CHAPTER ONE

 

Esther Schwartz‘s white kapp strings bobbled mid-air and lightly tapped her chin as she rode in the old blue pick-up truck with her Mennonite friend, Trey.  It was exactly what she needed: refreshed.  Lack of sleep the night before caused her to extend her left tanned hand over her mouth to brace her long, drawn-out yawn.  Lord, I need sleep, and I need my nephew healed. Need: I always take from you and never give to you Lord.  Please forgive me, but ever since Ruth’s abduction and murder, I’ve been quite needy; leaning on your shoulder a lot.

Trey avoided noticing Esther’s sleepiness, and it kind of disappointed her.  Not that he mattered that much, for he wasn’t the same faith as her; therefore, she couldn’t possibly become his fraa. Nonetheless, she wanted his attention.  It was the loneliness, and she knew it.  She’d been faced with depression and loneliness ever since her sister Ruth had been abducted and killed. She’d wished that she could have kept Ruth safe from the child abductor, or even more, she wished that he’d taken her instead of Ruth.  Why had God spared her?

Truth be told, she yearned to get married so that she could have as many baby girls as God would gift her.  She wanted to protect them.  She had to find someone who had a husky brother or cousin that wasn’t interested in marriage, for she wanted to purchase a massive farm and have the cousin live on the farm. Therefore, there would always be a man with a shotgun on the property just in case a child abductor come calling.  

The corn field merged with the baby blue horizon, and the smell of corn husks bubbled through the air.  It was getting lunch time, and they were on their way back to Trey’s mother’s house for a good lunch.  Esther leaned her back against the leather seat and shut her eyes.  The sun’s rays and the moist breeze were exactly what she needed. 

Truth be told, her whole life and her familye’s life needed to be refreshed, and with her siblings out of the nest, her mother a widow, and her nephew ill with an unknown illness, her head was constantly spinning with problems.  She felt imbalanced, out of touch, and downright depressed.

The old blue Ford sputtered but ran well, clumping over the dirt clots and stray rocks between the corn fields.  A wild flock of birds, their black wings feathered out seemed to make a “V” shaped in the sky, just to the front of the truck’s path.  They swayed up, peaked and then swayed down the opposite side. Circling through the sky’s warmth, they flipped paths and made an upside-down “V.” Would they be brave enough to plow down and snag some corn with the truck flowing between the tall brown stalks of corn? 

They were not.  She watched them fade out of sight.  It felt odd to admit it, but she felt like she’d been out of sight at the Peachy family farm, for Trey and his family were Mennonite, and although she had worked there for years, she still felt like an outcast.  Maybe it was the car, or maybe it was the electricity, who knows? 

“The wind feels good, doesn’t it?  We appreciate your helping us in the field.  It’s hard to get good help nowadays,” Trey said as he tapped the gas pedal, and she forced a smile before turning her sun-kissed face back to a straight position so that she could daydream again.

She bit her bottom lip, feeling embarrassed for turning away from him. He’d finally noticed her, so she replied as if she hadn’t needed the conversation in the first place. “It’s good, Trey,” He didn’t have any problems.  Would he be so chirpy if he encountered as many problems as she had encountered over the past year and a half?  She doubted it. She bit her bottom lip and dangled her right arm out the window, opening her fingers to feel the chilly air rush between them. 

They both bounced up out of the seat as the truck made its way over the rocky entrance to the farmhouse.  The white picket fence and beautiful attached barn provided an ambience unlike any other house on the rural road.  A whisk of tepid air clipped their chest and face as they pounced back into the seat. 

If one didn’t know it, they would swear that they were in coastal Maine, with the crisp breeze, the harmony of the chirping birds, and beautiful white house with faded blue shutters.  There were beautiful flower beds lining the whole house, some of pastel purples and pale pinks and early mums, plump and minty green. Oh, and the yellow pansies, with just a hint of sun-orange, surrounded the open walk area that led to the back porch.  Why was it that Esther hadn’t noticed all the beauty of The Peachy’s place?  Daydreaming sure caused one to miss a lot.

