A Widow's Hope (39 page)

Seth and Hannah laughed, and Seth felt the tension finally drain from his spine. “You go up and sit on the porch swing for a couple of minutes,” he said. “Aunt Hannah might have something to say to me and might like a little privacy.”

His child bolted for the house. Seth watched her run, as did Hannah, and then he focused solely on the beautiful woman standing before him. “During breakfast this morning, all Phoebe talked about was ‘Aunt Hannah said this’ and ‘Aunt Hannah did that.’ Now that you got her started, I can’t stop her from talking…about you.”

Hannah’s lower lip start to quiver, but Seth continued, “When Julia told us you were leaving, Phoebe started crying and said we needed to stop you. I told her we would try. She loves you and I love you. I should’ve told you awhile ago and taken my chances.”

He inhaled a breath. “I can’t stop you from moving, but I am here with what I hope is a better offer.” He cleared his throat and gazed into eyes that seemed to become greener by the minute. “Hannah Brown, will you marry me?”

She placed her forefinger on her cheek as though to ponder the question. Luckily her decision didn’t take long. “
Jah,
I think I will,” she said, her face glowing. “In fact, I think I’d love to.”

Seth drew her into his arms and hugged her hard enough to bruise ribs.

Hannah didn’t seem to mind. “I love you, Seth Miller,” she said while buried against his shirt.

She turned up her face, and he kissed her with every ounce of passion he had. Even though he’d once loved a woman as much, he had never loved a woman more. He grew giddy with joy and began kissing the top of her head, her nose, and her lips. When he managed to knock her
kapp
askew, Phoebe came running from the porch at full speed.

“Is she staying,
daed?
” she yelled on the approach.

“She is,” he said, and swept his daughter off the ground.

“I am,” Hannah agreed, and wrapped her arms around them both.

“Then could we make more cards, Aunt Hannah? I already know all the ones I have,” Phoebe declared.

So like a child to reduce things to simple basics, but Seth’s heart swelled thinking they would finally become a family. He would have Hannah for his wife, and Phoebe would gain a new mother.

His years of loneliness were over as they stood in his yard wrapped in a three-way hug. Constance would be happy for them. And he was pretty sure Adam would be too. And God might one day bless their union with more
kinner.

As Hannah tightened her hold on his neck, he kissed her soft pink lips tenderly.

“Hey, that’s enough kissing,” Phoebe said with a giggle.

Seth stroked the back of his daughter’s head. “No, my dear girl, the kissing is just getting started.”

Digging around in her apron pocket, Hannah pulled out Mrs. Lee’s cell phone. “Do you remember what she said to do?” She studied the phone curiously. “I’d better tell her I plan to miss that train and they can get going to the ballgame.”

Seth pressed the green button twice. “When she answers just say you’re staying—that you’re never leaving. Oh, and when they get a chance could they bring back that heavy trunk and leave it here?”

“Oh, dear, my trunk.” She looked momentarily chagrined. “I’ve caused a big fuss, haven’t I? For Simon and Julia, the Lees, and you and Phoebe.”

Seth pulled her to his chest and cradled her head. “Not half the fuss if we’d had to go to Lancaster and drag you back.”

Phoebe clung not to his pant leg but to Hannah’s skirt. “Yeah, if we had to go that far, you’d really be in trouble…because we love you.”

The words of a child…simple, to the point, and so true.

S
imon had been given one simple task to do by his sister-in-law, and he was failing badly. He had been asked to stand by the loading ramp of the livestock trailer and shoo the sheep inside. The English truck driver remained inside the trailer, chewing a wad of gum and looking in need of a good night’s sleep. Hannah, Seth, and Emma worked roundup in the pasture, herding the flock toward the gate. Turnip was having more luck than the humans heading the sheep in the right direction. Seth had erected temporary fencing to form a chute to funnel the critters from the pasture gate to the truck. Matthew and Henry had positioned themselves outside the fence to prod them along.

In Simon’s opinion, the plan wasn’t working. Only three unhappy ewes stood inside the truck looking down on him. If he wasn’t vigilant, they would devise a way to escape, and he’d be left with none. Simon swept off his hat, ran a hand through his hair, and mopped his brow. Today was awfully warm and humid, even for August.

He gazed skyward for a moment and considered praying for help with the sheep. Instead he whispered words of praise and thanks to finally have made peace with Hannah. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” The words of Ephesians 4:2 soothed his soul.
His heart had ached when Hannah had left with the Lees. He felt guilty because he had failed her, his wife, and most of all, his God. Pride and stubbornness had soured him, and he was humbled by how easily he had veered off the path.

One fat ewe with her two lambs trailing behind trotted toward him and then marched up the ramp with a gentle prod. He reached down to pat the lamb’s head and was rewarded with a pleasant
baaa.
And Simon smelled nothing other than sweet, clean country air. These sheep had finally grown on him. He would miss not seeing them in the field when he lifted the bedroom shade at first light. Their early warning racket had earned them a permanent place in his heart.

Simon shaded his eyes to watch an amusing sight as Hannah and Seth sparred with a particularly determined ram. Hannah with her crook and Seth with a long-handled broom goaded the animal to the gate, but no amount of persuasion could get him into the chute. Despite their predicament, Hannah looked cheerful as she dodged left and right with her
kapp
strings flying.

