Amish Christmas Joy (15 page)

“I didn’t realize there was a support group for children like Joy.”

Gerard looked surprised. “There are local as well as national chapters. If you’re interested, drop by one of our meetings. We’re working to change the world’s perception of our children and give them the future they deserve. We also help new parents face the special challenges our blessings bring. We have many Amish families in our group. Joy won’t feel out of place.”

He took his daughter’s hand and they walked away. Joy turned to Caleb. “She has Up sindome just like me.”

“I see that.”

He stared at the card in his hand. It felt strange to know other people were dealing with the same issues that he faced. That they were working to ensure the same kind of future for their children that he was seeking for Joy. Somehow, he thought such acceptance only happened among the Amish. It seemed that he was wrong. If things didn’t work out, if he found he couldn’t accept the Amish way of life again, he and Joy wouldn’t have to face life alone.

He walked back to his parents and held Joy on his lap so that she could see better. The shrill siren announced the beginning of the parade. Leading the way was the county sheriff’s SUV with all its lights flashing. As it rolled down the street, the siren would sound every few minutes. Joy got off his lap and raced to the edge of the street. She covered her ears and grinned each time the siren sounded.

Walking behind the sheriff’s vehicle was a color guard made up of veterans. They held their flags stiffly in front of them and marched with precision. Some of them were older than Caleb’s father.

After that came the high school marching band, a saddle club with all the horses sporting red-and-white ribbons braided into their manes and tails, and numerous homemade floats from the local merchants and churches. Some of the car dealerships from as far away as New Philadelphia had convertibles and trucks decked out with holiday lights and Christmas trees. They threw candy toward the children gathered along the edge of the street as a fellow dressed like Santa Claus rode up and down and all around on a small motor scooter.

When the local ambulance passed by, Caleb caught sight of Leah and her family on the other side of the street. David saw Joy at the same time and darted out into the street toward her.

He didn’t see the motor scooter bearing down on him. Santa was waving to the crowd and didn’t notice the boy in his path.

Caleb shot into the street, but a sheriff’s deputy had already grabbed David and hauled him out of harm’s way.

Caleb and Rhonda reached him at the same time. There was something familiar about the man, but Caleb couldn’t place him. The officer tipped his hat toward Rhonda. “Long time no see, Rhonda.”

The color leached out of her face. She reached for David, but the officer held on to him. The officer’s eyes never left Rhonda’s face. “You’ve got a nice-looking boy, Rhonda.”

She reached out and yanked her son away from him. He smiled as she hurried back into the crowd. Caleb had a chance to study him. The uniform was different from those of the officers he had seen directing traffic. The patch on his arm bore the logo of the county to the south.

When the man turned toward Caleb, he realized who it was. Drake Colburn, the deputy on the scene the night of Rhonda’s accident. He looked Caleb up and down. “What do you want?”

“Just to add my thanks. How do you know my brother’s wife?”

“That’s my business and none of yours. Have a nice day.” He walked away along the parade route, motioning to people to move back out of the street.

Caleb returned to his family. The parade was soon over and they joined the flow of the crowd as they headed out of town. He scanned the area for Leah but didn’t see her. She would be at the church service tomorrow. It was unlikely that they would find time to be alone together, but tomorrow night they had something special planned for Joy. He knew he’d have the chance to repeat their kiss or discover if he was wasting his time. He walked on, disappointed but more than a little curious about Rhonda’s reaction to Drake Colburn.

On the way to the buggy, Joy stopped to stare in the window of a shop with a white flocked tree on display. She pressed her nose to the glass. “It’s a pretty tree. Mama said we would have one like this someday.”

He didn’t know what to say. He took her hand and gently led her away. “Did you like the parade?”

She looked over her shoulder. Another family had stopped in front of the window to admire the display. “Christmas is for families to be together.”

“Yes, it is. And I’m glad I have you with me this Christmas. You are making it very special. You are my very own Christmas Joy.”

She smiled at him then, and he hoped the tree and thoughts of her mother would be forgotten.

* * *

Caleb had made up his mind, but he was still nervous as he rode in the buggy with his parents and Joy on Sunday morning. If he was coming back to the Amish community, and back to God, attending church was the best place to start. Then a job would be next on his list. He couldn’t live on his savings forever.

