Planted with Hope (3 page)

Maybe those weren't true beards, but Hope knew one bachelor who'd no doubt be growing one soon, just like all married Amish men. In the dark of the night, in the quiet of their bedroom, Lovina had shared that she and Noah were discussing wedding dates. They'd wait until after the busy winter season, when things at the pie shop slowed down, but it brought joy to Hope's heart that one of the sisters had found love.

Hope was also excited to hear that Hannah would be a mother of not only one, but two babies, but those things just added to the list of all the ways she fell short. She wanted all that, but she also wanted space—space Pinecraft couldn't offer her.

As Hope left the crowds behind, her heartbeat slowed to its normal pace, and a memory filled her mind. Just before she'd sat down with her plate, her youngest sister, Grace, had told Hope that she wanted to introduce her to someone—the new schoolteacher. A male schoolteacher by the name of Jonas Sutter. Hope had nodded, and then she'd quickly forgotten about it. Her guess was that Grace had been simply trying to pull her into
the conversation—since she'd never met the man before. No one seemed to understand that Hope rather enjoyed listening without having to insert her opinion. She just hoped that Grace hadn't seen her leave and planned to track her down.

“Five minutes' peace, please.” Her words escaped in a whisper. And then she quickly said louder than she should. “And if you try to follow, Grace, I can run faster than you!”

As if on cue, laughter filled the air behind her, and she paused and turned back. There wasn't an inch of space left in the steel pavilion, and even the volleyball bleachers were filled with teens sitting and eating with plates on their laps. Mostly there were families clustered together, enjoying the sun, the event, and just being together. Being part of a family like that was something she wanted… but as Mem had told her it was something she'd never find if she kept hiding away.

Hope clenched her fists at her side as she walked on.
What's wrong with me? Why do I always run? Hide?

From the time she was a child she wanted to find a good man to love and become a wife and a mother. Yet even as she yearned for those things, she yearned for them from afar. As much as she longed for a family of her own, it was the noise and the busyness of her own family that pushed her from their midst. Being one of five girls, there was always movement, always noise, and always conversation in their home. As a child she'd run to the barn to watch the quiet cats or to the cool well house where she kept a few
lumba babba
, or rag babies, to tend to in the quiet.

But then, at the age of eight, she discovered the garden. Weeding the garden had become her chore that summer, and it was one she never gave back. The next year Dat had given her a plot of ground to call her own, and each year her plot had grown bigger. By age fourteen she'd taken on the complete garden as her own.
Not only did she enjoy the straight, neat rows and the peace and quiet, but she also soon came to appreciate the harvest and the satisfaction of a job well done.

As Hope continued on through Pinecraft Park, the aroma of sausage faded away and the musky scents of the grass, trees, moss, and brackish water filled its place. Hope still could hear voices behind her, but they were quieter now. Hope released the breath she'd been holding. At least out here she had the ability to think.

“Emma!”

From the edges of the gathering a tall man with a dark beard cupped his hands and called into the woods. He wore an Amish hat, and his voice called out as if trying to chase Emma down.

Hope smirked. “Good luck trying to find her.”

There had to be no less than fifty Amish children in the park today. Each of the young girls wore similar dresses and
kapps
. It was like trying to find the right bobbing head in a sea of others just the same.

Hope scanned the area near her, just to make sure there was no little girl, and then she continued on. She walked parallel to the creek, taking in the shimmer of sunlight on the greenish-blue water.

It was then that Hope noticed something out of place—noticed
her
. Down at the bottom of the concrete boat ramp a small girl was climbing into a canoe. Hope gasped as it swayed with the movement of the water. The girl had somehow untied the rope and was swinging it above her as she fearlessly climbed in.

“No, no. Stop!” Hope rushed to the edge of the river's bank and peered down. “You'd better not do that. Those canoes aren't so sturdy, and look, there's a current. It could sweep you away.”

The girl froze and turned. She shielded her eyes, trying to make out Hope's face. “I'm just looking,” she said. “I'll get off.”

Hope recognized the girl. It was the same child she'd talked to in front of the pie shop a few days ago. The girl couldn't be more than seven or eight. Emma, yes, that was her name.

“Emma, I heard your dat. He's calling for you.”

Hearing that, Emma froze. Then her whole body seemed to move at once. With a jerky motion she turned, trying to scramble to dry ground before she was caught.

“Emma, wait!”

The girl scurried faster. The canoe rocked and swayed. Emma reached out, grasping for something to hold on to, but there was only air. She cried out and her eyes widened. She took another step toward the bank, but the movement caused the canoe to shift. Then, in one smooth motion, the canoe turned.

“Emma!” Hope's voice rose and then caught in her throat as the young girl slipped into the dark brackish water, kapp and all.

