A Plain Man (19 page)

“Aunt Sarah,” cried Lydia Troyer, one of Adam's many nieces. “I couldn't wait for you to get here.” Lydia threw her arms around Sarah's waist and peered up through long, dark eyelashes. “Will you sit next to me at supper?”

“I can't think of a better companion.” Sarah patted the top of the child's
kapp.

“How about me?” Adam came up behind her, carrying fresh picked flowers in his hand.

Sarah grinned and grabbed the massive bouquet. “Does your
mamm
know you raided her garden?”

“
Jah,
she gave me the thumbs-up.” Adam leaned over Lydia's head for a quick kiss on Sarah's cheek.

“Would you please put these in a coffee can of cold water?” Sarah asked Lydia. “And make sure I don't forget to take them home.” As soon as the child sprinted away, Sarah wrapped an arm around Adam's waist. “I'm glad your
mamm
invited me. You saved me from a dull afternoon in the porch swing.”

“We don't spend anywhere near enough time together, not with your job and mine.”

“The days are starting to get longer. We should have plenty of chances to count stars and chase fireflies this summer.”

“Sarah, I've been meaning to—”

“Time to eat, Uncle Adam,” hollered Joshua. “Or we'll throw it to the hogs.” Adam's favorite nephew giggled all the way to the tables.

As Sarah took her seat on the women's side next to Lydia, Adam sat down directly across from her. Unfortunately, his busybody sister joined her left side. “Would you like some potato salad?” asked Amanda after their silent prayer.

“Jah, gut.”
Sarah accepted the bowl while Lydia scooped baked beans onto her plate.

“How about some chicken?” Mrs. Troyer appeared at her shoulder with the platter. Before Sarah could request a drumstick, her hostess plopped a breast and two wings onto the plate.

“Would you like some bean salad?” asked Lillian. Adam's sole shy sister-in-law appeared the moment Anna moved away.

“No,
danki
,” she said. “I have plenty to eat already.”

Lillian's smile faltered. “But I made this from Josie Yoder's recipe. Isn't she your best friend?” The bowl hovered before Sarah's nose.

“She is, indeed. I suppose I can fit a spoonful next to the baked beans.”

Lillian dished a mound that threatened to shift into her lap. “Let me know if it's as good as Josie's.”

As Sarah began eating, she noticed Adam biting the inside of his mouth more often than the chicken. She tried kicking him under the table but connected with the post instead. During supper, the topics of conversation moved from optimum lettuce varieties for hot weather to the likelihood of rain this evening to whether or not snakes had been aboard Noah's ark.

“Of course they were,” said Adam. “But not the poisonous ones, just the good kind that keep the mice in line.” Sarah expected one of the youngsters to ask how rattlers survived the flood, but no one did.

Instead Joshua, well-known for telling jokes, popped up with his latest. “Uncle Adam, why did the celery think the tomato was mad about something?”

“I haven't a clue.” Adam wiggled his thick eyebrows.

“Because he was stewing in his own juices.” Joshua broke into uproarious laughter.

“Let's wait until after supper for any more jokes, son,” said the boy's father. “Folks need a full belly to appreciate your brand of humor.”

When everyone finished eating, Sarah scrambled up to carry leftovers to the kitchen. With thirty people, there would be plenty of dishes to wash. But Anna Troyer stopped her at the back stairs. “No guest of mine helps with cleanup.” She pulled the bowl of coleslaw from Sarah's hands. “You run along. My son wants to take a walk with you.”

Sure enough, Adam waited near the barn, spinning his hat between his fingers. She knew she should have insisted on helping, but yearned for some time alone. When she reached his side, she took his hand. “Let's hurry before Joshua or Lydia or
someone
tries to follow us.” Sarah picked up her skirt and they loped down the path.

When finally out of view of the house, they slowed their pace. “I apologize for my family. They can be pushy at times.” His warm breath tickled her ear as he wrapped an arm around her.

