Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes

by Karen Anna Vogel

  “Let go? You got fired? Because you wouldn’t work Sundays?”

  “Nee, the boss said it was a layoff. Cutting back workers and giving more hours to the ones who stay…who can work longer hours…Sundays.

  “But there are laws, Zach.”

  He put both hands up, as if in surrender. “I’m not fighting his decision. This is the sign we’ve been looking for. Maybe God wants us to move.”

  Ella shot up and walked over to the window. “Leave Smicksburg? We just plowed up the fields. We can grow twice as many pumpkins. The English pay goot money for a pumpkin. And we can grow more sweet corn.”

  “Ella, we don’t have enough land to farm. We can’t live off of sweet corn.”

  “Your brother’s helping Marge and Joe start a turkey farm. Why can’t we do something like that? And I could bake pies. Start a bakery.”

  Zach got up and scooped Ella into his arms. “You’re a mamm of twins and barely have time to make one pie.” He kissed her cheek. “Would it be that hard on you to move? The settlement in Marathon is doing goot. I got a letter today from the Coblenz’s. There’s real money in organic milk.” He pulled Ella to himself. “You know I’ve always dreamed of being a farmer…”

  “I know. And working for the English is hard on you. Almost ruined Luke.”

  Zach held her tighter. “So you’ll visit Marathon? Give it a chance?”

  Ella thought being barren was the deepest pain she’d experienced, but now she knew differently. Leaving the people she’d known her whole life, for twenty-seven years, was deeper. She tried to agree and be the help mate Zach deserved, but couldn’t open her mouth, knowing once she said yes, she was giving her word.

  Zach tilted her head towards him. “Ella, is it that hard?”

  She nodded and looked away, but Zach’s eyes met hers. “I won’t force you to move.”

  Shame seeped into Ella’s soul. Zach cherished her and always thought of her happiness before his own, but did she do the same? “Zach, it won’t hurt to visit New York.”

  ~*~

  Fannie grabbed the edge of the kitchen counter. Fatigue washed over her. She’d never needed a nap in the afternoon, but Melvin was a hard worker, and hard to keep up with. She walked into her living room, glad that the past two weeks of building a shop and addition were over. All the clocks were now displayed in the store addition, not her living room. The crew of Amish men had worked fast, but no one faster than Melvin. Seemed like all he did was work.

  She sat in a rocker and picked up the needles Suzy had told them to practice with: casting on. It was easier on a loom, but she did want to learn to knit with needles. Fannie took the yarn in one hand and made the triangle shape Suzy had shown them. It looked so easy when Suzy did it. She couldn’t remember anything at all. She just knew she should have two loops on the other needle.

  Fannie leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Why was she so exhausted all the time? Melvin was nine years older, but had more energy. Jonas was almost sixty and had MS, and even he didn’t tucker out like she did.

  The screen door opened in the kitchen, and the bird in the cuckoo clock came out one time. It was one, already? She didn’t have anything on the table prepared for Melvin, but she just couldn’t move.

  Soon Melvin came in the room, hands on hips, concern etched on his face. “Fannie, are you alright?”

  “I’m so exhausted. I’m sorry. “

  He put his hand on her forehead. “No fever. Maybe it’s allergies. Lots of pollen out there.”

  “I’m not allergic to anything.”

  “You should see the doctor. This has been going on for too long.”

  Fannie’s eyes met Melvin’s green ones. Was he irritated with her? Think she was a lazy wife? “It’s probably just the heat. Sorry Melvin.”

  Melvin sat in a rocker near her. “Nothing to be sorry about, but we’re going over to see the new doc in town, after lunch.”

  “We don’t even know him. Let’s wait and go to Indiana, like we always do.”

  “We never had a doc in town and he’s only here on Thursdays. I say we welcome him and give him a try.” He took her hand. “To be honest, I’m worried.”

  “About what?”

  Melvin chuckled. “You make me laugh at the oddest times. Your health. You. I’m worried.”

  Fannie still felt like she was living in a dream, just like Lizzie. They both married the men of their dreams and were afraid they’d wake up. “Melvin, you are so patient with me. I’m not only tired; I’m always being crabby.”

