Mose almost smiled with agreement. “Danke for the encouraging words.” He looked down at the ever-rising water and squeezed her hand so hard it hurt. Then he turned slowly and walked away.
Chapter Twenty-Four
THE WATER LEVEL continued to rise overnight. The men worked to protect their farms until they were exhausted, and then they slept for a short period. The women didn’t rest either, gathering their families together and working to keep everyone safe and fed. The dark clouds didn’t let up, setting the mood that was thick as the mud they trudged through. The worst of it was there was no sign of Henry.
Nearly everyone spent the night in the schoolhouse or at the Bylers’ store. When they ran out of room, the men slept in chairs and the children in their mothers’ arms. Abby hardly slept. Every time one of the men came in, she hoped it was Mose, but he never came. When she woke up the next morning and asked around, no one could tell her where he was.
Abby sat down on the floor next to Esther. “I haven’t heard anything about Mose. I’m starting to worry.”
Esther began to stir at the sound of Abby’s voice. “Every woman here is worried for their own. He’ll show up.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” Abby caught the pessimism in her words and changed her way of thinking. “I hope you’re right.”
Esther sat up against a wall. The schoolhouse wasn’t completely finished, but the windows were in and the wood floors were down, and it was empty, so it had turned out to be a good place for shelter for those who needed it. “Any word yet on Henry?”
Abby shook her head. “I asked when I was looking for Mose.” Although she didn’t know Henry well, she felt a pain in her heart for him and his family. “Do you think they’ll find him?”
Esther shook her head. “I think it’s his family that needs to be tended to about now.”
Coming from Esther, Abby took it as truth. She was one of the most positive people Abby had met, and if she felt it was time to let go, then it was probably true. “Are they here?” Abby glanced around the large room. Most had been up before the sun, and everyone except sleepy children were preparing for the day.
“They wouldn’t leave their haus unless it was flooded. The fact that they’re here is a gut sign, considering they were one of the farms closest to the river.” Esther and Abby both stood.
Abby adjusted her dress and then looked to see a string of Amish walk in. She didn’t know everyone in the community, but there wasn’t a familiar face in this group of women.
“They’re the Amish group from the other side of Beeville. They’ve come to help.” Esther looked out the window with Abby to see the men shaking hands and talking.
“They weren’t affected by the flood?” Abby questioned as she looked outside to see the men join together in a wagon and head in the direction of Henry’s place.
“Jah, but they’re not as close to the river, so they weren’t hit as hard.” Esther’s voice wavered as the women came over to introduce themselves.
“Gut morning. We’ve brought hot coffee and doughnuts if you’re hungry,” an older woman offered, and she motioned toward a large folding table that was filling up fast with homemade doughnuts.
“Danke. Coffee and doughnuts have never smelled so good.” They walked together, following the luscious aromas as they learned each other’s names. Abby’s mouth watered when she picked up a soft chocolate doughnut and relished the warm cup full of coffee. She took a bite, but her stomach suddenly lurched when she saw Henry’s daughter walk in with a younger boy. Abby excused herself from the women and walked toward her. Others were approaching her, but that didn’t discourage Abby from talking to her. An older woman clasped Rachel’s hand, causing a tear to escape down her cheek. When the woman walked away, Abby stepped forward.
“Rachel.” Abby’s words left her as she stood there with an open mouth. “I don’t know what to say.”
Rachel’s bloodshot eyes met hers. Abby had never seen such sorrow in a young person’s eyes. She was used to anger, frustration, and indifference, but not the raw sadness Rachel’s eyes expressed.
Rachel shook her head, and Abby instinctively reached out and hugged her. She reciprocated with a tight squeeze and then dropped her arms from what seemed to be exhaustion. “Danke.” Rachel took her brother’s hand and accepted comfort from another Amish woman.
Becca came over and talked with Rachel for some time, and then packed up to leave.
