The Promise Box (16 page)

I
t wasn’t until she’d gotten out all the ingredients for cherry turnovers that Lydia
realized she didn’t have enough sugar. She stopped by both the Carash and Sommer houses
to borrow a cup, but when neither were home she continued on to the West Kootenai
Kraft and Grocery.

She glanced at the clock on the wall when she entered, hoping Edgar wasn’t in a chatty
mood. Sometimes he started in on one of his stories on how things used to be, and
while she usually loved hearing his stories, today was not the day. She had a handsome
bachelor to bake for.

The line was long, so Edgar rang her up quickly with a wink and a smile. Yet she’d
only taken two steps out the door when a woman approached her. She knew the woman’s
name was Mrs. Shelter, but Lydia had only chatted with her for a few minutes once
during their Saturday morning gatherings.

“Lydia! Yer jest the person I wanted to see. In fact, I was going to stop here to
drop off a letter to be mailed, then I was walking down to yer place.”

“Oh, well, I am heading home now, but I won’t be there long…” Lydia didn’t elaborate
on why. News spread quickly
in these parts, and if she were to mention Gideon, the folks in the community just
might have them engaged and be planning their wedding by midnight.

“It’ll jest take a moment of yer time, but there’s something we’d like you to consider.”

Lydia touched her
kapp
, making sure it was in place. “We?”

“
Ja
, us parents in the community.”

Lydia nodded and stepped to the side to let other customers pass. Mrs. Shelter joined
her, and they stood by the big ice cooler on the porch of the grocery.

“We had a meeting last week at my house to discuss the new teacher. We had one young
woman who was supposed to come for an interview, but she cancelled. It was at church
yesterday when someone brought up yer name, and we met again last night.”

Tingles moved up Lydia’s arms. “
Ja
.”

“We know that there is much happening—the loss of yer mem, your returning—but we wondered
if you’d consider teaching this year?”

“Me?” She placed her free hand over her heart and swallowed. Even though it’s what
she’d hoped for, she was honestly surprised. Did they see the changes? Did they trust
her? She blinked back tears, thankful it was so.

“Are you all right, dear?”

“
Ja
.” Lydia nodded her head. “I’d love to be considered. If you’d like me to sit for
an interview…”

“
Ne
.” The older woman smiled. “There were enough folks there to give you a good word—Ruth
Sommer, Katie Plank, Sallie Peachy. Even one of the bachelors.”

“One of the bachelors?”

“Oh,
ja
. Gideon is one of the most respected bachelors in the community. The men of the area
are impressed with his
work and his lifestyle. My husband asked him to come by so we could hear his thoughts.
We’ve seen that you’re friends.”

Lydia nodded. Was that all they thought? “Yes, yes, we are friends.”

“Gideon had wonderful things to say. He reminded us that only God working in one’s
heart could bring about such transformation as we’ve seen in your life.”

Lightness filled Lydia. Her feet no longer felt connected to the ground, and she was
certain if it wasn’t for the heavy sack of sugar in the grocery basket in her hand,
she’d just float away.

“This was last night?”

“Yesterday afternoon. That’s why my mission today was to come to you.”

“And Gideon knew that you’d be offering me this position?”

Mrs. Shelter pursed her lips. “Hmm, I’m not sure. Actually, I do believe he left before
we made the decision, but he knew we were leaning that way.”

Lydia nodded. No wonder Gideon had been in such a happy mood. No wonder he asked me
to go on a walk.
He must have great hopes that I’ll be teaching this year
.
That I’ll be staying around
. That gave her hope that he’d stay longer, too, beyond hunting season this fall.

“Mrs. Shelter.” She reached out and took the woman’s hand, squeezing it. “I would
be honored to teach. I know this was no small decision.”

“Wonderful, dear. Ruth Sommer and I have been chosen to work with you—to help you
prepare. I will contact you—and I know it’s short notice. The school year starts in
less than three weeks.”

“
Ja
. I know, but…” She was about to tell the woman she’d already been thinking of lesson
plans for the last month, jotting down notes in her journal, but changed her mind.
“I—I
don’t mind. I do have one question, though. How many scholars will I have?”