“It will be
goot
to have our son and granddaughter listen to the Lord’s words with us.” His mother could not have looked more pleased. Even his father was in a happy mood. He let Joy take the reins for a while as they trotted along a deserted stretch of country road.

It didn’t take long to reach the Yutzi farmstead, where the services were to be held. Caleb unhitched the horse and led it to a nearby corral where two dozen other horses were lined up in their harnesses, munching on hay and waiting to make the return trip with their families. When he approached the barn where the preaching was to take place, he saw that his parents and Joy had already gone in.

He stepped inside the cavernous opening. Tarps had been used to cover the hay bales stacked along each side. The benches had been set out in rows with a wide center aisle. The men sat on one side and the women sat on the other.

Caleb walked to the last row. A pair of teenage boys scooted over to make room for him. He was prepared to spend three hours sitting on a hard wooden bench. What he wasn’t prepared for was the swelling emotion that engulfed him when the first familiar hymn began.

The slow and mournful chanting rose in volume as many voices blended in the ancient German song that had been passed down through the generations. No music accompanied the singing. Only the voices of the faithful poured into his ears and into his heart.

Listening to the words of sorrow, hope and God’s promise of salvation, Caleb felt a stirring deep within his soul. Why had he stayed away from God so long? His life had been empty without faith, but God was filling him again.

He quietly added his voice to the chorus. When the song was done, he listened intently to Bishop Zook as he spoke about the hardship of the journey that Joseph and Mary had undergone on the way to Bethlehem and the great joy that awaited them at journey’s end.

When the second hymn began, Caleb opened the hymnal beside him on the bench and joined in the song. He looked across the aisle and saw Leah looking his way. She smiled at him, and it turned his heart inside out. He suddenly realized he didn’t just like her. He was falling in love with her. With her kindness, her wonderful bright mind and her adorable smile.

God had given him a special daughter, and Joy had led him home, to his family and to his faith. Had God used Joy to bring him love, too? Did the Lord have more blessings in store for him?

Caleb opened his heart and prayed that Leah would be one of them.

Much later that afternoon, Caleb sat at the kitchen table and motioned to his parents that he was leaving the house. They smiled and his father winked at him, as happy as a kid to be in on the secret.

Caleb said, “Joy, I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Put your coat, snow pants, boots and mittens on.”

“Why?”

“Because your surprise is outside.”

She took her coat from the peg and buttoned it. “Is it big? Is it a pony? Is it a sled?”

“It’s not a pony or a sled. Stop asking questions and hurry up.” He opened the door. She pulled on her snow pants and boots and joined him. He led her along the path they took to school.

When they were at the place where the path made a small bend, he said, “Cover your eyes and no peeking.”

She placed her mittens over her face. “I can’t see.”

He picked her up and carried her the rest of the way.

“Can I look now?”

“No. Keep those peepers shut.” It was a bit of a struggle to walk through the thick snow, but he trudged ahead.

She waited another minute. “Can I look now?”

“I guess so.” He was standing in front of her tree.

Her eyes opened wide with shock. “A Christmas tree.” Her voice was hushed with wonder.

Leah stepped out from behind it. “Surprise. Do you like it?”

Joy threw her arms around Caleb’s neck and squeezed hard as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

His heart swelled with love. “I guess that means you like it.”

“It’s beautiful.” She struggled to get down. He set her on her feet in the deep snow. Leah had tied red bows of yarn to the branches. With the newly fallen snow clinging to the needles, it looked sparkling and bright. Joy walked around the tree and clapped her hands.

Leah smiled at him. The sight of her warmed his heart. Would she consent to share his life? It was too soon to ask, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to wait much longer.

Picking up a basket, Leah said, “I brought more decorations. These are the ones the children made at school.”

For the next half hour, they hung slices of oranges and apples around the tree, along with pinecones that had been smeared with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed. The brightly colored yarn would supply the birds with soft nesting material come spring. When Joy couldn’t reach the higher branches, Caleb lifted her and held her as Leah handed her more decorations. When they were finished, he put Joy down and she stood back. “Where’s the star?”

