Planted with Hope (39 page)

“In life there are times when we don't think there will ever be an end to our weeping, but that's not what we need to look at, Hope. Instead, because of our relationship with God, we'll have no end of joy. Joy wins in the end, and that's where I place my hope.”

Hope looked into Jonas's face. A hint of tears touched the
corners of his eyes. She'd been worried about having this conversation with him. She'd expected it to be hard to listen to his love for Sarah. Instead, it showed her something else. He was a man capable of loving deeply. He was a man who cared about his family. He was also someone who turned to God during difficult times. Those were all things to be respected.

“Do you want to walk with me?” He stood. “I told Ruth Ann and Emma I'd meet them at the park for a picnic dinner.”

“
Ja
, of course.” She stood and followed him, and as they walked she realized there weren't very many people out. So many of the Amish had returned to their farms up north to prepare for spring.

As they walked, Hope stared up at the tall Royal Palms. Every time she saw the palm trees it reminded her she was far from home. To her it felt like she'd been on a very long vacation. But walking side by side with Jonas made her feel as if she was exactly where she should be. There was something familiar about him. Maybe
he
was the home she was looking for.

But with each passing day the clock ticked down. The school year would be over in just a few weeks' time. Should she move to Kentucky with the hopes there could be something more to come? She wanted to say yes, but something held her in check.

Why couldn't she just allow herself to love like Lovina? What was keeping her from the hope that her future was with Jonas, wherever that might be?

Chapter Thirty-One

Sometimes the simplest things are the very best.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

J
onas held Hope's hand as they walked to the park, and with each step he sent up a prayer. He prayed God would take away all her fears. He prayed she would be willing to move to Kentucky. Reluctantly, he also prayed that if Hope wasn't God's will for him and Emma, that God would make that clear too.

They found Ruth Ann and Emma at the park, relaxing on a quilt with a picnic basket set between them. Every few seconds Emma's hand reached in for a grape, and Ruth Ann pretended not to notice. The oldest of the siblings, Ruth Ann was usually more firm and strict, but as they'd been in Pinecraft God had used Emma to soften his sister's heart—just in time for the twins to arrive, Jonas guessed.

Hope released his hand as they approached, and disappointment flooded his heart. But Jonas didn't have time to think about that now. His daughter's face brightened as she saw them.

“Dat, Hope! Come eat with us,” Emma insisted.

Hope was easy to persuade, and together they enjoyed the sandwiches, potato salad, and homemade lemonade.

“Do you know what sounds good now?” Hope sat straighter. “Pie, my treat! I know Lovina is trying a new recipe today. We should go try it out.”

“Oh, but I wanted to play with Sadie and Natalie.” Emma pointed to the grassy areas where two little girls played with a jump rope. “Their mem said she'd watch me if I wanted to stay.”

Jonas turned to Ruth Ann.

Ruth Ann nodded. “
Ja
, Mary Miller did offer to let Emma stay after the picnic. She said she'd walk her home later.”

Jonas stood and patted his belly. “It's settled then. Emma stay and burn off calories, and we'll go add more on.”

Hope chuckled, wiping grass from the hem of her dress. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

The three of them made their way to Me, Myself, and Pie, and Hope moved to the door. “Jonas, I'll get the pie and bring it around the back. Why don't you show Ruth Ann the garden? I think she'll be surprised by how well everything is doing.”

Ruth Ann smiled. “Not surprised, Hope, but I'm sure I'll be pleased. I never doubted you.”

They walked toward the back of the pie shop, and as they neared the garden Jonas paused. “I need you to know, Ruth Ann, that when Emma and I return to Kentucky I'm hoping Hope will come too. Judith offered for her to stay there. I want her to see the farm, and for us to spend time together. Then, around November, we could have a wedding—either there or here.”

Ruth Ann's mouth dropped open. “This November? I do like Hope, I do, but don't you think this is fast?” Her voice rose, and Jonas turned to make sure his sister's comment wasn't overheard.

On the street, two women rode by slowly on three-wheeled bicycles. An older couple strolled by with a picnic basket, most likely headed to the park. Jonah had always pictured himself and
Sarah like that, spending their golden years together. Now, in the recent weeks, a new face had replaced Sarah's in his mind. He smiled whenever he thought of Hope. He delighted that it appeared God had given him a second chance at finding love.

“Fast? Don't you think that Emma's been without a mother long enough? You've seen them together, Ruth Ann.”

“Is that what this is about?” Ruth Ann's words were sharper than he expected.

“I don't know what you mean.”

“A mother for Emma. Is that what matters most?”

He continued toward the garden and motioned for Ruth Ann to follow, knowing that his sister had no idea how her voice carried.

