And with that, she hurried back to the daadi haus to brush her teeth and be on her way.
Beth stood before her students, her smile firmly in place. She scanned the children’s upturned faces, their eyes filled with expectation.
“Gut morning, students. As you can see, I placed nametags on your desks, and I see you have all found your places. As most of you know, my name is Beth Fisher, and I’m very, very happy to be your new teacher.”
Becky was beaming at her, and Beth silently thanked the dear child.
“We will begin our mornings with a reading from the Bible. Today, I have chosen the one hundred and third Psalm for us.” Beth proceeded to read the chapter, and then she asked the students to stand for the Lord’s Prayer. By the time that was over, Beth’s nerves had settled down to a quiet roar.
“We shall now sing three songs from our songbook. Becky, you may choose the first song.”
Becky wiggled in her seat and flipped through the songbook with an air of importance. She made her selection, and the children joined in to sing. Beth was surprised at the richness of the sound. Often when children sang, their high-pitched voices sounded thin and wavering. That was hardly the case with this group of children.
After the third song, Beth clapped her hands together. “Oh, children. That was wonderful. I can see that you’ve spent a lot of time singing together. Please be seated.”
The children sat. “Now, grades three through eight, your mathematics assignment is on the board. I would like the first and second graders to please join me at the front table for phonics and vocabulary.”
The younger students walked obediently to the table and were seated. Both of Timothy’s girls, Frances and Missy, were part of the group. Beth noted their scrubbed faces and neatly pressed dresses. She thought of their grandmother, Debra. She envisioned the woman standing over an iron with her flushed red cheeks, making sure her granddaughters’ dresses looked perfect for the first day of school.
“Mammi said you was coming for supper one day,” Missy volunteered.
“Jah. I’ve been invited,” Beth said.
“When?” Missy asked.
“I don’t rightly know,” Beth said. She reached out and squeezed the young girl’s hand. “Now children, I am going to assign a workbook to each of you. This will be your book for the year. I want you to take good care of it.”
She handed out the thick workbooks, and the children opened them with looks of awe.
“Once I get to know you better, you second graders will be assigned a first grader. You will be their helper when I am working with the older grades. Now, won’t that be fun?”
The children gave her dubious looks. Except Frances. She seemed downright pleased.
“Can my sister be my helper?” she asked.
“That is possible. Give me a few days to decide, won’t you?”
Frances nodded, her gray eyes huge.
The morning whizzed by, Beth was on her feet almost continually, checking with each grade, giving instructions and guidance, and answering questions between assignments. During lunch, they all ate happily and burst from the schoolhouse for recess. The older children promptly got a game of baseball started, while the little ones played tag.
Beth stood under a tree and watched them run and laugh. A sense of complete contentment filled her until she found herself erupting into a glorious smile. So far, she absolutely loved teaching. She’d been right. She was born for this.
When the school day was nearly over, more than one mother came early to fetch her children. They sat in the back of the school house, bopplis draped over their knees. A few of the tiniest bopplis fussed and cried a bit, but Beth continued as if nothing was amiss. Buggies dotted the yard out front. Some of her youngest students turned about, craning their necks to smile at their mothers.
After the good-bye song was sung, Beth dismissed the children, and they wandered back to their mothers. Some of the children walked to school, so they promptly made their way outside after giving her a wave.
All in all, a successful day. Beth breathed deeply and walked back to meet the mothers who still hung about.
“How was my Tamera, teacher?”
Beth laughed. “Why, she was just fine. She worked hard today. I look forward to seeing her again in the morning.”
Tamera’s mother nodded with a satisfied smile. “That you will. Say good-bye, then.” She nudged her daughter’s shoulder.
“Good-bye, Beth.”
“Good-bye, Tamera. See you tomorrow.”
Debra Plank was there, holding Benny. Missy and Frances stood on either side of her. “How were the girls?” Debra asked.
Beth smiled down at both of them. “Why, they were wonderful. We had a very good day.”
“I’m learning to read,” Frances announced. “It ain’t so hard.”
“I might be her helper,” offered Missy.
Debra chuckled at the girls. “Here. Take your brother outside, will you? I want a word with the teacher.”
Missy cast an adoring look at Beth and took Benny’s hand. Frances took her brother’s other hand, and they went outside. Beth’s heart stung with the yearning she saw in Missy’s eyes. The child was so dear and had already attached to her like glue.
“About that supper,” Debra said. “Why not come home with the girls tomorrow after school. Would that suit?”
Beth was mildly surprised, not expecting the invitation quite so soon. But there was really no reason to turn it down. “That sounds right nice,” she responded.
Debra grinned. “Well, then. That’s settled. The girls will walk you over.” She ran her hands over her dress and nodded again, looking well pleased.
Beth followed her to the door. She stood on the top step and watched Debra go down to meet her grandchildren. As they walked away, Missy looked back over her shoulder and gave Beth another huge smile. Beth raised her hand and waved.
Such a dear, dear girl. Both of them, really.
