Davey's Daughter (25 page)

They worked together in silence, the cows munching their silage, the milking machines chugging with a homey sound, just the way they always had.

Sarah fed the calves, her gloved hands getting wet as she laughed ruefully at the strength of the day-old calf’s jaws as the little animal bucked and fought, ravenously hungry, willing the calf starter to come faster.

Stars twinkled overhead, and a thin streak of dawn appeared in the east, the promise of a beautiful day.

She rubbed the stubby black head of the last calf, withdrew the plastic bottle from its greedy little mouth, leaving it standing bewildered, wondering why the milk was already gone.

She washed the milkers and scrubbed the gleaming sinks, finishing just as Dat entered, hanging up an extra lantern for her.

“So, you didn’t say why you weren’t able to sleep,” he said, leaning against the bulk tank, eyeing her quizzically from beneath his tattered chore hat.

Sarah lifted her hands from the hot water and wiped them on her bib apron before turning to face her father, shrugging her shoulders helplessly.

“Oh, just, you know, stuff.”

“Same here. Stuff.”

She caught the twinkle in her father’s eye, and they laughed softly together.

Dat said, “Matthew?”

Sarah nodded, shamefaced.

Dat thought of all the things he would like to tell her to keep her from having to learn the hard way. Oh, how he longed for her to see!

“Just remember to pray each day, Sarah. Read your Bible, for in those inspired words lie wisdom. Remember that God comes first, and then earthly joys
—
guys, you call them, romance, whatever.”

Did his face take on a reddish glow?

Sarah smiled genuinely at her father, encouraging him, knowing he was awkward when discussing matters of the heart.

“I’ll be alright, Dat. I really will. Matthew will return in about six weeks, and then I guess I’ll figure it out, don’t you think?”

Dat nodded, placed a hand on her shoulder. “I think you will.”

They walked together, splashed through the rivulets of icy water, the softness of the dawn caressing their faces, waiting for the first rays of the morning sun. They knew that each day is new, God’s mercies as fresh as the dawn, renewed all over again as if each day was the very first day of creation.

Whatever lay before both of them
—
decisions, crossroads, events, mountains that seemed immovable
—
they knew their faith would somehow sustain them.

Sarah bent swiftly, picked up a handful of snow, and squeezed it into a snowball of sorts. She drew her arm back, took aim, and fired a hefty shot at her father’s broad, denim overcoat.

The resounding splat brought a surprised yell from her father, followed by a grand swoop, and a pile of snow landing directly in her face.

Spluttering, laughing, Sarah bent for another solid handful but was stopped by the sound of a window opening. Levi appeared, clearly delighted by Davey’s antics, and he was yelling at the top of his lungs.

“
Grick an, Sare
(Get him, Sarah)!”

Dat cried, “Uncle! Uncle!” and Levi bounced up and down with genuine glee.

Laughing, they entered the
kesslehaus
, where the smell of frying mush greeted them, warm and crisp and cozy, the smell of home, tradition, and genuine happiness.

Ausre gmayna
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “other churches.”

Bann
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “excommunication” or “ban.” The Amish practice this when they believe someone in their community has violated the Amish understanding of faith and the practices that flow from it.

Bet zeit
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “bed time.”

Dat
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word used to address or refer to one’s father.

Dichly
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “head scarf.”

Die alte
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “forefathers.”

Doch veggley
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “carriage.”

Englishe leid
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “English people.”

Ess mocht sich
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “it will be alright.”

Fa-fearish
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “misleading.”

Fa-schput
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “mocking.”

Fer-sark
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “to take care of.”

Frade
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “joy.”

Ga-fuss
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “fuss.”

Ga-pick
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “picking,” as in picking on someone.

Ga-mach
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “to do.”

Gebet Buch
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “prayer book.”

Geduldich
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “patient.”

Gepp
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “give it.”

Gros-feelich
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “vain” or “proud.”

Ivver vile
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “soon.”

Kalte sup
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “cold soup.”

kesslehaus
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “wash house.”

Kindish
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “childish.”

Mam
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word used to address or refer to one’s mother.

Mitt leidas
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “sympathy.”

Mutsa
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “Sunday coat.”

Naits
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “thread.”

Nay
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “no.”

Ordnung
—
The Amish community’s agreed-upon rules for living based on their understanding of the Bible, particularly the New Testament. The
ordnung
varies from community to community, often reflecting leaders’ preferences, local customs, and traditional practices.

Rumspringa
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “running around.” It refers to the time in a person’s life between age sixteen and marriage. It involves structured social activities in groups, as well as dating, and usually takes place on the weekends.

Schadenfreude
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “pleasure at the misfortune of others.”

Schnitzas
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “fibs.”

Schtick
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “piece.”

Schtrofed
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “chastised.”

Sei
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “his.” In communities where many people have the same first and last names, it is customary for the husband’s name to be added to that of his wife so it is clear who is being referred to.

Siss net chide
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect phrase meaning “it’s not right.”

Tzimmalich
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “humble.”

Tzvie-drocht
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “dissension.”

Unbegreiflich
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “unbelievable.”

Unlieve
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “hatred.”

Vassa
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “water.”

Vissa tae
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “meadow tea.” It is made by pouring boiling water over fresh mint or spearmint leaves and then sweetened with sugar.

Yoh
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “yes.”

Zeit-lang
—
A Pennsylvania Dutch dialect word meaning “longing.”

Linda Byler was raised in an Amish family and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda loved to read and write. In fact, she still does.

Linda is the author of the
Sadie’s Montana
series, which includes these three novels:
Wild Horses, Keeping Secrets,
and
The Disappearances.
She has also written the
Lizzie Searches for Love
series, which includes these three novels:
Running Around (and Such), When Strawberries Bloom,
and
Big Decisions
. She is also the author of
The Little Amish Matchmaker, The Christmas Visitor,
as well as
Lizzie’s Amish Cookbook: Favorite recipes from three generations of Amish cooks!

Additionally, Linda is well-known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper.