He touched his finger to her lips, then took Samantha’s hand, and smiled deeply at her.
Samantha welcomed the Woods into the house, grinning the entire time, her heart aflutter. She watched the children rush to greet her mother in the kitchen, as if she were already their own Grohs-mammi. Joshua kept a hold of Samantha’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as the door closed behind them, and they shared a smile.
Danke, Gott. Samantha prayed silently. Thank you for calming little Andrew's heart and giving him peace, and also for not being confined to only grant us one dream. You truly are an amazing Gott. May all honor and praise be to You. Amen.
THE END
Book 2
A Season of Change
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
-Isaiah 40:31
Chapter 1
“When is Gott gut?” Samantha asked, looking over the students in front of her.
“All of the time!” the class replied.
“That’s right,” she said. “Now we have a few minutes left, but I can see that you’re all anxious to leave. So– I'd like you to quickly just write down one thing that you are thankful to Gott for, and then you can leave.”
Her students scribbled onto pieces of paper, the older ones finishing first. However, the students didn’t rush out like she expected, but lingered, wanting to chat with her. She had a great time visiting with the children and before she knew it, it was long after school should have finished.
Samantha chuckled and shooed them out the door. “I love talking to you all, but your shtamms are waiting for you! You had best get home, kinner.”
“Jah, go along now,” Kristen said. She’d been Samantha’s teacher aide last year, and Samantha was thrilled that she was continuing on as her aid this year. Her gray-white hair was pinned under her kapp, and the laugh-line wrinkles on her face gave her a permanently endearing, joyous expression.
The students finally were beckoned outside by the beautiful warm fall weather, even if it was a little cloudy today. However, one student stayed behind – seven year old Andrew, a boy with dark brown hair and the most adoring smile, who ran up to Samantha and hugged her tightly.
She smiled. “And how was school today, Andrew?”
“Gut! You’re a fun teacher, Samantha,” Andrew said.
Samantha chuckled. “Danke.” Andrew and his younger sister Melissa were Samantha’s step-children. She had recently married their father, the ever handsome, kind, and hard-working Joshua Woods. They’d actually married a little earlier in the year than most other couples among the Amish did, so that she could continue teaching during the fall.
And Samantha was in bliss. She’d found a wonderful husband, has an amazing family of her own, and yet she had the opportunity to continue teaching. It was everything she’d ever hoped for, and she couldn’t have been happier.
“Oh, Mrs. Henson, I'll help you,” Andrew said. He hurried over to where the older woman was picking the chairs up and putting them on the table, so that they could sweep under the tables.
Humming to herself, Samantha began sweeping the papers on her desk together, curious to read what the students wrote. She smiled to herself again as she thought about the beautiful oak desk underneath the papers.
Joshua had made the desk for her not long after they had first met, and he’d presented it to her the night he’d professed his love to her. And now the desk was a strong presence and reminder during the school day of Joshua’s love.
A knock on the door to the schoolhouse interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see the tall and lanky form of Bishop Miller as he stepped inside, his wide-brimmed straw hat only making him look even thinner.
“Hello, Samantha, Kristen,” the bishop said. “And Andrew,” he added, nodding at the boy.
“Gut afternoon,” Samantha said. She was surprised to see the bishop – he never visited the schoolhouse. “How are you?”
“I’m gut, but I need to have a word with you, Samantha.” Bishop Miller cleared his throat and glanced at Kristen and Andrew. “Andrew, Kristen, would you mind terribly waiting outside?”
“Nee, not at all,” Kristen said. “Andrew, let's go sit by the tree outside for a little while.” She took Andrew’s hand and gave him a gentle tug. Andrew looked from Bishop Miller to Samantha, but Samantha gave him a smile and urged him along, and at last he followed Kristen outside.
“Is... is it Joshua or Melissa?” Samantha suddenly asked, fearful.
“Nee, I’m sorry.” The bishop gently smiled. “I didn’t mean to cause worry. There are some new folks that have joined the community here in Chesterfield County. I assume you’ve heard about the Haiers?”
