The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming

by Ophelia London

  “Danke,” Sarah said, moving away from the sink.

  Grace was about to say, “Good girl,” but refrained. “Mmm, those look delicious,” she said. “You’re going to have folks from all over following the scent to this kitchen.”

  Sarah chuckled lightly under her breath, making Grace smile to herself. “Want one while they’re warm? I’ve got fresh milk, too.”

  “In a minute,” Grace said. “I’ll get all the dishes washed first.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  Grace shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t mind.” Nobody in her right mind wants to scrub pans while there is a cookie straight from the oven waiting for her. But building trust is more important right now.

  “Danke for your help,” Sarah said while pulling the second batch from the oven. The kitchen really did smell amazing. “We should do this more often.”

  Grace smiled and looked down into the sink. “I’d like that, Sarah.” She reached out to put a hand on Sarah’s arm, but her sister-in-law flinched.

  Whoa, girl. Sorry, I understand. We’re not there yet.

  “Amos used to love when I baked especially for him.”

  “I remember you coming over here in the evenings after you were engaged,” Grace said. “What was that pastry with the cherries on top?”

  Let the horse come to you on her own. If she trusts you, it will feel natural.

  “Cheery Cherry Danishes.” Sarah draped a kitchen towel over one shoulder. “Maam taught Esther and me how to make them…about a million years ago.” She turned to gaze out the window. “He sure did love those. He’d burn his mouth every time, not waiting for them to cool even ten seconds.”

  Grace was almost shocked at how open Sarah suddenly was. But sometimes that happens with horses. You may think there’s no hope, and the next thing you know, they’re eating out of your hand.

  Sarah went to smile at the memory, but then suddenly her expression changed. Her lips curled down at the sides, her eyes carrying a world of sadness. “Everything is different now.”

  “Sister?” Grace said, genuinely this time. She longed to reach out and touch her arm, offer some kind of comfort, but hadn’t Sarah just recoiled?

  “It’ll never happen now. He won’t come near me.” Sarah took in a deep breath, and Grace clearly heard her chest rattling, her voice shaking. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Grace’s heart started beating fast. She thought no more about treating Sarah like an untrained horse, for she was looking at a woman in distress. But it was Sarah…and she didn’t know how to handle her breed.

  So she waited, her chest squeezing when she noticed tears trickling down her sister-in-law’s cheeks.

  “I want a baby,” Sarah finally said in a quiet whimper, lifting her gaze, eyes wet. “I thought I was expecting three times, but the pain always came…”

  Grace didn’t hesitate this time; she rushed to Sarah and wrapped her into a hug, squeezing tighter when Sarah sobbed. For a while, they stood like that, neither speaking, but Grace was praying for guidance, for something to say that could offer comfort or understanding.

  “I married a year before Esther,” Sarah whispered, “and she’s been blessed with two bobbeils. I think Gott has forgotten me.”

  “Heavens!” Grace said. “He hasn’t, I’m sure of that. Jesus taught in Matthew to consider the lilies. Remember?”

  “But the psalmist said that children are a gift, a reward from Gott.”

  Grace had to think fast. “True, but doesn’t Proverbs say that a foolish child brings grief to his mother?” She pulled back to look Sarah in the eyes. “Think of all the grief you’ve been spared, sister.”

  Grace had meant it as a little joke to lighten the mood, and her heart stopped, waiting for Sarah’s reaction. She exhaled in relief when Sarah’s shoulders shook with a quiet laugh.

  “I want children so very badly,” Sarah said, taking in a deep breath, then leaning back against the counter. “But with the way things are, it’s impossible now.”

  “Did a doctor tell you that? Have you seen Lucas?”

  Sarah nodded. “He said there’s nothing medically wrong with me, and that it’s in Gott’s hands.”

  Grace wasn’t about to argue with that.

  “I know it’s not a health issue—I feel that in my bones.” Sarah paused to wipe her cheeks with a corner of her apron. “But it would be something of a miracle if I did get pregnant now.”

  “Why?”

  Sarah looked away, but not before Grace noticed her eyes filling with tears again. “Amos won’t come near me,” she finally said. “We’re never alone together anymore; we hardly speak.”

  This was the moment Grace had been waiting for. She loved her brother, wanted him to be happy, while she was also beginning to understand Sarah on a new level.

  “Sister,” Grace said softly, taking one of Sarah’s hands. “Do you love your husband like Christ loves His church?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I guess first of all, we can look to the Ten Commandments. Gott commanded that we must love one another. Everyone—with no exceptions. Even the Englishers who make fun of us, and our neighbor who sometimes takes peaches from our tree without asking.” She paused. “Even a husband—if we have one—who works long, hard hours. Gott doesn’t say we must love only those who we think deserve it. I would think he meant we should love those closest to us the most, forgive them the quickest, appreciate them for everything they do.”

  “You think I don’t love Amos?”

  Grace shrugged. “I don’t know what’s in your heart.” Grace pressed her hands over her own heart. “All I witness is how you treat him, the way you speak.” She took in a breath and held it before speaking again. “I know it’s not my place, but I love you both, and change has to start with someone. If you choose to soften your heart—and your words—don’t you think Amos would respond? If you love him better, don’t you think he’ll love you back the same way?”

