Guardian, the

by Beverly Lewis

  Joshua wished he’d closed the windows to the upstairs room where he’d put the cat. But when the preacher himself paused in the midst of his rhythmic delivery, his serious eyes fixed suddenly on Joshua, it crossed Joshua’s mind that he should go immediately and see what the world was happening. Then, to compound the problem, the parrot began to call and screech like it, too, was being assaulted.

  Honey Lou’s upsetting Malachi!

  And it didn’t stop there. In short order, there was a duet—if not a duel—going on between the kitchen downstairs and the guest room upstairs. It sounded like the bird was trying to out-holler the cat.

  O dear Lord, I beseech Thee for help!

  Standing quickly, Joshua was conscious of heat rising from his neck to his face as he kept his gaze on the barn floor while making his way out of the somber meeting. Nevertheless, if he was not mistaken, Maryanna Esh actually sputtered as he walked past the benches of womenfolk. He groaned inwardly. What had started out as a glorious Sunday had rapidly deteriorated. Heaven knew Maryanna would be the first to say it was Joshua’s fault for keeping “those wretched indoor pets.” And his hopes of getting Benuel’s widow to accept an invitation to go riding had just flown quickly out the window.

  ———

  Maryanna had not erased the memory of Joshua Peachey’s ill-mannered parrot calling out her name the other day. Oh, goodness, now her neighbor’s pets had literally stopped the sermon. When the unreasonable man finally took leave of his seat and exited, it was all she could do to curl her toes in her best black shoes and hold her breath as he walked past her row. What if that horrid bird started shouting out names next? What then?

  She felt light-headed at the dreadful thought. Everyone would know the truth about Joshua—that he’d either taught the bird to say her name, or that it had heard him speaking of her so much the parrot had begun to mimic him. Her neck turned stiff and sore, and she had visions of the People turning and staring at her next, as if such a thing were her fault.

  As a result, Maryanna did not hear another word Preacher Yoder spoke, and she silently pleaded for the bird’s beak to remain shut during the solemn moments when they all turned to kneel at their benches. If this is the last prayer you ever see fit to answer, O God, I ask for mercy in this matter!

  With Leda on her right and little Sarah on her left, Maryanna folded her hands so tightly, it reminded her of when she’d squeezed Sarah’s hairpins into her palms, frantic with concern. And right then, she again thanked the Almighty for returning her baby safe and sound.

  Suddenly, the hushed serenity was broken by Joshua’s all too audible voice, as in the house he reprimanded first the parrot, and then, a few moments later, the cat. “’Tis the Lord’s Day,” he was heard to say. “You must be still. You must!”

  To make matters worse, in another minute she could hear one window after another being closed upstairs, followed by a loud clattering, like a cage or something else metal falling. Maryanna could not imagine what was going on. She did know one thing, however: Suzanne would be just horrified. And it was beyond her what Joshua’s dear, patient wife must have had to put up with.

  As for herself, Maryanna did not care to know what had set off Joshua’s raucous animals. It was anyone’s guess.

  Doesn’t the man have any sense?

  Chapter 30

  Jodi dragged out of bed much later than usual Sunday morning, heavyhearted with the memory of the dismal turn in her conversation with Trent last night. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d disagreed so vociferously. Raising the blind, she peered out and was glad to see a slight cloud cover. In the yard below, three robins flicked water about in the stone birdbath. The sight was restful, and she briefly considered Maryanna Esh and her little family, wondering if they were already sitting in church.

  Inadvertently, Jodi bumped the window, and the pretty birds flew away.

  With a sigh, she assumed that Trent, too, had managed to locate a house of worship to attend while here in town.

  Groaning, she made her way to the closet to decide what to wear for her morning run. Prior to Karen’s passing, Jodi had rarely missed church and even looked forward to going. When she and Karen had visited their parents in Jersey, all of them enjoyed the early morning service and then went out to one of Dad’s favorite Italian restaurants for lunch.