“Fourteen—it’s a big class.”

Lydia smiled. “And I’m looking forward to knowing every one of them.”

Fourteen little personalities. That would give her something to write about.

Gideon and Lydia strode along the dirt road side by side, walking to Lake Koocanusa,
along the shore, and back up the road. Her breaths grew labored as they climbed the
gentle, sloping hill to a spot where they could overlook the lake on one side and
the houses that dotted the fields and woods on the other.

The more time Lydia spent in Montana, the more she was awed by the beauty. Today the
lake sparkled topaz blue. A few speedboats roared across the water, stirring up froth
like ribbons of frosting. Great trees cloaked the hills like a prince’s cape. Yet
the image of Gideon, striding by her side—make that swaggering by her side—brought
even more awe. Who knew a man like this existed? She was thankful for him…but even
more thankful that she’d pursued God first, that she’d gotten her life right in His
sight before she turned to the matters of her heart.

Even though their hands swung just inches apart as they walked, they didn’t touch.
Lydia shared her excitement over the school year to come, and Gideon spoke of his
training with Blue. They talked as if they’d been friends for years, and Lydia liked
that.

Gideon spread out the quilt they’d brought on the lush
green grass at the top of the hill, and Lydia sat and pulled out sandwiches, canning
jars filled with lemonade, and two kinds of dessert from the basket.

“I brought a piece of pie from yesterday, and I made cherry turnovers too.”

Gideon’s jaw dropped. “Turnovers? Really? That’s my favorite dessert. My mem makes
the best.”

Lydia unwrapped the waxed paper and handed him one. “I’m worried now. I mean I think
they’re good, but how could they compare to your mem’s?”

Gideon held it up, examining it. “It looks all right.” The twinkle of humor lit his
eyes. “But we’ll have to taste.”

He took a big bite, but the smile on his face faded.

“What? Is something wrong?”

Gideon held up one finger. “I’m not sure. I taste something…” He took another bite,
chewing it slowly. Then another bite after that.

She held her breath as he swallowed.

“It’s baking soda…maybe. There is a strange taste.”

“What?” Lydia huffed. “I didn’t taste anything wrong.”

“Oh, you already had one?”

“
Ja
, I had to make sure they tasted good, and I liked it. Dat did too.”

“
Ne
. I’m sure there is a problem. Here…” He reached for the wax-papered dessert again.
“Let me try another one and see if I can figure it out.” The corners of his lips twitched
into a smile.

“Gideon!” Laughter burst from her lips. “You are such a joker.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, that you think so.” He took another large bite from the second
turnover, attempting to keep a serious look on his face. “I’m still trying to figure
out what’s
wrong. It might take me the whole half dozen to come up with the answer.”

“Well, you can eat all you want. I have an announcement.”

Gideon took another bite and chewed. “Sounds serious.”

“It is. I’ve been offered a job as teacher.”

Gideon nodded and smiled. “And you’re going to take it?”

“Of course. Don’t you think I’d make a good teacher?”

“The best—and that’s what I told everyone at the meeting. ‘Hire her or all your horses
will run wild!’”

Lydia laughed. “Seriously, it was what I’d hoped, but I didn’t want to ask. Didn’t
want to assume—”

“You
hoped
? Like in the last few weeks when the interviewee fell through?”

She bit her lip, wondering how much to confess. Tension tightened her gut. “No, before
that. That first morning at the Kraft and Grocery, when they mentioned it, I wanted
the job. In a strange way I felt as if that’s why I’d returned.”

Gideon put down the pastry and wiped his hands on his pants. “But you were
Englisch
then…” He frowned.

Lydia’s smile fell even as her heartbeat quickened. “But I was planning on returning.
I’d already decided.” Heat rose to her cheeks.

“That didn’t weight your decision, did it? That or other things…?”

Lydia immediately thought of the book. Of him. A part of her knew that those factors
had weighed in, at least at first.

“Not really.” Her words rushed out before Gideon could read the truth on her face.
“After I found Mem’s Promise Box, I started seeking God more. I knew He wanted me
to give my whole life to Him.”

Gideon nodded, but she read uncertainty in his gaze. “If you say so, Lydia.”

