Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Groggily, Winnie sat up. “We’re here already?”

  “We are, sleepyhead,” he said, his heart melting a bit at her half-closed eyes.

  Eli pulled open Winnie’s door and carefully helped her slide to the edge of her seat just as Katie rushed forward, pushing a wheelchair.

  Winnie groaned. “I don’t need that.”

  “Sure you do. We borrowed it from the Johnsons’.”

  Winnie tried not to let her pain show by biting the inside of her cheek. Their busy morning had jarred her body something fierce. Tender skin under bandages stung and her leg ached painfully. Moving around was sure different than sitting in a hospital bed all day!

  Katie kissed her cheeks. “Winnie, I’m so glad you’re back. It’s been terribly quiet without you.”

  “Aunt Winnie, I lost a tooth!” Hannah exclaimed, impulsively reaching in and hugging her tight. Though she did her best to hide it, her whole body jumped in agony.

  “Careful,” Sam called out before Eli or Katie could say a word. “Your Aunt Winnie might be out of the hospital, but she isn’t all better yet.”

  Hannah stepped back and blinked quickly, obviously fighting tears.

  Mary, her little seven- year-old shoulders squared and resolute, stepped forward. “Here, Aunt Winnie. Let me help you.”

  “We’ll be careful with her,” Hannah murmured by Mary’s side, her expression contrite.

  Sam’s cheeks colored. “I know. I, um, didn’t mean to snap.”

  Though she was in a wheelchair, Winnie did her best to smooth things over. “Sam, it’s fine. Girls, I missed you, too. Let’s go on inside, shall we?”

  Visibly gathering her wits, Katie nodded. “Yes, let’s go in.” With the girls’ help, she pushed Winnie’s chair along the smooth path toward the kitchen door, where no stairs interrupted their way. Sam picked up her bag and walked beside Winnie, his presence feeling as solid and comforting as it had in her hospital room.

  When they entered the spotless kitchen, Winnie breathed in the appetizing aroma and smiled. “Katie, something smells mighty good.”

  “We made you soup, Winnie! Pronto Potato Soup,” Hannah cried out. “There’s vegetables in it that Mary cut up.”

  “That’s my favorite. I’ll look forward to tasting it.”

  “I’ve got your bed all ready for you, Winnie,” Katie said. “Let’s get you settled, then I’ll bring you some tea. Or would you rather have soup right away?”

  “I most certainly do not want to sit in bed. I’d fancy sitting in the Sitzschtupp and enjoying a nice cup of tea, if you don’t mind.”

  “That’s a wonderbaar idea! We can show you our quilt!” Mary said.

  “I canna wait to see it.”

  Hannah pulled on her skirt. “We can show you our new fabric, too. It’s yellow and purple. I love purple.”

  Winnie laughed. Oh, their enthusiasm was so good to see. She’d been so lonely in that sterile hospital room. “I love purple, too.”

  Katie frowned. “Perhaps it would be better not to wear your aunt out—”

  “They’re not wearing me out in the slightest. I welcome the company—the days were long at the hospital. Though I did have Samuel’s visits to look forward to, I did get mighty lonely.”

  Katie raised her brows. “You looked forward to seeing him?”

  “Well, yes.” As Sam’s cheeks flushed, Winnie stumbled over her words. “I mean…I mean, he was so kind.”

  “I was glad to visit,” Sam said. “Like I said, I work nearby.”

  Winnie rushed on. “Yesterday he brought me a movie to watch. And popcorn.”

  “Now isna that somethin’?” Katie murmured.

  “I wanna go in the hospital now, too!” Mary exclaimed.

  As Hannah chimed in, Winnie felt as if she was an awkward teen again. Sam looked uncomfortable and Katie looked as if she was doing all she could to mind her tongue—but had an awful lot to say. “Um, like I said, it’s good to be home.”

  “Care for some tea before you get on your way, Samuel?” Katie asked.

  “No, it’s time I got goin’,” Sam replied. “Eli and I were planning to talk about some growing techniques before we go out to the fields tomorrow. And Caleb is hopefully waitin’, too.” With a disgruntled expression, he added, “Eli says he hasn’t been tending to his chores. I want to try and help persuade him.”

