The Middle-Aged Amish Widow Page 5

  Without saying a word, he took the jar and twisted the lid, and then handed it back to her.

  “Oh, that looked easy.”

  "It was easy for me."

  "Well, I’ll have to work on my muscle strength." Just as she said that, the rain poured down. “Nee! That can't be rain! It didn't even look like rain when I walked into the barn."

  “According to the forecast it’ll be raining on and off all day.”

  “Ach!”

  They both walked to the barn door and looked out at the sky, which was dark with clouds.

  "Well it’s certainly raining now," Sarah said.

  "Don't go back in there, stay here a while and wait out the rain."

  "I had no intention of going back in there. I don’t want to risk falling."

  "I've got a couple of pieces of wood to saw and then I’ll stop for a while."

  “I'll watch." She sat on a bale of hay as she ate pickles straight from the jar.

  When he was done sawing, he explained what he was going to do with the wood. “Didn’t I feed you enough?” he asked when he saw her eating the pickles.

  She giggled. “I just need some pickles. I was going to have them with tomato sauce. That was what I was craving, but now I just have to settle for the pickles.”

  “I can go over and get it for you.”

  “Nee, the rain’s too heavy.”

  He laughed. “It’s only water.”

  “I can’t have you do that. You’ll get soaked through and then catch a cold. I can’t have that.”

  “Why don’t you eat some of the sandwiches I made? They’ve got tomato on them and might quell your cravings a little bit.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “You can. I’m not that hungry. You can find me something to eat later when the rain stops. Come on. I can’t have you going hungry. I’ve got the lunch in the wagon.”

  Sarah glanced at the wagon that was in the undercover area of the barn.

  “Care for some bacon and tomato sandwiches with relish?"

  She laughed. “It sounds an interesting combination.”

  "That’s a strange comment coming from a woman who eats pickles straight from the jar. Anyway, don't knock something until you try it." He gave her a smile and headed to his wagon. “Come on, I’ll sit with you."

  "Okay."

  Sarah climbed up into the wagon and sat next to Isaac. He opened a packet of the sandwiches and handed them to her.

  "Just as well, I'm hungry."

  "Just try it," he urged her.

  She bit into the sandwich. When she swallowed, she said, "It's not horrible."

  He laughed. “I’ll take that as a good thing. And I guess I'll have some, too. You're making me hungry.”

  Knowing that they were in for a long day, she asked, “Where did you grow up."

  “Not far from here. I think I told you about my family and how they disowned me when I joined the Amish.”

  "Yes you did tell me, and I was sorry to hear that."

  "It was probably for the best."

  "Do you feel lonely?"

  "Nee. I’ve got many friends within the community. Ruth was like my mudder, and that's why I was bit surprised that she left without a word."

  "Maybe she didn't intend to stay but when she got to my place the thought of returning was too much for her. She’s like that. She’d never say she hadn't planned something."

  "Jah, I can see her being like that. Ruth’s a forthright woman and doesn't want to be seen as someone who would change her mind or not be certain about something."

  "That's what she's like—exactly."

  “And what about you?”

  “Me?”

  He nodded.

  “I had many brothers and sisters and my husband, as you know has just died. He was sick for a long time. The last few weeks he couldn't get out of bed."

  "That must've been hard on you."

  "It was hard for me when he left me alone."

  “I know what that's like, when someone you love leaves you to be with Gott. Even though we know we’ll see them again, it's lonely without them."

  "Did you know my mudder arrived the day of my husband’s funeral—after it was over?”

  "Do you think she meant to make it for the funeral?"

  "It’s hard to say, but she arrived and said that now that I don't have to look after Thomas anymore I can look after her.”

  “And she wants a grossdaddi haus built, you said?”

  “Jah. She said she doesn’t want to be bothered by crying."

  "You intend to do a lot of crying?"

  Sarah laughed. “My mudder says she has had enough of raising kinner. And she’s got enough grosskin. She didn’t know I was expecting when she arrived. She wasn’t too happy about it when I told her. It threw out her plans of living in my haus.”

  “You sound like you haven’t always gotten along with Ruth.”

  Sarah didn’t want to make it sound like she was an unreasonable person. “We don’t always see eye-to-eye about things. It would’ve been nice if she’d been happy for me, though, that I am having a boppli.”

  “I’m sure she is. She was most likely shocked since that was something she wouldn’t have expected to hear.”

  “I guess so.”

  “I'm so happy for you; that’s such a blessing,” he said. “Gott took Thomas home, but He blessed you with a child to keep you from being lonely.”

  Tears came to Sarah’s eyes as he spoke. "You're right. He blessed me with something I've always wanted—a boppli.”

  “I guess it’s bittersweet.”

  “It is, exactly, because my husband won’t see his child come into the world. He won’t be around to watch the boppli grow. And my boppli won’t have a daed, but it’ll do me no good to dwell on that kind of thinking. There are many worse off than I."

