by Debby Giusti
To ensure the muddy bank on Ruthie’s side of the river was holding firm, Noah crossed the bridge. A noise sounded in the night. He flicked off the Maglite and made his way carefully along the river’s edge. As he neared Ruthie’s house and outbuildings, the sound came again, metal against metal.
Drawing closer, he saw movement.
Thunder rumbled overhead, then a bolt of lightning crashed to the earth. For a split second, he saw a man running from the chicken coop.
Noah raced after him. Another bolt of lightning struck. A tree cracked and branches crashed to the ground.
The man disappeared into the woods behind Ruthie’s house.
Thunder roared and lightning once again brightened the night sky.
Noah ran to the chicken coop. As he drew closer, he realized the sound he had heard was the wire fence being cut. Some of the chickens had already escaped through the gaping hole that would allow a fox or coyote to attack those that remained behind.
His heart skipped as he thought about what the man might do next, and what could befall Ruthie and her boys.
* * *
Ruthie woke when a giant bolt of lightning struck nearby. She sat up with a start, hearing the raging storm. Concerned by the howling wind and torrential rain, she slid from bed, peered through the window and saw Noah. Hurriedly, she slipped on her robe, glanced into the boys’ room to ensure they were asleep and then raced downstairs. Like a strobe light, the sky flashed bright, then dark, then bright again.
She opened the door as another bolt of lightning lit the sky and glanced at the chicken coop. Her heart pounded. Even from this distance, she could see the cut fencing and the chickens scattered about the side yard. There was another burst of light and she gasped.
Spray-painted on the wall of the chicken coop were the words Leave now.
“Mamm?” She turned to find Simon on the stairs.
“Go back to bed. It is only a storm, Simon. We are not in danger.”
Turning back, she watched Noah wrangle the chickens into the henhouse. He grabbed tools from the barn and quickly closed the gaping hole before he hurried to the porch.
“You saw the coop?” Noah asked as he shook water from his jacket.
She nodded, then glanced over her shoulder, relieved her son had complied with her request. “Simon has gone back upstairs, but I fear he may have seen it, as well. Who would do this?”
“I saw someone running, but I couldn’t catch up to him.”
Her shoulders slumped and she was overcome with discouragement. “Maybe I should sell the farm.”
“What?”
“Come in. I will show you the letter I received from Prescott Construction. I wanted to pass the land on to the boys, but so many bills came in the mail we picked up today. I am tired of trying to make ends meet while fighting off the vile man who wants me gone.”
“You don’t have to make a decision tonight, Ruthie.”
She appreciated the concern evident in Noah’s voice, but she had her back to the wall, figuratively, and needed a way to support her boys.
“I should return to town and talk to the real-estate agent about Prescott Construction’s interest in my land,” she admitted.
“We’ll go together. I have to take the buggy to the repair shop. What I did tonight was a quick fix, but I don’t want you going up and down the mountain without an expert checking the wheel.”
“Could we go tomorrow?”
He nodded. “But first thing in the morning, I need to work on the bridge. We’ll leave after that.”
“I do not want the boys to know about selling the farm. At least, not yet. Once I find out what arrangements the company is willing to make, then I will know whether this is something I should do.”
She glanced out the window. “When the rain lets up, I have to remove the writing from the chicken house. The boys have gone through so much. They do not need to worry more about their mother.”
“I’ll take care of it, Ruthie. There’s spray paint in my dad’s garage. I’ll cover the writing. It won’t look attractive, but we can buy paint in town. I’ll repaint the structure and repair the wire.”
Confused as to what to do, she wrapped her arms around her waist and sighed. “I do not want to give in to this man. If he wants me to leave, perhaps I should stay.”
“To prove to him that he can’t run you off?”
“Exactly. If my well-being was all I had to worry about, I would sink in my heels and remain here, but I worry about the boys. I have been schooling them at home, yet the needs of the farm are great and there is little time for lessons. I see them falling behind with their studies. In town, they could go to school with the other children.”
“You love the mountain, Ruthie.”
She smiled weakly. “Whether you realize it or not, so did you, Noah, but you left. This has not been a problem, yah?”
“I wouldn’t be truthful if I told you it was always easy.”
“Have you thought of returning to the Amish life?”
“At times.”
“Yet something holds you back?” she asked.
“I never felt that I fit in. Perhaps it was because of my datt. Drunks are not living life according to the Ordnung. The district looked askance at my father. They also looked askance at Seth and me.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
“Perhaps I was too thin-skinned. The Englisch world taught me to be more independent and not worry about what others thought.”
She nodded. “I should learn the same from you.”
“You’re not comfortable in town?”
“Perhaps I am too thin-skinned, as you mentioned.”
“You were always well liked. Although because of your husband, I’m sure these last few years have been difficult.”
“Things change, as we both know.” She sighed and then pointed to the kitchen. “Shall I fix tea, or would you prefer coffee? Plus, I have a feeling you did not eat after our trip to town. I have cheese and bread.”