 

Becky Fisher's Sauerkraut

Cabbage

1 Tbsp salt

Shred cabbage and pack in quart jars, not very tight. Make a hole through the middle with a wooden spoon. Put one Tbsp of salt into each jar. Fill jars with boiling water and seal jars real tight. It will be ready to eat in 6 weeks. More salt may be added if desired. The cabbage is delicious served hot over mashed potatoes with cooked sausage.

Chapter Two

Trying times are times for trying.

A
MISH
P
ROVERB

H
ope darted down the grassy bank toward the water. She rushed toward the canoe—toward the ripples where Emma had disappeared. The canoe righted itself and rocked gently, but there was no sign of the girl.

Hope half ran, half dove into the water. She reached out her arms, searching, grasping for the small body. The water rushed up to her waist, and she struggled to find her footing on the slimy bottom. Hope searched, and her hands found nothing. Then, to her right, she spotted the white of Emma's
kapp
.

She lunged for it, reaching down at the exact moment Emma's face emerged. The girl's eyes were wide and filled with fear. She gasped for air, choking. Hope grabbed Emma's arm first. Then, with all the strength she could muster, she grabbed under her armpits, hoisting her up.

Emma gagged and coughed, reaching for Hope. Wet arms stretched around her shoulders. Emma's hands found each other behind Hope's neck and intertwined. Her legs wrapped around Hope's waist. Hope cocked her face to the sky, trying to breathe.
But the tightness of the girl's hold and the fear that still coursed through her at the sight of Emma going into the water made it difficult to catch a breath. The girl clung to her, and again Hope struggled to keep her balance.
Dear Lord, help.

Hope kicked off her flip-flops, using her toes to grasp for footing. Then, with as much balance as she could muster, Hope struggled back to shore.

Emma's vise grip tightened, and a small sob emerged.

“Shh, I've got you. I've got you.” Hope's arms circled the girl's body as she slogged to the boat ramp. Relief flooded over her as her feet found the concrete. She released a breath, the salty taste of the creek on her lips. “See, we're okay. Almost to shore… ”

Another small whimper emerged from Emma. Hope continued up the ramp, finally leaving the water behind.

The girl's weight pulled on Hope. Water poured off of them both. A trembling started in Hope's knees and moved up her legs, and she took a few more steps.

Feeling as if all the energy had just been drained from her, Hope turned and sank down on the concrete. Emma was soaked, and Hope was too except for her
kapp
. Somehow she'd managed to rescue the girl and keep her head above the water.

The girl's whimpering turned into a soft cry.

“It's okay, I've got you. I've got you.”

Hope pulled the small girl tight to her chest, cradling her like a mother would comfort an infant. Emma's legs hung down and her soggy tennis shoes rested on the concrete. Emma's whole body trembled—more from fear than cold, Hope thought.

“It's okay, Emma. You're all right now. There is nothing to be upset about. You're going to be all right.”

“I—I almost drowned.” Emma's chin quivered. “I was just looking—”

“I know you didn't mean for that to happen, and now you know it's not safe. I'm sure you won't do it again.”

Emma shook her head. “
Ne
.” Then she looked at Hope with large, brown eyes, appearing so frail and small. “I won't… ”

“Emma!” A man's voice called again, and Hope jumped.

“Is that your dat?” Hope asked in a low whisper.

Emma nodded.

Then a woman's voice joined in. “Emma!”
Her mem?

“Over her! She's over here!” Hope called, and then immediately regretted it. Her wet dress clung to her, and she pulled Emma closer, hoping to hide her form. How inappropriate to be seen like this, and by a married man. Thankfully, Emma snuggled in.

The man approached the boat dock and looked down. “Emma!” Relief flooded his voice, and he hurried to where they sat. “What happened?”

Instead of answering, Emma buried her face under Hope's chin and tightened her fingers around the back of her neck.

Hope swallowed hard, wishing the man would step back. Wishing he'd give them space. The shape of her legs was clear under her dress, and she'd never felt so exposed. Still, she had to explain.

“I was taking a walk, and I saw her.” Hope pointed to the upturned canoe. “She was exploring.”

“What on earth, Emma?” It was a woman's voice this time. “Whatever did you do that for? Don't you know how dangerous that is?” The older woman hurried toward them. It was the same woman who'd been at the pie shop. The woman scowled and stopped at Hope's bare feet. Emma's dat stepped back, as if almost afraid to hear about what had transpired. Or maybe because Hope's clothes clung to her.

“It's as much my fault as hers,” Hope quickly explained. “Emma was on the canoe, and I startled her. I told her that you were looking for her, and I urged her to get off. My words frightened her and… well, she tried to hurry… ” Hope couldn't look at the man, so she turned to the woman. “Don't be too upset.”

“She fell in the water? All the way in?” The woman's tone was sharp. “Emma Sutter, don't you know there are sharks in there? Come here. We need to get you home. Need to get you cleaned up.”

Emma still clung to Hope, and Hope wasn't sure what to do next. The girl had to go with her dat, but prying the girl off would leave her completely exposed.