may I look over your store?” Isaac Yoder grinned.
“You may have whatever you wish and yes, you may look to your heart’s content. I am pleased with what we have.” She took him around showing him what her men folks and friends had done. He was impressed with the furniture, the quilting and the food.
“I would like to place an order for furniture in my new office.”
“Certainly, Dr. Yoder. Of course you will want it shipped as soon as possible.”
“Oh, no. Only delivered across town.”
What?! You are going to practice here with us now?”
“I completed my term, and more, that the Bishop ask me to serve. Remember, I told you I wanted to go to a smaller community. Well, here I am. I have purchased Dr. Goodley’s business and goodwill in the hospital.”
“I did hear that Dr. Goodley was elderly and not well. He has served us faithfully for many years. Even though he is English, he has treated the Amish with all his skill and caring. We appreciate him, but you will certainly be welcomed. Why did you choose our little community?”
“You are responsible for that.”
“Me!”
“Yes, you. I was attracted to my lovely patient and wanted to get better acquainted. With your permission, I would like to visit you and give us a chance to know each other better. Too, your little son will need time to learn to share you with someone else.”
“I do not know what to say,” she said feeling very warm.
“Don’t say anything yet. Just think about it. There is no hurry. I am not going to rush you.”
“But my dear Adam is still in my heart. I have not even thought of another man in my personal life. My brothers, father, father-in-law and friends have filled that empty space very well.”
“That is why I don’t want to rush you. From what I hear, I would have sincerely liked and admired your Adam. He will always have a place in your heart. But isn’t your heart big enough to hold me, too?”
“I have not had a single thought about another man. I do like you and admire you for your kind nature and work ethics. Give me time to think.”
“That is what I intend to do. Now if I may buy some of the delicious bread, fruit and pastries, I shall be on my way. I’m looking for a house. At the present I’m staying in Nissley’s B & B. May I come visit you at home soon and let Jeremiah get acquainted with me?
Charity was feeling very warm. “I -- I guess that would be all right. I need to talk to my family about this. You know my mother died just a few months ago and my daed is still grieving.”
“Me coming to see you will not hurt him. Charity, I am sure he would say that we should take our time and get better acquainted.”
“All right, Dr. Yoder. We will let time decide.”
“Don’t you think you could call me Isaac now?”
She blushed and smiled. “Maybe.”
They said their good nights and Charity turned to speak to others who were leaving. She checked the store but her good workers had already cleaned up and had the store ready to close. She thanked them sincerely and bid them all a good night.
She decided to walk out on the sidewalk and wait on whoever was coming to pick her up. As she passed the grocery store, a jewelry store was next. Suddenly men rushed out of the jewelry store, guns were fired and the police were there as the men ran for a black sedan.
Charity threw herself down on the sidewalk trying to make as small a target as possible. The men ran for the car, jumped out ran in all directions instead. The police were right after them. An ambulance came up and the attendants ran into the jewelry store. They came out carrying the owner, Dan Moody, on a stretcher.
The police came back with the three men they had captured. One officer ran to help Charity up. “Are you all right miss? Are you hurt?”
“Thank you, no. I am fine. I put myself down there so I would not be shot. Do you have the men who committed this crime?”
“Yes, all three of them are in custody.”
“Three? Are you sure there were only three?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Look at the car. All four doors are open. Why would just three men open all four doors trying to get back in the car?”
He looked stunned. “Hey buddies. I’m afraid we still have one at large. This nice lady just pointed out that all four doors are open, but we have only three men. Spread out. We can’t let an armed man, wanted by the law, run loose in the town among innocent people.”
The three men in handcuffs were taken to the jail to be booked and charged. Four other officers began to walk the streets looking down every alley and behind every closed store. After an hour they gave up.
“He has probably run into the residential neighborhood, “the sergeant in charge stated. “We need to go to every door and check to make sure he isn’t in a house holding hostages. We also need to warn the people to keep doors locked and call us if they are suspicious of anything.”
He turned to Charity. “Thank you, Miss, for being so alert. Do you need one of us to walk home with you?”
At that moment Jacob came driving a horse and buggy.
“Thank you, but my father is here to take me home.”
“You people don’t have guns do you?”
“Only rifles or shotguns for hunting. We do not believe in firing at a person.”
“You may have to if he tries to enter one of your homes.” He then told Jacob what had transpired and cautioned him to be on the alert going home.
“Do you want us to follow you and make sure you get home safely?”
“Nee, danki,” Jacob answered. “God is with us.”
“That won’t keep the man from shooting you if he thinks you’re in his way.”
Jacob smiled and spoke softly, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall, but, You, oh God, will bring down the wicked.” (Psalm 55:22-23)
The officer stood with open mouth, took a deep breath and nodded. “I guess you’re protected then. Get home safely and have a nice night.”
Jacob clucked to the horse and headed to Charity’s home. The officer shook his head and walked over to tell the others what Jacob had said.
“He makes me believe,” he said reverently. They continued to search.
“Danki, daed,” Charity said sincerely as she went into her house and Jacob headed home. Jeremiah was still at Jacob’s house with Joseph and would spend the night. Since there was no church service the next day, Charity decided to leave him.
She felt uneasy and looked all over her house to make sure no one was in there that did not belong. She cleaned up, said her prayers, but did not read the Bible. Her sleep was restless that night.
Charity walked over to Jacob’s house. Jeremiah hurried to hug his mother and talk excitedly about his day, hoping she would forget to scold him for running away. Joseph did not let her forget and she had not.
Jacob spoke sternly to Jeremiah. “You worried all of us yesterday and we had to stop our necessary work and look for you. I think your mamm needs to start spanking you.”
Charity cried out, “Oh, I could not do that. He looks just like Adam and I love them both so much.”
“Dochder, God will not think you have been a good mother. We are to discipline with love. How is he going to remember to think before he acts if you do not guide him in that direction?”
“He is still a little boy. When he gets older he will know right from wrong. We are all teaching him. He will learn to think before he acts.”
“But he does not fear the result of his actions, and he must for his own sake. He might make the wrong decision before he’s old enough to know the difference and put himself in danger. How would you feel then?”
“I know what you are saying, but I can not spank him.”
Jeremiah breathed a sigh of relief until Joseph spoke. “I suggest you take something from him that he really loves and make him think about it.”
Jacob put his arm across Jeremiah’s shoulders. “I am not going to let you near your horse or take a riding lesson for two weeks. You will stay at home, except for school, and you will help your mamm.”
Charity was almost in tears for him, but she knew her father and brother were right in their thinking. She meekly took Jeremiah by the hand and went home.
Jeremiah ran in the house and got his bat and ball. “Let me have that, Jeremiah. I want you to sit down and write about running away yesterday and how you feel about it now.”
He started to whine, but Charity looked so sternly at him that he quietly went to his room and got his paper and pencil. He sat down at his desk that Jacob had made for him and started thinking about what to write.