For the longest moment, Mellie didn’t even notice that her hand remained raised. When she finally did notice, she lowered it slowly to her side. Her spirit was near to bursting. Oh, how she loved Caleb Glick. Her heart nearly burned with love for him.
She closed her eyes and thanked God, for she knew with everything in her, that her hope was not displaced. Caleb was healing, and in time, he would turn to her.
And she would be there. Waiting.
The End
Leaving Hollybrook
by Brenda Maxfield
Chapter One
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with Mine eye.
Psalm 33:8 KJV
Beth fought tears as she hugged Mellie good-bye. The whole family stood, hovering close, including her eldest brother and his family. But for Beth, leaving her sister Mellie was the worst.
“I’ll miss you,” Beth whispered in Mellie’s ear. She let go of Mellie’s thin shoulders and stepped away, sniffling.
“Write when you get settled,” her sister-in-law Ruthie interrupted. “And you take care now.” Ruthie glanced at her four young children. “All right. You’ve said your good-byes, now let’s get back to your chores.”
The four children moaned but obediently trotted off.
Beth looked at her daadi, who stood slightly hunched. He gazed back, a pained look on his face.
“Please don’t worry, Daadi,” Beth said, moving to give him one more quick hug. “I’ll be back to visit soon.”
Daadi nodded, his eyes glistening with tears. “I know you will. Teach them kinner well.”
“I will.” Beth swallowed past the knot in her throat. She had no idea saying good-bye would be so difficult. Taking the teaching position at Meadow Lark had been her idea, and the community was only two hours distance away by van, so it wasn’t like she was leaving across the country. But that’s how it felt.
She glanced at her van driver, Isaac Grover. He’d taken her to Meadow Lark the month before to interview for the job. Now he sat behind the driver’s wheel, looking to be in no hurry to pull away. But Beth suddenly desired to be on the road. Enough of the farewells. She could hardly breathe as it was.
She gave one last wave and climbed into the van. Mellie rushed forward to shut the door for her. For a moment their eyes locked, and then Mellie stepped back.
“You ready, Beth?” Isaac asked.
“Jah. Go. Please.” Beth tore her glance away from her family and stared straight ahead through the windshield, but she couldn’t help herself as they turned from the drive. She cast one last glance behind her, seeking out her mother who sat on the porch. Mamm’s arthritis was so bad that day that she couldn’t stand with them on the drive. She’d said her good-byes from the rocker.
“You excited about your teaching?” Isaac asked, his voice pleasant.
Beth looked at him. “Jah. I’m right excited.” And she was. Teaching had been her dream for years, but she’d never thought she’d be able to do it. She’d learned about her new position in Meadow Lark one afternoon at the Feed and Supply. A small notice had been posted on the bulletin board.
Looking for teacher in Meadow Lark. Grades one through eight. Room and board plus small salary provided. Send inquiries to Deacon Knepp, School Board 2213 Roamer Road Meadow Lark, Indiana.
Her heart had roared in her chest as she read the notice. This was what she’d dreamed of for years. Keeping it secret, she had applied and received a reply. She’d sneaked away for the interview. Beth had pondered more than once why she’d felt compelled to keep it to herself. When it came down to it, she decided it had been fear. Plain and simple. She’d been afraid that her brother or her daadi or someone else in authority would have forbidden her to do it. But if it was already done, then they would most likely agree. Had she been right? She didn’t know. But now it was done and there she was, on her way to a new life.
“When do the children start school?” Isaac asked, snapping her from her reverie.
“In a week. I wanted a bit of time to set up the schoolhouse.”
He nodded and flipped on his turn signal. Beth gazed out the window, tensing as they passed the Glick’s farm. Her breathing increased and without wanting to, she stared hard at the property. She should look away, for if Caleb was anywhere near, she shouldn’t see him.
But she couldn’t stop herself. Her eyes wouldn’t budge as they drove down the road. Her breath caught, and her hands instinctively rose to press on the window glass. There he was. Standing next to the barn, looking straight at her. She gulped but didn’t shift her gaze. He made no gesture of recognition, no movement to wave, no nothing.
