A Promise of Hope

by Amy Clipston

Her smile widened, and he regretted the words immediately. He’d meant that the Lord had led him to Bird-in-Hand and Peter’s new life, not to Naomi. Hoping to change the subject, he pointed the fork at the pie. “This is outstanding.”

  “Danki.” Placing her elbows on the table, she rested her chin on her hand. “I’ll be sure to remember this recipe for you.”

  An hour later, Luke walked through the back door of the shop with a full belly and a worried mind. Lunch had been delicious, but he felt guilty for giving poor Naomi the wrong idea. He would be happy to share a nice friendship with her, but he had no interest in courting her. Yet breaking the news to her would surely shred her heart. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt an innocent girl who enjoyed his company.

  “Luke,” Eli called, approaching. “How was lunch?” The older man waggled his bushy, salt-and-pepper eyebrows, and Luke sighed.

  “Appeditlich.” Luke hoped to leave it at that.

  “She’s a gut girl.” Eli smacked his arm. “She’d be a wunderbaar fraa.”

  Luke pushed his hat back on his head and scratched his scalp. “I hope she’s not getting the wrong idea. I’m not looking to court anyone.”

  “Take your time, son.” Eli idly pulled on his beard. “I wasn’t looking to court when I met my Elizabeth. The Lord has a way of leading us to roads we never imagined we’d take. Just keep your heart and mind open to endless possibilities.”

  Luke nodded and then headed over to Jake’s work area, where the young man studied plans for another project. “So, what are we starting now?” he asked.

  “My grandpa asked me to take a look at this new design for a hope chest. It’s similar to the one you helped me finish last week before you completed that triple dresser.” Jake pushed the papers over to Luke.

  “Hey, Troyer.” A strong hand on Luke’s shoulder nudged him backward.

  Luke turned to find Timothy smirking.

  Timothy gestured toward the back door. “I see you were getting cozy with Naomi King at lunch.”

  “We’re friends,” Luke said. “That’s all. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Jake and I have work to do.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to stay here permanently,” Timothy said, his expression hardening. “Don’t you have a job, family, and friends to return to in Ohio?”

  “I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I know for sure I’m not ready to court anyone.” Luke turned his attention back to the plans, hinting it was time for him to leave.

  “Don’t forget our conversation,” Timothy said. “I think you know what would be best for everyone involved.”

  Luke met Timothy’s stare. “I know what you’re saying, and I’m not promising you I’m going to stay, and I’m not promising I’m going to leave. I’m going to wait and see what feels right to me. But I can promise you one thing: I won’t hurt Sarah.”

  Timothy shook his head. “You’re making a mistake if you stay here. You will hurt her, and no one in my family will be happy.” He turned on his heel and stomped back over to his workstation.

  Luke stared after him and gritted his teeth with frustration.

  “What was that about?” Jake asked.

  “Timothy is convinced my being here is detrimental to Sarah because I remind her of how Peter lied about his past. He wants me to leave, and he won’t let me forget it.” Luke looked back at the plans, hoping his stomach would stop churning.

  “I think Timothy needs to leave the future to God and let it go,” Jake said. “You’re not the type of person to hurt anyone, and you know how precious life is since you’ve lost your parents and your cousin.”

  Luke met the young man eyes and smiled. “You are wise beyond your years, Jake. I wish more people thought like you.” He then studied the plans. “All right, we better get to work before your grandpa gets impatient.”

  Apple Ring Fritters

  1 cup sifted flour

  1/4 tsp salt

  1 – 1/2 tsp baking powder

  1 egg

  3/4 cup milk

  4 large apples

  Shortening

  2 Tbsp cinnamon (For use after draining on paper towel)

  2 Tbsp sugar

  Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add egg and milk. Beat well. Peel and core apples and slice into rings about 3/4 – inch thick. Dip rings in batter and drop into skillet containing 3/4 inch of hot melted shortening. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towel. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over fritters. Makes 18 to 20.

  12

  Sitting across from Naomi Friday afternoon, Luke popped another large piece of vanilla crumb cake into his mouth. The cake was superbly moist and sweet, just like it had been the previous four days this week.

