Abby went to the larger ones first and let them out. Mose hurried to let out two others that would lead the way for the others. Once Frank got a feel for the weather, he was full of energy and took off running out in an open pasture. One followed, and then another, until together in a herd they ran out of sight.
The wind was gaining strength. Mose put a hand on a wooden post to steady himself and beckoned for Abby to follow him to the house. Rain pelted down on them and stung like tiny pebbles shooting their skin. He put a guiding arm over her shoulders so she could put her head down against the driving storm.
Once they stepped onto the porch, a loud crack filled the air, and a lightning bolt hit the ground behind the barn. Abby clapped her hands over her ears and closed her eyes. The sulfur smell carried over their way, working their senses into overdrive.
“Let’s go inside and check on everyone,” he yelled over the overwhelming downpour. He followed her in and shook his head like a dog shaking its wet fur. “Hallo!”
Chris came running, carrying his boots. “Can I help?” He looked at Mose with hopeful eyes.
Mose pointed to his boots. “You’re not going out in this.” Mose wasn’t as patient as usual, but there was no time for discussions.
“I’m tying up the stuff outdoors that might blow away.” He dropped his boots, ready to put them on. “I wanna help.”
“Then I’ll take you.” He turned to Abby. “I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’ll look for your mother and stay with the women.”
He was hesitant to accept her offer, knowing how she felt about being equal, but that was just not the way it was done in the community. Maybe she was beginning to understand that.
“Daed already put some stuff up, but then he left with the men.” Chris stopped and stared at Mose. “He said I could help.”
Mose doubted it, and would talk with his brother about being truthful later, but if Chris wanted to try and stand the weather, Mose would let him. “We’ll be back.”
“I’ll double-check the house. I already see some things I could tuck away somewhere.”
She walked away before he could answer, grateful that she had a good mind about her. He was pretty sure his mamm hadn’t had time to prepare much food, but just in case the waters got high enough, it would be helpful to have Abby pack a few special items away and gather together some provisions.
“Let’s go.” He put a hand behind Chris’s head and led him out into the coursing storm. He stopped once to nod to Abby. She glanced at him and motioned for them to go.
Mose took long, fast strides and pulled him along. He pushed Chris behind him as he opened the barn door, in case the wind whipped it open. Once inside, Mose grabbed some rope and a small ax. “Let’s go. Ready?”
Chris nodded quickly. “Jah, can I carry the rope?”
“Don’t lose it. You’ll need it to tie down the furniture.” Mose reluctantly handed it over to him. Normally he wouldn’t mind the loss of a piece of twine, but not this day. Time was of the essence. Their boots sank into three or more inches of water as they hurried to where Chris was working.
They went from chair to table, or anything in the yard that they could lift, and tied it to a large oak tree by the house. When they were finished, Chris’s face reddened as he tried to move a bench from the garden. Mose grabbed it and dragged it to the large truck and tied it to the tree, then turned to see a bloody cut on Chris’s arm. “You can’t do everything. You need to know how much you can handle and ask for help.”
Chris handed him what was left of the rope. “Are we done already?”
“Jah, let’s go. Our safety is more important.” Mose knew Chris was frustrated he hadn’t gotten to do much, but it was a good lesson to learn, and there wasn’t a moment to waste. Mose wished he’d had some of the men to help—he could have done more with the extra muscle—but there must be a bigger demand somewhere else in the community.
“Abby, are you here?” Mose looked to the top of the stairs and motioned for Chris to stay put then went into the kitchen. When she wasn’t there, he began to wonder whether she’d met up with the women and left. She’d started upstairs and would have worked her way down and into the kitchen. He looked around the area. Some crumbs, bits of cut-up vegetables, and open cabinets meant she’d gathered provisions.
“She’s out there.”
Chris’s voice startled Mose. “I told you to stay put.”
“You were taking too long.” Chris followed Mose out the door to where Abby was pumping water into canisters. Without a word they helped her until all of the containers were full.
“Gut thinking,” Mose told her as he gathered as many bottles as he could. Chris and Abby filled their arms and headed back to the kitchen. Mose kept his eyes on the skies. It had gotten darker within just the few minutes they were at the water pump. “We need to go. Now.”
Mose pulled on Chris’s arm and ran to the barn with Abby close behind. “Get in,” he told Abby and Chris.
“It’s getting worse, isn’t it?” Abby looked up at the swirling gray clouds as the rain pounded on the windshield.
“Jah, we waited too long.” Mose kicked himself for trying to do too much, but he was also frustrated that at least his daed hadn’t stayed and helped him finish with what needed to be done.
“Why do you look so mad?” Chris’s question just made him angrier, so he didn’t answer. The steel wheels slid in the muddy road. Mose moved the Clydesdale closer to the side of the road where there was more gravel.
They turned off onto the dirt path leading to the bishop’s home as the thick mud sucked the wheels into the muck. The strong horse grunted through it, but then stuck fast a few feet farther. “We’ll walk the rest of the way.” Mose jumped out and unhitched the horse to let him find cover. Then he helped the others walk through the downpour.
