Abram's Daughters 03 The Sacrifice (19 page)

Downstairs, she found Miriam and Aunt Lizzie playing a game of checkers while Dat, Smithy, and Sam sat around the wood stove, rocking slowly and talking low. Adah was playing peekaboo with Lydiann, and Hannah and Dorcas were visir-

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|iy t|lllrlly in the corner of the kitchen.

I Mcmiwhile, Gid sat on the floor near the wood stove, HffiW ' 'lt! Budget, pausing to chuckle every so often at one Hnrmis story or another. "Listen to this." He held up the ^W'i mid Dat and Gid's father both leaned in to hear better. IWnr folk over in New Holland had a letter the other day m1 I hry were gonna be getting a buggy full of company for

I1 |nr, bill it says right here they don't have any idea who II lie." Uid looked up, a grin on his face. "So they're lookin'

(irtl to seein' just who's coming . . . and wonderin' if their

i In correct."

'That is funny," Dat agreed.

Smllby Peachey nodded, rocking harder now. "Seems to Btavliorver wrote oughta have had the courtesy to say who ^M vviis!"

H'Ymul think so, ain't?" Dat glanced at Leah, a quick In mi bis brow. He motioned for her to come over, and Hi wns glad to tell him Mamma was resting. v

^WShe's all right now. Don't worry."

^Elic went an4 sat on the floor on a round braided rug next ^Bid as he read silently from the Sugarcreek, Ohio, news^K. After a time he whispered, "Here, Leah, read this." He H,ted to a report from Lititz.

H went downtown and got myself a nice haircut last Tuesday, Hj^tnisb scribe had written. That afternoon Barbara Zimmer' H and myself answered jah to several questions asked us by our Hjishof). Then, quick as a wink, he changed Barbara's name H Zimmerman to Wert. I'm awful glad she said yes, and she's PPJO fifad I got me a haircut! : :".

Leah couldn't help but think next year around this time

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her name would be Leah Peachey. When she glanced at Giil, he smiled and winked at her. Leah's cheeks flushed and her

heart did a little flip-flop, and she wondered if he might give her his Christmas gift outside. Gid was pretty good at think ing of reasons to take her outdoors today. Still, Dat was tinonly one who knew anything of their engagement, except maybe the smithy and Adah. Neither Mamma nor Hannah suspected anything, she didn't think, though she could be wrong.

Aunt Lizzie looked her way and Leah ducked her head, hiding behind The Budget, hoping Lizzie wouldn't see what was probably written all over her face. Truth was, Leah was awfully fond of Gid and was enjoying herself this sweet Chris tmastide.

"Best be headin' out for milkin'," Gid said just loud enough for the two fathers' benefit.

That was Leah's cue to get up and go along with him. After all, there was no need for Dat to leave his best friend and nephew, nor the warmth of Mamma's kitchen, anytimesoon. This, then, was her gift to her father ... so Gid could present his to her.

After Mamma's long nap and once Leah and Gid had finished the milking, they all sat down again for a light supper of leftovers. Mamma kept her hand on the meat platter, ready to dish up well before anyone might request seconds. That was Mamma, Leah thought, always eager to serve her family and others. '..-,. :.,,.. ;,;; '.,-

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n'hr n ic;i I over, Aunt Lizzie, Hannah, and Dorcas cleared mIic liihlc while Mamma and Miriam settled into chairs I' 11 it1 wood stove and Sam and Adah bundled up and went l|m ii wulk, like newlyweds so often do. It'lil Mini Smithy headed outside to get the toboggans out ftp burn and ready for some snow fun. Gid and his sister run und Leah and Hannah carried the sleds back behind Itwn, to I he banked bridge connecting the lower level to lypppi*. C !id and Dorcas were the first to go flying down the If umiiLsl squeals of delight from the girls. IWllh Leah at the helm, Leah and Hannah piled on the wild toboggan, and they had themselves a turn. In nothing

I1 > n | (a|ot the idea to race the sleds down the hill. They did I iliii'e times, with Gid and his sister winning each run.

I"A' h, if ain't fair. You've got more weight with Gid on."

It | ii tintoel out the reason.

f'Juli, I hat's why," Dorcas said, smiling at Leah.