  He smiled while Naomi prattled on about amusing English customers and new quilt designs. She had appeared in the showroom of the furniture store precisely at a quarter of twelve each day with her basket and a delicious lunch. Each day he accepted her invitation, even though he knew by spending time with her he was leading her to believe he wanted to court her. Yet he couldn’t seem to form the words “I want to just be friends” or “I don’t want to court you.” Extinguishing her hopes and dreams felt wrong, but so did letting her believe he wanted to be more than friends.

  Today Naomi had brought a mysterious large black garbage bag, which she’d refused to allow him to carry to the table for her—and which she also refused to open. It sat next on the ground at her feet like a loyal pet.

  “Would you like to join my family for supper tonight?” she asked, a tentative smile spreading on her lip. “I’m making my appeditlich ham loaf.”

  “Oh,” Luke said, setting his fork down on the empty plate. “I wish I could, but I can’t.”

  She frowned. “That’s a shame. I guess you already have plans?”

  “Ya,” he said quickly, hoping a half truth wasn’t too much of a sin. “I’m going to join the Kauffmans tonight. I haven’t made it over to their place all week, and Eli’s been asking me to come by.”

  It wasn’t a complete lie. He hadn’t had a chance to make it to Eli’s because he’d been working late helping Jake with a project for a loyal customer, and he’d been working on Sarah’s cradle late into the night at the house. He’d longed to see Sarah all week, and while her father hadn’t invited him over, he hoped to pop in and see her around suppertime tonight.

  Naomi suddenly brightened. “I plan to get on your schedule soon. Perhaps you can join us Saturday night.”

  “Perhaps.” Luke cleared his throat and began piling up their dirty plates. “I’d best get back to work before I lose my job.” He put the dirty dishes into a small bag and then added the used cups.

  Smiling, she hefted the bag onto the bench beside her. “I brought you a gift.” She untied the knot and pulled down the sides of the bag. “Since you’re all alone in Sarah’s old house, I thought you might get cold at night.” She slowly lifted a white quilt with purple-and-blue panels. “It’s my favorite design, Log Cabin. I thought you might like deep purples and blues.”

  “Oh, Naomi.” Reaching across the table, he ran his fingers over the soft material and intricate stitching. Guilt nipped at his soul as he imagined her slaving over this beautiful blanket for him. “You shouldn’t have done this for me.”

  “Don’t be gegisch, Luke.” Her eyes were trained on his—intent and purposeful. “I wanted to.”

  “Danki,” he whispered. “I’m not worthy.”

  “But you are, Luke. You truly are.” She gave him a hopeful smile. “I hope you’ll stay here in Bird-in-Hand.”

  He nodded, overwhelmed by her frank admission of feelings and her generous nature. “I guess we’ll see what God has in store for me.”

  “I can hardly wait,” she whispered with a smile.

  “Naomi,” he began. “I appreciate your friendship. You’re a lovely maedel, and you’ll be a wunderbaar fraa someday.”

  He paused to gather his thoughts, and her smile fell in antic
ipation of his unspoken “but.” Leaning over, he took her hands in his. “I’m not sure what my future holds or where I’ll wind up living, so you shouldn’t waste your time waiting to court me. You should find someone who is available for you now.”

  She shook her head and pulled her hands back. “No, no. I want to wait for you, Luke. I’m willing to wait as long as it takes you to move here. You’re the one for me. I can feel it.” She placed a hand over her heart. “I know in my heart God wants us together. I truly believe that.”

  Luke sighed, lamenting that he had to be more direct. “Naomi, I’m not ready to court anyone. Please don’t wait for me.” He nodded toward the quilt. “I can’t accept that quilt from you.”

  She frowned, and her eyes glistened. “I’ll wait as long as I need to. You are the one for me, and you must take the quilt. I insist.”

  “Naomi, please look into my eyes.” He held her hands tight. “I want to be your friend.”

  Her lip trembled. “Are you breaking up with me?”