  When Katie and the girls left to get her some tea, Winnie found herself alone with Sam again. Now that they were back in familiar surroundings, she felt awkward and shy. Their differences seemed even more apparent than ever—as was the fact that things were changing.

  There’d be no more movies or long talks about their pasts and dreams to look forward to. She’d heal up and continue helping Katie and Jonathan, and Sam would go back to his life among the English.

  Once again, she would be the old maid. The woman who’d found a future in a job instead of with a man and family of her own. She tried to tease to cover up the lump in her throat. “Thank you again for everything, Samuel. I’ll always be grateful for your time.”

  “It was nothing. Perhaps I—”

  “Samuel, you ready?”

  “Yes.” Sam took a step toward Eli, to where he was waiting by the door. “I suppose I’ll see you in three days’ time. When I drive you to the doctor.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” She tried to keep her voice even, to not betray how happy his offer made her. “I mean, that is, if you’re sure you can spare the time.”

  “I told you I could. I didn’t lie.”

  “I know.”

  They shared a meaningful look. One of humor and of melancholy. Winnie felt that same curious jolt between the two of them. It was getting more and more of a struggle to pretend she didn’t wish their circumstances were different.

  Then Katie and Eli walked Sam away, out of her life.

  Sam was just about to walk out the door when Katie stopped him. “Samuel, before you leave we would be grateful for your advice.”

  “About what?” Sam asked.

  “Jonathan and Katie think it was most likely an Amish teen who set the blaze,” Eli explained.

  Katie continued. “The elders recommended Jonathan not do anything, but that’s tough advice for him to follow. We might do a little investigating on our own.” Looking somewhat guilty, she added, “I know we’re not supposed to, but I feel that whoever did this needs to take responsibility. Winnie was badly injured.”

  Sam wasn’t sure what he could do, but he had a feeling he’d feel just as strongly about wanting to do something—anything to feel like he was a part of the solution. “Any idea why someone would do such a thing?”

  “No.”

  “Then how are you—”

  “We might ask around a bit.” She shrugged. “I’m hoping it merely was an accident. But even if it was, someone needs to apologize, don’tcha think?”

  A strong sense of foreboding encompassed him. He’d been so wrapped up in his feelings for Winnie, he’d pushed aside the fact that the Lundys’ barn had been set on fire. With care, he said, “Do you suspect anyone in particular?”

  Katie nibbled on her bottom lip. “No one in particular…”

  “Let’s not mention any names. It would be foolish to make rash guesses,” Eli inserted quickly.

  Sam turned to him in surprise. What was that about? “Who are you thinking of, Eli?” Though they’d discussed Caleb’s flighty ways, surely Eli now didn’t imagine he was the guilty one?

  “No one.”

  “I don’t have anyone specific in mind,” Katie said with a sigh. “Eli’s right. I don’t want to start pointing fingers. But…” Her voice drifted off.

  “Something needs to be done,” Sam finished.

  Eli nodded. “Jah. Something surely needs to be done.”

  “It’s too hard not knowing what happened,” Katie added with a shrug. “And, well, there’s always the worry that whoever started the fire could start another one.”

  A cool
shadow passed through Sam. His brother knew something. Katie was worried more than she’d let on.

  Was there more to all of this than he’d imagined?

  Once again, Sam realized how many ways he’d cut himself off from the Amish community. He’d forgotten something that was basic to their way of life—they weren’t backward or ignorant about the ways of the world. Instead, they chose not to adopt certain lifestyles of the current society.

  They still had problems and gossips and differences with each other. Kids still didn’t think ahead. People still made mistakes. This world wasn’t completely sheltered and perfect—no, in some ways, it was just as filled with flaws as any other society.

  He’d forgotten that.

  After the men had gone, Winnie watched her sister-in-law slice a thick wedge of zucchini bread then carry it to where she waited. Still warm from the oven, the scent of the spiced treat made her mouth water. Oh, it was so nice to be home! “Katie, this looks wonderful gut.”

