Jedidiah's Bride

* * *

Jed stood on the Millers’ front porch and watched as buggies and wagons arrived with young people who had come for the evening’s singing. There was still no sign of either Sarah or her brothers. Would she come or did her mother need her?

Why should I care if she stays home? It wasn’t as if he’d ever see her again. Still, the memory of her smiling face and blue eyes lingered in his thoughts. He had enjoyed his time with her family. The afternoon had passed quickly—too quickly.

He shouldn’t think of Sarah. He was too old for her. What was she? Seventeen? Eighteen? He’d thought he’d found someone he might love in Annie Zook, but he’d been wrong. If he’d hurt her, Annie hadn’t shown it. Sarah was vulnerable. She’d spent a long time caring for her mother. She hadn’t been to a singing in months. He had no right to monopolize her time, but he couldn’t help himself.

If she comes, then I’ll enjoy the evening with her and then say goodbye. She would find someone else here in Delaware to love. She would want to stay near her family, and he needed to be home in Happiness.

It was growing late and still there was no sign of any of the Masts. Jed stepped down from the porch and crossed the yard, more than mildly disappointed.

Suddenly, a buggy came barreling down the dirt drive to pull up quickly behind the line of vehicles. Jed saw Ervin and Toby jump down from the vehicle, but no sign of Sarah. He waited for the brothers to join him before entering the barn.

Just as he had given up hope of seeing her again, Jed watched Sarah climb out carefully after her brothers, balancing a plate in one hand. Ervin helped his sister, grabbing the plate from her hand. The siblings turned and spied Jed standing in the yard. Ervin waved, and Toby followed his eldest brother, while Sarah came slowly behind.

Jed felt a sudden lightening of spirit. Sarah was here, and he would get to spend more time with her, if only for a few hours.

He grinned at Sarah’s brothers, and then he waited with a soft smile as Sarah caught up to them. “Nice night for a singing,” he said, noting her flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.

“Ja,” she said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had the joy.” She gestured toward the plate Ervin held out to her. “I brought cookies—chocolate chip.”

“This will be a gut night, Sarah,” he whispered as the brothers went into the barn ahead of them.

She gave a barely perceptible nod as they followed. Then, there were greetings from the others who had come. Jed noticed that his cousin P.J. seemed particularly happy to see Sarah. P.J., Pete’s eldest son, was closer in age to Sarah than he. He tried not to be upset by the fact that once he left, it could be P.J. who would eventually keep company with Sarah and perhaps win her heart.

Don’t let it bother you tonight, he thought. They had this one night together, and he planned to enjoy every single moment of it.

Chapter Four

Sarah felt gladdened by the greetings of her friends and neighbors as she entered the barn and took a seat across from Jedidiah. She was conscious of Jed’s presence as she smiled and returned Miriam Yost’s wave. She hadn’t seen Miriam in a long time. She liked the young woman. Sarah suddenly realized how much she’d missed socializing with her friends since her mother had become ill.

“Sarah,” Pete and Mary Miller’s oldest son, P.J., greeted her. “It is gut to have you with us again.”

She smiled at him. “It is nice to be here.” She sensed Jed watching her, and she flashed him a glance.

His eyes warmed as their gazes met. He smiled, and Sarah felt her breath catch. His attention was focused on her, and she felt the touch of his brown gaze as if he’d brushed her arm or captured her hand with his fingers.

But there was nothing untoward in his regard of her, she realized. The thoughts—the feelings—were all hers, and she pulled herself together, prepared to enjoy the events of the night’s singing.

To her surprise, P.J., also known as Pete Jr., began the singing with his choice of hymn from the Ausbund. He sang the first verse before everyone joined in. As Jed joined in, Sarah heard his pleasant, vibrant tone. She was pleased when he began the second hymn, the Loblied, his voice rising in praise of the Lord. She could feel his conviction, his passion for God, and Sarah knew that her thoughts of him were accurate. He was a gut man with a kind heart and true love for the Lord. She sang out happily, her voice rising with the others as they finished the hymn they had all sung that morning during church services.

