Where Love Grows (35 page)

“A man from the community took Susan home after the hymn singing,” Teresa said, beaming.

“Well, that's probably a good sign,” Robby said.

“I think so too,” Susan said. “And he's nice as can be.”

Robby laughed. “You'd be the expert, right? At least that's what I always thought.”

“No, I'm definitely not an expert when it comes to love,” Susan said.

There was a brief silence, as if the conversation had played out. Then Robby said, “Can I at least tell Mom that you might come to visit sometime? I know she'd love to see you.”

“I don't know,” Susan said. “A visit might happen, but not a move. I'm home to stay.”

“Surely you still have your driver's license though? I worked too hard helping you get it to have you throw it away.”

Susan said nothing, and now Teresa was staring at her. “You still have your license, Susan? You have to get rid of it. What if someone finds out?”

“What? Is this a secret?” Robby looked perplexed. “What's wrong with having a driver's license? Like for emergencies? I think that would be wise.”

“That's because you're not Amish,” Teresa told him. “Susan is going to get rid of that thing—and quick! Aren't you, Susan?”

“
Yah
, I will,” Susan said, unsure of when she would muster up the courage to do it.

“I have some cookies to take out of the oven,” Teresa said as she disappeared into the kitchen. She returned moments later with a full plate of macaroons.

“Wow!” Robby said, taking a bite of one. “If Susan doesn't come back to work for Mom, you sure could! These are delicious.”

They all laughed at the idea even as Susan and Teresa assured Robby that neither of them would be working in his mother's bakery.

An hour later, the plate was long empty. Susan jumped to her feet after a glance at the wall clock. “I have to go. It's getting late.”

“Is this all the time I get?” Robby complained. “We just started talking.”

“Only until your next visit,” Susan said. “And next time bring your new wife.”

“Well, maybe, but it won't be on our honeymoon,” Robby said.

Susan reached up and gave him a goodbye peck on the cheek.

Teresa was staring at both of them.

What if Steve found out about this? Susan wondered. Her kissing an
Englisha
boy…even if it was only on the cheek.

“The best to you, Susan!” Robby said with a warm smile.

“And you too,” Susan said. She gave him a quick hug and then went outside. She ran across the lawn, untied her horse, and climbed into the buggy. Robby and Teresa were both waving to her from the front porch as she drove past.

It had been
gut
to see Robby again, she thought. He truly was like a brother. But things were even clearer now than before. It would never be the same if she went back to Asbury Park. Already she could tell they were drifting into separate worlds.

Driving across the bridge again, Susan looked down at the water and wondered about the future. About Steve. Were they to be man and wife someday? The question sent no thrill through her, but maybe it didn't have to. They were the same in so many ways. They both loved the farm and the community. And they liked each other as friends. Perhaps that could be the basis of their love. It would grow like a tiny seed out of the ground. It would be wonderful if this were true. Very wonderful indeed.

Susan slapped the reins. It was high time to get home. She'd already been away from her duties much too long.

O
n the following Wednesday, the roar of the silo-filling machines filled the barnyard as Susan carried a large thermos of lemonade to an open buggy. She set it, along with glasses, on the floorboards. Off to her left she could see black smoke pour out of the steel-rimmed tractor exhaust. The contraption sat a dozen feet from the silo filler, and a drive-belt connected the two.

Several of the men were standing on wagons piled high with corn sheaves. They turned to look at her, broad smiles spreading over their faces as they noticed the thermos and glasses. One of the men pulled off his hat and wiped his brow with his sleeve.

“Come and get it!” Susan hollered, her voice not rising above the racket. They would know what she said, she figured. She turned to walk back to the house when a loud clang came from the silo filler. She stopped and turned, watching as the tractor groaned and slowed. The smoke pouring out of the muffler stack was even darker than before.

“Hold off!” A man's voice rose above the noise, and someone standing on the wagon waved his hand. The steady stream of corn sheaves stopped moving. The tractor sputtered and then returned to normal strength. With another wave of the man's hand, the bundles were heaved again, each one landing heavily on the metal conveyor belt to disappear into the spinning blades of the silo filler.

Susan shivered. Silo-filling day was a glorious time of action and noise, but it was also dangerous. The men would be careful, but even so, there were often accidents.
Daett
had prayed this morning for the safety of the crew, and now Susan had an extra reason to be glad that
Da Hah
heard every prayer. Yesterday Steve had joined the crew for the first day of the fall season. Today and tomorrow he would be filling in for
Daett
, going along for the other stops. This was the first year
Daett
wouldn't be going with the crew. Steve was already fitting in so well, it almost seemed like he had always been here.

All that had been happening was a little scary. The world had almost taken on a mind of its own, and she was just along for the ride. She and Steve had only just begun seeing each other, but still…Well, she'd better not stand here gawking at the line of wagons unloading or the men would think she was a young teenager who had never seen a silo-filling day before.

