Planted with Hope (32 page)

“Really?” Hannah's face brightened. “I would love that.”

Jonas paused from his meal. “It's a good idea, Hope. When I walk you home later, maybe I could pick it up.”

When I walk you home.
The sentence was music to her ears.

Hope smiled. “It sounds like a wonderful plan.” Her stomach tumbled at his eyes on her from across the table, and she was thankful she hadn't served herself too much. She'd be lucky if she'd be able to finish the food on her plate with all the attention he gave her.

Less than a month ago she'd been counting down the days until she could leave Pinecraft and move north, but now? Now she wished time would slow. She wanted to spend as much time with Jonas as she could before he returned to Kentucky.

And Emma too.
She glanced over at the young girl, realizing how quiet she was being. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks
flushed pink. She looked from Hope to her dat, and the girl's desire was clear.
She wants this as much as I do…

Dusk fell, and Ruth Ann ushered Hope and Jonas outside, refusing to let Hope help with the dishes. Jonas lit a hurricane candle. Then he motioned for her to wait a moment, and he went into the house through the back door. The candle flickered, just like the stars overhead. Jonas returned a few minutes later with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. A smile touched his lips.

Hope cocked her head. “I thought Emma was going to bring the cookies out?”

“Ruth Ann said Emma didn't want to interrupt us. But… ” He lifted a piece of folded-up paper and handed it to her. “I think this is for you.”

Hope took the paper from his hand, unfolded it, and moved it closer to the light. “Dear Hope. Do you like oak meal cookies? Yes. No. Circle one. P.S. Come by tomorrow if the answer is yes.”

She chuckled. “So it seems I'm invited back.”

“So it seems.”

“I'll have to tell Emma that I love both oak meal and oatmeal cookies, especially if they have raisins.” She looked to the door. “Emma's pretty thoughtful. Not wanting to interrupt us like that.”

“She
is
thoughtful. She had to grow up too fast.”

“I'm sure that's true. I can understand… ” Hope started and then paused. “No, I take that back. Dat's only been sick—really sick—the last four years or so. When I was a child I… I had no idea how much his illness—his weak lungs—was taking a toll on him. He hid it well.”

“I think you can understand in part, Hope. I believe most of us see our parents as strong and indestructible. It's hard for anyone to see a parent in poor health.”

“What was she like—Sarah?” The question was out before Hope had a chance to censor herself.

Jonas sucked in a breath and looked away.

Hope reached over and touched the cuff of his shirt. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have… ”

“No, I'm glad you did. It's strange that, well, most people are afraid to say her name. People who knew her their whole life will carry on a conversation with me and not mention her once. It doesn't seem right.”

“Maybe they don't know what to say.”

“Maybe not, but I'd rather they say something—anything—than pretend that she didn't exist.” He took in a deep breath and then turned to her. “Sarah grew up on a farm just down the road from ours. The first time I saw her she was just starting school and she passed us as we walked. She was driving a pony cart and acted as if she owned the road.”

Jonas chuckled and Hope joined him. “I can imagine Emma doing that.”

Jonas's eyes widened and he looked at her. “You know what? I can too. I was worried about that, you know, Emma not getting the chance to know her mem's personality as she grew, but I think God took care of that. Emma is like Sarah in so many ways.”

“That's beautiful, that God gave her that.”

“So it doesn't bother you, my—our memories of Sarah.”

Hope paused before she answered, not because she didn't know her response, but because she was trying to put it into the right words.

“Not at all. In fact I'd be more worried if you didn't mention her. The look in your eyes when you talk about Sarah shows me that you're a man who can love deeply.” She pressed her lips together and added to herself,
Someone who could love me deeply too.

They talked more about their memories during their growing-up years, and Emma was already in bed when Jonas went inside for a flashlight to walk Hope home.

When he'd finally left with the wheelchair, Hope got ready for bed, but she had a hard time falling asleep. Her thoughts of the past continued, taking her back to their home in Walnut Creek. When they moved to Pinecraft they'd sold most of their things, including the large hutch in the dining room. It had been filled with china, most of which Mem had picked up at auctions. The hutch had glass doors, and the inside of the doors had been lined with obituary cards. Since the Amish didn't take photos, it was one way they remembered those they'd lost.

Sarah Sutter.
What had she been like as a wife? But as quickly as that thought entered her mind another was added to it:
Hope Sutter
. She liked the ring of that, but heat rose to her cheeks, and she was glad that Lovina was asleep not to hear her gasp. If she and Jonas fell in love, would that love ever match up to his first wife? Hope wished it would. Wished it more than anything. Wished it enough to put aside all her plans to see what God's plans for them together were.