“I have it right here.” Leah produced a large gingerbread cookie shaped like a star and frosted white. She handed it to Caleb. He raised one eyebrow. “It’s a little worldly for the birds, isn’t it?”

“I think it’s nearly perfect.”

He propped the cookie in the upper branches and took a step away. Joy, her cheeks red from the cold, turned to Leah. “Can I show it to Pickles? She’s never seen a Christmas tree.”

“When she’s a little older. Her eyes are open now. You must come and visit her soon.”

“Can I, Daddy?”

“How about going there tonight?”

“Yeah!” She threw her arms around his legs. “This is the best surprise I ever had.”

Emotion choked off Caleb’s voice. What a true blessing this child was. If she had to go back to Valerie, he didn’t know how he would face it.

“You are going to make many, many birds happy with your Christmas gift to them,” Leah said.

Caleb cleared his throat. “Are you ready for another surprise?”

“Yes!” She jumped as she shouted.

He pointed toward the lane. “Go right through there.
Mammi
and
Daadi
are waiting for you.”

As Joy took off, he turned to Leah and moved to stand directly in front of her. “Thank you for making my child so happy,” he said softly.

“It was a joint effort.” Leah’s heart fluttered wildly. She had waited for days to be alone with him. They didn’t have much time. People were expecting them. Would he kiss her again? Should she let him?

“It means a lot to me the way you’ve taken Joy under your wing. I was wondering...” He gazed into her eyes.

“Wondering what?” She licked her suddenly dry lips.

“I was wondering if I could kiss you again.”

Chapter Fourteen

C
aleb didn’t wait for Leah’s answer. She didn’t have one anyway. He closed the space between them, wrapped his arms around her and pressed his mouth to hers. Leah closed her eyes to savor the tender excitement that made her slip her arms around his neck and pull him closer still.

His kiss, tender and tentative at first, deepened at her response. His firm lips drew forth an ardent desire that left her breathless and yet wanting more. When he pulled away, she was reluctant to let him go.

He raised his face to the sky as he drew a shuddering breath, then he cupped her head and pressed her face against his neck. He smelled like pine needles and the crisp outdoors, yet underneath it all was a wonderful earthiness that was uniquely his own scent.

He said, “I wish Christmas was over.”

“Why?”

“Because then my parents wouldn’t be waiting for us to join them and I could keep you to myself for a lot longer.”

She gave a sigh of her own and stepped away. He released her, letting his hands slide down her arms slowly, as if he couldn’t bear to let her go.

She had to know for certain what his intentions were before she could let things go any further. “Caleb, does this mean you are staying? That you will become Amish?”

“Yes. I’ve thought about it and prayed about it. This is right for me. I know it.”

Tears blurred her vision. “I’m so glad.”

“Hey, don’t cry.”

“They are tears of happiness. You promised Joy she could visit the puppies. I see no reason why the two of you can’t come over whenever you’d like.”

He chuckled. “Don’t give me an open invitation. I’ll be outside your door every day when you get home from school.”

“And what makes you think I would object to that?” She gave him a saucy smile and began walking toward the lane.

He quickly caught up with her. When they came out of the woods, she saw his parents were waiting for them in the sleigh. The big draft horse stomped one foot and shook his head, making the bells on his harness jingle.

Joy was already in the front seat between Maggie and Ike. “We’re going for a sleigh ride. We’re going to sing songs for our neighbors. And then go to town to see all the pretty lights.”

Caleb spoke softly in Leah’s ear. “Looks like we get the backseat to ourselves.”

She quickly became the prim schoolteacher. “Where you will behave yourself, Caleb Mast. Or else.”

“Or else what?” He helped her into the sleigh.

“Or else you will find yourself walking home. Ike, I think everyone should be at my place by now.”

“We’ll be there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. I reckon it’s time I met this puppy I have heard so much about.”

“You will love her,” Joy assured him.

When they pulled into Leah’s yard about twenty minutes later, they found four sleighs gathered there. Ike helped Joy down from the seat. When they entered the house, she stopped. “What are all these people doing here?”

Leah said, “We are going caroling. Won’t that be fun?”

