Planted with Hope

by Tricia Goyer

  “Peanut Better cookies?” Grace giggled. “Don’t you mean peanut butter?”

  Emma held up a paper plate filled with cookies. “Ne. We call them Peanut Better because we put in chocolate chips… which makes them even better than peanut butter.”

  Laughter filled the room, and Hope forced a smile. Even though she’d yet to look his direction Hope sensed Jonas’s gaze on her. Mem stood to his side, and her lips were tight as she attempted to hold back a smile. A knowing look danced in Mem’s eyes.

  “That’s so kind of you, Emma.” Hope approached the young girl and leaned down. Emma’s large, brown eyes that had been filled with fear earlier today were now warm and happy. They were the color of the dimpled brown cowpea seeds Hope had ordered last year, hearing they grew well in the Southern states. But her results had been disappointing in the sandy soil of their backyard. The cowpeas had never flourished.

  Hope smiled, holding up the jar of peanut butter in her hand. “I do like peanut butter, and I was just going to make myself a sandwich. Would you like one?”

  Jonas cleared his throat. “That’s nice of you, but we just had dinner—”

  “I want one!” Emma stepped forward. “Dat, just a half a sandwich, ple-e-ease.”

  Hope smiled and turned back to the counter. “We can share one.”

  “Emma.” Jonas sighed. “We came to bring Hope these cookies and thank her for today, not to cause more work for her.”

  “As if making a sandwich is a lot of work. It’s no trouble at all,” she shot back before remembering they had an audience. Mem, Dat, and her four sisters all sat in silence, watching the exchange. Feeling the tension of their presence, Hope sliced two pieces of bread and spread them with peanut butter.

  Hope called over her shoulder. “Jonas, would you like some?”

  Jonas cleared his throat again, and he took the plate of cookies from Emma’s hands and placed it on the counter. “Actually, that does sound good. If it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Of course it’s not. I hope peanut butter and jelly is fine.”

  “My favorite!” Emma called out.

  Jonas smiled. “Ja, that’s fine.”

  “Why don’t you three take it out back?” Mem bustled to the back door, opening it wide. “I bet Emma would love to see the flowers you’ve planted, Hope.”

  Heat rose up the back of Hope’s neck again, only this time it wasn’t from the sun. “Oh, they’re really not much, Mem.”

  “I’d like to see them,” Jonas’s words came quick. She didn’t turn to look, but she wondered if he was still watching her. Was the same glimmer of interest evident in his eyes as it had been earlier today?

  Hope’s heartbeat clattered. “If that’s what you want.” She smeared the jelly onto the bread and sliced the sandwiches into triangles.

  “I should say… I’d like to see them if you don’t mind.” He stepped forward to help her with the sandwiches, placing them on a paper plate.

  “Of course not.”

  Don’t look at him. Don’t look for the same look in his eyes that you saw earlier. The Sutters are just being neighborly—that’s all.

  Jonas moved toward the back door, and Emma skipped beside him as if being in the Miller’s home was the most natural thing in the world. When Hope had been Emma’s age, she’d been too timid to act natural around strangers. Then again, who was she fooling? She still was.

  Thankfully, she’d found a few good friends in Pinecraft, and they liked to go to the beach together. They didn’t have to talk much. Instead, they just enjoyed the simple pleasure of lifting up their skirts a bit and walking in the waves.

  But she’d never had a male friend, or even a child as a real friend for that matter. But as she joined the young father on the back porch Hope couldn’t help but be thankful that they’d stopped by.

  They took a brief tour of Hope’s flower garden before they took their plates over near the swing and chairs. Hope sat in the chair and motioned for them to take the swing, which could fit two people.

  “Dat says he’s going to teach me to swim when we get back to Kentucky,” Emma said. She plopped onto the white porch swing that Dat had made for Mem as a Christmas gift.

  “That’s not for a few months yet.” Jonas sat next to his daughter, and then he pulled a sandwich off the plate and took a big bite. “We’re going to be in Pinecraft for a while, remember.”