  Sarah didn’t say anything for a while, and Grace feared she’d really stepped over the line this time. Would Sarah ever trust her again?

  Just then, her two young sisters came running into the house, followed by Sadie. Grace waited a beat, but Isaac did not appear. She exhaled, grateful to not have to explain the current situation to an adult.

  “Can we have some cookies?” Leah asked, jumping up and down.

  “Wash your hands first,” Grace said. “All of you.” She smiled at Sadie and gave the top of her head a little rub. Besides her younger sisters, Grace wasn’t around children all that much. “Um, how cute are those kitties?” she finally added.

  “They’re the cutest I’ve ever seen!” Sadie exclaimed. “But Daddy said I can’t have one yet. Maybe as a special gift if we ever get our own house again.”

  Grace handed her a cookie with a napkin, which seemed like the natural thing to do. “You don’t have your own house in Silver Springs?”

  Sadie shook her head. “Not since Mommy went to Heaven.” She took a bite of the cookie. “We stayed in our house for a while, I think, but I was only three. We lived with Mammi before we came here, but…” The little girl lowered her chin.

  “But what?”

  “Well…” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I heard Daddy praying once that he hoped Gott would help us leave there.” She smiled. “I guess his prayer came true, because then we came here! Can I have one more, please?”

  “Sure,” Grace said, handing the child another cookie. A second later, all three girls ran out the door in a flutter of giggles.

  Grace stood up and stretched, wondering what Sadie had meant about Isaac wanting a new place to live. Did he intend to settle in Honey Brook, or build a new house in Silver Springs when this job was over? Then again, she’d never been very good at translating a child’s words into logical sentences.

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nbsp; “Did you…?” She’d turned to speak to Sarah but found herself alone in the kitchen.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Wind rushed through Isaac’s hair as Scout climbed the hill. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been away or how far they’d traveled. All Isaac knew was he’d had to get away.

  It hadn’t been on purpose that he’d overheard Grace talking to her sister-in-law. The little girls were still in the barn with the kittens and he’d been wanting to check on Cincinnati. As he’d passed by the house, the kitchen window had been open, and he’d caught what Sarah had said about having three miscarriages. Pain had shot through his brain as memories flooded back. He’d almost fled the scene right then, but then he’d heard Grace.

  She’d spoken of love and forgiveness, having a change of heart and trusting Gott. Back then, he’d been plagued with wondering—hundreds of times—if it had been Gott’s will that Martha pass away when they’d just discovered she was carrying their second child.

  “Whoa, boy,” he said, allowing Scout to slow down, catch his breath.

  Almost before the doubt and pain could return and grab on to his heart, Isaac looked to heaven and was instantly filled with peace. He knew it was the Holy Spirit, for he’d felt it before when he’d struggled with confusion over his unhappy marriage and then the loss of his wife, finally understanding what it truly meant to give everything over to the Lord.

  Grace had spoken of treating others kindlier, and she’d borne witness of the commandment to love one another no matter what. Isaac climbed off his horse, needing to catch his own breath. He hadn’t heard her speak that way before, so strong in her convictions. Her faith ran deep.

  “She’s more mature than I gave her credit for,” he said to Scout, but the horse just neighed. “When we first met, I thought of her as a little sister, maybe. Though she constantly surprises me with her training experience, I didn’t know the layers of her personality, that she’s a grown woman with faith, and compassion, and patience for the most stubborn horse and the most troubled sister.”

  It was all too easy then to picture her face, the way she smiled at him and how she made him laugh. The jokes and the clever comments.

  At twenty-three, how in the world was the woman not married?

  Isaac swallowed. Why would a question like that pop into his mind? It wasn’t any of his business—the reasons she was single or not. She was only his training partner…his boss’s daughter. Hands off. Remember?

  But the twinge of a new feeling in his heart didn’t go away so easily this time. In fact, when he closed his eyes to see her face more clearly, his pulse sped up and heat pushed through his bloodstream.

  “Okay, okay,” he said aloud, squinting up at the sun. “So, you like her—that’s no sin. She’s very…likable. Which doesn’t mean your thoughts have to go any further than that.” He pushed out a deep breath. “Your feelings do not have to evolve, man. You have complete control over your actions. Grace Zook will never know a thing. More importantly, neither will her father.”

  With that firmly settled, he dismounted Scout to walk for a while, but as he neared the outskirts of the first farm, he couldn’t help mounting his retired racing horse and speeding toward the Zook farm.

  …

  “The girls are upstairs coloring!” Grace called out as she waved to him. “And there’re cookies in the kitchen!” Thanks to his spying, Isaac already knew that, though he was rather surprised at her cheery countenance toward him. Maybe she was ready to make peace.

  “Danke,” he said. “Maybe later.”

  “A man turning down freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.” She tilted her head. “You feeling okay?”

  Isaac exhaled a laugh that sounded more nervous than happy.

  Get a grip, brother.

  “I’ll take one in a few,” he said, backing away. “Gotta brush down Scout first, maybe hose him off.”