“I’m fine, and the chicken coop needs attention. The boys rise early. It’s best if I paint over the message tonight.”
“It is still raining.”
“And it may continue all night. You might hear me outside. Don’t be alarmed. Lock your door and stay inside. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He had to be tired. They had both had a long day. His clothes were wet, and the weather was growing even more severe.
“You have done so much for me, Noah. I do not know how to thank you.”
“Letting me spend time with you and Simon and Andrew brings me joy, Ruthie. For this, I should thank you.” He started for the door, then hesitated and glanced back. “I’m sorry how everything turned out. I was impetuous and bullheaded. I should have thought of your needs instead of only my own.”
With a nod of farewell, he strode out of the house and hurried toward the bridge. She locked the door and climbed the stairs. From her bedroom window, she watched when he returned and spray-painted over the vile message.
Once the job was done, he glanced up, no doubt seeing her in the window. He raised his hand and then hurried back across the bridge.
Shortly thereafter, lights came on in his family home.
As a girl, she used to stare out her window and think of a time when Noah would court her and ask to marry her. In her mind, it would have been the normal progression after all the years they had grown up together.
She turned away from the window, remembering how many nights she had cried herself to sleep after Noah had left the mountain. Her heart had broken, and at the time, she had feared she would not have the wherewithal to continue on.
Then came the realization that new life grew within her. For all her heartache, Ruthie had vowed to move on with her life for the sake of her child. She did not have Noah with her, but she had his
child, and she would do everything to ensure that child was loved and embraced totally.
Then Ben had entered her life. He had sweet-talked her and put on his best behavior. Not long after their wedding, his true personality surfaced. By then, there was no going back, and once again, she had tried to make a life for herself and her baby. Not the life she had envisioned growing up with Noah, but a life that would provide a home for her son nonetheless.
Yet without a father’s love, that home had never felt whole. With Noah back just for a few days, everything felt good and solid and filled with mutual support, though she needed to remember that Noah had left the faith and was no longer Amish, which meant there was no future for them together.
She feared getting hurt again when Noah left for a second time. Worse than her own pain was the fact that her boys would suffer, too.
Perhaps Noah should leave now before he became even more a part of their lives. But he had already worked his way into their hearts. She saw it in the boys’ enthusiasm when they were with Noah, and she knew it when she was with him, as well. It was too late to put up her guard. Noah already had a place in her heart. Truth be told, he had always had one, even if they could never be together because of their differing faiths.
Another thought gripped her heart. When Noah left, she would be alone without anyone to help her protect her sons. The hateful man was determined to drive her off the mountain.
With Noah gone, she feared he would succeed.
FIFTEEN
Morning came early and brought clear skies, which was a welcome relief. Noah downed a cup of coffee, loaded his truck with lumber and headed to the bridge. Before long, he heard his name and glanced up to see Simon and Andrew running toward him. He laughed at their excitement.
“Did you tell your mamm you would be at the bridge?”
“She said to ask if you wanted our help. If so, we can stay. Otherwise she said we need to do our chores.”
Ruthie stood on the porch of her house. He waved to let her know the boys had made it to the bridge and would be staying to help. The work went quickly. He enjoyed Andrew’s chatter and Simon’s tempered comments when his younger brother got too rambunctious.
Once the bridge was stabilized, Noah loaded his tools in the truck and told the guys to hop in the passenger side. He rewarded their hard work with moon pies that they gobbled down and then wiped their face and hands on his handkerchief before they drove to the barn and unloaded the rest of the wood there.
“Let’s get the animals fed. Your mamm will call us soon for breakfast.”
“She said we will not have eggs this morning,” Andrew informed him. “Mamm thinks the storms and some kind of varmint upset the chickens.”
Ruthie was right, but the varmint wasn’t a fox or coyote. It was a two-legged kind.
“Maybe we can go to town and buy some more chicks that do not get spooked in the night,” Simon suggested.
“Are we going back to town?” Andrew’s eyes grew wide. “Twice in one week?”
Noah held up his hands. “You boys are getting ahead of me. I’m not sure when we’ll go back to town, but no matter when we go, we need to ask your mamm about buying chicks before we jump to any conclusions.”
“I hope she says we can go soon,” Andrew said, “because I like eggs.”
With three of them working, the chores didn’t take long. Noah marveled at the boys’ willingness to work and the weight they carried. Ben must have instilled a good work ethic in the boys. Or, more likely, it was due to Ruthie’s mothering. Either way, Noah appreciated the fine young boys who were eager to pull more than their fair share of the load.
Ruthie called them for breakfast, so they washed at the pump and hurried inside.
Andrew inhaled the savory aroma when they entered the kitchen. “Are we having bacon for breakfast?”
Ruthie smiled. “Biscuits and sausage gravy.”
“Yum! Next to eggs, that is my favorite.”
Simon rolled his eyes and gave his younger brother a playful shove. “You like everything Mamm fixes.”