“Jah. Someone mentioned to me that Rachel Haier has one dochtah that may be joining the school, but that’s all I know.”
He nodded. “Well, the Haiers are in a difficult place right now. Adam Haier– Ruth Haier’s husband and the bruder to Rachel Haier, recently had a major accident. He survived, but he’s going to be permanently disabled.”
“Ach nee!” Samantha exclaimed.
“Jah. Consequently, Ruth Haier needs work. I’ve spoken with her and several in the community, and while there’s some opportunity to help with harvesting, she needs something longer-term, since she needs to provide for herself and her husband, as well as help out her bruder's wife, Rachel, who was recently widowed and has two little girls.” Bishop Miller took another breath. “And apparently Ruth had been a teacher's aid and was training to be a teacher at the other community shortly before they moved.”
Samantha stared at the bishop, trying to remember how to breathe. “So...you would like me to step down from my teaching position?” she asked.
“Nee, I won’t ask it of you,” the bishop said quickly, his face looking solemn, and his wrinkles deepening. “But I wanted to see if you would be willing...uh...since you are married and do not need to rely solely on your income.”
Everything about this told Samantha that the right thing to do would be to step down. She and Joshua didn’t need the money – Joshua’s carpentry work was more than adequate to supply for them. And, her teaching income had given them a great buffer on top of that, even after paying for a nanny to stay with Melissa. It would also give her the opportunity to spend more time with Melissa and take care of the home, which she would enjoy.
But Samantha had dreamed of being a teacher for so long that she didn’t know what to say. She thought for a moment that possibly Ruth could instead replace the nanny. Her nanny was married and her husband had a good job in town. However, it sounded like Ruth needed something more substantial. Samantha even considered for a moment that she could give all her teaching income over to Ruth except what she was paying her nanny while Samantha kept teaching, but she knew that was wrong. Ruth needed to work for her own money.
“How soon?” Samantha heard herself ask.
“As soon as you were willing. Ruth said she can work as early as next week.”
Samantha’s heart began to sink. “Very well. Does Ruth want training?” she asked.
“I’ll ask, but it sounded like she’s already had a few years of training, so I doubt it.” The bishop looked at Samantha carefully. “Do you want some time to think this over?”
Samantha managed a smile. “Nee Bishop. If the Haiers need the money, who am I to stand in the way of Gott’s provision?” Despite the fact that she really wanted to be sincere about what she said, Samantha wasn’t sure how much of her statement was to Bishop Miller and how much of it was to herself.
He smiled at her gently. “I know you enjoy teaching, so I want to make sure you really are fine with this?”
“Jah,” Samantha said. But again, deep down, she wondered if she truly was. She knew she was doing the right thing, but her heart was breaking even as she agreed.
“Thank you, Samantha. The Haiers will be extremely grateful fo
r your loving sacrifice.”
“Of course,” she said, still feeling far away. “Please let Ruth know I’m willing to stay on and help her for, say, all of next week?”
“Danke, that is kind of you, Samantha. I will speak to her.” He patted Samantha’s shoulder heartily. “We really appreciate this.”
“Jah, you’re welcome.” She waited until the bishop left before sitting down at her desk. She stared at the empty classroom.
After a moment Kristen and Andrew returned. “Samantha?” Kristen asked quietly.
Samantha took a deep breath. “I’m not going to be teaching anymore,” she said.
“What?!” Andrew exclaimed. “Nee!”
“But...but why?” Kristen asked. “You haven’t done anything wrong! And who would complain about you?!”
“Nee, someone else needs the job. ” She forced herself to smile at Kristen and Andrew. “There’s another shtamm that’s come on very hard times, and one of the ladies would like to work here.”
“Ach,” Kristen said.
“But, but you’re our teacher!” Andrew said. Tears began to form in his eyes. “I don’t want you to leave!”
“I’m not leaving our shtamm,” Samantha said, fearing that the boy had misunderstood. “I’m just going to let someone else be the teacher. I’ll be staying at home.”
