The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming

by Ophelia London

  “Feel better soon,” Grace said, touching her mother’s arm, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “Take care of her,” she added, looking at her father. “Bring her home safe.”

  “It’s going to be okay, my girl,” Maam said, but her voice sounded weak, not convincing at all to Grace’s ears.

  Grace forced a smile and stepped back as the SUV pulled away from the house. Her heart was still beating hard and fast in her chest as it disappeared out of sight, leaving only a cloud of dust.

  “When will she be home?” little Jane asked, tugging on Grace’s skirt.

  Grace picked her up. “You’re getting so heavy,” she said, swinging around her youngest sister. “You’ll be tall as me before I know it.”

  “But when?” Jane repeated, looking into Grace’s eyes.

  “Soon,” said a voice.

  Grace turned to see Isaac and immediately felt grateful.

  In the most respectful and helpful way, he’d taken control from practically the very beginning, almost reading her mind about their needs…just as he sometimes did when they were working with Sin. Isaac had jumped into action the second Daed had run out of the house. Grace felt a shiver up her spine at the memory. And she’d never forget the scene when Isaac had come out of the house a few minutes later, holding her unconscious mother in his arms. He’d loaded them all in the buggy, then taken them safely to the medical clinic, explaining everything to Lucas when they’d arrived. All she and her father had had to do was sit in the back, keeping Maam as still as possible.

  Isaac had taken care of the rest.

  And he’d sat with her father in the waiting room after Grace had been so foolish and cruel and stormed out. She still hadn’t forgiven herself for that and knew it would take a long conversation with Gott before she did.

  “Soon?” Jane said, scrambling out of Grace’s arms, looking up at Isaac now. “How soon?”

  “Well…” He knelt down to her, crooking his finger so her sister Leah would join them, too. “You know those brand new kittens in the barn?”

  “Uh-huh,” Jane said.

  “In about three days, they’ll be ready to come out onto the front lawn for you to play with. That’s about the same time we expect word from your papa telling us when they’ll be home from the hospital.”

  “Three days?” Leah asked, looking at Isaac first and then at Grace. “That’s not so long.”

  “And we can play with the kittens then, too, jah?” Jane said, clasping her finger under her chin.

  “Jah,” Grace said, nodding excitedly, hoping to cast all worry from her younger sisters’ minds. Once the girls had run off, she turned to Isaac. “Danke,” she said inside an exhale.

  “I know what it’s like,” Isaac began, “having to explain something very difficult to a child. There’s little else that’s worse.”

  When Grace looked at him he was squinting, and his jaw muscles were working. Of course, she’d wondered about it…why Isaac wasn’t married anymore. He didn’t seem like a man who would ever get divorced.

  Then she recalled what Sadie had said about her mama going to Heaven.

  When reality solidly settled on Grace, she looked at Isaac as he stared off into the middle distance, caught up in his own moment of pain. Grace felt the pressure of new tears in her eyes. How had he gotten through it? And how had he explained it to Sadie?

  “Would you stay for supper?” Grace asked without thinking.

  It took a moment for him to answer, so long that Grace wondered if he’d heard.

  “Sure,” he finally replied, sliding his hands into his back pockets. “That would be real nice.”

  “Won’t be for a while,” Grace added, relieved at his acceptance. “I’ll go inside and help Sarah, but would you mind checking on Cincinnati?”

  She relaxed when he turned to her with a smile. “Good idea. Mind if I come inside to wash up first?”

  Grace smiled back at him, the expression feeling natural. “Of course.”

  Grace must’ve had a radar to detect it, because the second they stepped foot inside the house, she felt tension roll over her like a burst of wind, making her smile instantly drop.

  “I won’t allow you to talk to me that way. It’s gone on too long.”

  Grace froze in place when she realized it was Amos speaking harshly to Sarah, and not the other way around. The couple was standing in the kitchen, not noticing they had an audience. Or not caring.

