An Amish Christmas (5 page)

“That is the only plan I can come up with. What do you think?”

“It makes sense, but it may not be easy.” She hesitated not knowing exactly how to phrase her words.

“What do you mean?”

“There are over forty farms along Pleasant View road. Most belong to Amish farmers.”

“And?”

“They may not be comfortable talking to an outsider.”

Picking up a spoon, he stirred his coffee slowly. After a moment he looked directly into her eyes. “Will you help me?”

She glanced out the window toward the barn. Papa would not like her getting involved. It troubled her that she was considering helping this man against her father’s wishes. But she was.

John must have sensed her reluctance. He said, “If you aren’t comfortable with helping me, I understand. You don’t know anything about me.”

Tipping her head in his direction, she arched one eyebrow. “You don’t know much about you, either.”

That brought a ghost of a smile to his face. “True.”

Crossing her arms on the table she stared at him. “I know that you like scrambled eggs and that you don’t want to cause me trouble. I will do what I can to help you, but I am afraid it may not be much.”

Rising to her feet, Karen said, “Finish your breakfast. I have much work I must do today, but tomorrow I will drive you to some of our neighbors’ farms.”

“Are you sure we can’t get started today?”

She scowled at him. “Who will bake my bread? Who will mend the clothes my brothers must wear? Who will cook lunch for my father and our evening meal? These things I must do and many more. Tomorrow, I will make time for you. Besides, you need a day of rest. I see it in your eyes.”

He looked ready to protest, but finally nodded. “You’re right. One more day won’t make a difference. You rented me a house, you didn’t sign on to be my driver.”

“
Goot,
and you will rest,
ja?
”

“I’ll try. Does Hope Springs have a public library?”

“Yes. It is across from the English school on Maple Street. Why?”

“I need internet access. There is a national website for missing persons called NamUs. If anyone in the country reports a man of my description missing, the information will be posted there. I know Sheriff Bradley is doing all he can, but he doesn’t have much manpower to devote to my case. I must help myself.”

“Tomorrow, we can go there first thing.”

“No, I’d like to start questioning people first.”

“As you wish. Now you must finish your breakfast and get out from under my foot so I may wash the kitchen floor.”

He quickly finished his plate, swigged the rest of his coffee and carried everything to the sink. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“
Ja.
Would you go to the barn and check on
Dat?
”

“Your dad?”

She nodded. “I’m worried about him. He is trying to do too much too soon. He broke his arm five weeks ago when a neighbor’s horse kicked him. He wants to get back to work, but the doctor says no. The broken bone damaged a nerve and he has lost feeling in his hand.”

“I’ll be happy to check on him.”

“Danki.”

He eyed her intently. “And that means?”

“It means, thank you.”

“How do you say, you’re welcome?”

“Du bischt wilkumm.”

He repeated the phrase and she was surprised by his almost perfect pronunciation. “
Goot.
Now, out, or you will find yourself with a mop in hand.”

She was smiling as he walked out, but her grin faded quickly. She had chosen to remain with her family and care for her younger brothers and sisters after their mother was killed. She had given up her chance to marry
and have a family of her own because she had been needed here.

At twenty-five, she was considered an old maid by many in the community. She considered herself too old and too wise for a youthful infatuation, but that was exactly the way she felt around John.

He was handsome in his English way, but he was not Plain. So why did a smile on his face make her heart beat faster? It was wrong to think of him in such a way. To forget that would be to bring heartache to all her family. They had suffered enough already. She would not bring them more pain.

S
tepping off the front porch, John looked up. The morning sky hung low, gray and overcast. The wind carried a hint of rain as it scattered fallen leaves across the ground in front of his feet. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched Karen working in the kitchen through the windows. Once again he was struck by how gracefully she moved.

She wore a dark purple dress today with a black apron over it. The color accentuated her willowy frame. The ribbons of her white cap drew his attention to her slender neck, the curve of her jaw and her delicate ears.

He turned away from the sight, recognizing his interest for what it was. The attraction of a man to a lovely woman. He had no business thinking about any woman in a romantic light. Not until he’d solved the riddle of his past.

Heading toward the barn, he studied the looming structure. It was a huge, solid building, obviously well cared for. Pulling open one of the doors he entered into the dim interior. Instantly, the smells of animals assailed him along with the odors of hay, old wood and feed.
He knew these smells the way he knew he was right-handed.

Off to the left was an area that served as Eli’s blacksmith shop. Brooms and assorted tools hung from horseshoes attached to the bare wooden walls and overhead beams. Two steel frames suspended from the ceiling had been rigged so they could be released to swing down on either side of a fitful horse during a shoeing. An anvil sat secured to a worn workbench. Beside it was a water barrel and racks of horseshoes of different sizes. A rolling cart in the corner contained all the tools a farrier needed in their proper places.

Walking over to the shoes, John picked one up. It was too heavy. He hefted another. They should be lighter. He didn’t know why, but he knew they should be.

The sound of a loud whinny greeted him. He replaced the shoes and moved toward the source. In the filtered daylight he made out a half dozen equine heads hanging over their stall doors to check out this newcomer.

