Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven (7 page)

“And then, of course, McClusky told everyone to behave themselves in his store. That caused a commotion, I tell ya,” Eli continued as Sam drove the three of them along the narrow, hilly lanes that made up the Amish community. After checking Winnie out from the hospital, they’d gone through a drive-thru for burgers, then started for the Lundy farm. And along the way, Eli had become a chatterbox, relaying neighborhood news with the exuberance of a gossipy maiden aunt.

“You know how McClusky is,” Eli said, continuing. “Not much happens around here that he doesn’t know about.”

“Uh-huh.” As Sam slowly curved the steering wheel right onto an unmarked street, he tried to remember who McClusky even was. But there was no use asking Eli to clarify things. Ever since they’d left the city and driven southwest toward the Amish communities, he’d become
determined to fill Sam in on every momentous—and not so momentous—occasion that had happened over the last six months.

There’d been quite a lot of occasions. Sam appreciated the update. Truly, he cared about the people in this area very much but, nevertheless, felt removed, as if the people Eli were speaking of were characters in a story.

And though he’d been the one to leave, Sam felt uncomfortable about it. And a little guilty. He wasn’t part of the Amish community anymore. This place was based on close family ties and sacrifices. Their parents both worked hard to see all their children’s physical and emotional needs met. He felt selfish to have only thought of himself over the past couple of years.

“Don’t forget to turn left at the Johnsons’ place,” Eli cautioned. “It’s the house with the three flowering pear trees, Samuel.”

Quickly Sam tapped the breaks and veered left. When Eli started up again about the day the trees were planted, Sam peeked in the rearview mirror.

Winnie was still sleeping. Her head listed to one side, her lips slightly parted. She looked peaceful.

For much of the drive, she’d dozed off and on. Sam couldn’t help but glance her way every now and then. During his visits to her bedside, the two of them had begun to converse enough that he felt more comfortable with her than with any other woman of his acquaintance.

Winnie wasn’t afraid to have opinions. She was smart, too, and he appreciated that. During their visits, she’d
entertained him with stories about her friends and her new job at the antique shop. But unlike Eli’s annoying chatter, Sam had been charmed. He enjoyed seeing the community through her eyes.

Likewise, she seemed to enjoy hearing stories of his job and students, so much so that he wondered if she secretly wanted to continue her education.

He fought a yawn as Eli prattled on. Oh, he enjoyed hearing about the community. And, he dearly loved his older brother. But sometimes Eli simply forgot that his life was far different. It was like Eli assumed Sam could step back into the community as if he’d never left. It wasn’t quite so easy. He’d changed. He was different—and in some ways maybe not for the better.

Instead of the lifelong friends and relatives in Eli’s world, like Jonathan Lundy and Henry Brenneman, Sam’s circle of friends was far more wide and varied. Though he got along with them fine, some of their beliefs challenged all the things he’d held dear.

In addition, while much of Eli’s activities revolved around the family’s needs, Sam’s focus remained steadily on himself and his work. He spent hours a day working on research grants, student curriculums, and developing new and innovative methods for growing. Some were fascinating and challenged his brain in all the ways he’d hoped they would back when he dreamed of learning everything he possibly could. Other problems felt so insurmountable that he longed for dull, everyday conversations like the ones he was having.

None felt as personal as Eli’s struggles with Caleb.

So why was his mind drifting?

As he downshifted and passed a black buggy, he found himself looking for the driver the same as Eli, just in case they found a familiar face.

Maybe he hadn’t changed as much as he thought.

Ten minutes later, they pulled onto the Lundys’ driveway. When Sam saw the destruction of the barn, his mouth went dry. Next to the pretty white-board house, the blackness of the building was startling.

He turned away from the damage just as Katie and her girls came out to greet them.

Groggily, Winnie sat up. “We’re here already?”

“We are, sleepyhead,” he said, his heart melting a bit at her half-closed eyes.

Eli pulled open Winnie’s door and carefully helped her slide to the edge of her seat just as Katie rushed forward, pushing a wheelchair.

Winnie groaned. “I don’t need that.”

“Sure you do. We borrowed it from the Johnsons’.”

