Never Far From Home (The Miller Family 2) (43 page)

For Emma, pledging her love and fidelity to James, promising to marry him in two years, was the easy part. Telling her parents she planned to leave her Old Order district in a year before her baptism was another matter altogether.

Emma thought long and hard, and she prayed nightly for weeks before she was ready to broach the subject. Chicks flying too far from the nest were nothing but heartbreak to Amish parents. She also thought it best to tell her folks separately.

On a chilly but sunny October morning she found the opportunity.
Mamm
sat alone in the kitchen, sipping coffee and reading the
Daily Journal
. Leah, usually a fixture in the kitchen these days, was nowhere to be seen.

“Guder mariye,”
Emma greeted and limped to the coffee pot. The aroma drew her like a bee to nectar.

“Good morning to you, daughter,” Julia said. “And where is the walker?”

“I left it in the hallway. My legs are getting stronger, so unless I’m going quite a distance, I don’t plan to use it.”

“That’s good to hear. What a blessing.” Julia sipped her coffee while studying her eldest child.

Emma slipped into a chair with her mug. “
Mamm
, are you going to the quilting bee this week to sort squares for the ladies?”

Julia laughed, a welcome sound since her recovery from knee surgery. “I do more gabbing and nibbling snacks than helping with the quilt, but I’m going. Why do you ask?”

“I’d like to come too. There’s nothing wrong with my hands. I can help with the quilt. I hear it’s for Sarah Hostetler.”

Julia grinned with delight. “I’m glad you’re getting out of the house. Does this mean you’ll start back with Sunday singings?” Hope resonated in her question.

Emma patted her mother’s hand. “No. No singings for me, but I’ll attend any work bees or the like. If I go to singings…people might think I’m ready to start courting. And I have no wish to give that impression.”

Julia’s smile faded. “So you’ve decided on James Davis then? You want to become part of the English world?” She couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“No,
mamm
. I do love James and hope to wed him in a couple of years, but I’m not leaving my Plain faith. James is becoming Amish.”

Julia couldn’t have looked more surprised if Emma had said they were relocating to Pluto after the wedding. “That is almost never done,” she said.

“
Jah
, that’s what I told him, but we will join a New Order district. That way he can continue to farm with tractors and electricity.”

Julia nodded sagely. “I see, but it will still be a very big change—his clothing, giving up his truck, maintaining a lifestyle where God is the main focus. Giving up worldly pursuits.”

“He is a devout Christian already. Living a Plain lifestyle will make it easier for him in some ways.”

Julia furrowed her brow. “Does he realize that the preaching services will be in German, same as ours?”

Emma laughed. “
Jah
. He’s been going to services already with Sam Yoder. And he’s studying German along with his agriculture courses.”

“
Ach
, Emma. You’re not considering the cultural differences. It goes deeper than German preaching or a horse and buggy.
Englischers
have been raised to believe they should be unique, that they should stand out in some way. The Amish find comfort in conformity and blending into a community. Individuality has no purpose on the path to salvation. Are you sure you’ve both thought this through?”

Emma reached for her mother’s hand. “I have. We will not marry until we’ve both lived as members of New Order for one full year. He must find a way to live Amish at his parents’ farm. He must make the change long before the wedding.”

Julia looked at her differently somehow, as though no longer seeing Emma as a little girl.

“I don’t want him to have any regrets,” said Emma softy. “He must be very sure about this.”

“That is wise, daughter.” Julia nodded and appeared to mull over the avalanche of news thrust upon her.

Emma knew her mother wouldn’t give her blessing until Simon did. Amish wives never wished to be at odds with their husbands in matters involving
kinner
. “I think I’ll go find
daed
and tell him,” Emma said. “I might as well get this over with before I lose my courage. I’m afraid he won’t be as willing to hear me out as you have been.”

“Since your accident you have shown the courage of three women,” Julia said. “Why don’t you let me break the news to your father? I know how he can fly off the handle before listening to the particulars.” Julia furrowed her forehead with wrinkles. “He will be more patient with me. You go sit on your bench under the willow. I’ll send him over to talk once he’s over the initial shock.”

Emma hugged Julia tightly. “
Danki, mamm
. You are the best
mamm
in the world.”

“Hush now, before you make me prideful with that kind of talk.”

At that moment Leah breezed into the kitchen with a full bucket of late pears. “Who’s in the mood for poached pears for dessert?” she asked. “Poaching will soften up these dried leftovers nicely.” She placed the bucket in the sink and then turned toward the other women.

“I am,” Julia and Emma answered together.

Emma struggled clumsily to her feet. “I’ll be back later to help you, sister,” she said. After a final glance at her mother, she limped from the warm kitchen to await her fate under the willow tree.

She concentrated on where she placed each foot along the path so she didn’t stumble with her newly regained mobility. Emma hadn’t noticed which way Julia had headed when they left the house. Once she lowered herself to the bench, the next five minutes were spent perspiring and trying to recover her breath. It would be a while before she got back the energy and stamina she’d had before her accident.

But she didn’t have long to wait for her father. By the time her legs stopped aching and her heart rate returned to normal, Simon was heading her way. He crossed the lawn from the milking parlor with a posture stooped from back pain. But Emma noticed he walked faster than his usual slow shuffle…and he was smiling.

Emma also saw that his eyes were moist and glassy, as though on the verge of tears. How she yearned to run to him, but with her weak legs on uneven ground she didn’t dare. Rising to her feet, she stretched both arms out to him. “Did she tell you?” Emma asked, with a voice sounding pitiably young for a recently engaged woman.

Simon took her hand and drew her into a hug. His chore coat smelled faintly of alfalfa hay. He settled one arm around her shoulders while he supported her back with the other. “She did, daughter. She also said you were afraid to tell me your decision.”