She didn’t blame him.
He’d been ready to ask her to marry him. She’d expected it and dreaded it. She liked Caleb. She liked him a lot. And she knew he’d be a wonderful husband.
To someone else.
She wanted to teach. In retrospect, she should have at least let him in on her plan. He’d learned about her position from her sister Mellie, which was probably not the best way to find out. Beth craned her neck, not breaking her stare until the Glick farmhouse and barn were out of sight.
Caleb hadn’t even smiled at her. But then, why would he? She’d broken his heart. She directed her attention back out the front window of the van. She needed to get over it. Move on.
Even so, her breathing became labored, and she had to force herself to remain steady. She closed her eyes and exhaled. Clasping her hands tightly in her lap, she assured herself for the thousandth time that she had done the right thing in breaking it off with Caleb.
It wasn’t that long ago that it happened. She had been waiting for him under the oak tree bordering his parents’ property. They’d often met there, usually to exchange a few words about their days and to share a laugh or two. But that afternoon, there was no laughing done.
Caleb had approached her slowly with a look of wariness on his face. Of course, he already knew what she was about to say.
“Caleb?” His name was soft on her lips.
He didn’t answer. He only stepped closer, close enough for her to see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes. He held his straw hat in his hand.
“You heard?” she continued.
He nodded.
“Well?” Her stance was stiff, and her shoulders ached with the tension. “I was going to tell you…” Even to her own ears, her words sounded flat.
“Jah?” he asked, his brows raised. “I assumed you would.” He looked at her intently. “I’d hoped you would have brought me into your plan sooner. Mellie told me.”
“So she said.”
“I’d suspected you would leave. Fact is, when you went missing and Mellie was in such a stew, I mentioned the teacher opening to her.”
“Did you?” Beth’s throat was tight.
“So, I’m right glad for you, Beth.”
Beth studied his face. Did he mean it? His look of wariness was gone. She thought she saw relief. But then, that would make no sense, would it?
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“At least now I know.” He stepped back, not taking his eyes from her.
“Jah. Now you know.”
“You’ll be there a year?”
“Or more. I’m not sure.”
Caleb nodded and put his hat back on, pushing it low on his forehead. “I see.”
“Caleb…” Beth’s voice faded. What was she to say? That she was sorry she was going? But she wasn’t sorry. That she regretted leading him on? She blew out her breath in a huge sigh. She’d never intended to lead him on. If it hadn’t been for the teaching possibility, she probably would have married him.
Her mind flitted to her sister Mellie. Mellie loves Caleb. Of course, Caleb had no idea. Boys could be so dense. But Beth knew. Mellie never breathed a word of it, but Beth would have been blind not to see it. Mellie hung on every word Caleb said. She lit up like the stars at night when he was near.
; Considering everything, maybe Beth wouldn’t have married Caleb after all. She didn’t love him enough. Not the way Mellie did, anyway.
“This is good-bye then,” Caleb had said, his voice louder now. “Be blessed, Beth Fisher.”
Tears sprang to Beth’s eyes. “Thank you, Caleb.” She’d reached out and squeezed his arm. Then she’d dropped her hand from him quickly and turned, fleeing back down the street. The tears had flowed down her cheeks, and she hadn’t bother to wipe them away. All she could think about was that it was over. She’d told him. And now she was free.
Free. What an odd thing to feel. Feeling free wasn’t something that was discussed or desired. A girl wasn’t ever really free. She had to honor the directive of her father and older brothers, and then her husband. Also, there were the church leaders and the bishop to be obeyed.
So, as her bare feet had padded over the asphalt, Beth was stunned at her soaring sense of freedom. It was delicious, but it felt so unusual that immediate doubt spread through her. Surely, she wasn’t to feel such abandon. Surely, it wasn’t seemly. Her feet had slowed to a walk and then to a crawl. She’d pressed her hands to her chest and marveled at what was happening to her. She was a teacher. A real teacher. She didn’t have to secretly yearn for it any longer. It was true, for sure and for certain.