“So, it’s over?” Abby knew they were beginning to let go, but she couldn’t believe Henry was really gone.
“The search continues, but the troopers told them after twenty-four hours, there’s little chance of finding him.”
“I’m so sorry for Rachel.” Abby glanced over at her but didn’t want to stare.
“She had a lot of support from people who cared about her and her daed.” Becca watched the room full of women and grabbed her basket. “I’m going home to see my family and find out what needs to be done.”
“Will you take me to Mose’s house? I haven’t seen him since yesterday morning.” Hearing the words she had just said renewed her worry. She knew he was probably fine, but until she saw him, she wouldn’t stop thinking about him.
“I’m sure he’s fine, Abby. He’s a stubborn one and is probably one of them who are still looking.”
“You’re probably right, but I have to know for sure.” Becca knew Mose well. She was probably right about him staying until he found something or physically couldn’t push on, but Abby would feel better if he was with his family.
As they walked out of the building, Abby thought about the irony of it all. The timing of the school being built, and that it was not only their children’s future but also a refuge for them as they endured this storm. She couldn’t help but wonder what was in store for this community, but she prayed all that had happened would make them stronger. Abby knew the events had already changed her. Until the crisis she hadn’t asked God for anything since before her mother’s death.
When they got outside, the heavy rains had stopped. Puddles of water inches deep covered the area, but only small drops of rain continued to fall.
“It’s letting up.” Becca closed her eyes and held out her hands while taking in a breath.
“Thank God,” Abby whispered. The words were heartfelt with new awareness of the Lord’s power to give and take away.
When she got to the Fishers’ house, she hoped to see Mose opening the screen door and walking out onto the porch. He always seemed to have a sense about her whereabouts, even when she didn’t tell him. She wished for that right at that moment. “Danke, Becca.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Becca seemed hurried. The separation from loved ones had them both rattled.
She waded through the water up to the house. The ground was so saturated, the water stood stagnant a few inches deep. The sound of her boots on the porch was loud but drew out her senses, as did the voices coming from inside the house. But none of them were Mose’s.
Abby plopped down on the porch swing, worry and disappointment gathering in her heart and mind. She gently rocked in the swing, not knowing what else to do. She wrapped her arms around her, wishing they were Mose’s strong hands.
Chapter Twenty-Five
MOSE THOUGHT HE’D taken his last step. There wasn’t an ounce of strength in him, but he willed himself to move forward. He couldn’t feel his feet, and the numbness was spreading upward around his ankles. The water was colder than usual, even cooler during the night. But it wasn’t clear enough to see much underneath with the storm stirring up mud into the water. They’d gone up and down the river even after it had been barricaded, with no sign of Henry, so they’d decided to drag the river. They were supposed to work in teams, but he and Joe got separated. The silence over the past twenty hours pounded in his ears, waiting for the sound of the life-giving bell that was never heard.
The water surged up around him, at some points up to his stomach. When that happened, he had to move up t
oward the bank. The water poured over the sides of the river’s edge, sucking him in. He stuck his sharpened walking stick into the ground, but the undercurrent surrounded it, and the dirt mixed with sand washed it out of the ground. He stumbled, falling facedown, pushed by the force of the murky water. He stood, gripping the rod, and vigorously shook his head, throwing water into the air around him.
Frustration set in. His muscles ached with each step he tried to take. He wouldn’t be any good to anyone until he got some rest and food in his belly. He looked at the turbulent river and let himself go into the water that was rushing forever forward, floating to save energy. Although the sun was rising, he shivered. If Henry was alive, he’d have been found by then.
When he reached the closest farm, he pulled himself up and out of the river, flopping onto his stomach on the soggy ground. As he pulled himself up, he saw Rachel’s oldest brother coming from the barn. Mose looked at the sun and figured he had just finished milking.
The young man stopped and stared for a moment. “Mose?” He raced toward him and put a helping hand around his shoulder. “Did you come out of the river?”
