Was now the time to tell her that Santa was a myth? He decided that could wait. The poor kid was already being inundated with changes. Once she was older and came to understand the true meaning of Christmas, she would set aside her childish notions.
“We’ll manage. Trust me. You’re going to have a wonderful Christmas season full of all kinds of new things. Why, we are going to the cookie exchange in a few days. We’ll take a pail with us and fill it up with all kinds of yummy cookies. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“I guess, but what about our Christmas lights? Nana always put lights around the porch on our trailer.”
“We won’t have lights at the farm, but we’ll go to town one of these nights to look at all the Christmas lights that are up there. If it snows enough, we’ll go for a sleigh ride. Would you like that?”
“Is a sleigh ride fun? Is the sleigh pulled by reindeer?”
“It will be pulled by Bobby or maybe Grandpa’s big draft horses if the snow gets real deep, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Sleigh rides were some of the best Christmas times in his memory. His family and friends piled under quilts as they raced over the snowy fields to have hot chocolate or hot spiced cider after caroling at neighbors’ homes along the way. It didn’t matter to them if the neighbors were Amish or Englisch. The season was for spreading joy to all.
He glanced sideways at his daughter. It wasn’t like a trip to a fancy mall. Would she enjoy it? He hoped so.
She shook her head. “I’m not sure it can be Christmas without a Christmas tree, Daddy.”
Maybe he was asking her to make too big of an adjustment. Just because he thought this might be the best life for her didn’t mean she would feel the same way. “Let’s try it this year and see how you like it.”
“I’m gonna tell Daadi and Mammi that I want a tree. They will get one for me.”
“I’m sorry, honey. They won’t.”
“But I want a Christmas tree! I want one. Pickles wants a tree, too. Mommy will have a tree at her place. I know she will. I want to go live with Mommy!” She threw her napkin on the floor and began kicking the front panel of the buggy.
The horse, startled by the sound, veered sideways, pulling the buggy into the wrong lane.
Caleb reined the horse back into line and made a grab for Joy. “Stop that!”
She screamed, and to Caleb’s horror, she bolted out the door of the moving vehicle. He pulled to a stop as quickly as he could. “Joy! Joy, are you okay?” He looked back but couldn’t see her.
A second later, he heard her crying. He dropped the reins, got out and ran to the back of the buggy. Joy was sitting at the bottom of a ditch, with blood smeared across her face. She had her hands cupped over her nose. He dropped to her side. “Hold still, kiddo. Where does it hurt?”
“I hit my nose,” she mumbled through her fingers.
“Let me see.” He pulled her hands aside and checked her over carefully. A bloody nose appeared to be the extent of the damage. Pulling a handkerchief from his hip pocket, he pressed it to her face. “You could have been hurt very badly. Never do that again.”
Her tantrum forgotten, she struggled not to cry. “Are you mad at me?”
He pulled her into his arms. “Liebschen, you scared me out of ten years of my life, but I’m not mad. Please don’t scare me like that again.”
“You’re squishing me.”
He loosened his hold and looked at her face. “I’m sorry. Is that better?”
“Yes. What does liebschen mean?” Her voice was muffled beneath the cloth she held to her nose.
He chuckled as his fright faded, leaving him shaking like a leaf in the wind. The cold wet ground was seeping through his pants, but he didn’t care. She was safe. “Liebschen means sweetheart.”
“Am I your sweetheart?”
“Yes, you are. Let me see that nose.” He took the cloth away. The bleeding had stopped.
“It still hurts.”
“I’m not surprised. Joy, if you are upset about something, running away won’t help. You need to talk to me about it or to Grandma or Grandpa. Do you understand that?”
“I guess.”
Did she? Would she ever outgrow the habits that seemed so ingrained in her?
A car coming from the other direction stopped beside them. A gray-haired man rolled down his window. “Is everything okay?”
Caleb raised a hand and waved. “I think so.”
The man put his flashers on and got out. “What happened?”
Caleb picked up Joy. “She jumped out of the buggy while it was moving and got a bloody nose for her trouble.”
“Better let me have a look at her. I’m a doctor.”
Caleb recognized Dr. Harold White. The elderly physician had managed a clinic in Hope Springs since before Caleb was born. He was well respected by the Amish who used his inexpensive services. “I remember you, Dr. White. I’m Caleb Mast. This is my daughter, Joy.”
“Would you be Ike’s youngest son? The one that moved away?”
“I am.”
“I heard you were back in town.”
It wasn’t surprising. News traveled fast in the small community even though most residents didn’t own phones.
Dr. White smiled at Joy as he carefully felt her head and neck and checked her over. “I put eight stitches in your daddy’s foot when he was about your age. He cut himself on a piece of broken glass at a picnic.”
Caleb stared at him in astonishment. “You have a very good memory.”
“I never forget a patient. Well, young lady, you look just fine to me.”
She shook her head. “I’m not fine. I have Down sindome.”
Dr. White leaned back. “You mean Up syndrome, don’t you? That’s what I call it. Because the people with Up syndrome who I know are happy, not down and sad. My professional diagnosis is that you have Up syndrome.”