He stopped at the first stall. Molly nuzzled at his shirt pocket. He scratched her head. “Sorry, I didn’t know I needed to bring a treat. I’ll do better tomorrow.”

“Do you like horses, Mr. Doe?”

John turned to see Mr. Imhoff approaching from the back of the barn. In his free hand he held a pitchfork.

“It appears that I do,” John answered.

“Is it true what my daughter says? That you have no memory of your life before you were found on our lane?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“I have heard of such a thing. My father’s oldest brother was kicked in the head by a horse. It was a full day before he recovered his senses.”

“I have recovered my senses, just not any personal memories.”

“That is a strange burden for God to give a man, but He has His reasons even if we cannot understand them.”

Hiding his bitterness at God, John turned back to Molly. “Your mare has nice confirmation. Do you plan to breed her?”

“I’ve already had two nice colts from her.” Eli began walking toward the back of the barn. John followed him to a small paddock where a black horse was trotting back and forth.

John leaned his elbows on the top rail and watched the animal with pleasure. “Hey, pretty boy. You look like you’ve got some get up and go,” he murmured softly.

A blinding pain made him wince. He saw another black horse, rail-thin with its hip bones sticking out. The animal was covered in sores and flies. Death hovered over him.

Sucking in a quick breath, John opened his eyes. The vision was gone.

Eli didn’t seem to notice anything unusual. He said, “This one’s name is One-Way, and he should look fast. His sire, Willows Way, won the Hamiltonian at the Meadowlands ten years ago.”

John rubbed the ache from his temple. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid that doesn’t mean anything to me.”

“It means his sire was a racehorse, a trotter and a
goot
one.”

John looked at the Amish farmer in his dark coat, long gray beard and worn black hat. “You are raising racehorses?”

Eli smiled. “Mostly I raise and train carriage horses.
I bought my first Standardbred when I was a teenager. I was looking for a fast horse to impress my girlfriend.”

“How did that work out?”

“The courtship did not, but the horse did. I got interested in the breed, began to study trade magazines and it wasn’t long before I was breeding them myself. Back then I couldn’t afford the stud fees of high-profile stallions. I got very
goot
at losing money at what my wife called my foolishness.”

“Isn’t horse racing and betting against your religion?”

“
Ja,
it is a worldly thing and thus forbidden to us.”

“Okay, then I’m confused.”

Eli’s grin widened. “There is nothing wrong in breeding a fine horse. They are God’s creatures, after all. If you can sell that horse for an honest price, there is nothing wrong with that, either. This one’s brother is doing well on the racing circuit this year.”

John smiled as understanding dawned. “I see. If the fine horse should win a race or two for some new owner, then the next foal from your mare will be worth even more money.”

“
Ja.
It is all in the hands of God. I try to remember to keep Him first in my life for He rewards His faithful servants.”

“When will you sell this fellow?”

“After the first of the year I will take him to the Winter Speed sale in Delaware, Ohio.”

The place meant nothing to John.

Eli said, “My daughter has taken a keen interest in you.”

John was surprised by the abrupt change of topic. “Your daughter has been very kind.”

“She has a
goot
heart. It was the same with her mother.” Eli’s voice became wistful.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Karen told me what happened.”

Eli turned to John. In a low steely voice, he said, “I would not want to see my daughter’s kindness repaid with sorrow. Be careful of that, John Doe.”

Taken aback, John stared at Eli. The last thing he wanted was to cause trouble for the woman who’d shown him so much kindness. He nodded solemnly. “I will, sir. I promise.”

Late the following morning, Karen stopped the buggy where the lane met the highway and gave a sidelong glance at John seated beside her. He turned the collar of his coat up against the cold drizzle, but his excitement at finally getting to do something shimmered in his eyes.

“Which way would you like to go?” she asked.

“Which direction is the nearest interstate?”

She pointed north. “If you go through town and then take Yoder Road north about twenty-five miles you will reach the interstate.”

“Let’s go toward Hope Springs then and stop at the farms between here and the town. If I’m not from the area I most likely came in on a major highway.”

Slapping the reins against Molly’s rump, Karen sent the mare trotting down the blacktop. “I have one stop I need to make at the Sutters’ farm. Are you certain you are not from this area?”

“No. Except that no one has reported me missing from around here. And no one has recognized me from the TV piece the local news ran on me. Do you mind if I try my hand at driving?” he asked.

Surprised by his request, she said, “
Nee,
I do not mind. Do you know how to drive a horse?”

“I think I can. I’ve been watching you do it.” Taking the reins, he sat up straight and guided Molly down the highway.

After watching for a few minutes, Karen said, “That is
goot.
I think you’ve done this before.”

John smiled at her. “I think you’re right.”

“Perhaps you are ex-Amish.”

The moment the words left her mouth her heart sank like a stone. If John had taken the vows of their faith and then left the community, all would shun him. She would have to shun him.

He didn’t seem to notice her concern. “The sheriff did discuss that possibility.”

Dismissing the idea as unacceptable, she said, “You don’t speak or understand our language. Surely you could not forget the tongue you grew up with.”

