Gladden the Heart

by Olivia Newport

  “My ministry?” Noah said.

  Patsy glanced at Susanna, who calmly sliced into a raspberry coffee cake, laid a piece on a plate, and handed it to Patsy. In the swift moment of transition when both their fingers grasped the plate, Patsy tried to hold her friend’s eyes, but Susanna would not offer them.

  “My daughter has explained the matter to me,” Charles said. “I have some understanding of the complexity. I realize that your preaching only occurs under peculiar conditions that cause others to be concerned for your welfare. But as a man seemeth in the heart, the Scriptures tell us, so is he. I believe you have a gift, and I believe God would be pleased to see you use it for His glory.”

  With considerable deliberation, Phoebe handed Charles his slice of cake. “Things have gotten out of hand with those people turning up to watch as if Noah is a theater show. ’Tis been no gift to us.”

  “I understand,” Charles said. “I will state my proposal, and you may consider it or dispose of the matter as you see fit.”

  Phoebe nodded.

  “Noah,” Charles said, “I propose to take you on a short preaching tour—just three or four days. And if the Holy Ghost moves, we will preach together.”

  “I cannot preach.” Noah’s protest was immediate.

  Now Susanna caught Patsy’s eye, as if to say, I told you.

  “But you do preach.” Charles pressed on. “I saw it myself yesterday.”

  “I am not myself during these episodes.” Noah set his coffee aside.

  “Perhaps not,” Charles said. “That does not mean you cannot be a vessel for the Lord. You could be a vessel not only in your own home but on my circuit, for people who need to hear the message you bring.”

  “Mr. Baxton.” Phoebe’s tone rang sharp. “What you suggest is impossible.”

  With God nothing is impossible. Patsy held her tongue, sure her father would offer the same thought.

  “With God nothing is impossible.”

  The voice who spoke the words was Noah’s, not her father’s.

  “Noah, this is not wise,” Phoebe said.

  “Might we at least pray on the matter?” Noah said. “Have you and I not taken all our decisions to the Lord? Why should this be different?”

  Excitement gurgled up in Patsy even as Phoebe nodded once, slowly, and alarm shaped Susanna’s face.

  “Two days,” Noah said. “I will wait on the Lord for two days, and then we will settle the matter.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Two days. As Susanna went about her work with the dyes, tended the gardens yielding both her mother’s abundant vegetables and plants Susanna selected for the colors they would offer, she was grateful Noah had not rushed into an answer. He might still conclude that doing what Reverend Baxton proposed was ill-advised. She also wondered if two days were enough. He could have said he would take a week. That would have allowed time to consult with Shem Hertzberger or Niklaus Zug or Yohan Maist—ministers from among his own people.

  The bishop, of course, would forbid it on all counts. Susanna was surprised Shem had not yet turned up on the Kauffman farm to forbid Noah’s sermons on his own land—which would not have stopped the preaching. Yohan Maist would take his lead from the bishop. At some point, Shem would have to understand that Noah was not choosing what happened. Niklaus might see no harm but also no edification for the Amish congregation. And he would point out that while Noah might not be choosing to collapse and preach, going on the circuit was a choice.

  But was it the right choice?

  Susanna swayed in her cart with the final turn onto the Kauffman farm, two days to the hour since Noah agreed to think about preaching where Charles usually preached. The Baxton horses were already tethered to hooks on the side of the barn. Susanna discarded her hope for a private moment with Noah where she might have judged which way he leaned. She would hear the news with everyone else.

  Inside she extended greetings, declined Phoebe’s offer of coffee—she drank three cups at home that morning—and settled on the davenport between Patsy and her father.

  “I have made a decision,” Noah said. “It has been prayerful, with my Bible in my lap many hours. In silence I have waited on the Lord.”

  Susanna moistened her lips. Beside her, Patsy leaned forward slightly.

  “Reverend Baxton,” Noah said, “I am humbled that you would think me worthy of preaching the gospel alongside you.”