I'Try il with Gid alone," Hannah suggested, "and the three

Imlrk"

l"ll all of us an even fit on one," Leah said, laughing.

lit) I he end, the girls beat Gid soundly. And when a stiff

L'l blew up out of the north, Dorcas and Hannah said they

rt ild and headed for the house, leaving Gid and Leah

Br once again.

l"l wanted to tell you, Leah . . . you've made this the best

lihinuis for me." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

ISIk1 reached up and hugged his neck, but he didn't let her

Itlkkly; he held her close, his rough cheek against her cold

I, "Next year we'll be husband and wife," he said. "Lord

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"A blessed Christmas to you, Gid," she replied, happy u> be nestled in his strong arms, grateful for his present a pret I y wall hanging of a special calendar that could be used over and over, the days marked in with a calligraphy pen. She could hardly wait to start filling it in.

"Once we're published at the Preaching service next year, I'll show you the pine chest I plan to make for you an engagement gift soon to come." .-,.. . : .>

She was overjoyed. What a happy day. of days! .

-#-

Gentle snowflakes fell as Leah took Hannah along to deliver the birthday quilt to Elias's mother after supper. She had been hoping for this chance to take the one-horse sleigh down the snow-packed road, to get all bundled up again in earmuffs and mittens, hot bricks at her feet.

Hannah was more talkative tonight than usual, perhaps because she missed Mary Ruth something fierce.

They stopped in at the Stoltzfus family's, staying longer than planned because the deacon's wife wanted to warm them up with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, also offering a plateful of oatmeal-raisin cookies for them to nibble during the ride home. "Share the rest with your whole family," she insisted.

There are fewer of us Ebersols all the time, Leah though) while standing with her back to the wood stove, sipping cocoa. She glanced at Hannah, noting her sister seemed rather aloof, her face too pale. Soon enough Leah understood as she spotted Ezra . . . his back to them at the kitchen table.

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mtVt'T even turned round when we came in, she thought, sus-

Illy; Ndinc'lliing was terribly wrong between him and Han-

ii hill she said nothing, waiting for Hannah to mention his

klliti behavior later on the ride home if at all.

r'l luivi1 an idea," Leah said now, hurrying the horse just a

I "Id's stop by and wish Mary Ruth a happy Christmas.

Iftt would ya say to that?"

I'' li, sister, could we?" Hannah's eyes glistened in the

I 'iiliiHu.

V'Wv can ... and we will!"

lU\\v wanted Hannah to end the day happily, and seeing

w\ Until was sure to put a smile on her face. Besides, Leah

I I. iicsome for Mary Ruth ... as was Mamma possibly the

1'ii i heir mother had looked so gray around the eyes and Iwnhlu'd out earlier. If only Dat had been more patient, m mmiful toward Mary Ruth, Christmas could have been Icns somber this year. Mamma would've had her spirits up, him- ;ind for certain.

IWilli I his in mind, Leah strained to see the bend in the l| hiul rlie coiner lot where the Nolts lived . . . where Mary Ii now resided, a boarder to Englishers, of all things.

II hmnah choked back sad tears, downright grateful to be

1 I rah tonight, though the evening was freezing to the Ign. She'd actually thought she might become ill back there lint's mamma's kitchen.

Ife'wa. What on earth had made him change so? His Rut's death could it be? Was he so angry at God he was mu his rage out on her? She had no idea what to think. Ezra was downright

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standoffish and hadn't been showing his face at recent sin).; ings. Was he staying away.to avoid seeing her? She hoped noi. For her, it was hardly worth going to the barn singings any more a waste of time to ask Lizzie to take her and drop hri off. There was only one reason to go at all: in hopes of beiii); asked to ride home with Ezra in his courting buggy.

Deliberately Hannah turned her attention to seeing Mary Ruth again, though she also felt a bit distanced herself whon it came to her twin. It wondered her, as she and Leah rode i 11 the sleigh, what Leah might make if she knew of 1 lathings spoken about at the Quarryville church that had added fuel to the fire for Mary Ruth. Her recent switch to the Men nonites, along with her renewed determination to get an Hn glish education, had set things off the beam between Dat and her twin.

Sighing, Hannah felt her breath literally freeze in midair. To think their father would send Mary Ruth away because ol her stubbornness and during rumschpringe, no less, when Amish parents typically let their youth run free, if not wild. It made not a bit of sense. Has to be more than that, though i Hannah. Dat's ire is up about Mary Ruth going to high school!

She settled against the buggy seat, reflecting on this day the love and the laughter of the earlier time with family and the Peacheys wishing she had brought along the embroi dered pillowcases she'd sewn for Mary Ruth. She felt strange I y empty, like a tall glass half full.

The lights from a Christmas tree brightened the window at the Nolts' house as the horse pulled the sleigh into tru-ii driveway. "Ach, is it such a gut idea to stop so late like this.'" she asked Leah. , .