  “I know. Jonas tells me all the time.”

  Fannie closed her eyes. Jonas. The man she adored until she had to live with him. Always comparing her to Lizzie made all her feelings of inferiority come back like a rushing river. “When is that man going to go and live with Roman and Lizzie?”

  “When he feels ready to let go of the store. You know his fears of being useless.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. He has MS and can’t live without his store, but something needs to change. He’s wearing me out.”

  Melvin got up. “Let’s eat and then go to see the new doc. Let him decide what’s really wrong.”

  Fannie leaned forward and slowly got up, but the room started to spin. She stepped forward but couldn’t seem to find her equilibrium. Soon Melvin’s arms were around her and she rested her head on his shoulder. This man God gave her was her rock, but she was failing as a wife. Something was causing extreme fatigue. Cancer? Maryann had it. It could happen to her. She clung to Melvin until the room came into clear view. Such a terrible dizzy spell. Maryann had fatigue and dizzy spells!

  ~*~

  Ruth waved at Marge as Luke led the buggy behind the large farmhouse and up to the little dawdyhaus in the back. Why Marge wanted to live in the small house and not the farmhouse, she would never understand. Since she and Luke had been helping them learn how to live off the grid, Marge knew her cook stove and wood burning stove would heat the bigger house.

  Luke gave her a hand as she stepped out of the buggy. “Danki.” She turned to Marge who was standing on the front porch. “Are you sure you want to learn baking on such a hot day?”

  “Joe’s sick of cold cuts. Wants a real meal.”

  Joe came out onto the porch. Ruth noticed his blond hair looked lighter as his tan got darker. Such a handsome man. Blond hair and blue eyes, just like her Luke

  “How are you, Joe?” Luke asked.

  “Tired to the bone. Starting this turkey farm and taking care of animals is work!”

  “That’s why I’m here,” Luke said. “To help you out.”

  “How do you find the time?” Marge asked.

  “We make the time,” Luke said, looking over at Ruth smiling. “And I get to take my pretty wife on a buggy ride.”

  Ruth felt heat on her cheeks. Pretty? Luke was saying this in public?

  “We’re still going to have a car, but do want to do things more local-like. You know, go to the auction in Dayton, get involved with a food co-op and the Baptist church,” Marge said, looking over at Joe.

  Joe put a hand up in protest. “I don’t believe in God.”

  Ruth noticed Joe’s eyes suddenly grew cold. What could blind someone to not be able to see that there was a God?

  Marge persisted. “I think we should go as a couple, but if not, I’m going by myself. It says in my off-the-grid magazines to get involved with a local church to know your neighbors. Country people go to church, Joe.” She huffed. “And I was raised Baptist…”

  “But you stopped when we got married…”

  “Only because you wore me out every Sunday, harping on me for going.” She glared at Joe. “We’re in God’s Country now…at least I think that’s what they call it up here.”

  “Do what you want,” Joe swatted at the air. “Luke, can you take a look at our cow? I’m not sure I’m milking her enough.”

  Ruth felt Luke’s hand squeeze her shoulder. She looked up to see that he was grinning.

  “I
know exactly how to help him,” he whispered in her ear.

  Ruth put her head on his shoulder. Their marriage used to be divided and they’d had flair-ups over the littlest things. But religious beliefs were not a little thing. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. The bishop and Jeb had many talks with Luke about the importance of unity in the home. Could Luke help Joe, or would Joe be a bad influence?

  She wrapped her arms her middle, where the new life inside her was growing. Surely not. Luke would influence Joe…

  ~*~

  Lavina poured the blueberries she’d just picked into the largest pan Maryann had in her kitchen. Feeling like she was earning her keep was important to her, even though Maryann said she was like part of the family. Families help each other out of love, Becca had said.

  Lavina poured white sugar into the pot and set the gas stove on low. She’d always made jam with her mamm. Did she need to go up to Troutville to visit? See how she was? Why couldn’t she have come from a family filled with love, like Maryann’s? Becca, her oldest, almost sixteen, was appreciated. Michael never screamed or slapped her, and the more she lived with this kind family, the more she realized the lack in her life.