  “Everything’s changed,” she murmured sadly as she reached for her long white skirt. She wanted to see what it was like to run dressed like Rosaleen and Barbara Yoder. She pulled on the skirt and top she’d worn the day of Sarah’s return to Hickory Hollow and combed her hair into a ponytail. Carrying her athletic socks and running shoes, she meandered down the short hall to the sun-drenched kitchen, where she noticed Trent’s roses on the counter. She’d taken her time arranging them after he headed off to a hotel nearby to unwind before bed.

  Red roses for love . . .

  She added water to the vase, then went to the fridge and grabbed a cup of natural yogurt and cut up a few strawberries to mix in. She sat at the bar to enjoy the light, simple breakfast, along with some organic apple juice she’d purchased at a nearby Whole Foods. As was her habit, she’d wait until after her run to eat more heartily.

  How can I possibly move forward with our engagement? she wondered, realizing how strange it was that the man she loved was in Lancaster but she didn’t feel like contacting him. The whole thing boiled down to one simple fact: She did not want to be a mother.

  What point is there in communicating every day as planned?

  Everything about Trent’s change of heart made her wonder what had truly transpired. She didn’t understand where he was coming from.

  Noticing the cat’s empty dish, Jodi went to pour some fresh food before doing her stretches and warm-ups. She itched to check for email and possible phone calls regarding her resume. But it’s the weekend, Jodi reminded herself. What chance was there of a nibble on a job?

  As she rinsed out the yogurt dish, she recalled the things Trent had said. Sharing her heart with him had never been so exasperating. And if he did call today and want to see her before driving back to Vermont, wouldn’t the elephant in the room inevitably spoil that visit, too?

  Is it best not to see him? Not if he was going to pressure her for a commitment to pray, especially for the purpose of getting her to change her mind.

  She gritted her teeth as she pulled on her socks and shoes. “Why is this happening now?”

  She removed her phone from its charger and checked the weather. “Lovely,” she whispered when she saw that the dew point was already miserably high at seventy-two. But she was eager to run despite that. Pushing herself physically always helped to manage stress, and a run down Hickory Lane might prove to be interesting, considering the Amish folk were attending house church.

  “It’s Sunday,” she declared to the cat as she reached for her purse and car keys to drive there. “I won’t be long,” she promised.

  After the shared meal, Joshua kept an eye out to calculate when might be the best time to discreetly approach Ida Fisher. She and several other women were in his kitchen now, finishing up the dishes. Thanks to the ruckus during Preaching, his heart was in his throat.

  A few minutes later, Ida was walking alone toward the carriage, her brother and his wife having been called by the deacon. Increasing his pace, Joshua fell into step with her, offering a smile. Her eyes instantly brightened, and he took that as an encouragement.

  He helped her up into the carriage, then stood below, reminding himself to breathe. “I wonder if you might like to go riding with me in the next week,” he said so quietly he scarcely heard himself.

  “Sorry?”

  He repeated his request, ignoring the rapid beat of his heart. “I’d like to take ya riding sometime, if that’s all right.”

  “Oh,” Ida said and broke into a smile. “Well, would ya like to come for dinner instead?”

  He was stunned. “Why, sure. Denki.”

  “When’s a gut evening?
”

  “Anytime, really.”

  “Well, ya have to eat anyways, so just pick the day.”

  This was much too easy!

  “How’s next Saturday, then?” he asked.

  “Just fine.” She nodded warmly. “Come around five o’clock.”

  Joshua agreed.

  “I’ll see you next weekend, Ida.”

  “All right.” She waved good-bye.

  Pleased, he hurried toward the stable to see how the young men were managing the many horses, matching them up to the right carriages and all. But as he watched, his earlier elation began to dissipate, and he began to feel foolish. Truth be told, his heart did not sing at the thought of sharing a meal with Ida, and now he’d be doing just that. He looked toward his house, and there was Maryanna Esh calling softly to Sarah, who was still mingling with other children. Benny, Leda, and Tobias waited patiently with Maryanna, evidently ready to walk home.

  I should have asked her first, he thought, kicking himself.

