The Guardian (31 page)

I
t was Jodi who uncovered the mystery behind the neighbors who’d given new homes to Joshua’s pets. On her final day of teaching in early October, she listened as Lovina Yoder let the information slip while she helped gather up lunch coolers and a few stray backpacks.

“My husband always thought Maryanna and Joshua would make a happy couple—this was after their spouses passed away, of course. But he was also aware of Maryanna’s dislike for the man’s indoor animals.” Lovina began to look sheepish.

“So your husband prompted the neighbors to take Joshua’s pets?”

Lovina said it was so.

Jodi smiled, touched yet again by the interconnectedness of the People. She found it especially interesting that the parrot had gone to Maryanna’s parents and the cat to Ella Mae Zook.

Standing in the schoolroom for the last time, Jodi’s eyes swept over the familiar space, saying a silent good-bye before she moved to the door and locked it behind her. Then, following the children out to the gate, she spied Joshua with little Sarah, who came running to her, eyes shining.

All the way back to the Esh farm, Sarah helped carry some of Jodi’s teaching handbooks, less clingy than all the weeks before. Jodi guessed it had something to do with her explanation to the Esh children while Maryanna and Joshua had a date after supper last evening. Leda and Toby took turns telling Sarah in Deitsch that a permanent teacher had been acquired, and that Jodi was returning home to Vermont.
“But she’ll keep in touch with us,”
they assured their sister.

Jodi enjoyed the walk but already missed these darling youngsters. She would also miss running with Rosaleen and Barbara, and interacting with all the other Plain folk, too. During the Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon weeks ago, she’d joined with twelve hundred fifty other runners from thirty-eight states and four countries, helping raise money for the Bird-in-Hand Fire Company, so essential to the Amish farmers.
The least I could do …

Suddenly, Joshua stopped walking and leaned over to retrieve something from the roadside ditch. “Well, lookee here.” He held up a muddied cloth doll. “Isn’t this just like the one—”

“That’s Kaylee!” Tobias exclaimed, running to look. “Sarah’s lost doll.” When little Sarah saw it, her whole face shone.

Leda hurried to see, too. “She needs washin’ but
gut
.”

“Now my little sister’s got two dolls with fancy English names,” Benny said, looking glum and shaking his head.

“Maybe she oughta rename them?” Joshua said, offering the soiled doll to Sarah, who quickly handed off the teaching books to Jodi, then accepted the doll. She held it at arm’s length, making a face at its condition.

Jodi smothered a laugh as she recalled her recent chat session with Trent, truly thankful when she considered his very trusting way. He still wanted her to plan their wedding, giving her free rein to do whatever she wished, as long as it was simple.
And he didn’t want to be given a single hint until he arrived back from Japan early June of next year.

So she’d decided that if he really agreed to a mystery wedding, he’d have one. And Jodi loved him all the more for it. Best of all, Trent was overjoyed at her email describing her change of heart about having children. His initial shock had quickly given way to elation.

Maryanna stopped weeding at the far end of the vegetable garden as she heard Jodi and the children returning from school. She moaned inwardly at the thought of losing her not-so-fancy friend. Well, it wasn’t really a loss, but it would feel like one, for sure.

She did not seek out little Sarah first upon seeing her children striding up the lane with their teacher and friend. No, today she embraced each of her four darlings with her loving gaze. They were all special, each and every one, and she had the dear Lord to thank for that realization.
And Jodi Winfield.

She was also learning the benefits that could be reaped by disciplining a child who had been too favored.
“It’s a gift for the child’s heart,”
Joshua had said last night.
“Discipline leads to happiness.”
Maryanna knew he was being gentle with her, and both of them believed their recent efforts with little Sarah had begun to yield fruit.

Dear, wise man.
Her children would be delighted to soon discover Joshua’s and her secret.

Leda and little Sarah hurried over to show her a grimy-looking doll. “The lost is found,” Leda told her, her arm around her younger sister.

Jodi caught up with the girls, smiling.

“In more ways than one, I’ll say.” Maryanna looked lovingly at the three of them. “We’ll get the doll cleaned up in no time,” she promised.

