Abram's Daughters: The Betrayal Part 4

e a e r L ij lu J2t a bit, then straightened. "I just thought ... well, that maybe Elias might change your thinkin', ya know. Maybe he'd niiikt* a difference in your future somehow."

Fact was, Elias had begun to upset the fruit basket. The more she ran into him at Preaching and whatnot, and the more she talked with him even briefly, the more she liked him. A lot ... truth be told. It was like stepping barefool mi a nettle, seeing it tear away at the flesh of enthusiasm ;nnl desire. If she gave in to her attraction to him, and his to lu'i, it wouldn't be but a few years and she'd be riding home from Sunday singings with him. He'd end up courting her ... and then what? What if the same enormous hunger for booki showed up in one or more of their children? Such a thing would bring heartache to both her and Elias's families. A No, she thought it best to nip her romantic interest in ilnl bud, refuse his attention for the sake of her own ambit it nil She knew she was born to be a schoolteacher. In short, s.h.i.+l could not deprive herself of the one true thing that mattvinl most to her on G.o.d's green earth. , . : I -+-.

When they arrived home, the sky had turned dark wit h threatening clouds. "It'll soon be makin' down," she s;ikl, working with Hannah to unhitch the horse from the buggy, "A nice rain would help the crops," Hannah said, drawing in her breath loudly enough for Mary Ruth to hear. "Should I run inside and see where Mamma might be just now?"

Mary Ruth nodded, noting the look of dire concern on 67Tke betrayal pt' frtce. "Jah, go have a look-see. Meanwhile, I'll water Li! lh horse."

BiHwh strolled down to the house, calm as you please, 1 rt Jiffy she returned with a big smile on her face. pin'if nursin' Lydiann upstairs," she whispered. "Best Lw,"

Vh.o.r.e'H Dat, do you think?"

wiiiuh had a ready answer. "Both Dat and Leah are out B1 I In-pasture, bringin' home the cows for milkin'."

Llul Sadie?"

lltM'i mind her," Hannah replied, shaking her head.

I nowhere round that I saw. Besides, she would hardly Liw V I'onlident as can be, Mary Ruth carried all seven books tin-barnyard and into the house. Hannah led the way, Hi: buck at her every now and then as they hurried bh i he empty kitchen and up the long flight of stairs, hi < in="" their="" bedroom="" mary="" ruth="" separated="" the="" books="" i="">i down on her hands and knees, pus.h.i.+ng a group of hen three clear under the bed, far as she could reach. flu-re," she said, rising up, "who's goin' to look that far the bed?"

Ifler supper Mary Ruth headed out toward the back I. On the edge of dusk, the evening was still light enough It lo go walking. But on second thought she decided to ing in the hayloft a bit. The long rope hung high on the

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Lu J2e rafters as a constant reminder of happy childhood days, and it was easy to ponder one's life out there amidst baled hay and weary animals moving slowly in the warm, dusty stable below. The mouse catchers were sure to keep her company, too.

On the way to the barn, she spotted Dat and Gideon talking in the cornfield. Dat placed his hand on Gid's shoulder for a time, thanking him, no doubt, for his afternoon help.

Dat's reeling in the smithy's son closer all the time, she thought. She was almost certain her father had a trick or two up his sleeve yet. But if that was true, he sure didn't have much time left to botch Leah's plans to marry Jonas Mast.

Besides that, if Dat did not succeed in getting Leah's eyes on Gid, something would have to give with farm ch.o.r.es when the time came for Leah and Jonas to set up housekeeping. Dat would definitely have to hire someone nearly full-time more than likely Gid Peachy. But what a thorn in the side to poor Dat, who preferred to have Gid as his son-in-law, not as a hired hand. She could tell by the look on her father's ruddy face that he was much too partial to Smithy Gid, the way he spoke kindly of the brawny young man used to be in Leah's hearing which he didn't do so much anymore.

Still, she couldn't help feeling Dat just might keep Leah from marrying the boy she loved, one way or another. Mary Ruth clenched her jaw at the very notion, wis.h.i.+ng she and her sisters weren't so hog-tied around here.

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- - -n-4- & -*- I &1 &1* fr-n- JTriday dawned much cooler, and Abram, Ida, and the girls were grateful for the relief. While Mary Ruth took her turn lending the vegetable stand out front, Leah, Sadie, and Hannah weeded the enormous vegetable garden, spraying for Insects so the family, not the bugs, could reap the benefit of (heir labors.

Leah worked tirelessly for hours, harvesting summer .squash, carrots, peppers, and pounds of cuc.u.mbers. They'd already put up a bounty of pickles, both sweet and dill, and Mamma suggested they take even more cuc.u.mbers out to the roadside stand to sell. "Or give 'em away if you have to."

