CHAPTER
4

Gloria helped her mother with the washing the next morning, then began rummaging through the pantry with Mamm while the clothes hung on the line. Later, that afternoon, she asked to take the family buggy over to Maggie Speicher’s little store in Bartville, several miles away. “All right with you, Mamm?”

“Be mindful not to make this hard on Leona.” Her mother turned away, a tear in her eye as she announced she was going to start making supper.

“It’s hard enough on me.” Gloria followed her into the pantry. “Leona’s my best friend.”

Her mother’s movements were quick and jerky as she began reaching for various home-canned items. “I’m sorry, Gloria. I’m frustrated, too,” she admitted. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had to pull up stakes.”

A look of sadness passed between them.

“Mamm?” Gloria wished there was something she could do to help her feel better.

Her mother blew out a long breath. “Best you be goin’ to speak to your friend now, Gloria.”

“I’ll break it gently.” The words caught in her throat. There was no easy way to do what her father had urged at the noon meal.

Heavyhearted, she left her mother and went to the utility room for her lightweight black jacket. She had no clue how to ease Mamm’s obvious exasperation.

Outdoors, she reached down to pet Brownie, then hitched up the horse to the family carriage. Daed had been gone much of the morning to assist a nearby farmer with a big brush pile. They’d burned heaps of pruned branches and deadfall from various trees before he had gone over to Eden Valley to pay a visit to another farmer. He’d said nothing about why, though, and it made her nervous.

The smell of smoldering ash lingered in the air as Gloria climbed into the carriage and headed down the road, toward the narrow bridge, then west all the way to Farmdale Road.

Daed’s still workin’ with neighboring farmers, she thought, trying not to get her hopes up. Maybe he doesn’t want to send any signals. This worried Gloria all the more. What’s he got up his sleeve?

When she arrived at Maggie’s inviting shop, with its yellow exterior and bold black door and shutters, she stepped down from the buggy and tied the mare to the hitching post. Walking toward the entrance, she offered up a silent prayer, more for Leona than for herself, though she needed wisdom, and that for certain. How can I do this without falling apart?

Opening the door, Gloria heard the bell jingle. Leona turned from the nearest display table, where she was arranging cloth placemats and other table linens, her eyes widening. “Gloria! Oh, am I ever glad to see ya here. What a gut surprise!” Leona hurried to greet her as Maggie made a sale at the cash register. Maggie smiled and waved at Gloria but kept talking to the customer.

Leona offered to show Gloria their new shipment of soy candles. “Kumme, you must have a look-see. You might like one for your Mamma’s birthday next month.”

Gloria held her breath, aware how pleased Leona was at her dropping by. And to think everything’s on the verge of changing. . . .

Try as she might, Gloria could not push aside Preacher Miller’s—and then Deacon Ebersol’s—visits here lately, and the ever-present look of aggravation on Daed’s face. Or was it determination? And there was his insistence that she visit Leona today. “’Tis only right that you’re the one to break the news,” he’d said, nodding his head, his bushy beard bumping his shirt.

“You okay?” Leona tilted her head like she sometimes did, eyeing her.

“Show me the new candles,” Gloria said, trying to feign interest.

But Leona knew her too well. “Ach, Schweschder, you didn’t come for a friendly visit, did ya?” Her face turned pale. “Something’s the matter.” She patted her chest. “I feel it in here.”

“I . . .” Tears sprang to Gloria’s eyes.

Quickly, Leona led her to an alcove displaying knickknacks and homemade soaps, as well as sachets of potpourri. “When ya didn’t come to Singing last night, I was worried.”

“Truth be told, Leona . . . I couldn’t face the thought of goin’. Not when . . .” Gloria shook her head. If she let herself, she would crumple into a sorrowful heap on the floor. “Nee, I don’t know how to begin. . . .”

“What’s happened?” Leona nodded encouragingly, but her expression was all concern.

Not sure what else to say, Gloria decided to state it right out. “Daed’s been put off church by our new bishop.”

“What?” There was no mistaking the shock on Leona’s face. “How can this be?”

Sighing, Gloria said, “Bishop Mast is older and much stricter. And . . . don’t tell anyone, but he’s concerned for my father’s eternal destiny.”