Missing a lot, that was the thing of her Old Order Amish community.  People once said that they were “backward”, but they’d shook it off, and now, they were still driving horse and buggies and using kerosene lamps in replacement of electricity.  It was a hard life, only if one was lazy.  For the God-fearing men and women, who refused to be part of the world, it was a rewarding life.

“It’s mighty fun in a Ford, isn’t it?  Trey looked at her and laughed before he turned his head back to view the gravel driveway that was in front of him.  His farmer’s tanned face glowed with excitement and energy as it always did when she’d gaze at his handsome face. He was known to outwork any farmer in the Western Kentucky area.

Gravel spun and laughter was vibrant as the blue truck passed children playing in the green grass-covered backyard.  Pearls of white daisies and plush pink roses dotted the back yard play area, just past the children’s tire swing, which was securely tired on a weeping willow tree.  The willow, the central part of the children’s outside world, weeping to get one’s compassion, but also giant and longstanding enough to swing a couple dozen children during a family reunion, had feathered a soft circle around its truck.

Two of his sisters were carrying baskets of eggs to the house as two of their younger brothers swung on the wooden swing set. Happiness was all around as a group of lunch guests climbed out of a black extended minivan with Maryland plates.  The back van door was popped open by an energetic man with blond curly hair.  The wind’s hand swayed the soft curls across his head as he grabbed a box and closed the door shut.

“Looks like my Uncle Ray finally made it here.  He always brings the best Georgia pecans and hot cinnamon gelatin.  Have you had hot cinnamon gelatin with spiced apple rings?”  He licked his lips and shook his head.  “There’s nothing like it, Esther; nothing in the world.  I’ll have to make you some for lunch tomorrow.” He was trying to hint for a lunch date, finally getting the nerve up.  Had he been to forward?  He tried not to blush.  He turned his head out the window.  Had she seen him?

“Is he the one with the box of goodies?  I think he’s the jolliest man that I’ve ever seen.”  Esther asked as she squinted to see his face.  Even from a distance, his eyes sparkled, and his smile was continuous.  A set of twin girls jumped out of the van and hugged two of Trey’s sisters. Bonnets flew in the air, but they didn’t care; this was truly a homecoming for the little tots.   There was happiness all around that was except at her own house. Her mind turned to her ill nephew.  She wished that she could help him.  She wished that he would be well.

“Do you ever think you’ll get married, Trey?”  Esther asked, getting no response. 

The old truck’s engine raced as they pulled alongside the black van.  An unshaven gentleman, who was in blue jeans, a crisp white shirt, and rainbow-colored suspenders got out of the van.  His look changed the whole serene scene, for he looked like an outcast compared to the rest of the guests, and he looked lonely. 

Esther smiled. BINGO! He was like her, and she suddenly felt good to have someone like her at the dinner table.  “He looks a little sad,” She urged more information about the man who was walking up to the truck.

“Billy Joel Yoder.  His family is New Order Amish.”  Trey answered before he quickly tapped her shoulder.  “Just to let you know, I’m interested in you if you decide to be more liberal.”  He pointed to his chest and then added, “Consider me, please.” He’d done it: he’d told her that he liked her.  What would she say?  Nervousness pumped through his veins, for he certainly knew that she needed him; she always looked so lonely, but being an exceptionally strong woman, he didn’t know if she would give in to any chance of love.

“Really?”  His words surprised her, for she’d worked on his family’s farm for years and he hadn’t said anything to her. Talk about excitement adding in some fireworks.  WOW!

Esther watched as Billy Joel Yoder walked up to the van.  He nodded at her, and then he turned and shook hands with Trey.  His salt and pepper hair had particularly short, silk curls with a left parting.  His velvet eyes looked gentle, yet alone.  Loneliness could be felt as she smiled and waved at him. 