When they got to the Zooks’ home, Chris rushed to the door, but Abby stopped on the porch steps and put a hand on Mose’s chest as he was turning to leave again. “What’s wrong?”
“We usually help each other out, go from haus to haus to help until every farm is prepared.”
“I’m sure there’s a reason why everyone is here instead.” Wanting to help, she went up the stairs to the house.
He followed her, prepared for anything. “Jah, we’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
THUNDER GROWLED AND the rain pelted them more heavily as they walked into the Zooks’ house. When they got closer, Abby saw Eli in the kitchen with a circle of men. The women were huddled together talking in hushed tones.
Abby stepped closer to hear what the women were saying and then went over to Mose. “Everyone’s upset.”
“About what?” Mose glanced down at her.
“I heard the name Henry.”
Eli turned to them. “Jah, he’s gone missing.”
Mose frowned with worry. “How do you know? He could be out on his farm.”
“Jah, no one’s doing what they normally would, so it’s hard to know what to think. A group of men are out scouring his place right now.”
“Let me know when they need another man.” Mose and his daed embraced, which was touching. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had any type of affection, especially from her own father.
Mose caught her gaze. “It’s scary, I know. But hopefully we’ll find him and this flooding will come and go quickly.”
“I hope you’re right. I should find Becca.” She glanced at the room full of men and pointed out a flash of some blue and black dresses in the kitchen.
Mose looked reluctantly at Becca and then back to Abby. He took both of her hands in his. “I know you won’t like this, but I’d prefer if you’d stay with me until this is over.”
She opened her mouth to speak, and he held up a hand to stop her. “We don’t know what to expect, and if something happens to you and I’m not around, I’d never forgive myself. The way I see it is you’re in my care until you work t
hings out with your daed. Until then, you’re with me.” His face was firm, unwavering as he looked her in the eyes.
“That’s fine.” She met his gaze.
“That’s it? You’re not going to protest?” He turned his head to the side and studied her.
“I’m agreeing with you, Mose.”
“Jah, I know. That’s what’s got me confused.” He rubbed the back of his neck and waited to see whether she would change her mind.
“Have I been that difficult?” Abby waited to hear his opinion, though she thought she knew the answer.
He nodded. “But you seem to be coming around. And so am I.” He grinned.
She tucked her arm under his and walked to the kitchen then let go. “I know.”
He stopped at the door before leaving. “I’ll be back. I want to check in on a few things.”
As he turned to walk away, he looked down as if thinking hard about something. She watched him walk away, and as she started working in the kitchen, she caught him staring in at her. She tried to ignore him and stay on task but had to admit she liked the attention.
The women bagged sandwiches, cut up fruit and vegetables, and put jugs of water in bags to be given out to the men working. Some were making a barricade to stop the water from flooding their homes and ruining the crop, but most were searching for Henry. Abby couldn’t imagine that many men couldn’t find him. And she found herself praying constantly for Henry’s safety, as well as Mose’s. Even if she wasn’t exactly sure how God fit into her life, she hoped He would protect them.
Becca handed her a dish to dry and peeked into the other room. “I think he’s leaving.”
“Who?” Once Abby’s thoughts came back to her, she realized what Becca was implying.
When Becca turned around to where Abby was looking, Mose happened to walk by and came to the door. “Mose.”
“I’m going to take my shift at Henry’s.”
“What’s the latest on the weather?”
“No sign it will let up. The river’s flooded by his farm, which makes it more difficult.”
“I hope you find him and come back quickly.” She smiled at him, and he nodded and then walked away. “Be careful.”
His response was a gentle grin, and then he was gone. Abby couldn’t stop her feelings for him from growing. As much as she’d tried, something like this broke down all of the walls and brought them closer. It was beyond them, something that threatened everything in life all at once. With no certainty of what the outcome could bring, even a stubborn soul like hers was brought back to the place it ought to be.
“Abby.” Becca touched her shoulder. When Abby looked at Becca, she put a hand to her lips. “Ach, my.” She grinned. “Whatever are you going to do?
“What do you mean?” Abby knew exactly what Becca was referring to, but she wasn’t ready to talk about it. She was as over her head in her feelings for Mose as the water that was rising in around her.
“I won’t force you to face the reality of what’s going on, but you’ll have to sooner or later.” Becca shook her head and handed Abby another plate.
“This isn’t the time.” Abby felt selfish worrying about her own situation when she thought about Henry and his daughter, Rachel. “Where’s Henry’s daughter?”
“Rachel’s at their farm. She’s with Elsie, her good friend, and her bruders, probably a haus full, by now.”
She grabbed a handful of bags and opened one for Becca to put in a sandwich and water. “What about her mother?”
“Her mamm passed away.”
“That must be hard, being the only female in a house full of young men.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Becca grinned.
Abby could empathize with having only a father. She had wished for another sibling, thinking it would fill the void somehow when she lost her mother. But this was a terrible way to lose a parent. The unknown alone would always haunt a person. Abby felt a sudden urge to talk with Rachel.
