A Promise of Hope (21 page)

Sarah pulled Kathryn into a hug. “I thank God for my wonderful family, especially you.”

23

E
lizabeth rolled the finished whoopie pies in individual pieces of plastic wrap. She hummed her favorite hymn to herself while the swirl of Pennsylvania
Dietsch
from her daughters filled the bakery kitchen around her. She smiled to herself. This bakery had been her dream when she was a young wife. Sharing it with her daughters, granddaughters, and daughter-in-law was more than a dream come true—it was a gift from the Lord.

“How’s Sarah?” Kathryn asked. She hoisted herself up onto a stool beside Elizabeth.

“She seemed fine when I left this morning. Nancy and Katie were helping her with the
zwillingbopplin.”
Elizabeth stacked the wrapped whoopie pies in a basket in preparation for taking them out front to the counter. She then faced her daughter and wiped her hands on a rag. “I’m worried about her. I think something is bothering her. She’s been different ever since she got back from Ohio last month.” She frowned. “I think that English girl said or did something to her. I’m not happy.”

Kathryn bit her bottom lip and averted her eyes.

“What is it, Kathryn?” Elizabeth touched her shoulder. “You know something you’re not telling me.”

Her oldest daughter frowned. “I’m sorry, but I can’t betray her confidence. I couldn’t bear it if she didn’t trust me.”

“Please, Kathryn.” Elizabeth pleaded with her eyes. “Of course I have to know what’s wrong with my
dochder.”

Kathryn glanced around the kitchen.

“No one can hear you,” Elizabeth said. “They’re all baking and chatting. They have no idea what we’re discussing over here.”

“Sarah’s miserable.” Kathryn held Elizabeth’s hand as if to convince her. “Norman proposed to her, but she doesn’t love him. She feels horrible about telling him no, but it doesn’t feel right.”

Elizabeth gasped. “Norman proposed?”

“You can’t tell anyone,
Mamm.”
Kathryn’s eyes were serious.

“When did he ask?”

“The night she got home from Ohio. She was caught off guard.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I had no idea. I wish she’d told me.”

“She feels horrible about it because he said he loved her, but she doesn’t love him.” Kathryn shook her head, frowning. “She feels like she broke his heart because it may seem logical for them to marry. She said he’s a
gut
friend.”

“Why does she feel bad if she doesn’t love him? No one is forcing her to get married. She can stay with your
dat
and me for as long as she wants.”

Kathryn gave a knowing smile. “That’s not it. She loves someone else.”

“What did you say?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “Who does she love?”

Kathryn nodded. “She loves Luke.”

Elizabeth tilted her head in surprise. “Are you sure?”

Kathryn nodded again. “She’s miserable over it. She said she can’t stop thinking about him, and she feels horrible about the argument they had the night before he left.”

Cupping a hand to her mouth, Elizabeth lowered herself onto a stool. “I feel wretched for not knowing this about my own
dochder.
How could I not know she’s been suffering?”

“It’s not your fault,
Mamm.”
Kathryn placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m just telling you so you can help her. She listens to you and looks up to you. I’m worried she’s going to sink into a deep black hole in her heart. She’s finally accepted Peter’s past, which is
wunderbaar
and healthy for her. She can move on with her life now, but she’s stuck because she thinks Luke hates her.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I hope I can help her.”

“Just listen to her.” Kathryn put her hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Please listen and really hear what she has to say.”

Elizabeth nodded. She would do anything to help her youngest daughter find happiness again.

Later that evening, Elizabeth found Sarah propped up in bed reading her Bible. Glancing up, Sarah smiled, and Elizabeth’s heart warmed with hope. Maybe Kathryn was wrong, and Sarah was okay.

“Hi,
Mamm.”
Sarah set her Bible down. “How are things at the bakery?”

“Gut.”
Elizabeth lowered herself onto the edge of the bed, which creaked under her weight. “The question is how are you?” She patted Sarah’s hand.

Sarah shrugged. “All right. Just tired.” She covered her mouth and yawned. Nodding in the direction of the nursery, she grinned. “They’ve been active today. They’re wearing me, Nancy, and Katie out. I’m thankful they’re sleeping now so I can spend some time with the Scriptures.”

“I’m glad you had a
gut
day. The girls seem to like coming here to help you.”

“We have a
gut
time together.” Sarah glanced toward the window with a faraway expression. She looked as if she were a million miles away.

“What’s on your mind, Sarah Rose?” Elizabeth asked. “You seem to be preoccupied.”

Blinking, her youngest daughter met her gaze. “How do you know what God wants for you? How do you know if you’re on the right path?”

Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “You follow your heart and listen to what it tells you. Sarah Rose, what’s really bothering you? You’ve been different since you came home from Ohio.”

