Forevermore

by Cathy Marie Hake

  Annie rasped, “What’s wrong?”

  Hope grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Do y’all mind if ’n I go out to check on Hattie and make shore she’s workin’ real good for your brother? I shoulda asked him at lunch, but it slipped my mind.”

  “Go ahead.”

  Hope walked down the porch steps and out to a nearby field. All about her, wheat rippled in a golden sea. She gawked about, reassured herself that Phineas wasn’t in earshot, and tromped over to her boss. Shouldering her way past dense stalks that released their unique scent of sunshine, earth, and ready-to-bake bread, Hope found no comfort in the surroundings that usually filled her with contentment. “Mr. Stauffer, I’m fixin’ to say something.”

  He stopped working and turned to face her while mopping his forehead and neck with a rumpled red bandana.

  “You’re a-waving that red bandana like a cape, so I’m chargin’ ahead.”

  He dipped his head in assent.

  “Time was, I had me a friend. We was both in pigtails. Well, her pa brung her a puppy dog one day. Rescued it from a feller what was sore mean to it. Well, that pup never was quite right. Took him nigh unto a year before he didn’t slink wherever he went. Sorta ducked when someone took a mind to pet him.” She watched Mr. Stauffer’s tanned features. He said nothing.

  “Now, your sister is a right nice lady, and I’d never say a word against her. But I’ve been round enough to know some men are wicked bad clear down to the feet of their souls. Them men—they use their words or their might to beat down the ones they’re supposed to love.”

  Tell me I’m wrong, Hope pleaded silently. Tell me Annie’s just timid and ascairt of havin’ her babe.

  Only the soft brush of wheat stalks in the wind sounded.

  “Annie ain’t said nothin’, but I got a sad feelin’ deep inside me that she’s been hurt.”

  Hope longed for a denial and reassurances to spring from his lips. Only that didn’t happen. Mr. Stauffer’s hold on his bandana tightened. Then, he stared off over her shoulder. Always before, he met her eyes squarely. His jaw hardened, and a small muscle twitched there. The anguish in his eyes and a convulsive swallow confirmed Hope’s worst fears.

  She held up her hand and swished it back and forth—just like the schoolmarm used to, to erase the chalkboard. “You ain’t gotta figure out what to say. I don’t want you to break a pledge. Your silence done said more’n any words ever could. If ’n my suspicions was nothin’ more than a tale spun by a fanciful mind, you woulda rushed to say so.”

  Hope felt sick to the depths of her heart. She steeled herself with a deep, shaky breath. “I’ll pray real hard for Annie. If ’n y’all know of something—anything—I can do to help her, you just tell me.”

  He drew in a slow, deep breath and let it out. Finally, he met her gaze. His blue eyes held an intensity she’d not yet seen. Hope repeated, “All you gotta do is tell me how I can help her out. I ain’t known her long, but I count your sis as my friend.”

  “I want you to stay after the harvest—not just ’til the threshing is done, but until Annie has her baby and another two weeks afterward so she’s on her feet again.”

  The words came from the farmer’s mouth, but they rang true in her soul, filling her with the sense she had when she knew the Lord’s will for her. The concerns she held about how Annie would struggle with chores dissipated.

  “I know what I ask isn’t what we agreed upon, but it’s what my sister needs.”

  “It’s not what I usually do.” Hope wrinkled her nose. “But it’s sorta what we decided. You told me Annie’s the woman in your home and I’m to help her. So I reckon we could say that’s part of the bargain. Between now and when I go, I’ll be able to set up your household so’s Annie won’t have to do too much for a good long time.”

  He stared at her intently. “You would do this?”

  “I told you I go where God sends me and where men need me. Well, in this case, it’s where the woman needs me. I’ll stay on ’til Annie’s had her babe and is back on her feet.”

  “Gut. Sehr gut.”

  Good? It was dreadful, that Annie hadn’t been cherished by her man. But God gave her a strong, good-hearted brother who’d taken care of her. “Mr. Stauffer? About your sister—I won’t never say nothing to nobody. You got my word on it.” Hope looked at the blue bandana he fished out of his back pocket and extended toward her. It wasn’t until then she realized she’d been crying.

