by Marta Perry
“Goot.” He flicked the reins to get Dandy moving.
Sally tried to stay as far away from Ben as she could on the narrow seat, but the track was rough. The jolting ride caused her shoulder to bump against his frequently. Each time, she jerked away from him and muttered, “Sorry.”
He finally put his foot on the dash to brace himself against the rough going. “Relax. I’m not growling.”
“Yet.” She pitched into him again.
“Yet,” he admitted, but the touch of humor in his tone made her feel better. Ben really was a kind fellow. It took a lot for him to lose his temper. She looked back and saw the children huddled together under the heavy cover. At least they weren’t complaining.
Sally glanced at Ben’s profile as he concentrated on driving. His hat was pulled low on his brow and his scarf was up over his chin, but she knew how handsome he was beneath the layer of wool. Some girl would be blessed when he set his sights on her.
Some girl, but not her.
She struggled to ignore the twist of pain in her chest. Would she have stood a chance with him if she hadn’t behaved so foolishly?
At the time, pretending to be smitten with him had seemed like an easy way to keep other young men from trying to court her and to keep her parents and friends unaware of her struggles with her faith and her self-worth. Behind her bright smiles, endless questions and outspoken ways hid a frightened and confused young woman.
It hadn’t always been that way. One horrible night, two Englisch men had changed everything. Changed her. Maybe if she had found the courage to confide in someone about what had happened, things would be different, but she had never told anyone.
“What?” Ben asked.
Jerked back to the present, Sally shook her head. “Nothing. Why?”
“You’re staring at me.”
“Sorry. I was lost in thought.” She redirected her gaze to the horse. Dandy’s breath rose in white frosty puffs as he trotted through the falling snow. He seemed eager to reach the warmth of the stable and the ration of oats that would undoubtedly be waiting for him. She should be as eager to see this day done, but suddenly she wasn’t. Would this be the last time she got to sit beside Ben?
The wind picked up when they finally left the sheltering woods. The road was all but obscured in places where the drifts were creeping in from the fields. Ben drew the horse to a stop at an intersection of two rural roads. Sally sensed his indecision. She asked, “How much farther is it to Granny Weaver’s place?”
“Half a mile, give or take.”
“The weather is getting worse. Do you think we should go back to the farm instead of going on to see her?”
“I’ve been thinking about that, but she’s expecting the children. I would hate to disappoint her. Besides, if we don’t show up, she’ll be worried. It’s almost two miles to the McIntyre farm from here. All of us could use a warm-up before we head that way.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“We won’t stay long. Dandy can get us home through more snow than this. There’s no need to worry.”
It wasn’t the snow that worried her; it was the wind. Even the big horse would have trouble lumbering through heavy snowdrifts if it got much worse. “All right. I trust your judgment.”
Ben turned north and urged Dandy onward. The cold wind in her face made Sally pull her scarf higher on her cheeks and wish she could huddle close to Ben for warmth.
Wouldn’t he hate that? It was better to freeze alone. She kept her eyes closed and her head down. She would turn into a block of ice before she asked Ben Lapp for a favor after today. Suddenly, Dandy stumbled and fell. The sleigh tipped forward as it jerked to a stop. Sally was thrown from her seat. She put her hands out, but knew they wouldn’t protect her from the horse’s huge thrashing hooves as he struggled to get up.
Her flight was cut short when she was jerked backward. It took her a second to realize Ben had grabbed her coat, saving her. She heard the children yelling in confusion but not in pain. Dandy recovered his footing and stood but took only two limping steps before he stopped.
Ben pulled Sally back onto the seat and held on to her. “That was too close. Are you okay?”
She clung tight to his arm. She took several gasping breaths before she managed to nod. “Ja. You?”
He studied her intently. “I’m fine. You have blood on your mouth.”
She pressed a finger to her mouth. “I think I bit my lip.”
“Let me see?” He put a hand beneath her chin and carefully examined her face. She could feel his fingers trembling, even through his gloves. She was trembling, too.
“What was that?” Ryder stuck his head out from beneath the blanket in the back.
Sally pulled away from Ben and turned to the children. “The horse fell. Are you kids okay?”
“Hello! I’m on the floor! Get off me, Ryder!” Kimi’s muffled shout reassured Sally.
Ryder grinned. “She’s okay. Her phone didn’t break.” Kimi surged to her feet with the device in her hand as proof and sat back with a huff.
Ben jumped out of the sleigh without looking at Sally. “I need to check on Dandy.”
As he trudged forward, Sally realized she missed his strong arms around her. She needed comforting after her fright, but of course the horse was his main concern. He probably thought she would see his quick-thinking action as proof that he had feelings for her. She knew better.
If she wanted to be a strong, independent woman, she needed to start acting like one.
Ben lifted the horse’s left front leg. When he put the animal’s foot down, Dandy refused to put weight on it. He stood holding the leg off the ground with his head hanging low. Sally got down and joined Ben.
Snow swirled around them, leaving them in a white cocoon. They could have been alone in the world for all she could see of the countryside, but they weren’t alone. They had two children in their care.