“Jah, spent the night looking for your daed.”
He was quiet for a long while. “Troopers are saying time’s run out.”
Mose used what strength he had left and turned to look at him. “We won’t quit until we have to.” Mose clasped his shoulder
“How do we know when that is?” He averted his eyes to keep from getting emotional.
“You’ll know.” Mose leaned on him as they made their way to the haus. “Can you take me to the school?”
“Don’t ya want something to eat first?”
“Nee, but danke.” Mose’s stomach rumbled at the thought of food, but he had to check on his family and see Abby before he could enjoy a meal.
Rachel pulled in as they were almost to the house and jumped down from the buggy to see Mose. “You look awful, Mose.”
Mose forced a smile. “It’s gut to see you too.” He teased, then he instantly became solemn again. “I’m sorry, Rachel.”
“Mose, you did what you could.” She wiped her nose as she walked along beside them. “Everyone has.”
“It’s a difficult thing that’s happened. But it may still end well.” Mose felt weak and tripped over a clod of dirt in the muddy ground. “I’d like to know if everyone in my family is safe and sound.”
“I just came from the school to see if there was any news. I saw your mamm with the boys and Abby.”
Mose paused and moved his head just enough to look at Rachel. “That much is gut. Did you hear any news?”
“Nee, nothing.” She took in a deep breath as if to push it all away. “Take care of yourself.” Rachel tried to smile and walked back to her house.
Mose couldn’t imagine what the mood was in there with her family. No mamm, and now a missing daed, with four boys and Rachel to run things. Mose knew things in life weren’t fair, but this was one of those times he just couldn’t make sense of. He was thankful to hear his family and Abby were together and in good health. Now it was only his daed he had to worry about.
They got settled in the buggy and went straight to the schoolhouse. Mose was too tired to talk and concentrated on not falling over when his eyes shut. When they pulled up, some Amish women he didn’t know brought him coffee and doughnuts before he even got out of the buggy. He accepted as politely as he could, but the only face he wanted to see was Abby’s.
Mose asked around, but no one knew anything more than Rachel did. There were still a number of men away, so his daed must be with them. “They must have left already.”
Rachel’s brother grabbed Mose’s arm. “I’ll get you out of here and take you home.”
Mose didn’t complain—he dozed off once but caught himself before he crashed onto the buggy floor. When they got close to his farm, they ran into a deep puddle that sucked them in, threatening to trap them. “I’ll walk from here.”
“I can get up closer.”
“Don’t even try. I’m too tired to push you out.” Mose jumped down from the buggy and started walking home. He waved to Rachel’s brother in thanks. Everyone should be with their families, reuniting and appreciating that they were together, especially him.
The walk seemed to take forever, but the closer he got, the more adrenaline surged through him, and he picked up speed. The sweet smell of corn and clean country air flowing through his lungs made him grateful that exhaustion was his only repercussion from this whole ugly ordeal. His thoughts and prayers would continue for Henry. Mose did believe that miracles happened, so he wouldn’t give up hope just yet.
As he got closer, he could see someone on the porch but couldn’t make out who it was. His first thought was of Abby, and he wondered about his change in loyalties. This young woman who had come to him in the most peculiar circumstances was now first in his thoughts.
Chapter Twenty-Six
ABBY DIDN’T HAVE the will to get up and make her way to Becca’s. Then a stirring through the cornfield caught her attention. Someone or something was moving through a tall row toward the house. She wondered whether the wild animals had lost their food source due to the flooding and were now looking for farm animals. But no, the rhythm was consistent, without stopping. An animal would pause, check the surroundings, and be more hesitant.
When Abby couldn’t stand it any longer, she stood, ready to face whatever it was. The green leaves curled back and Mose walked out into the clearing, making his way to her. His clothes were filthy, his hair was askew, and his pale face was a fright. He marched forward, even though his reserves were surely depleted.