After a third hymn, Miriam Yost’s brother Joseph suggested they stop for some refreshment.

“You are always wanting to eat,” his sister teased.

Joseph shrugged. “We can sing another hymn, if you’d prefer.”

“I could use one of Sarah’s cookies,” Jed said.

Sarah flushed as everyone turned to look at her. Jed’s smile put her at ease, and she sent him a silent message of thanks.

As it was, the majority decided light refreshments were in order before they continued with hymns and games.

Lydia Miller, Mary and Pete’s only daughter, had made lemonade and iced tea for all to enjoy. Sarah helped Lydia to distribute drinks, before she grabbed her plate of cookies and a platter of lemon bars that Miriam Yost had made for the occasion.

Jed, Sarah noticed, was quick to choose one of her cookies. He took a bite and flashed her an appreciative smile. Everyone had left their seat to mingle in the open area of the large barn.

Jed took another bite of the cookie. “You will let me take you home tonight, won’t you?” he asked.

“My brothers are here—”

Jed gestured toward where Ervin was deep in conversation with Elizabeth Yoder. Not far from Ervin, Toby chatted with Elizabeth’s older sister Alice. “I think Ervin and Toby have plans to take those two home. Wouldn’t you rather ride with me?”

Sarah hesitated. She knew she’d rather have Jedidiah take her home, but she didn’t know if she should go with him. Yet, how would she feel riding along with her brothers and the Yoder sisters?

“I will ride home with you,” she said quietly so that no one but Jed would hear.

Jed grinned. “Gut! I will look forward to taking you,” he said as the others began to head back to their seats.

Sarah was conscious that Jed allowed her to precede him, and as she sat down, she tried not to look at him, but she couldn’t help herself.

She found him studying her with an intensity that made her feel odd inside. She couldn’t say that she disliked the feeling. Being the focus of this kind man’s attention was not unwelcome. He leaves tomorrow, she reminded herself. I will never see him again.

Will he write? she wondered. She wasn’t going to ask him; it wouldn’t be right unless he mentioned it first.

As her friend Miriam chose and began the next hymn, Sarah decided to forget tomorrow and simply enjoy the evening...and the ride home with Jedidiah Lapp. Riding home with a young man from a singing was a rare treat, and she savored the thought of it.

The singing flew by quickly, filled with song and games, and delicious food.

Sarah went to search for her brothers afterward to tell them that Jed would be taking her home. There was an awkward moment when P.J. Miller offered to bring her home. Sarah had to tell him that she already had a ride.

“Jedidiah is taking me,” she said. She felt badly when she saw the young man’s face fall. “Maybe another time?”

His quick look of gladness made her slightly uncomfortable. She shouldn’t have said anything, but she hadn’t wanted him to feel bad.

“Jed will bring me home tonight,” she told Ervin.

Ervin didn’t seem surprised. “That’s nice, Sissy. We will be home as soon as we can.” He glanced over to where Toby and the two Yoder sisters stood. “We will be making a stop on the way.”

Sarah nodded, then teased, “Do not take the long way to the Yoder farm, Ervin Mast.”

Ervin looked stunned at first by her teasing, but then he grinned, obviously pleased. “We don’t appreciate you enough...what you do for Mam.”

“I am the daughter, and I love Mam. Emma isn’t here, so it is up to me.”

Ervin leaned closer to whisper in Sarah’s ear, “You must take time to enjoy your life, Sarah. I know your hard work is not merely a duty to you, but an expression of love. I will try to help more.”

Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

Ervin grinned. “There is Jed. He’s brought the wagon around, and he is waiting for you. Keep your words for your ride home.”