  “I thought you might be ready for something fresh and homemade,” Katie replied with a smile. “How was the hospital food?”

  “Not so bad. I wasn’t especially hungry anyway.”

  “Your burns are healing?”

  “Oh, yes. They’re much better. My foot is, too. In fact, the doctor said he might have released me yesterday, but he wanted me to stay off my feet as much as possible for another day.”

  “We’ll make sure you stay off of them now, too.”

  “That’s not necessary. I’m tired, but otherwise fit. I can’t wait to go to work, both here and at the store.”

  “We’ll see what your brother has to say about that.”

  “Catch me up on all that I’ve missed. Do you really fear it was someone in our community who started the fire?”

  “I don’t know for sure, but it’s my feeling. Nothing else makes much sense. The English have many places to smoke—it’s not even looked down upon all that much. In our community, however, that would be a different story.”

  Winnie frowned. “I hate to start naming kids, but I can’t but help to think of possible people.”

  Lowering her voice, Katie murmured, “I’ve even suspected Caleb Miller.”

  Winnie felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. They suspected Sam and Eli’s brother? “Really?”

  “He lives within walking distance,” Katie pointed out. “Not all the other kids do.”

  “I suppose.” Caleb had changed some over the years—and it was clear both Eli and Sam were worried about him. But to imagine him responsible seemed farfetched. “I’m sure this has been bothering Jonathan as well,” said Winnie. “Have you scheduled a raising?”

  “Not yet. Actually, I think he’s been wondering if it would be possible to do the barn raising near Henry and Anna’s wedding in May. We’ll have lots of friends and family in for that.”

  “Many hands will make the work better.”

  “He doesn’t want to steal Anna’s and Henry’s attention, though.”

  Sipping her delicious tea, Winnie nodded. “I wouldn’t want to do that neither. Anna’s waited a mighty long time for this day.”

  Katie nodded, delicately nibbling on her bread. “She has. She never said a word, but I got the feeling she was disappointed that Jonathan and I got married so quickly, even though everyone knew she had to do things in her own time.” Wiping a crumb from her skirt, she looked to Winnie. “So, are you going to tell me about Samuel?”

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “I think maybe there is.” Grabbing a cloth, she smoothed it over the fine wood of the oak table. “I’ve seen you sneak a peek at him a time or two.”

  Her sister-in-law’s statement embarrassed her. “I look at everyone, Katie.”

  Katie stopped dusting and frowned. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled. I’m just stating what I’ve seen. Though Samuel is six years older, I recall that more than one girl was taken with him when we were all in the same schoolhouse.”

  Winnie remembered that, too. Just as she remembered how confused she’d felt when she’d learned that he wanted to move away from all of them. “Now it doesna matter what I think or what I notice. He’s not one of us anymore, Katie. That’s all that matters.”

  “That’s true. Yet…it is a shame, though.”

  “Yes.” Winnie wasn’t ready to share her thoughts, but they were there, perched on the edge of her tongue, plain as day.

  Looking her over, Katie narrowed her eyes. “I think there was something between you two. A spark.”

  Winnie knew there was. She felt lit up like a lightning bug whenever he was nearby. But that didn’t make her reality any different. He was not for her, and couldn’t be.

  And she was so tired of disappointment. For whatever reasons, she’d never been drawn to any of the men in her order. And her visit with Malcolm had only made her dreams for love and marriage seem unattainable. Malcolm had been so self-centered and full of himself. They’d have whole conversations about his family, his goals, and his dreams…and never once would he ever consider that she might want something, too.

  Now, of course, she’d become attracted to the absolute wrong person. If she didn’t stop daydreaming about Samuel Miller, all she’d be doing would be setting herself up for a good cry. Again.

  Chapter 8

  “Where’ve you been, David?” Caleb Miller asked as he raced to catch up.

  David shrugged. “Around.”

  “Not very around.” Caleb huffed a bit as they ran down a slope near the back of the Lundys’ land toward Wishing Well Lake. “You weren’t at McClusky’s on Saturday or with everyone at the Brown Dog on Friday night.”