  Charles nodded. “It is I who would be humbled to share a pulpit with you.”

  A bead of perspiration crawled down Susanna’s spine. Noah was taking his time, and Phoebe’s face betrayed nothing. If she knew her husband’s decision, she hid it well.

  “Noah,” Patsy said. “Please tell us what you have decided.”

  Noah met their eyes, one pair at a time. “I have decided to go.”

  Patsy clapped her hands. Charles stood up and offered Noah a hearty handshake. Susanna’s startled gaze returned to Phoebe.

  “I will begin making arrangements,” Charles said. “I have no doubt that all who hear you will be blessed.”

  Phoebe stood up. Susanna examined her face once again. Phoebe was not surprised, but neither was she pleased.

  “Reverend Baxton,” Phoebe said, “I am sure your daughter has made clear to you that my husband has particular needs. Someone who knows him well must accompany him.”

  “Of course we would be delighted to have you travel with us,” Charles said.

  Phoebe shook her head. “I am afraid I cannot undertake the journey.”

  “Only three or four days,” Charles said.

  Phoebe shook her head again.

  “You have the farm and the animals,” Charles said. “I understand. I will arrange for someone to look after things while we’re away.”

  “I have my sister to think of,” Phoebe said. “Her back continues to trouble her, and she cannot keep up with the cooking and washing on her own.”

  Fatigue hung from Phoebe’s face. Susanna should have seen it sooner. Even if her sister did not need attention, Phoebe was too weary to journey.

  Susanna had hoped Noah’s decision would be different. But his face radiated with contentment and anticipation. No hesitation remained in his frame.

  “Of course you cannot travel,” Susanna said. “But you might have a break. I could send my brother Timothy over to look after your animals. You could go spend a few days with your sister without having to run back and forth.”

  Phoebe blinked twice, the idea settling in. “My sister would be grateful. But someone still must go with Noah.”

  “Susanna will come.” Noah’s statement was definitive. “You have assured me she knows my habits when I do not.”

  “Yes, she does,” Phoebe said. “Unquestionably.”

  Susanna’s pulse pounded in her ears. “Me?”

  “You are a logical choice,” Noah said. “When I am in my right mind, I can see that. And I would love to have the companionship of my favorite cousin.”

  “My mamm will not agree.” Susanna raised her shoulders and let them drop. The conversation at home would be impossible.

  “I will have a word with your parents,” Charles said.

  Her eyes widened. A request from Charles Baxton, however well-reasoned, would not have the effect he supposed.

  “Maybe I can sort it out,” Susanna mumbled. If she could manage a private moment with her father, he might hear her out. If he approved, her mother would not forbid Susanna to go—at least, not with words.

  “Niklaus might go with us as well,” Charles said. “Susanna understands the way the Holy Ghost moves through Noah, but it might also be wise to have one of the men from your church as well.”

  Noah nodded. “Niklaus is a good choice. One of the ministers and a good neighbor.”

  “We are old friends,” Charles said. “I am certain to persuade him.”

  Charles Baxton seemed to get his way. He might well convince Niklaus, but Susanna’s mother would not be easily felled.

  �
��Mrs. Kauffman, have we addressed your concerns satisfactorily?” Charles said. “I do want you to feel at ease with the arrangements.”

  “If Timothy agrees to look after things here and Susanna accompanies Noah,” Phoebe said, “then I know things will be well in hand. There is just one problem.”

  “What is that?” Charles said. “We will solve it.”

  “Veronica,” Phoebe said. “She will not agree to the scheme. Certainly she will object to Susanna’s participation, and she will not be easily persuaded that Timothy should be involved if she knows what Noah is up to. It will look like she supports Noah’s endeavor.”

  Susanna sighed. Phoebe was right. Her mother’s personal convictions aside, she would not agree to give the appearance of approval to something she disapproved of. “We will have to think of something else.”

  “I could go,” Patsy said. “I also know how to watch out for Noah’s welfare.”