Sarah hesitated.

“Is something wrong?” Elizabeth searched her eyes, wondering if Kathryn’s assessment was correct. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Sarah took a deep breath and then shook her head.

Elizabeth studied her daughter’s eyes. Was she lying? Did she really love Luke?

“Sarah Rose,” Elizabeth said, holding her hands. “You can talk to me. I’m here to listen. Kathryn told me today she’s worried about you too.”

Sarah’s eyes flashed with something resembling fear and worry at the mention of Kathryn’s name.

“If something is worrying you, you can tell me,” Elizabeth said. “If you don’t want to talk about it with me, then you can always open your heart to God. You know what I always say.”

“Yes,
Mamm.”
Sarah’s voice croaked with emotion. “You always tell us your favorite verse, ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’”

“That’s right.” Elizabeth smiled. “You can always pray about it.”

Sarah wiped her eyes.
“Danki.
I’ll do that.”

Elizabeth nodded, hoping Sarah would open up to her. However, Sarah settled against the pillows and didn’t speak. Elizabeth patted her daughter’s hands and stood. “You call me if you need anything.”

“Danki, Mamm.”
Sarah picked up her Bible from the end table and opened it.

Elizabeth climbed into bed later that evening and watched Eli change into his nightclothes. She’d spent all evening worrying about Sarah and contemplating Kathryn’s words. She wondered if Kathryn had been telling the truth. If so, then why hadn’t Sarah confessed her feelings for Luke?

“Sarah Rose was quiet during devotions,” Eli said, crawling into bed next to her.

She wondered if he’d read her mind. “I’m worried about her,” Elizabeth blurted before she could stop the words.

“She seems unhappy,” he said. “I’ve noticed it.” Angling himself onto his side, he fluffed the pillow before lying down facing the wall.

“Kathryn has a theory.” Elizabeth snuggled under the quilt and rubbed his back.

“Oh?”

“She insists Sarah Rose is in love with Luke. Do you think that’s possible?”

Moving onto his back, he faced her and nodded. “I watched a beautiful friendship bloom between her and Luke, and I tried to encourage him to stay.”

“What?” She gasped. “He was courting Naomi King, but you encouraged him to pursue Sarah Rose?”

“No, no, no.” He blew out a sigh. “Elizabeth, I never said that.” He reached over and patted her hands.

“First of all,” he began, “Naomi King was trying desperately to court
him,
and he was just being nice. At first I thought there might be a romance. But I could see the frustration in his eyes every time Naomi showed up—uninvited, mind you—for lunch. And yes, when he came to me and said he wanted to go home, I encouraged him to stay. I told him I could see the love in his eyes for Sarah Rose. He didn’t confirm my theory, but he also didn’t deny it. He said Sarah Rose had made her choice by harboring her anger for not telling her he was Peter’s brother when he first came, and he felt he had to leave because she didn’t love him in return.”

“Do you think they belong together?” she asked.

“If that’s what God has planned for them,
ya.”

“Norman asked Sarah to marry him.”

“He did?” In the dark Eli sounded surprised.

“She turned him down. Kathryn thinks it’s because Sarah loves Luke.”

“That could be,” Eli said.

“I just want Sarah to be happy,” Elizabeth whispered. “I want to see her smile again. It seems like she hasn’t smiled since Luke left.”

Eli’s breathing became deep and rhythmic, and she knew he’d fallen asleep. It was typical that he would nod off when she felt the urge to talk to him.

Staring up at the ceiling through the darkness, she closed her eyes and considered what Eli had said. She agreed Sarah and Luke had formed a special friendship. She had thought it was merely the bond they’d shared through their love for Peter and the twins. Were they meant to be more than relatives?

She blew out a sigh and then began to silently pray, asking God to guide Sarah’s heart to the right path.

Pound Cake

1 cup shortening

1-1/4 cups sugar

5 eggs

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs, beating well after each egg. Add flour, salt, and nutmeg. Add vanilla and beat thoroughly. Bake in greased loaf pan at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until done.

24

E
li’s conversation with Elizabeth the night before rang through his head all morning as he tried to concentrate on running the front desk, answering the phone, and taking customer orders. When Jake offered to take over, he was happy for the break. He weaved through the shop and stepped out the door to the back lot hoping to clear his mind.

Staring over the pasture, Eli contemplated his youngest child, wishing he could take away her pain. Losing Peter had been a blow to their family, but it was devastating to his sweet Sarah Rose. During Luke’s time with them, however, Eli had seen Sarah Rose’s genuine smile and heard her true laugh for the first time since Peter’s death.

Eli leaned on the fence and considered how he could help Sarah Rose through this rough time. The girl had suffered enough after losing Peter. She deserved happiness.