“Joshua said it needs an Amish name,” Leda spoke up.

“
Gut
idea,” Maryanna agreed. She would explain this to Sarah later when they were alone.

In the house, the doll was relinquished to warm water and suds in the sink while Benny helped Jodi carry her bags and books out to the car.

Maryanna was happy for Jodi, who’d just learned she was to be a long-term substitute for a teacher who was about to go on maternity leave—in her former school district, yet.
The Lord had plans for her all along.

Back inside, the children encircled Jodi, and Maryanna joined hands with them, bowing her head for a final prayer for traveling mercies and guidance as Jodi resumed her teaching in the English world. “And please give Jodi’s young man a special blessing, too, as he teaches children in a faraway land.”

They said the Lord’s Prayer in German, and tears welled up in Tobias’s eyes as he shook Jodi’s hand. Benny hung back a little. Then he went to the corner cupboard and brought out a hoot owl he’d whittled with Dawdi Zeke, just for Jodi. He gave it without saying a word, eyes wide.

Leda opened her arms and hugged Jodi, as did Sarah.

Smiling graciously, Jodi offered her thanks to Maryanna—“for absolutely everything.” She pressed her lips together for a moment, then shook her head quickly. “Actually, that’s far too general.” She glanced at the sky. “I’m grateful for each of the beautiful gifts I’ve received here, Maryanna. Miracles to me, in many ways. The gift of balancing life’s pain with divine healing—for body, mind, and soul.” Now looking at Benny, Leda, Tobias, and little Sarah, she whispered, struggling to
speak. “And the gift of love in the innocent eyes of your darling children.” She turned to Maryanna, tears rolling down her face. “And you, my dear sister-friend … just
you.
”

Such farewells were ever so hard. Maryanna reached for a tissue for her and then, when Jodi had composed herself, she wrapped a piece of shoofly pie and thought of pleading with her to stay the night. Why not have just one more evening together? “You’re more than welcome to stay over, if you wish,” she offered.

The children joined in, cajoling, their pleas like sweet music.

But Jodi, while seemingly grateful for the invitation, was ready and appeared reluctant to prolong the sting of separation—something Maryanna felt, too.

After more good-byes, they all walked with her to the car and watched her get in, back out of the lane carefully, and wave to them one last time.

“She promised to write,” Tobias said, his small voice breathy.

“Oh, and she will,” Benny assured him.

Leda sniffled, speechless, struggling not to cry.

“Bye-bye, Angel. Come back soon!” little Sarah said as clear as anything in English. The first words spoken in her new language!

“Well, bless your heart,” Maryanna said.
Too bad Jodi missed this!

The children returned to the house and to their chores, but Maryanna strained to see the dark blue car make its way down Hickory Lane, east toward Cattail Road. And she stood there counting her blessings, which sincerely included Jodi Winfield, watching till she could see the car no longer.

The next afternoon, the Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop was abuzz with tourists and an abundance of local Plain folk. Maryanna headed up the front porch steps into the familiar, welcoming bakery. Yeasty smells of baked goods, every delicious treat a body might crave, greeted her senses.

She made a beeline for the pastry counter and chose a dozen chocolate whoopie pies, eager to surprise Joshua and the children. More and more, he was thrilled to be invited for supper, and it warmed Maryanna’s heart to see not just Tobias delighted with his good company, but all the children, as well.

The Amish clerk counted out the goodies, adding a thirteenth for the baker’s dozen, and wrapped tissue paper around each one. Turning, Maryanna happened to see Ida Fisher standing over in the next room, looking at small wooden rocking horses.
Must be for one of her young nephews,
thought Maryanna.

Then, lo and behold, Turkey Dan and his youngest boy, five-year-old Sam, appeared and turned to talk to Ida, Dan’s eyes bright with attention. Seeing the lovely sight was heartening, as Maryanna had regretted the way things fizzled with Dan Zook, although she’d written him a letter in answer to his even before she knew Joshua and she would be courting. There was no reason not to be friendly when they all lived and worshiped in the same church district.

