Plain Paradise (33 page)

“It is an amazing journey, especially when you are first establishing a true relationship with God and you see the immense changes in your life.” Lillian stared off in space for a moment. “My grandpa was a huge part of that process for me, and of course my grandma, Irma Rose, who died several years ago. Without them, I’m not sure where I’d be.” Then she smiled. “And, my husband, Samuel, was right by my side while I learned about the Lord.”

“I understand from Linda that you and your husband went through a lot with his—I mean
your
son, David. Linda thinks the world of David too.”

“It was tough times four years ago. David needed a kidney, and Noah was the only one who was a match in our family. Noah had been shunned, and it was a rather big mess for a while. But David is healthy now, and over time the community has welcomed Noah into their hearts and homes.”

“I can’t help but notice how everyone in this community joins together, in good times and in bad. I remember that from when I was growing up here. I had a few Amish friends.”

“How is it going, staying with Linda and her family in their home? Miss that air-conditioning?” Lillian smiled. “It was the hardest thing for me to give up.”

Josie liked Lillian. Even during this difficult time, she was making an effort to get to know Josie, and Josie was touched. “It was a little warm last night. Although I suspect my husband will be home from overseas soon, and I’ll be returning home.”

“I’d like to pray with you, if that’s all right,” Lillian said.

“I’d like that.”

“Normally, we pray silently, but I’d like to offer a prayer aloud for you.”

Josie nodded, welcoming this thoughtful gesture.

“Please Heavenly Father, be with my new friend, Josie, and stay close to her during difficult times, both now and in the future. Bless her with Your healing touch, and wrap Your loving arms around her. In Your name we pray.”

Josie tried to stifle her sobs, which would only make her head hurt worse. “Thank you. I don’t know why that’s making me cry.” She faced Lillian. “I just appreciate it so much. And it’s such a sweet thing to do.”

Lillian gazed long and hard into Josie’s eyes, and Josie had the strangest feeling that Lillian knew her secret, although she was sure Mary Ellen would never share something so private. “When I first came to know the Lord, I cried a lot. It’s a spiritual cleansing of sorts. Maybe that’s the case with you.” Lillian smiled.

Josie didn’t respond. She swiped her eyes and wondered what was taking Mary Ellen so long, even though she was enjoying this time with Lillian.

“Lillian, I’ve been looking for you. I thought you were outside.” Sarah Jane hurried into the kitchen. “Hello, Josie. I’m sorry to interrupt.”

Josie remembered Jonas’s daughter from her visit to see Jonas. “No, that’s fine,” Josie said as she stood up.

“
Mamm
, what is it? You look frantic.” Lillian rose from the bench also.

“This!” Sarah Jane held up an envelope, much like the ones several family members and friends had received earlier.

“Your letter? What about it? I got one too.”

“Not like this, you didn’t.” Sarah Jane’s eyes widened as she grinned. “I already opened my personal letter from Pop. But this is a second letter addressed to you, me, and Lizzie. You’re never going to believe this.” She pushed the letter toward Lillian. “Read it. See for yourself!”

20

L
ILLIAN OPENED THE ENVELOPE HER MOTHER HANDED
to her just as Lizzie walked into the kitchen and after Josie excused herself to go look for Mary Ellen.

“My Huggy Bear is just full of surprises.” Lizzie sat down in a chair at the far end of the table. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when Sarah Jane showed me the letter.”

“Leave it to Pop to do something like this without telling us.” Sarah Jane sat down on the wooden bench, propped her elbows on the table, and rested her chin on her hands. “What was he thinking?”

Lillian unfolded the white piece of paper and read.

Lizzie, Sarah Jane, and Lillian,

You three girls have probably given me more grief over the past few years
than all the folks I’ve ever known—always hovering over me, trying to take care
of me, and bossing me around.

Lillian covered her growing smile with her hand. She couldn’t help but laugh at her grandfather’s ways, even at the end.

But I love you girls with all my heart, and I hate that I won’t be around
to take care of you all—especially you Lizzie. Lillian, you have Samuel; and
Sarah Jane, I reckon you do all right on your own, but you two take care of
my Lizzie.

Now, for the matter at hand. Lancaster County is growing more and more
populated, with less farmland for future generations, which makes the land prices
mighty high. I reckon by the time Lillian’s young girls are grown and married,
their husbands will be forced to work only in the
Englisch
world, unable to
tend to the land we love and make a gut living at it. We are getting further and
further away from our Amish roots with each passing year, and it wonders me
if generations to come will hold steadfast to our deep satisfaction to work the land
in hopes of a plentiful harvest.

In the valley beneath Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo mountains, small Amish
communities are gathering. I’ve purchased one thousand acres there, in a place
called Canaan, Colorado. There are two farmhouses on the property, over two
hundred years old and in need of much repair. I believe that more and more of
our people will move west due to overcrowding and high land prices here. So, my
girls . . . this is my way of safeguarding future generations.

Beautiful country there, and it’s available to you if you should want or need
it. Kade Saunders has all the details.

Calm down, Sarah Jane. I can see your face as you read, wondering
how I did this. There’s this thing called the Internet down at the local
library. Puts you in touch with anyone, anywhere. I had to bend a rule on
my way out.

In His Name, and loving you all,
Pop—Grandpa—Huggy Bear

“Close your mouth, Lillian,” her mother teased in reference to Lillian’s jaw, which hung to the floor. “I had the same reaction.”

“
Ya
, I was shocked as well.” Lizzie shook her head.

“Why would Grandpa think that any of us would split the family up and leave? We all love it here.” Lillian cringed. “Does this mean Grandpa hasn’t even seen the property he bought?”