She smiled at him. “Ja, I have Up sindome.”
“Yes, you do.” He looked at Caleb. “Keep an eye on her for behavior changes. If she develops a headache, bring her in to see me.”
“I will.”
Dr. White touched a finger to Joy’s nose. “From now on, I want you to wait until the buggy isn’t moving before you get out.”
Caleb shifted her in his arms. “I think she has learned her lesson.”
He carried her to the door and put her on the front seat. He turned and held out his hand to the doctor. “Thanks for stopping.”
“Happy to do it. I was on my way home from seeing a patient who has a broken leg out this way.”
“I didn’t think doctors made house calls anymore.”
“I do for some of my elderly or Amish patients if it’s a hardship for them to come to me. I enjoy it. I’m glad you had a better outcome than the last time we met at an accident site.”
Caleb felt his skin grow cold. “You were there?”
“I was. I’ve always been sorry that Rhonda’s parents didn’t allow her to have a repair on her face. With a little plastic surgery, her scars would have been much less noticeable.”
“You know the Amish. It was God’s will.”
“Many Amish accept modern medical care, but I had to respect her father’s decision even if I didn’t like it. I never understood how you got out of that car without a scratch.”
Caleb, uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going, climbed in the buggy with Joy. “It must have been God’s will.”
Dr. White didn’t take the hint. He stood with his hand on the door, preventing Caleb from closing it. “God must have blessed you, indeed. I saw blood all over the door panel. I was sure you had been cut by the broken glass. You didn’t have mud on your clothes, either. I remember thinking that was odd because, with the car upside down, you would have had to crawl out the window on your belly, and that field was very muddy that night.”
“You must be mistaken. I recall being muddy.”
“You know, in my mind, the investigating officer did a poor job that night.�
��
“He sure hit me with a slew of tickets and a hefty fine. No driver’s license, no insurance, no tags and reckless driving.”
“And he came to collect your fine in person, didn’t he?”
“He did.” Caleb had been surprised when the young sheriff’s officer with auburn hair and a superior attitude showed up at his home the next day. He demanded the fine be paid or Caleb was going to jail. Caleb’s father handed over the money in silent disapproval. It took Caleb almost a year to pay him back.
Dr. White shook his head sadly. “Drake Colburn has engaged in some questionable behaviors. The Amish are easily taken advantage of because they don’t report crimes. They pay their debts without question. I was glad when Nick Bradley, our current sheriff, fired Drake. Unfortunately, he’s working for a neighboring county now. There are a lot of Amish in his new territory. I have encouraged several of my patients from the area to report his behavior, but I don’t believe any of them have.”
Dr. White took a step away from the buggy. “I’m keeping you with my long-winded ways. Sorry. Take care, Joy, and come visit me sometime.”
“Okay.” She sat quietly on the seat beside Caleb, her outburst forgotten.
“It was good seeing you, Dr. White. Thanks again for stopping to help.” Caleb closed the door, set the horse in motion and tried to relax.
Thinking about the night of the crash that injured Rhonda was something he didn’t do. Ever. But hearing Dr. White’s descriptions brought it all back as if it had happened yesterday.
The doctor had a good memory for details. Details that had been overlooked by everyone else. How strange that only an outsider had questioned Caleb’s story.
Not that it mattered.
Caleb sighed heavily. He had lied to protect the brother he loved from shame. That lie, told for the best of reasons, had become a haunting, foul thing that hung between the brothers. Wayne, always the good son, hadn’t been able to admit what he had done. He made Caleb promise never to reveal the truth.
Until Wayne released him from his promise to keep the events of that night a secret, the people who mattered, including Leah, would always believe the wild and reckless younger Mast brother had been behind the wheel the night Rhonda Belier was run down on the road near her home.
Caleb turned the buggy off the highway and into the lane that led to his father’s house. Joy, exhausted from her ordeal, had fallen asleep on the seat beside him. If Leah knew the truth, would it change how she felt about him? Probably not, unless Rhonda admitted her lie, as well.
Why had she named him as the father of her child? What did she hope to gain besides a reluctant husband? He had never understood. It was likely that he never would.
No matter how much he might enjoy Leah’s company, their relationship was doomed.
Chapter Nine
On Thursday evening, at his mother’s insistence, Caleb hitched her gray mare to her two-wheeled cart for the short drive to the Imhoff farm. He led the horse to the front gate and waited. His mother came down the walk with a large brown paper bag in her arms and handed it to him.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“A rhubarb cake for the board to enjoy.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“Well-fed men are happy men.”
“You’ll get no argument from me on that score.”
She climbed in the cart. After making certain that she was bundled against the cold with a thick lap robe, he hauled himself up beside her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather take the buggy? It would be warmer.”
“I enjoy being in the open. It’s not that cold. You’ve grown soft in your years away.”
He could see his breath in the air. It was cold. He glanced at the house. “Do you think Daed will be okay with Joy till we get back?”
“He managed with you and Wayne when you were that age.”
“Yes, but Joy can be...difficult at times.” He was thinking about the way she jumped out of the buggy yesterday. What if she took it into her head to run away again?
“They’ll be fine. Stop fretting. I will drive if you don’t care.”