Andrew calmed a little, but he still crossed his arms. “It’s not fair!” he exclaimed. “How come you can’t be our teacher anymore?”
“There’s a shtamm that needs money,” she explained. “And one of the girls wanted to be a teacher, and it’ll pay better than anything else available right now.”
Andrew climbed into Samantha’s lap, and she held him close. “But I don’t want a new teacher,” he said.
“I’m sure Miss Haier will do just fine,” Samantha said. But her voice lacked enthusiasm, and she cringed at her own words. “We better get home. Your daed is going to worry about us.”
His head hanging, Andrew went and picked up his schoolbag. Kristen gave her a hug.
“Maybe this just means you’ll have a bobli of your own soon,” Kristen said. “Gott has a way of working it all out.”
“Jah.” She really did want her own baby, and she looked forward to the opportunity to spend more time with Melissa. But right now she felt sad as she watched a dream she’d always held dear to her heart suddenly slip away. Samantha and Andrew finished locking up the schoolhouse.
Gott, I thank You that I had one year to teach. But do I have to give up teaching so soon? Yet, You know exactly what's going on, and I must trust Your will, Samantha pondered.
* * *
Chapter 2
Joshua blew off the bit of shavings on the piece of wood he was working on and stepped back, observing it. He smiled, running his hands along the curved wood. He was working on a crib for Mary, his sister. She’d married last fall and she and John were already expecting a baby.
If only…. Joshua sighed. That his late wife Jessica had died in childbirth had often pained him all the more than had she died on her own. What should have been a joyous moment had ended in tears and loss, and the sight of the unfilled nursery had pained Joshua as much as the empty bed beside him did for months following their deaths. This was the first crib Joshua had been able to make since then, and sometimes it still sent him to tears.
However, that shadow had dimmed when Samantha had entered his life. Now that they were married, Joshua couldn’t imagine having survived another month without her joy. He hoped for another baby but he and Samantha had only been married a short time and he wasn’t surprised that there wasn’t a baby yet. Besides, she wanted to teach for a while longer before having a baby.
In time, Joshua thought. In time.
Hearing someone call his name, Joshua turned and was surprised to see his sister Mary walk through the double doors of the barn-turned-workshop. “Ach, Mary!” Joshua said.
“Hello, Joshua!” Mary said. She gave him a warm smile as she walked up with a flat, round object covered by a towel in her hands. “I brought you some shoofly pie. I hope that’s okay?”
Joshua chuckled as he stepped close and gave his sister a hug. “Okay? I’ll have to check with Samantha if delicious, home baked goodies are allowed,” he teased.
Mary laughed and then looked down. “What are you making?”
Hesitating, Joshua looked over the wood pieces, wondering if he should hide his sister's gift. However, he wasn’t good at keeping secrets, and consequently he held the pieces together to show Mary that it was a small, rocking crib. “Something for you and John, and the new bobli.”
Her eyes suddenly glistened and one hand went to her mouth. “Ach, Joshua! It’s going to be perfect!” she exclaimed. “It will look so lovely in the nursery.”
“I hope so,” Joshua said. He set the crib fragments aside and covered the pieces, having made more than enough progress for today’s work. “Just let me know if you'd like it stained a light or a dark color.”
I will, danke!” Mary beamed with delight.
Joshua and Mary walked out of the barn, Joshua glancing down past the fence towards the road. There was no sign of Samantha or Andrew yet, but that wasn’t surprising – it was Friday, and oftentimes the students weren’t as eager to go home. Samantha had a way with the children that just drew even the most resistant of them to her, and even if they didn’t love learning they loved Samantha. Her bright joy and optimistic energy were infectious, and Joshua smiled as he thought of her.
“Joshua?”
“Jah, I’m sorry,” Joshua said. He turned to Mary, realizing she had been going on about the nursery room. “My mind wandered.”
Mary chuckled. “I think I know where it wandered. Or to who, I should say.”