  He shook his head. "You’ve been mightily blessed. Don't question what Gott has put into place. We might never know the reasons for things that happen. And you’re right, as bad as things get there are always people who are much worse off.”

  "Denke, you've made me feel so much better."

  "That's what friends are for.” He took her hand and squeezed it. For a brief moment they stared into each other’s eyes before he pulled his hand away.

  It wasn’t a moment of romance, it was a moment of appreciation for one another — a meeting of the minds.

  He smiled as he passed her another sandwich. “Here, eat up.”

  The rain had stopped at the same time they had run out of sandwiches.

  "I don't hear any rain," Sarah said.

  "Just as well because you’ve eaten all my sandwiches. Does that mean you liked them after all?"

  "They were quite passable."

  He smiled at her. "I have to get back to work."

  "Don't forget you said you’d bring the evening meal over tonight because I won’t have the stove.”

  "I wouldn't be able to forget something like that. And now I know you’ll be looking forward to the food because you liked my sandwiches so much."

  Sarah laughed as she climbed down from the wagon. “I'll leave that for you to sort out.”

  She walked carefully back to the house, making sure she didn’t slip on the wet ground.

  * * *

  Isaac didn’t tell Sarah, but he’d already made a lamb stew with plenty of vegetables. That was his favourite and he hoped she would like it too. He had been surprised when she’d first told him that she was expecting a child, given her age. And, at that time, he hadn’t known that she had been widowed.

  Chapter 10

  But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity:

  redeem me, and be merciful unto me.

  Psalm 26:11

  * * *

  Isaac spent the next two hours cutting wood to size, matching the measurements that he’d taken the day before. When he was done, he knocked on the door.

  "Come in," she said, stepping back when she saw him at the front do
or.

  “Have you eaten all the pickles yet?”

  “Not yet. I’ve left some for you.”

  “How kind. Now, I have to do that work in the kitchen.”

  “Well, you know the way. I’ve moved everything but the stove for you.”

  “Denke.”

  “I’ll keep out of your way,” she called after him.

  She sat down and took up some knitting that she’d found in her mother’s room. Mamm had been in the middle of knitting some kind of a blanket, but she’d left it there when she traveled to Sarah's home.

  When it was getting dark, Isaac emerged from the kitchen.

  "Are you ready for dinner?" he asked.

  "I am. Do you have to go home and get it?"

  "I do. I've made you a lamb and vegetable stew."

  "Denke. That sounds lovely. I've worked up quite an appetite with all this knitting."

  “I’ll go home and fetch it.”

  “I’ll have to go to the store tomorrow. I’m running low on a few things. Just as well you’re bringing the dinner over.”

  “You’re running low on pickles?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “Amongst other things.”

  "Would you like me to go for you?"

  "Nee, there's no need. I can still do things for myself."

  He smiled. “I didn't think that you couldn't but sometimes it's nice to have other people do things for us."

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’ll only be an hour.”

  They smiled at one another before he headed to his wagon.

  As Isaac drove home, he admitted to himself that he liked Sarah as more than a friend because he was so looking forward to seeing her that night. He hadn’t gone looking for love again and neither had he expected it, but he was starting to feel as though he might be at risk of falling for Sarah.

  He unhitched his horse as soon as he got home, and led him into the paddock. “Off you go, boy. I’ll need you again soon, so don’t get too comfortable.”

  The horse walked off with his tail swishing behind him.

  Isaac looked down at his dusty clothes. He’d have to clean up before he did anything else. Rubbing his chin, he knew he’d have to shave and shower and look his best.

  After his shower, Isaac pulled on black pants, and just when he was buttoning his white shirt, he heard a buggy. He looked out his bedroom window to see a buggy pulled by a bay horse. Who could this be?

  He hurried downstairs and when he opened his door, he saw Elizabeth Shwartz walking toward him.

  “Hello, Elizabeth.”

  “Hi, Isaac. I saw you yesterday with a lady and wondered if you have a visitor staying with you. I never got a chance to say hello to her.”

  “I don’t have a visitor. The lady you saw is Ruth’s dochder. She’s not staying with me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Ruth has moved away.” When Elizabeth stared at him without saying a word, Isaac added, “Ruth has moved to Lancaster County and her dochder’s here tying up some lose ends.”

  “Ruth never said anything about leaving.” She looked him up and down. “Are you going somewhere?”

  “Jah, I am.”

  “Where?”

  “I’m off to visit a friend.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  He looked down at the boards on the porch thinking as quickly as he could. “Nee, you don’t know the person I’m visiting.”

  “Would you be visiting Ruth’s dochder?”

  He was caught out. Now news would travel around the community that he was spending time with Sarah. And that would mean a lot more pies might be coming his way and many more visits. He couldn’t lie, although the idea of telling a quick lie jumped into his mind as an easy way out. “Jah, I am.”

  “I’d like to meet her. Can’t I come?”

  Instead of answering her directly, he said, “Gut! Why don’t you visit her tomorrow? I know for a fact she’ll be there at twelve.” Isaac had chosen that time because he intended to be elsewhere at twelve the next day. He’d see to it.