She stared at Ben’s worried face. If Dandy’s leg was broken, the patient animal would have to be destroyed. She didn’t want the children to know it was a possibility. She kept her voice low. “How bad is it?
Chapter Five
Checking on Dandy gave Ben something to do as he willed his racing heart to slow and waited for his composure to return. He kept seeing Sally flying over the front of the sleigh and falling beneath the horse’s flailing hooves. If he hadn’t had his foot on the dash, if he’d lost his own balance, if he hadn’t been quick enough...it could have happened.
God had been with him in that moment as surely as the snow was falling around him now. By His mercy alone, Sally had been spared a frightful fall...perhaps worse. Ben’s heart thudded painfully at the thought. He glanced at her worried face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Sally nodded. She pressed her hand to her chest and let out a deep sigh. “I thank God Ryder wasn’t in the front seat.”
“Amen to that. Gott es goot.”
“Ja, God is good. Ryder’s first sleigh ride could have turned into a tragedy. I’m relieved to see he wasn’t too scared by this. He’s a very sensitive boy. Please tell me Dandy is going to be okay.”
She was pale as the snow in the field around them, but she was thinking about the children and his horse and not her own close call. Sally Yoder was made of sterner stuff than Ben had suspected. Her time away had been good for her. Or maybe being in charge of the children had matured her.
Whatever the reason, she had changed for the better. He couldn’t sugarcoat their situation, although he wanted to spare her further worry. They had two children to keep safe, as well as his employer’s injured horse to look after.
He should have turned for the farm when he had the chance. Now it was too far for Dandy to travel. They were stranded in open country in a snowstorm. Mrs. McIntyre had put her faith in him and e
ntrusted him with the children. He would do whatever it took to get them back to her safe and sound.
He patted the big horse’s neck. “I hope it’s only a sprain and nothing worse, but I can’t be sure. He must have slipped on some ice under the snow.”
“Can he pull the sleigh with us in it?” Sally asked.
Ben shook his head. “I’ll not ask him to do that. I don’t want to make his injury worse.”
Sally peered down the deserted road in both directions. “Should I stay here with the children while you go get help, or do you think we should walk?”
“The kinder will be warmer walking. It’s less than half a mile to the Weaver farm. There’s nothing closer.”
Sally glanced at her charges. “I don’t think they’ve walked that far in their lives, unless it was at the mall.”
“They can make it. We’ll leave the sleigh here. I’ll come back with one of Granny Weaver’s horses to pick it up and then take us home. Trust me. That’s our best option.”
She licked her lower lip and winced. Pressing a hand to her mouth, she said, “I trusted your judgment ten minutes ago and look where that got us.”
“That’s hardly fair, Sally. The horse could have fallen anywhere.”
Remorse filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ben. I shouldn’t berate you when you just saved me from a nasty fall. I’m still a little shaken. I’ll explain to the children what we need to do while you unhitch Dandy.” She walked back to the sleigh.
She wasn’t fawning over him for saving her the way he expected. A few months ago, she would have gone on and on about how strong he was and how much she admired his quick thinking. Maybe she was telling the truth when she said she was over him. He wasn’t quite sure why that idea bothered him.
He set about freeing Dandy and listened to Kimi’s rant at Sally about incompetent drivers and stupid horses. When Ben heard her say that she was calling a cab, he almost laughed. Sally took a step back from the sleigh. “Please, do call a cab for us.”
“I will. What’s our address?” Kimi held her phone higher, turning it one way and then the other.
“Somewhere near the middle of nowhere,” Ben said.
Kimi scowled at him. “That’s not funny.”
Sally held her arms wide, “Look around, Kimi. Do you see a street sign?”
“I can’t get a signal anyway.”
Sally stepped back to her side. “Then we should get going before we all freeze to death.”
Kimi stuffed her phone in her pocket. “I’ll wait here for someone to come get us. I’m not walking.”
Sally slipped an arm around her shoulder. “You will walk. I’m not leaving you here. If I have to be miserable, you have to be miserable. Maybe the good Lord is just giving you what you asked for.”
“I didn’t think it would be this bad.”
“Everything will be fine when we reach your great-grandmother’s house. Ben will get another horse and take us back to your grandmother’s farm.”
Ryder said, “Come on, Kimi. I’m getting hungry.”
“Oh, fine. Let’s go.”
Ryder grinned. He was up for a new adventure. He walked beside Ben through the knee-deep snow without complaint. Sally was not so blessed by her companion. Kimi’s tirade ran the gamut of complaints about the cold to assurances that her father would see both Sally and Ben fired for getting them into this situation in the first place. After a quarter of a mile, the physical exertion finally got the better of her and she fell silent. Unfortunately, her brother began to lag, too. Ben briefly considered putting the boy on the horse, but knew the animal’s uneven gait and broad back would make it difficult for the child to hang on.
“Ryder, would you like a piggyback ride?” Sally asked.
“I guess.” He looked uncertain.
She crouched so that he could wrap his arms and legs around her. Ben said, “I can take him.”
Sally stood upright and shifted the boy to a more comfortable position. “When I get tired, you can carry him.”
He nodded and looked at Kimi. “Are you doing okay?”