“I’m Esther.”  She waved again, watching Trey’s reaction out of the corner of her eyes.  Her eyes locked with Trey’s long enough to feel his disappointment in her interest in this young man. A tension rippled through the seat.  She blushed.  You’ve got to do something to get back on Trey’s good side!  You can’t afford to lose your job! 

Trey snapped, “This girl is one of my workers.  As you can tell, she’s somewhat like your community with the larger bonnet and straight-pinned cape dress.”

“Hello, Ma’am.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.  Our women dress like you, except they wear white aprons instead of black ones. He sounded sincere but guarded.

“I find that fascinating.  Trey’s mamm wears white aprons.  Who knows I may be Mennonite one day.”  She smiled and then eyed Trey.  He forced a grin.  She knew that he could tell that she’d just made the statement up to please him.  She wouldn’t offer the fact that her she had accepted his lunch date offer; she wanted to tell him after work was over.

Pictures of her Brother Ralph’s baby, Graham flashed before her eyes.  His unknown disease had taken an emotional and financial toll on Ralph and his wife Naomi, and they depended on her financial support.  She had to keep her job, even if it meant learning more about a Mennonite man that was interested in her. 

“Let’s go in and eat.  I’ve got a hearty appetite.  What about you?”  Trey said before jumping out of the driver’s side of the truck.  Dust flew up from the floorboard as Esther climbed out, coughed, and slammed the truck door shut. 

One of the twins gave an eager smile as one of the older girls patiently stood behind her adjusting her black bonnet.  Her twin sister threw a warm but shy grin before inquiring, “What’s your name?” Her forwardness caused her to blush. 

Esther studied her warm baby face and replied, “Esther.  What is your name?” A little of the child’s energy and sparkle flowed to Esther, making her want her own little ones.  She thought about Peachy’s perfect white picket fence.  Could Trey be the one?  Her chest fluttered.

“Abigail is my name, and my middle name is Renee.”  She pointed to her sister who was getting her bonnet adjusted again; the aim of the eye seemed to have been off as the child’s bonnet was leaned over the left part of her head.  “This is Emily, and she’s my twin sister.”

Esther scanned the group of girls and smiled.  “It’s nice to meet you all!”   Esther knew that the summer time was a time for play, with school out, lots of farm chores to do, and visits from out of state family.  In fact, most Amish and Mennonite children looked forward to summertime because the ground was warm to the bottom of their bare feet.  Amish school always started in October, allowing for a longer summer.

“Ben, what are you doing?  Trey walked over and stood next to Esther as they both watched four-year-old Ben sitting on the ground and crunching his baby teeth into a crisp dirt-covered cucumber.  “We are having cucumbers for lunch.” He laughed and shook his head.  ‘Can’t you wait?”  Ben loved cucumbers and munched on them out in the open corn fields. He always had a couple of small ones in his lunch pail.

Everyone giggled as Ben finished the cucumber, grinned, and then ran and grabbed a wooden tractor away from another child. 

“Ben you can share; there’s plenty to go around.”  Trey scolded before turning to Esther.  “You want to go help mother and the girls set the lunch table.  I’m going to show Billy Joel the new Rhode Island Reds that I just bought at an auction for pennies on the dollar.” He hated to leave her presence, but he also wanted her to warm up to his mother, get used to being part of the family.

“Sure, I’ll help.  I like Rhode Island Reds; that was a good choice!”  Esther’s head swung, and her stomach tilted.  What a day!  A possible male mate, who could provide chubby little children, the white picket fence…”  She had to stop; her head was spinning. Emotional overload, unexpected, in the middle of a work day. 

Esther made her way to the kitchen door in time to see his mother, Linda setting the table behind the oval glassed-in dining area.  Her silver hair glistened like fresh snow, and her warm, tender smile was inviting. 

