The Amish Christmas Cowboy

by Jo Ann Brown

  He didn’t speak while they drove along the road, taking care to avoid walkers.

  Unable to endure the strained silence any longer, she said, “I appreciate you giving me a ride home.”

  “You live right next door to me, so it makes sense.”

  She smiled again, glad he’d given her more than a single-word reply. To keep the conversation going, she asked, “Do you like our new settlement?”

  “I’ve been here only a few days, so I can’t have an opinion yet. So far, so gut.” There was a hesitation, then he asked as if realizing he needed to say more, “How about you? Do you like living along Harmony Creek?”

  “I’m looking forward to seeing fall, because the Englischers I’ve spoken with tell me these hills and mountains are glorious when the trees begin to take on their autumn colors.”

  “Are you with the Englisch often?”

  “I’m working as a nanny for an Englisch family out on the road to Rupert.”

  “That is gut. I’m sure your brothers appreciate your help when they have to focus on getting the sawmill going.”

  James drew in the buggy near one of the few Englisch homes along the road. The gaslight on top of an antique lamppost washed over them, allowing her to see his face. She averted hers because she wasn’t sure what her expression might reveal.

  “May I ask you a question?” he asked.

  “Certainly.” She forced herself to look from her folded hands to the man beside her.

  “This whole me taking you home was your brothers’ idea, ain’t so?”

  “They think it’d be a gut idea if we got to know each other better.”

  He smiled, shocking her because until then he’d been as serious as a sinner confessing before the Leit. “That’s a nice way of saying I’m right. You’re a nice person, Sarah.”

  “Danki. You’ve been kind to me, too.”

  “Kindness and attraction isn’t the same thing.”

  “No.”

  A long sigh swept out of him. “I’m glad you agree, Sarah. I wouldn’t want you to get the wrong impression.”

  “That you’re desperate for a wife?”

  “Ja.” His smile returned. “As you’re desperate for a husband.”

  “Is that what you think?” She halted herself from asking if others thought that way, too.

  “Not at all, but your brothers suggested you were.”

  “They said that?” Sarah bit her lower lip to keep her annoyed words from escaping. She hadn’t imagined her brothers would say such a thing to a stranger.

  “If it makes you feel better, Sarah, I never believed a popular woman like you was desperate for a husband.”

  “Danki.” She meant that sincerely. “And danki for being so nice about this.”

  “I’ve got older siblings, too, who think they know more than I do.” He sighed. “I wouldn’t say ja if someone asked me if I left Milverton because I was tired of their interference in my life, because one is supposed to speak well of one’s family, but...”

  “But?”

  “I wouldn’t want to lie, either, and say that person was wrong.”

  She relaxed, letting her shoulders ease from their stiff stance. “My brothers mean well, and I know they love me.”

  “As my older siblings do me. One saved me when I was little from falling into the farm pond and drowning. However, once I was old enough to swim and look both ways along the road, they didn’t believe anything had changed.”

  Sarah laughed, something she’d doubted she’d do while with him tonight. “Maybe your older siblings and mine are the same people. They act the same.”

  He chuckled with a rasp she guessed came from his hours in his smoky smithy. “That would explain a lot, ain’t so?”

  “I’m sorry Menno and Benjamin welcomed you to Harmony Creek Hollow like this.”

  “Don’t be. I’m glad to have a chance to talk with you. I could use insight about the settlement.” He laughed again. “From someone who isn’t focused on having me marry his sister.”

  “Ask whatever you want.”

  Sarah was able to answer most of his questions about where to shop for groceries and how to advertise his services. Several of the men with businesses had hung flyers at the hardware store in Salem and found work that way. Word of mouth had taken over from there, and many of their Englisch neighbors looked for help from the plain artisans. When she mentioned Mr. Fleetwood was interested in selling his blacksmithing tools, James was thrilled to hear that.

  “I’m going to have to thank your brothers,” he said with a grin, “for insisting on me taking you home tonight. You’ve been a great help.”

  “Feel free to ask anyone for help. We’re learning the best ways to live here. Any questions you’ve got, we’ve had at one time or another.”

  “That’s gut to hear. Look, Sarah, I know your brothers are worried about someone named Toby. They mentioned several times they were unhappy about you getting involved with a drifter.” He frowned. “Though, I have to say, from what I can see, you’ve got a gut head on your shoulders.”

  “Toby works at the same place I do. He was injured, so my boss asked me to help him with his physical therapy.” The words were bitter on her lips, but they were the truth. Her foolish heart begged her to give it to him, but Toby had been honest with her from the beginning. He couldn’t wait to leave for Texas.

  “Maybe so, but your brothers are determined to keep you from walking out with him. And I don’t have time for their matchmaking. I assume you don’t, either.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Here’s what we can do. We’ll talk to each other when we encounter each other, whether at Sunday services or during the week. That’s what gut neighbors do anyhow.”

  “True.”

  “Being seen together should encourage your brothers—and anyone else interested—that we’re aware of each other. Maybe more. We can leave that to their imaginations. In the meantime, your brothers will back off, and I can focus on getting my business going. Is that okay with you?”

  “I wouldn’t want to lie.”