Why would Rachel want to hear from someone who doesn’t even belong to the community?
“It’s amazing to me how you are all here for each other when something happens, good or bad.”
“I’ve never known any different. I can’t imagine it any other way.” She put away the dishes with Abby and gathered the food and water together to take to the men. “I’ll go with you to Henry’s.” Becca bent over and brought out a big and one smaller basket.
“Is that where Joe is? I haven’t seen him.” Becca and Joe seemed to be a perfect couple, but Becca was independent, and that kept her separated from him at times, as if she didn’t want to get too close. She admired Becca for keeping true to herself but hoped they would end up together.
“Jah, I have to keep an eye on him. I think Rachel has taken a liking to him.” She lifted her eyes to meet Abby’s. They filled the baskets with the food and drink, and then each took one to carry to the buggy.
“Henry’s daughter?” She watched Becca nod and was torn as to how to feel. “I suppose it may be awkward around her, knowing how she feels about him.”
“Nee, I know my Joe. He’ll be kind to her, and that’s what she needs about now.” She turned to see the women packing up and getting ready to go pass out food and water. “Let’s go.”
They both grabbed as much as they could carry and climbed into Esther’s buggy with her and the boys. Chris sat with arms crossed, pouting because he wasn’t out with the men working or searching.
“You are as soggy as a wet mop,” Esther teased.
“I’m old enough to help, Mamm.” Chris seemed to be waiting for her to say something so he could voice his feelings. “You treat me different.”
“Jah, you’re right about that. It’s a mamm’s right to protect her children.”
“Do I have to stay with the women?” Chris seemed to be in pain at the thought.
“The water in that river could swallow you up. But if you want to be with the men, you go find your daed and see what he has for you to do.”
That lightened the mood, which was needed with what was ahead of them.
Abby stepped out and immediately went back in. The water was a few inches high, gaining in strength and volume right in front of her as she sat and watched.
“Doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere.” Esther stayed in the driver’s seat of the buggy. There was nowhere for them to go where the water wasn’t deeper. It was higher as they got closer to the house. Henry’s home was the closest to the river. It was a good spot for a farmer, with a water supply for the roaming livestock or to take a swim in the hot summer months, but today it was the farthest from where a farmer would want to be.
“We’ll have to drop off the supplies and go.” Becca scanned the area. “Unless someone knows of some place we can park and still get out.”
Abby looked over at Chris and reached for some supplies. “This basket is really heavy.” Chris was by her side taking the huge load. “Danke.” Then she smiled at him, and he grinned.
“You said an Amish word.”
“Jah.” She teased. “I know a little.” She handed him a basket. When he started to complain, she tilted her head with a warning not to fuss. “I know you want to get out and help, but I need you here to give out the supplies.” Distracting him helped Abby keep from wallowing over what obstacles may come to them. She wanted to keep her spirits up and help others to do the same.
She couldn’t help but look for Mose. Her eyes went straight to him. Even though everyone dressed pretty much the same, she was learning to pick him out of a group. When she looked over at Becca, she was smiling, shaking her head as she’d done in the kitchen earlier. She seemed to be amused by Abby’s lack of willpower to keep her eyes off Mose. When he made his way over to her, a rush of both excitement and foreboding went through her mind.
Mose waded through the water wearing thigh-high rubber boots. His face was gaunt and pale, maybe from being physically tired, but more likely from not accomplishing what they were there to do.
“Slow. There’s nothing to go on. It’s as if he just vanished.” He looked at the rushing river that had overflowed onto the nearby crop. “You ladies should go to the Bylers’ store or the school haus. If the water keeps rising at this rate, that’ll be the only safe place to go.”
“How’s your daed?” Esther asked from where she sat in the front.
“He’s gut, but frustrated like the rest of us.” Mose looked at the overflowing river with such a sad expression, Abby had to turn away. He seemed to be giving up, and by the looks of the other men, the mood was contagious.
She touched his hand with her fingers. “I’m sorry, Mose.”
“Jah . . . me, too.”
“I’d like to see Rachel. Any chance of that?” Becca leaned forward to look around at the mass of men around the water walking, pacing, and searching over the same ground they’d been over many times before.
“Nee; she refused to leave the haus, waiting for news. We’ve got to evacuate soon, and she’ll have to go to higher ground like the rest of us.” Mose poked his head into the buggy and looked at each one of them. “If you hear the bell, you head to the front of the community. Try to get as many as possible to go to the school haus.” He reached down and squeezed Abby’s hand.
Most of the women had gone after dropping off supplies, and when a wheel slid under the heavy water, Esther was ready to go. “You men have some sense about ya and get yourselves to the school haus too.” She shook a finger at Mose. “The sooner, the better.”
“Jah, I know.” He spoke softly to Abby. “It’s hard to know when to stop looking.”
Abby’s heart tightened with sadness at Mose’s words. “I’ll pray for your safety, and you pray for discernment.” She didn’t know where the thoughts came from, but it felt good and right to know something more powerful was watching over them.
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