She certainly had surprised them with her decision to stay. By the time he’d consoled his sobbing, brokenhearted wife and disappointed daughters, Seth’s buggy had ambled up his drive, bringing Hannah and her suitcases back home…and without the trunk. He didn’t ask where that had ended up. He was happy just to have her back.

A business partnership between his
bruder
and Julia’s sister…the more he thought about it, the better the idea sounded. They were two of a kind, as Julia had tried to tell him. Both were ambitious, single-minded, and resourceful, but they were also kind and gentle, and loved the Lord.

It was a good foundation to build a business on, although Simon had secretly hoped the flock would remain at his place instead of relocating to Seth’s. He had four children to help with chores—two of which loved sheep. Hannah would have to take the buggy or walk the swampy, insect-infested path to Seth’s to tend them. But Simon
had said nothing and asked no questions. For once he let Hannah work something out for herself.

“Pa, get ready!” Matthew called. “Here comes a whole bunch.”

Simon stopped daydreaming and saw fifteen or twenty sheep charging down the chute toward him. The stubborn ram led the stampede, many of his ewes following behind with their offspring. Simon readied his broom to keep them headed up the ramp. “Wake up, Mr. Taylor. We’ve got customers,” he called to the driver. The animals charged up the ramp where Mr. Taylor herded them into pens.

Soon Hannah, Seth, and Turnip rounded the last of the reluctant into the chute. Seth, with Hannah behind him, scouted on horseback to make sure no stragglers had wandered off. Turnip led the way.

Simon had a couple of minutes to pat some woolly heads and rub a few wet noses.

“Wha’cha doing,
daed?
” Henry asked. They boy looked more worried than curious.

“Just saying goodbye, that’s all.” He petted one ewe with grass stains around her mouth.

“I didn’t think you liked sheep,” Henry said, digging his fists deep into his pockets.

“Always remember, son, it’s not just a woman’s prerogative to change her mind. A man can too.”

Henry nodded and climbed onto the top fence rail. “I saw Uncle Seth kissing Aunt Hannah when they thought nobody was lookin’.”

“Is that right?” Simon murmured, and finally the mystery of why Hannah was still moving her sheep to Seth’s was solved. “Well, I imagine that’s their business and not ours. Why don’t you check to see if your
mamm
can use your help?”

The boy jumped down and sprinted toward the house as Simon spotted Seth and Hannah coming his way. They were holding hands while Seth’s horse trotted alongside them.

“Could
we have a word with you, Simon?” Seth asked. They dropped hands but both continued to smile.

“
Jah,
I suppose you’ve got something to tell me.” He gave his white beard a pull.

“I’ve asked the widow to marry me…well, at least to court me to see if she can tolerate my quirks for the rest of her life.” Seth settled his hat on the back of his head to block the sun’s glare.

Simon glanced from one to the other. “And what did my sister-in-law have to say about that proposal?” He couldn’t stop himself from grinning.

“She said she’d give courting a try, and if we’re still speaking to each other in December, maybe we can throw a double wedding with Thomas.”

Hannah was finger-combing tangles from the mare’s mane and appeared not to be paying much attention.

Seth added, ”I’m hoping to talk her into an October wedding, right after the wheat harvest and before we grind the field corn.”

Hannah stopped grooming the horse. “Do we have your blessing, Simon?” she asked, not looking him in the eye.

“You don’t need my blessing, Hannah, but you certainly have it,” he said. “I hope God blesses you both for the rest of your lives.”

Seth snaked an arm around Hannah’s waist. “He has blessed me already.”

The clanging of the farm bell broke the tender moment. “Ma says to come eat lunch or she’ll give it to the pigs,” Henry called.

The three laughed and started toward the house. Hannah said to Simon, “I’ll bet Julia didn’t really say it like that.”

Simon picked up their pace. “I wouldn’t be so sure. She’s been in a right fearsome mood this week, and now I know why.”

The cacophony from cicada, crickets, and tree frogs made conversation almost impossible on their walk after dinner a few days
later. Seth was holding Hannah’s hand as though he expected her to bolt at any minute.

“I’m not going to run off, Seth. You can lessen your grip a tad,” Hannah said.

Seth loosened his grip only slightly. “I’m not taking any chances. Not till I get you wed.” His blue eyes looked dark as the midnight sky in the fading light.

“It’s almost dark. Where are we heading?” she asked conversationally. As long as they were together and alone, she didn’t care if they stood around in the spidery pump house.

Since the announcement of their courtship, the children constantly peppered them with questions, especially Emma. That girl wanted to know everything from whose farm would host the wedding to what Hannah planned to wear and what happened when she became a “double” aunt. At least since their engagement, Julia no longer shook her head and clucked her tongue whenever Hannah was in earshot.

In fact Julia actually smiled at her several times. Her only verbal response on the subject had been: “I told you good things happen when a person shows a little trust. Sometimes you have to step back and allow God to work His miracles.”

For Hannah, having Seth and Phoebe become her family was a miracle indeed. Every time Hannah thought about it, her stomach turned fluttery and she got the urge to sing.

“We are heading to your favorite spot by the creek, and I’ve got my flashlight for the walk back,” he said. “Since you’re so distracted, Mrs. Brown, you probably couldn’t find the way on your own.” He released her hand and draped his arm loosely around her shoulders.

“
Jah,
that’s true. I’ve got a lot on my mind, Mr. Miller.”

“Hope you’re not getting cold feet.” His words were soft and gentle.