  He paused, debating how to respond. “I want to be your friend. I enjoy spending time with you, and I enjoy our lunches. Right now, I’m trying to figure out where I belong. Please don’t wait for me. You’re a beautiful maedel, and I’d hate to see you wasting your time on me.”

  She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “You’re not a waste.”

  He gave her a sad smile. “Ya, I am.” He touched the quilt. “That’s a beautiful quilt. I’m honored you made it for me, but I can’t accept it.”

  Clearing her throat, Naomi forced a smile. “We’re friends, ya?”

  “Ya, we’re friends.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Friends give each other gifts, ya?”

  A smile crept over his lips. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  “Nope.” She lifted her glass of iced tea.

  “Danki.” He smiled. “I appreciate the gift.”

  They chatted about the weather and their weekend plans until it was time to head back to work. She packed up her basket and then stood.

  “Danki for having lunch with me.”

  He folded the quilt into the bag and rose alongside her. “Danki for the appeditlich meals and fabulous cake. I will cherish the quilt.”

  “Can friends have lunch together sometimes?” she asked as they walked toward the front of the store.

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “Gut. Enjoy your afternoon.” She gave him a quick hug.

  Before he could respond, she trotted across the street toward the farmer’s market.

  Sarah wrapped a quilt around her shoulders and stared off across the dark pasture toward her former home. She breathed in the fresh scent of wood burning in the fireplace, mixed with the newly harvested hay.

  The past month had dragged by at a turtle’s pace. At the doctor’s orders, she’d spent most of her time on the sofa with her swollen feet and achy legs keeping her from baking the dishes she loved and sewing clothes for the children. Her sweet niece, Nancy, had waited on Sarah and worked around the house. While she loved spending time with Nancy, she missed the bakery.

  Gazing across the fields, she thought about Luke. She had expected him to stop by to visit or for supper. However, she hadn’t seen him once since Thanksgiving dinner last week. She wondered what had kept him away all week. They’d chatted briefly after Thanksgiving supper, and he’d asked how she was feeling. After that he was dragged outside to the barn for the usual men talk.

  She’d found herself missing him all week. She longed for their previous conversations on the porch and hoped she hadn’t scared him off by being too bold that Sunday when she had shared the twins’ kicks with him. She had felt at the time their friendship allowed for that level of intimacy, but she must’ve been wrong. Letting him touch her may have been too much for him. She hoped he didn’t think she was…forward. Or, worse yet, loose.

  She pushed that idea away and reflected on her week. Norman had dropped in for supper on Wednesday, and they’d spent the evening chatting about the children. She enjoyed their time together and appreciated his friendship. However, she sensed something more in his eyes lately. More than once, she’d found him staring at her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable.

  Sighing, she cradled her belly and smiled when a baby kicked in response. Hearing her twins’ heartbeats at the doctor’s had deepened the excitement she already harbored for them. In a couple of weeks or so, she’d be holding them in her arms and gazing into their eyes

  Cupping a hand over her mouth, she tried in vain to stifle a yawn. The screen door squeaked open and banged shut, and Timothy’s boots scraped across the porch before he sank into a chair nearby.

  “It’s cold out here,” he said, hugging his coat to his chest. “You should go inside.”

  “I will soon enough,” she said through a second yawn. “I was just enjoying the cool air for a moment.” She nodded toward her house. “I’m surprised Luke hasn’t stopped by this week. Have you talked to him at all?”

  “He’s been real busy at work. Tonight he’s working late helping Jake with a project that’s due to a customer tomorrow.”

  “That’s nice he’s helping Jake,” Sarah said, ignoring the disappointment flickering through her. She wondered if Luke and Naomi were still friends. She hesitated, since the question would sound like she was gossiping, which was a sin, but her curiosity won out. “Does Naomi come by the shop at all?”

  “She brings Luke lunch sometimes,” Timothy said. “She was by a couple of times this week.”

  “Oh?” Sarah pushed the rocker back and studied her dark house across the pitch-black pasture.

  “I think she would like to court him,” Timothy said. “But I have the feeling Luke isn’t going to stay around here.”

