The Amish Christmas Sleigh (24 page)

She wiped her eyes. She hadn't liked adding to his sadness. She traveled home, guided her horse to the barn, removed the saddle, and fed him. She sighed. She could now put the unpleasant task of delivering her news to Daniel behind her and look forward to a future with Luke. What would marriage to Luke be like? Would they live in his haus or hers? There were so many things for them to discuss.

Entering her haus, she paused. Memories spun. Aaron reading his Holy Bible in his favorite chair, the kinner sitting on his lap, and their quiet evenings together as a couple after Josiah and Beth had gone to sleep. Aaron would always hold a special place in her heart, but she was ready to move on.

She pumped water into two tubs, added soap to one, and washed, then rinsed clothes. She strung a thick string across the room in front of the fire and hung them to dry. She grinned. It would be hard to wait until Christmas to tell her and Luke's news. Should she tell Mamm beforehand? No, she wouldn't want to ruin the surprise.

The next day, Luke joined them for supper. She reached for the potatoes.

Luke raked a hand through his hair. “How did Mr. Young take your news?”

She inhaled, then exhaled. “Josiah, Beth, if you're finished, you can be excused. I'll wash the dishes tonight.”

Josiah and Beth went in the other room and called for Star.

She slumped in the chair. “He was sad and upset but gracious and kind. My heart sank for him. He is a gut man and has suffered so much heartache this past year. I didn't want to add to it, but I had no choice. I told him you proposed to me and asked him to keep our secret. He said he would.”

“Would you like it if I talked to him?”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Yes, I would. I don't want to run into him at our church services and have things be awkward between us. I would like the kinner to play together as usual. If he needs anything, I would want him to ask us for help.”

“I agree. I'll take care of it.”

“Danki, Luke. I would really appreciate it.”

“Anything for you.”

C
HAPTER
6

L
uke grabbed his coat and put it on, walking out the door. Charity had a compassionate heart. Her wrinkled brow told him she was worried about Daniel. He wanted to eliminate any distress she had over rejecting the man's proposal.

He paused as he readied his horse and rode to Daniel Young's haus. How he handled this was important. Charity respected him. He tied his horse to the hitching post out front and rapped hard on the door.

Mr. Young swung it open. “Luke, I'm surprised to find you here. Please come in.”

He removed his hat and stepped inside. “I won't stay long.”

The kinner rushed to him. His heart flip-flopped. Their clothes were stained and wrinkled.

Sweet faces stared at him. “Will you play with us?”

He tousled the little maedel's curly black hair and grinned at the five other little ones surrounding her. “I'm sorry. I don't have time. I must have a word with your daed and be on my way.”

Daniel hugged her. “Go play, and when Mr. Fisher leaves, I'll read you a story.”

The kinner waved and scampered off.

“Let me take your coat.”

“I'll keep my coat on. I should head home soon.”

Daniel gestured to an oversized oak chair. “Please sit. Would you like hot coffee? I made a pot earlier.”

Luke waved a dismissive hand. “No, danki. You have beautiful kinner.”

Daniel sat across from him and nodded his head. “Before their mamm got sick, she cooked, cleaned, and tended to me and the kinner. I loved her very much. I miss her.” He paused. “Charity was the first woman I considered for a fraa. She's a strong but kind woman. You're blessed to have her say yes to your proposal.”

“She's an exceptional woman. I'm thankful she's agreed to marry me, but I don't delight in your disappointment. We don't want any awkwardness between us. Josiah and Beth enjoy your kinner, and we'd like them to still play together.”

Daniel glanced at the kinner playing a game on the floor. “I appreciate your concern, and your visit erases any awkwardness. Danki.”

“Gut. Please don't hesitate to ask for our help for whatever you may need.” He stood and stretched out his arm.

Daniel shook his hand. “Charity will be blessed to have you for a husband. You're a kind man to have come here today. I've gained a new friend.”

Luke bid him and the kinner farewell and guided his horse to Charity's haus. What would it be like to find himself in Daniel's position? He shivered. He couldn't imagine losing Charity. Daniel Young had a rough road ahead of him. Luke secured his horse and went inside. The kinner sat on the floor in the sitting room playing tiddledywinks, and Star rested between them. “Who's winning?”

Josiah raised his hand. “Me!”