As she headed toward the wagon by which Jedidiah stood patiently waiting for her with his hat in his hands, Sarah thought of her brother’s words and wondered what he meant by taking the time to enjoy her life more. She prayed to the Lord and did what she could to live life the way He would want it. She couldn’t take time away from Mam, not until it was certain that she was well again.

* * *

Jed studied her expression as Sarah approached. She seemed upset. Why? He had seen her talking with his cousin P.J. Would she rather he was taking her home? His concern vanished as Sarah offered him a genuine smile as she reached him. He lifted his black felt hat, then set it back onto his head.

“Ja. I let Ervin know that I would not be riding home with him.”

“And did he mind?” he asked.

The corners of her blue eyes crinkled. “Nay. As you suspected, my brothers will not be going directly home. They have plans that include stopping by the Yoder farm.”

“And so you are stuck with me.”

“Nay, I am not stuck, Jedidiah Lapp.”

Her answer delighted him, and he studied her fondly. “Gut,” he said as his spirits rose with the prospect of spending a little more time with her. He would like the memory of the evening to take home to Happiness with him. He would like to see her farm, to picture her out in the yard or in the farmhouse, going about her chores, caring for the twins and her family.

He held out his hand, and Sarah looked at it a moment before their fingers touched as she accepted his help onto the wagon seat.

The night was a typical late-spring evening. The temperature was cool, but not cold. There was a full moon, which lit up the dark sky and shed a beam of brightness onto the yard. Jed felt sorry to release her hand as he climbed up onto the wagon seat beside her.

“All set?” he asked, and she nodded. “Are you cold?” She shook her head. “Are you going to be silent during the entire ride?”

“Nay,” she said with what sounded like horror.

He laughed. “I am teasing you, Sarah Mast.” Then with a click of his tongue and a flick of the leathers, he steered the horse down the long dirt lane and then turned right onto the main road. He glanced at Sarah and saw her look back as if seeking her brothers. “They will linger awhile before they leave,” he said.

She nodded. “I didn’t know that both of them are sweet on the Yoder sisters.”

Jed shrugged. “Why would any sister know? Unless she can read her brothers’ thoughts.”

“Praise the Lord that I can’t,” Sarah said with such feeling that Jed laughed out loud.

He saw her lips curve before her laughter joined his.

“Shall we take the long way home?” he asked, expecting her to decline.

To his surprise, she said, “You are the driver.” She frowned. “Do you know where I live?”

“Ja, I asked directions and realized that Arlin and I drove by on our way back from the Sale.”

She seemed content with his answer, and he drove at the slowest pace he could manage with the horse. He wouldn’t take the long way home; it wouldn’t be fair to her when he was leaving tomorrow. He would enjoy this time with her, even if in silence. Having her on the seat next to him was enough to keep him happy.

He didn’t like the thought of leaving her, of never seeing her again, but what could he do? They both had responsibilities and family in two communities a long distance from each other. If only she lived in Lancaster, or his family resided here in Kent County, Delaware.

But the Lord had granted him the pleasure of knowing her if only for a brief time, and he would pray to the Lord to help him when he was home again...to get on with his life...and find a woman to love and become his bride.

* * *

All too soon for Sarah, Jed was steering the wagon onto the driveway that led to her family farmhouse.

They had chatted easily, sharing stories of their siblings. As time passed and the Mast farm drew nearer, silence had reigned between them. Sarah wanted to say something, admit how much she’d enjoyed his company, but she was reluctant to do so. He knew her situation. Perhaps he was just being kind.

She was conscious of the sound of the wagon wheels over dirt and gravel as Jed steered closer to her house.

Soon, too soon, Sarah thought, the wagon was in her yard, at her front door.

Jed jumped down and rounded the vehicle to help her. He didn’t extend his hand as he had before. He simply reached up and grabbed her waist. She blushed, feeling the heat in her neck and cheeks, the tingling of his hands on her waist, as he promptly released her and stepped back. The action took only seconds, but Sarah knew she’d remember the moment for a lifetime.