Considering how exhausted she was, Beth should have slept deeply and well. But she didn’t. Her mind whirled with ideas for the next day, things she could tweak, a different game she could suggest at recess. Her students’ smiling faces spun in her mind as she attempted to get some sleep. Finally, during the wee hours of the morning, she fell asleep, only to be awakened a few hours later by the screeching rooster who couldn’t seem to tell time.
She threw back her light quilt and got up. No reason to lie in bed any longer when she could be studying the eighth grade math a bit more. Math wasn’t her favorite subject, she being more of a reading girl. But she was determined to like it. Otherwise, the students might sense her reluctance, and she couldn’t have that.
She took a quick shower and dressed, taking extra care with her hair. She put in a few additional bobby pins to make sure her kapp set just right. Now that she had gone over her day in her mind in her mind a million times, she couldn’t help but focus on the supper invitation. It would be lovely to dine with her students and to meet their grandfather.
She paused with her hand hovering over her hair. Who was she trying to fool? It was Timothy she really wanted to see. She wanted to hear his voice again, and see his half-smile as he studied her face. She wanted to watch him with the children.
She dropped her hand to her side and stepped back and leaned against the wall. No! No, no, no. She couldn’t be so interested in him. She simply couldn’t.
Besides, becoming so interested in someone without even knowing him was absurd. Beyond absurd.
She bent down to tie her thick-soled black shoes. Enough of that. She wasn’t going to give it another thought. And upon her arrival at the Planks that afternoon, she would be courteous to Timothy, nothing more. She would put her attention solely on the children.
When she went to the big house for breakfast, Wilma met her at the side door, holding out an envelope.
“Ach, forgive me, Beth. This came for you yesterday, and I plum forgot about it.”
Beth saw t
he familiar hand of her sister Mellie. She smiled and took the envelope. “No harm done.”
“Breakfast is running about five minutes late if you’d like to give it a read.”
Beth nodded and slipped back out of the house. She returned to the daadi haus and sank down into the rocking chair on the porch. Ah. Sweet Mellie. Writing so soon. How lovely of her. Beth ripped the envelope open and began to read.
Dearest Beth,
I have been thinking about you during these days since you left. By now, school has started for you. How do you like it? Is it as you hoped? We miss you around here. Especially me, if I dare say.
Faith has been helping me in my sweet shop this past week. I’ve been unusually busy, so her help is much appreciated. Ruthie has been quite testy since you left. She reminds me constantly of your absence and pushes more and more chores onto me. I keep telling her that I must be at the shop all day long, but it doesn’t seem to register. I fear being too critical of her, but I’m sure you understand my frustration.
Beth paused in her reading and sighed. Ruthie was a snapping turtle much of the time. Beth still couldn’t understand what her brother had been thinking when he courted her. Although, if she remembered correctly, Ruthie had been a nicer girl then. Poor Mellie. To be on the other end of Ruthie’s tongue lashing wasn’t pleasant.
I finally had the courage to urge Mamm to see an Englisch doctor for her rheumatoid arthritis again. She was miffed with me and clamped her lips shut. She wouldn’t speak to me the rest of the day. But I had to do it, Beth. I felt compelled, and truth be known, I think Gott would approve of her going. She’s doing well, living with Daadi in the daadi haus. Faith goes back there many times a day to check on her.
I hope you won’t be upset, but I wanted to tell you about Caleb.
Beth sucked in her breath and kept reading…
Before you left, after you broke things off with him, you told me that he was sweet on me. I don’t think you were quite right. He seems a bit lost without you. He does come around the shop from time to time. More times than necessary, if the truth be known. But he asks after you. Wanting to know how you’re doing. Please write, Beth, and let us know. We’re all thinking of you.
Beth pressed the letter to her chest. She still felt certain that Caleb would fall in love with Mellie if given the chance. Coming around and asking about her was just an excuse. At least, she hoped so. Caleb was a fine young man, and it had hurt her to disappoint him. But she felt good about setting him free for Mellie’s sake. How her sister must have suffered, watching the man she loved court her sister. Beth shuddered and read on.
Things have been mighty busy with the harvest. We still have some major canning to do. The tomatoes are still producing as usual. No harsh frost yet to stop them. I imagine Ruthie will be chomping at the bit to get more canning done today. I’ll have to stand firm and go out to the shop. Seems to be an awful lot of tourists around right now. They love to come in and browse, staring at me when they think I’m not looking. It’s amusing, really. I might as well sit on the shelf myself and display my plain clothes and head covering. Then they could stare to their heart’s content. Ach! The things I say. But you understand, Beth. Still, I’m awful glad for the tourists. It’s nice to meet them, and they buy heavily.
I best be getting back to my work. Write. Let me know how things are going. Everyone sends their love. Our Eli is wondering if you’ll make it home for his wedding come November. Surely, the School Board will allow you to come.
Love, your sister,
Mellie
Beth folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. She leaned into the chair and smiled. How lovely to hear from home. Her mind had been so consumed since she arrived in Meadow Lark that she’d hardly thought of her family. She was a bit chagrinned to realize it. But now, after reading Mellie’s letter, a surge of homesickness filled her.