  “You have to stay. You’re the new schoolteacher.” The words shot out of Hope’s mouth before she realized what she was saying. “But, of course, you know that.”

  “Ja.” Jonas nodded. “It’s not something I’ve ever done before, but I told my sister that if she was open to my unconventional ways I’d take her place.”

  “Take her place?”

  “Ja, it’s Ruth Ann’s classroom that I’m taking over. Her daughter—my cousin Hannah—is pregnant with twins and there have been some complications. I’ve never really asked what’s going on, and I don’t really need to know. Since things are quiet on the farm until spring and the school year here is over at the end of April, I agreed to come and teach.”

  “I see,” Hope said.

  Emma peeled the crust off her sandwich. “Then we are going back to Kentucky. I have a horse named Rocky, and Dat says when we get back we can start our garden.”

  Hope’s eyebrows peeked. “Oh, do you like to garden, Emma?”

  Emma shrugged. “I like making mud pies best.” Once the crust was off, she ate her sandwich with vigor, as if she hadn’t eaten anything all day.

  Jonas finished his sandwich and then rose. “We didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. We—Emma—just wanted to stop by and thank you for rescuing her.” He placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “She knows now she’s not going to go down to the creek unless she has an adult with her.”

  Emma set her empty paper plate on the swing’s seat and stood. She clapped her hands together. “Oh, will you come with me sometime, Hope?”

  “Now, Emma, I’m sure Hope has other things—”

  “I’d love to,” Hope answered, not letting him finish. “The park is one of my favorite places. It’s so quiet and peaceful down there.”

  “And maybe Dat can come too!” Emma reached up and took his hand, smearing peanut butter on his fingers as she did. Jonas released the young girl’s hand, licked off the peanut butter, and then returned his grasp without batting an eye. Hope’s stomach did a little flip. It was clear he spent a lot of time with his daughter and they had a natural comfort when they were together.

  “We can do it tomorrow. After church!” Emma’s eyes danced as she looked from her father to Hope. Hope saw something there… anticipation? Excitement? Was it possible that an eight-year-old could be a matchmaker? If Emma was anything like Hope’s mother she could.

  Hope swallowed hard, and worry wreathed her heart. This little girl had gone through so much. She didn’t want her to get her hopes up. Hope knew very little about Jonas Sutter, and she knew even less about being open to a new friendship when a child was involved.

  “Maybe not tomorrow,” Hope hurriedly said. “But sometime this week might be nice.”

  Emma’s shoulders sunk, and she nodded. She looked to her dat. Her eyes widened as if she was waiting for him to make the next move.

  “It’ll be a busy week. School starts on Monday, but I’m sure we’ll see you around town.” His face was expressionless. Hope couldn’t tell if, like Emma, he was disappointed that they wouldn’t be seeing each other the next day. If so, he hid it well. But Emma’s face… well, the disappointment was clear, and it broke Hope’s heart.

  “There’s a gospel sing on Birky Street Thursday night,” Hope hurriedly said. “You bring your own chairs, but if you’d like, uh, we can meet there.”

  The hint of a smile touched Jonas’s lips. “We’d like that, wouldn’t we Emma?”

  He looked down at the girl, but instead of answering she slipped her hand from his and rushed to the side gate. “Look, Dat, a cat!�
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  “He’s stray, and I don’t think he’ll let you get too close,” Hope called after the young girl.

  Emma rushed forward as if not hearing. Jonas cupped his hands to call to his daughter. “Emma, wait up! Stay on the side of the street. Don’t go out into the road.”

  Emma nodded, but she didn’t slow and didn’t turn back.

  “This one always keeps me busy,” Jonas said to Hope apologetically.

  He hurried away with a slight wave, and Hope watched as Emma chased the cat and Jonas chased Emma. Finally reaching her, Jonas scooped up the young girl and hoisted her onto his shoulder. Both of her legs dangled on his right side, and Emma’s laughter filled the air, warming Hope’s heart.

