A Widow's Hope (24 page)

Hannah nearly choked on the turkey and Swiss. “You’ve found the right one? You’ve fallen in love?” she asked.

“I have, except we haven’t announced anything yet. Not even to our folks. I wanted to be sure, you understand. He’s from another district. My parents might get a little worried, since his district is more liberal. But I know I won’t be shunned or anything like that.”

Hannah stopped holding her breath. “Who is he? Where does your young man live?”

“His name is Joshua, and he lives on a farm outside of Baltic with his family. But he doesn’t farm. He has worked in a sawmill for more
than ten years. They’ve just promoted him to night shift foreman.” Joy and maybe a touch of pride shone in her pretty face.

“God’s blessings on you both,” Hannah said, finishing the rest of her lemonade. The odd tension in her shoulders eased.

“
Danki.
That’s why I stopped today to talk to you. I figured out what Deacon Miller was up to, and I want you to know…I have no interest in Seth.” Her cheeks blushed to the shade of ripe raspberries. “I could tell you favored him, and I had no desire to trouble you.”

Hannah’s head snapped up. “Is it that obvious? Can even a stranger spot it?”

Laura patted her arm. “Only a stranger who happens to be in love. Don’t worry. I’m a very observant woman—a teacher has to be so.”

Hannah didn’t find herself much consoled. “I appreciate your telling me this, but it won’t change anything. Seth Miller barely said a dozen words to me that night. We’ve had differences of opinion previously, and we don’t seem to be well suited at all.”

Laura popped another pickle in her mouth. “I disagree. Every time you were watching the clock on the wall, or listening to
kinner
tell a story, or cutting your food into particles, Seth was watching you. Like I said, I’m a very observant woman.”

“People watch animals in the zoo all day long, but they don’t ask to court them.”

The teacher’s laughter startled the sparrows from the bird feeder. “I like your sense of humor, Hannah. I hope we can become good friends, but I will speak frankly here. Seth will continue to watch you forever like a kangaroo at the zoo until
someone
gives him a nudge. He’s lost his first wife, as you have suffered your own terrible loss. But men are much more afraid to take a chance on dating again.” Laura folded her hands on her skirt, looking a little nervous as to how her advice would be received.

Hannah brushed crumbs into the grass and pondered for a moment before looking the younger woman in the eye and asking, “What exactly do you suggest?”

Miss Stoddard looked ready to take on the world, or at least the entire Plain world of Holmes County. “I suggest, Hannah, that you need a break from farm chores and your flock of sheep. This Friday evening, my
bruder
and I will pick you up around five o’clock. Don’t eat dinner beforehand. You’re going to Berlin.” She rose to her feet and shook out her skirt.

“What’s in Berlin?” Hannah asked, trying unsuccessfully to keep the excitement from her voice.

“It’s a fundraiser with an auction and a haystack dinner in Joshua’s district. A young man working with a chainsaw fell out of a tree and was badly injured. He will recover, but it’ll be some time before he can work again. He has a wife and two small sons besides a pile of medical bills.” Laura looked skyward to gauge the sun’s position. “My, it’s getting late. I wanted to work in the garden yet today.
Danki
for lunch; see you Friday.” She started walking toward her buggy at a brisk pace.

Hannah ran to keep up. “Wait one more minute. Did you also say an auction? What shall I bring?”

“Bring whatever cash you can spare because the plate dinner is by donation. Anything you can contribute to the auction would also be appreciated. I believe you spin your own wool? Have you made anything lately you might be able to part with for a good cause?”

“Of course,” Hannah said. “Do you think any women might bid on one of my wool shawls? I’ve made a couple lap robes too.”

Laura tugged the reins from the tree branch and climbed into her buggy. “I know I would certainly bid on one of your shawls.” She reached down and clasped Hannah’s shoulder. “No more thoughts about the burned supper. Now you have a haystack dinner to look forward to.” Laura clucked to the horse, and it started to clop down the drive.