Beth had turned into her drive and walked up the dirt and rock path. She would begin packing that very evening.
The trip to Meadow Lark was uneventful and, except for a question or two from Isaac, quiet, which suited Beth just fine. She wasn’t in the mood for idle chatter. Her mind was completely consumed with her upcoming tasks. She’d been given a quick tour of the schoolhouse on the day she’d come for the questioning. It looked similar to the school in Hollybrook, only it was smaller, with only one main room. The wooden building was painted white with windows on all four sides. There were side steps leading up to a covered porch. Inside, the desks were old and well-used. The chalkboard was scuffed up plenty, but Deacon Knepp assured her that it would be repainted before school began. She’d glimpsed a pile of workbooks and tattered textbooks lining the bookshelf that was situated behind the teacher’s desk.
The whole scene had caused Beth’s heart to beat wildly with excitement.
So, when Isaac turned onto the Miller’s property where Beth was to board, her hands were sweaty with anticipation.
“Here we are, Beth,” Isaac said, cutting his engine.
Beth looked up to see the entire Miller family pour out onto the porch to greet her. Her eyes flashed over the seven children, taking particular note of the four youngest ones who would be in her class. Mrs. Miller gave her a friendly wave. Mr. Miller stood with his thumbs hooked around his suspenders, rocking back and forth, a smile on his face.
Beth climbed out of the van and only took a step before she was surrounded by five children. They stood with shy smiles, but none of them spoke.
“Now, children,” Mrs. Miller said. “Give your teacher a minute to catch her breath. Lands sake, she’s been in that contraption for a couple hours now.”
Beth heard Isaac snicker at Mrs. Miller’s reference to his van as that contraption.
“Is that all you’ll be needing, Beth?” Isaac asked her.
Beth was glad she’d already paid him so she wouldn’t have to do it with all those eyes peering at her. She gave Isaac a warm smile. “Thank you. Thank you for your help and for the transportation.”
Isaac touched his forehead in a gesture of farewell. “I’ll be going then. You let me know if you need a ride in the future.”
“I will. Thank you.” Beth gave him a wave, and he was off.
“We got drivers around here,” Mr. Miller said. “No need to be bothering someone from Hollybrook.”
One of the children, Becky, if Beth remembered correctly, spoke up. “Hi Beth.” Her voice was soft, and she looked at Beth with eyes full of adoration. Beth was taken back. She hadn’t expected any of her students to be so predisposed to like her.
“Hello. It’s Becky, isn’t it?”
Becky beamed. “Jah. I’m Becky. I’m ten.”
“That’s a right fine age,” Beth said with a warm smile.
“I’m Penny,” said another girl who was at least a foot shorter than Becky.
“Hello, Penny.”
“Girls, what did I say? Give the teacher some breathin’ space.” Mrs. Miller chuckled and stepped forward. “Andrew, quit standing around like a three-legged lamb. Get the teacher’s bags.”
Andrew, who looked to be fifteen or better, trotted down the steps to grab Beth’s larger suitcase. Beth held the smaller one herself, and he didn’t approach her for it.
“You’ll be living in the daadi haus,” Becky said. “I’ll show you.”
“We’ll all show her.” Mrs. Miller started the parade around to the back of the house.
Beth gazed at the cozy little daadi haus and realized it would be the first time in her life that she’d have a space all her own. It was a wonder to think about. Would she be lonely? She smiled to herself. How could a person be lonely when they had books?
“Mrs. Miller, is there a public library in Meadow Lark?”
Mrs. Miller paused and considered. “Jah. I’m thinking there is. We never go.” She gave Beth a sharp look. “You spend a lot of time at public libraries?”
Beth heard the censure in her tone, and she quickly assured the woman. “Nee. Not really. However, sometimes I find them most helpful in finding information on animals and farming. They do have some nice simple stories to practice reading, too.” She hoped her answer would calm the woman’s obvious concern.