“Not really. I’m cold. I’m tired. I can’t feel my toes or my nose.” She had her mittens pressed to her face.
“Stomp your feet to get the circulation going,” he suggested.
She tried it briefly but stopped. “It’s not helping.”
Sally tried to encourage her. “We are almost there, Kimi. Think how amazed your friends will be when you tell them about this vacation.”
“I doubt they’ll believe me, but I know one thing. This is the last time I will ever ride in a one-horse open sleigh. I’ll never even sing that stupid song again.”
Ben tried to make it easier going for them. He trudged ahead of them so that he and the horse could tramp a path through the snow. He was amazed at how quickly the white stuff was piling up. If it hadn’t been for the mailbox at the end of the lane, he might have missed the turn altogether. He could barely see a dozen yards in front of them. Dandy limped gamely along, but Ben could tell he was struggling. If the big horse went down, Ben knew there was little he could do to save the animal.
He glanced back to make sure Sally and the children were keeping up. Sally’s breath was coming in quick gasps. He stopped. “Are you ready for me to take him?”
She shook her head. “Nee, your bigger boots are breaking trail better than I could.”
“Are you saying I have big feet?”
Her smile was halfhearted. “Keep walking.”
If she was trying to impress him, she was doing a good job. Much better than in the past. Her flighty ways usually annoyed him, but she was serious and determined today.
“I see a house,” Kimi shouted.
Ben turned to look down the lane. The outline of the white farmhouse and red barn could be seen just up ahead. Everyone surged forward with renewed energy.
Sally put Ryder down when they reached the porch. He stomped up the steps ahead of Sally and his sister. “We made it.”
“We did. God was looking after us,” Sally said.
Ben gazed at her tired face and said, “I’m going to put Dandy in the barn. I’ll be in as soon as I can. You did well. The children are blessed to have you looking after them.”
* * *
Speechless, Sally stared at Ben’s back as he walked away. Had he just given her a compliment? That was something she never thought would cross his lips. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear more such things from him?
She gave herself a quick mental shake. No, it wouldn’t, because when he was nice it made it harder to ignore him. The sooner they got back to the McIntyre farm, the sooner she could shut herself away and never spend time with Ben again. She quickly hustled the children across the porch and through the front door.
Just to be out of the wind was a blessed relief. Sally’s teeth were chattering as she helped the children out of their wet coats and mittens and led them to the kitchen stove. Nothing had ever felt better than the warmth radiating from the large black kitchen appliance.
“Thank goodness you are finally here.”
Sally turned to see a diminutive Amish woman wrapped in a huge black shawl enter the room. Her cheery round face was wreathed with wrinkles and a welcoming smile. She had thin, wispy gray hair parted in the middle and drawn back beneath her black kapp. Her sharp dark eyes belied her age. At the moment, they sparkled with delight.
“Good day, Mrs. Weaver. My name is Sally Yoder. I have brought your great-grandchildren for a visit. Your daughter sends her love to you and her brothers and their families.”
“It’s such a pity that Velda is laid up. I would love to see her. I must get over there when the weather clears, although my old bones are telling me we’re in for a stretch of cold. And it’s a pity that my sons are gone today, too. They and their wi
ves went into Hope Springs this morning. My daughters-in-law had some Christmas shopping to finish. I expected them back before now, but perhaps the weather has delayed them. They said they might stay over with their cousins in town so I wasn’t to worry.”
“The roads are starting to drift. It’s possible they won’t get back tonight,” Sally said. The children paid little attention to their great-grandmother. They were huddled close to the stove and holding their hands over it to soak in the warmth.
Sally quickly added, “Don’t touch the stove, children. Everything on a wood burning stove is very hot.”
Mrs. Weaver nodded and smiled at her. “You must be the kinder heedah Velda told me about? I’m so glad you have brought them here. Children, let me look at you. Now, you can’t possibly be Ryder, for he is only a tiny baby.”
Ryder stood straight and tall. “I’m not a baby. I’m eight years old.”
“Where has the time gone? I see you have grown like a weed while I wasn’t looking. And this pretty maydel is Kimi. I would know you anywhere for you look like your mother. Do you remember me?”
“Sort of. I think I met you at Grandpa McIntyre’s funeral.”
“Ja, that’s right. My name is Constance, but everyone calls me Granny.”
Kimi looked around and then shot Sally a sour look. “You told us there wasn’t any electricity in Amish homes.”
“There isn’t.”
“I see lights. I see a refrigerator.”
Granny gave her an indulgent smile. “My lights and icebox run on propane, but we burn wood in the stoves.”
Kimi frowned. “What’s propane?”
“A form of gas. Like your father uses on his outdoor grill,” Sally said.
Granny Weaver motioned to the children. “Come into the living room and sit down. The stove in there keeps it very warm.”
Adjacent to the kitchen, the large living room contained four recliners in various dark colors, a blue sofa with a blue-and-white crocheted blanket over the arm, a glass-fronted china cupboard, a tall bookcase filled with books and a foot treadle–operated sewing machine in front of a large window. A small black cast-iron stove sat on a brick base near the back wall and radiated blessed warmth.