She would like to be able to help with the canning. And to help Mellie in her store. She’d always enjoyed that. Mellie was a natural at it, greeting the customers so warmly and putting them right at ease. Her baking was good, too. More than good.
She went inside the daadi haus and laid the letter on the table. She’d write Mellie that night. After her dinner with the Planks. Her breath caught. It was going to be a fine day. And in only nine or so hours, she’d be sitting at the table with Timothy.
She inhaled sharply and corrected herself. She’d be sitting at the table with two of her students, and little Benny, of course.
Beth’s second day of teaching went even more smoothly than the first. The students seemed much more relaxed, as if Beth had been their teacher for years. She couldn’t help but put special attention on Missy and Frances. The girls beamed at her nearly all day long. When the last song was sung, they rushed up to her.
“You coming with us, now?” Frances asked. She gave Beth a big smile, and Beth saw that one of her lower teeth had fallen out.
“Why, Frances Plank! You have a window in your mouth!”
Frances gave her a puzzled look. Beth took her chin firmly in hand. “Now, smile for me again.”
Frances complied.
“See? Right there on the bottom. You have a window.”
Missy giggled. “She means your tooth is gone,” she explained.
Frances giggled, too. “Fell out last night, teacher.”
“I must say. You’re growing up into a fine young lady. Why, only the big kids start losing their teeth.”
Frances gazed up at Beth with such a loving expression, that Beth’s throat tightened. What a beautiful girl this Frances was. Her heart nearly ached with it.
“Can we go now? You ready?” Missy asked.
“Just a moment. Would you girls like to wipe down the chalkboard for me?”
They both nodded and ran for the rags. While they swiped the board, Beth grabbed the broom and began sweeping the room. She’d need to get a job roster organized soon. The teacher and students were expected to keep the room spotless. Beth eyed the waste basket. John hadn’t left yet, so she asked him to empty it, which he promptly did.
The girls couldn’t reach the upper corners of the board, so Missy dragged a chair over. Frances climbed up and stretched high on her tippy-toes to get every last mark erased.
“I need to write tomorrow’s math assignments on the board. Can you wait another few minutes?” Beth asked them.
“Jah,” Missy said. “What else do you want us to do?”
“Why don’t you straighten the rows of desks while you wait?”
The girls got busy, and Beth opened her lesson book to the next day. It didn’t take long to write the assignments, and before she knew it, she was walking down the road with a little girl on each side of her. They’d both taken her hand, and Beth found that she liked holding hands with them. Mostly, she’d only held hands with Mellie, and that was when they were young. Caleb used to grab her hand sometimes, but not often.
Chapter Five
The Planks lived about a half mile from the school. As they walked up their drive, Beth admired the flower beds bordering the front porch. They were thick with flowers. Yet there was an order to it that was pleasing to behold. Evidently Debra Plank was an accomplished gardener.
She looked up to see Debra on the front porch, waiting for them.
“Mammi!” Frances cried, letting go of Beth’s hand and rushing to her grandmother.
“Welcome home, our Frances,” Debra said, with a welcoming hug.
Missy continued to hold Beth’s hand, leading her up the steps.
Debra smiled at them. “Welcome, Beth. Why not sit out here a spell and have some lemonade?”
“That sounds right nice,” Beth agreed. She sank into one of the white rockers.
“Girls, go wash up, and I’ll bring you a glass, too.”
“Where’s Dat?” Missy asked. “I wanna tell him Beth is here.”
“He’s out in the barn with your daadi. He should be in soon.”
“Can I run te
ll him?”
Debra opened the screen door. “Wash up first. Then you can go tell him if you must.”
But Missy didn’t need to inform her father of Beth’s presence. As soon as the children and Debra disappeared into the house, Timothy came walking across the yard toward the porch. Beth’s heart did a quick flip, and she swallowed hard, working to remain calm. She watched his easy gait and saw his smile grow as he neared.
“Beth,” he said. There was a melodic sound to his voice.
“Gut afternoon, Timothy.”
He was downright grinning now. A beautiful smile. And it most definitely reached his eyes. He took off his straw hat and slapped it against his leg as if removing dust. “Glad to see you made it.”
“Jah. I made it. Your girls saw to that.” She smiled back at him, wondering if her face was flushed.
“Where’s Mamm?”
“Pouring me some lemonade. The girls are washing up.”
“Gut. That’s gut.” He climbed the stairs slowly, and Beth found herself becoming more flustered with each of his steps. Again, she was struck by the shining blue of his eyes. They seemed to catch her and hold her, even as she tried to look away.
“How were the girls? In school, I mean.”
“They were wonderful. They’re gut girls, Timothy.” Beth had no idea why her face grew so hot as she said his name.
“That they are.” He sat in the rocking chair beside her, and his gaze rested on her. “I’m happy you came for supper. The girls could talk of little else.”
Beth nodded, gripping the arms of the chair. She wanted to bolt, which made no sense at all. “It’s right nice to have been invited,” she managed to utter.
Timothy laid his hat on his knee and rocked gently. He looked out over the property with a satisfied expression. “Do your folks farm?”
Beth nodded. “My brothers do. Dat passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” His eyes were soft on hers.
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 10