She ran down the porch steps and straight to him, letting the water splash over her. When she got closer to him, she slowed to catch her breath and then wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tightly around her waist, but she didn’t mind the slight discomfort to her ribs. Neither one of them moved for the longest time, each taking in the other and the assurance that they were both alive and well.
Abby finally moved back just far enough to see his face and moved her arms onto his shoulders. “Henry?”
Mose shook his head. “It doesn’t look promising, but I’m not ready to give up hope.”
“Good. Neither am I.” She dropped her head, looking down at the muddy mess below her feet. “All of this makes me think about Jim.”
“I’ve wondered about your dad too.”
“As much as I don’t want to, I should go see him. Just see how he is. I know he’s sick and too stubborn to go to the doctor. But there’s no one to take care of him.” She was filled with the same sadness that she’d felt when she first arrived in the community— scared and hopeless—but not bitter like she had been. She’d been humbled by coming to the Amish, and that way of thinking had remained throughout her time there. “But right now there is a lot of work to do here.”
“Jah, we need to find out what there is to be done.” He turned to admire the endless land. “The cotton is gone, but most of our corn made it through.”
“That’s something to be thankful for.” Abby had realized even more how important the crop was to the Amish. They could make a partial living from working a trade, but their crop brought in a great deal and was the heart of what they stood for. The closeness they were rumored to have when working the earth was sacred and couldn’t be replaced by any other way of making a living. As she watched Mose looking over the cornfield, she understood for the first time how much it meant to him.
“Most of the corn looks good.” Her comment brought a smile to him, but then she watched it disappear.
“Corn is more durable than cotton. I’m sure the cotton couldn’t stand all that rain.” He pursed his lips in disappointment. “But we’ll count our blessings.”
Eli rode in on one of their horses and came over to them. “Look what the storm dragged in.” He shook his head proudly at his son. “Are you both all right?” Eli looked from Mose to Abby.
“Glad to be a
live, praise Gott.”
Eli hiked a leg over the horse and dropped both feet to the ground. “I feel like you look.” He turned to Mose. “Wish we could find Henry.”
“Did they call off the search?” Abby was disappointed. They couldn’t give up, not yet. What would it do to Rachel, and then what it would do to her if Jim was injured, hurt, or even . . .
“There are still some looking, but his place was one close to the river. Flooded the crop, a couple feet of water filled into their house, and muddy water up past your ankles still around the barnyard. Henry was trying to do what any of us would have done—save his farm. He probably just didn’t know when to quit.”
“How could you not know when to leave? Wasn’t it obvious when the water was just too much?” Abby knew she still didn’t fully appreciate the value they put on their farms, but when it came to life and death, she wished Henry would have been more cautious, and she wondered if Jim had been.
Eli held tight onto the reins as his horse fidgeted. “Rachel said Henry sent them all off the area and stayed trying to block the water from overflowing onto his property.”
“Makes a person wonder what they’d do in the same situation.” Mose asked himself the question, more than asking Abby and his daed.
“It’s hard to know unless you’re the one in it.” Eli looked up as if thinking. “Rest up, you two. We have a lot of work to do around here and at Henry’s place.” He led the anxious horse to the barn, and Abby followed Mose to the house, her mind on Jim.
Mamm was in the kitchen. Chris sat at the table, half asleep with his head on his arms, as Esther looked up as they came in and walked over to wrap her arms around Mose and Abby. “Where’s your daed?” She studied Mose with pensive eyes.
“Putting up the horse. If he doesn’t come in, I’ll go fetch him,” Mose offered, but Abby couldn’t see how he had the energy to do anything but eat and sleep.
A few minutes later Eli returned. They sat down to a silent dinner but didn’t have as much as usual after giving to those who had none. They used canned food from the cellar, but no one ate their fill. There might still be a need to give away more food. Chris was restless, so he went out to milk while Abby, Mose, and his parents stayed seated.
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