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fMiny Kurh's bound to be homesick tonight," Leah |i t< <\ "( Vmon, a visit will do us all good." She paused. I m- Ih-si not tell 'bout the fun we had tobogganing with BU-V*. |:.li.'"

NhhiiiIi nodded. She struggled with guilt at having spoffiui M> boldly to Mary Ruth after going with her to tyvillr that single night. "I wouldn't think of adding I 'i,illness to her," she mumbled as they picked their way I ilu- snow and ice to the back door. Not one little bit.

ll>mn;ill embraced Mary Ruth in the entryway of the ill-.' Imr house. "Oh, how I miss you, sister!" she whispered. "I miss you," Mary Ruth said, clinging to her. bit'.ih wrapped her arms around both twins, and the three Hi in siood hugging and weeping.

B^li'i ii lime Mary Ruth showed them into the front room,

i i lu- tree stood alight with shimmering tinsel strands

I i. ill I nibbling lights. They spoke softly to each other, Mary

! i ilc ling most of the talking, as usual. "How's Mamma feel-

-.lic asked.

In- had to rest awhile following the noon meal," Leah

"I, "but she was back up again before supper and had

II ;i right nice time." Then Leah began to share the news

,uimi and Luke Bontrager's baby boy, born six days ago.

-liny Ruth asked, "I wonder who could get word about

nil's first baby to our sister?" Leah knew she meant Sadie

I uit I politely refrained from mentioning the forbidden

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name. After some discussion, none of them felt the urgem y to force the issue.

There was an awkward pause, and then Hannah spoke up, "The smithy's whole family came to our house today." She seemed eager to change the subject. "Adah and Sam sure :inan awful cute couple."

Leah nodded, eyes fixed on the sparkling tree while Mmy Ruth sat with her hands folded against the black of lu-i mourning dress and apron.

Hannah recalled Adah and Sam's wedding, where Li-:ili and Dorcas had stood up as bridesmaids, along with Adali', same-age cousin, Rachel Peachey. What a joyful day it lim I been. Leah herself had been absolutely radiant almost like .1 bride.

Suddenly Hannah felt sorry all over again for Mary Ruili, having lost her beau to death. I shouldn't have mentioned Ailtth and Sam, she thought, chagrined.

Quickly Hannah said, "If I'd known we were go in' to stop by here, I would've brought the present I made for you. Aw, that's too bad."

Leah shook her head, her hazel eyes shimmering willi tears. "The idea to surprise you popped in my head on 0111 way back from taking the birthday quilt to Deacon Stoltzfus':. wife."

"Oh jah . . . and how nice of you," Mary Ruth said, fill inc. in as both Hannah and Leah brushed tears away. "S'pose Mi-1. Stoltzfus was awful glad to have it."

"She was," Leah spoke up. "I hope it brought some cluvi to the house, 'cause it was awful hard seeing them ... all ol them lookin'so forlorn."

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I'I li >\v 11 id Ezra seem to you?" asked Mary Ruth. Bin- n-lcTcnce to his name sliced through Hannah's heart, jiiin'i himself a'tall," she managed to say. [Well, iind no wonder," Mary Ruth said softly. "I ran into lili In hrother Leroy the other day at Central Market in hii >wn Lancaster. He told me how worried he was. . . that h moi so sure anymore 'bout staying Amish. Feels the Lord I iiiok ;ivvay his best brother."

liny were silent for a time and then Leah said softly, II pray Ezra changes his mind and doesn't get himself

IlKil,"

I l-iuhah stiffened at her sister's words but said nothing. "I I- II need time to grieve, of course." Mary Ruth reached (I miinh's hand. "I say you're right, Leah. We'll pray." It .Hiding up, Hannah went to the Christmas tree and [I I'l-lnrc it, hoping not to hear further talk of her beau.

\f:. were dazzled by the brightness and vivid colors.

< .in ya think of stayin' on here, sister?" she asked I-. "l.ivin' with Englishers 'n' all? Can't ya make things i u'iih Hat afed come on home?" Tonight would be the

i liming for such a thing, she thought. "It's so near to i'.Unas, after all."

In' was surprised to find Mary Ruth at her side just that I'. "Jali, but it's not in my heart to leave behind my new"I laiili. It's the Lord's birthday we celebrate."

You don't need to tell us." Leah joined them beside the

plo, I 's'pose not. It's just that . . . I've opened my heart m Lord Jesus and His ways. I feel brand-new inside, truly