While doing her backbreaking gardening, Leah intentionally forced her thoughts away from Sadie to the inviting spot In the forest. The mental picture was even more delightful because Sadie and she were at odds terribly so. And now that she'd stuck her foot in her mouth over Naomi's wedding request, well, Leah was at a loss to know what to say or do next.

All morning she suffered troublesome feelings toward her

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JLs e W> I ; rafters as a constant reminder of happy childhood days, and it was easy to ponder one's life out there amidst baled hay and weary animals moving slowly in the warm, dusty stable below. The mouse catchers were sure to keep her company, too.

On the way to the barn, she spotted Dat and Gideon talking in the cornfield. Dat placed his hand on Gid's shoulder for a time, thanking him, no doubt, for his afternoon help.

Dat's reeling in the smithy's son closer all the time, she thought. She was almost certain her father had a trick or two up his sleeve yet. But if that was true, he sure didn't have much time left to botch Leah's plans to marry Jonas Mast.

Besides that, if Dat did not succeed in getting Leah's eyes on Gid, something would have to give with farm ch.o.r.es when the time came for Leah and Jonas to set up housekeeping. Dat would definitely have to hire someone nearly full-time more than likely Gid Peachy. But what a thorn in the side to poor Dat, who preferred to have Gid as his son-in-law, not as a hired hand. She could tell by the look on her father's ruddy face that he was much too partial to Smithy Gid, the way he spoke kindly of the brawny young man used to be in Leah's hearing which he didn't do so much anymore.

Still, she couldn't help feeling Dat just might keep Leah from marrying the boy she loved, one way or another. Mary Ruth clenched her jaw at the very notion, wis.h.i.+ng she and her sisters weren't so hog-tied around here.

69- -*'^^"t- - fr-tV I riday dawned much cooler, and Abram, Ida, and the girls were grateful for the relief. While Mary Ruth took her turn lending the vegetable stand out front, Leah, Sadie, and Hannah weeded the enormous vegetable garden, spraying for Insects so the family, not the bugs, could reap the benefit of their labors.

Leah worked tirelessly for hours, harvesting summer squash, carrots, peppers, and pounds of cuc.u.mbers. They'd ulready put up a bounty of pickles, both sweet and dill, and Mamma suggested they take even more cuc.u.mbers out to the roadside stand to sell. "Or give 'em away if you have to."

While doing her backbreaking gardening, Leah intentionally forced her thoughts away from Sadie to the inviting spot in the forest. The mental picture was even more delightful because Sadie and she were at odds terribly so. And now that she'd stuck her foot in her mouth over Naomi's wedding request, well, Leah was at a loss to know what to say or do next.

All morning she suffered troublesome feelings toward her

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elder sister. The silence between them became worse than annoying. Sadie harbored resentment toward her, that was clear. The slightest reference to Sadie's need for repentance had been met with disdain.

Once the gardening was done, Leah hurried up to Aunt Lizzie's, wanting to go in search of the honey locust tree. She hoped she could talk openly with Lizzie while tramping through the woods on their search. Surely Aunt Lizzie would not see this as an excuse to gossip heaven forbid! but rather take to prayer the things on Leah's heart. Such perplexing emotions made Leah wonder if her prayers might simply bounce off the bedroom ceiling instead of wending their way to the Throne of Grace.

With a hug, Aunt Lizzie met her at the back door wearing an old black cooking ap.r.o.n. Newly scrubbed, the small kitchen was awash in sunlight. The familiar, welcoming smell of freshly baked bread drew Leah to sit at the table and savor the aroma. "Smells wonderful-gut," she said.

"Thought I'd bake a dozen raisin cinnamon rolls and a loaf of oatmeal bread for the Nolt family, down yonder," Lizzie said, bringing a gla.s.s of iced tea over to Leah. "How would you like to ride along?"

Leah didn't have the heart to bring up the hoped-for excursion to the woods and discourage Lizzie from her kind and generous deed, especially seeing the bright look of happiness on her face. "Jah, I'll go," she was quick to say, still hoping to go to the woods with her aunt later.

It was during the buggy ride down Georgetown Road that Leah opened up and shared her heart. She told Aunt Lizzie of her recent conversation with Sadie, all the while Lizzie's gaze

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litMlitt.i.tu-cl fixed on the road as she gripped the reins just so.

t "Sadie's not interested in attending Naomi's wedding.

[I iiM'Nn't that seem odd to you?" asked Leah.