  “I’ll call and see her now.”

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  “Why not? Do you want to visit her by yourself? Is that what this is about?”

  “Nee, but I’m discussing some business things with her—things for Ruth.” That wasn’t a lie.

  Elizabeth stared at him carefully. “I see.”

  He smiled at her. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay and talk, I’m just about on my way out now.”

  She nodded. “I’ll see you another time.”

  “Jah, another time.” He was just grateful that she hadn’t brought him a pie.

  “I almost forgot. I have a pie for you. Ruth told me how much you like pies.”

  Isaac’s jaw dropped open and before he could say anything, Elizabeth was back at her buggy. She lifted out the pie and headed toward him, proudly holding the pie in both hands.

  “How kind and thoughtful of you, Elizabeth.”

  “I know it must be hard for a single man like you without a fraa to cook for you.”

  “I manage just fine, but denke for the pie.”

  When he took it out of her hands, she said, “It’s a blackberry pie.”

  “Wunderbaar.”

  “I’ll go now.”

  “Okay.” He watched her from his doorway as she got into her buggy. She waved at him and then drove away.

  He heaved a sigh and leaned against the doorpost. While he felt bad for these women, he didn’t know what to say to them. How could he tell them he wasn’t interested without hurting their feelings? Something told him that everyone in the community was convinced he needed a wife. And what was up with Ruth telling Elizabeth that he liked pies? He thought Ruth had been on his side this whole time. Ruth knew how he’d felt about Veronica and he’d shared with her his decision to remain as he was.

  When Elizabeth’s buggy was out of sight, he walked inside and placed the pie on the kitchen table. He’d figure out what to do with it later that night when he got home. He couldn’t eat another pie and it wouldn’t be nice of him to take it to Sarah’s.

  Isaac put the large saucepan, already filled with the stew, onto the stove to heat it. Once it was hot, he’d take the pot over to Sarah’s place. He hoped she’d excuse him for not bringing a dessert. If he was a better cook, he could’ve tried his hand at some shoofly pies or some other traditional Amish sweet desserts. Since Veronica had gone, he’d taught himself to cook but had never gone past the basics for survival purposes only. Hopefully, Sarah would enjoy what had become his favorite dish.

  When he rubbed his chin, he realized he still hadn’t shaved. He left the dinner to heat in the saucepan while he headed back to the bathroom so he’d look as tidy as he possibly could.

  Chapter 11

  Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen:

  that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he:

  before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

  Isaiah 43:10

  * * *

  Sarah took a shower and got ready for her dinner guest. It was nice to have a rest from cooking dinner. She liked being around Isaac, too. Although he’d seemed a little standoffish when she first knocked on his door, she could see now why so many women desired him.

  The only thing she was determined to do was to make certain she didn’t become one of those women. Any other woman in her position would be tempted to marry someone nice like Isaac. It would certainly make life easier to have a man around. Thomas had been sick for so long that she’d forgotten how it was to have a man who could do things such as repairs around the house.

  Besides that, Isaac would be useful to help carry the burden of having her mother living beside her. It was good that Isaac got along so well with her mother.

  She stopped and checked herself. What was she thinking? It was a ridiculous notion to think of another man so soon. She’d only just buried her husban
d a little over a week ago. It must be her pregnancy hormones making her feel vulnerable, she decided.

  Maybe it was a good thing her mother had come to stay. Even though her mother claimed not to like children, at least there would be an extra pair of hands to help around the place when she really needed it.

  “Denke, Gott,” Sarah murmured as she got out of the shower. She could see how Gott was working. He’d taken Thomas away, blessed her with a baby, and placed her mother there so she would feel more settled through the birth and her baby's first months. Even though she hadn’t wanted her mother there at first, she now acknowledged that it might be a good idea.

  Sarah pulled on a light blue dress and then tied her apron on over the top. She unbraided her hair, brushing it out before she braided it once more. After she had pinned her hair onto her head, she popped her prayer kapp on leaving the strings to hang down the sides of her neck as usual.

  Her mother’s house was strangely quiet. It was nice to get away from everything and everyone.

  At the Sunday meeting just yesterday, she had gotten invitations to visit people but she had explained she had a limited time to oversee the building work before she placed her mother’s house up for sale. There were many people who were amazed that her mother had made such a quick decision and left without a word. One of those people was the bishop.

  The bishop told her he had been quite surprised by Ruth’s sudden disappearance. Sarah had explained that it was a last-minute decision and explained that her mother had arrived on the day of her husband’s funeral. It quietly amused Sarah to know that the bishop would assume that her mother had attended Thomas’ funeral. The bishop accepted what she said with a nod of his head.

  Sarah walked into the kitchen to see the state Isaac had left it in.

  The stove was still away from its usual position while the replaced tiles behind it were left to dry. He’d also prepared all the cupboards for painting. The hinges and the handles were all off the doors that were spread along the floor on newspapers.

  I don’t think we’ll be eating in here tonight.