Joshua grinned and led Mary to the house. Deborah, the nanny, was sitting on the couch with Melissa, watching her work on a cross-stitching picture. “Hello!” Deborah said. She gave Joshua and Mary a cheery smile. Melissa hurried over to Mary, who picked her up with one arm and set the shoofly pie on the table.
“Hello, Deborah,” Joshua said. “I’m finished for the day, if you want to head on home.” He pulled out money from the pocket of his overalls and handed it to Deborah. “Danke for your work, as always.”
“Of course!” Deborah said. She tidied up a little and then gave Melissa a hug. “I'll see you next week, Melissa! Bye now!”
“Bye!” Melissa said. She waved enthusiastically at Deborah as the young woman left the house. “Daed, did you see what I made?” Melissa said. She scooted down out of Mary’s hands and went over to her cross-stitching project and held it up to Joshua, although it was difficult to see what exactly she’d made. “It’s a horse!”
“Ach, jah,” Joshua said. He squinted his eyes and thought he saw the horse figure. “That’s very gut. You’re getting gut practice in.”
“Do you think Samantha will like it?” Melissa asked.
Joshua and Mary both smiled. “I’m sure she will,” Joshua said.
“Jah, dear one. It's a very nice picture,” Mary said as she gave Melissa a hug.
“Well, I better get on home. John will start to wonder if he’ll get his dinner otherwise,” Mary said.
Joshua laughed and hugged Mary tightly. “I’ll see you later. Danke for the pie.”
“Jah, you’re welcome, and danke for the crib, Joshua! Bye, bye Melissa”.
After waving at Mary, Joshua went into the kitchen. He checked if there were still embers in the wood stove and added wood, stoking it. Once there was a strong fire going, Joshua poured water from one of their gallon containers tucked in the corner into a pot and put the pot on the stove. Samantha always told him not to worry about dinner, but when he could, Joshua tried to help get dinner started. Otherwise they would eat very late, and oftentimes the children couldn’t wait and ended up eating toast and jam. It wasn’t bad – it’d used to happen often since Jessica’s death until Samantha came into their family. It was, however, a downside to both Joshua
and Samantha working.
When the front screen door squeaked open, Melissa, who had been chatting away to Joshua about her day, gave a squeal. “Samantha! Andrew!” Melissa said. She ran out of the kitchen and Joshua smiled as he heard Samantha give an “Oof” – Melissa must have jumped onto her.
“Hi Melissa,” Samantha said.
“Andrew!” Melissa then exclaimed. She often ran for her brother after greeting Samantha.
“Not right now, Melissa.” Andrew pushed her away. His voice sounded down. “I don’t want a hug.”
Joshua wondered what was wrong, but he also knew that the boy could be happy one minute and sad or angry the next, so he didn’t worry about it too much. However, that changed when Samantha stood in the doorway, holding Melissa. Samantha was an extremely petite woman who normally carried the energy and brightness of a thousand stars on her face. But today there was no sun on her face, and no light in her sea-green eyes. Andrew hadn’t even come into the kitchen, and Joshua wondered if they’d had a spat.
“Samantha?” Joshua said. He dried his hands on the towel and came over, putting his hands on her shoulders.
She tried to smile, but Joshua could see that she was barely holding back tears. “Well, it looks like I’m going to be a homemaker a little sooner than we expected,” she said quietly. “Bishop Miller came to the school today and asked if I’d be willing to step down from teaching.”
“What? But why?” Joshua said.
“There’s another shtamm, the Haiers -you know, the new ones to the community? They are in dire need of money, and he said one of them has been a teacher’s aide in the past and had been training to become a teacher.”
Joshua watched Samantha, thinking it through. “And I suppose the nanny's income wouldn't be sufficient?” he asked after a long pause.
“Right. They need something more substantial. Her husband was recently in an accident and now is disabled.” She gave a sad chuckle, and shook her head. “I even thought about just offering to give Ruth what I made minus what we pay the nanny, but that isn’t the right thing to do. So I told Bishop I’d be willing.” Samantha sighed. “Ruth takes over next week.”
AMISH ROMANCE: Amish Dreams Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 4