  Nathan had told her forgiveness was freeing, but he came from a loving home, too. Who could she talk to about this pain she carried? Who would understand?

  Lavina looked out the window at one of Maryann’s many kinner. Two were in the tire swing while an older one pushed. Her twins had a tire swing, and for that, she was thankful. Yes, she’d made the right decision in letting Ella adopt her babies.

  A wagon pulled up to the hitching post in the back of the house. Her daed and Christian? What were they doing here? Relief washed over her when another buggy came into view; Jeb was driving and the bishop sat next to him. She wanted to run and hide, but knew eventually she’d have to deal with issues back home. But she turned eighteen next week, and according to her English friend, Marge, she had rights.

  Maryann came up to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Maybe I should have told you. We were worried you’d run away.”

  “Not from here, Maryann. I have nothing to fear here.”

  “I’m here to stand beside you, understand?

  Lavina wanted to be cradled in Maryann’s arms, and pretend she was her real mamm, but she was too old for such things. The back door opened and the four men entered. The bishop nodded to Maryann and Jeb came and stood beside Lavina. What was going on? Were they going to make her go back home? She willed away the knots forming in her stomach.

  “Lavina, will you sit down at the table?” Jeb asked, tenderly.

  She nodded, feeling numb. Maryann stayed close beside her, sitting next to her on the bench. Her daed and Christian sat across from her, but she refused to make eye contact. The bishop and Jeb sat at both ends of the table.

  Bishop Mast took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead. “Lavina, your daed and Christian have something to say.”

  She looked over at Jeb, gaining strength from this man who had become like an opa to her. A real example of what a daed should be. Then she met her daed’s eyes. “I’m listening.”

  “Lavina, your mamm misses you. She wants you to come home. Cries all the time.”

  Bishop Mast let out a gasp. “This is not what we talked about. I agreed to let you see Lavina for you to ask forgiveness.”

  “I’m getting to it. Just saying her mamm misses her.”

  Lavina started to tremble. She knew he wasn’t here to apologize. He’d never respected any bishop in the past, but would only uproot the family every time he got a warning. She forced herself to look at Christian, her old boyfriend. Why was he here? To her horror, he winked at her and looked at her lustfully.

  “Lavina, we came to say we’re sorry,” her daed continued. “We never should have forced you to say you didn’t know who the daed of the twin was. But Christian wanted to marry you, and still does.” He patted Christian’s back. “Wants to be a daed to the twins.”

  Lavina shot up. “Never. And I agreed to give the twins to another couple. “

  “But I didn’t,” Christian snapped.

  The bishop pounded the table and turned to Lavina’s daed. “You gave your word. So did your wife. Your bishop knows this and is in agreement that the twins stay here, in their adoptive home.”

  “You’re a cruel man,” Jeb said. “Cruel. “ He eyed Christian. “And you. You’re a man in need of growing up, and repentance.” He looked across the table at the bishop. “Don’t you realize our bishop and your bishop agreed to this meeting, only to extend forgiveness, not threats?”

  “We’re not threatening!” Christian shouted. “Those twins are mine.”

  Jeb reached for Lavina’s hand. “Where were you the first four months of their life? Before Lavina gave them up for adoption?”

  Christian’s sly eyes looked at Lavina, again filled with desire, like a hungry wolf. “Waiting on her to marry me.”

  Lavina shot up. “I won’t and you can’t make me. You don’t love me, you lust me.”

  To her surprise, Maryann stood up beside her. “Lavina. I see how Nathan looks at you, and –”

  “Who’s Nathan?” Christian face turned as red as beets.

  “My grandson,” Jeb boomed. “Now I’ve had enough of this if you have, Bishop. They have no intention of reconciling or asking forgiveness.”

  “Jah, go back to Troutville where your bishop will know of this behavior,” Bishop Mast said evenly.

  “But I already have a warning, and so does Christian.”

  “We’re well aware of that,” Jeb said. “Next you’ll be put out.”

  Lavina’s daed pointed a finger at her. “This is your fault. You never listened to me, and now you’re breaking your mamm’s heart.”