Beth said, “The game's not over yet.”

Charity waved him over. “Luke, come in the kitchen.”

Luke reached for her hand. “Please sit.”

She leaned forward, her eyes full of worry. “How is he?”

“Everything's all right.”

“What a relief.” She blew out a breath.

“He appreciated the visit. I'm certain he'll speak to us at church services and community dinners with ease. He and I had a nice chat. I admire and respect him. He's doing the best he can under difficult circumstances.”

“It was thoughtful of you to visit him for me.”

“Now we can put this to rest and plan our own future.”

 

Charity crossed off the day on her calendar. Three and a half weeks had passed since Luke had proposed. One more day, and she could tell her family their news. She poured hot tea in a mug, then bit into a biscuit. Soon they would all live together, and she'd no longer have to bid him farewell each evening. She looked forward to referring to him as her husband. What had his fraa done for him when they were married? What were his expectations?

Later after supper, Luke visited and read Josiah and Beth their favorite story about Jonah and the big fish, tucked them in bed, and then joined her in the sitting room. “It's getting late. I'd better go.”

She patted the spot on the settee next to her. “Sit here for a minute.”

He sat. “Is anything wrong? Your furrowed eyebrows and frown say jah.”

Charity fingered the corner of her apron. “I have unanswered questions.”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Where will we live after we're married? What are your expectations of me?”

“My haus is larger. Wouldn't you want to live there? I have extra rooms for Josiah and Beth.” He frowned. “Would you be sad to leave your haus?”

“I'm a little sad but ready to start life anew.” She darted her eyes from the fireplace to her favorite chair. “Would we sell my haus? My furniture?” She swallowed. She wasn't sure she could watch someone take over her haus right away. She liked Luke's furniture. They wouldn't need two of everything. He had beds and dressers for the kinner.

“Jah, it wouldn't do any gut to have the haus sit empty. I'm certain we could sell your furniture, too. There are always young couples getting married who'd need it. The haus would be a burden for you to keep clean. We'll save the money we earn from the sale and agree on how to spend it.”

“The money doesn't bother me.” Of course he was right. She hadn't thought of the extra work it would entail. Again, he was thinking of her. Their life would change when she became his fraa. She relaxed. “I agree. It would be silly to keep it all, but do you mind if I bring my favorite chair with me?”

“Charity, you can bring whatever you like.”

She leaned forward. “What are your expectations of me?”

“You'll choose what you want to do. My goal is to make you and the kinner happy and secure.”

“Do you want more kinner?” She'd wanted more kinner, but she hadn't gotten pregnant again. She hadn't yet put a number to the idea.

“Jah, I would like to have more kinner. Two more bopplin?”

“I agree.” He couldn't have said anything more perfect. “Two would be gut. Danki for putting my mind at ease. Please understand, I trust you, but living in your haus and as your wife will be different from what we're used to.” She stared at her hands. “I don't want to disappoint you.”

He lifted her chin and met her eyes. “You have nothing to worry about.”

He stood and she followed him to the door. “You get a gut night's sleep. We have a big day tomorrow, and I've got surprises for you.” He leaned in and kissed her.

A thrill of excitement went from her head to her toes. She was ready more than ever to marry him. It would be their first Christmas together. She watched him leave. What kind of surprises would he have in store for her?

The next afternoon, she walked to Mamm's. She sat mending socks. “I've got news.”

“Is it gut news?”

“Yes. I told Daniel Young I'm not going to marry him.”

Mamm's eyes twinkled. She rocked back and forth in her rocker. “I'm delighted. You've made the right choice. Now I can't wait to see what God has in store for you and Luke.”

Charity covered her grin. She wanted to blurt out their secret, but she could wait one more day. Mamm might consider it her best present and an unexpected Christmas blessing.

Luke rose at four on Christmas morning, prepared the turkey, and put it in the wood oven. Shrugging on his coat and hat, he crossed the yard to the barn to put his final touches on his present for the entire family.

Star followed him outside.

He'd thought he'd have trouble hiding it from the kinner, but the cover on his surprise hadn't been disturbed. He grinned. If Josiah or Beth had peeked, they wouldn't have been able to keep it a secret this long.

