The Middle-Aged Amish Widow

by Samantha Price

  She walked out of the kitchen and sat on the couch, waiting for Isaac to arrive and too tired to do anything else. There was always plenty of cleaning to be done, but Sarah excused herself from doing anything now since she’d just taken a shower. It was rare that she sat and did nothing, so she decided to soak in the peace and quiet.

  Isaac got the stew out of the buggy and headed to the front door of Ruth’s house.

  “Hello,” Isaac called out when he reached the door, because he had his hands full. When there was no answer, he peeked through the window and saw Sarah fast asleep on the couch. He chuckled quietly. He didn't want to wake her, so he balanced the stew on his knee with one hand and opened the door with the other. Once he was inside, he made his way into the kitchen and put the stew onto the kitchen table. When he walked back into the living room she was awake.

  "You’re here already? Was I asleep?" She yawned.

  He laughed. “I hope you don't mind me coming in just now, but I saw you asleep and didn't want to startle you by knocking on the door. Was I too noisy in the kitchen?"

  "Not at all. I’m glad I didn’t miss out on dinner." Sarah gave a little laugh.

  "I wouldn't let you do that."

  "Well, where is it?” Sarah asked, pushing herself to her feet.

  "It's here, in the kitchen. Are you hungry now or do you want to wait a while?"

  "I think we could eat now. But we might have to bring it out here and eat it sitting on the couch with our plates on our knees."

  “It’ll only be for two nights; I’ll have the kitchen back to normal in no time. The stove will be okay to use tomorrow, but the paint on the cupboards will need time to dry. I’ll paint them first thing tomorrow.”

  “Okay. We’ll have to hope it’s a nice warm day so everything dries quicker.”

  Together they walked into the kitchen.

  Sarah took the lid off the saucepan and set it on the kitchen table. “This smells gut! And you did this by yourself?"

  "Of course, I did. Who else would've done it for me?" She stared at him and he gave a crooked smile.

  "Do I really need to name the people who could have cooked it for you?"

  He laughed. “Nee, denke! I wouldn’t have them cook for me. I did it myself."

  “I’ll get us some plates and cutlery. Can you carry it to the living room?”

  Isaac picked up the pot, with the hot handles covered by tea towels.

  Sarah said, “I hope you don't mind eating it on your lap."

  "Nee. It goes down the same way." He placed the saucepan on the low wooden table in the living room.

  Sarah served the stew onto two soup plates. "I should be letting you do this since you cooked it.”

  “I would’ve, but you just took over.”

  Sarah giggled. “Sit down and I’ll hand you a plate.”

  She handed him a plate of food and then sat down with one herself. They both closed their eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks for the food.

  Sarah opened her eyes and looked at Isaac.

  “Go on. Try some.”

  She pushed her fork into a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth. When she finished chewing, she said, “It’s delicious.”

  “Gut!

  She nodded. “Much better than I expected. You’re full of surprises. I never thought you’d be able to cook this well.”

  "Denke—I think."

  "What else can you do?"

  "I told you before, I've had to do everything for myself for awhile with Veronica gone."

  Isaac and Sarah sat and talked for hours, long after they’d finished the dinner.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t even offer you a cup of hot tea,” Sarah said. “Since the stove isn’t connected.

  “We could light the fire.”

  She glanced at the fireplace. “I hope Mamm has it in good working order. I don’t want the haus to fill with smoke.”

  “I drive past Ruth’s haus most every day and in the winter the smoke was always coming out of the chimney—not the windows. I think we can risk it.”

  Sarah nodded. “I’ll get some matches. It looks like there’s enough wood and kindling there.”

  “I’ll build the fire.”

  “Okay.” Sarah went to the kitchen to find the matches and a suitable pot to boil water in. When she came back, he had made a pile of wood and kindling. She handed him the matches and some firestarters.

  Together they made a fire and boiled the water, talking and laughing all the while.

  Chapter 12

  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

  Titus 3:8

  * * *

  Ruth’s house is completed.

  "Well it's been a busy two months; what do you think of it now?"

  "I like it so much I might move here myself."

  He laughed. “I don't know what your mudder would say about that."

  “She wouldn't like it, but she never likes anything I do so what would be the difference?”

  He laughed. “It's like you're speaking about somebody else. I've never found Ruth to be like that.”

  "It is possible I'm being too hard on her—a small possibility, but I'll see if we can't get along better when I go back home.”

  He laughed again. “You should do that. Now, on a different subject I've got somebody looking at the house this afternoon.”

  "Looking at it for what?"

  “To buy."

  "But I haven't even spoken to a realtor yet."

  "You can do that today if you don't mind me showing the young couple through the house myself."

  "Of course, I don't mind. Who are they?"

  "A young couple from the community—they’re getting married soon. They told me they’ve been looking for a house and I told them about Ruth’s. They’re quite interested. I'm sure they’ll pay the going rate, whatever that might be, if they like it. They’ll pay a fair price."