  She hoped to see them at the gospel singing, if not sooner. Hope picked up the paper plates they’d left and realized she hadn’t taken a bite of her own sandwich. She didn’t feel like eating now. Instead her stomach balled in knots. Her gaze wandered back to watch Jonas and Emma disappearing down the street.

  Oh Lord, she prayed. May it not be too long before I see them returning that way again.

  Emma’s Peanut Better Cookies

  1 cup all-purpose flour

  1 cup cake flour

  1 tsp. baking soda

  1 tsp. baking powder

  ¼ tsp. salt

  ¼ cup shortening

  ½ cup butter

  ½ cup granulated sugar

  ½ cup light brown sugar

  2 eggs

  ½ cup creamy peanut butter

  ½ tsp. vanilla extract

  10 oz. chocolate morsels

  Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, sift flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter, and sugars. Add eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Add sifted dry ingredients; mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate morsels. Drop heaping Tbsp of dough onto parchment-lined sheets, 3 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.

  Baking Tip: You can make your own cake flour. For every cup all-purpose flour, remove two Tbsp and replace with two Tbsp cornstarch. Sift.

  Chapter Four

  You will always leave something behind—your influence.

  AMISH PROVERB

  Jonas Sutter rolled up his sleeves and walked to the chalkboard at the front of Golden Coast Amish School, wiping off the day’s lesson and preparing to write up tomorrow’s. His first day of teaching had gone well. The older students had been respectful and interested in this farmer from Kentucky. They’d listened and done their assignments, but that didn’t stop him from thinking about his farm. Thinking about all he’d left behind back in Guthrie.

  “Four months,” he muttered under his breath. “Just four months and I can get back to the farm.”

  He’d repeated that same thought on the ride to Pinecraft from Kentucky, sitting in the back of a full van driven by an Englisch driver. He’d repeated that thought as he’d chatted with friends, old and new, at the New Year’s gathering at Pinecraft Park. But after Saturday evening—and the visit to the Miller’s house—the idea didn’t seem as urgent. Would the days go by fast? Would he have enough time to get to know Hope Miller before he left? For the first time since Sarah’s passing, he’d found someone worth getting to know better.

  Unlike most public schools that went until June, the Amish school in Pinecraft finished at the end of April. One reason was they didn’t take as many holidays as public schools—for Columbus Day, President’s Day, or Thanksgiving. They also took a shortened Christmas break. When other public school students were still finishing up testing and their studies in May, most Amish children were already helping around farms, which was exactly what he’d planned for Emma.

  Last year, if someone would have told him that the beginning of the new year he’d be living in Florida and teaching school to two dozen children, he never would have believed it. It had been a hard two years since losing Sarah. And an even longer three years before that as he watched the illness strip his wife of her mobility, finally taking her life. He’d always imagined he’d stay in Kentucky his whole life, but his oldest sister’s need had drawn him here.

  Jonas had read Ruth Ann’s note at least ten times when it first arrived, and he thought of it again now.

  Jonas, you know I wouldn’t ask unless it was urgent, but Hannah’s pregnancy is delicate. She’s moving into one of our extra rooms until the twins are born. I’d promised to teach school this year, until a new teacher can be found, but I’m needed by my daughter’s side. I know you, out of anyone, will understand. Can you come? Emma will love it here.

  Love, Ruth Ann

  Six sentences jotted off on a piece of typing paper was all his oldest sister had written. Older by twenty years, Ruth Ann seemed just as much as a mother as his own Mem. Two sentences replayed in his mind again: “I know you, out of anyone, will understand” and “Emma will love it here.” Both were true, but the latter sentence sealed his decision. Emma would love Pinecraft—the sunshine and the ability to play outside most days. His daughter needed that. She’d spent too much of her life inside with him as he’d cared for Sarah. Even though Jonas wasn’t confident in his teaching, he was confident that he’d do what he could to help Emma return to the cheerful, carefree little girl she’d been before his wife’s illness. He wanted that more than anything.

  As if on cue, the schoolhouse door burst open and Emma rushed in. The warm afternoon breeze followed her in, and he could see Ruth Ann waiting by the gate to the school.