They rounded the corner, and Jonas lowered his voice. “I wouldn't say it matters most, but it's something that I do want. Do you know how hard it is to raise a young girl in an Amish community without a mother? Do you know how hard it is depending on everyone else for help? I can't sew her dresses, and I do a poor job with her hair and kapp. Emma doesn't know how to bake bread or even sew a button. What type of mother will she be some day? How will she care for her own home?”

“What about you, Jonas? What about your heart?”

“I care for Hope, I really do.”

“Do you care enough to spend the rest of your life with her?”

Jonas nodded, but he didn't answer. Of course he loved Hope—his heart confirmed that—but a part of him felt guilty. It seemed wrong to love again. It seemed unfair to Sarah. He cringed when he thought how she would feel if she knew he was loving another.

“It's what I want, Ruth Ann. You have to trust me on this.”

Hope balanced three plates of Luscious Lemonade pie in her hand, and she walked to the garden. Her footsteps slowed as voices carried. It was Jonas's voice and Ruth Ann's, and when Hope noticed the tone in the woman's voice she stopped short.

“When are you going to ask her, Jonas? And when do you want her to move to Kentucky?”

“I've already asked her.”

“I just want to know why you're taking things so quickly.”

“You're the one who set up this thing with the garden, aren't you? You started talking to Clyde about it because you thought Hope and I would make a good couple. Isn't this what you hoped would happen all along?”

“I
hoped
that you would find a friend. I
hoped
that maybe you'd be willing to love again, but Jonas, what if it doesn't work out?”

“Why do you think it won't work out?”

“Well, Hope is so different from Sarah. They're opposites almost. Hope's a good friend to Emma, but can she be a good mother? More than that, I just want you to know for certain that she's the one you want to spend your life with. There were many women back in Kentucky interested if you would have given them the time of day… ”

“It's too late for that. We're already so close—”

The rumbling of a truck split the air, blocking out their words. Hope glanced over her shoulder, wishing it away. Jonas said something more, but Hope couldn't make out his words over the noise of the truck. Hope took another step closer—as close as she dared without being seen—and strained to listen.

“—I'm not going to do that to Emma. I'm not going to hurt her again. All she can talk about is Hope, and if we lose her it'll be just like losing Sarah again.”

“I understand that… ” Ruth Ann's voice trailed off. “I just don't
want to see
your
heart broken. From what I hear she's a loner. She likes to keep to herself. Who says she'll even stick around?”

“Anytime you offer your heart there's a chance it'll get broken. You know that.”

Footsteps sounded behind her, and Hope turned. Amish Henry approached with a bread bag in his hand. It looked as if it were full, and he wore a contented smile on his face.

“I been collecting popcorn and old bread to feed the ducks at the park. I was just coming by to see if Emma's around.”

Hope turned and smiled. “Emma, uh, she's already at the park. I was just bringing pie to Jonas. I'm sure Emma and her friends would like to feed the birds with you. Jonas is in back; we can ask him.”

Hope forced a smile, pretending her heart wasn't breaking into a million pieces.
He's doing this for Emma after all. He doesn't want to break her heart.
She'd been waiting for Jonas to tell his sister that he was in love. She'd been waiting for him to say that she
was
the person he wanted to spend his life with, but the words didn't come.

“You know what?” Hope thrust the three plates of pie in Amish Henry's direction. “I just had something come up. Why don't you take this pie to them and enjoy a piece yourself. Tell Jonas I'll talk to him later.”

A large grin split Amish Henry's face. “Why, I've never said no to a piece of pie.”

“
Gut
.” Hope thrust the plates into his hand. Her knees felt weak, and she knew she'd never make it home. Instead, she decided to go inside.

Her feet couldn't carry her to the door of Me, Myself, and Pie fast enough. The place was filled with customers enjoying their pie and chatting. For once she was thankful for the noise and
commotion. Two small girls Emma's age stood at the picket fence barrier and peered over, watching Lovina with fascination. Hope's heart pinched seeing them, but she couldn't think of Emma now.

She spotted a small empty table in the back. Hope hurried that direction. She pushed the empty pie plate that had been left by the last customer to the side and leaned her elbows on the table. She lowered her head, staring intently at her hands folded on the table in front of her, but she didn't really see them. An ache filled her chest, and she chided herself for not taking Eleanor's offer for a job in Walnut Creek earlier. She'd dared to hope she'd found something special in Jonas. She'd also given her heart away too easily and she'd fallen in love with that little girl.

Of course he'd been thankful for someone who made his daughter smile again. What good father wouldn't want that for this little girl after she'd lost so much? But had he really been so intent on Emma's happiness that he'd been willing to marry someone he didn't love—even going so far as to lie about loving her? Apparently so.

Hope closed her eyes, feeling like such a fool.

“Hope, there you are!” Jonas said. He reached down and touched her shoulder. She glanced up, hoping he didn't notice the thin film of tears in her eyes.