Hope Chest (6 page)

During the longer message, Rachel glanced over at Anna, who sat twiddling her thumbs as she stared out the window.

What’s that sister of mine thinking about?
Rachel had a terrible feeling that Anna’s interest in worldly things might lead to trouble. What if Anna were to up and leave the faith?

Rachel clenched her teeth.
No, that can’t happen. It would break Mom and Dad’s hearts, not to mention upsetting the whole family. Why, we’d have to shun our own flesh and blood!
She shuddered just thinking about the seriousness of it. Right then, she vowed to pray more, asking the Lord to change her sister’s mind about things. She would even make herself be happy about Anna and Silas courting if it meant Anna would alter her attitude.

Rachel felt a sense of relief when the benediction was given, followed by a few announcements and the closing hymn. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy church, but all those troubling thoughts rolling around in her head made her feel fidgety and anxious to be outside.

Once the benches had been moved and tables set up, the women served a soup-and-sandwich lunch. Rachel and Anna joined several other young women as they brought out the food to the men. After the men finished eating, the women and children took their places at separate tables.

When the meal was over and everything had been cleared away, men and women of all ages gathered in small groups to visit. The younger children were put down to nap, while the older ones played games on the lawn. Some of the young adults joined in the games, while others were content to just sit and talk.

Rachel didn’t feel much like playing games or engaging in idle chitchat, so she decided to take a walk. Walking always seemed to help her relax and think more clearly. She left Anna talking with a group of women and headed in the direction of the small pond near the end of the Yoders’ alfalfa field.

The pool of clear water was surrounded by low-hanging willow trees, offering shade and solitude on another hot, sticky day in late July. Feeling the heat bearing down on her, Rachel slipped off her shoes and socks, then waded along the water’s edge, relishing the way the cool water tickled her toes. When she felt somewhat cooler, she plunked down on the grass. Closing her eyes, Rachel found herself thinking about the meeting she’d had with Silas the day before. She’d only made one feeble attempt to talk to Anna about him and knew she really should try again. It was the least she could do since she had made a promise.

A snapping twig caused Rachel to jump. She jerked her head in the direction of the sound and was surprised to see Silas standing under one of the willow trees. He smiled and lifted his hand in a wave. It made her heart beat faster and was just enough to rekindle her hope that he might actually forget about Anna and come to love her instead.

“I didn’t know anyone else was here,” Rachel murmured, as Silas moved over to where she sat.

“I didn’t know anyone was here, either.” Silas removed his straw hat and plopped down on the grass beside her. They sat in silence for a time, listening to the rhythmic birdsong filtering through the trees and an occasional
ribbet
from a noisy bullfrog.

Rachel thought about all the times Silas had visited their farm over the years. She remembered one day in particular when a baby robin had fallen from its nest in the giant maple. Silas had climbed that old tree like it was nothing, then put the tiny creature back in its home. That day, Rachel gave her heart to Silas Swartley. Too bad he didn’t know it.

“I just talked to Reuben Yutzy,” Silas said, breaking into Rachel’s thoughts. “He’s been working for a paint contractor in Lancaster for some time now.”

She nodded but made no comment.

“Reuben informed me that he’s leaving the Amish faith.” Silas slowly shook his head. “Can you believe it, Rachel? Reuben’s been my friend since we were kinner, and I never expected he would want to leave.” The lines in Silas’s forehead deepened. “Since he started working for that English man, Reuben’s been doing a lot more worldly things. I tried talking to him the other day, but I guess nothing I said got through. Reuben’s made up his mind about leaving, and he seems bent on following that path.”

“Many of our men work in town for paint contractors, carpenters, and other tradesmen,” Rachel reminded. “Most of them remain in the faith in spite of their jobs.”

“I know that’s true, but I guess Reuben’s not one of ’em.” Silas gave his earlobe a quick tug. “Reuben told me that he bought a fancy truck awhile back, but he’s been keeping it parked outside his boss’s place of business so none of his family would know.”