  Maryann put both arms around Lavina. “A goot husband can always heal his wife’s heart. It’s not Lavina’s job. Now please leave my house.”

  Lavina’s daed looked at her spitefully, as did Christian, but they both got up and walked out the back door. Lavina smelt something burning and tore herself from Maryann and ran to the jam. She lifted the lid, only to see a pot full of bubbling jam, burnt around the edges of the pan. “I ruin everything. Everything…” She could hold it in no longer, but bowed her head and wept.

  Jeb went over and put an arm around her. “That’s not true, Lavina. Not true at all.”

  Lavina turned and hugged Jeb around the middle. “I wish I had a daed like you.”

  She felt Jeb patting her back. “You gave your twins up for adoption, and from what I know about your daed, he never deserved to have such a daughter. How about I adopt you?”

  Shame filled Lavina. She was eighteen now and too old to be adopted. “I’m not a baby to be adopted.”

  “God adopted us as his kinner at baptism,” Bishop Mast said. “Why can’t you be adopted by Jeb?”

  Jeb grinned. “Ach, I know why. She’d be Nathan’s aunt.”

  Lavina looked up at Jeb and tried to smile. “That’s not why.”

  Jeb put his hand on her cheek. “Goot to see you smile again. Those two had me fit to be tied. I wouldn’t have been as kind as you.”

  “Kind? I wasn’t kind.”

  Maryann came over and slipped an arm through Lavina’s. “Yes you were.”

  “But I shouted…”

  “You sat at the table hoping to reconcile, and sang,” Maryann said.

  “I did? I don’t remember that…”

  “I tell my kinner all the time, ‘Be like the tea kettle; when it’s up to its neck in hot water, it sings.’”

  Jeb grinned. “I heard you sing, too.”

  ~*~

  Lizzie took Jenny’s hand and led her out to the front porch. Rhododendrons were in full bloom, the large flowers in shades of purple, dripping off the brush. How she wished Jenny would open up. She took her floral padded journal and pen and asked Jenny to sit on the glider next to her. “Your hair gets lighter every day. You h
ave the same color hair and eyes as your mamm.”

  Jenny gave a faint smile. “Daed told me that, too.”

  “I remember my mamm. I get my brown hair from her. Sometimes I really miss her. Especially when I pick wildflowers.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my mamm and I used to pick them together when I was a little girl.”

  Jenny peered up at her. “You can remember that? You’re old.”

  “Like it was yesterday.”

  Jenny swung her feet nervously under the glider. “Can I go now?”

  “I thought we’d take some time before dinner to write a poem. Maybe submit it to Family Life Magazine. You seem to really like the children’s section; you can write something for it.”

  “But I’m only seven.”

  “Almost eight. In a few months…” Lizzie opened her journal. “Let’s write this poem together. You’ve been saying how spring is your favorite time of year.”

  “But it’s summer not spring, right?”

  “No, according to the almanac it’s still spring. In a few days summer begins, so let’s write our spring poem now.” Lizzie tapped the pen on the journal. Would Jenny ever stop challenging every word she said? “’Spring is my favorite time of year’. How does that sound for the first line?”

  Jenny shrugged her shoulders and Lizzie’s heart sank deeper. “Jenny, why do you like spring so much?”

  “The flowers. And the robins come back home.”

  “So the next line will be?”

  “I like robins and flowers.”

  Lizzie wrote what Jenny said. “Now, my turn. Let me see… ‘Animals come out of hibernation,’”.

  “What does hibernation mean?” Jenny asked.

  “Ach, I thought you knew. Some animals, like black bears, don’t like the winter, so they sleep through it.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s the way God made them. They sleep in the winter.”

  “But they miss the snow. Why would they do that?”

  Lizzie took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. Lord, help!

  Roman opened the porch screen door. “How are my girls doing?”

  “Daed, why do animals sleep all winter?”

  “Because there’s no food for them to eat.” He sat down on a cedar chair across from them and Jenny ran over to sit in his lap. “So, the animals eat like hogs all summer and sleep all winter.”