Why hadn’t I noticed this before?   Esther was startled. She’d had lunch at Trey’s place on most weekdays for years, but she’d never made note of how genuine and relaxed his mother looked.  She hadn’t even noticed how plain but elegant the dining room glass window was, or that there were three Hummingbird feeders that hung from the small popular tree.  You could eat and watch the Hummingbirds feed.  She began to wonder how she’d passed up all of these special characteristics of Trey’s farm. 

“Come on in, Esther,” Linda chirped as she gladly swung the kitchen door open. A strong swift of salt-rising bread poured out the back door making Esther’s mouth water.

Esther made her way up the steps, her eyes glued to the eating Hummingbirds.  Each bird took his place around the feeder with no space left.  In a quick, routine-like manner, they jerked their beaks down and took the offerings of seeds.  “They’ve been eating every hour.  Paul and I were watching them when we had coffee and pie earlier,” Linda whispered as she got Esther’s attention. 

“I could watch them all day. We have lots of bird feeders, but our dining room doesn’t have wrap-around glass like your place.”  Esther walked in, took her bonnet off, and placed it on the bonnet rack.  She made her way through the tiny back kitchen wood-covered hallway to the dining room.  All of the birds were still eating.  “Linda isn’t it interesting that they aren’t trying to steal each other’s food.”

“Yes, and that is uncommon!  Usually, there is a tiny runt in each swaying group that gets bullied.  There’s something about that Hummingbird feeder that calms the birds.  You’ll have to get Billy Joe to make you one.  He’s one of our lunch guests today.  He’s a carpenter and handyman,” Linda smiled and handed Esther a pitcher of mint tea.  “Would you mind filling the lunch glasses for me?  I’ve got to get the salt-rising bread out of the oven.  There’s nothing better than a couple slices of thick, moist salt-rising bread.”

“I don’t mind at all.  Billy Joe seems likeable, but I’m interested in Trey,” Esther explained, trying to act as if she hadn’t seen Trey leaning in the large kitchen entrance.  Trey’s father, Paul could be seen in his brown recliner chair, in deep conversation with some of the guests.  “I think he has a real heart!”  Esther aimed the pitcher close to the tall strawberry-tinted glasses and poured the cold mint tea.  She slowly inhaled the relaxing aroma as she rounded the table, filling all the glasses to their rims. 

“Mint is extremely soothing.  It’s good in hot tea right before bedtime,” Esther explained as she dodged looking into the kitchen in fear that she might have startled Trey’s mother. Tiny white bread plates with edged red roses sit next to each larger plate of the same pattern.  The silverware donned craved seashells, and there was a tissue paper-wrapped piece of candy or cookie at each place setting. 

Interesting table setting. Esther was amazed that each end of the tissue paper was neatly tied with colored ribbons.  Someone had an eye for detail.  She wanted to ask who’d wrapped the little treats, but wanted to mind her manners, so she said nothing.

“Here’s the jam and butter for the table,” Linda handed Esther the strawberry rhubarb jam and softened stick of butter. 

Esther’s mouth watered.  For once, she was relaxed for a meal and had an appetite.  There had always been tension around the dinner table at Esther’s place.  Having knots in her stomach as her brothers talked about hopes for Graham’s cure made her only want light foods like salads and crackers.  Before then, she’d been a big meat and potatoes girl.  Now, the thought of a baked potato made her deathly nauseous. 

“Esther, I’d like to spend Sunday evening with you and have you over for dinner.  Would you accept my offer?”  Linda tilted her head and smiled. 

“I would love to come to dinner,” Esther answered as she looked at Trey, who was still leaning in the doorway with a grin.

Esther felt her face heat up for being put on the spot.  Just minutes ago, Trey hadn’t talked much to her, but he was suddenly sparking interest in her, even if it was a fake interest.  She grinned back at him and walked into the kitchen area.  The kitchen window blew a swift, steady breeze as she stood by it and closed her eyes.  From swaying kapp strings to her toes, the snap of coolness took her away into a relaxation that she hadn’t had in a while.