I "Sounds to me like Naomi might not want her there."

I I full pressed further. "How can that be?"

I I i/./.ic was slow to respond, taking a deep breath first.

"HiuiK't im.es friends don't remain close for one reason or mu. it her. Honestly, I 'spect we should be awful glad Naomi and I' 'lie aren't so chummy anymore."

I "Maybe so, but I have a strong feeling Naomi's turned Imv.iy I mm the world completely. If it's not too blunt to say so, II I'rlicve she is more receptive to the church than ever."

I Lizzie brightened at that. "I trust and pray what you say is E Then they chattered of this and that, especially of the Sfli we.rs and vegetables growing in Lizzie's and Mamma's gar- lili us. Soon, though, Leah asked, "I'm still thinking 'bout that linn ommon honey locust tree... . Remember?"

I "Well, honey-girl, I 'spect we might be able to walk right i> > n, once we get home again."

I I c;ih was delighted. Leaning back a bit, she settled into IIIi<- imnt="" seat="" of="" the="" buggy,="" gazing="" at="" the="" now="" colorless="" sky,="" lever="" so="" glad="" to="" have="" talked="" openly="" with="" dear="" lizzie.="" now,="" if="" irlie="" days="" would="" just="" pa.s.s="" more="" quickly="" till="" jonas="" returned="" to="">

I Hannah chased after two nasty flies in the front room. Miimma had ordered her to go inside from the garden to tseape the midday heat because she looked "sallow and all done in." Well, here she was, though not sitting down in the

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I'l j 10 e u e r L ij =L-e w> i s i j kitchen with a tall gla.s.s of ice water or fanning herself, but I downright eager to slap the annoying insects with the flyswat- I j ji ter. Truly, she had been suffering a headache off and on all ! I week, not telling anyone but her twin. And what had Mary !j Ruth gone and done? She'd told Mamma, "Hannah needs ) [ some lookin' after."

jlj Aside from the fact she was gripped with worry over i'l '

j! school opening soon, there wasn't much ailing Hannah. 1/ I ( only summer could last all year, she thought. She and her sisters ji ) j always busied themselves from late spring on with the neces- sary tasks of planting and harvesting, cooking and cleaning, i .

and on and on it went. There was little else to occupy one's I1.

j 1 mind during this season, and that was just how Hannah liked ' : it.

J Suddenly feeling too tired to stand, she went to the I j kitchen and sat in the large hickory rocker near the windows.

i She had been happy to keep up her supply of consignment ! handiwork, especially her array of embroidered handkerchiefs and pillowcases, thankful for the extra money she was earning j j at both the Strasburg gift shop and the family's own roadside ' stand.

Hannah put the swatter down on the floor and leaned her head against the rocker. Just as she was becoming droopy I eyed, here came Sadie indoors. "You look all in, Hannah," she i 11 said, going to the sink for some water.

;li !;! j "Oh, don't fret over me."

!; I "Here," Sadie said, offering her the tall gla.s.s. "Mamma j said you had a headache. Two gla.s.ses straight down will ease s it a bit."

. Hannah accepted the gla.s.s and began to sip, watching 73fueiraual V '

- llo iviiim to the sink, now splas.h.i.+ng water on her forehead I checks. Sadie patted her face dry with her ap.r.o.n, then i .. IjfJ lor another gla.s.s. When she'd poured a drink for her- ll, nIk' went to the table and sat down, her face as red as I i 'i mull 11ad ever seen it.

They were still for a time; then Hannah got up the nerve iiy, "I was wondering ... did you ever happen to show off 'i - M birthday hankie I made you, the green-and-gold b.u.t.terfly ,,. r Smlic seemed to stiffen at the question, frowned, and I. ...k her head. "Why, no, I didn't."

I liinnnh, taken aback by her sister's sudden unease, forced i nilk1. "Just wondered if someone else in the area might've n ii besides our own family ... and started making some hi. ii losell."

S;ulic said nothing for the longest time. Then she whisi iell, "That hankie's gone forever, I'm afraid."

"( lone?" Hannah was startled. "But I made it special for I low could you lose it?"

Ssidie shook her head slowly. "I didn't say I did." Her hi-was weak now, as if she'd just returned home from the iuini;il of a close relative, the emotion of the day sapping herfiln'ii ;(h.

"Then what "

"Oh, Hannah, please don't ask me any more. I loved your handkerchief, but it's gone and I won't be getting it back."

i lurt over Sadie's seeming disregard for her gift, Hannah I' 'ink-red her sister's strange reply. Why would she do such ai/iiiii;/ She began to wonder if the woman who'd inquired of the

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