“Yah, and I like what Noah fixes, too.”
Ruthie gripped a large wooden spoon and pointed it at her sons. “Did I see you boys eating moon pies?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
They stood still with hung heads and looked guilty.
Noah laughed. “That’s my fault. I keep them in my truck. Simon and Andrew worked so hard on the bridge they needed nourishment.”
She lowered the spoon and laughed as she hugged the boys. “Moon pies are not necessarily nutritious, but they are good.”
“They’re yummy, Mamm.”
“You look like you want another one, Andrew,” she said with a chuckle.
“I could eat five of them.”
“Well, instead of moon pies, we will enjoy breakfast. Fill Simon’s glass with milk, then open a new bottle to fill yours, Andrew.”
She pointed to the cabinet. “Simon, get the plates and carry them to the table.”
“What can I do?” Noah asked.
“Would you mind pouring coffee?”
“My pleasure.”
Her cheeks pinked. The bruise on her face had faded, and she had a lightness in her step that he hadn’t noticed yesterday.
Maybe it was because the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. Noah’s mood was upbeat, as well.
“Why does the chicken coop have black paint on one side?” Simon asked, staring through the window.
“I had some paint at my house and wanted to see if your mother thought the coop would look better painted black.”
The explanation seemed to satisfy the boy.
“I like red better,” Andrew said.
“Then we can get red paint in town, along with some chickens.”
“I am not sure we need more chickens.” Ruthie raised an eyebrow.
“But we want eggs,” Andrew reminded her.
“Yes, we do,” Ruthie agreed with her son. “We can buy a dozen or two at the store.”
“Are we going to town today?” Andrew asked after he had poured the milk.
“Noah and I need to run some errands. I thought you boys might want to visit with Aunt Mattie.”
“It has been a long time since we saw her,” Simon said as he arranged the plates on the table.
“Do I know Mattie?” Noah asked.
“My mother’s baby sister. She moved to the area the year Simon was born.”
“You and the boys don’t see her often?” he asked.
“She was out of town when we buried Ben and my datt. A few weeks later, she left a card and brownies on the porch asking me when she could visit, but I was not ready for visitors.”
Noah understood. After her husband’s death, Ruthie was hesitant to allow people back into her life. Even a loving aunt.
“Aunt Mattie will not recognize you boys as tall as you’ve grown,” she said, smiling at her sons.
“The last time we visited, she made chocolate-chip cookies and homemade ice cream,” Simon informed Noah.
Andrew rubbed his stomach. “The cookies were good, but the ice cream was delicious.”
“Mattie’s house is not too far outside of town,” Ruthie said. “We can stop there first. As long as she agrees, you boys could help her with the chores while Noah and I run our errands.”
“If you drive the buggy, Ruthie, the boys and I can follow you in the pickup. That way we can leave the rig overnight at the repair shop in town, if need be.”
“They will enjoy riding with you, Noah.”
Eager for another adventure, Simon and Andrew ate breakfast and finished the chores, then climbed in the pickup with Noah.
“I’m still concerned about the wheel,” Noah told Ruthie, “so hold Buttercup to a slow trot. The boys and I will be right behind you.”
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br /> He rolled down the windows and led them in singing church songs he remembered from his childhood as they followed the buggy down the mountain.
Mattie’s house sat along a farm road about three miles from town. Ruthie pulled Buttercup to a stop in the driveway and seemed a bit nervous when she climbed down from the buggy and motioned the boys forward. Before they stepped onto the porch, the front door opened and a grey-haired Amish woman stepped outside, clapping her hands with joy.
“It has been too long.” She opened her arms and hugged them all at once.
Andrew tried to wiggle out of her embrace. Simon glanced over his shoulder and rolled his eyes at Noah.
“Ruth Ann, you have been too long away from me,” Mattie said. “It warms my heart to see you again and—” She stepped back to look at all of them. “And these boys have grown so big. You must come inside. I have cookies.”
Andrew’s eyes widened. “Aunt Mattie, the last time we were here you made ice cream.”
“I remember, Andrew. Would you like to do that again? I’ll need help turning the churn.”
He held up his arm and showed his muscle. “I am strong.”
“I know you are, and Simon is, as well. We can make lots of ice cream.”
Ruthie touched her aunt’s arm. “Mattie, this is Noah Schlabach. His family lived in the house across the river from us.”
Mattie smiled. “I have heard about you, Noah. It is nice to meet you at last. You will come in for coffee and cake.”
“And ice cream,” Andrew added. “Right, Aunt Mattie?”
“Andrew,” Ruthie chastised. “You are being much too insistent. Where are your manners?”
“I am sorry, Mamm. I must have left my manners at home.”
“He is a wonderful boy.” Aunt Mattie beamed. “Just as Simon is, and we will make ice cream in a bit.”
“A cup of coffee and cake sound wonderful, Mattie, but we cannot stay long. We need to go to the real-estate office in town. Noah is selling his father’s land.”