“Home,” he announced. It was the first time Sarah thought that he looked uncomfortable.

“I appreciate the ride,” she offered shyly. “I hope God grants you a safe journey home tomorrow.”

He hesitated a few seconds. “I will remember this night, Sarah Mast.”

“As will I,” she admitted, her heart beating wildly.

Neither spoke as they looked out into the yard as if studying the way the moonlight played on the barn and property. Sarah chanced a look at Jed. His handsome features were clearly visible under the bright moonbeam. She saw that he looked troubled.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked, knowing that she shouldn’t ask.

Jed turned, then smiled, and suddenly it was as if she had only imagined his sadness.

The sound of a buggy coming down the dirt lane toward the house heralded the arrival of her brothers. She didn’t want her last moments with Jed to be witnessed by her older siblings.

“Jed...” she began.

“I will miss you, Sarah,” he said.

She blinked back tears. “And I will miss you.” She bit her lip. “I had fun today and this evening. I will thank the Lord for the moment when you stepped in to save my brothers.”

His smile was warm. “Did you know I first thought you were their mother?”

She looked stunned. “You did?”

“Ja. And I was disappointed, for I knew you must be wed.”

Her brothers’ buggy pulled into the barnyard. He glanced their way and seemed to feel the same urgency that she did. “I am glad you weren’t wed or I would not have had this time with you.” He grew quiet and then said, “I regret that the Lapp family farm is not in Kent County, Delaware.”

Ervin and Toby had climbed out of their wagon and approached them.

“Farewell, Sarah Mast,” Jed said, sending her a look that she would never forget.

“Farewell and safe journey, Jedidiah Lapp. Give my regards to Arlin.”

He nodded and then spoke briefly to her brothers before he climbed back onto the wagon and turned the horse for the Miller home.

* * *

Sarah stood, watching as the wagon headed down the lane, overwhelmed by a bittersweet mixture of sadness and pleasure.

Ervin came to stand next to her. “You like him.”

“Ja.”

“He lives far from Delaware.”

“I know,” she whispered, then managed to grin at her brother. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.”

Ervin studied her a moment and seemed satisfied by what he saw. “I could use something to eat.”

Sarah laughed. “What?”

“Pie?”

“There may be a slice of apple or chocolate cream left.”

Ervin grinned. “Singing makes me hungry,” he said as they headed into the house.

Toby had already gone inside. Apparently, the singing had made him hungry as well, for he was already in the kitchen, delving into the extra cookies she’d made yesterday afternoon.

Later that night, as she lay in bed unable to sleep, Sarah thought of Jedidiah Lapp and the time she’d spent with him. As she chose to remember the warmth of his cinnamon-brown eyes and quick, ready smile instead of the fact that tomorrow he would be gone, Sarah finally fell asleep with a pleased smile on her face.

But when she woke the next morning, she thought of him leaving...then she tried not to think of him any more as she went about her daily chores and checked to see if her mother needed anything.

Still, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.

Chapter Five

Jedidiah Lapp had left Kent County a month ago, yet Sarah couldn’t stop thinking about him. She recalled the warmth in his brown gaze, the dark brown hair beneath his wide-brimmed banded hat, his grin. She knew she should forget him, but spending time with him had been a wonderful experience. She had enjoyed his company, his smile...the way he’d made her laugh...his pleasant voice lifted in song when they’d attended the singing that evening. She and Jed had talked during the buggy ride home. She had loved every second she’d spent with him.

It was late morning and Sarah was upstairs making the beds in the twins’ room. The sun shone brightly through the window and streamed golden against the sheets as she tucked them beneath the mattress. She picked up Thomas’s blue shirt and hung it on a wall hook near his bed. Spying a straw hat, she bent to retrieve it. As she set the hat on Timothy’s bed, she thought of her parents. Mam and Dat were sleeping downstairs now. Her mother’s strength was weakening, and Sarah knew she’d have to discuss her health with Dat soon.