  Tobias spotted him just then and made a beeline to Joshua. “I didn’t see ya earlier,” the boy said, face flushed and grinning.

  “I’ve been here all day.”

  “Just had to ask ya—what happened to make Honey Lou and Malachi carry on during Preachin’?”

  Joshua should have guessed Tobias would start with that, but he didn’t mind—the boy shared his love for pets. “Honestly, it was the rabbit that got things goin’.”

  “Oh?”

  “When I left church to check, I found Shadow running around out of his cage. Got loose somehow or other.”

  Tobias’s eyes grew wider. “I hope Honey Lou didn’t try ’n’ catch Shadow.”

  “Well, Shadow’s still cowering under the bureau, I’m afraid. Poor thing’s had a fright.”

  Tobias frowned hard. “Shadow’s not hurt, is he?”

  “Not to worry, son,” he reassured him.

  Benny ran over to get his brother, and Tobias said he’d see Joshua tomorrow. “I’ll come help water the steers.”

  “Denki.” Joshua glanced at the boy’s mother, but Maryanna looked away. “Wait just a minute,” he said. “I’ll walk down there with ya.”

  Benny looked surprised, but Tobias stayed right beside him, matching Joshua’s purposeful stride toward their mother.

  Chapter 31

  As soon as Jodi turned onto Hickory Lane, she tried to remember which driveway led to the Amish bishop’s house. She figured it would come to her in spite of the fact she had been so concerned for the lost little girl sitting in the backseat that morning.

  Pulling onto the right shoulder, she parked and got out, breathing deeply of the fragrant air. Up and down Hickory Hollow Lane might equal three or more miles, she guessed. If she wanted to, she could run it twice, which would be about six miles and therefore even better. She was enamored with the area and hoped to see some of the carriages going to or from house church, perhaps.

  She heard the inviting trickle of a nearby stream as she began to run, slowly at first. In the near distance, horses rambled through tall grass, and along the roadside, robins tugged at earthworms.

  It was impossible not to think of Karen in such a setting. Their great-aunt’s home in rural Vermont had been a place for both girls to unwind and run through the meadows with the breezes in their faces. Before Great-Aunt Leora moved there, stinging nettles and other weeds had sprung up where once a vegetable garden flourished. But within a few months’ time, the place was alive with colorful flowers and fresh produce. Jodi and Karen were some of the first benefactors, enjoying moist zucchini bread, carrot cake, and raw cucumbers drenched in Leora’s creamy homemade dips.

  Jodi recalled nightly walks with Karen and their aunt, who knew the constellations so well she simply pointed out the names of one star after another.

  The world, my world, was upright back then. . . .

  At the farmhouse on the right, just before Maryanna’s house in the distance, row after row of gray carriages were parked on one side of the yard. Jodi slowed her pace as she took in the sight. She was sure she’d spotted Maryanna with Leda and Sarah standing close by. A bearded man dressed in black, except for his white shirt, was walking toward Maryanna and her girls, accompanied by Benny and Toby, his smile wide as he removed his straw hat.

  Jodi continued to run as she watched, her long skirt bunching up between her knees. She wondered how many tourists viewed this world from afar each day after stumbling upon the remote road. To think she had personally sat in Maryanna’s kitchen twice, enjoying two home-cooked meals.

  Definitely something Scott and Paige would give their eyeteeth for!

  The Amishman held his straw hat, turning it steadily as he talked. Jodi presumed he was the neighbor for whom Leda and her cousins had gone to plant flowers. Craning her neck, Jodi looked to see the side garden the children had discussed but was unable to tell from so far away.

  It was odd to see Benny and Toby standing so erect, listening with almost exaggerated respect to the man as he spoke directly to Maryanna.

  He’s nervous, she realized, watching him twist his hat in his hands.

  ———

  Joshua drew a deep breath as he stepped near Maryanna Esh. “If ya don’t mind, I’d like to thank you for beautifying my flower garden for today’s service.”

  “Oh—well, Leda’s the one to thank,” Maryanna replied quickly, glancing at her older daughter.