  “It’s not Gott’s will, nor is it mine,” her brother continued.

  “Fine,” Sarah said, slamming down a small pot. “I’ll take to my closet and pray for forgiveness all night. Is that what you want, husband?”

  Amos shook his head. “All I want is for you to respect me. I’m tired of coming home and getting unkindness from you every night. And now this thing with my mother—” He stopped speaking and put a fist over his mouth. “I need your support more than ever. I need you, this family needs you.”

  Grace held her breath, eyes moving to Sarah.

  None of her training methods were coming to mind. It was like watching two wild stallions in the heat of battle.

  Sarah was wearing a deep frown, eyes narrowed. “I can’t remember the last time you needed me, Amos.” She tossed a dish towel over her shoulder. “You seem to get along just fine without me.”

  “I don’t want—” Amos cut off, probably hearing the floorboards creak. “Oh. Grace,” he said, his voice clipped. “Isaac.” He nodded politely. “Evening.”

  “Evening,” Isaac said, then cleared his throat.

  It was so quiet, Grace could hear her pulse inside her ears. There was so much tension in the air, she almost couldn’t move.

  “I’m leaving to do the milking,” Amos said, not looking at or addressing anyone. “Don’t expect me back anytime soon.” He put on his hat and, a second later, was out the door.

  Grace glanced at Isaac, who looked like he was holding his breath.

  “Did you enjoy that?” Sarah turned her back to them then started up the water faucet. A moment later, she shut it off. “You see?” she said, pointing at the front door. “Even when I think I’m trying to do better, I…” She shook her head and hissed a breath out through her teeth. “You all can have supper without me for a change.” Sarah untied her apron then went up the stairs without another word.

  “I…um, think I should go.” Isaac had his hat off and was running his fingers through his hair.

  “I don’t blame you,” Grace replied, feeling tears of embarrassment and frustration burning in her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see—”

  “It’s okay,” he said, his hand up, palm out. “I’ll check on all the horses, so don’t worry about that. See you in the morning? I’ll get here early.”

  Grace exhaled, her shoulders slumping the moment Isaac was gone. She was grateful for his tact but was absolutely mortified that he had to witness her family at their worst today. First Maam getting hurt and then witnessing front row to Sarah and Amos fighting like stallions brawling for territory.

  What must he think of us? Grace asked herself as she moved to the stove, seeing what kind of supper Sarah had started.

  What must he think of me?

  She took in a deep breath and held it. She’d felt close to him just a few hours ago. He’d been so incredibly sweet to pray with her like that. No one had ever offered her such a kindness before.

  And then I hugged him— Ach! I couldn’t help it!

  Grace shook her head, her shoulders heavy again with burden.

  And then he couldn’t get out of here fast enough, her thoughts added. Not that she’d expect him to stay after that, she just… She just liked it better when he was around.

  After giving the boiling sweet potatoes a stir and checking the slices of ham in the oven, Grace sat down at one of the kitchen chairs, put her hands over h
er face, and allowed her final tears of the day to escape.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Isaac felt terrible for ducking out on Grace, but he could tell she was embarrassed and wouldn’t want to talk about it with him. Family issues were private—even more so in Amish communities.

  After entering the stables, he went down the line, talking to and petting each gaul, but he knew he was no substitute for Grace. She had a special way with animals, there was no doubt about it. Isaac could only wish for such a gift.

  “Hallo, good boy,” he said, spending an extra few minutes with Cincinnati. “We were going to train you three times today,” he continued, scratching the horse behind his ears. “Imagine that, buddy, being with Grace three times in one day.” He felt his mouth form into a crooked smile as he dipped his chin. “I think I would’ve liked that, too.” He paused when the horse shook his head. “I hope so, fella. I really do hope everything works out.”

