Along Wooded Paths (33 page)

When his words stilled, other voices around the room spoke up.

“Thank You that we live in such a beautiful place.”

“Thank You for our need for each other.”

“Thank You for Your Word.”

“Thank You for warmth on cold days.”

Sarah reached over and took Marianna’s hand in hers. Marianna nearly jumped, and she realized she’d almost forgotten she was in this room. For a moment it felt as if her heart at been carried close to God in heaven. She didn’t know what to think of that, but she knew she’d never felt so close to Him. The more prayers of thanksgiving she heard, the more her heart joyfully agreed.

“Thank You for seeking hearts,” Sarah said.

Marianna nodded, and even though she didn’t speak it out loud, her heart had a specific prayer too.

Thank You for showing me that when I seek You, I always discover more.

When they’d left her house earlier, Marianna had looked behind to make sure no one woke. Now, as they drove the buggy back, with Silver’s coat reflecting in the moonlight, she hoped that still was the case.

Peace filled Marianna’s heart. She’d enjoyed gathering with the other believers, getting to know them better, and lifting up their voices together. At first she’d worried that she’d feel uncomfortable or that they’d want her to pray out loud, too. Instead, the more everyone prayed, the more her heart longed to join them. If she kept attending, she might just pray out loud one of these days.

Marianna held her breath as their house came into view, and the quiet earth seemed to be holding its breath too. Above the topless buggy the stars hung like lamps under a dark barn roof. It was beautiful.

Movement caught her attention. A fox darted across the road. Seeing it, Sarah let out a cry, and Marianna noticed Silver’s ears perk. Before she knew what to do, the horse reared his head, pulling the reins out of her hands.

“Whoa, whoa, Silver!” It was no use. There was no way to stop the animal.

But instead of running down the road, Silver set his sights on the barn. The only problem was—there was a forest between where they were and where the barn stood.

“Silver, no!”

The horse raced through the trees. Marianna grasped the side of the buggy, holding on for dear life. Sarah’s hands tightened around Marianna’s arm, another squeal escaping her lips. The buggy rumbled over the forest floor. Silver’s hooves trampled brush. The buggy bounced as it bounded over logs and rocks covered in snow.

The world was a blur around her, and then Marianna’s eyes widened. Up ahead, behind the house, were two trees. The space between then was wide enough for the horse—but not the buggy.

“Whoa,
Silver!”

Her cry went unheeded. Silver raced through the trees and the buggy hit hard. Even though the buggy stopped, the horse’s motion pulled the traces tight. A crack sounded and the single tree, where the traces were attached to the buggy, snapped. Marianna’s eyes widened as the horse ran out from the shafts. The broken piece of single tree trailed after the horse—and she thought she’d be sick. It was broken.

She broke Dat’s buggy.

Even in the dim light she saw something else trailing the horse—the harness. It dangled behind the horse, whipping through the air. The horse raced into the darkness and a new fear gripped her. What if Silver never came back?

How would she explain—sneaking out, losing the horse, breaking the buggy? Tears filled her eyes and the movement of Sarah on the seat beside her reminded her that at least they were safe, uninjured.

She let out a breath. “You okay?”

“
Ja
. You?”

Marianna looked down at her trembling hands. At least she was in one piece. It could have been worse. Would Dat understand?

Marianna looked to the house, expecting lantern light. She thought she saw movement in a downstairs window and leaned forward to get a better view. Before she could grasp a handhold, Marianna tumbled forward, falling into the snow. She gasped for breath as her face hit the snow. Then she heard it. Laughter bubbled from Sarah’s lips, filling the air.

Marianna pushed up to her hands and knees. She tried to stand in the soft snow, but one foot sank to her knee, then the other.

They were just behind the house. “Quiet, shh . . .” Marianna hissed.

Hearing that make Sarah laugh harder. She climbed down from the buggy and tried to stand but sank into the snow.

“The horse?” Marianna looked around. She’d heard rumors. Horses were known to run away never to be found. The harsh terrain—and the predators—saw to that. Marianna brushed the snow from her face and bonnet. “Did he run away?” She pictured Dat’s anger.

“Look, Silver circled around. He’s over by the barn.” Sarah panted and pointed. “He wants to be let in.” She shook her head and looked at Marianna. “You should see us. We look like elves! We are short, stuck . . .” Her laughter sounded again.

The cold began to seep through Marianna’s shoes and stockings, and she didn’t think it was funny at all. It was bad enough she’d taken the buggy without permission, but to take it so she could attend an Englisch prayer meeting? Dat may understand, but Mem wouldn’t.

Not ever.

“What are we going to do now?” Marianna climbed out of the hole, inching across the snow on her hands and knees.

“Put the horse away and get out of the cold,
ja
?” Sarah crawled behind her.

“And the buggy?”