  “Ew-key,” Grace said with a shrug. “I’m about finished with the draft horse—owner’s picking him up tomorrow. Want to work with Sin in a while?”

  “Sure thing,” Isaac said, noticing how her cheeks glowed with exercise. “I’ll just, ouch—” He tripped over a garden tool and got tangled in Scout’s reins. “I-I’ll see you in a minute.” He jerked himself free and could practically feel Grace’s questioning stare boring into his back as he walked away.

  So much for acting normal.

  Isaac led Scout through the stables, bringing him to an empty stall.

  “How’s the breaking going?”

  Hearing the voice, Isaac poked his head into the office, finding John wearing reading glasses and sitting behind a closed laptop computer. “Good. Could go faster, but I’d be afraid to rush it. He acts tough, but I think he’s been more mistreated than we thought.”

  “Exactly what Gracie said.”

  “Oh?”

  “She’s concerned about the front end of his training.” He chuckled and capped a pen. “Thinks he’s a delicate soul.”

  Isaac echoed the chuckle. “She would say that.”

  John removed his glasses, standing. “How are you two getting along?”

  “Grace and I? Oh, well, fine—we’re just fine.” He hooked his thumbs around his suspenders and slid them up and down. “Why? Did she say something?”

  “Nay. But I know neither of you was expecting the other. To tell you the truth, I was plain afraid to tell Grace about you before you got here. She’s a right little thing, but…whew. I wouldn’t want to be one of those horses that gives her grief.”

  Isaac couldn’t help laughing. “I know what you mean. She’s an excellent trainer, more knowledgeable than I expected. In the few days I’ve been here, I admit, she’s taught me a thing or two. I thought I was patient, but I’ve never seen anyone like Grace.”

  “She gets that from her mama,” John said, then paused. Isaac wondered whether his boss was about to tell him what ailed Eve. “She prays with them—Grace does. With the horses.”

  “I know. At first, I didn’t realize that’s what she was doing, but each morning, she goes down the row, petting and whispering to every single one of those horses.”

  Isaac found this conversation pleasing, being able to talk about Grace with her father. The entire ride home on Scout, he’d done nothing but think about her, so it felt good to speak her name aloud, even if he wasn’t saying what he was truly thinking.

  “She’s a delicate soul, too,” John said. “She doesn’t like to show it because she thinks her job is to be strong and hard like a man. I sometimes regret letting her train her first pony to pull a cart, but she has a gift, and her mother and I decided to encourage it.” He blew out a long breath. “Some plain folks around here think it’s odd, but we pay them little mind at this point. Though I do honestly worry about her future. She doesn’t seem at all interested in settling down like she should.”

  Isaac didn’t know what to say. Was this any of his business?

  “You know Collin Chupp, jah?” John continued.

  “Jah,” Isaac replied. “We’ve crossed paths at the house a few times.”

  “He’s a fine enough fellow. Maybe not the strongest or the brightest, but fine enough.” John leaned back in his chair. “He’s been interested in Grace since they were knee-high. I sure wish she’d agree to marry him.”

  This made Isaac stand at attention. “Grace and Collin?”

  John shrugged. “Wouldn’t be a bad match. Comes from a good family.”

  Though Isaac was suddenly speechless, he couldn’t disagree. The Chupps were a very upstanding family, and he respected Samuel Chupp quite a lot. But…

  “Shhh—” John put a finger over his lips and nodded toward the opening of the barn.

  “Back field this time,” Grace said as she breezed by the two men. “Same saddle pad, but I’m letting Honey Pot inside the gate, too. Would you grab the brushes
?”

  “Uh…okay,” Isaac said. Then he turned to her father, who was still holding the gesture of silence.

  “Best get to it,” John finally said, tipping his hat. “She has the patience of Job but the focus of a charging bull. Don’t get run over.”

  Isaac tried to control the mixture of thoughts and feelings now swirling inside his head. But when he looked over at Grace, she was tapping her foot on the ground, most impatiently.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Just as Grace came to terms with Isaac being an eligible widower, he was the one who started acting strangely. While in the back field working with Cincinnati, she kept catching him looking at her when he should’ve been paying attention to the gaul.

  “First you don’t want a cookie,” she said, looping a piece of rope around her palm and elbow, “and now you can’t get a harness over his nose.” Moving swiftly, but not so much as to startle the horse, Grace easily slipped the thick leather straps into place, patting Cincinnati on the side afterward.

  “I was trying to be gentle.”

  “There’s a time for that and a time for improvement,” Grace said, asserting herself, making sure that her opinions were known. She might be stuck with Isaac for the time being, but she wasn’t about to let him fully take over. “He’s an intelligent boy and he’ll get bored with us if we’re not careful.”

  “Do you see how his ears are back?” Isaac pointed.

  “Yes,” Grace answered, keeping her chin level. “He’s alert.”

  “He’s anxious. Look at his tail. He’s not ready for you to be so familiar.”

  By the tone of his voice, Grace couldn’t help but think he was speaking about them, as well. Of course, Grace agreed. They were training together, that was it. They didn’t have to be friends.

  “Let me show you how it’s done.”

  Grace didn’t wait to see what Isaac was about to show her. “There’s more than one way.”