A Flicker of Hope

by Ruth Reid

  “Do you have some time for a bite to eat?” Martha asked. “I brought us lunch.”

  “Definitely.” She gestured to the empty store. “We haven’t been very busy today. Let me tell Grace that I’ll be back in a bit.”

  A short while later Faith and Martha were sitting behind the store at a small picnic table the owner of the store, a Yankee named Mr. Furlong, had put outside for the employees. Early spring days like this were the perfect time to enjoy the warmer weather. Martha pulled out a paper sack from her large tote bag and put it on the table. “Roast beef sandwiches okay?”

  “Sounds delicious.”

  Martha took out the sandwiches and two apples, then handed one sandwich and an apple to Faith. They bowed their heads in silent prayer before they started eating.

  “How’s business at the harness store?” Faith asked, glancing at her sandwich. She usually cut her sandwiches in two equal pieces, but since she didn’t have a knife—

  “Here.” Martha handed Faith a small knife.

  Faith beamed as she took it. “You remembered.”

  “Of course. You’re the only person I know who insists on cutting her sandwiches.”

  “They’re easier to eat that way.”

  Martha picked up her whole sandwich. “Work at the shop is fine, although Daed is wondering who’s going to take mei place in the office after Melvin and I get married.”

  Carefully cutting her sandwich, Faith said, “I guess he’ll have to look outside the familye to find someone.”

  “Ya, although he said every time he hires someone new they end up marrying one of us.” Martha tore off a small piece of crust from her bread. “You know Jonah is single now.”

  “He and Rachel broke up?”

  “A couple of weeks ago. Daed’s keeping a close eye on him now. He’s the only person at the shop other than Melvin who’s not related to us, and Fanny is marrying age. I guess Daed’s not ready to see his youngest daughter tie the knot anytime soon. Not that he has anything to worry about. Jonah’s been working with us for so long, he’s like the brother we never had. But he would be a gut catch for someone else.”

  Faith wasn’t sure if Martha was making small talk or if she was hinting at something. “Doing a little matchmaking, are you?”

  Martha’s eyes grew round with fake innocence. “Me? Of course not.” Her expression turned serious. “That didn’t turn out too well the last time.”

  Another heart pinch. Again, Faith ignored it. “It’s not yer fault Silas and I didn’t work out.”

  “I really thought you would,” Martha said in a soft voice.

  Faith took a bite of her sandwich so she wouldn’t have to respond. She tried to enjoy the juicy roast beef and spicy horseradish, but she couldn’t, not while Silas was fresh on her mind. Again. She swallowed. “How are the wedding plans going?” she asked, desperate to change the subject.

  “Gut. Sehr gut, actually. I’ve had a lot on mei mind lately, though.”

  “I imagine getting ready for a wedding is a lot of work when you’re the bride.” She tried not to think about how close she came to finding out firsthand how much work was involved.

  “But on the subject of the wedding,” Martha said, “I have a question for you.”

  Faith prepared herself for what she knew was coming. She would love to be one of Martha’s wedding attendants. Or even her maid of honor. She opened her mouth to say so, when Martha surprised her for the second time that day.

  “I would be so happy if you would make the cabinets for our kitchen.”

  Faith shut her mouth. Surely she heard her wrong. “What?”

  “I know how much you enjoy woodworking and you’re really gut at it. I would love to have something of yers in mei haus. I thought the cabinets would be perfect, and I know you would do an excellent job.”

  “I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Say ya.” Martha frowned. “Unless you can’t. If you’re too busy with work, I’d understand—”

  “Nee. I’m not too busy.” Faith clasped her hands together. She couldn’t believe this was actually happening. She would be able to make something bigger than a bread box. This was a real job, one that was complex and challenging. The fact that she was making something for her dear friend and cousin was a bonus. “I’m so pleased you asked me.”

  “Of course I’ll pay you.”

  Faith shook her head. “I won’t hear of it. This is mei gift to you and Melvin.”

  “That’s a generous gift,” Martha said.

  “Grossdaadi has a lot of wood in the shop. He was always doing different projects.”