“The bishop said that?”

Nodding, Gloria fished out a hankie from her long sleeve and dried her tears.

“Careful, you’ll wipe your freckles off.” Leona gave her a smile as she repeated what she’d often said since their school days.

“Oh, I’m gonna miss you somethin’ awful.” Gloria sniffed.

“Miss me?” Leona shook her head. “What do ya mean?”

Inhaling deeply, Gloria tried to calm herself. “Daed isn’t going to submit to the brethren. . . . I feel sure of it. We’re leavin’ town.”

“But . . .” Tears pooled in Leona’s eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“My father won’t repent.” Gloria lowered her voice. “He’s not gonna budge.”

Leona gasped. “Surely things can be worked out in time.”

“I’m prayin’, but—” Gloria sighed. “Doesn’t seem like Daed’s waiting around for answers.”

Reaching for her, Leona gave her a quick embrace. “I’ll ask Gott for understanding—wisdom, too. Maybe He can make something gut come out of this. We must believe that, jah?”

“Denki,” Gloria whispered. It was just too difficult . . . too painful to say much more. And while it made her feel guilty, in her heart of hearts, she had to question the reason behind Daed’s standoff: Did it really have anything to do with the more severe bishop? Or was there more to it?

“Is there anything ya can do?” Leona asked now. “Anything at all?”

Gloria studied Leona’s face, memorizing it. “There is something,” she admitted. “I could ask my parents if I might stay on here . . . if it does come to that.”

Big tears rolled down Leona’s cheeks. “Oh, if only you could stay.”

“Maybe someone will take me in, ’least till I’m wed.” With everything in her, she hoped for that, though she didn’t want to sound presumptuous. “I mean, think of it—we can’t just let our hopes and plans all come to nothing over a spat between Daed and the ministers, can we?”

Leona brightened. “S’pose I could talk to my parents ’bout—”

“Nee—we best wait an’ see.” Gloria did not want to complicate things by getting Pete and Millie Speicher caught in the middle, much as she liked the quiet couple. “I really don’t know what’ll happen,” she said, putting on a brave face.

“Well, we ain’t sayin’ good-bye today. And not ever!”

They clasped each other’s hands.

She doesn’t know my father, Gloria thought sorrowfully.

“If you do end up movin’ with your family, you must keep in touch,” Leona pleaded, eyelashes wet with tears. “Promise?”

“I’ll write every week.” Brokenhearted, Gloria turned to go, wondering if there was even the slightest chance her father might permit her to stay behind.

After returning home from work that afternoon, Leona went for a walk, pondering how quickly life could be overturned. She couldn’t imagine being without Gloria and her family next door.

Nearing home, she spotted Adam Gingerich heading this way in his courting buggy. Is he coming to say good-bye, too?

Adam waved and pulled over. “Ride with me, Leona.” His smile belied the tone in his voice.

She hurried across the road and got in. “Your sister stopped by the store,” she said, wondering what he might say to that.

Nodding thoughtfully, Adam reached for the driving lines. “I s’pose that means you already know why I want to see ya.” He sounded miserable.

Leona nodded. “I’m still hopin’ something will change and all will be well.” She had trouble getting the words out. Then, not wanting to mention Gloria’s hope of staying behind, she fell silent.

“I know it’s odd for us to be out together like this, since we’re not really dating,” Adam said. “Tellin’ the truth, I really don’t know how things will go with my father. He sure seems bent on packin’ up and leaving.” Adam turned and gave her a sad smile. “Mighty glad I caught ya.” He slowed the horse and turned onto Mount Pleasant Road, toward Jackson’s Sawmill Covered Bridge. “Leona, I know we’ve only been out one time, but I truly care for ya,” he said softly. “And I’d hate to lose you.”

He reached for her hand as they entered the bridge.

Before she realized what was happening, Adam leaned over and kissed her cheek. Leona’s heart pounded in her ears as he leaned near.

A car’s horn sounded behind them, and Adam took the reins again. Leona wanted to glance over at him but kept her eyes forward as the horse trotted forward into the sunlight.

They rode northeast to Ninepoints, and Leona wished they might just keep riding till nightfall. She could not bear to think of Adam leaving. Not now.