“Busy up front?” a voice behind him asked.

Eli turned just as Timothy came up to him.
“Ya.
Very. I needed to step out and clear my head.” He gestured back toward the shop. “How do you think production is? Jake mentioned he’s swamped. I’m thinking about trying to hire another carpenter.”

His son shrugged. “I think we’re
gut.”

“Don’t you think projects really piled up after Luke left? He was a
gut,
fast worker and a talented carpenter.”

Timothy averted his eyes. “Luke is back where he should be. The shop is fine. We can handle it.”

Eli studied his son. “Why do you look away when I mention Luke?”

“He hurt Sarah by telling her all of the stories about Peter’s past. He should’ve quit while he was ahead. I encouraged him to go back to Ohio, away from us.”

Anger boiled in Eli and his eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me you drove Luke away?”

“I didn’t drive him away, but I encouraged him to go.” Timothy folded his arms. “He lied about who he was when he first got here, and it just did more damage to Sarah, who was already in a fragile state. Besides, Sarah is going to marry Norman anyway.”

“What did you say?”

“I said Sarah and Norman are going to get married. She doesn’t need the distraction of her past around all the time when she’s going to start a new life.”

“No, they aren’t getting married,” Eli snapped. “She turned him down a month ago.”

“She did? He never told me.” Timothy grimaced. “I told Luke Sarah was going to marry Norman. They’re
gut
friends, and it just seemed like they would.”

“No wonder Luke left in such a hurry. He thought Sarah was going to marry Norman.” Eli shook his head and stalked back toward the shop, fury roaring through his veins.

“Dat!”
Timothy trotted up beside him. “Hang on.” He tried to stop Eli, but Eli yanked away and kept walking. “Let me explain. Please.”

Eli halted and glared at Timothy. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Sarah is miserable. She’s almost as distraught now as she was after Peter died.”

His son’s eyes rounded like an animal caught intruding in a pasture of crops. “If you’ll just let me explain.” His folded hands pleaded for forgiveness. “I thought Norman was going to marry her. He told me he was going to propose, and I figured they belonged together. They were good friends, and it seemed natural for them to—”

“You thought wrong.” Eli jammed a finger in Timothy’s chest. “Do us all a favor and only think for yourself. You made the choice to be alone and not court after Miriam left you, but you have no business making Sarah Rose’s decisions for her.” He left his stunned son in the parking lot while he marched through the shop to his office.

Closing and locking the door, he sank into his desk chair and wracked his brain for a solution that would make Sarah smile again.

After several minutes, an idea lit his mind like lightning illuminating the midsummer sky. He fished the piece of paper with Luke’s contact information from his jacket pocket, pulled out a notepad, grabbed a pen, and began to write a letter.

When he finished the letter, he folded it, deposited it into an envelope, and then sealed and addressed it. As he was angling a stamp in the upper corner, a soft knock sounded on the door.

“Ya?”
Eli called.

“Dat,
please let me in.” Timothy’s voice sounded humble on the other side of the door. “I need to talk to you.”

Frowning, Eli rose and unlocked the door. Wrenching it open, he glared at his son. “You better be here to apologize.”

Timothy nodded. “I am.”

Eli studied him, waiting for an explanation.

“I thought I was doing what was best for Sarah,” he said. “I wanted to protect her from enduring more pain. We all loved Peter, but seeing her suffer was the most horrific thing I’ve ever experienced.” He sighed. “She’s my baby sister, and I want her to be happy. I don’t care about what happens to me, but I want to see my siblings happy.”

Eli crossed his arms and rubbed his beard. “You had no right meddling between her and Luke. They love each other. Because of your actions, she may give up on love altogether and wind up alone.”

“That’s just it,
Dat.”
Timothy stepped into the office and leaned against the wall. “Norman loves her, and he’d be
gut
to her. I wanted to see them get together because I care about both of them. Norman is a
gut
friend, and Sarah is my sister. I thought they would make a good team since they’ve both experienced losing their spouses.”

Eli shook his head in disbelief. “But that’s not for you to decide. Sarah Rose has the right to choose her own husband.”

“I see that now. My heart was in the right place, but I was making the wrong choices. I should’ve backed off.” Timothy placed a hand on his father’s shoulder. “I messed up. What can I do now to make it right?”

Eli held up the letter and shook it. “I’m hoping this will do the trick.”

Timothy studied the address. “You wrote Luke a letter?”

“Ya.”
Eli shook a finger at him as a warning. “Do me a favor and keep this between us. You’ve already done enough damage.”

“Ya.”
Timothy nodded. “You can trust me. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“Say a prayer this works.” Eli smacked his son’s arm.

“I will,
Dat.
I will.”