“Two things,” Mrs. Miller said. “You are to call me Wilma. I can’t have you living under my roof calling me Mrs. Miller, now, can I? And you can call my husband Ephraim. Second thing. We got plenty of reading books at the school. You won’t be needing no public library.”
“Oh, I wasn’t suggesting that the school had no books,” Beth interjected. “I was just wondering. That’s all.”
Beth sucked in her breath wondering if she’d already gotten herself into trouble after she’d only been there for a mere ten minutes.
Mr. Miller opened the door to the daadi haus. “Make yourself to home. I’m heading back out to the fields.” He gave her a nod and left, his heavy black boots thumping across the porch.
“Wait, Dat!” Andrew put down Beth’s suitcase just inside the door. “I’ll go with you.”
He hurried away, along with his two brothers.
Wilma shook her head. “Ach, them boys. They ain’t exactly social critters.” But she laughed with obvious affection. “Now, we girls will stick together. By the way, this here is our Martha. She’s fourteen. And this here is our Susan. She’s eight. You already know Becky and Penny.”
“Hello, girls,” Beth said.
“Now, come on in and see your rooms.”
Beth walked in and gazed around. The front room housed a davenport, two rockers, a warming stove, and a small kitchen table with four chairs. The kitchen itself was at the far end of the room, against the wall. There was a stove, a small fridge, a sink, a counter, and cupboards.
“Now, them appliances run on propane, so if they don’t work, we got to refill the tank. You just let us know. But you probably won’t be needing them much in any case. We figure you’ll be taking most of your meals with us.”
Beth nodded. “All right. Thank you.”
Wilma shrugged. “No need to be thanking me. It’s part of the arrangement.”
“Your bedroom’s back here,” Becky said.
Beth followed her into a short back hall. The first door opened to a bedroom with a double bed. A beautiful blue and white quilt covered it. Beth went to it, fingering the fine stitches. “This is lovely.”
“Just a regular old quilt,” Wilma said, but her puffed out chest revealed her pride. “Now, our Martha helped me on that one.”
“Me, too, Mamm!” Penny said.
Wilma nodded. “You’re righ
t at that, Penny. You did help with organizing the pieces and cutting the thread.”
“Well, you did a lovely job,” Beth said, smiling at Penny.
“Now, why don’t you get unpacked and then Becky here will run you over to the school. It’s a stone’s throw down the road, which is why the School Board likes us to board the teachers.”
“I’d love to go to the school. It won’t take me long to unpack at all. Becky, would you like to help me?”
Becky glanced at her mother for permission. When Wilma nodded, Becky grinned widely. “I would like to help you.”
“Then, that’s settled. Now, Becky, you show her where the bathroom is, and then I think that’s it. Come on, girls, let’s get back to our chores.” Wilma herded the other three girls out the door. “Supper is at six o’clock,” were Wilma’s parting words.
Beth took a deep breath and gazed about the room. Her view through the window stretched out across vast fields of corn. It would soon be harvesting time, and Beth knew how busy it would get.
“Bathroom’s the other door,” Becky said, interrupting her thoughts. “Want to go see it?”
Beth shook her head. “Nee. I’ll be fine. Here, give me a hand. Let’s put the suitcase on the bed.”
Together they unpacked Beth’s dresses and cape and coat. Beth put her undergarments in the drawer. She placed the few books she owned on the bedside table.
“These your own books?” Becky asked.
“Jah.”
“I wish I had some books of my own,” she said. “Mamm thinks books aren’t necessary for much but schooling. They are, though, ain’t they?”
Beth decided to tread carefully. The last thing she wished to do was contradict Mrs. Miller to her daughter. “Do you like to read?” she asked, answering Becky with a question of her own.
“Oh, it’s my favorite thing ever,” Becky said with a long sigh.
“Then shall we go to the school and see what all is there?”
“Not so many books,” Becky said. “Our last teacher only used the workbook mostly.”
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 7