“It’ll be here tomorrow, I can guarantee that. Just make something extra good for breakfast. You’ll need to beg for your dat’s forgiveness.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The first rays of pink dawn stretched over the mountains. Marianna hurried outside, hoping to beat Dat to the barn, to figure out how bad off things were—and how to confess.

She hated to consider what he would say when he knew what she’d done. Not only did she sneak out to an Englisch prayer meeting, but she’d wrecked something that cost a lot. Even worse, she’d put her life and Sarah’s in danger. She’d been foolish, but she still didn’t regret going.

Even after the accident, the peace from the prayer meeting had remained. It was a miracle.

She hurried into the barn, taking in the scent of leather, hay, and wood. But then her feet stopped short. There, walking into the barn ahead of her, was Aaron.

She stared. “What are you doing?”

He lifted up the broken harness. “Isn’t it obvious? Fixing a buggy.” He pointed to the broken single tree. “I found some spare parts in the shed. The new single tree is already on the buggy. If you give me a few hours, I can have this harness fixed too.” He cocked an eyebrow. “I can fix it, but you’ll need the help of your dat and a few other men to get it unstuck.”

“You can fix it all?” She still couldn’t believe what he was saying—and that he’d be so kind to help her. Still . . . “What are you doing out of the house? How did you even know?”

Aaron brushed his blond bangs back from his face. “I knew because I heard you and your friend—Sarah, is it?—leave last night. I’m not sure what you were up to, but for all the noise you made I’m surprised you didn’t wake the whole house.”

She neared him. “Did you hear—”

“The commotion? The runaway? The crash in the woods? Yes.” He chuckled.

“Really? You were awake?”

“Of course. Had to make sure you’d get home safe.” He glanced up at her, humor in his gaze.

“But how did you get out there to fix the buggy? I mean, with your leg.” Marianna noticed the bottom of his cast was damp and dirty, and his toes were bright pink from the cold.

Aaron glanced over to Silver. “Wasna too far. And I’m thankful the snow was frozen solid this morning.” He winked at her. “Didn’t have the same problem you had last night with sinking into it.”

“But your leg.” Marianna hurried forward.

Aaron rubbed the spot over the cast. “I’ve been getting mighty good at hopping on one foot. Also a good thing, the woods are filled with lotsa trees to lean on for support.”

“Does it hurt?”

“It aches some. I’m not used to being upright this much.”

Marianna rushed to him. “Here, let me help.” She moved to his side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, then guided him forward.

They moved along at a slow pace, Aaron taking small hops. As they neared the front door of the house, Marianna saw Aaron’s smile reflected in the window glass.

She paused.

“I saw that smile. You’re . . . you’re enjoying this.”

“Of course I am.”

“So you’re not in pain.”

“Pain?” Aaron tipped his face down closer to her. “I forgot about that.” Then he sighed. “If this is what it took to get a hug from you, I shoulda prayed you’d sneak out weeks ago.”

“Do you even want to know where I went?”

Aaron’s eyes gentled. His gaze moved to her lips. “I suppose not.” He cleared his throat. “What matters is you’re safe.” He leaned down and kissed the end of her nose. “What matters is you know I love you and . . .” His voice fell to no more than a whisper. “That I can see in your eyes you love me too.”

Then, as soft as warm air, Aaron’s lips touched hers. A rush of emotion, longing, moved through her. This was what she’d been waiting for. He was what she’d been waiting for.

The kiss deepened, and Marianna wrapped her arms around Aaron’s shoulders.

This was the man she was going to marry. Everything within her told her it was so.

Abe Sommer had helped get the buggy unstuck but had yet to talk to Marianna about it. She’d headed off for work early and before she was due home, he and Ruth and the children had walked down to Carashes’ for dinner.

Devon Carash passed Ruth a dish. “Has Abe talked to you about our Monday night prayer meetings? We’d love to have you come some time. I know that some of our beliefs are different—but we love and serve the same God.”

“Prayer meeting? No, he did not mention it.” Abe could see Ruth biting her tongue. He’d mentioned it to her and she’d refused, but from her sweet smile it was clear she didn’t want their neighbors to know she was against the idea.

Susan Carash joined in. “I’m sure things have been busy for Abe—with the work, children, helping to care for that young man staying with you. Your brother-in-law Ike has been coming for months, and it was wonderful seeing Marianna last night.”

“Marianna?” Ruth looked to Abe, and he felt himself sinking in the chair. He’d heard their daughter leave last night and guessed where she was going. He’d just been trying to figure out how to spill it to Ruth. He supposed he didn’t have to worry about that now.

Susan placed hand over her mouth. “Did you not know?”

“Oh, yes, of course. I just forgot. She’s quite independent now with work and friends.”

She sounded calm enough, but Abe could tell from the glint in his wife’s eyes that this subject was far from closed.