The Amish Christmas Sleigh (18 page)

A while later, Luke and her kinner entered the haus breathless.

Josiah pulled off his gloves. “Mamm, sledding is fun!”

Beth preened. “Josiah fell off the sled three times, but I didn't fall off once.”

Luke slumped in the chair. “Sledding is fun, but I'm worn out.”

Charity studied the three of them, so full of cheer and life. Something this family needed. Too often she had let her loneliness rob her of joy, laughter, and lighthearted living. How many times had the kinner tiptoed around her sadness and retreated to their rooms to play and avoid her? Luke had taught her a lesson tonight. She and the kinner would play games and bake cookies more often.

Luke blew on his cold hands and held them over the fire. “Come join me, Beth and Josiah. My fingers are stiff and cold. Yours must be, too.”

The kinner pushed their way over to Luke and stood on either side of him, stretching their little hands and wiggling their fingers next to his in front of the orange hue of the flames.

Charity added a dollop of cocoa powder to the hot milk and stirred and then poured the mixture into four mugs.

Beth held both hands out to her. “I'll hand Luke his.”

“Be careful. I don't want you to burn yourself. Hold it like this.”

Beth carefully wrapped her fingers around the cloth she used to hold her mug and held the other cloth underneath. She passed the mug to Luke. “Here you go.”

“You didn't spill a drop. I'm impressed. Danki.” He winked at Charity. “You have well-behaved and delightful kinner.”

Beth and Josiah beamed at him.

Charity passed mugs to her kinner, then lifted hers and sat. “They can be a handful at times, but for the most part, they mind well.”

Beth and Josiah set their mugs on the floor next to them and lifted their tic-tac-toe game out of the toy box. They arranged the pieces and began to play.

Luke blew the steam off his milk. “Who takes care of your farm during season?”

“Zeb and Peter Yoder do all the work, and we split the money fifty-fifty. I manage my garden and take care of my chickens, horses, and cow.”

“If you need any help, I'd be happy to oblige. I'll do anything for a gut meal. I'm not much of a cook.”

She grinned. Having him at her table had been a wilkom change for her and the kinner's routine. “You're always wilkom to join us for meals. I'm sure my kinner would appreciate any time you can spare them.” She wouldn't mind cooking for him again soon.

 

Luke crossed the yard and entered his haus. Charity's deep blue eyes matched the sky on a sunny, cloudless day and filled his mind. Her petite frame and dainty small hands added to her natural beauty. How would her golden-blond hair look falling down her back instead of wound in a bun? He tightened his jaw. He shouldn't ponder such thoughts. It wasn't proper, and he mustn't let his mind go there. No woman would find her way into his heart again. He wouldn't allow himself. Not after his fraa had left him. No man should suffer such pain. Marriage was out of the question for him.

He and Martha had been childhood friends and married at seventeen. Beautiful, she had melted his heart. He shook his head. She had been full of life, humorous, and stubborn. She had asked a lot of questions about modern conveniences and what the world had to offer, but he wouldn't have guessed she'd leave him and her Amish life behind. He fisted his hands. She'd betrayed him. He wanted nothing to do with her. He swiped a nervous hand through his hair. No use dwelling on the past and Martha. He had come to start a new life in Berlin.

Josiah and Beth's faces came to his mind. Her dochder's features mirrored Charity's. Josiah's curly red hair and freckles won his heart right away. The boy had an impish grin and a sparkle in his eyes. Innocent, they said whatever came to mind. His mouth hurt from smiling at their boldness to ask him to join them for supper and to take them on sled rides before requesting permission. Charity's blush and stricken face showed her embarrassment. He suspected not having a daed in their lives must be the reason they hungered for a man's attention.

Charity's life must be hard. She had to earn a living for her family. He sucked in his bottom lip. He'd keep his distance but help them as much as he could.

Her woodpile had dwindled. He'd replenish her stock. Her front door latch hung on a loose nail, the porch had an open space where a flat board had broken, and a cracked window needed replacing. He'd fix these things tomorrow.