  Joshua’s spirits fell. “Then I’ll have to say I’m mighty grateful to you, Leda.”

  The girl nodded shyly, her cheeks turning rosy.

  “Leda’s bashful today,” Tobias said next to him. And Leda pulled a face at him.

  “I was, too, when I was her age.” Joshua was surprised when Maryanna cracked an appreciative smile. He felt slightly encouraged. Maybe she even remembers what I was like as a boy.

  “Hope it was real nice for Preachin’ service to be held here—so close and convenient for you and your family.” He tried not to focus only on Maryanna but wondered how on earth he was going to get her alone, as he had Ida Fisher. Or maybe this was not the time the Good Lord had in mind.

  “The bunny’s frightened, Mamma,” Tobias said suddenly, looking up at his mother and explaining, evidently for her benefit. “The cat chased it and tried to catch it and—”

  “Tobias, don’t speak out of turn,” Maryanna said.

  “Sorry, Mamma.” Tobias glanced at Joshua now, which Joshua deemed a mistake. He felt sorry for the lad.

  “Shadow’s all right,” Joshua reassured him. “I saw to it.”

  But now little Sarah looked like she might cry. Her lower lip pushed out, and a big frown emerged on her face. “I wanna see Shadow, Mamma.”

  “We best be goin’, children” was all Maryanna said as she reached around both Leda and Sarah to guide them toward the driveway leading to the road. “Come now, Benny and Tobias.”

  “Da Herr sei mit du,” called Joshua as the boys left his side.

  “God be with you, too,” Benny spoke up.

  Tobias smiled back at him, waving with his fingers as he always did.

  Joshua knew he must do something. The time was now! “Excuse me, Maryanna—might I speak with ya, right quick?”

  He was shocked when she walked back toward him, leaving the children within earshot. “What is it, Joshua?” She forced a smile, though with some difficulty, he was all too sure.

  Putting his hat back on his head, he changed his mind and removed it again, holding it over his heart. “Walk with me over yonder,” he said, pointing to the rickety bench.

  “Is everything all right?” she asked, still following.

  Then, lest he lose all courage, he looked at her in earnest. “Maryanna, I’d like to take ya ridin’ sometime next weekend. If that’s all right.”

  She blinked, then looked away. “Oh my.”

  You’re pressing your luck.

  “I’m just not sure . . .” She stared at the field between their houses.

/>   He felt like a Lump putting her in such an awkward position and was about to politely retract his invitation out of mercy for both of them when she finally answered.

  “Exactly how many pets do you have, Joshua?”

  He cleared his throat. “Well, now, there’s Honey Lou and Shadow, Malachi and—”

  Maryanna’s face was not nearly as pretty this way, all serious-looking, her mouth in a straight line. “They caused quite a disturbance today,” she added.

  “Entirely my fault.”

  “Yours?” She tilted her head innocently, and for some reason it endeared her even more to him. “How can that be?”

  “Well, I left the cat in the same room with the rabbit. Poor judgment on my part.”

  “And the parrot?”

  Joshua explained that the hypersensitive bird had been distressed by the noisy cat in the room overhead. “I thought it was a gut idea to make an apology to Preacher Yoder for disrupting his sermon.”

  Maryanna’s expression evolved to sympathy, or at least something more like it.

  Then, taking him off guard, she said, “All right, Joshua, I’ll go with ya.”

  His heart pounded nearly out of his ears. “Jah?” he replied, standing straighter and pushing his shoulders back, chin up.

  “How’s Saturday evening?” she asked.

  He was flabbergasted at his success. “Just fine,” he said cheerfully. “I’ll pick you up after supper, round seven o’clock.”

  “Might be a bit late.”

  “Six-thirty, then?”

  She nodded and glanced back at the house. “And the pets?”

  “They’ll stay put, of course.”

  She nodded and joined her waiting children without commenting further.

  Joshua didn’t dare watch them walk toward the road. And he was altogether persuaded that Maryanna’s bark was fairly convincing, but surely worse than her bite.