  “I remember. It will be nice to have something of his in our haus.”

  Faith looked at Martha intently. Martha hadn’t been as close to Grossdaadi as she had, but they had both loved their grandfather. “You know he would have wanted the wood to be used for a gut purpose. So if you’re okay with oak cabinets, then they will be my wedding present. I can stain them any color you like.”

  “You can decide on the stain. I trust yer judgment.”

  Excitement bloomed inside Faith. “I’ll have to come by and take some measurements. Would tonight be okay?”

  “Ya. The haus is unlocked since there’s nothing in it. Melvin will be putting in the plumbing soon, but right now it’s basically rooms and walls.” She looked at Faith, her brows knitting. “Are you sure I can’t pay you at least for yer time?”

  Faith held up her hand. “Nee. I want to do this for you.”

  Martha’s eyes grew soft. “Danki, Faith.” She paused. “I’ve missed you. I don’t want us to grow apart after Melvin and I get married.”

  “We won’t.” She wanted the words to be true, but she wasn’t so sure. Once Martha and Melvin married, they’d have their own house and their own lives. They’d still be part of the church and Faith would still see them, but they wouldn’t have much in common anymore. And once they had children, Martha would be busy and become closer with the other young mothers in their community. The thought saddened her. She didn’t want to lose her friend. I’m so tired of losing people I love.

  But she wasn’t going to mourn, not when she finally had a project that was not only challenging, but meaningful. “I can’t wait to come up with the plans,” she said.

  “And I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

  “I won’t let you down, Martha,” Faith said, smiling. “I promise.”

  That evening Faith was so eager to get to Martha’s new house she didn’t want to bother eating supper. As her mother was putting the meal on the table, Faith slipped on her light jacket. The warmth of the day had turned cool. “Where are you going?” Mamm asked. “Supper is almost ready.”

  “To see Martha.” A little lie, which could turn into the truth if Martha happened to be at her future home tonight.

  “Now?” Mamm set a bowl of cabbage salad on the table. “I’m sure her familye is starting supper too.”

  “I won’t be gone long.”

  Mamm lifted one eyebrow. “All right. Tell her parents I said hello.”

  Faith walked out the door as Grace, Charity, and Patience came into the kitchen. When Faith was outside, she blew out a long breath. She didn’t want to explain to her mother what she was doing for Martha. Mamm didn’t approve of her spending so much time in her grandfather’s workshop, either.

  She did have to get her measuring tape and possibly some tools, so she darted inside the shop, found the items, then went to hitch up her buggy.

  Thirty minutes later she arrived at Martha’s house. She went to the front door and opened it. Martha was right; it was little more than a shell. The layout of the house was simple and she found the kitchen right away. It was empty, too, and the floor was still plywood. A single window was on the south-facing wall, the perfect height for a sink to be placed under it. It was a fairly large space, which didn’t surprise Faith. Martha had always wanted a lot of kids. She said a quick prayer that the Lord would bless Martha and Melvin with
as many children as their hearts desired. Then she went to work measuring, thinking about the type of cabinets Martha would like.

  “What are you doing here?”

  She turned at the familiar voice, her heart stopping in her chest. Then it skipped a beat when she saw Silas standing there. She immediately put her heart in check, although she wished it didn’t need so many reminders.

  But her heart had other ideas, because her pulse started to hammer as she and Silas stood in the same room alone for the first time since their breakup. It was one thing to see him at church. Among the community they could avoid each other. Here, there was nowhere to hide.

  He tilted his head, then crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t realize you were giving me the silent treatment.”

  She frowned, confused, then realized she hadn’t answered his question. She lifted her chin and stared him down, determined for him to know he didn’t affect her. “I’m measuring,” she said.

  “I can see that.” He put his hands on his hips.

  She saw the tool belt around his waist, and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “Why are you here?” Although by the sinking sensation in her stomach she suspected she already knew the answer.

  He paused, looking at her with equal intensity. “Measuring.”