“Your
mamm
and sisters sure want me to eat more. They mean well, or at least I hope they do. They're not fattening me up for fall butchering, are they?”

“Absolutely not. I have other plans for you.” His voice was barely audible.

An uneasy sensation ran up her spine. She didn't want him spoiling an otherwise perfect afternoon. Couldn't he enjoy her company without exerting pressure? For the next ten minutes they strolled arm in arm to the river. Cold water rushed over moss-covered rocks in a ravine where sunlight rarely penetrated. Just as she lowered herself to a boulder, Adam broke the serenity with his usual question.

“Is this how it will be forever, Sarah? We court until I'm an old man and you're an old woman?” His lips drew into a poignant smile.

Sarah's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't what she'd expected. It occurred to her that Adam probably
would
wait forever, despite whatever consequences ensued. “Nobody should give up on this old woman yet.” Grabbing his arm, she pulled him down to her rock. “Classes are starting in a few weeks and I will be there. You can count on it.”

9

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God

J
osie glanced over at the men's benches as though Caleb would suddenly appear in the Miller's sweltering living room. But no matter how many times she scanned the familiar faces, she didn't see the one she yearned for. Why hadn't he come to the preaching service? It had been two weeks since their trip to the movies in Wooster, and she'd seen very little of him since. Of course, anytime he came by the house, one of her sisters managed to turn up without something better to do than eavesdrop on their conversation.

Josie didn't know what to make of him. Was he really interested in her, or merely passing time until he figured out how to spend the rest of his life? Her parents hadn't been pleased when they'd stayed out so late. And they weren't happy that she was courting Caleb...if that was indeed what she was doing.

“Stop daydreaming,” Margaret Yoder whispered in her ear, along with a companionable nudge to the ribs.

She smiled at her mother and then gave full attention to the bishop's sermon. Sarah's father spoke of turning one's back on sin without passing judgment.
So hard to do
, she thought. Didn't people always want to condemn those who acted in ways they felt were wrong? How difficult a walk Bishop Beachy must have had during those years his son had been gone.

When the service concluded, Josie was trapped behind her formidable
mamm
and
grossmammi
for another ten minutes until their row emptied out. Why her family couldn't chat outdoors where it would
be cooler, she didn't know. Next Josie needed to assist her grandmother over to the chairs since she was staying for lunch with the Millers and other district members. Then
Mamm
sent her on errands back to the buggy to get their hamper. By the time she put the food in the house and searched for Sarah, her friend had already left. Sarah had said nothing about Caleb before the service and Josie hadn't thought to ask. Now she had plenty more questions than just why hadn't he come to church.

When her family arrived home that afternoon, Josie's anxiety began to ebb. After all, Caleb lived within walking distance—a long walk to be sure, but he was accessible. And the fact that his sister was her best friend provided an excuse to pay a social call. After packing a basket of cold pork chops, homemade applesauce, and chocolate chip cookies, Josie set out on the back path to the Beachy's. A gentle breeze lifted her
kapp
ribbons, along with her spirits. Caleb could be sick in bed with a rare, fatal disease while she was getting annoyed about lack of attention.

As she passed the old gristmill she heard the soothing sound of rushing water. She couldn't imagine grinding your own wheat, corn, barley, or oats each time you wanted hot cereal or to bake a loaf of bread. Life had become so much easier with the invention of the bulk foods store. Everything you possibly needed, plus the treats you loved, could be purchased in quantities from a cupful to a hundred pounds. When she reached Sarah's backyard, Josie swung her basket while humming a tune learned from a Mennonite friend.

Elizabeth sat rocking on the porch with Katie. The bishop appeared to be asleep in his chair while Sarah and Caleb were nowhere in sight. “Hello, Josie,” called Elizabeth. “Come to see Sarah, I imagine?”

“
Jah
, I missed her after preaching. We didn't get much chance to talk.” Josie lifted one foot to the bottom step.

“You're out of luck. She went to the Troyers for supper. 'Spose it'll be dark by the time Adam brings her home, but I'll mention that you stopped by.” Elizabeth smiled fondly while continuing to rock. “Care for something to drink?”