Winnie tried not to let her pain show by biting the inside of her cheek. Their busy morning had jarred her body something fierce. Tender skin under bandages stung and her leg ached painfully. Moving around was sure different than sitting in a hospital bed all day!

Katie kissed her cheeks. “Winnie, I’m so glad you’re back. It’s been terribly quiet without you.”

“Aunt Winnie, I lost a tooth!” Hannah exclaimed, impulsively reaching in and hugging her tight. Though
she did her best to hide it, her whole body jumped in agony.

“Careful,” Sam called out before Eli or Katie could say a word. “Your Aunt Winnie might be out of the hospital, but she isn’t all better yet.”

Hannah stepped back and blinked quickly, obviously fighting tears.

Mary, her little seven- year-old shoulders squared and resolute, stepped forward. “Here, Aunt Winnie. Let me help you.”

“We’ll be careful with her,” Hannah murmured by Mary’s side, her expression contrite.

Sam’s cheeks colored. “I know. I, um, didn’t mean to snap.”

Though she was in a wheelchair, Winnie did her best to smooth things over. “Sam, it’s fine. Girls, I missed you, too. Let’s go on inside, shall we?”

Visibly gathering her wits, Katie nodded. “Yes, let’s go in.” With the girls’ help, she pushed Winnie’s chair along the smooth path toward the kitchen door, where no stairs interrupted their way. Sam picked up her bag and walked beside Winnie, his presence feeling as solid and comforting as it had in her hospital room.

When they entered the spotless kitchen, Winnie breathed in the appetizing aroma and smiled. “Katie, something smells mighty good.”

“We made you soup, Winnie! Pronto Potato Soup,” Hannah cried out. “There’s vegetables in it that Mary cut up.”

“That’s my favorite. I’ll look forward to tasting it.”

“I’ve got your bed all ready for you, Winnie,” Katie said. “Let’s get you settled, then I’ll bring you some tea. Or would you rather have soup right away?”

“I most certainly do not want to sit in bed. I’d fancy sitting in the
Sitzschtupp
and enjoying a nice cup of tea, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s a
wonderbaar
idea! We can show you our quilt!” Mary said.

“I canna wait to see it.”

Hannah pulled on her skirt. “We can show you our new fabric, too. It’s yellow and purple. I love purple.”

Winnie laughed. Oh, their enthusiasm was so good to see. She’d been so lonely in that sterile hospital room. “I love purple, too.”

Katie frowned. “Perhaps it would be better not to wear your aunt out—”

“They’re not wearing me out in the slightest. I welcome the company—the days were long at the hospital. Though I did have Samuel’s visits to look forward to, I did get mighty lonely.”

Katie raised her brows. “You looked forward to seeing him?”

“Well, yes.” As Sam’s cheeks flushed, Winnie stumbled over her words. “I mean…I mean, he was so kind.”

“I was glad to visit,” Sam said. “Like I said, I work nearby.”

Winnie rushed on. “Yesterday he brought me a movie to watch. And popcorn.”

“Now isna that somethin’?” Katie murmured.

“I wanna go in the hospital now, too!” Mary exclaimed.

As Hannah chimed in, Winnie felt as if she was an awkward teen again. Sam looked uncomfortable and Katie looked as if she was doing all she could to mind her tongue—but had an awful lot to say. “Um, like I said, it’s good to be home.”

“Care for some tea before you get on your way, Samuel?” Katie asked.

“No, it’s time I got goin’,” Sam replied. “Eli and I were planning to talk about some growing techniques before we go out to the fields tomorrow. And Caleb is hopefully waitin’, too.” With a disgruntled expression, he added, “Eli says he hasn’t been tending to his chores. I want to try and help persuade him.”

When Katie and the girls left to get her some tea, Winnie found herself alone with Sam again. Now that they were back in familiar surroundings, she felt awkward and shy. Their differences seemed even more apparent than ever—as was the fact that things were changing.

There’d be no more movies or long talks about their pasts and dreams to look forward to. She’d heal up and continue helping Katie and Jonathan, and Sam would go back to his life among the English.

Once again, she would be the old maid. The woman who’d found a future in a job instead of with a man and family of her own. She tried to tease to cover up the lump in her throat. “Thank you again for everything, Samuel. I’ll always be grateful for your time.”

“It was nothing. Perhaps I—”

“Samuel, you ready?”