Elam Sutter and his wife, Katie, along with their children, had arrived. Marvin Chupp sat at the kitchen table, with his cast stretched out in front of him and his crutches at his side. His wife stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders. Levi Beachy and Sarah each held a cup of the spiced cider that Leah had left simmering on the stove for everyone to enjoy. Levi’s lanky twin teenage brothers flanked them. Jonathan and Karen Dresher were seated on the sofa with Nettie and Eli. The rest of the children were gathered around Trixie and her puppies. Leah was happy to see David in the group.

She looked around. “Are Wayne and Rhonda here?”

Sarah shook her head. “Wayne brought David, but he couldn’t stay.”

Leah tempered her disappointment with the knowledge that it was a small step for Wayne to allow David to join Caleb and Joy on the outing. She wondered if Rhonda knew that Caleb would be joining them.

“
Daadi,
come meet Pickles.” Joy led the way to the box in the corner of the kitchen. The children gathered around it made room for them.

Joy greeted her friends. “Hi, Anna. Hi, Emmy. This is my grandpa. And this is Pickles.” She carefully lifted the puppy from the box.

Ike admired Pickles and agreed that she looked like a very good farm dog in the making.

Leah said, “I think we are ready. Where shall we go first?”

Elam Sutter rose from his seat. “I know my neighbors the Zimmermans always enjoy hearing the children sing.”

“So do Mr. and Mrs. McGregor,” Katie added. “If we make a loop around Pleasant View Road, we will end up in Hope Springs and we can give them a surprise concert.”

With the route agreed upon, everyone went outside. Jonathan helped his pregnant wife into the backseat of Eli’s sleigh. “This reminds me of the first time I rode in a sleigh with you, Karen. We were on our way to the Christmas program at Leah’s school.”

“I remember,” Anna said. “You kissed my sister that night.”

Karen frowned at her in surprise. “And how would you know that?”

“Jonathan told me that was the night he fell in love with you.”

Karen tried to scowl at Jonathan, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Should I know what else you have told my little sister about us?”

“Nope. Are you warm enough?”

“I will be when you get in.”

Caleb spoke to Leah. “Will you ride with us?”

“Of course.”

Jonathan called out, “Be careful, Caleb. Look what happened to me after one sleigh ride with the pretty Amish
maedel.
”

Leah blushed. “Ignore him,” Karen said. “I do. You’re in for a delightful night, Leah. Enjoy it.”

Eli slapped the reins against his horse and drove out of the yard with Karen and Jonathan laughing together. Leah smiled at Caleb and got into the sleigh with happy anticipation coursing through her veins.

Maggie said, “It is hard to imagine that Jonathan was once an
Englisch
fellow. He is so at home with us. Caleb and Leah, get in so we can get going. This little girl wants to do some singing.”

* * *

Caleb joined Leah in the backseat of the sleigh. He carefully tucked a blanket around them both. As Ike followed the others out onto the road, Caleb realized that Karen was right. There was definitely something delightful about the night.

The fields they passed were blankets of white dotted with farmhouses and barns. The woods along the way were dark and gloomy. The light from the lanterns on the sides of the sleigh couldn’t penetrate their depths. Overhead, the stars looked close enough to touch in the clear night air.

The cold stung his cheeks and made him wish he had a scarf to wrap around his face. The jingle of harness bells and the clip-clop of the horses’ feet on the roadway were the only sounds. The glow of the lanterns on the other sleighs guided them forward.

Leah pulled the blanket higher. “I hope you didn’t take offense at Jonathan’s teasing.”

“No. He is a good-natured fellow. I had forgotten how much fun it was to do simple things like this.”

“I’m glad you have remembered.”

In an hour’s time, they visited four homes and stood in a semicircle around the children as they sang. Joy was off-key and a little slow, but her enthusiasm made up for her lack of talent. At each house, they were treated to baked goods and hot drinks before they climbed back in the sleighs and drove on.

They were nearing the end of Pleasant View Road when a dog darted out onto the road and began barking.

“Grandpa, stop. It’s Duncan,” Joy shouted.

Ike pulled over to the side. Duncan jumped into the sleigh and proceeded to lick Joy’s face.

“
Ach,
get down, you silly mutt,” Maggie scolded.

