A Sister's Test (2 page)

“Luke was fired, and you know it.”

“That was only because he didn’t see eye to eye with Dad on everything.”

Mom squinted at Martha. “Luke came to work late on several occasions, and he thought he knew more than your daed about things. And don’t forget about those sunglasses of Luke’s that were found near my clothesline after it had been cut.”

Martha stared down at the table. “That doesn’t prove he cut the line.”

“Toby says Luke’s been acting strange for several months,” Sadie put in. “He thinks Luke hasn’t been right in the head since he started running with some rowdy English fellows.”

Ruth was glad Luke’s mother hadn’t come today. It wouldn’t be good for her to hear such talk about her son. In fact, she didn’t think they should be having this conversation, especially not in front of Donna Larson.

Martha shot Sadie an exasperated look. “You can tell your boyfriend that
he’s
done some strange things, too. Does that make
him
a suspect?”

Sadie opened her mouth as if to comment, but Cleon’s mother spoke first. “It’s not our place to judge Luke or anyone else. It might be good if we change the subject.”

“I agree.” Ruth headed back to the refrigerator for a pitcher of lemonade. “I’m taking this outside. If some of you would like to bring out the coffee and cookies, I’m sure the men would appreciate it.”

As Martin waited on the porch swing for Ruth, he thought about her near mishap with the hammer and thanked God that she hadn’t been hurt. He’d had an interest in Ruth for a long time—ever since they were children. Even back then, he thought she was beautiful, with her dark brown hair and matching eyes, not to mention her gentle, sweet spirit. During their teen years, when they’d first started attending singings and other young people’s functions, he’d been too shy to ask if he could give her a ride home in his buggy. Then Luke Friesen began courting Ruth, and Martin figured his chances were nil. Now that Luke was out of the picture, Martin hoped he might be able to win Ruth’s heart.

“What’s the matter, Martin? Did you get tired of crawling around on the roof?” Abe Wengerd asked as he clomped up the steps to the back porch.

Martin motioned to the house. “I came here to help Ruth get something to drink for the workers.”

Abe glanced around, then tipped his head in Martin’s direction. “Don’t see any sign of Ruth. Looks to me like you’re taking a break.”

Martin chuckled. “Guess I am at that. But just until Ruth returns from the kitchen.”

“How come you didn’t go in with her?”

“Figured I’d only be in the way.” Martin’s cheeks warmed. “Besides, she asked me to wait out here.”

“Reminds me of the way my Alma used to be.” Abe reached under his straw hat and pulled his fingers through the ends of his unruly reddish-brown hair. “That woman could get me to do most anything.” A shadow crossed his face as he stared down at his boots. “Sure do miss her.”

Martin couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Abe, losing his wife after she was struck by a lightning bolt. Now the poor fellow had six children to raise on his own. Martin wondered whether Abe would marry again—and if so, whether it would be for love or so his children could have a mother.

“Did you come up to the house for a particular reason or just to see if I was loafing off?” Martin asked.

Abe leaned against the porch railing. “From what I’ve seen of your work habits at the harness shop, I’m convinced you’re not the kind to loaf around.” He nodded toward the back door. “In answer to your question, I was heading in to use the facilities.”

“What’s wrong with the portable outhouses that were put up for the workers to use?” Roman Hostettler asked as he stepped onto the porch. “Are they too smelly for your sensitive nose?” He snickered and bumped Abe’s arm with his elbow.

Abe nudged him right back. “They were both in use. I figured you wouldn’t mind if I used the one inside.”

“Don’t mind at all.” Roman pushed the screen door open. “Go right on in.”

When Abe disappeared into the house, Roman flopped into one of the wicker chairs that sat near the swing and fanned his damp face with the brim of his hat. “Sure has turned into a warm day, jah?”

Martin nodded. “That’s why Ruth went into the house to get something cold to drink. As soon as she comes back, we’ll take it to the workers.”

“It’s nice of you to want to help,” Roman said with a sly-looking smile. His brown eyes twinkled, as though he knew Martin’s secret.

Martin’s ears burned with embarrassment. Did Ruth’s dad know how much he cared for his daughter? Would Roman approve of his courting Ruth? He was tempted to ask but decided to bring up another subject instead. “Did you see that hammer fly off the roof a while ago?”

“Sure didn’t. Did anyone get hurt?”

“No, but the hammer almost hit Ruth.”

Roman’s dark bushy eyebrows drew together. “How’d it happen?”

“It was Luke’s hammer. He said it slipped out of his hand.”

“Humph! As much training as that fellow’s had using a hammer,
he shouldn’t be losing his grip. That was just plain careless.” Roman’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at the place behind his house where the section of property he’d given Cleon lay. “I never invited Luke to this work frolic. If I’d had my way, he wouldn’t have come.”

“Who invited him?”

“Cleon. He invited Luke and his English boss, John Peterson. Guess he wanted all able-bodied carpenters to help so we could get the job done quicker.”

“Even so, if he knew you didn’t want Luke invited—”

“Since it’s Cleon and Grace’s house, I didn’t think I had the right to say who could help and who couldn’t.” The scowl on Roman’s face was enough to curdle fresh goat’s milk. “Now that I know one of my daughters could have been injured because of Luke’s carelessness, I have a right to say what’s on my mind.” He stood and pivoted toward the porch steps.

“Where are you going?”

“To send Luke Friesen home!”

A
s Ruth neared the back door with a jug of iced tea and a pitcher of lemonade in each hand, she almost collided with Abe Wengerd, who had just entered the house.