Emma, though close to his height, laid her head on his shoulder the way she’d done years ago as a child. “I didn’t want to upset you, not after what you’ve been through already.”

He stroked the back of her head, knocking her
kapp
askew. “Emma, Emma, I’m so blessed to have my girl back safe and sound. It would take much more than you turning New Order to upset me these days. More than anything, I want you to live a long, healthy, God-fearing life. And if that means you must change to a different order, then so be it.”

“You’re not unhappy that I plan to marry James in two years?” She held her breath while waiting for his answer.

Simon glanced at the sheep grazing in the far pasture before replying. The animals happily chewed grass without a thought about their remaining days on earth. “God will guide your decision as to whom you marry when the time comes. Keep your heart always open to Him. If it be His will, then I’ll not stand in your way, though the adjustments will be difficult for both of you.” Simon turned Emma’s face so he might peer into her eyes. “Right now, the only thing that could upset your
mamm
and me would be if you moved far away and we’d seldom get to see you.”

Emma hugged her father tightly. Tears ran down her cheeks unchecked. “Don’t worry,
daed
. I couldn’t live apart from my family. No matter what happens during the next two years or whether or not I marry James, I’ll never be far from home.”

Autumn

E
mma walked very slowly and began panting like a dog, but eventually she reached the fence of her sheep pasture. From there she could oversee Henry as he filled the water stanchions and delivered enriched grain to the troughs. She couldn’t wait until she was able to resume her chores. Henry looked forward to that day too. Although he worked without grumbling, he cheered each one of her victories louder than anyone else. The road to recovery was difficult, but Emma pushed through the pain. She had a bright future ahead of her with James.

Gingerly, she stepped up onto the lowest fence rail and transferred her weight to the better of her two legs. Wincing with pain, she dragged her stiff leg up to the rail. From this vantage point, she could gaze over her late-season nursing lambs, her ewes in need of shearing, and the horned ram who strutted around as though he owned the place.

“What are you doing up there? Get down before you fall and break something!” a voice squawked from behind her. Leah-the-mother-hen grabbed her tightly around the waist and didn’t let go until both Emma’s feet were on the ground.

“Why do you coddle me worse than
mamm?
” Emma huffed, grasping the rail.

Leah ignored this and asked her own question. “Where have you been? I’ve been searching everywhere for you.” A tiny hitch in her voice revealed her emotional state.

Then Emma noticed Leah’s cheeks were streaked with tears. “I’ve been right here. What’s wrong, sister? Have you been crying?” She braced a hand on Leah’s shoulder.

“It’s
daed
,” she moaned. “He said I’m too young to go to town alone and he’s too busy to take me. And Henry’s got chores,
mamm
has a headache, and Matthew is working at the horse farm.” Another tear slipped from beneath her dark lashes. “I’ll be fourteen next week; I’m finished with my schooling, and yet
mamm
still treats me like a
boppli
!” Indignation was rapidly replacing sorrow.

“You’ll always be her baby,” said Emma, tugging one of Leah’s
kapp
strings.

“Henry is the baby. Besides, I have business in Winesburg.” One hand perched on a bony hip.

“What kind of business do you have?” Emma laughed merrily until Leah’s frown turned ominous.

“My pie-baking business. The cook who works at the auction barn cafeteria sampled one of my pies at a quilting bee. She said it was the best rhubarb she’d ever tasted.” Pride glowed in Leah’s young face. “She hired me to make the unusual pies, to see if any could become regular features on the menu. The cook will continue to bake apple, cherry, peach, and coconut cream.”

Emma grinned with delight. “That’s
wunderbaar
! What oddball pies does she want you to bake?”

Leah lifted one dark eyebrow. “
Danki
, Emma, but I prefer the word ‘unusual’ instead of oddball.” She paused briefly to make sure her meaning was clear. “She wants rhubarb, sweet potato, and walnut pie.”

“I’ve never heard of walnut pie.”

“It’s similar to pecan, but with a substitution of walnuts since no pecan trees grow here.”

“Oh, that makes sense. How exciting this must be for you. What can I do to help?” she asked.

Emma regretted the hasty offer the moment the words left her mouth, knowing the answer already.

“Thank goodness. I was hoping you would offer. I need you to ride with me to Winesburg.
Daed
won’t let me go unless somebody comes along.”

Emma opened her mouth to argue, but Leah forestalled complaints with an upraised palm. “Don’t worry, sister. I’ll hold the reins, and I’m very good at keeping the buggy on the shoulder of the road.”

Emma shuddered. She’d gone few places since the accident other than her doctor’s office and a few preaching services. But considering how Leah had been doing all her chores plus waiting on her like a princess, how could she say no? “All right. I’ll ask Henry to hitch up the buggy while you pack up your pies and tell
mamm
.”

Leah hugged her so hard Emma’s ribs hurt. “I’m so grateful. I know it’s hard for you and I appreciate this.” The girl ran toward the house like a schoolgirl instead of a businesswoman.

Emma watched her go, wondering if she would ever be able to run again.
No matter. At least I can walk.
“Get my purse from my room,” she hollered. “I might as well pick up a few things while we’re there.”

Leah waved while Emma motioned over Henry to tell him about yet another chore and then started her painstaking meander toward the barn. She would get through a simple trip to town…but she uttered a silent prayer just the same.

As it turned out, Emma was glad she made the trip. Leah handled herself quite professionally when she delivered her pies to the cafeteria manager. If the pies tasted as good as they looked, Leah would have something to keep her busy this winter. The manager promised to send a note reporting on the popularity, or lack thereof, of each recipe.