“That’s a bummer. Appliances don’t last like they used to, and it may mean we’ll have to buy a new microwave, or even another oven. I’ll take a look at both when I get home. Gotta go for now, though. See you soon, Virginia.”
“Okay, bye.” She clicked off the phone and took a seat at the table. It didn’t seem like Earl was upset, and for that, she was relieved. It never ceased to amaze Virginia how calm and understanding her husband could be.
Since Earl would be bringing take-out home, there was no point in having the oven on. She turned it off, took the still-undercooked potatoes out of the oven and threw them in the garbage. By tomorrow evening, she’d hopefully have a new microwave, and then she could at least heat up something for them to eat.
Sylvia stood in the barn beside her horse, Sugar, wondering if she would ever work up the courage to take the mare out by herself. After Toby’s death, Sylvia had sold his horse to her neighbors, Enos and Sharon Zook, who also kept an eye on her place. Henry had brought her horse over to Mom’s place, where she’d been put in the barn. In the nine months Toby had been gone, Sylvia hadn’t taken the horse out even once. Henry kept Sugar exercised and often took her on the road to run errands or make deliveries. Since he had no horse of his own and complained about Mom’s horse being too slow, the arrangement for him to use Sylvia’s mare had worked out well so far.
The thought of taking her horse and buggy out on the road by herself sent shivers of apprehension up Sylvia’s spine. Although their family members’ deaths hadn’t been the fault of her father’s horse, the reality was that a horse and buggy couldn’t compete with the power of a truck or any other motorized vehicle. One never knew what a vehicle on the road might do. Sylvia’s sister could attest to that. While riding in Jared’s carriage this past fall, a car driven by a teenage boy had spooked the horse, which could have ended in disaster. Fortunately, Jared had managed to get his horse under control before an accident occurred.
Sylvia gave Sugar’s flanks a gentle pat. “I’m sorry if it seems like I’ve abandoned you.”
The horse’s ears flicked as if she was listening.
“Maybe someday, if I ever get over my fear of a potential accident, I’ll take you for a ride somewhere.”
“Let’s do it now.”
Sylvia whirled around at the sound of her sister’s voice. “Ach, you startled me.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you. I figured you would hear the barn door open and close.”
Sylvia shook her head. “I didn’t hear you come in at all.”
Amy put her hand against the small of Sylvia’s back. “If you want to go somewhere with the horse and buggy, I’ll ride along to help bolster your confidence.”
Sylvia clutched her woolen shawl tightly around her neck. “I’d like to go over to my house and check on things, but I don’t have the nerve to be the one in control of my gaul. When I first came out here to the barn, I thought maybe I could do it, but I didn’t get Sugar any farther than taking her out of the stall and putting on her bridles before I realized that I’m definitely not ready.” She paused to draw in a quick breath. “Even though Mom said she would watch the kinner while I was gone, I think I’ll wait till Henry gets back from Seth’s and see if he’s willing to go over to the house with me. Of course, he will have to drive my horse.”
“I can be in the driver’s seat, and I’m more than willing to go over to the house with you.”
“But I thought you were working on wedding plans this morning.”
“I was, but I didn’t plan to work on my lists all day.” Amy glanced toward the front windows of the barn. “Since the snow we had at Christmas is almost gone, now’s the perfect time to make the two-mile trip to your place. With this being the third week in January, you never know what kind of weather awaits us, so we need to take advantage of the nice day we’re having.”
“You’re right, and we’re likely to get a lot more snow before winter is over.”
“That’s true, so I’ll hitch Sugar to your buggy, and you can go up to the house and let Mom know we’ll be gone for a couple of hours.”
“Okay, I’ll grab some cardboard boxes from the utility room, in case there are some things I want to bring back with me.”
“Sounds good. See you in a bit.”
As Sylvia headed back to the house, a sense of thankfulness filled her soul. Amy had been supportive of her since Toby, Dad, and Abe had died. She was definitely a lot stronger emotionally than Sylvia. Her sister hadn’t lost faith in God either.
What will I do without my dear sister after she gets married? Sylvia’s throat constricted. Amy might not have much time for me once she and Jared are married, and she may not even be able to work in the greenhouse anymore.
Clymer, New York
“Have you talked to your mamm or any of your siblings lately?” Michelle asked when Ezekiel came into the house to get the lunchbox he’d left on the counter after heading out to his shop earlier that morning.
“Just a short message from Mom, which I found on the answering machine last evening. Sorry, I forget to mention it.”
“That’s okay. You were busy with paperwork for your business, and that was important.”
“I was kinda busy, but I should have thought to tell you about her message.”
“Did she say how things have been going for them lately?”
“Just said everyone was fine, and that most of their snow had melted.” Ezekiel poured himself a cup of coffee, blew on it, and took a cautious drink. “She also mentioned that a group of young people would be coming to their house this Friday evening to roast hot dogs and marshmallows around the fire-pit.”
“That sounds like fun. I wish we could join them.”
Ezekiel couldn’t miss the wistful expression on his wife’s face as she stood near the kitchen sink, with her back facing the window. Was it the idea of sitting around a bonfire she longed for, or the pleasure of spending time with his family in Strasburg? He was about to ask, when Michelle posed another question.
“Did your mamm say anything about Monroe? Has he been back to see her after she made it clear that she has no interest in him romantically?”
Ezekiel shook his head. “She didn’t mention Monroe at all, but if he had been coming around, I’m sure she would have mentioned it. I was pleased when Mom called us the day after she’d let him know where he stood.” Ezekiel took another drink from his mug. “That gave me one less thing to worry about.”
“Jah, me too. I hate to say this, but I have to wonder if Mr. Esh has more on his mind than a romantic interest in your mother.”
Ezekiel tipped his head to one side. “What other kind of interest?”
“A financial one. He might want the greenhouse for himself.”
“You could be right, I suppose, but if I have anything to say about it, that’s never going to happen.”
Michelle pushed a wisp of auburn hair back under her heart-shaped head covering. “Since your mother put Monroe in his place, I don’t think we have to worry about him anymore.”