  “I’ve had chores and stuff,” David said, hoping that would explain away his hands. They still looked raw and hurt. He’d taken to dodging most everyone who would notice, not wanting to risk giving an explanation.

  But Caleb had been persistent and hard to resist. Since the weather was especially warm, they’d both decided to go fishing, and maybe even take a dip in the lake. Their chores were done, the sky was robin’s egg blue, and they had three hours until twilight, when it would be time to rush home for dinner and to feed the animals.

  After they hopped a freshly painted fence and walked past a group of dairy cows, Caleb added, “I looked for you at Sunday’s singing.”

  He bent his head down so his friend wouldn’t realize how much his words affected him. He didn’t have many friends, and if it wasn’t for Caleb, most likely no one would have noticed him missing. “I just didn’t feel like goin’.”

  As was his way, Caleb accepted the reason without thinking about it twice. “Well, you sure missed a lot of talk.”

  “What about?”

  “The Lundys’ barn, of course.”

  He clenched his hands, glad Caleb wasn’t looking at them. “What are people saying?”

  Caleb didn’t glance at him as he pushed aside a clump of long grass and led the way to the banks of the lake. “No one is any closer to figuring out who started the fire, but Jonathan’s going to try and figure out who did it.”

  “Why?” he asked in a rush. “It was an accident.”

  Caleb stopped and looked his way. “Why would you say that?”

  “I don’t know. I mean, I thought that’s what everyone was saying.”

  Caleb pulled out his fishing pole and opened up a jar filled with a good dozen night crawlers. “You’re right. The fire inspector said arson is usually done a different way. Anyway, there’re rumors that Jonathan Lundy might be going against Bishop Kropfs’s wishes. No one knows what to think about that.” After a good long pause, he said, “It’s all kind of scary soundin’, don’tcha think?”

  He was so scared he thought he’d start crying like a baby. No one went against the bishop. Well, no one he’d ever heard of. “Why…why do ya think Jonathan is so determined?”

  “My brothers were talking about it last night. I stood in the next room and listened. Basically, Sam and Eli say
that Jonathan can’t forgive the people who did this because they won’t admit their mistakes.” As if Caleb had just been talking about his math facts, he shrugged and pushed over the jar of night crawlers. “Take one and bait your hook. We ain’t got all day, you know.”

  Dutifully, he pulled out a thick worm, stuck it on the hook, then cast off. “You know, maybe whoever started the fire never meant to do it.”

  Caleb rolled his eyes. “Of course the person had a reason.”

  “It could have just been an accident.”

  “Yeah, but if it was an accident, whoever did it would have admitted to it, don’tcha think? Jonathan Lundy would’ve gotten mad, but the person would have been forgiven.”

  “Sometimes it’s not that easy.”

  “You’re making it a whole lot harder than it has to be. It’s our way to forgive—even if saying it and hearing it ain’t easy.”

  “But—”

  Caleb screwed up his face. “David, why are you quarreling about this? Whose side are you on anyway?”

  “No one’s. I’m…I’m just surprised someone would go against the bishop’s wishes, that’s all. My father says we’re always supposed to mind our elders.”

  “Even when they’re wrong?”

  Especially when they’re wrong. That’s what faith was, right? But, as usual, he didn’t say anything. He didn’t dare go against Caleb—not when Caleb was his only good friend.

  And, well, everyone liked Caleb Miller. If David got on his bad side, life would be even harder. “Never mind. Let’s just fish, Caleb.”

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  Only the thought of hooking a big fish, big enough for Caleb to tell others about, gave David hope. That and the thought of how good fried catfish would be at supper.

  “Just a little bit farther now,” Henry Brenneman whispered in Anna’s ear. “Careful now, mind the rock.”

  “Mind the rock! Oh, now that’s quite a phrase for you to be saying, especially since I can’t see a thing at the moment.” Chills raced through her as he chuckled low and sweet against the nape of her neck.

  Reaching out behind her, Anna reached for his hand. When his capable fingers curved around hers, she held fast. “It wasna necessary to blindfold me, you know. I would have gone wherever you wanted to guide me.”