  Envy flashed through Susanna, and instantly she wanted to take the journey.

  “That will not be required,” Charles said. “I will have the necessary conversations. Niklaus can go with me to talk to the Hooleys.”

  Susanna thought that might work.

  Charles turned to Susanna. “Your parents are fond of Niklaus, are they not?”

  She nodded.

  Noah was the one to object. “Veronica does not need ministers ganging up on her. Despite what you think at the moment, she is not an unreasonable person. And she is my cousin, so it is fitting that I be the one to ask her permission to take her daughter on this excursion.”

  Patsy ignored her father’s outstretched hand of assistance and hoisted herself into the saddle. How did he think she got on a horse when he was gone? She had long ago abandoned ladylike decorum when it came to her stallion. If she needed to go somewhere, she got on the horse and went, letting her skirts fall where they may. Now she pressed her knees into the animal’s side and put him immediately into a trot before her father had managed to get astride his own mount.

  Once out of the farm lane, she urged more speed. Behind her the feet of her father’s horse pounded faster.

  “Patricia,” Charles called. “Slow down.”

  Her first impulse was to push harder, maybe even take her horse toward Jacks Mountain. They could go all the way to the high ridge. Instead, she blew out her breath and slowed the horse. Her father rarely called her by the name written in the family Bible.

  Charles came alongside her. “What has gotten into you?”

  “Never mind.” She paced her horse to his. She could charge up Jacks Mountain later and work off the discontent of this moment.

  “Well, this is exciting,” Charles said. “Now that Noah has decided to go, there is much to do. I wonder if he will be all right on horseback. I must think of his safety rather than my own habits when I ride alone.”

  “Of course you must.”

  “Has he ever fallen under the Holy Ghost in the morning?”

  “Not that I know of. Midafternoons.”

  “Then we shall plan to travel in the morning. After a midday meal, we will be sure he has a place to rest.”

  “That would be wise.”

  “Perhaps we will only go as far as we can in a half day’s journey. I know a place where we can easily gather a congregation.”

  Patsy urged the stallion forward, one length ahead of her father and then two and then three.

  “Patricia.”

  Twice in one day. Patsy slowed again.

  “You must explain yourself,” Charles said.

  “‘That will not be required’?” Patsy threw his words back at him. “Really, Papa.”

  He was silent for a few yards.

  “Are you suggesting that you want to go on the preaching trip?”

  “I offered, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, you did. I’m sorry I brushed you off.”

  “Even if Susanna’s parents are persuaded she should go,” Patsy said, “do you expect it will be wise for her to journey with three men and no female companion? Would you allow me to take such a trip?”

  “No, I would not. I see your point.”

  “Then I can go?”

  “We will be a group of five,” he said. “We will take a proper wagon and everything we need for you and Susanna to be comfortable. And a wagon will give me an opportunity to distribute Bibles and hymnals as well.”

  “Thank you, Papa.”

  “It’s resolved. We have no hard feelings between us. Now you may give your horse his head.”

  “You should come with us.” Niklaus set his eyes, expectant, on his nephew.

  “With Noah and Reverend Baxton?” Adam looked through the door frame he had cut yesterday to give Jonas and his bride access to the outdoors without having to walk through the house.

  “And Susanna,” Niklaus said. “Have I mentioned they want Susanna to go?”

  “Several times, Onkel.”

  “Jonas is here for the animals, and the crops need nothing but time to grow,” Niklaus said. “You and Shem are ahead of schedule out here. And have I mentioned that Shem believes you can have a life ahead of you as a carpenter if you would like?”

  “Several times, Onkel.”

  Privately Shem had told Niklaus he planned to take Adam on as an assistant and continue teaching him. If he learned to make cupboards and cabinets, as well as build rooms, he would earn enough to think of marriage. Niklaus was ready with an enthusiastic ja for the moment when Adam and Susanna asked him to officiate at their wedding.

  “Come with us,” Niklaus said. “A break would do you good.”