“Sarah!” Her older brother Tobias stood at the bottom of the stairs as Sarah came out of the twins’ bedroom to the top landing. Toby had been working on the farm. He’d pushed back his straw hat and there was a streak of dirt across his forehead and on his left cheek.

“Ja, Toby?” Sarah descended the stairs.

Toby tugged on his suspenders. “Mam needs you.” He readjusted his hat, pulling the brim low.

Sarah hurried down the rest of the steps. “Is she all right?”

Her brother shrugged. “Seems to be. Except for being tired all the time.”

Sarah sighed as she left him, shaking her head as she crossed the family gathering area toward the small room where her parents now slept. At times she didn’t know what to make of her older brother. Didn’t Tobias realize their mother was ill? Their eldest brother, Ervin, understood the situation better than she’d expected, certainly better than Tobias did. Lately, she’d caught Ervin watching their mudder with an intentness that was telling. Last evening, he had discussed his concerns with her, and she’d been surprised that Ervin was worried about her as much as he was for Mam.

“Mam?” Sarah entered the bedroom, saw Ruth seated in a chair by the window. “Are you all right?”

She turned toward her with barely a smile and gestured for Sarah to sit on the bed. “Come in, Sarah. I need to talk with you.”

Sarah felt her insides lurch as she nodded and sat on the patchwork quilt. “Is it about your recent doctor’s visit?”

“Ja.” Ruth turned to fully face her daughter and reached to clasp Sarah’s hands. “There is something I need to tell you.” The daylight emphasized the tired lines in Mam’s face. She looked exhausted and much older than her forty-three years. “I need heart surgery. The doctor believes he can fix it, but it will take me a while to recover.”

“Surgery?” Sarah breathed. She could feel the weakness in her mother’s grip. She fought to stifle her fear, to keep her thoughts hidden. “That is something,” she murmured, “and I’ll be here to help.”

“Nay,” Ruth said. “We’re sending you with the twins to our cousins William and Josie in Pennsylvania.”

“But Mam—what if you need me?” Send her away? No, she didn’t want to go. How could she leave Mam? “Can’t I stay?”

“Nay. It’s best if you take the boys. I love Timothy and Thomas dearly, but they are a handful. Josie has boys near the same age. Your brothers will enjoy staying with them. I need you to go to make sure they behave.”

“What about Emma?” she asked. “Can’t she take the boys?” Her older sister was married but had no children. If Emma took the twins, Sarah could stay behind to care for Mam.

Her mother rubbed the back of her neck as if it pained her. Catching Sarah’s concerned look, she smiled weakly and dropped her hand. “Your sister hasn’t been married a full year. I don’t want her to worry about your brothers. Soon, she’ll have a brood of her own. And Ohio is too far. I want you and the boys nearby, in case...”

“Nay, Mam! The Lord will heal you. We just have to pray.” Sarah felt a weight settle in her stomach at the thought that her mother might not fight to get better. “You’ll have the surgery, and you will get well. I’ll do as you say and take the twins to William and Josie’s until you call for us to come home.” She bit her lip. “But you must have faith.”

Her mother reached out to touch Sarah’s cheek. “You are a gut and kind daughter, Sarah.”

Tears filled Sarah’s eyes as she reached up to cover her mother’s hand, pressing it lightly against her cheek. “I wish I could stay,” she whispered.

“I know you do,” Mam said. “But your dat and I have discussed this, and we believe this is for the best.”

Dat felt the same way? Sarah sighed inwardly as she resigned herself to the trip. She was a dutiful daughter; she wouldn’t argue with her parents. “When do we leave?”

“The day after tomorrow. We’ve hired Mr. Colter to drive you.”

Mr. Colter was their neighbor and an Englischer.