  Isaac fed the horses, watered and brushed them, hopefully as thoroughly as Grace would. By the time he’d finished, the sun was finally about to set after a very long day. On his way to Scout, he passed by the house. Lights were on in the kitchen but nothing on the second level. Isaac hoped that meant that Sarah was downstairs having supper with the family, maybe even making amends.

  For all he knew, however, she could be self-isolating in her room, no one in the house daring to disturb her.

  He felt for Grace. She was a kind person, wore her heart on her sleeve, he suddenly realized. It must’ve been often depressing to live in a home where you could cut the stress in the air with a knife.

  She didn’t deserve that. No one did—not even Sarah.

  The days were growing longer, more daylight, and as he rode through town, Isaac passed by a few small groups of teenagers who he recognized from church, some on roller skates and some in small courting buggies. He couldn’t help smiling, remembering those days.

  “Feels like a million years ago,” he said to Scout. “A different lifetime, in fact.” Yet again, his thoughts wandered back in time.

  He should’ve gotten to know Martha better. Spent more time with her alone, more time with her family. It wasn’t until after they were married that he knew what they were really like.

  Isaac felt a fist grab his gut. He needed to get Sadie away from them. He needed the money from this job to get him started on their new life as quickly as possible.

  That fist in his gut grew larger, gripped tighter when he remembered what he’d heard Grace say earlier that day…that her family needed the money, too, for Eve’s operation. Then his thoughts bounced to what John had told him about why he didn’t want Grace to be a trainer anymore—how terrified he was that what had happened to Eve could someday happen to Grace. So much so that he’d hoped by hiring Isaac, she’d quit training altogether.

  More heaviness sat on his shoulders when he remembered he was not to tell Grace any of that. Isaac knew without a doubt that John loved his daughter, and that his decisions weren’t meant to punish her or make her unhappy, but that, as her father, he was doing what he thought was best to protect her.

  Isaac felt awful—caught in the middle. There was no good answer, and he had no one to talk to about it. His brain was spinning too fast.

  “Evening.”

  The voice came from out of nowhere, causing Isaac to jump in his saddle.

  “Sorry.” Lucas waved from his front unlit porch. “Didn’t mean to startle you. A voice in the darkness…”

  Isaac relaxed. He hadn’t realized his detour had wound him all the way to the Brennemans’ place. “Never know what’s lurking in the bushes in a town like this,” he joked, climbing off his horse.

  “You looked in deep thought,” Lucas said.

  “I was.” Isaac ran a hand through his hair, scratching the back of his skull.

  “Worried about Eve? I heard from Kevin an hour ago. They’re still running tests, but Eve is comfortable, and John hasn’t left her side.” He smiled and shook his head. “The devotion those two have toward each other, it’s certainly enviable.” He tilted his head. “Not that I envy.”

  Isaac couldn’t help exhaling a snicker. “Never.” He sighed and looked up at the sky, the first stars appearing. “It wasn’t Eve I was thinking about, but thank you for the update. Does the family know?”

  “I called John’s phone—Grace still has it. They know.”

  “Good. That’s good.”

  “So something else is on your mind?”

  Isaac wasn’t sure what to say. There was a lot sitting on his mind and heart right then, actually, but was he allowed to talk about it? He’d feel like he was prying.

  When his answer didn’t come quickly enough, Lucas said, “Why don’t you come inside for a while? Esther put the kinnahs down and I think she’s just about to pull a cinnamon cake out of the oven. Please don’t make me eat it by myself.”

  Isaac still didn’t reply, unsure of everything.

  “Come,” Lucas said, reaching out his hand. “Let’s be good friends.”

  Finally Isaac exhaled, a weight lifting off his shoulders. “I’d like that.”

  Their home was small but comfortable, candles mixed with battery-powered lights giving a homey glow to the room, as did the pile of quilts draped over the living room furniture.

  “Have you met Esther?” Lucas asked.

  Isaac recognized his wife from church, but they hadn’t yet spoken. “Not officially,” Isaac said. “Please forgive my intrusion at this hour.”