He petted Star. “Our neighbors have fed me a gut meal our first day here. I'd say we're off to a gut start in Berlin, Ohio.”

 

Friday morning, Luke arranged his maple wood furniture, unpacked, put away his clothes, and stowed his staples in the cupboards. He paused to brew coffee and sat to enjoy a cup. His living arrangements were cozy and in gut condition, and he liked his choice of a new home. He swung his head from side to side. His oak desk fit snugly in the corner, and his settee and favorite chair a few feet from the fireplace would be a warm place to read and rest.

He stood, shrugged on his coat, hat, and boots, tramped through the crunchy two feet of snow outside, and opened the barn door to feed the animals. How generous of the Zeller family to have left him hay and seed. This barn stood sturdier than the one he'd sold in Lancaster.

After he'd mucked the stalls, he strode to the workshop and arranged the building supplies he'd brought from Lancaster for carpentry repair jobs. He rubbed the knot out of his neck, sat on a stool for a minute, and crossed his arms against his chest. Would he find enough work to earn a worthwhile living here? Lancaster customers had kept him steadily busy. No matter. He'd saved enough money to sustain himself for the next six months. And he had enough land to expand his farm and garden if he needed to.

At three, he paused. Beth's and Josiah's giggles rang in his ears. He glanced out the barn doorway. They ran and threw snowballs at each other. He laughed as Josiah fell to the ground, waved his arms, and then stood to study his creation.

He grabbed his battered metal toolbox and trudged to greet them. “Did you enjoy school today?”

The kinner scampered over to him.

Beth pointed to her mouth. “Yes, but I lost my tooth. It's a little hard to chew on this side, but Mamm said I'll get a big maedel tooth soon.”

“Jah, you will. In the meantime, be careful biting on hard candy. It may cause it to bleed.”

“Eeeew. I wouldn't want to taste blood in my mouth. I'll be careful.”

“Hello, Luke!” Josiah pulled his glove off, and Star licked his hand. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of butter cookie. He held it to Star's mouth.

Star licked it off his fingers and swallowed it.

Josiah put his glove back on. “His tongue tickles my hand.”

“There are some foods Star shouldn't eat, so please ask me first. Bread and rolls are fine.”

“All right. I wouldn't want Star to get a tummyache. He's my friend.” He hugged the dog's neck.

“Star likes you, too.” He patted the boy's shoulder. “Is your mamm busy? Will you tell her I'm here?”

Josiah gripped his hand. “Come on in. She won't care.” He paused and pointed. “Be careful. Step over the hole in the porch.” Before Luke could say a word, Josiah had dragged him to the door, pushed it open, and pulled him inside. “Mamm, Luke is here.”

Beth skipped in behind them.

Luke stepped back. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to barge in.”

“It's all right. I'm sure the kinner didn't give you much choice. What can I do for you?”

He held up his toolbox. “I couldn't help but notice your door, window, and porch need fixing. Do you mind if I mend them?”

She blushed. “I don't have the money to pay you for your trouble, and I don't want to impose.”

“It's no trouble.” Had he insulted her by offering to fix things for her? He hadn't meant to.

She'd been kind and generous, offering him food and welcoming him into her haus. She trusted him.

He wouldn't want to do anything to change her mind. Maybe he should've given her more time to get to know him better. “Would you rather I come back at a more convenient time?”

“No, I appreciate it. Of course, I insist you stay for supper tonight if you like venison. Mr. Zook brought me some the other day, and I'm frying it in flour.”

“Venison is my favorite.” He removed his coat and hat and opened his toolbox.

Charity hugged Beth. “Come and help me prepare supper.”

“Let's bake ginger cookies for dessert.”

“I'll set out the bowl, big spoon, and ingredients. You can mix them.”

Josiah sat on the floor opposite Luke. He peered into the box and lifted a hammer. “I wanna help.”

“You hold the hammer and pass it to me when I ask.”

His face beamed as he stood. “Tell me when you're ready.”

Luke held a nail in the door latch and reached out his hand. “Ready.”