“Yes.” Sam took a step toward Eli, to where he was waiting by the door. “I suppose I’ll see you in three days’ time. When I drive you to the doctor.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” She tried to keep her voice even, to not betray how happy his offer made her. “I mean, that is, if you’re sure you can spare the time.”

“I told you I could. I didn’t lie.”

“I know.”

They shared a meaningful look. One of humor and of melancholy. Winnie felt that same curious jolt between the two of them. It was getting more and more of a struggle to pretend she didn’t wish their circumstances were different.

Then Katie and Eli walked Sam away, out of her life.

Sam was just about to walk out the door when Katie stopped him. “Samuel, before you leave we would be grateful for your advice.”

“About what?” Sam asked.

“Jonathan and Katie think it was most likely an Amish teen who set the blaze,” Eli explained.

Katie continued. “The elders recommended Jonathan not do anything, but that’s tough advice for him to follow. We might do a little investigating on our own.” Looking somewhat guilty, she added, “I know we’re not supposed to, but I feel that whoever did this needs to take responsibility. Winnie was badly injured.”

Sam wasn’t sure what he could do, but he had a feeling he’d feel just as strongly about wanting to do some
thing—anything to feel like he was a part of the solution. “Any idea why someone would do such a thing?”

“No.”

“Then how are you—”

“We might ask around a bit.” She shrugged. “I’m hoping it merely was an accident. But even if it was, someone needs to apologize, don’tcha think?”

A strong sense of foreboding encompassed him. He’d been so wrapped up in his feelings for Winnie, he’d pushed aside the fact that the Lundys’ barn had been set on fire. With care, he said, “Do you suspect anyone in particular?”

Katie nibbled on her bottom lip. “No one in particular…”

“Let’s not mention any names. It would be foolish to make rash guesses,” Eli inserted quickly.

Sam turned to him in surprise. What was that about? “Who are you thinking of, Eli?” Though they’d discussed Caleb’s flighty ways, surely Eli now didn’t imagine he was the guilty one?

“No one.”

“I don’t have anyone specific in mind,” Katie said with a sigh. “Eli’s right. I don’t want to start pointing fingers. But…” Her voice drifted off.

“Something needs to be done,” Sam finished.

Eli nodded. “
Jah
. Something surely needs to be done.”

“It’s too hard not knowing what happened,” Katie added with a shrug. “And, well, there’s always the worry that whoever started the fire could start another one.”

A cool shadow passed through Sam. His brother knew something. Katie was worried more than she’d let on.

Was there more to all of this than he’d imagined?

Once again, Sam realized how many ways he’d cut himself off from the Amish community. He’d forgotten something that was basic to their way of life—they weren’t backward or ignorant about the ways of the world. Instead, they
chose
not to adopt certain lifestyles of the current society.

They still had problems and gossips and differences with each other. Kids still didn’t think ahead. People still made mistakes. This world wasn’t completely sheltered and perfect—no, in some ways, it was just as filled with flaws as any other society.

He’d forgotten that.

After the men had gone, Winnie watched her sister-in-law slice a thick wedge of zucchini bread then carry it to where she waited. Still warm from the oven, the scent of the spiced treat made her mouth water. Oh, it was so nice to be home! “Katie, this looks wonderful
gut
.”

“I thought you might be ready for something fresh and homemade,” Katie replied with a smile. “How was the hospital food?”

“Not so bad. I wasn’t especially hungry anyway.”

“Your burns are healing?”

“Oh, yes. They’re much better. My foot is, too. In fact, the doctor said he might have released me yesterday, but he wanted me to stay off my feet as much as possible for another day.”

“We’ll make sure you stay off of them now, too.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m tired, but otherwise fit. I can’t wait to go to work, both here and at the store.”

“We’ll see what your brother has to say about that.”

“Catch me up on all that I’ve missed. Do you really fear it was someone in our community who started the fire?”

“I don’t know for sure, but it’s my feeling. Nothing else makes much sense. The English have many places to smoke—it’s not even looked down upon all that much. In our community, however, that would be a different story.”

Winnie frowned. “I hate to start naming kids, but I can’t but help to think of possible people.”

Lowering her voice, Katie murmured, “I’ve even suspected Caleb Miller.”