  “I had to practically drag him in,” Lucas said, coming up behind his wife and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  To Isaac, the gesture looked so sweet, so natural, that he didn’t even think about glancing away to give them privacy.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” Esther said. “Luke told me about what happened with Eve today. Shocking.” She put a hand over her heart. “Though something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. She really needs that surgery.” She turned to Lucas. “Are you sure the doctors in Hershey won’t consider cutting the cost some?” She crossed her arms. “I thought they were eager to work with plain folks.”

  “I’ll keep asking,” Lucas said. “But so far it’s a no-go. The hospital has a new administrator; things have changed there.”

  “Well, it’s just awful,” Esther said. “Don’t you think?” She looked at Isaac.

  Isaac didn’t know what to say. He felt like he had a target on his forehead no matter what he said. It’s his fault, the target was saying. He’s the reason Eve can’t get the surgery.

  “Awful,” he said, genuinely agreeing with Esther. Everything about the situation was awful.

  “Have a seat,” Lucas said to Isaac, gesturing to a chair at the long kitchen table.

  “Sure I’m not disturbing you?”

  Esther fell into the chair across from Isaac. “My husband was about to serve me dessert,” she said, gazing over at Lucas. “He knows it was a long day for me, too.”

  “Sit,” Lucas said.

  Isaac decided to give in and relax. After all, hadn’t he just been wishing for someone to talk to? Maybe not about what was really on his mind, but with Grace unavailable, he needed another friend.

  His thoughts paused for a moment, realizing that he and Grace really were friends now—at least Isaac thought so.

  “Danke,” he said, finally sitting down.

  “I heard you have a daughter,” Esther said. “Would you pour me some tea?” she asked Lucas. “Tea for you?” she asked Isaac.

  “Please,” Isaac said. “And yes, my daughter Sadie is six years old.”

  “Is she in school?”

  “Goes to the schoolhouse with the Chupp girls. Her English is coming along. Must have good teachers here.”

  Esther grinned and looked at Lucas. “See?”

  L
ucas spread his arms, held breath in his cheeks then blew it out. “What did I say?”

  Esther rested an elbow on the table and leaned toward Isaac. “My mother is one of the teachers there. This is her first year. Someone—” she shot her husband a look—“thought she might be too old.”

  “I never said that.” Lucas set a plate and fork before Esther and then Isaac. The cinnamon cake smelled scrumptious. “What I said was she was used to homeschooling her own kinnahs and might not be able to keep up with an entire classroom.”

  “Anyway,” Esther said, “Maam teaches English. I’m glad Sadie is learning well.”

  “Thank your mother for me,” Isaac said. “Sadie can be a handful.”

  “What six-year-old isn’t?” Esther said, pouring the tea. “How is it working at the Zooks? Sarah’s my sister, you know.”

  Feeling a sudden heat behind his ears, Isaac swallowed then took a bite of cake. “This is delicious.” He took another bite—totally stalling. “I like John Zook a lot, very good man,” he said, his mouth half full. “Eve is a sweetheart, Amos seems like a hardworking fella, though I haven’t spent much time with him, and the two little girls are so good to Sadie. She loves playing with them.”

  “Notice how he dodged the second part?” Lucas said, lacing his fingers under his chin.

  Isaac stared down at his plate for a moment. “Wh-which part?”

  Lucas burst out laughing.

  “I know, I know,” Esther said, fanning a hand in the air toward her husband. “Sarah can be a little much. Try sharing a bedroom with her. I think I paid the highest price when we were children.”

  “She takes care of the house very well,” Isaac insisted, racking his brain for another compliment that sounded genuine. “And she’s an excellent cook.”

  Esther snorted. “No she’s not. She’s a terrible cook.” She sat up straight, covering her mouth with both hands. “Sorry, that was horrible of me to say. My sister is talented in other ways—let’s leave it at that.”