Josiah pressed it in his hand and studied his every move.

Luke enjoyed having the young boy observing him. He'd assumed Martha would want a boppli, but after they got married, she shied away from him and said no. What would it have been like to have a son? Like this, he supposed. He bit his bottom lip. He wouldn't let his mind go there. No use. He wouldn't allow himself to consider marriage again. He would never have kinner. A price he'd have to pay for protecting his heart. He'd enjoy Beth and Josiah as much as he could. He repaired the latch and smiled at the boy. “I'll lift you. You check to make sure the latch works properly.”

Josiah pushed it back and forth. “You fixed it. Now it won't fall off.”

The young boy paused and then pointed. “We should fix the window. I get scared at night when the wind hollers through the crack.”

Luke glanced over his shoulder. Charity stood watching them. He winked at her and returned his attention to her son.

He removed his tool belt, lifted out a few screwdrivers, and tied it in a big knot to Josiah's waist.

The child's face lit up like a bright star on a dark night.

“I need a hardworking helper. Do you want the job?”

“I can do anything you tell me to.” He held up his arm, fisted his hand, and patted his small muscle. “I'm strong and smart.”

“I've no doubt you are.” He studied the crack in the glass. “I've got a new window in my workshop we need to put in place of this one. Would you like to join me?”

“Mamm, may I?” He tilted his head and stuck out his bottom lip. “Please?”

Charity met Luke's eyes. “Are you sure you want Josiah tagging along?”

“Of course. I need all the help I can get.”

Josiah puffed out his chest. “Luke needs me.”

“All right. Bundle up.”

They crossed the snow-covered ground to his workshop. He opened the door.

Josiah's mouth fell open. “You have lots of tools in here.” His small fingers touched the assortment of tools and different-sized wooden pegs. He rattled a box of nails and screws.

“Don't touch the saws. I don't want you to cut yourself.”

“I won't. They look scary.”

Luke raised his eyebrows and grinned. Josiah had obeyed him. He found the child a pleasure.

Lifting a small hammer, he handed it to Josiah. “You can put this in your tool belt.”

“You mean I can keep the belt I'm wearing?”

“Jah. I have others. You'll need it if you're going to assist me.”

“Danki, Luke.” Josiah's smile spread wide as he shifted the belt on his slender hips.

Grasping the window, Luke gathered the supplies he needed and guided Josiah out the door. “Let's go put this window in. Then there'll be no more frightening noises.”

Josiah grasped his hand until they reached the porch. Josiah lifted his hammer and held it. “I'm ready.”

Luke grabbed a shovel and removed the snow, then replaced the broken board in the porch. He grinned as Josiah shivered. “You can go inside and get warm. I'll do this.”

“No. Not until we're finished.”

He wouldn't argue. The child's determination to stay by his side warmed his heart. He removed the old window and put in the new one. He asked Josiah to hold the nails and hand him the hammer now and then. He stepped back and eyed the repair. “We're done here.”

Hands on hips, Josiah mimicked his actions. “Looks gut.”

Luke stifled a chuckle. The boy was delightful. He hadn't had this much fun in a long time. “Let's go inside.” He followed Josiah.

The aroma of venison filled the air.

Beth carried a plate of warm, fragrant ginger cookies over to Luke. “I made dessert.”

“Yummy. I may bite into one before I eat my supper.” He grinned at her and reached for a cookie.

She pulled the plate away and waggled her finger. “No, you mustn't have a ginger cookie yet. You have to clean your plate first before you can eat dessert.”

He withdrew his hand, stifled a laugh, and forced his mouth in a grim line. “All right, I'll wait.”

Charity served them, then sat. “Beth, you should let Luke have a cookie.”

Beth slid into her chair. “It's what you tell us, Mamm.”

Luke waved a dismissive hand. “It's all right. She's right.”

“She can be a little bossy at times.”

“Don't be embarrassed. I understand they're going to say whatever is on their mind. I suspect some of your fondest memories will be funny and embarrassing words they've said while they're young.”