  Emma was tall for eight, and thin like he’d been as a child. Strands of wispy, light brown hair—the same color as his—fell from her kapp and framed her face. She paused before him and her dark brown eyes sparkled, looking so much like her mother’s. Jonas no longer had Sarah, but he had a glimpse of her every time he looked into his daughter’s eyes.

  “Dat? Can I go with Aenti Ruth Ann to Lapp’s Bike Shop? She said we’re going to find a bike just my size to rent.”

  “Ja. That’ll be fine. Just be back in an hour or so. I’d like to spend some time with you this afternoon.” Jonas kneeled before her. “I’m used to having my little sidekick by my side, ja?”

  Emma nodded. She offered him a quick hug.

  When she released her arms around his neck, he walked to the open door and waved to his sister. Then he turned back to Emma, placing a hand on her shoulder. Sarah had been the tender one, always hugging their daughter, always taking her hand or brushing her fingers on Emma’s cheek. He’d tried to do his best to take over that role, but his attempts were stiff and awkward, or at least that’s how they felt to him. Still, Emma didn’t seem to mind. She smiled up at him and turned back to the door.

  “And maybe later we can ride down to the park?” she called over her shoulder. It was half a question and half a statement.

  “Ja, of course… ” He was going to add As long as your chores are done, but changed his mind. Living in Ruth Ann’s house for four months meant Emma wouldn’t be able to get away with anything. Ruth Ann had raised seven children and believed that play only followed hard work. Hannah was four years younger than Jonas. She’d always had delicate health and being pregnant with twins was taking a toll on her body—but caring for her on top of everything else was nothing that Ruth Ann couldn’t manage. If anything, his oldest sister was determined and capable. If Ruth Ann set her mind on something it would get done. And his hope was that Ruth Ann would be able to help him tame Emma’s independent streak. The little girl had been left to her own devices more than he wanted to admit. That was why he couldn’t blame her when she’d wandered down to Phillippi Creek. Jonas was just thankful that Hope Miller had been there.

  He’d tried not to look at Hope too many times at church yesterday. She’d been sitting on the long wooden bench next to her sisters—just a row in front of where Emma had sat with Ruth Ann. Emma had given Hope a quick hug after service was over, and they’d been chat
ting about something. Jonas hadn’t tried to interrupt. Instead, he’d sauntered outside with all the other men to talk about the weather, who was due to arrive on the Pioneer Trails bus, and any news that they’d heard about their friends and their family from back home.

  He smiled and pushed thoughts of the pretty redhead out of his mind. First, he had to prepare tomorrow’s lessons. Only after could he let his mind wander, thinking of her. He scanned the room. Work came first.

  The classroom doors were opened, pressed against the walls. The building was quiet, which hadn’t been the case just a few hours before. The window shades had been lowered to block out the sun, but now Jonas moved to them and lifted them to the top. He’d no doubt regret it later when the room grew too warm from the heat of the sun, but for now he’d enjoy the golden, slanted rays. One only experienced sunshine like this during the summer months in Kentucky. He’d enjoy it while he could.

  Jonas moved to the blackboard, rolled up his sleeves, and began erasing the day’s math lesson. The swish of the eraser on the board reminded him of the swish of a tail on a barn wall, but he pushed those thoughts away. He’d first kissed Sarah in her dat’s barn with such a sound in the background.

  “Good day, Jonas!” The voice interrupted him.

  His heart leaped, but he pasted a smile on his face as he turned.

  “Good afternoon, Clyde.”

  His brother-in-law wandered in with a pleasant smile on his face. The older man was broad shouldered and extra wide around the waist. Clyde hadn’t been that way when he and Ruth Ann had married, but her good cooking, matched with the years passing by, had increased his waist size.

  Clyde’s smile was just as wide, and he’d no doubt just spent the last hour meeting those who’d arrived on this afternoon’s Pioneer Trails bus—welcoming the snowbirds and telling his fill of big fish or alligator stories.