The Restoration (8 page)

“Oh no, Elam’s here,” Priscilla groaned as she looked out the kitchen window and spotted Elam’s horse and buggy coming up the driveway.

Mom joined her at the window. “I can’t believe you’re not happy to see Elam.”

“I am happy to see him, just not this way.”

Mom tipped her head. “What do you mean, ‘not this way’?”

Priscilla looked down at her soiled apron. “Look at me, Mom. We’ve been cleaning all morning. I look a mess.”

“I’m sure Elam won’t care how you look. He’s in love with you.”

Priscilla’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m not so sure. If he really loves me, wouldn’t he have proposed marriage by now?”

Mom slipped her arm around Priscilla’s waist. “Maybe he’s waiting until the time is right.”

“Right for what, Mom?” Tears sprang to Priscilla’s eyes. “Most couples who’ve been courting as long as me and Elam would at least be talking of marriage by now.”

“I know Elam must love you, Priscilla. He wouldn’t keep coming around if he didn’t. Your daed and I have seen the way he looks at you, too.”

Using one corner of her apron, Priscilla dried her eyes. “Then you must see something I don’t see, because I’m not sure how Elam feels about me anymore. All this time we’ve been doing things together, I’ve never gotten a hint of him wanting to take me as his wife.”

“How do you feel about him?”

“Mom, don’t be silly. I would have broken up with Elam by now if I didn’t care deeply for him.”

“Caring for Elam and being in love are two different things.”

Priscilla faced her mother. “I love Elam, and if he asked me to marry him tomorrow, I’d say yes, for sure.”

Mom placed her hands against Priscilla’s hot cheeks. “Then bide your time and try to be patient. Good things come to those who wait.”

Priscilla didn’t argue. She appreciated Mom’s advice. But as each month went by, the waiting became harder. She couldn’t wait indefinitely, or she’d end up an old maid.

H
ey, Mom, I need to ask ya something,” Jared hollered when he entered the kitchen Monday morning.

Cora placed two bowls of steaming oatmeal on the table. “You can ask your question while you eat, because if you don’t hurry you’ll be late for the bus.”

Jared glanced at the clock above the refrigerator before sitting. “There’s still plenty of time.”

Cora took a seat across from him. “Now what did you want to ask me?”

He spooned some brown sugar on his oatmeal and poured milk over the top. “Is it okay if I go over to Scott’s after school? We need to work on a science project. It’ll probably take this week and next.”

Cora took a sip of coffee. “Christmas break is next week, Jared. Wouldn’t you have to turn your assignment in by this Friday?”

Jared gulped down some milk and wiped his mouth with the back of hand. “Actually, it’s not due till we go back to school after our winter break, but we wanna get it done before Christmas so we can relax and enjoy our time off from school.”

Cora handed Jared a napkin. “Use this to wipe your face, please. I’ve taught you better than that.” Would her son’s table manners ever improve? “It’s good you’re planning ahead. It shows you’re being responsible, rather than waiting until the last minute.”

“So you’re okay with me going there after school?” Jared asked around a mouthful of oatmeal.

“Please don’t talk when there’s food in your mouth,” she admonished.

“Sorry,” he mumbled after he’d finished chewing. “So is it okay if I go over to Scott’s?”

Cora nodded. “Just don’t stay too late. You need to be home in time for supper, and don’t forget your chores.” Cora had insisted on one thing when she’d rented this house: Jared had to pick up after himself. A place this small could become overrun with clutter if things didn’t get put away.

“No problem, Mom. I’ll be home in plenty of time.”

Cora smiled. It was nice to see her son in such a good mood.

Adam pulled out his pocket watch and whistled. Where had the day gone? In two-and-a-half hours it would be time to close the store. He looked forward to locking up, knowing Leah would have supper ready and he could find out about her day. He was anxious to see the girls and talk about their day at school, as well. Going home after work was so different now that he had a family. Adam wouldn’t trade it for anything. No matter how tired he was after a busy day at the store, seeing his family brought a smile to his lips.
I’m blessed
, he thought, moving toward the front of the store to see if Ben needed help with customers.

Approaching the counter, Adam saw Scott enter the store with his friend. Adam had met Jared a few times when he’d come by to visit Scott. The first few times, the boy had carried an attitude, but the last time Jared had stopped by to see Scott, he seemed more settled.

“You here to work?” Adam asked Scott.

The teen nodded. “So is Jared. He brought a note from his mother.”

Jared handed a piece of paper to Adam. “My mom said it was okay for me to work here, and I appreciate the job.”

Adam read the note:

Adam lowered the paper. “Since your mom approves, I’m okay with it, but you’ll have to work hard. And there’s to be no fooling around or visiting with Scott during work hours.”

“No problem, sir. I’ll do everything I’m told.”

“Great. Now if you boys will follow me to the back room, I’ll get you started stocking some shelves.”

“Yes, sir,” Scott and Jared said in unison.