“Ach, sorry. I didn’t know anyone was there.” His face had turned nearly as red as his hair.

“No harm was done.” Ruth took a step back, being careful not to spill the beverages. “How are your
kinner
doing? I assume they’re home with your sister today?”

Abe nodded. “They’re getting along okay with Sue, but they still miss their
mamm
. That’s especially true with Esta. She seems to be taking Alma’s death harder than the others.” He smiled, but it appeared to be forced. “I appreciate the kindness you showed Esta on the day of Alma’s funeral.”

As Ruth thought about that sorrowful day, she remembered her promise to buy Esta one of Martha’s puppies. “Esta seemed interested in having one of my sister’s
hundlin
. Would that be all right with you?”

Abe’s forehead wrinkled. “I can’t afford to buy any pedigree dogs right now.”

“Oh no. I was planning to buy the dog for Esta.”

The lines in his forehead deepened. “Why would you do that?”

“I thought having a puppy to care for would be good for Esta. It might help her deal with losing her mamm better if she had a dog to take her mind off her grief.”

Abe compressed his lips, mulling the offer over. Finally, he nodded. “Jah, okay, but she’ll have to be responsible for the
hundli
. My older
kinner already have critters to care for, so they won’t have time to baby-sit hers.”

“I’ll make that clear to Esta when I bring the puppy over.” Ruth smiled. “Would tomorrow be a good time, since it’s an off-Sunday from church?”

Abe nodded. “That’ll be fine.”

“I’ll be over sometime before noon.” Ruth moved toward the door again. “I’d better get these cold drinks out to the men.”

Abe held the door, and Ruth stepped outside. Martin was sitting on the porch swing, and her heart skipped a beat when he smiled at her.

“What took you so long?” he asked.

“I was on my way out when Abe Wengerd came into the house. I asked if it would be okay with him if I brought one of my sister’s puppies over to his house tomorrow. I’m buying it for Esta.”

“That’s real nice of you.” Martin stood and reached for the jug of iced tea. “Let me carry that for you.”

“Danki.”

As they walked up the driveway leading to Cleon and Grace’s new house, Martin commented on the unseasonably warm spring weather they were having.

Ruth nodded. “I hope it’s not a sign that summer will be hot and dry.”

“Never know what the weather will bring.”

As they neared the house, he stopped and turned to face her. “Say, I was wondering. . .”

She tipped her head. “What were you wondering?”

“Would you mind me going with you when you take the puppy to Esta? It would give us a chance to spend some time together.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Maybe afterward, we can drive over to the pond near Abe’s place and see if the fish are jumping.”

“I’d like that,” she said as they began walking again.

When they reached the work site, the crisp scent of wood being sawed mingled with the acidic aroma of sweaty bodies, and Ruth knew the men were in need of a break. She set the jug of lemonade on
a piece of plywood that had been placed over some sawhorses, and Martin did the same with the iced tea.

“Guess I’ll have a glass of lemonade and then get back to work,” he said.

“Aren’t you going to take a break with the other men?”

“I took my break while I was waiting for you on the porch.” Martin gave her a heart-melting smile and headed toward the house.

Martha and Sadie showed up with a tray of cookies and a pot of coffee. Ruth motioned Martha to one side. “Can I speak to you a minute?”

“Jah, sure. What’s up?”

“I’d like to buy one of Heidi’s hundlin.”

Martha’s eyebrows lifted. “I never thought you’d want to buy one of my puppies.”

“The puppy’s not for me; it’s for Esta Wengerd. I thought it might help her deal with her mamm’s death a little better.”

“Then I should just give her a pup.”

Ruth shook her head. “You’re trying to build up your business so you can buy more dogs for breeding. I insist on paying for the puppy.”

“You’re a good sister and a good friend to little Esta.” Martha gave Ruth a hug. “When did you plan to take the puppy to her?”

“Since tomorrow’s an off-Sunday, I thought I’d head over to the Wengerds’ sometime after breakfast.”

Martha smiled. “Sounds good to me. I’ll have the puppy ready for you then.”

“Guess I’ll go back to our place now and see what Mom has for me to do.”

“Sadie and I will serve the men their snacks, then we’ll come back to the house to help get lunch ready to serve.”

When Ruth returned to the house, she found Grace and Mom sitting at the table, drinking lemonade. “I figured you’d be making sandwiches by now,” she said.

Mom smiled. “They’re already made, and since the rest of the women have gone outside to either check on their kinner or see how things are going with the house, Grace and I decided to take a break.”

“Guess I will, too, then.” Ruth pulled out a chair and sat down. “I’ll be taking one of Martha’s puppies over to Esta Wengerd tomorrow, so I hope you haven’t made any plans that will include me.”

Mom shook her head. “Your daed and I thought we would visit my sister, Clara, but there’s no need for you to go along.”

“If you’re goin’ to see Esta, can I go, too?”

Ruth turned at the sound of Anna’s voice. She hadn’t realized her six-year-old niece had come into the room. The child’s vivid blue eyes were wide with expectation, while a wisp of dark-colored hair peeked out of her
kapp
and curled around her ear. Not since before the fire had Ruth seen Grace’s daughter looking so enthused. There was no way she could say no to Anna’s request. “If it’s all right with your mamm, you can ride along,” she told the child.

Anna hurried to her mother’s side. “Can I go with Aunt Ruth to see Esta?”

Grace nodded and gave her daughter a hug. “It’s fine with me.”

Ruth thought about Martin’s offer to drive her over to Abe’s place and wondered how he would feel about Anna tagging along. It meant they wouldn’t get to spend time alone, but she hoped he would understand.