Sweat poured off Lenore’s forehead and ran into her eyes as she tried to regain control of her horse.
“Let me help.” In a surprisingly calm voice, Grandma reached over and grabbed hold of the section of reins above Lenore’s hands. “We can do this. With God’s help we can.”
They both pulled and shouted, “Whoa!” until Lenore thought the reins might break. Then, a few feet from the intersection, Dolly came to a stop.
“Thank You, Lord. Thank You for watching out for us.” Grandma let go of the reins.
Lenore breathed a sigh of relief. Was it Grandma’s faith that had made the horse stop running, or her extra pair of hands trying to hold Dolly back? For the moment, it didn’t matter. All Lenore cared about was that they were safe. So many accidents had occurred in their area within the past few months—most of them involving horses and buggies.
“If only drivers would be more courteous. That fellow on the motorcycle didn’t care the least little bit about frightening our horse,” she muttered.
Grandma reached over and patted Lenore’s arm. “It’s okay. God was watching over us. We’re both fine, and so is your horse.”
By the time she guided Dolly up her grandparents’ driveway, the peacefulness Lenore had felt during church and afterward had disappeared. Even though she and Grandma were okay, she still shivered at the thought of what could have happened if Dolly hadn’t stopped.
As they approached the house, Grandma squealed. “Well, forevermore. Would you look at that?”
Lenore looked in the direction her grandmother pointed. What a surprise to see Grandpa sitting in his wheelchair on the front porch, with one of the barn cats in his lap.
“Looks like Grandpa’s enjoying a little time in the sun.” Lenore looked at Grandma and smiled.
“And with a fluffy gray katz in his lap, no less.” Grandma snickered. “Never thought I’d see the day. As you well know, your grossdaadi is a dog lover and doesn’t have much use for any katz.”
Lenore nodded. “I’m surprised Sadie hasn’t discovered the cat and chased it away.”
“She must have found something else to keep her occupied.” Grandma climbed down from the buggy. “I’ll secure your gaul to the rail. Then I’m going to join my husband on the porch. After you’ve put Dolly away, we can all sit outside and enjoy lemonade and cookies.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure my folks will want to join us.” Lenore glanced at Grandpa sitting by himself and wondered why neither Mom nor Dad was with him. Surely he hadn’t wheeled himself out the door. Well, Grandma was with him now, so he would be okay.
Lenore unhitched Dolly and led her to the barn. Once she got the mare inside her stall, she brushed her down and made sure she had food and water.
“See you later, girl.” She patted the horse’s flank and stepped out of the stall. If it weren’t for wanting to spend some time with her family, Lenore would have taken the old jar down and read a few more notes. But she could do that another day when she had some free time.
By the time Lenore joined Grandma and Grandpa on the porch, her parents were there as well. Mom held a tray of brownies and some chocolate chip cookies. Dad had a pitcher of lemonade in his hands. Lenore figured the reason they hadn’t been on the porch earlier was because they’d gone into the house to get the snacks. Most likely they figured Grandpa would be okay for the few minutes they’d be gone.
Dad smiled and set the cold drink on the small serving table when Lenore stepped onto the porch. “How was church?”
“It was gut.” She gave him a hug, then did the same with her mom. “How have things been going here?”
“Very well.” Mom gestured to the Bible lying on the table. “Since it’s such a beautiful day, we all came out here to do our devotions.”
Grandma stood with one hand on Grandpa’s shoulder. “Would you like a brownie, Willis?”
He nodded.
Grandma scooped one off the plate and put it in his right hand. “When you finish that, I’ll give you a cold drink.”
“Okay.”
They all found seats and everyone ate Mom’s delicious brownies, as well as some of the cookies Lenore and Grandma had baked two days ago. Lenore had mixed up a batch of brownies many times using the same recipe as Mom’s, but they never tasted quite as good.
About that time, Sadie showed up and the cat made a quick exit, jumping off Grandpa’s lap and bounding across the yard.
Woof! Woof! Sadie put her paw on Grandpa’s knee. “You are loved.” Grandpa gave a crooked smile and patted the dog’s head.
Lenore looked at Grandma and noticed tears in her eyes as she patted Grandpa’s shoulder. It was a joy to see the love Grandma had for her husband.
Lenore blinked against the sudden dampness in her own eyes. If I ever get married, that’s the kind of love I want to have for my husband.
Jesse meandered around the living room in the small two-bedroom house he’d rented from his wife’s uncle. Cindy was asleep in the room where he’d set up her crib, and Jesse needed something to occupy his time that didn’t involve work.
I wonder if Herschel ever lived in this home. Did he buy the place with the intent of renting it out?
Jesse flopped down on the well-worn leather couch that stuck to his skin. He glanced around at the few pieces of furniture and shook his head. In addition to the couch, seating included two straight-backed chairs and an old rocker that had seen better days. The wooden floor had scuff marks in several places, and the brick front of the fireplace was stained with soot. The only source of light was a gas lamp that hung overhead. But Jesse couldn’t complain. He and Cindy had a roof over their heads, and the rent was cheap. This house would have to do until he could afford to buy a place of his own.
Arms pulled back and hands against the base of his head, Jesse mulled things over. He needed to find someone else to take care of Cindy while he was at work. He couldn’t keep hiring a driver every day to take him to Gordonville five days a week so Herschel’s mother could watch Cindy. Vera Fisher was getting up in years and lacked the energy needed to care for a baby.