  “There is something more you should know.”

  Hope clutched the bandana and couldn’t imagine anything worse.

  Jakob cleared his throat. “Konrad—my sister’s husband—he didn’t know she was with child when I brought her away from him.”

  Dozens of hard-boiled eggs filled the bowls, and large pots of strong coffee fragranced the predawn air. Rashers of crisp bacon and pans of coffee cake were all ready. Jakob gulped down the last of his second mug, hoping it would help wake him up. Sleep had eluded him most of the night.

  Until now, he’d kept busy with the farm and in easing Annie’s fright. Living day-to-day took all he had. With Hope there, helping, he’d started to feel life might somehow regain balance and order. Now, though, the future loomed ominously. How long could he keep Konrad ignorant of the baby? What would Konrad do? Jakob barely balanced the finances with what he now paid to keep Konrad away.

  “God shore is generous. Lookit the bountiful field out there, with ever’ single stalk of wheat standin’ tall and proud on its last mornin’. The sight’s so beautiful, it makes me wanna lift my hands toward heaven and holler out a million hallelujahs.” Up on tiptoe, Hope peered out the window and started singing, “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

  Over by the table, Annie softly joined in.

  Lord, keeping my eyes on you—that’s what I should be doing instead of worrying.

  “My gracious Master and my God,” the duet filled the kitchen. “Assist me to proclaim . . .”

  The phrase hit him hard. Asking God to assist him . . . yes, that is what he needed to do. Over and over, that needed to be his prayer.

  “Jesus, the name that charms our fears,” Annie’s voice wavered and cracked.

  Jakob immediately joined in, “and bids our sorrows cease; ’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life, and health, and peace.”

  Hope turned around. “Thankee for singing that with me. My heart was full and the onliest thing better than singing to the Lord was having the both of you raise up your hearts and voices, too. No better way to start a day than giving Him our praise and trustin’ Him with whatever’s on our hearts and minds.”

  “Hope has a good voice, doesn’t she, Annie?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thankee. I think God gave that to me on account of Him knowin’ I wouldn’t be one to draw close to Him in readin’ His Word. Well, I’d best start totin’ stuff out to the tables. Ain’t gonna be long now before the crowd depends.”

  Descends. The crowd descends. Jakob couldn’t correct her. He didn’t have it in him to spoil the morning by nitpicking. Besides, the crowd will depend—on all the food she’s serving.

  “You’ve done well.” Jakob opened the door to allow Hope to carry out the coffee. She’d already taken out the dishes, silverware, and mugs. Most of the men would arrive in the next hour, but a few had begun to wander or ride up the road.

  “Looks like you got some laborers comin’ to offer themselves to hire for the day.”

  “Ja. Every year, there are a few. Five, I will take. The rest, I will ask you to feed before I send them away.”

  Hope was halfway down the steps. She turned back. “If ’n you didn’t hire me, how many men would you take on?”

  “Five. I have good, strong neighbors. Five additional men— that is how many are needed. Last year, there was a man with his son—a small son, far too young to sit on the lead horse pulling the reaper. I should have asked you before, but I forgot about the boy until now. If he comes again, do you mind watching hi
m so the father can work?”

  “I’d mind if you turned him away.” Hope hastened away, her lively step taking her to whatever chore she had in mind.

  Annie came close. She murmured, “Do you think maybe years ago, a farmer’s wife watched Hope so her father could work?”

  The question brought him up short. He’d been so busy with his own thoughts and concerns that he’d never found out anything about this strange woman under his roof!

  After propping open the screen door, Jakob went to the barn to check on his gelding. Nicodemus stood still in his stall—a poor sign. He usually greeted Jakob by tossing his head and letting out a whinny. Jakob murmured to him softly, unlatched the gate, and let himself in. After rubbing the horse’s neck and withers, he bent and ran the backs of his fingers down the gelding’s long leg. His father taught him that trick—that callused fingers don’t detect heat well. If I have a nephew, I’ll teach him the same thing. Heat registered—nothing extreme, but enough to let Jakob know Nicodemus wasn’t fit for work.

  Phineas was mucking out another stall. He called over, “What do you think?”

  Jakob straightened up and swallowed his disappointment. “The leg—it’s still hot.”

  “I thought so, too. There’ll be plenty of horses here today. We’ll rest Nicodemus and let him heal.”

  He went back outside and noticed a few men starting toward the food. Four so far. Two he recognized as hard workers from years past. He saw Hope pouring coffee for another man, then glanced up to see his sister. She halted at the base of the porch steps, her face frozen in terror.

  Ten

  Here you go. There’s plenty more coffee, so don’t be shy.” Hope’s cheery voice sounded a tad too loud. Jakob tore his gaze away from his sister for a split second. Hope grabbed the man’s arm and wheeled him away from the house, toward the barn. “Yoo-hoo! Mr. Stauffer, this here buck says you was neighbors once upon a time! How’s about me goin’ to fetch more eggs whilst you natter a moment or so before all y’all set to work?”

  “Leopold Volkner! You’re a long way from home.” Jakob strode over. As long as he kept Volkner’s attention diverted, Hope could sweep Annie into the safety of the house.

  Never once had he thought someone from back home would come this far south to help with the harvest. Sending Leopold Volkner off instead of hiring him for the day would only attract scrutiny. Though it would cause some awkwardness for Annie, Hope would smooth that over. She’d immediately comprehended the danger and taken measures to distract Leopold and alert Jakob.

  If Hope hadn’t come to me last evening with her suspicions, this would have been a disaster. It still could be. Disciplining his features so his concerns wouldn’t show, Jakob asked, “What brings you so far from home?”

  “Greenbugs.” Leopold grimaced. “They destroyed my sorghum entirely. I put in very little wheat this year.”

  “Such a shame. It’s hard to imagine how something so small can do so much damage.”

  “Ja. Your brother-in-law’s crops have done better than mine. I’m sure he wrote to you about the greenbugs and his sorghum, but his wheat’s in fine shape. He might not have much of a profit this year, but . . .” Leopold shrugged.

  “Any year where a farmer holds even is a success.” Jakob nodded sagely.

  “Me? I hope to earn enough, hiring out for the harvest to make up for the loss and keep our heads above water. Where is Annie?” Leopold craned his neck and scanned the barnyard. “My sister wants to know how she is.”

  “You know how it is for a woman on harvest day.” Jakob strove to sound casual. “Annie’s going to spend most of her day at the stove or searching for something in the pantry.”

  Leopold chuckled ruefully. “And woe to the man who’s foolish enough to interrupt that woman!”

  Jakob forced out a laugh.

  “Volkner!” Phineas motioned to Leopold. “Komst!”

  “He’s going to want me to help him harness the horses.” Leopold smacked Jakob on the back. “It’s good—seeing you. Working alongside you will be like old times.”

  As soon as Leopold headed toward the barn, Jakob strode to the house. With every step, he prayed for wisdom and guidance. The minute he stepped into the kitchen, the sight of Annie tore at him. She braced herself against the cabinet with one arm, and the other hand covered her mouth to choke back her sobs.

  “What’s wrong, Aunt Annie?”

  Hope knelt down by Emmy-Lou and took her by the shoulders. “I’m fixin’ to do the outside work today, and your auntie’s a-gonna do the inside work. I reckon with all them fellers out there, we’re in sore need of a helper. What about if ’n we give you a special job? Y’all be a big girl and go fetch one of your daddy’s red bandanas. Anytime your auntie needs to tell me something, you stand on the porch and wave it at me.”

  “I can do that!”

  “Dandy! Now one other thing: Your dolly is very special, and today’s a dreadful busy day. I’m thinkin’ perhaps you ought to take her upstairs and tuck her into bed so’s she don’t get bumped.”

  Eyes wide, Emmy-Lou clutched her doll and went upstairs.

  Hope rose and oh-so-casually swiped a speck of something off the bib of her apron. “Annie, since you know all the ladies hereabouts, it only makes sense you stay indoors. I’ll handle the outside half of things. That’d be good organizing.” She looked at him. “Don’t you think so, Mr. Stauffer?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Annie whispered in a raw tone, “What am I to do? What is to become of me?”

  “Stay in the house. That is best.” Jakob glanced at Hope, then tilted his sister’s face up to his. “I have prayed much, asking God to protect you. Just as He sent Jonathan to be David’s friend, He has sent Hope here to help me safeguard you.”

  “That’s right. We ain’t got time to pussyfoot round, so I’m gonna be plainspoken.” Hope crowded close beside Annie and slipped her arms about Annie’s bulging middle.

  Annie slumped against her, almost as if seeking shelter from her fears.

  “Annie, I got me an uneasy feelin’ bout things yesterday. ’Member on how I went out to talk to your brother? Well, ’twas because the Lord revealed to me that you had a special burden.”

  A small sound curled in Annie’s throat.

  Hope continued to hold her with one arm and cupped Annie’s head to her shoulder with her other hand. “Shhhh,” she murmured. When Hope looked at Jakob, the liquid gold centers of her warm hazel eyes transmitted a promise to help him shield and care for his fragile sister.

  Hope dipped her head and half whispered, “That knowledge our heavenly Father placed in my heart, Annie—’twas timely. God was makin’ shore that you’d be protected. Ain’t nothin’ to be done but for us to love one another and lean on the Lord. I reckon that’s why He brung me here—just like your brother said, a friend to safeguard you.”

  “But what can you do?”

  Jakob didn’t wait for Hope to answer. “Just as Jonathan hid David from Saul, Hope is hiding you.” As he spoke the words, Jakob strove to draw reassurance from them for himself, too. “Hope’s plan is sound.”

  “Speakin’ of plans . . .” Hope jerked her chin up ever so slightly—a subtle gesture, to be sure, but it told him to take courage. Her tone went brisk. “I usually use my cart to haul water and food out to the hands about midmorning.”

  Jakob understood at once. Hope changed the topic so Annie would focus on tasks to be done. “Hattie’s a fine mule, but I won’t need her today. Plenty of my neighbors will ride here. There’ll be more than enough draft horses. I’ll hitch Hattie to your cart.”

  “Nah. You got plenty to do, and Hattie—she cooperates just fine for me.” Hope gave Annie a reassuring smile. “I reckon we’d best better put on another pot of coffee and get some corn bread in the oven. If ’n y’all do that, Annie, I’ll go out to the springhouse and fetch them chickens we cut up last night.”

  Emmy-Lou came back down the stairs. “Dolly’s taking a nap, and
I got a danbana.” A red bandana fluttered from her hand.

  Hope’s hazel eyes sparkled, and she whispered, “I ain’t got the heart to tell her she says that wrong. Fact is, them words she gets tangled make her all the more dear to me.”

  Men streamed in. Harvest always carried with it this sense of energy and excitement. The low hum of men talking, the full-throated laughs, a gathering of well-worn overalls and jeans represented a brotherhood where each man knew he’d receive the best work of all who came, just as he would give in return.

  Vim—that’s what his grandmother called it. The robust energy of men with an important task ahead of them. Some came from barely started farms, most had places about the same size as Jakob’s, and two owned spreads twice the size of his. It didn’t matter. Every last man would labor until the work was done. Mornings like this, Jakob felt this was a little foretaste of heaven—of everyone being of one mind and hearts raised in praise for God’s goodness.

  Though most had eaten at home, that didn’t stop them from grabbing something more. The work ahead would demand much of them. Hope raced in and out of the house, bringing out more coffee, another bucket of hard-boiled eggs, and calling greetings to the newcomers. She’d been to church only once, yet she recalled the names of many of the men. How she managed that flummoxed him—and from the surprised look many of the men wore, they couldn’t imagine how she knew who they were, either.

  “Mr. Smith!” Hope waved at him. “Lookit them fine sons you brung. You young’uns—I got milk and buttermilk in the springhouse.”

  Smith brought his oldest sons—schoolboys who were of a size that they could ride the lead horse in the team of three that pulled the older model of the McCormick thresher the community owned. The elder of the boys had proven himself capable a few years back; the younger was eager to show he’d grown old enough to have a turn at the job. Even though the newer thresher didn’t require a third horse or a small rider, traditions were important. A boy who rode this year would walk behind and make windrows with the men in another few years. It was a rite of passage.