“Hello, ladies.” Kade walked into the room. He chuckled. “Leave it to Jonas to do something like this. I didn’t know about this until an attorney knocked on my door yesterday with this letter and deed to the property, with instructions from Jonas for me to deliver it all to you. And to answer your question— apparently Jonas has not seen his purchase. Amazing that he would buy property over the Internet, sight unseen, and not tell anyone.”

“Well, we’ll just sell it,” Lillian said. “We don’t need a thousand acres in Colorado. That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of.”

“I agree.” Lizzie shook her head again. “Silly old Huggy Bear knows I could never make a trip like that.”

“Kade, would you be able to handle the details of selling the property for us?” Sarah Jane folded her hands in front of her. “We’d pay you, of course.”

“I would be glad to.” Kade rubbed his chin. “Although . . . I did some research last night, and never underestimate Jonas. He got a great deal on this property, in a beautiful location. Land in Lancaster County is almost six times as much as in Colorado. It’s not as crowded there, and the acreage Jonas purchased is in a very rural area. I know exactly where Canaan is, I’ve been there. It’s near Monte Vista. You might not want to make this decision so hastily.”

“What decision?” Samuel walked into the kitchen carting Elizabeth in his arms and with Anna by his side.

Lillian covered her face with her hands for a moment, then blew out a breath of frustration. “Can you believe that Grandpa bought a thousand acres in Colorado without telling anyone? Property with two farmhouses in a rural area. He left a letter for
Mamm
, Lizzie, and me. We just were just telling Kade to make the arrangements to sell the property.”

Samuel stroked his beard and didn’t say anything, and Lillian watched his brows narrow speculatively.

“Samuel? Doesn’t it shock you that Grandpa would do something like this?”

“
Ya
.” Samuel glanced back and forth between Lillian and her mother. “But I think we should go. Move to Colorado.”

Lillian thought she might fall off the bench. “What?” She sat up taller. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“Samuel, why would you say that?” Sarah Jane edged closer to him and extended her arms to take Elizabeth. “Come here, sweetie. Come see your
mammi
.” Then she narrowed her eyes at Samuel. “I love you, Samuel, but the thought of you taking my grandbabies makes me want to smack you.”

“I reckon we can talk about it later.” Samuel looped his thumbs under his suspenders. “Are you ready to go, Lillian?”

Lillian stood from the table. “I guess so, but I’ll tell you right now, Samuel Stoltzfus, we aren’t going anywhere, so there is nothing to talk about later.” Lillian eased Elizabeth out of her mother’s arms, kissed her
mamm
on the cheek, and said, “Let me know if you or Lizzie need anything.”

She said her good-byes to the others, then she and Samuel loaded the girls into the buggy. David would be leaving in his own courting buggy. She waited until they were heading home on Black Horse Road before she broached the subject of Colorado.

“Samuel, why would you say that about moving to Colorado?” She curled her mouth into a frown. “Our families are here. We could never do that.”

Her husband was quiet for a moment. “I guess you’re right.”

Lillian could see their farm up ahead, and she thought about all the work Samuel had done to the property and everything she’d done to make it a home for all of them. “There must have been some reason you said that, Samuel.” She cut her eyes in his direction.

Samuel shrugged. “
Ach
, I don’t know. It was just a thought.”

Lillian sat taller as they pulled onto the driveway. “I could never leave here.”

Samuel didn’t say anything.P

Josie felt drained by the time they returned from the funeral, and after helping Mary Ellen carry in casserole dishes she’d taken to the funeral, Josie sat down in one of the rockers in the den and pushed herself into motion.

Mary Ellen walked into the den and put her hands on her hips. “You look terrible.”

Josie lifted her brows. “Thanks.”

“You’ve done too much today. Why don’t you go lie down before supper?”

“No. I’m fine. A little tired, but I’m just thankful that my headache went away.” She pointed to her hand. “And look. No bothersome jerking either.”

Mary Ellen pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen from beneath her prayer covering, then she wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m making a very simple supper, so I don’t need any help, if you’d like to rest. Besides, Linda should be home from her walk with Stephen soon.”

Josie kept rocking. “Your bishop didn’t have much to say to me today. I tried to talk to him.”

“Bishop Ebersol?
Ya
, that’s Stephen’s grandfather. He’s been the strictest bishop we’ve ever had.” Mary Ellen shook her head. “Too strict, if ya ask me.”

Josie thought for a moment. “He probably wouldn’t like me staying here, would he?”

“I doubt it. But it isn’t for long.”

Ouch
. Mary Ellen had made the statement as if she were relieved of that fact. “Where are Abe and the boys?”

“In the far pasture. One of the cows is due any day, and they went to check on her.”

Josie nodded, then Mary Ellen turned to go into the kitchen. Josie followed her.

“Mary Ellen, why did you ask me to stay here when I get the distinct impression you’d rather me not be here?” Josie folded her arms across her chest and waited for Mary Ellen to answer. She appeared in no hurry as she opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a stick of butter. Josie continued to wait.

Finally, Mary Ellen turned to face her. “I’ve asked myself that a hundred times.” Josie’s heart sank, but then Mary Ellen smiled before she walked to the stove. “I have a sense that you are meant to be here, Josie. Not just because you are Linda’s birth mother either.”

Josie sat down on the bench while Mary Ellen pulled two pots down from a rack near the stove. “What kind of sense?”

“The kind that comes from God.” She turned her head around, and her eyes flashed a gentle warning. “But I do not want Linda to be tempted by your ways.” Then she turned back around and placed the pots atop the stove.

“That doesn’t make sense, Mary Ellen.” Josie scowled. “If you’re so worried about that, then why did you invite me here?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes, honestly. I’d like to know.” Josie paused. “You offered for Linda’s sake, I suppose. Or just out of pity.”