A Widow's Hope (43 page)
Authors: Mary Ellis
One week later Hannah and Phoebe drove the buggy home from
Julia’s. They had been helping her with fall cleaning. It had been such a blessing when the work frolic moved her to Seth’s that she had to return the favor. She, Emma, and Julia cleaned the house from top to bottom, while Simon and the boys washed the outside windows. The house sparkled, Julia was pleased, and Hannah felt tired but satisfied. All she wanted to do was reheat yesterday’s stew in the oven and soak in a hot tub while Phoebe took her nap.
“Look,
mamm,
” Phoebe said.
Hannah was so taken aback with joy every time the child called her
mamm
she didn’t notice anything else. Then Hannah spotted a shiny new, dark green pickup parked in the driveway.
With any luck, they are lost tourists and only need directions,
she thought, too tired for any visitors.
“A truck,” Phoebe said in
Deutsch
and English.
School had begun, and Miss Stoddard was very pleased with Phoebe’s progress.
“It certainly is,” Hannah murmured, parking the buggy in front of the barn. “Stay with me. We don’t know who it is.” Hannah jumped down and tied the reins to a post. When she turned around, a young man got out of the truck in clean blue jeans, a flannel shirt, and a ball cap. She didn’t recognize him until he took off the cap.
“Mrs. Brown? You might not remember me. I’m James Davis. We met in Sugar Creek at Mrs. Dunn’s store.”
Hannah relaxed and smiled. “Yes, I remember you, a fellow sheep farmer,” she added with a smile. “I am Mrs. Miller now, and this is my daughter, Phoebe.” Hannah tried to extricate the child from her skirt, but she clung like sticky tape.
The boy grinned with a dazzlingly bright smile and cleared his throat. “Is Emma here, ma’am? May I speak with her?”
Hannah looked confused.
“I had told Emma that I usually drive to Mount Eaton on Tuesday afternoons. I cut my grandparents’ grass and see if they need anything done around the house. My grandpa can’t climb ladders anymore.”
James Davis stood there looking earnest as he waited for this to make sense to Hannah.
But it did not. Hannah shrugged her shoulders and smiled pleasantly. She didn’t wish to appear rude but couldn’t fathom what his visit to Mount Eaton had to do with her family.
James blushed slightly and shuffled his feet. “Your niece told me to stop here—at her aunt and uncle’s farm—to see your sheep and check out your operation—any Tuesday on my way home from Grandma’s. Emma said she’d be happy to show me your flock.”
“Perhaps another time, James. Emma is not here. She’s home with her parents.” Hannah nodded her head politely and walked onto the porch. When she glanced over her shoulder, young Mr. Davis was headed back to his pickup truck.
You want to see our sheep indeed,
she thought. Hannah watched him drive away as an unsettled feeling grew in the pit of her stomach.
But before long the fragrant pot of stew was simmering on the stove. Phoebe was setting the table, and soon Seth would be back from town, where he’d delivered the last of his own sweet corn. He would greet her with a hug and a kiss and praise her culinary attempts enthusiastically, even though she was only heating up leftovers.
Hannah felt a surge of joy and contentment sweep over her, chasing away any and all worries. She had found her home, her place, and her purpose in the world.
She was happy at last.
And God would watch over her dear niece Emma too.
All things in this world are by His Hand. She needn’t worry about a thing again.
Mary Ellis
grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish Community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. She and her husband now live in Medina County, close to the largest population of Amish families, and enjoy the simple way of life.
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