He shrugged. “Who would think I could forget my own name? As far as I’m concerned anything is possible.”

Racking her mind for local families with members who’d strayed, she quickly came up with several. In their tight-knit community, she was sure she knew all the young men who’d left. The only one close to John’s age would have been Isaac Troyer’s son who left almost ten years ago. He looked nothing like John. The others she could think of who had left the community were much younger men and a few young women.

There were at least three families who had moved into the area recently. If they had members leave the faith before coming to this church district she didn’t know about them.

In less than a quarter of a mile, they reached the lane
of another farm. John turned the horse onto the narrow road. Karen said, “When we get to the bishop’s house, you should stay in the buggy.”

“Why?”

“So that I may speak privately to Bishop Zook and ask if he can assist you.”

“And if he says no?” John’s tone carried a hint of annoyance.

“Bishop Zook is a wise and much-respected man. If you have his permission to speak to the members of our church it will open many doors that might otherwise be closed to you.”

John relented. “All right. I’ll follow your lead.”

“Goot.”
She nodded her satisfaction.

Driving the buggy up to the front of the house, he drew the mare to a stop. Before Karen could step out, Joseph Zook walked out of the house toward her. “
Guder mariye,
Karen,” he called cheerfully. “What brings you here today?”

“Good morning, Bishop. I have brought someone to meet you. This is John Doe, the man who was found unconscious beside our lane.”

Concern furrowed the minister’s brow. “I have heard the story. I am glad to see that you are recovered, Mr. Doe.”

“I’m not quite recovered, sir.” John touched the bandage on the side of his head. “I have no memory of my past. I’m hoping that you can help me.”

“I am sorry for your injury, but how can I help?”

“Do you recognize me? Have you ever seen me be fore?”

The bishop studied him intently then said, “
Nee,
I have not.”

Karen could feel John’s disappointment in the slump of his body beside her. She addressed the bishop. “John wishes to speak to members of our church to see if anyone knows him or knows something about him.”

The bishop studied Karen intently. He switched to Pennsylvania Dutch. “You must be careful, Karen. To become involved in this outsider business is not a good thing.”

She bowed her head slightly. “How can helping an injured man be a bad thing? I feel that this is what God wants me to do.”

“Be sure it is God’s will you are seeking, Karen, and not your own.”

“I will heed your advice, Bishop.”

The bishop turned his attention back to John and spoke in English. “You may speak to members of our church if they wish it also. I will pray that you find the answers you seek, young man.”

Karen watched the bishop walk away. She had been warned. Her support for John must be limited and above reproach. She reached for the reins but John ignored her outstretched hand, turning the horse easily in the yard and sending her down the lane.

Karen put the bishop’s warning behind her. “You have driven a buggy many times.”

“Maybe I’m just a fast learner.”

“Perhaps.” Her spirits sank lower. How many English knew how to drive a buggy? Not many. It seemed more likely that her earlier assumption was correct. John had been raised Plain.

If he had left the church before his baptism, he would be accepted by most of the Amish in her community.
If, on the other hand, he had rejected the church after baptism he would be considered an outcast until he made a full confession before the congregation.

She glanced at him once more. How could a man confess his sins if he had no memory of them? He looked happy at the moment driving Molly along at a steady pace. The cold rain had stopped and the sun peeked out. Up ahead on the road, Henry Zook, the bishop’s youngest son, was traveling to market in his farm wagon. John slowed Molly to follow behind him. When the way was clear and free of traffic, he sent Molly high stepping around the wagon.

When the mare drew level with the other horses she suddenly picked up her pace eager to get in front of them.

“You’ve got some speed, Molly girl,” John called to the horse.

Instead of letting the mare keep her fast pace, he reined her in and grinned at Karen. “I’d love to let her go and see just how much she’s got.”

“Why don’t you?” she asked, hoping to hear the right answer.

He shook his head. “No, she has too many miles to haul us yet. It wouldn’t be kind to wear her out on a joyride.”

Looking straight ahead, Karen smiled inwardly. “What ever you have done in your past life, you care about animals. You can add it to your list of things you have discovered about yourself.”

“Now if I can only locate a pencil sharpener,” he added drily.

“What?” She tipped her head to stare at him in confusion.

“Never mind. Where to next?”

“Up ahead is the farm of Elam Sutter. He and some of his family moved here from Pennsylvania almost two years ago. Elam is getting married next week.”

Twisting in the seat, she grasped his arm as excitement rippled though her mind. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. It makes perfect sense.”

“What makes perfect sense?”

“Perhaps you were coming for the wedding. Elam’s fiancée, Katie Lantz, lived out in the world for several years. She knows many English. That must be it.”

John tried not to get his hopes up but Karen’s excitement was contagious. He asked, “Why didn’t they report me as missing?”

“I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t sure when you would arrive. Maybe your coming was a surprise for them.”

He wanted to believe her scenarios but he was growing used to disappointment. Still, his palms began to sweat. “We will see soon enough.”

As they rolled into the yard, John saw four other buggies lined up beside the barn. He drew Molly to stop in front of the house.