She wasn’t in her outdated, sparsely decorated farm house; she was in the relaxing, calm vibrations of the Mennonites, those which were laid back with no sickness in their family. 

Linda suddenly changed her mood, “How is Graham?  I talked to your brother Elijah, and he said that they are traveling to Florida for an alternative treatment.”

Esther didn’t want to speak.  She didn’t want to look at Linda in the eye.  She felt tears well up in her eyes.  She wanted to run away.  She would never date or marry her son Trey, for they were just the same: stressed and negative.  Her stomach started to group knots all around.

She wanted to be polite.  “They are supposed to call as soon as they have one day of therapy.”

Linda’s shook her head and sighed.  “That child’s been through so much.  We just need to let God led sometimes.  I pray for Trey’s sister Barbara every morning when I wake and every evening when I kneel.  She still hasn’t come back home.  We aren’t to know why God does some things, but all we can do is to be there for each other.”

Esther thought about her mother sitting in her room of quilts.

Alone. Rocking Graham in her weary arms and looking out the window toward God. 

Would God Graham heal?  What was God’s plan?  Were these trying times to see if they actually could stick together; if they truly were a family? 

“I’ve kind of tried to push it all out of my mind.  It’s a lot to deal with, and the pressure of paying for the treatments.  That’s why I got the second evening job at the Foodie Center, to send them money.”

Linda looked quiet as if she didn’t want to know her financial situation.  Was this a family that keeps finances secret?  What could she do to regain her composure? 

“Actually, I have enough money from my quilting and fried pies sales to purchase a farm, but I felt like she could use it more, so I am sending it to her.”

“How are you going to get your farm?”  Linda asked with worried eyes before handing her the plate of slick pork roast and creamed cinnamon apples.  She appeared to be concerned.

“I am a fast quilter.  I’ll have three down by the end of the month.  I am also selling fried pies donuts at the end of our lane before I come here on Saturday mornings.”

“Quite an entrepreneur we have here!”  Paul Peachy bobbed his head up and around his son’s tall statue to look at Esther.  “You’ll make a thriving business woman. You can’t out give the Lord.  I keep telling Linda that every night.”

Linda spun and drew a soft shy smile.  Tears were in her eyes, but she also had a mild apprehension about where the discussion had led.   Esther knew she’d breached in on a subject that Linda didn’t feel comfortable in discussing.

“Esther, could you go outside for a moment while talk to my family?”  Linda’s wet lips smacked, and her face got redder. 

Esther smiled and then said, “I sure will.  I’d like to see the new Rhode Islands.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me.  I sometime get so busy that I can’t communicate to my family; I just need to clear some things with Trey.”

“Okay.  Just come get me when lunch is served.  I’ll even help with dishes.”  Esther smiled before turning and walking through the back kitchen hallway.   

She opened the door and slowly stepped down the stairs.  The Hummingbirds had all flown off, and she wouldn’t blame them.  The tension in that the house could be felt on the outside and through the yard and garden.  Several half-eaten dirt-covered cucumbers lay next to the wooden play area.  They wouldn’t even let their son Ben finish his cucumbers.  These people are so odd.  I’m so glad to be Old Order Amish.

Esther didn’t want to be here anymore.  She didn’t want to be employed by anyone that wasn’t Old Order.  The unique Hummingbird feeder couldn’t be all that unique.  Her former boyfriend Solomon Yoder had a sharp eye for a good craving knife and wood; he could make one better.  The only reason she’d stop going fishing with him was because he’d left for Rumspringa and he hadn’t come back home.  She sighed and rotated her stiff shoulders to unlock the tension. 

Where was Solomon Yoder?  Why had he never returned home?  Tomorrow, there would be a visit to his father’s bulk food store.  A good chat with an old friend was exactly what she needed.