After he put his tools away, he went back inside and studied the hearth. He counted the gifts wrapped in sackcloth and twine arranged neatly for Charity, the kinner, and her mamm. He'd enjoy watching their faces when they opened their gifts, learned their news, and uncovered his big surprise.

It wouldn't be long before his new family arrived. He grinned from ear to ear. Never would he have imagined meeting and loving such a beautiful woman, her kind mamm, and her sweet kinner.

Knock, knock.
He glanced at the wooden clock. It was eight.

He grinned and yelled, “Come on in.”

Josiah and Beth pushed opened the door, carrying gifts. They said in unison, “Merry Christmas, Luke!”

Star wagged his tail and barked.

The kinner petted him.

Charity put her basket on the table and gazed at Luke. “Merry Christmas.”

Mrs. Vogel followed close behind. “Merry Christmas.”

Luke threw a dish towel over his shoulder. “Merry Christmas to all of you.”

Beth held up her items. “Where should I put these?”

“Add them to the ones next to the hearth.”

Josiah's eyes widened. “Are those for us?”

Beth tapped a finger on her lips. “Which present is mine?”

“Kinner, remember, Christmas isn't about the gifts. We're celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday. Take off your coats, hang them up, and help set the table.” Charity shook her head. “They got up at the crack of dawn and have been bouncing on their toes all morning.”

“I remember eyeballing the presents next to the hearth as a child. I'm glad they're excited. I am, too.” He winked. “Especially this Christmas.”

“Me, too.”

Mrs. Vogel lifted dishes of potatoes and green beans out of the basket and placed them on the stovetop.

Luke smiled at the kinner's cheerful faces. Christmas this year would be full of excitement having kinner in the haus. The announcement of their news to marry hung on his tongue. He stifled the urge to blurt it out right now. He lifted his Holy Bible from a small table next to his favorite chair. “Are you ready to read the story of Christ's birth?”

Wrinkling his nose, Josiah tugged at Charity's hand. “May we open our presents first?”

“No. This is in celebration of Jesus Christ's birthday. We must honor Him first.”

“All right.” Josiah gazed at Luke. “Will you read the story, Luke?”

He eyed Charity, smiling at him, and winked. “I'd be happy to.” He flipped the pages. “Here's the book of Luke, chapter two.” He held it up, then pushed his back into the settee.

Charity and Mrs. Vogel settled into chairs, and the kinner sat close to Luke on the floor. Flames flickered in the fireplace, the air warm.

Luke read the familiar words he'd read so often. He stole glances now and then at the attentive kinner. Their eyes were wide open. Obedient and gut listeners, he loved reading to them. He never tired of reading the story of Jesus' birth.

He finished, and Josiah stood and went to Charity. “May I pray first?”

Charity tousled his hair. “Of course you may.”

Josiah returned to the floor next to Beth and bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for falling asleep before I finished my prayer last night and for not washing my hands before dinner like Mamm asked. Danki for Mamm, Grossmudder, Luke, Beth, and Star. Danki for Jesus and for our presents. Would You please give us Luke for our daed this year? Beth and I would really, really appreciate it. I love You. Amen.”

Luke peeked at Charity when Josiah finished his prayer and winked.

She smiled and shut her eyes.

Luke listened to each of their individual heartfelt prayers to God, and his love grew for each one of them. Then he rubbed his hands together and pointed to a large package on the floor next to the fireplace. “Josiah, this is to you from me. Why don't you open it?”

Josiah untied the twine and burlap covering the gift. He hugged Luke's neck. “Danki, Luke! I love it! I love it!” He lifted the handle and pulled the brand-new, handcrafted pinewood wagon over to Charity. “Isn't it the best wagon you ever laid eyes on, Mamm?”

“Yes, it is, Josiah. Luke spent a lot of time on this for you. You should hug him again.”

Josiah scampered over to Luke, and Luke pulled him into his arms. “You're wilkom.”

Beth ran her hand along the side of the smooth wood. “Josiah, will you let me take my dolls for a ride in it?”

He puffed out his chest and grinned. “Of course, and you can take me for a ride in it, too.”

They laughed.

Luke handed Beth a box. Beth lifted the lid, and her mouth opened wide in surprise. “Mamm, I won't have to ask to use your sewing box anymore!” She kissed his cheek. “Danki, Luke.” She held it in her lap and ran her hand over the smooth finish.