Adam smiled at their enthusiasm, but something else caught his attention, although he couldn’t put his finger on it. Something about Jared reminded him of himself back when he was around the same age.

“Since the laundry has been brought in, would you mind if I go out for a while?” Priscilla asked her mother. “Dad said he was planning to work late today, so I’m guessing we won’t eat till sometime after seven.”

Mom nodded. “True, but would you mind telling me where you’re going?”

“To the Morgans’ place. I want to see how David’s doing.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be going over there so much.” Mom clicked her tongue. “Some folks might get the wrong idea.”

“What do you mean?” Priscilla’s eyebrows rose. “The wrong idea about what?”

Mom folded the last towel and placed it on top of the stack. “You and David. Some people might wonder if you’re interested in him.”

Priscilla’s defenses rose. “I am interested in David, but not seriously. You know David and I have been friends for several years. He’s Elam’s friend, too.”

Mom placed her hand on Priscilla’s shoulder. “I understand, but—”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, and I don’t care what others may think.”

“Just be careful you don’t give David any ideas by going over there too often,” Mom cautioned. “It wouldn’t be good if he became romantically interested in you. He might try to persuade you to go English.”

“It will never happen, Mom. David and I are just friends.” Priscilla gave Mom a reassuring hug, grabbed her outer bonnet and jacket, then hurried out the door.

I can’t believe Mom is worried about me and David
, Priscilla thought as she made her way to the barn to get her horse. She stomped inside, scattering the barn cats in every direction.
I’m sure David doesn’t see me as anything more than a friend.

“It’s nice to see you.” David’s grandma greeted Priscilla at the door. “I know Davey will be glad, too. He’s been down in the dumps all day.”

“Is he still in a lot of pain?” Wet with snow, Priscilla stopped to wipe her feet on the throw rug inside the door.

“Not as much as before. It’s hard for him to be laid up. Davey’s like anybody else—it’s difficult not to be able to do things.”

Letty led the way to the living room, where David sat in Walt’s recliner. His eyes lit up when he saw Priscilla. “I was just thinking about you.”

Priscilla smiled. “I’ve been anxious to see how you’re doing.”

David gestured to his cast. “I’m not running any marathons.”

“You won’t be for a while, either.” Letty tapped David’s shoulder. “You’ll have to learn some patience till that leg of yours heals.”

“Your grandma’s right,” Walt said, entering the room with a cup of coffee.

Letty moved closer to Priscilla. “I’ll hang your jacket and outer bonnet in the hall closet till you’re ready to go.”

“I have a better idea,” David spoke up. “Priscilla, why don’t you leave your coat and bonnet on and take me for a ride in your buggy? I need to get out for some fresh air.” He grinned at her. “Even though it’s not snowing today, there’s still plenty of white stuff on the ground. I’d enjoy getting out and seeing the beauty of it.”

“You’re not up to riding in a buggy, Davey.” Letty shook her head. “Travel would be a lot rougher than riding in a car. You’ll get jostled around.”

“I’ll be fine, Gram. Now would you mind gettin’ my jacket?”

“I’ll get it.” Walt set his cup on the coffee table and left the room. When he returned, he had David’s coat and a knitted cap, like the ones many of the Amish men wore in the area during the winter months.

Using his crutches to pull himself up, David stood. With his grandpa’s help, he slipped on his jacket. “I really don’t need the cap, since I’ll be inside Priscilla’s buggy. You do have a heater in there, right, Priscilla?”

She nodded. “It’s in the dash, but if the wind picks up, it could still be a little chilly. I’d wear the knitted cap if I were you, David.”

“Okay.” David put the cap on his head and hobbled out the door.

Priscilla turned to face Walt and Letty. “We won’t be gone long. I’ll make sure my horse goes slowly so David won’t get jostled too much.”

Letty smiled. “Enjoy the ride, you two. I’ll have hot chocolate waiting when you get back.”

As they headed down the road a short time later, David reached over and touched Priscilla’s arm. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask.”

“Oh?”

“How come you never answered any of my letters?”

Her brows drew together. “What letters?”

“The letters I wrote you when I first went to college.”

“I never got your letters, David. The night of your motorcycle accident was the first I’d seen or heard from you in two years.” Priscilla noticed David’s deep frown. “Maybe you sent them to the wrong address, or perhaps the letters got lost in the mail. Unfortunately, it happens sometimes.”

David grunted. “I know where you live, Priscilla, so I didn’t use the wrong address. And it’s not likely half-a-dozen letters would get lost. Maybe one of them, but not all.”

Priscilla pursed her lips, clutching the horse’s reins a little tighter. “Very strange.”
Could Mom or Dad have intercepted David’s letters? If so, why? When I go home I’m going to ask.

R
iding in your buggy is great!” David looked over at Priscilla and smiled. “I haven’t felt this relaxed in days.”

She returned his smile. “I’m trying to take it slow and easy so you don’t get bumped around.”