  They continued the standoff, their gazes locked. He was still gorgeous. He always had been, with chestnut-colored hair that curled at the ends, thick eyebrows above brown eyes that always held warmth and a twinkle of mischief. Faith tried not to think about the two years they’d spent together. The plans they had made. The plans she had made, to be a wife and a mother. He had ruined all that. “What, you ran out of fish to catch?”

  His gaze narrowed. “Why are you here?” Silas asked again, this time slowly, as if she didn’t understand what he was saying. He also didn’t respond to her cutting remark. Then again, he didn’t have to. They both knew she had always come in second to stupid fish. Sometimes third . . . or not at all.

  Dread formed in her stomach as realization dawned. Martha was her cousin, but Melvin was Silas’s good friend. Surely, no . . . “Martha asked me to build their kitchen cabinets.”

  Silas scoffed. “Martha must have made a mistake, because Melvin asked me to make the cabinets and put in the kitchen flooring.”

  “She didn’t make a mistake. Martha asked me a few hours ago.”

  “Melvin asked me this morning.”

  They stared at each other, and Faith wasn’t sure what to do. “This must be a miscommunication.”

  “Must be.”

  “We’ll have to talk to them about it.”

  “Might as well do it now,” Silas said, turning to leave. “I’ll geh talk to Melvin.”

  “I’ll geh talk to Martha.” Clearly he didn’t want to be around her. Which shouldn’t bother her, but it did . . . a little. Okay, a lot. Yet she should have known he had moved on from her.

  Silas stopped. He looked at her again, and she searched his eyes for the softness, the love she used to see there. Instead she saw something rare for Silas. Seriousness. “Just to let you know,” he said, his voice stronger and more confident than she’d ever heard it, “this job is mine. Melvin wants a proper carpenter to do the work.”

  That made Faith’s blood boil. “I am a proper carpenter.”

  “You’re a hobbyist. There’s a big difference.”

  “You never respected the fact that I am as gut a carpenter as any man.”

  “That’s not true.” He paused. “I know you’re gut.”

  She ignored the tiny bit of satisfaction his remark gave her. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, trying to put me off guard with sweet talk.”

  Silas huffed. “Think what you want. You always do. I was just letting you know I am not giving up on this job.”

  Faith looked at him. “I’m not giving up on it either. Martha is mei cousin—”

  “Melvin is mei friend—”

  “And she asked me to do this and I will do it.”

  “We’ll see about that.”

  She watched Silas walk out the door, held her breath, then exhaled when she saw him disappear. She turned off both lanterns and heard the sound of Silas’s horse and buggy leave. How had she not heard his buggy approach? Then again, she always became engrossed in her tasks, enough to block out everything around her.

  A stab of grief hit her. It always did at unexpected times, often the worst times. She had been so focused that day in the woodshop, using a bevel-edged chisel to practice her carving skills on an old piece of wood. If she had paid more attention, maybe she would have heard her grandfather cry for help just outside the door of the shop. She would have been there in time—

  She drove the thought away. She wasn’t about to let Silas take this opportunity from her. It wasn’t as if he needed the extra work. He and his father had their own carpentry shop. Why would Silas need to take on an extra job? Faith thought about that for a moment as she got into her buggy, then shook her head. It wasn’t any of her business what Silas did anymore.

  That was how she had to live her life now. Not get involved, not entangle herself, not risk her heart.

  ALSO BY RUTH REID

  THE AMISH WONDERS NOVELS

  A Miracle of Hope

  A Woodland Miracle

  A Dream of Miracles

  THE HEAVEN ON EARTH NOVELS

  The Promise of an Angel

  Brush of Angel’s Wings

  An Angel by Her Side

  NOVELLAS

  An Amish Miracle—

  Always His Providence

  An Amish Second Christmas—

  Her Christmas Pen Pal

  An Amish Christmas Gift—

  An Unexpected Joy

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  RUTH REID IS A CBA AND ECPA BESTSELLING author of the Heaven on Earth series. She’s a full-time pharmacist who lives in Florida with her husband and three children. When attending Ferris State University School of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life.

  Visit Ruth online at ruthreid.com

  Facebook: Author-Ruth-Reid

  Twitter: @authorruthreid