“So soon?” Sarah’s spirits plummeted when her mother nodded. “We’ll be ready,” she assured her. “I’d better see that the twins’ clothes are laundered for the trip.” Sarah had to swallow against a painful lump as she rose to her feet. She bent to hug her mother. “I love you, Mam.”

She gave her a genuine smile. “I love you, Sarah.”

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Jedidiah pulled the family buggy to the front of the farmhouse and waited for his family to exit the residence.

His mother came to the door holding his baby sister. Little Hannah wore a lavender dress and white prayer kapp, and she was barefoot. “Have you seen Joseph?” his mother called.

“Not since breakfast,” Jed replied. He wondered if he should get out of the vehicle and help search. He had just made up his mind to go when his dat left the house, followed by his twin brothers, Jacob and Eli, and their younger brothers Isaac and Daniel.

“Did you find Joseph?” Jed asked as his father approached the buggy.

“Ja, but he’s managed to get his pants dirty. Your mam is making him change his clothes.”

Jed’s brothers Jacob and Eli climbed into the buggy’s backseat. Samuel Lapp hoisted young Daniel into the buggy, urged him to sit between Eli and Jacob, and then offered his hand to Isaac.

“I can manage, Dat,” Isaac said as his father helped him into the backseat.

“Ja, I suppose you can, Isaac,” Samuel said kindly, “but we’re late leaving, and I’m expecting you’ll have to find a quick seat and make room for Joseph. Hannah can sit on Mam’s lap.”

Katie Lapp locked the house and approached with Hannah in her arms and holding five-year-old Joseph’s hand. Joseph didn’t look happy, but he was neat, clean and dressed properly, and his mudder was content.

“How nice you look, Joseph,” Samuel said with a wink at his wife.

He hefted Joseph to sit between Isaac and Eli. The boys moved to accommodate their youngest brother. Samuel then took Hannah from his wife until Katie was comfortable in the front seat, then he handed back their daughter.

Jedidiah shifted to make room for his dat. “Visiting Sunday,” he said with a smile as he picked up the leathers and spurred the horse on.

“Wait!” Katie cried, startling all of them. “The food!”

Jed laughed. “Not to worry, Mam. I took the salad and cake over to the Kings early this morning. They’re going to bring them for us. I figured it’d be easier, and Mae offered yesterday.”

Katie released a sigh of relief. “Mae does have the room since Charlotte married and Nancy left to visit relatives in North Carolina.”

Hannah squirmed on Katie’s lap, and automatically Katie shifted her daughter toward the window opening so that the little girl could look out.

“What kind of cake did you make?” Daniel asked his mother.

Katie straightened her kapp. “Upside-down chocolate.”

“That’s Noah’s favorite,” Isaac complained.

“It’s my favorite, too,” his father said, glancing back to meet Isaac’s gaze.

“And mine,” Daniel added.

“And mine,” Eli said and Jacob agreed that it was his favorite, too.

His mother turned to eye her thirteen-year-old son. “You don’t like chocolate upside-down cake?”

Isaac looked sheepish. “Ja, I love it.” His cheeks turned pink beneath his black hat, and he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.

Jacob scowled and reached over Eli to jostle Isaac with his elbow. “Then why all the fuss?”

Isaac shrugged. “I was just saying that chocolate upside-down cake is Noah’s favorite.”

“And the favorite of most of us,” Eli pointed out with a shake of his head and a small smile.

My favorite is cherry pie, Jed thought, and immediately an image of a young woman with red-gold hair and blue eyes came to mind. He frowned, forcing the memory away.

Conversation came to a standstill as Jedidiah drove toward the Mast farmstead. He enjoyed visiting Sundays. He wondered who’d be attending today. The number of families who came varied from Sunday to visiting Sunday. It was a perfect day for an outdoor meal. He’d tossed a ball into the rear of the buggy with the thought that there’d be someone willing to play catch on the lawn behind William and Josie’s farmhouse.