Hannah walked alongside for as long as she could, not wanting the impromptu lunch to end. “Goodbye, Laura. See you Friday,” she called.

The schoolteacher leaned out and asked, “Oh, did I happen to mention Seth Miller would be at the fundraiser too? I have it on good authority.” She grinned and winked before her head disappeared back inside the buggy.

Hannah Brown found herself smiling uncontrollably for the rest of the day and counting the hours until Friday, five o’clock.

“Seth Miller! Over here!” A voice wafted on the evening breeze.

Seth scanned the people milling outside the auction barn for the source of his name. At first he couldn’t discern any familiar faces in the throng of people—some English but mostly Amish.

“Seth,” the voice repeated. Then Seth spotted his friend Joshua Hershberger. It was Josh who’d told him about the benefit auction for the injured farmer. But Seth hadn’t expected this kind of turnout. He’d had to park his wagon nearly a mile away as every parking spot closer for buggies or cars had been taken. Luckily he’d been able to drop off the furniture he’d made last winter and the tools he was donating at the loading dock before tying up his mare. With so many horses in town, Seth was glad he’d brought his own water bucket and feedbag.

“Joshua,” Seth called. He snaked his way through the people trying to squeeze inside the barn that had been set up for quilts and handmade items.

The two women standing with Josh turned when Seth reached the group. He gasped from sheer shock as he recognized both. The taller was Miss Laura Stoddard, the teacher in Winesburg. The smaller of the two was Mrs. Hannah Brown, who was blushing like a schoolgirl. He couldn’t decide if he was more stunned or delighted.

“You look like you’ve seen a flying goat,” Joshua said.

Seth swept his hat from his head and patted down his cowlick. “Good evening, Miss Stoddard, Mrs. Brown.”

“Hello,”
they both chimed in unison.

Joshua looked ready to burst at the seams. “Seth, I want you to be the first to know. Laura and I have been courting, and our engagement will soon be announced in both our districts.”

Shock won out as his primary emotion. Seth slapped his friend on the back. “Congratulations,” he said to Josh and to Laura. “Best wishes.” He stole a glance at Hannah, who had crept out from behind the post. “Did you know about this on Tuesday?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, not until Wednesday when Laura came by.” She clasped her hands tightly together in front of her, apparently almost as nervous as he was.

“Sit with us during dinner, Seth. You shouldn’t eat alone after coming all the way down here,” Josh said.

“Is that all right with you, Hannah?” Seth asked, not taking anything for granted with his luck lately.

“
Jah,
sure,” she squeaked. “It’s fine.” She glanced from Laura to Joshua without her usual composure.

“Let’s go into the auction barn,” Laura said. “I want to see if they’ve sold my quilt or Hannah’s wool shawls yet. She donated two, both dyed black, made of the softest wool I’ve ever felt.”

“They’re not as nice as the quilt you made,” Hannah said.

“Twice as nice. You’re too modest.” Laura linked arms with Joshua, leaving Seth next to Hannah. He hoped he wasn’t overstepping his bounds when he took her by the elbow. But with so many people congregating in the doorway, they would become separated for sure if he didn’t.

“Should I cut a path for us up to the tables?” he asked as the other two disappeared into the crowd.

“No,” she said. “I’m not planning to bid on anything so I’m happier back here.”

She wedged into a spot by the back wall that was large enough for two. “Me too,” he agreed, slipping in behind her to watch the
commotion over her head. “Josh and Laura have a home to furnish, whereas you and I have pretty much everything we need.”

“Pretty much,” she said, looking everywhere but at him.

“Look, Hannah. I’m sorry ’bout the way I acted coming back from Kidron,” he blurted. “I wanted to tell you that on Tuesday night, but there were always so many people around.”

“I know. I’m sorry too. I acted grumpy instead of discussing it with you like an adult.”

“I didn’t give you much chance.”

“I didn’t try very hard.”

“Maybe we’re both a little stubborn.”