  “Are you certain Shem would want you to go?”

  “I am certain Noah wants me to go and that I want to go,” Niklaus said. “Noah is one of my sheep.”

  “But the congregation.”

  “Does not a good shepherd leave the ninety and nine to find the one?”

  “Do you think Noah is a lost sheep?” Adam said.

  Niklaus turned up his palms. “If he begins to lose his way, should I not be there?”

  Adam twisted his lips. He had done that ever since he was a little boy whenever he got an answer from an adult that he did not like but would not challenge with his own words.

  “We leave Monday morning. You can change your mind up to the last minute,” Niklaus said. “There will be room in the wagon, and we have plenty of provisions.”

  On Monday morning, before Deborah had the breakfast dishes washed up, Niklaus climbed to the bench of the wagon Charles drove onto his farm. Adam stood beside the barn.

  “We could wait a few minutes if you want to gather your things,” Niklaus said.

  Adam glanced at Susanna, seated with Noah and Patsy in the wagon bed, but shook his head.

  CHAPTER 14

  Limestone was plentiful in the Kish Valley, and Jonas’s betrothed had simple tastes, so Shem had left Adam to craft a small fireplace. Once, when he was a boy and his father was not yet disappointed in him, Adam had helped to build a new fireplace. That one had been large enough to cook in and warm the main floor of the house. This one would only be called on to supply heat to a single room during winter nights. Adam was surprised how easily he recalled the necessary steps. He and Jonas together had selected and dug up the stones, but Jonas left to Adam the work of arranging them and filling the cracks between them. Jonas had not yet made up his mind whether the final product should be whitewashed. Adam was fairly sure Jonas was waiting for Anke, his future wife, to make her wishes known. If it were his fireplace, Adam would leave it be. Stone that God created was sufficient beauty, but the stones must be arranged in a way that sealed the chimney as tightly as possible.

  Adam turned to the footsteps behind him. “Gut mariye.”

  Shem was already nodding as he looked around the room. “You have done well.”

  “Danki.”

  “But do not let it go to your head.”

  Every compliment from Shem came with the same caution, but the twinkle in his eye as
he spoke the words or wagged his finger set Adam at ease.

  Shem poked his finger upward toward large canvas tarps stitched roughly together and arranged as a makeshift ceiling over the opening the finished walls formed. Adam imagined what it would be like to lie in this room and look up at the stars, and he might even have brought a quilt downstairs to do so for one night if Shem’s practicality did not demand protecting incomplete work from the possibility of rain.

  “One inside door and one outside door,” Shem said. “Two windows. Now all we need is a roof.”

  “Onkel Niklaus ordered the shingles. He expects word any day that we can pick them up.”

  With Niklaus gone, Adam would receive the message and dispatch himself to pick up the shingles from the small store in Lewistown that would receive them from Philadelphia on the train.

  “We have the wide boards, so we can ready them for the shingles. I suspect we will need Jonas and Niklaus to help set the frame. A steep pitch will shed rain and snow better than a slight pitch, but it is difficult to work on.”

  Adam nodded. He knew nothing of building a roof other than watching the occasional barn raising from the safe distance of children told to stay out of the way. Even when he was older, his assigned task was unloading shingles from the wagon. He was never part of the team that climbed the scaffolds and swung the hammers.

  “Perhaps tonight you can ask them to help,” Shem said. “We could start tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes, that’s right. Ask your onkel.”

  Adam shuffled his feet. “My onkel is away for a few days.”

  “Oh? Where has he gone?”

  “Not far,” Adam said. “He will be there by midday today.”

  “Where would he go and not mention to his old friend the bishop?”

  Adam bent to pick up a hammer, though he had nothing to strike just then.

  “Adam,” Shem said.

  “He and Noah Kauffman are together,” Adam said.

  “I thought Noah was still poorly. He missed church last week.”

  “I suppose he is.” After all, he still had spells. “Yet Noah was determined to go, so Niklaus thought he should go as well.”