  “I’m not asking you to. I’m asking you to let others make assumptions.”

  It made sense. She could count James as a friend, but until her heart came to its senses, it wouldn’t be willing to be offered to anyone except Toby. As that wasn’t going to happen, she needed time to figure out what she’d do after he left. No doubt, Menno and Benjamin would redouble their efforts to find her a husband. She had to have a plan in place before their gut intentions ruined her life.

  “Okay,” she said.

  “Danki.” He raised the reins to tell the horse to drive toward her road a few yards away.

  She halted him and got out of the buggy. There was no reason for him to come to the house. Walking up the lane herself would add to the supposition she and James were trying to keep their relationship a secret.

  God, danki for having James be so honest with me. Please help my brothers understand their love for me doesn’t have to be so overpowering.

  Sarah turned to watch James drive away, the metal wheels on his open buggy catching the moonlight. A few minutes later, she smiled as she climbed the stairs to head to bed. Benjamin and Menno were grinning as if they’d won a great victory.

  It was a temporary diversion. Eventually they’d take notice, especially if James found someone he wanted to court. For now, she’d appreciate the reprieve. It was a precious gift. She hoped God would soon show her what she should do once Toby left.

  The thought sent tears flooding into her eyes. She was grateful he was healing well, but she had no idea how she was going to tell him goodbye.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Mr. Summerhays, may I come in?”

  Sarah peeked around the corner of her boss’s office. When he smiled and motioned for her to en
ter, she saw he had a phone pressed to his ear.

  She tiptoed into the room. Arranged on the dark green wallpaper above the dark wood panels was a collection of photographs of Mr. Summerhays’s prize-winning horses. Two horses had been immortalized in oil paintings.

  As soon as Mr. Summerhays was done with his call, he pointed to a chair in front of his large desk. “What can I do for you, Sarah? The children are doing well and behaving for you, aren’t they?”

  Sitting, she wondered what he would say if she spoke from the heart, pleading with him to discover the answer for himself. She’d grasp on to any excuse for him to spend time with his kinder, but he would beg off, saying he had important work to do as he had the few times she’d tried to broach the subject.

  Toby was correct. If she didn’t say something blunt, neither parent was going to see the mistakes they were making by being focused on things other than their youngsters.

  Now wasn’t the time to mention that. Not if she wanted Mr. Summerhays to agree to a favor.

  “I’m here to talk about Toby,” she said.

  “Who?”

  “Toby Christner. The man who injured his ankle and is staying here until J.J. Rafferty comes for him.”

  Mr. Summerhays’s face remained blank.

  “Toby is,” she said, trying another tack, “the horse trainer who was hurt when unloading Bay Boy.”

  “Ah! I know whom you’re talking about now. What about him? Is he having trouble getting better?”

  She silenced her sigh. Mr. Summerhays was focused on his horses and his work in New York City. Nothing else, not even his family.

  “No, sir,” she said. “He’s doing well. In fact, his physical therapist says he’s improving faster than expected. That’s why I’m here. He’s anxious to get back to work.”

  “That’s excellent news. I knew I could depend on you, Sarah, to make sure he was taken care of.”

  Amazed he recalled he’d asked her to assist Toby, she said, “I’m glad to help. I must admit I told him that he’d get a prize if he met his physical therapy goal.” Realizing how that sounded, she hurried to add, “Would you be willing to let him spend a day at the stables near Saratoga if his doktor gives him permission to do so? He’s interested in seeing your stables there.”

  Mr. Summerhays frowned. “It’s the middle of racing season. I don’t have time to babysit someone.”

  “You wouldn’t be babysitting him, sir. You only need to have someone take him there and bring him home at day’s end. Toby gets around fine now.”

  He drummed his fingers on his desk, then looked at his cell phone as it buzzed. His brows lowered. “I’ll make sure he gets a tour.”

  “One other thing? May I cancel the lessons for the kinder—the children—tomorrow and take them on a special trip in the buggy?”

  “Yes, yes.” He waved her out of his office.

  Before she had stood, he was talking into his phone. She hurried out, happy Mr. Summerhays had agreed to her requests, but sad he considered taking the call more important than finding out where she planned to take his kinder.

  Soon, she promised herself. Soon, she’d do as she and Toby had discussed. She would speak to Mr. Summerhays about spending time with the youngsters. She wished she knew how to initiate that topic.

  * * *

  A hint of fall banished the humidity the next morning. Sarah guessed it would return, but, for now, she was going to enjoy the pleasant day. The Summerhays kinder should enjoy the treat she had for them. As for Toby...

  She wasn’t sure what he’d make of the surprise she had planned for the youngsters today. He’d seemed astonished when she asked him to join them for a drive along the road into Harmony Creek Hollow. To be honest, she’d been amazed when he agreed to come.

  Charmer stepped along the road, as delighted as Sarah was at the cooler weather. The kinder were enjoying the ride and discussing where they might be going.

  She didn’t realize she was humming until Toby asked, “What tune is that?”

  “My happy song,” she replied with a smile.

  “I’m guessing your date on Sunday night went well.”