He handed her the reins. “Maybe I should stay home and let you go alone.”
“Nee. As Joy’s father, you should be the one to ask permission for her to attend school here.”
He wasn’t too sure about that. His presence could just as easily turn the board against his petition, especially since Wayne was a member. If they said no, he would go on to plan B. As soon as he figured out what that was.
It would take about fifteen minutes to reach the school. The Imhoff farm was two miles farther down the road. Caleb glanced at his mother as they turned out onto the highway. “What do you think they will do?”
“Eli Imhoff is the school-board president. He is a fair man. He will give our request due consideration.”
“But he’s not the only one on the board. What about the others?”
“Adrian Lapp is the secretary. He won’t have a problem with Joy attending school at Walnut Valley. His adopted son, Kyle, was Englisch before coming to live among us.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Was adoption plan B?
“Thought of what?”
“Letting you and Daed adopt Joy.”
His mother scowled at him. “Would her mother agree to that?”
“If her parental rights are severed, she won’t have a say.”
“As much as I love Joy, I can’t see taking her from her parents. The Englisch may have a law that allows it, but we do not.”
So much for plan B. He didn’t really care for the idea anyway. He wanted to be more a part of her life, not less. He returned to the subject of the school-board meeting. “What position does Wayne hold?”
He sensed his mother’s hesitation. “Wayne is the tax collector. Samuel Stutzman is the treasurer.”
“Great. Samuel Stutzman never liked me. We might as well go home. This is a waste of time.” Between Samuel and Wayne, Joy didn’t stand a chance of getting into school.
“This is what you wish for your daughter. You can’t give up so easily. Samuel is a contrary soul, to be sure. He rarely sees the bright side of things, and he is very set in his ways.”
“You’re not making me feel better.”
“If something is his idea, then it is good idea. I have helped him see this was his idea.”
Caleb looked at her in surprise. “When did you do that?”
“When you went to see Leah last evening, I went to visit Samuel and his wife. I took them a few jars of my rhubarb. Your father doesn’t care for it and I know Samuel does. I simply told him how I wished Joy could come to know and love our ways as his children and grandchildren do. When I mentioned your plans to have Joy live with us, his wife said I should send her to an Amish school instead of sending her to the Englisch one.”
“Okay, but how is that Samuel’s idea?”
Maggie laughed. “Every husband whose wife has a goot idea soon believes it was his thought in the first place.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Caleb pressed a hand to his stomach. He hadn’t had butterflies like these in years. They weren’t even butterflies, more like overgrown pigeons. As they approached the turnoff to Leah’s home, he wondered if she was already gone. The monthly school-board meeting was when teachers received their salaries. He was surprised when his mother slowed her mare.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Before we left the preaching service last Sunday, I offered Leah a ride, since I knew we were going right by her place.”
“And she accepted your offer? Did she know that I was going to be with you?”
“Of course. She thought it best for us to present a united front. The board may grant our request more readily if they know she is in favor of it.”
He remained silent. His mother glanced his way. “Leah is an upright and caring woman. Joy is quite taken with her and speaks fondly of her.”
Where was his mothe
r going with this? “Leah has a dog with three puppies. Of course Joy is taken with her.”
“It’s more than the puppies. Joy truly likes her. Leah would make a wonderful mother, don’t you think?”
“I’m sure she would. I hope you aren’t thinking of matchmaking for us.”
“Why would you say such a thing?” She pulled to a stop in front of Leah’s gate.
He noticed she didn’t deny the charge. Did she think a woman would keep him in Hope Springs? “I’m not going to stay, Mamm. Please don’t get your hopes up.”
She patted his knee. “A mother has many hopes for her children. You cannot change that with a few words.”
Leah’s front door opened, and she came out bundled up against the cold. She carried a large basket over one arm. He got down from the cart. “Let me help.”
“Danki.” She handed over her burden.
He set it behind the seat with his mother’s cake and took Leah’s elbow to help her up into the cart. When he got in after her, there was very little room for him to sit. She scooted over as far as she could. Easing into the space left, he had no choice but to put his arm along the back of the seat behind her. He practically had his arm around her. With his free hand, he arranged the lap robe over both of them. His mother should have taken the buggy. This cart was too small for three adults.
“Is everyone cozy?” his mother asked with a bright smile. Before anyone answered, she set the horse into a brisk trot.
* * *
Leah had spent the past hour mentally preparing to spend a brief buggy ride to the meeting with Caleb in the same vehicle. She hadn’t prepared for this.
Sandwiched between him and his mother, she was pressed against his side from shoulder to hip. She could feel the warmth of his body through her coat. She clutched the lap robe with both hands. “Maggie, was there something wrong with your buggy?”
“Nee. It’s a fine evening, isn’t it?”
“She likes to drive in the open,” he muttered between clenched teeth.
“I do. It reminds me of the times Ike took me driving in his courting buggy. Ach, what a fine courtship we had. Your father was a romantic young man. He always brought some small gift that would make me smile.”
Amish Christmas Joy (Mills & Boon Love Inspired) (Brides of Amish Country - Book 10) Page 10