 

Haystack Supper

1½ cups evaporated milk

2 cups finely shredded cheddar or American cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

⅛
tsp. paprika

Cracker crumbs

Cooked brown or white rice

Shredded lettuce

Onions, chopped

Tomatoes, chopped

Cauliflower, chopped

Green bell peppers, chopped

Corn chips

Taco-seasoned browned ground beef

Salsa

First, make cheese sauce. Heat evaporated milk in saucepan until very hot, but not boiling. Add cheese and stir until it begins melting. Remove from heat and continue stirring until sauce is smooth and creamy. Add spices to taste.

Layer remaining ingredients on plates or in a large bowl in order given. Top with cheese sauce.

Chapter Twenty-Five

You only live once, but if you work it right once is enough.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

H
ope had slept in, mostly because she was dreaming of a beautiful farm—maybe in Kentucky. She wasn't sure, but it slowed her pace, and she didn't arrive at the garden until nearly 7:30. Her breath caught when she rounded the corner and saw a surprise guest. Emma stood in the garden, pressing a small box to her chest. Her shoulders slumped forward and her head was lowered. She looked like a statue she stood so still.

Hope stepped forward. “Emma?”

Emma's head lifted, and she turned. She extended her hands out as if offering the box to Hope. “I—I brought this to show you. I—I wanted to share a secret.” Her words came out with a sob and Hope took the box from her hands. It was the size of a cigar box but it looked handmade of pine.

“Did you want me to open it?”

Emma nodded. “
Ja
… but something fell out. I don't know where it is.”

Hope lifted the top of the box. There was no hinge and the top slipped off easily. Inside was a collection of things—a bird's tiny
egg shell, a keychain from Shipshewana, a recipe for hummingbird cake, a small autograph book that she guessed was filled with signatures and poems from Emma's friends. There were also a few letters. She glanced at the return address. Both letters were from a girl named Emma—most likely pen pals. And in the corner of the box was a pretty marble and a piece of yarn tied at the ends so Emma could play cat's cradle.

“These are wonderful keepsakes. I had a box of treasures just like this when I was a little girl.”

Emma's hand covered her face, and her shoulders shook.

Hope bent down on one knee beside her. “What's missing, what did you lose?”

“Mem's card… It had her name on it. I got it when she… she… ”

Emma didn't continue, but Hope understood. A lump formed in her throat as she looked into the little girl's dark brown eyes. “Was it your mem's funeral card?”

Emma nodded. “
Ja
.”

“That was so special that you wanted to share it with me. I would love to see it.”

“But it's gone. I lost it. I dropped my box… ”

Hope stood. “Will you show me where? I can go with you. We can look together.”

Emma wiped her eyes and nodded. Hope put the lid on the box and tucked it under her arm. She then extended her hand and smiled as Emma put her small hand in Hope's larger one. They walked together back toward Ruth Ann's house. About halfway there Emma rushed forward. She pointed to a small hedge next to the road. Hope quickened her steps. They paused in front of the hedge.

“A bike was coming,” Emma said. “I went to move out of the way and my box spilled.”

On the ground a flash of something glimmered in the sunlight. Hope bent down. There was a marble on the ground, similar to the one in Emma's box. Hope looked around, but she didn't see anything else. She opened the lid and added the marble to the box, and just as she was about to tell Emma that she didn't see it, a card caught her attention. It had somehow gotten stuck in the hedge. Hope reached out and picked it out of the branches. It was off-white and the size of a small envelope. She turned it over.

In Loving Memory of Sarah A. Sutter

July 17, 1986 – January 10, 2013

Visitation Tuesday, January 13, 2013

to be held at the late home, 156 Lawson Lane, Guthrie, KY 42234

Funeral Wednesday, January 14, 2013

Northwest District Amish Church, Crofton, KY

Officiating Bishop Jonathan Kanagy

Burial to follow at Northwest Amish Church Cemetery,

Guthrie KY 42234

“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel.”

Colossians 1:5

Tears filled Hope's eyes as she read the card. There was a poem there, but Hope didn't take time to read it. Seeing the card, Emma's face brightened. She smiled and her nose wrinkled. She took the card from Hope. Hope opened the box, and Emma put it inside.

Hope blinked back her tears. “I'm so happy that you brought this to share with me, Emma. From now on we'd better keep it at your house. I don't want you to lose any of this. These things are special.”

“I just wanted to show you.” Emma's lower lip trembled. “Dat told
Aenti
Ruth Ann that you were special.”