  “It wasn’t a date.” She wagged a playful finger at him. “You’ve spent too much time with Englischers.”

  “Enough to know a plain man taking a young woman home from a youth event, Sarah, is like an Englischer asking her to a movie. Lots of darkness and whispering.”

  She arched a brow at him. “Ach, I didn’t realize you were an expert.”

  “I’m not, but you’re avoiding answering my question. Just tell me it isn’t my business.”

  “It isn’t your business, but I’ll tell you my date went as I’d hoped it would. James was nice.”

  “But?”

  “You’re nosy, you know!”

  “As nosy as your brothers?”

  Sarah laughed without a hint of humor. “Nowhere near. I told them enough to be honest and keep them from planning another date for us right away.” Folding her arms in front of her, she asked, “How was your evening?”

  “Not as noteworthy as yours, I’m sure.”

  Gnawing on her lower lip, she turned away before he could see how his teasing hurt. It’d been barely a day, but she was tired of walking the fine line between truth and lies.

  Toby became serious. “Sarah, I’m sorry. I was kidding.”

  “I know, but I don’t like having to watch everything I say or do when I’m home. Not to be honest with my brothers bothers me. They think they’re succeeding as matchmakers when I know they’re not.”

  “I thought you said...” Abrupt understanding filled his eyes.

  Dismay threatened to strangle her. She and James had agreed to keep their true feelings a secret from everyone else so her brothers didn’t push them together all the time. And she had just blurted out the truth to Toby!

  “I need you to forget what I just said, Toby.”

  “About you and James? It’s forgotten. As far as your brothers, you haven’t lied to them. You’re letting them jump to their own conclusions.”

  “I know, but under other circumstances I would have corrected them because that’s what a loving sister should do.”

  “Sarah, you are a loving sister. If you hadn’t been, you wouldn’t have agreed when they asked you to let James bring you home. If your brothers fail to see that, then they aren’t looking at the situation with clear heads and fair eyes. I’m sorry if I upset you.”

  He grabbed the reins in front of her hands and pulled the buggy onto the grassy shoulder to the right as a car sped past them. “They drive way too fast along this road.”

  Sarah calmed the kinder, using the time to compose herself, too. She hadn’t expected Toby to take the reins as her brothers used to do when she was younger. Being annoyed with him was silly.

  Making sure her voice was even, she said, “We’ve alerted the sheriff, but the patrols can’t be here all the time.”

  Mia leaned over the seat. “Will we be there soon, Sarah?”

  “Where?” she asked as she winked at Toby, who struggled to keep a straight face.

  “Where we’re going!”

  “We’re there.”

  The buggy rolled to a stop near the new school building the settlement had opened about six weeks before.

  Turning in her seat, Sarah said, “I know you’re on summer vacation for another couple of weeks, but would you like to see where your Amish neighbors go to school?”

  “Here?” Ethan was eager to start kindergarten and anything about school thrilled him.

  “Ja.”

  “Me, too?” Mia asked. With another year to wait until she went to school, she expected to be left out.

  “You, too.” Sarah tapped her nose and was rewarded with a grin. “Now, remember you are guests here. You need to use your best manners.”r />
  Alexander grimaced. “Aren’t they schoolkids like us?”

  “They are, but Miriam expects everyone to behave in her school. You know Miriam, and you know she’s a nice person. Why don’t you ask me your questions about an Amish school so you don’t disrupt the class? Anyone got questions?” She smiled at Toby. He knew, as she did, the Summerhays kids always had a lot of questions.

  “Why have they started school already?” Alexander asked. “We don’t go back for two weeks.”

  “Amish schools need to begin the school year early so they can start their summer vacations in mid-May. That way, the scholars can help their families put in their crops. Maybe the school will go a bit longer here, because the fields won’t be ready quite as early, but they’ll be done with school by the end of May.”

  “What’s a scholar?” asked Mia.

  “A scholar is someone in school.”

  “Oh, like the ten o’clock scholar in Mia’s Mother Goose book,” Natalie said.

  “Exactly.”

  “How many grades are there?”

  “Eight. First grade through eighth grade, as you have at your school.”

  “We’ve got kindergarten, too,” Ethan said.

  Sarah almost laughed when Toby glanced back to give the little boy a wink, which made Ethan stick out his narrow chest with pride. “That’s true. Once our scholars have finished eighth grade, they’re done with formal education. After that, they may spend time with someone who will teach them a skill like woodworking or running a shop.”

  “So no high school?” asked Natalie.

  “No. We feel it’s important to learn a usable skill during those years.”

  That gave the kinder something to think about as they got out of the buggy. Sarah checked they were neat before she led them toward the school.

  The new building looked like other plain schools, both outside and in. When Sarah opened the door, walking in as Miriam had asked, she saw the desks the dozen kinder used were in rows on the gray linoleum floor. The youngest scholars sat at the front and those in their last year of school had the privilege of having their desks closest to the door, so they could be the first outside for recess and at the end of the day. She recalled how grown-up she’d felt when, at fourteen, she reached the eighth grade and was ready to put school behind her. It’d been an honor, vied for by the oldest students, to clean the erasers and wash the blackboard. These scholars looked so young now.