He scrambled off the seat and jumped down. Joy leaned over the side. “You need to come visit your babies. They need their daddy and their mommy.”

He barked once and ran back the way he had come. Joy looked at Leah. “Is this where he lives?”

“
Ja,
it is Woolly Joe’s farm. Duncan’s owner, Carl King, lives in the shepherd’s hut just beyond the fence.”

“You should tell him to bring Duncan to see Pickles.”

“I will mention it to him as soon as I see him.” Leah exchanged an amused glance with Caleb.

He lowered his voice and leaned close. Beneath the quilt that covered them, he threaded his fingers between hers and held her hand. “Joy is a little like her father. When she gets an idea in her head, it’s hard to make her let go of it. Duncan had better get his tail over to your place and wish his puppies a merry Christmas.”

“And what idea do you have that you can’t let go of?”

“At the moment, the only thing I don’t want to let go of is your hand.”

It was a night that Caleb would never forget. As they returned to Leah’s home, he saw the way his life could unfold in Hope Springs. He and Joy would always be surrounded by his family and friends. The simple things—prayer, hard work and the company of men and women who sought to put God first in their lives—would fill the void that existed in his heart. If that life included Leah, it wouldn’t be merely plain—it would be priceless.

The depth and intensity of his feelings for this woman frightened him. He wanted it to be real. He thought he had been in love before, but those emotions were nothing compared to this need to have Leah be a part of his life.

He didn’t want to mess this up.

He gave her fingers a squeeze and then let go of her hand. He wouldn’t rush her. He wanted her to be as certain of her feelings as he was.

Now that he was home, they would have plenty of time to discover if they were right for each other. Even if they were meant to be together, one huge issue remained unsolved. Rhonda’s accusation.

If Leah couldn’t accept his word over her sister’s, how could he consider a life together? If she believed he was lying about something so important, would she ever be able to trust his word?

He glanced at the woman seated beside him. Somehow, he had to make her believe he wasn’t David’s father. He prayed God would show him how to do the impossible.

* * *

For Leah, the following week was a whirlwind of activity. There was so much to do to get her students ready for the Christmas pageant, make her own Christmas preparations and still maintain the class work the children needed. Each day, they practiced their songs and rehearsed their parts after school.

Joy blossomed when she learned she would be included in the school program. For the entire week, she worked so hard it was almost painful to watch, but each success made Joy that much more determined to master her part.

It wasn’t until Friday evening that she and Caleb came over to visit the puppy. Joy proceeded to tell Leah that she didn’t need her daddy to walk her to school anymore.

Leah glanced at Caleb, who was sitting at her kitchen table. He shrugged. “I told her I didn’t think it was a good idea for her to go by herself.”

“I’m not going by myself. David is gonna walk with me. He is gonna walk to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and then we are gonna go to school together just like you and your brother did when you were little.”

“That sounds like a very good plan,” Leah said.

Caleb slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“It will make David walk an extra quarter of a mile each day both to and from school, but if he wants to do it, I don’t see why you should object. He does walk over to visit your parents on his own.”

“He’s only nine years old.”

“He is a levelheaded boy. You roamed the countryside when you were his age. No one gave it a second thought. It’s nice that he and Joy can be friends and playmates. It will be good for both of them. For the whole family.”

Joy folded her hands together. “Please, Daddy, I want to walk with David. He’s my real friend.”

He hesitated. Leah gave him a sympathetic smile. “You can always follow behind them and make sure they get where they’re going.”

His sheepish grin told her that was exactly what he had been thinking. “All right, you can walk with David. If it’s okay with his parents.”

“Cool.” Joy returned to playing with the puppies. They were getting big enough to waddle around outside their box. Joy giggled as all three of them tried to climb into her lap.

Leah took a seat across from Caleb at the table. “She will grow up no matter how hard you try to prevent it.”

“You’re right, but I’m not ready for it.”

“How is your job search going?”

“Not well. I’m tired of freeloading off my parents.”

“I’m sure they don’t consider it freeloading. I know you help your father with his chores.”

“Sure, but it’s nothing that he can’t do himself.”

Suddenly, she heard a buzzing noise. Caleb reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. She was disappointed that he hadn’t given up all of his worldly things.