Then a smile filled his face where a frown had been just a few minutes before. “But
a new job like that is worth celebrating.” He picked up another turnover and took
a big bite.

They continued to joke as they ate lunch, and Lydia was pretty certain she’d never
had a better day. She was glad he’d believed her about the teaching position too.
Glad it hadn’t caused a problem between them.

“Lydia, I was wondering…” He wiped the corner of his mouth with a cloth napkin. “I,
uh, was wondering if we can do this again, often like.”

Her whole chest warmed. Was it possible to start floating from the buoyancy within?

“‘Often like.’ That sounds nice.” She eyed him. “It’ll give me a chance to know you
better, Gideon. To hear about your life.”

For the next thirty minutes they talked about his family back in Bird-in-Hand. His
father’s farm. His brothers and sisters and the time he broke his arm when he fell
out of a farm wagon.

“My younger brother and I were trying to see who could stand on one foot longer as
Dat drove through the rutty field. We both fell when the wheel hit an especially large
hole, but I landed wrong.”

She told him about sneaking a piece of pie Mem had prepared to take to a neighbor
who was ill.

“I covered it with a cloth and Mem didn’t know until we got there. The neighbor acted
as if I’d spit in her tea, but Mem couldn’t stop chuckling for the rest of the day.”

They chatted some more and then a blue jay joined in, filling in any empty space between
their words with a song. Lydia glanced at the world around them, trying to remember
every detail. Every word.

“So is this your first time in Montana?” She packed up their lunch.

The smile faded from Gideon’s face.

“No, I’ve been here once before, but I was just a kid.” The color in his cheeks faded
to gray. Gideon grabbed the picnic blanket and basket, and they headed down the hill.
Lydia quickened her steps to keep up, a tightness growing in her chest as she waited
for him to say something more, but Gideon continued on silently.

When she couldn’t bear the quiet any longer, Lydia glanced up at him. “Did I say something
wrong? Do something? You seem lost in thought. I mean you’re here with me…but not
here.”

He glanced at her. Worry tinged his gaze. “Are you sure you’re going to stay?” The
words seemed to come out without him meaning them to.

“In Montana?
Ja
, there is my dat to care for. And now I’ll be teaching during the school year.”

“I mean stay Amish.”

Lydia paused her steps, unsure of where this was coming from. “You saw me get baptized
yesterday.” She studied his eyes and noted concern, but for some reason she felt there
was something else he wasn’t saying. She tried to again think of what she could have
said to trigger his sour mood. Nothing came to mind.

He stopped beside her. “
Ja
, I know you got baptized.” He shrugged. “I just got the image of you in the car.
It fit you so natural like. I was thinking how great it would be to have more days
like this. Many more. But I was wondering if there would ever come a time when you’d
start to miss things.”

“Like what?”

“Like editing. Like driving. Like…electricity.”

Lydia chuckled. “Well, electricity is nice. Driving is more convenient. But the closeness
I feel to God, my dat, and friends—I appreciate that so much more. And instead of
editing, I’ll be grading papers. That should satisfy. And…” Lydia paused. She wanted
to tell Gideon about the book she was writing—a book just for her—but she couldn’t
yet. She didn’t want him to think or act in a certain way because he thought she would
be writing it down.

“And what?”

Lydia twirled her
kapp
string around her finger. “And I was just going to say that if I get more days like
this
for giving up days like
that
, then it’s completely worth it.”

A smile glowed on Gideon’s face. “
Ja
, totally worth it.” He reached out and took her hand. Her stomach flipped.

They were nearly to Lydia’s house when their date was interrupted by a gelding happy
to see them. Blue trotted to the fence and eyed the picnic basket.

“Sorry, no apples for you today, boy.” Lydia giggled. “But next time I walk to the
store I’ll make sure I get enough to bake a pie…and bring you some apples too.”

They petted Blue until he backed away and returned to the pasture, nibbling on the
clusters of grass.

“You seem to be a natural at training. Is it something you’ve always wanted to do?”

Gideon’s shoulders straightened, and she could tell he took her words to heart. “I
started out as a farrier, actually.”