“No,
danki
.” Josie considered her options. “Say, is Caleb around? Could I have a word with him?”

“Don't see why not. He's down at the pond with a fishing line thrown in. Not that there are any fish left. I think they died off this winter when we had month-long subzero temperatures. Want me to send Katie to fetch him?”

The youngest Beachy turned up her face expectantly.

“No, no, stay where you are, Katie. I prefer to go myself to get more exercise.” Josie hurried away before somebody questioned her logic—she'd just walked two miles and must walk another two to get home.

Josie spotted Caleb as soon as she crested the hill. He sat underneath a swamp willow on a campstool with his nose buried in a book. She'd almost reached his side before he heard someone approach.

“Goodness, Josie! Are you trying to give a man a heart attack?” Caleb jumped to his feet, losing his hat and dropping the book in the process.

Josie marched to the shade and set her hamper in the grass. “You're too young for a heart attack, but I did fear something horrible had happened, or at the very least, you were gravely ill.” She pulled a tattered patchwork lap robe from the basket. After spreading it out, she plopped down in the middle.

He plucked his hat from the weeds and slapped it against his leg. “Why did you think I was sick?” His warm brown eyes locked on hers.

“Because you weren't at preaching, silly. I can't imagine why your
daed
didn't drag you by your ear. After all, he's the bishop.” She laughed despite the fact she wasn't joking. “I'm sure that's what my father would do.” Josie dug a jar of lemonade from the basket along with two plastic cups.

Caleb ignored his folding stool and crouched down beside her small quilt. “I'm rather surprised
Daed
said nothing when I decided not to go this morning. Those services are so long and the minister drones on about situations that don't apply. Those people have been dead a long time and faced trials and tribulations different from ours.”

She handed him a drink. “Maybe you need to look deeper into his message, keeping in mind our individual wills hold little importance. We are to surrender ourselves and walk the path Christ taught us to the best of our abilities.”

“Oh,
is that all?”
Caleb stretched out his legs.

“
Mamm
says it gets easier with practice and that yielding is hardest when you're young like us.”

Caleb sipped his drink and picked up his leather bound book. “I derive more good from reading by the pond than I do jammed in somebody's hot living room or outbuilding.” He splayed his fingers across the well-worn cover.

Josie noticed it was an English version of the
Holy Bible.
“The Good Book won't let you down. It has helped Christians for two thousand years. What have you learned today?”

“I like reading the Psalms—all things seem possible in that book. And I've read through the Gospels four times. Now I'm finishing the rest of the New Testament, and then I'll start at the beginning with Genesis.”

“I applaud your efforts. I listen to my father read
Deutsch
Scripture in the evenings. But most of the time I just pay attention during the sermons.” She lifted out the jar of applesauce, three wrapped pork chops, and some foam plates. “
Daed
says our goal is to live in submission to God, to the ministers and bishop, and to him and
Mamm
until I marry. So I don't need to study much by myself.” After spooning apples onto their plates, Josie began to nibble her pork chop.

“Each to their own, Miss Yoder.” Caleb settled back on one elbow to eat. “Thanks for bringing me lunch. It saved me a trip to the house until I'm ready. But I suspect you had a better reason to walk here than making sure I wasn't lying on my deathbed.”

She glanced nervously over her shoulder. “You talk so much like an
Englischer,
but you're right. I've been thinking since we went to Wooster together. In two weeks the membership classes start—the first preaching Sunday of June. I plan to go and so does Sarah. You still intend to take the classes, don't you? Because if you don't, it would be pointless for us to spend any more time together. I'll be ending
rumschpringe
before my baptism.” Desperate for a distraction, Josie picked up her plate and devoured the applesauce.

“Wow—that sounded like an ultimatum.” Caleb grabbed his throat with both hands as though being strangled. “But since you're
the prettiest girl in Fredericksburg, besides the best cook, I would be a fool not to join the class.” He chomped into his second pork chop.