Rachel fidgeted with her hands. She wanted to reach out and touch Silas’s disheartened face. It would feel so right to smooth the wrinkles out of his forehead. She released a deep sigh instead. “Things are sure getting
verhuddelt
here of late.”

Silas nodded. “You’re right about things being mixedup. I think something else is going on with Reuben, too.”

“Like what?”

“I’m not sure. He dropped a few hints, but when I pressed him about it, he closed up like a snail crawling into its shell. Said he didn’t want to talk about it right now.” Silas grimaced. “I’m thinking maybe a woman is involved.”

“An Englisher?”

“Might could be. It wouldn’t be the first time an Amish man fell for an English woman.” Silas shrugged. “That’s what happened to Eli Yoder a few years back, you know.”

“But Laura joined the Amish faith.”

“That’s true, but it’s an unusual situation and doesn’t happen very often.”

Rachel slipped her socks and shoes back on before she stood. “I should be getting back to the house, I expect. If Mom misses me, she’ll probably send Joseph out looking, and I’m not in any mood to deal with my cranky brother today.”

“Joseph’s not happy?”

“Nope. He’s got a big crush on Pau—” Rachel covered her mouth with the palm of her hand when she realized she had almost let something slip. “As I was saying, I need to head back.”

“Wait!” Silas jumped to his feet. “I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to speak with Anna yet.”

Rachel’s face heated up as she turned to face him. “I—I haven’t said much to her on the subject, but I still believe it would be best if you spoke with her yourself, and you’d better do it soon, before it’s too late.”

***

“How’s things at your place?” Rebekah asked her friend Mary Ellen as the two of them sat on the front porch visiting and watching the children play on the lawn.

Mary Ellen smiled. “Never a dull moment with Eli and Laura’s two living right next door. Those little ones keep Laura hopping all the time.”

Rebekah sighed and maneuvered her wheelchair closer to the swing where Mary Ellen sat holding Martha Rose’s little girl, Amanda. “Sure wish I had a couple of
kinskinner
like this one to love on.”

“You’ll have grandchildren sooner than you think.” Mary Ellen gave her granddaughter’s chubby legs a little squeeze. “I heard that Silas Swartley’s been courting your Anna, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a wedding wasn’t in the near future for them.”

Rebekah shook her head. “Silas did take Anna home from a singing awhile back, but from what I’ve been told, there’s nothing more to it. Of course, that’s not to say that Silas wouldn’t like for there to be more. Me either, for that matter.”

“Silas seems like a nice enough fellow. I would think Anna would be anxious for him to come calling.”

“My eldest daughter’s not acting like herself these days.” Rebekah lowered her voice some. “Fact is, I’m kind of worried about all three of my oldest kinner.”

Mary Ellen’s eyebrows lifted high on her forehead. “How come you’re worried?”

“Well, Anna’s been saying things to rile her daed, like how come he doesn’t want to put in a phone at the greenhouse and maybe he should modernize some.”

“Maybe she thinks you’d have more customers if you had a phone.”

“That could be, but the fact that she won’t let Silas court her when they’ve been friends since they were little makes me wonder if she’s got her eye on someone else, or maybe she’s just feeling discontent with things.”

“Why would she be discontent? She joined the church last fall, so I would think she’d be all settled in by now.”

“I can’t really say what’s going on with her.” Rebekah shrugged. “Maybe it’s just my imagination, or maybe it’s some kind of phase she’s going through. I’m hoping it will pass real soon.”

“You said all three of your oldest have you worried. What’s going on with Joseph and Rachel?”

Rebekah’s voice lowered another notch. “Joseph is carrying a torch for Pauline Hostetler, and he hasn’t got the courage to tell her that he cares. That’s made him kind of moody lately.”

“I see. And Rachel? What’s her problem?”