The Masts’ driveway loomed ahead and Jedidiah turned on the battery-operated turn signal before maneuvering the vehicle left onto the dirt path. Rosebushes lined the side of the driveway as they drew closer to the house. The scent of the pink rose-blossoms permeated the air.

Gravel mixed with dirt crunched beneath the buggy’s wheels as they approached the house and pulled into the barnyard. The side lawn was filled with neighbors. Tables had been set up and covered with white-paper table liners.

“Looks like this will be a fine gathering,” Samuel said as Jed noted the line of buggies parked on the grass and the folks in the yard. There were eight buggies. Theirs made nine. Nine families with numerous children. Plenty to play catch with or toss yard darts or any other game someone wanted to play, Jed thought.

“Look, there’s Mae!” Katie said. “Jacob, would you please help her with the food? Take the cake and salad from her. It looks like she has enough to carry inside.”

The King buggy was parked two vehicles down the row from them. Mae and Amos had gotten out of the carriage, followed by their sons John and young Joshua, who spied the Lapps and waved at them with excitement. Mae waved and grinned at Katie. Mae was Katie’s closest friend and lived on the other side of the road from the Lapp farm.

“I’ll go, Mam,” Eli offered. He got out of the buggy and headed toward Mae.

“Me, too,” Jacob said as he followed closely on his brother’s heels.

“Why don’t you both go?” Jed suggested loudly with barely concealed amusement. There were no girls in the King family buggy. Why the hurry to help out?

Jed climbed down from the front seat and took Hannah from his mother. Dat got out after him and then assisted his wife.

“Jed-ah,” Hannah said as she patted Jed’s cheeks.

“Ja, Hannah banana?”

She laughed, a babylike chuckle that warmed his insides and made him smile. “I’m not Hannah-nana. I’m Hannah Yapp.”

Jed kissed her baby-smooth cheek. “That you are, little one. Let’s go, shall we? And see if we can find one of your little friends for you to play with.”

“Morning, Jed, Samuel,” Amos King greeted, and Jed saw that Samuel had caught up with him.

“Perfect day for a picnic,” Jed said, smiling at his father’s closest friend.

“Mae brought her famous sweet-and-vinegar green beans.”

The Lapp men grinned in appreciation. “Katie made chocolate upside-down cake and ambrosia salad with extra coconut and marshmallows,” Samuel said.

All three exclaimed with delight and then laughed. “You’d think we didn’t often get such gut food, but we do all the time,” Amos said. “Mae and Katie are the best cooks.”

“Josie is a great cook, too,” Samuel said. “I wonder what she’s made for us today.” The three men chuckled and continued on.

* * *

“Timothy, Thomas, I want you to behave today, do you hear?” Sarah stood over her young brothers, examining them with a critical eye. “We’ve only arrived at cousins Josie and William’s two days ago. Don’t make them sorry that we’ve come.”

“We won’t, Sissy,” Thomas promised, and Timothy nodded in solemn agreement.

“Where are Will and Elam?” she asked, referring to Josie’s six-and seven-year-old sons.

“Upstairs,” Josie said as she entered the neat-as-a-pin kitchen. She grinned at the twins. “Go up and urge them to come down, please. They’re taking entirely too long up there. I can only imagine what they’re getting into.”

Sarah liked Josie Mast from the first moment she’d met her. It had been a long time since her parents had taken the family for a visit. Sarah had been the youngest then at only four. William and Josie hadn’t met and married yet. William couldn’t have picked a better wife, Sarah thought.

“I appreciate you having us, Josie.”

“’Tis my pleasure,” Josie said, and Sarah could tell the woman was sincere.

Sarah looked about the kitchen, anticipating what needed to be done. There was nothing on the stove, as it should be, since it was Sunday. The white countertops were clear except for a stack of white napkins, plastic plates and utensils. The prepared food had been stored in the pantry and in the refrigerator. “What can I do to help?”