“Should have asked around when I was at church yesterday,” Jesse mumbled. “Maybe one of the young women there would be willing to watch Cindy for me.”
Jesse had visited with several people during the course of the day and was pleased with the warm reception he’d received after the service. Many of the older women, like Mary Ruth Lapp, had been especially attentive to his baby girl. And why wouldn’t they be? Cindy is as pretty as a rose, and sweeter than a bowl full of sugar. She takes after her precious mamm.
Jesse blinked a couple of times. His eyelids felt gummy and hot. He could not allow himself to give in to grief or self-pity. He’d done enough of that since Esther died, and it was time to move on.
Move on to what, though? he wondered. Cindy needs a mother, but it’s too soon for me to think about looking for a suitable wife. Even if I were to get married again, it would only be for Cindy’s sake. I could never love another woman the way I loved Esther.
He bent forward, still clasping both hands around the back of his head. It wasn’t fair to his daughter to be raised without a mother, but then, nothing in life was fair.
Jesse raised his head and picked up the Bible lying on an end table next to the couch. With a shaky hand, he held the book against his chest. Lord, help me to be a good father to my sweet baby girl. And if I am meant to get married again, then please show me that too.
Lancaster
Sara took a seat next to Brad on the living-room couch in the cozy three-bedroom parsonage their church provided for the ministerial family. “After church today, I heard a lot of positive comments about your sermon on prayer.” She clasped Brad’s hand and gave his fingers a tender squeeze. “I can tell the congregation is pleased that they hired you as their pastor.”
“I hope so, but they’re equally glad you’re here.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “And I, my sweet wife, wouldn’t know what to do without you. Besides the fact that I love you very much, you’re an amazing asset to my ministry. In the short time we’ve been at the church, you’ve started teaching one of the kids’ Sunday school classes—not to mention keeping the table in the entrance foyer well supplied with beautiful bouquets from your shop.”
“I am more than happy to do both.” Sara thought back to the way things were when she and Brad first started dating. She’d pretended to be a Christian so he wouldn’t stop seeing her, but the ruse had backfired in her face when he’d found out the truth. Then after her stepfather died, she’d found the Lord, and everything in her life changed for the better. Marrying Brad was the best decision Sara had ever made—that and going to meet her grandparents for the first time after Mama died.
Sara was thankful Brad didn’t object to her keeping the flower shop in Strasburg. It was a short commute for her five days a week. Sara enjoyed her work, and sometimes being able to minister to those who came into the shop was an added bonus.
Brad yawned, cupping a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, hon. Guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
“It’s fine. Why don’t you take a nap while I drive over to see my grandparents?”
“No, that’s okay. It’s been a while, and I’d like to go with you to see how Willis is doing—Mary Ruth too.” He rose from the couch. “Caring for Willis and helping him deal with his stroke has been hard on her.”
“You’re right, and my dear, sweet grandma needs all the support she can get.” Sara got up and started for the kitchen. “Think I’ll take some of Grandpa’s favorite cookies with us.”
“I thought all cookies were his favorites.” Brad chuckled. “Willis Lapp is a man with a definite sweet tooth.”
Sara smiled. She couldn’t deny it. During the months she’d lived with her grandparents, she’d witnessed Grandpa enjoying his wife’s homemade goodies many times. Of course, Sara thought as she entered the kitchen, I ate my fair share of Grandma’s delicious desserts too. She grabbed a plastic container and filled it with peanut butter cookies. I’m thankful Brad’s first church is close enough that we can visit Grandma and Grandpa as often as possible.
Strasburg
“Look who’s here, Willis.” Grandma pointed as Brad’s van pulled into the yard.
Lenore smiled. It did her heart good to see Grandpa’s face light up when Sara and Brad climbed out and walked toward the house.
He looked at Grandma and gave her arm a nudge with his good hand. “Rhoda’s dochder.”
“Jah, Willis.” She bobbed her head. “Rhoda’s daughter, Sara, has come to see us, and her husband came along too.”
Poor Grandpa, Lenore thought. Since the stroke, his memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, and Grandma sometimes has to remind him of things and give detailed explanations.
When Sara stepped onto the porch, she gave Grandma a hug, then leaned down and kissed Grandpa’s cheek. “It’s good to see you, Grandpa. How are you feeling today?”
“I be better if not in wheelchair.”
Although Grandpa’s words weren’t spoken with clarity, Lenore understood what he’d said. Apparently Sara did too, for she knelt down in front of Grandpa’s chair and took hold of his paralyzed hand. “Just keep doing what the physical therapist says, and in time you’ll get better.”
Tears welled in Grandpa’s eyes as he slowly nodded.
“Lots of prayers are being said on your behalf.” Brad shook Grandpa’s right hand. “Whatever you do, don’t give up. Just keep trying.”
“That’s what we all keep telling him,” Lenore’s dad spoke up. “Many people with partial paralysis get better after a stroke.”
And some don’t. Lenore kept her negative thoughts to herself. She would never deliberately dampen Grandpa’s spirits or take away his hope of getting better. I need to keep praying for his healing, she reminded herself. If it’s God’s will, and Grandpa keeps a positive attitude, maybe he will get out of that wheelchair and walk again.