She went right over and greeted them, talking also with young Sam. Ida simply sparkled as she glanced up at Turkey Dan, who grinned down at her.

Later, when Maryanna paid for her treats, she felt good, knowing Dan had someone who cared for him and for his boys—and the same for Ida. The Zooks were getting a wunnerbaar-
gut
cook if a wedding was in their future. Of course, she didn’t know for sure, but they certainly looked happy together.

Maybe she’ll get a shiny new gas stove from her new husband.
Maryanna thought of her own plans for a rather small wedding in a few months in her farmhouse. Only immediate family and spouses would be invited—one hundred fifty relatives in all. Not the more typical wedding she and Benuel had shared as young folk, of course, when four hundred fifty souls had come to witness their vows to God and to each other.

Maryanna made her way outside, feeling the nip in the autumn air. She pulled her woolen shawl closer and walked toward gentle Dandy and the waiting carriage. Looking at the sky, she thought again of Benuel, but without the usual twinge of sadness. She was past her mourning years and looked ahead with expectation to the joyous future … just around the corner.

T
he mid-June sunshine showered the smiling bride and groom with plentiful blessings, and I was ever so sure I’d never seen a prettier day. Jodi and Trent exchanged wedding vows in the newly painted white gazebo behind my house as my own husband, Joshua, and I and the children were privileged to witness the special love between our English friend and her adoring betrothed.

The couple’s well-dressed parents stood on either side of them, and Jodi’s brother-in-law, Devin, along with Trent’s siblings and their spouses, filled up half the gazebo.

Ella Mae Zook had been invited, too, and she sat attentively on a wooden lawn chair in the yard, petting Honey Lou in her lap. My parents sat and observed curiously, as well, none of us ever having attended an English wedding.

Wearing navy blue trousers and a white shirt and tie, Trent leaned down and sweetly kissed Jodi, who looked lovely in her simple wedding gown, just like the angel clothed in white
who brought my Sarah home to us. The sun filtered through the gazebo slats above them, falling gently on their shoulders.

Twenty-two barefoot young scholars made a human circle with their hands as they sang “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in German, the only song Jodi had planned, which delighted Trent—I could see it in his eyes.

Then, unexpectedly, little Sarah stepped forward and began to sing in English, her childlike voice ringing out ever so clearly, ” ‘Where is Jesus whom I long for, my beloved Lord and friend?’ “

Never having heard Sarah sing in English, Jodi turned and, with an affectionate smile, reached for her hand.

There wasn’t a dry eye amongst the adults present, including the English minister from Vermont—Trent and Jodi’s pastor—who fumbled for his white handkerchief before offering a benediction.

For refreshments, Jodi served iced peppermint tea—Ella Mae’s secret recipe. And for Trent’s benefit and to the delight of all the children present, there were dozens of whoopie pies in several flavors.

Trent declared it “the best-ever simple wedding and reception,” clearly taken with Jodi’s surprise.

As for myself, I can say that marriage to Joshua is truly a joy. Honestly, I wish this kind of loving relationship for any woman yearning for a godly and loving lifemate. The Lord God had answered before I ever knew to ask.

Suzanne’s unfinished baby quilts will soon be ready for a new little one—my first baby with Joshua, who was surprised when I showed him the pretty cradle quilts Suzanne had started were now finished. When he realized what I was doing and why, he
reached for me—much too gently I must say—and took me into his arms to kiss me. Of course, I told him I wouldn’t break just because I’m in the family way.

My children have received the daily blessing of a loving stepfather, and when Joshua and I tuck them in each night, we see the contentment in their eyes and thank the dear Lord for erasing the loneliness and replacing it with such happiness.

Jodi and I exchange letters faithfully once a month, and I recently shared with her that Joshua sold his farm, thankfully to another Amish couple. It’s always wonderful-
gut
to keep the land with the People.

When Joshua and I have family worship with Benny, Leda, Tobias, and Sarah, we always end by giving thanks for the Lord’s protection over their little sister that frightening night nearly a year ago. Truly, God’s love is the greatest miracle of all.