Susan walked toward the house, pausing again when she saw Teresa's buggy coming down the road. James had arrived at the break of dawn with his team. He was helping to bring the sheaves in from the fields. He hadn't said anything about Teresa coming, but it was wonderful that Teresa had taken it into her head to arrive, hopefully for the entire day. The buggy rolled into the driveway, and Susan went to help unhitch. Samuel was sitting beside his
mamm
on the buggy, all dressed up in a new pair of pants with suspenders.

“
Gut
morning, little fellow,” Susan said, sticking her head inside the buggy to pat Samuel on the legs. He looked amused even with all the racket coming from the barnyard.

Teresa was staring at the workers. “I still can't believe it. Even after I saw this last year. It's such a glorious mess.”

“It's silo-filling time. That's how it's done.”

Teresa was still staring at the sight when she climbed out to undo her side of the tugs.

“I'll take your horse to the barn,” Susan offered, leaving Teresa standing beside the buggy. Turning the horse loose in one of the stalls, Susan threw a small bundle of hay into the manger. When she went back outside, Teresa was still standing beside the buggy with baby Samuel in her arms, her face pained. “It looks so very dangerous. And James is in there somewhere.”

“
Yah
, but the men are careful. Steve is out there too.”

Teresa's glance went down the long row of wagons.

“He's used to it.” Susan assured her.

“
Da Hah
protect him…and Steve,” Teresa whispered.

Susan took her elbow and led her toward the house. “They'll be okay,” Susan said again.

Teresa continued looking over her shoulder. “I can't see James.”

“Let's pray right now.” Susan stopped to hold Teresa's hand. Why was this fear also rising in her heart? The men worked around these machines all the time, and they were very careful. Still, it would be
gut
to pray.

Teresa bowed her head and prayed out loud. “O dear
Da Hah
, watch over all the men today as they work so hard. Keep them safe—especially my dear James and Susan's Steve. I don't want to be selfish, but I do so love James. I don't know how I could live without him.”

Susan waited until Teresa lifted her bowed head and was ready to move on. As they went to the house, baby Samuel peered back over Teresa's shoulder at the men. Susan glanced back and saw that they were now gathered around the lemonade. As the two women came up the porch steps,
Mamm
opened the front door. “
Ach
, Teresa, it's
gut
to see you again. But you didn't have to come to work in the kitchen. Betsy and Ada are due any time.”

“I couldn't stay away,” Teresa said. “I had to see what filling the silo looks like close-up. And from what I can see, it's dangerous and exciting at the same time.”

“That it is,”
Mamm
agreed as another buggy pulled into the driveway. “Here are Betsy and Ada now.”

“They can unhitch by themselves,” Susan said when Teresa looked toward the buggy.

“So I get special treatment? Is that it?”

“You'll always get special treatment around here!” Susan held the front door for Teresa. Once inside, Samuel kicked his legs and reached for the toys
Mamm
must have spread on the floor as soon as she saw Teresa's buggy. Teresa set Samuel down and checked his diaper. She scrunched up her face.

Susan laughed. “We'll be in the kitchen when you're done. You know your way around upstairs.” In the kitchen Susan got busy. Kettles of peeled potatoes, still steaming, were set on the table after the hot water was poured out. Susan separated them into smaller bowls and began mashing them. Teresa appeared again moments before Betsy and Ada entered the house.

“
Gut
morning, Samuel!” they cooed, their voices reaching into the kitchen.

“Come in and help us!” Susan hollered.

Both women huffed in exasperation and were taking off their shawls as they came in.

“Look who's sitting down and yelling at us to come work,” Betsy teased.

“She's always been that way,” Ada added. “She can't help herself.”

“Would someone be nice to me this morning?” Susan said with a laugh. “Or did you two climb out of the wrong side of the bed?”

“If things were that easy to fix, I'd go home and climb out the other side, I do declare!” Betsy said. “Joel started today with his first cold of the season, and Mary looks ready to join him. Thankfully they were still well enough for school today, as I would hate to have missed
Daett
's silo filling.”

“Then get busy and work your blues out on these potatoes,” Susan ordered. “There are two kettles to go, and my arms will soon be ready to fall off.”

“My, my! Look who's snappy this morning,” Ada said.

“
Yah
,” Betsy said. “Susan should be in a
gut
mood from what I hear. Ding, ding, ding, wedding bells are ringing. Looks like the girl's finally settling down.”

“So is this finally it, Susan?” Ada teased.

“Stop tormenting me!” Susan snapped. “Steve only brought me home once.”

“Now who crawled out of the wrong side of the bed?” Betsy chided.

“Do stop bugging her,”
Mamm
ordered as she came up from the basement. “Let
Da Hah
work things out in His own
gut
time. We're all glad Susan is patiently sticking things out the way she is.”

“I have to agree,” Ada said. “I've seen a lot of maturity in Susan lately. She's even joined the baptismal class, which was highly overdue in my opinion.”

“Do you want me leaving for Asbury Park again? I can, you know,” Susan warned.

Betsy and Ada looked at each other, raising their eyebrows.

“She won't go!” Teresa asserted. “She's just threatening. Susan's heart is here with us.”