  She looked at him. “You don’t think so?”

  Timothy shook his head. “He belongs in Ohio.”

  “He said that?”

  Timothy shrugged. “In not so many words, but ya.”

  Sarah battled the disappointment bubbling up inside her. “I thought he might stay to be with the kinner.”

  “He’ll probably be gone right after Christmas. He’ll stay long enough to see them born and then head back home to live his own life.” Yawning, Timothy stood and started down the stairs. “I reckon I should hit the hay. The alarm goes off early in the morning. Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht.” Sarah heaved herself from the swing and started toward the door.

  Climbing the stairs to her room, she wondered what would become of Luke Troyer. Somehow she couldn’t imagine losing him. And yet, she couldn’t figure out why she felt so attached to him.

  13

  What do you think, Aenti Sarah?” Nancy nodded at the poinsettia she’d placed on the mantle in preparation of Christmas dinner tomorrow night. “Do you like the flower there?”

  “Oh, it’s love—” Sarah gasped and groaned, her words stolen by a unexpected sharp stab of pain, slicing through her lower back like a knife.

  She sucked in a breath and rubbed her stomach as a cramp radiated through her abdomen. All week she’d endured pressure and occasional cramps. Today they felt more intense as she sat in her father’s favorite easy chair.

  “Aenti Sarah!” Nancy yelped, rushing over and dropping at Sarah’s feet. She grasped Sarah’s hand in hers. “Are you all right?”

  Sarah could only manage a slight nod as the pain radiated again, more intense than ever.

  “Katie!” Nancy yelled. “Katie, come quick! We need help!”

  Her older sister trotted in from the kitchen. “What’s wrong?”

  “Something’s wrong with Aenti Sarah.” Fear shimmered in Nancy’s big, blue eyes.

  “I think it’s time,” Sarah whispered, her voice raspy and breathless. “I think I’m in labor. Please get help.”

  Katie pulled Nancy to her feet and pushed her toward the kitchen. “Go! Run! Get help!”

  Katie then looked at Sarah. “I’ll get you a glass of water a
nd a compress for your head.” Her expression was calm, her words steady and even—evidence she’d been present when her mamm delivered her younger siblings at home.

  “Danki,” Sarah whispered. She sucked in a breath when another cramp gripped her.

  Katie returned with a cold washcloth and swiped it over Sarah’s clammy forehead and cheeks. She then held a glass of water to Sarah’s lips. Sarah held her breath through more cramps while Katie brushed Sarah’s hair back from her face and chatted about their plans for Christmas dinner.

  After what seemed like an eternity, the back door slammed open and Mamm entered, followed by Rebecca and Lindsay. Sarah only heard the echo of voices as another cramp hit, stronger and more intense this time. The pressure on her abdomen felt like fire and stole her breath.

  “Sarah Rose!” Her mother’s voice cut through her fog of pain. “I’m with you now. Everything’s going to be just fine. We’ve called Nina, and she’s on her way. We’ll have you to the hospital soon, mei liewe. I promise.”

  Pulling up a chair, Rebecca sat next to Sarah and took her hand. “Squeeze when it hurts.”

  “I’ll get your bag.” Mamm hurried up the stairs.

  Sarah stared into Rebecca’s eyes and gripped her hand. “It’s time.”

  “Ya.” Rebecca smiled, pushing a wet wisp of hair that had escaped Sarah’s prayer Kapp back from her face. “It’s time. I’ll stay with you the whole time. I promise.”

  “Danki.” Sarah sucked in a breath as another cramp set in.

  Rebecca quietly counted.

  When it released, Sarah felt a dribble between her legs and gasped. “I think my water just broke.”

  Rebecca squealed and squeezed her hand.

  Closing her eyes, Sarah said a silent prayer the labor would be smooth and the twins would be healthy. She couldn’t help but wish Peter were with her.

  The following afternoon, Christmas Day, Sarah stared down at the beautiful baby girl in her arms. After twenty-four hours of labor, she had delivered two perfect babies, each weighing a little over six pounds.