“Maybe more than just a little,” she said. A smile was starting in her pretty green eyes that soon filled her entire face. “Sounds like we’re two peas in a pod,” she added.

“Two bulls in a china shop.” He pulled on his beard.

“Two black snakes in a woodpile.”

He thought for a moment but came up short. “I’m fresh out… you win,” he said, and they both laughed.

“What do I win?” she asked, rocking back on her heels.

“I’m buying your haystack dinner tonight.”

She shook her head and sent the ties on her
kapp
swinging. “No, Seth. I brought money, and I want to help the Schlabach family with it.”

“Good. You can put it in the donation jar, but I’m paying for your haystack.”

“What exactly is this dinner before you shell out hard-earned cash?”

“You’ve never had one? You’re in for a treat, but I can’t really describe it. You might get scared off.”

“Fair enough. By the way, Turnip is working out fine. He’s taken to my flock as though I’ve had him all my life.”

“How does he treat the lambs?”

“Gentle as can be. No nipping—he just nudges them in the right direction.”

Suddenly Laura and Josh appeared before them. “Hannah, you are not going to believe this! Your shawls fetched three hundred dollars!”

“You’re right. I don’t believe it,” Hannah teased.

“I saw the sold tag with the price written right on it.”

“Three hundred for the two shawls? I’m quite happy about that,” Hannah said.

“Nope,” Laura said, crossing her arms. “Three hundred
each.
And if you had brought more, I’d bet you could have sold a dozen.”

“My goodness,” Hannah replied. “Folks sure are generous with their money when it’s for a good cause.”

“That’s true enough,” Laura agreed, “but I heard a couple of ladies ask who made the beautiful pieces. They said they had never seen finer wool.”

Hannah’s face glowed with pleasure.

“I think you might have found a use for those woolbags, after all,” Seth said, “since you’re not fond of selling off spring lambs.”

Hannah nodded. “Do you really think there’s much demand for my homemade woolens beyond what Julia and the rest of the family can use?” She looked from Seth to Laura.

“Absolutely,” they answered together.

Josh leaned in between the two women. “I’m getting hungry,” he said, patting his ample belly. “Let’s talk in the chow line about Hannah’s new enterprise.”

Seth nodded, and they moved to the line in the dining hall.

Inside, long tables had been set up and covered with white paper. Jelly jars held bouquets of wildflowers, and strings of tiny white lights hung from the rafters. At least five hundred people could sit down at one time while the others patiently waited their turn. It felt good to have Hannah by his side, as it had in Kidron. He hoped today would have a much sweeter end result.

Hannah craned her neck from side to side, trying to get a look as
they inched closer to their supper. “Is it a big salad bar?” she asked, standing on tiptoes.

“Sort of,” he said. “Soon all questions will be answered.”

When they reached the front, he handed her a dinner plate and began his instructions. “First, start with crushed Ritz crackers on the bottom. Then add a layer of crumbled beef. Next build your haystack as you see fit with shredded cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes, and peppers. Then add shredded lettuce for the hay and sprinkle with peas. At the end of the line, you’ll top it with either melted cheese or with sweet-and-sour dressing.” He grinned in anticipation as his stomach rumbled.

“All that on one plate?” Hannah looked a little frightened.

“They don’t call it a haystack for nothing. Oh, and save room for a bowl of ice cream with warm chocolate syrup.”

“My goodness, Seth. Had I known about this, I wouldn’t have eaten for two days.”

He handed her a plate, and they both began their creations. “What are you supposed to donate for all this?” she whispered.

“Whatever you can afford to give. No one pays much attention to what people put into the donation jar at the end of the line.”

Hannah’s eyes grew as round as saucers watching people build stacks with near artistic creativity. “I never knew a meal could be so much fun,” she said, arranging tomatoes around the edge of her plate.

“Me neither,” Seth agreed, but he was referring to his dinner companion, not the food. As Hannah carefully carried her haystack to the table where Laura had found spaces, Seth dropped two twenties into the donation jar.