  "I'm shocked that someone might be interested so soon. I thought it would be at least another six months to find a buyer." It struck Sarah then and there that she wanted to stay longer. She had enjoyed Isaac’s company every day. They’d had at least one meal together daily since he’d started work on the house. The thought of going back home made her more than a little sad. Sarah glanced up at him and wondered if he felt the same.

  “The sooner you get this place sold the sooner you can get back to your mudder.”

  She shook her head and smiled while thinking what it would be like with her mother and herself under the same roof until the extension was built onto the house.

  "I mean you can get back in enough time to settle in before the boppli is born."

  "Jah, I guess I have to get things organized. I’m excited about the boppli coming, but I haven’t had much time to think about it. There has been so much going on."

  "You do have some organizing to do, but don't worry. I'm sure it will be easier than getting me and the house repairs systematized."

  She laughed. “You did all that. Denke for everything. You’ve done a wonderful job. My mudder is blessed to have such a friend as you.”

  “I'm glad to have met you, Sarah. I really mean that."

  "And I you.”

  He looked down at her and smiled.

  "I suppose I better find a phone book and start calling a couple of realtors. I'll see if they can come by this morning before your friends arrive to see the haus."

  "That would be best. I'll do some cleaning up while you're making your calls."

  They went their separate ways.

  When she came back inside from making the calls in the barn, she saw him sweeping the kitchen floor. "I can do that."

  "So can I,” he said without looking up.

  “So I see. I've got two realtors coming here a little later on.”

  "Gut."

  "Jah, I guess if this
young couple decides to buy the haus, Mamm will be pleased to have a quick sale.”

  "They're a nice young couple. Their names are Ralene and Peter. I’m not sure if I mentioned that to you."

  “Okay, Ralene and Peter. I’ll try to remember that. Would you be able to stay for dinner tonight?"

  "I'd like that."

  "What time are your friends having a look through the house?"

  “They said they’d be here at four o'clock. When are your realtors coming?”

  "One is coming at eleven and the other one said one o’clock.”

  "That works out well. I'll just do a few last things around here and then I'll get out of your hair until just before Peter and Ralene get here."

  After Isaac had gone, time passed slowly for Sarah. She spent the next few hours cleaning and polishing the house the best she could to make a good impression on the realtors.

  Chapter 13

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

  the evidence of things not seen.

  Hebrews 11:1

  * * *

  Isaac arrived at the house fifteen minutes before the young couple was due to arrive.

  "Why don't you take a walk while I show them around?" Isaac asked.

  "Do you think that would be best?"

  "Jah, they might feel more relaxed if you’re not here. You might, too."

  "Okay, I'll go for a walk."

  "Before you go, what did the realtors say about the value?"

  Sarah gave him the price range that both realtors had suggested.

  "I'll come and find you when they're gone."

  "Okay. And thanks again for doing this, Isaac."

  "Why wouldn't I? It will work out well for everyone if Ralene and Peter buy Ruth’s haus."

  Sarah walked away from the house, hoping that the young couple would find the house suitable. A prompt sale of the home would mean she could get on with her own life faster. She’d barely had enough time to adjust to Thomas being gone and the idea of having a baby.

  When she was two paddocks over, she looked back at the house to see Isaac sitting on the porch.

  Isaac sat on the porch waiting for his young friends to get there to look through the house. He was pleased that Sarah had enough confidence in him to leave things in his hands. In a way, he knew he was working against himself if Ralene and Peter bought the house quickly. He wanted Sarah to stay around as long as possible. In a few short weeks she’d become a good friend, and there weren't many people around that he was comfortable enough to talk with the way he could talk with Sarah.

  He only hoped the feeling was mutual. When the time came for her to leave, he’d ask her to write to him. Perhaps he could even visit Sarah and Ruth in Lancaster County.

  When he looked up, he saw Peter’s horse and buggy heading toward him.

  Peter was the first to jump out of the buggy, and Isaac headed to meet them.

  “Is Ruth really selling?" Ralene asked, stepping down.

  "She is. The haus needed a few things done to it, but now it's all finished and ready to be sold. I hope you'll both like it. I think it would suit you.”

  Ralene looked up at the house and when Peter stood beside her, Ralene said, “I think this will be just perfect."

  Peter laughed. "Let's leave that decision until we've had a look inside."

  "I can just tell," she insisted with a frown.

  Isaac gave a little chuckle. "Come on, I’ll show you through.”

  When they got into the living room, Isaac sat down. "On second thought, I'll let you two have a little explore for yourselves and see what you think."

  "Sounds good," Peter said before Ralene pulled him into another room.

  Isaac knew that Ralene loved the place and she would most likely talk Peter into buying it.

  The pair looked around the house for about fifteen minutes and then sat down opposite Isaac in the living room.

  "We really like it,” Ralene said.

  “But it will depend on the price," Peter added.