“I’m not sure about Rachel. She’s been acting strange for some time, kind of like a young woman in love, only she doesn’t have a boyfriend, so I know that’s not the case.”

Mary Ellen bent her head and kissed the top of Amanda’s head. “If they could only stay sweet and innocent like this little girl, we grandmothers wouldn’t have so much to worry about.”

Rebekah chuckled. “Jah, but knowing us, we’d find something else to fret over.”

***

Rachel and her family had begun packing up to leave the Yoders’ place, when she noticed Silas had Anna cornered next to his courting buggy. Her sister didn’t look any too happy, and Rachel couldn’t help but wonder what was being said. She inched a bit closer, hoping to catch a word or two. Eavesdropping had become a habit, it seemed, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. Besides, it wasn’t like she was doing it on purpose. People just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“I think it would be best if you’d forget about me,” she heard Anna say. “You really should find someone better suited to you.”

Silas shuffled his feet a few times, turning his hat over and over in his hands. “Don’t rightly think there’s anyone better suited to me, Anna.”

“If you think about it, you’ll realize that we don’t have much in common. Never have, really.” Anna shrugged. “On the other hand, I know who would be just right for you.”

Me ... me ...
Rachel squeezed her eyes shut, waiting to hear Silas’s next words.

“Who might that be?”

“Rachel.”

“Don’t start with that again, Anna.”

Rachel’s eyes snapped open. She had to give up this silly game of bouncing back and forth from hope to despair. It only proved her immaturity, which was exactly why Silas saw her as a mere child.

“She likes a lot of the same things you like, Silas. Besides, I think she’s crazy about you.” Anna nodded toward her family’s buggy, where Rachel stood, dumbfounded and unable to move. She would probably never be able to look Silas in the face again.

Silas didn’t seem to notice Rachel, for he was looking right at Anna. “As I’ve said before, Rachel’s not much more than a kinner. I need someone who’s mature enough for marriage and ready to settle down.”

“Rachel is
eighteen,
soon to be
nineteen,
” Anna said. “Give her a few more months, and she’ll be about the right age for marrying.”

“But it’s you I love, Anna.” Silas’s tone was pleading, and if Rachel hadn’t been so angry at her sister for embarrassing her that way, she might have felt pity for the man she loved.

“Rachel, are you getting in or not?” Dad’s deep voice jerked Rachel around to face him.

“What about Anna? She’s still talking to Silas over by his buggy.” Rachel pointed in that direction, but Dad merely grabbed up the reins.

“I’m sure Silas will see that Anna gets home,” Mom put in. “After all, you did mention that he’s sweet on her.”

Rachel’s throat ached from holding back tears, and she reached up to massage her throbbing temples. Silas thought she was just a child, and he was in love with Anna. At the rate things were going, she might never get to use the things she’d put in her hope chest. She glanced Silas’s way one last time, then hopped into the buggy and took her seat at the rear.

Joseph glanced over at her. “Why are you lookin’ so down in the mouth?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“I’ll bet she’ll tell me. I’m a girl, and girls only share their deepest secrets with another girl. Isn’t that right, sister?”

Before Rachel could answer Elizabeth’s question, Perry put in his two cents’ worth. “Aw, Rachel’s probably got a bee in her kapp ’cause she don’t have a steady boyfriend yet. She’s most likely jealous of Anna gettin’ to ride home with Silas.” He gave Rachel an impish smile. “That’s it, huh? You’re green with envy, right?”

“Leave Rachel alone,” Mom called from her seat at the front of the buggy. “If she wants to talk about whatever’s bothering her, she will. Now, let’s see how quiet we can make the rest of this ride home.”

***

As Anna pressed her body against Silas’s buggy, she felt like a mouse cornered in the barn by a hungry cat. Couldn’t Silas just accept the fact that she didn’t love him? Why did he keep going after her like this? If only she felt free to tell him what was on her mind. If she could just reveal her secret...