  When Isaac gave them the price range the two agents mentioned, Peter named a price that they’d be willing to pay.

  "I’ll let Ruth know. The ultimate decision is up to her. I’ll let Sarah, her dochder, know and she can call Ruth."

  "Good. How soon can you let us know?" Ralene asked.

  "How does tomorrow sound?"

  Peter said, "That would be good because we’ve got some other places we want to look at."

  “I'm sure we'll know by tomorrow," Isaac said.

  Peter and Ralene looked lovingly into each other's eyes.

  Isaac was transported back many years to the time when he and his wife had bought their house. They’d had great expectations of how life would be. They’d both taken for granted the notion that they’d be blessed with many children, but they were to find out that it wasn’t in God’s plan for them. Isaac hoped for the sake of this young couple that they wouldn't be disappointed in what they pictured for their future. If there was one thing Isaac had come to know about life, it was that life was unpredictable. Very often the things he’d planned had never worked out. He learned from experience that people make plans, but we have no power over those plans, as it is God who decides what’s in everyone’s future.

  He looked back at the young couple who were still smiling—smitten with each other.

  “I hope you'll both be very happy," he said, wishing his own life had been different or that he could understand God's plans for him.

  They looked at him, surprised, even a little amazed.

  "Denke, Isaac, we’ll be fine," Peter said.

  Spoken with the confidence of the young, Isaac thought. “Gott willing.”

  Sarah had been walking in the top paddock when she saw Isaac heading toward her. There was now no buggy at the house and she knew that the young couple had been and gone. She stared at Isaac’s face trying to get an inkling of how things had gone.

  “How did it go?” she asked.

  “Very good. They said they’d buy it at ten thousand under the top figure the realtors gave you.”

  “That sounds fair to me. I’ll just have to clear it with my mudder. I’ll call my friend and have her deliver the message to her.”

  “Don’t you have a phone at your haus?”

  “Nee, I normally borrow my friend’s phone. Naomi is my friend and she lives next door. She got a phone connected a few years ago. Thomas and I always intended on getting one put in the barn, but there was always something to keep our attention from it. Denke, Isaac for arranging all this.”

  “I’m happy to do it.”

  “Mamm will be so pleased. Now she’ll be away from me and the boppli.”

  Isaac laughed. “I thought she’d be happy to be in the middle of things.”

  “You don’t know her as well as you think you do.”

  “I’m certain I know her quite well.”

  “Do you think you know me well too?”

  “We’ve only just met.” He stared at her and then his serious face broke into a smile. “Yes, I think I know you pretty well. I know you care enough about Ruth to drop everything and come here to get her haus sold for her.”

  Sarah raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t have much of a choice about that. My mudder is very determined when she sets her mind to something.”

  Isaac laughed.

  “She said there was no one else she wanted to do the work on her place but you.”

  “She said that?”

  “Jah, she did. She insisted on it.”

  “Don’t you have someone to build the grossdaddi haus?”

  Sarah looked into his face and knew that he wouldn’t need much persuading to do that job as well. It was too far away to be practical for him. Besides, as he’d done this job for her mother for nothing, he might insist on doing the next job for nothing, too, and Sarah just couldn’t impose like that. “I’m certain I do.” She knew many builders back home who’d be able to do the job.

  He nodd
ed looking away. Sarah could see disappointment etched into his features.

  “I guess you’ll be leaving soon, then?” he said when he looked back at her.

  “I will. As soon as the contract paperwork is signed for the sale of Mamm's haus.”

  He rubbed his chin. “I must delay that as much as I can.” When she laughed, his eyes locked onto hers. “I’ll miss you when you go, Sarah. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”

  “So have I.”

  “I like you.”

  “You only like me because I’m the only woman who hasn’t brought you a cake.”

  “It was a pie.”

  “Ach jah, a pie.”

  He nodded, and with a twinkle in his eyes added, “I don’t think pies have anything to do with it.”

  Sarah knew it wasn’t a practical thing to do—to keep Isaac thinking there might be a chance of love in their future. She was tempted to let her emotions run away with her, but it would never work. In her heart she was pleased that he felt something for her too. The next thing she said was hard for her. She swallowed hard, before she said, “Perhaps you could give one of the pie ladies a chance?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Nee, never.” After they laughed, he cleared his throat. “Might I visit both you and Ruth one day?”

  “I’d like that, I’d really like that.” She could very easily grow too fond of him, so it was just as well she was heading home soon.

  “Denke.”

  Isaac turned down the dinner invitation that Sarah had extended him earlier that day. He didn’t want to be at Ruth’s house too often. Did Sarah have any inkling how he felt about her, or did she think he was merely joking when he admitted to liking her? He didn’t want to think about her going home. There'd be a hole in his life. The funny thing was that they’d only known each other for a matter of weeks. Sarah was a delightful woman, and such women were in short supply—in his opinion.

  Chapter 14

  Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity,