The Hope Jar Read online

  “Yes, Sara. I’m in the kitchen.”

  Michelle entered the room. “I know I promised to help you in the garden this afternoon, but would you mind if I went for a walk first?” She placed her hand protectively over her pocket, where the letter was safely hidden.

  Mary Ruth looked at Michelle with a curious expression. “Is everything all right?

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?” Michelle shifted uneasily. Did Mary Ruth find out she’d written a letter to the real Sara? Michelle had hidden the letter inside her suitcase, waiting for an opportunity to mail it. Unfortunately, she’d forgotten about it until now. It was important to get it in the mail today.

  Mary Ruth put her hand on Michelle’s shoulder. “You look a bit distressed. Did Ezekiel say something while he was here to upset you?”

  “No, I just need some air and feel like going for a walk to clear my head. Do you mind? I won’t be gone long, and when I get back I’ll help you with whatever needs to be done.”

  “Of course you can go for a walk. I’ll manage fine on my own till you get back.” Mary Ruth smiled.

  “Okay, thanks. See you in a bit.”

  As Michelle walked out of the house and headed toward the road, she felt like a traitor, leaving Mary Ruth alone to do the work by herself. But she needed to mail that letter. Once the deed was done, she could help with the peas and then enjoy the rest of her day.

  Chapter 16

  Perspiration beaded on Michelle’s forehead as she made the trek from the post office back to the Lapps’ place. She had known where it was, having seen it a week ago when she went shopping with Mary Ruth, but hadn’t realized the two-mile walk would take its toll on her in this heat. The hot weather wouldn’t have been so bad, but the humidity was stifling. Michelle’s clothes stuck to her as she reached into her jean’s pocket for a rubber band to tie her long hair up in a ponytail. The creek she’d recently walked by looked inviting, even just to soak her feet in the shallow end for a while. But there was no time to pause and cool off. Michelle wanted to get back so she could help Mary Ruth with the peas.

  She could have called Brad or the Lapps’ other driver, Stan, to take her to the post office but had decided she didn’t want to part with what little money she had for such a short ride. And Michelle certainly couldn’t expect Willis or Mary Ruth to pay for her ride to the post office, especially if they’d known her reason for going there.

  Well, the deed was done, and with any luck, it would guarantee her a few more months of living with the Lapps.

  Michelle wiped her sweaty forehead and kept walking determinedly, her ponytail swinging back and forth across her sweaty back. In one respect, she felt guilty for her deception, because Willis and Mary Ruth were nice people. On the other hand, what they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. Of course, they would find out sooner or later when the real Sara made an appearance. But Michelle wouldn’t be around to see their displeasure with her act of deceit. Hopefully once she left, she would stop feeling so guilty.

  Michelle was about halfway back to the Lapps’ when a horn honked, and a convertible pulled up alongside of her. Three young fellows sat inside, in addition to the driver, who looked to be around eighteen or nineteen years old.

  “Hey babe. Where ya headed?” The guy in the front passenger’s seat leaned forward and gave a shrill whistle.

  Michelle looked straight ahead and picked up her pace.

  The car cruised alongside of her, and a couple of the young men made some crude remarks.

  Michelle wasn’t sure whether she should run or keep walking at her current speed. Even if she ran, she couldn’t get ahead of the convertible. She didn’t want these guys to know it, but she was scared. The best thing to do was try to ignore them, in the hope that they would drive on.

  The last time Michelle had felt this frightened was when Jerry smacked her face and then refused to leave her apartment. She was fortunate that he went without a fuss, because the situation could have gotten much worse.

  When the driver pulled up ahead and onto the shoulder of the road, it blocked Michelle’s path. The hair on the back of her neck and arms lifted as she froze in place. She wanted to flee or hide, but there was no place to go. Please God. Send someone to help me. It was the first prayer Michelle had said in a long time, but in her desperation she couldn’t think of anything else to do. Who knew when another car would come by? Out here on these country roads, the traffic was often light, and sometimes hardly any vehicles at all sped by.

  A redheaded guy with a face full of freckles got out of the backseat and moved toward Michelle. “Come on, babe. Hop on in, and we’ll take ya for a ride. It’s a mighty hot day, and cruisin’ in a convertible’s a good way to cool off.”

  When Michelle didn’t answer, he added, “What’s wrong, darlin’? Ain’t we good enough for you?”

  The other fellows laughed, which only encouraged the redhead. “Maybe you’re just playin’ hard to get.”

  Hoping he wouldn’t know how truly frightened she was, Michelle forced herself to look at him. “I am not playing hard to get, and I don’t need a ride. I’m almost home, but thank you just the same.” Maybe showing some courage while also being polite would make them leave her alone. Unfortunately, this only seemed to aggravate the freckle-faced fellow.

  “Oh really? And where’s home?” He grabbed her arm roughly.

  Michelle pressed both elbows against her sides, wishing she could make herself invisible. “It’s up the road, and if you don’t let go of me, I’ll scream.”

  “Oh yeah? And who’s gonna hear ya, except me and my buddies? I don’t see nobody else around.”

  “You’re wrong, Buddy.” The driver of the car pointed to the farm across the road. “See those cows over there in the field? I’ll bet they’re gonna come over here and rescue the pretty gal.”

  The others in the car whooped and hollered, calling Michelle a few names she’d never repeat, while the one holding her arm, pulled her against his chest.

  Michelle’s legs felt weak, like she might fall at any moment, but the firm grip he had on her right now kept her upright. This guy was so forward, he even reached back and took the rubber band out of her hair. Running his fingers through her long tresses, his face was so close, she could smell his stale breath.

  “Nice.” He picked up a thick strand of her hair and brought it up to his nostrils, inhaling a long slow intake of air. “Real nice.”

  Michelle choked back a whimper as he continued teasing her. Please God, help me.

  She opened her mouth and was about to scream when a van that seemed to come out of nowhere pulled up behind the convertible. It gave her the opportunity and extra time to stomp on the pushy guy’s foot.

  “Ouch! Why you little—” He swung back his hand as if to slap her but backed off when the van door opened.

  Michelle almost fainted with relief when Brad got out. What were the odds that he would come along just when she needed him? Could it have been my prayers for help?

  “What’s going on here?” As soon as Brad stepped out of his vehicle, the freckle-faced guy limped closer to the convertible.

  “Uh, nothin’. We were just seein’ if she needed a ride.”

  “Well, she doesn’t. So please get back in your car and move on down the road.” Brad spoke calmly but with authority.

  With a grunt and brief shrug, the red-haired fellow got back in the car, told the driver to go, and they headed on down the road.

  As they sped off, Brad heard the driver shout at the guy who sat slumped in the backseat, “Way to go, stupid.”

  When Sara looked up at Brad, he couldn’t help noticing her trembling lips, or the tears in her eyes. “Th–thank you so much. I can’t believe you came along when you did.”

  “Did they hurt you?” His brows wrinkled as he studied her flushed face, feeling concern.

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just a bit shaky inside.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay.” Brad gestured to his van
. “Why don’t you hop in? I’ll give you a lift home. I assume that’s where you were heading?”

  “Yeah. I went out for a walk and had started back when those guys showed up.” She opened the passenger’s door and climbed in, while Brad went around to the other side. He shuddered to think of what might have happened if he hadn’t come along when he did. I need to get Sara’s mind off what might have happened.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Brad asked, after he’d pulled onto the road and noticed out of the corner of his eye how Michelle twisted her pretty, long hair, holding it up off the back of her neck.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  “Stan mentioned that when you came to visit your grandparents, it was the first time you’d been there. I’m wondering why you’d never gone to see them before.”

  She stared down at her hands, clutched tightly in her lap, and drew a quivering breath. “Until a month ago, I didn’t even know I had grandparents living in Strasburg.”

  “Didn’t your parents tell you?”

  “Umm … I didn’t know till after my mom passed away.”

  “I see.” Brad didn’t push any further, since Sara was still clearly upset about her encounter with the guys in the convertible. But Brad had more questions he wanted to ask. And maybe he would, once they got better acquainted.

  “So tell me more about you.” Brushing his arm with her hand, Sara glanced over at him. “I know you’re studying to become a minister, but that’s about all.”

  “What else do you want to know?”

  “Just wondered where you are from. Is your home here in Lancaster?”

  “Nope. I was born and raised in Harrisburg. Moved down here and rented a small apartment near the college I’ve been attending in Lancaster. But that was after I’d worked for my dad a few years.”

  “I see. So what does your father do in the capital of Pennsylvania?”

  “He’s a chiropractor. He and my mom hoped I’d follow in his footsteps and someday take over the business.” Brad shook his head. “But that’s not God’s call on my life.” He glanced over at Sara to see her reaction, but she sat staring straight ahead.

  “I’ve known for some time that God called me to be a preacher,” he added.

  “Are your folks okay with it?”

  “They are now but they weren’t at first.” Brad put on his blinker and turned into the Lapps’ driveway.

  When he pulled up near the house, Sara looked over at him and smiled. “Thanks for the ride and for coming to my rescue. You’re my hero.”

  “No problem. I’m glad I came along when I did.” Brad’s ears tingled with the warmth spreading through them. He didn’t want to be seen as a hero, but it was nice to be appreciated.

  Sara opened the van door, but hesitated. Then she turned back to face him. “Do you have any plans for the Fourth of July?”

  “Nothing special. I may drive over to the festival everyone’s been talking about. How about you? Are you doing anything with your grandparents that evening?”

  “I mentioned the festival to Mary Ruth—I mean Grandma. She said I should go if I want to, but I don’t think either her or Grandpa plans to attend the festivities.”

  “I’d be happy to take you if you need a ride.” Brad saw this as another chance to get to know Sara better.

  “Actually, if I did decide to go, I’d planned on calling you to see if you’d mind driving me there. I would pay you of course.”

  He lifted a hand. “No payment is needed. Since I’d be going myself, I would be more than happy to give you a ride.”

  “Okay then, it’s a date.” Her cheeks colored. “I—I mean, I’ll see you around seven o’clock on the Fourth.”

  He grinned. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  As Brad drove away, he smiled. He could usually figure people out after one or two meetings, but he had a feeling there was more to Sara that met the eye. The visible tension on her face and the way she kept looking away when they were talking told Brad there was a bit of uncertainty about her.

  Maybe I can draw her out. He tapped the steering wheel with his knuckles. With God’s help, I might be able to help Sara deal with whatever is bothering her.

  After Michelle said goodbye to Brad, she found Mary Ruth in the garden, picking peas.

  Mary Ruth looked up and smiled. “I’m almost done—just one more row to go.”

  “I’ll help you with it.” Michelle hurried to the potting shed and got a container, a pair of cotton gloves, and a canvas hat she’d found on the shelf in her closet that morning. She’d taken it out to the shed after breakfast and placed it beside the gardening gloves. When she’d secured the hat on her head, she joined Mary Ruth in the garden.

  “Where’d you get that?” Mary Ruth pointed to the hat when Michelle knelt on the ground. “I don’t believe you’ve worn it before. At least not since you came here anyway.”

  “Oh, I didn’t bring it with me, Grandma. I found it on the closet shelf in the guest room this morning. Thought it might help keep the gnats out of my hair and eyes.”

  “Good idea. So how was your walk?” Mary Ruth asked as they picked the last of the peas.

  “It was okay. Brad picked me up on the way home and gave me a ride back here.” Michelle was not about to tell Mary Ruth about the encounter she’d had with the bullies in the convertible. She’d be upset and wouldn’t want Michelle to go anywhere by herself. Besides, other than shaking her up a bit, no harm had actually been done—thanks to Brad coming to her rescue.

  “That was certainly nice of him. He seems like such a caring young man.”

  Michelle gave a nod. I know that more than anything now.

  “I’m surprised he’s still single.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t have time for dating, with his school schedule and summer jobs.”

  “That could be. Or maybe he hasn’t found the right woman.” Mary Ruth gave Michelle a sidelong glance.

  Michelle hoped Mary Ruth wasn’t insinuating she might be that woman. After all, she hardly knew Brad. Although if she were being honest, she did find him attractive. But could Brad be interested in someone like her? She couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to be married to a pastor. Now where did that thought come from?

  Michelle pulled several more peapods from the vine and dropped them into her bucket. I shouldn’t even be thinking about this. Brad Fuller and I are worlds apart. When summer is over, he will resume his studies, and I’ll go back to my old life—living from day to day, while trying to find something meaningful to do with the rest of my life.

  “I was wondering if you and Grandpa made a definite decision about attending the Fourth of July festival.”

  Mary Ruth shook her head. “I think not. But as I said before, you should go if you want to. We could call one of our drivers to take you there.”

  “Actually, I would like to go, and Brad offered to drive me.”

  “Oh? What did you tell him?”

  “I said yes.”

  Mary Ruth gave Michelle’s arm a light tap. “I’m glad, and I am sure you will both have a good time.”

  “I hope so.” Michelle paused to push the brim of her hat back a bit.

  Chapter 17

  Didn’t Sara look nice this evening when Brad picked her up?” Mary Ruth glanced over at her husband, who sat on the couch beside her, reading the latest edition of The Budget.

  “Huh? What was that?” He placed the newspaper on his lap and turned to face her.

  Mary Ruth repeated her question about Sara.

  He squinted over the top of his glasses. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t really notice. What was she wearing?”

  “She had on a pretty skirt and top, but it wasn’t her clothes that made her look so nice. It was the cheerful smile she wore as she went out the door.” Mary Ruth’s brows wrinkled. “I think maybe we’ve been holding her back.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It seems like all Sara’s done since she got here is help us with cho
res. Especially after you sprained your arm.”

  “She hasn’t complained.”

  “True, but a young woman her age needs to have some schpass.”

  “Sara seemed to be having fun on her birthday.”

  “Jah, but she didn’t have that bubbly expression, like she did tonight.” Mary Ruth released a puff of air. “Our granddaughter is not Amish, Willis. She may not enjoy spending all her time with us Plain old folks. Brad is English, like Sara, and she might rather be with her own kind.”

  “Puh!” Willis picked up the newspaper and gave it a flap. “If Sara didn’t enjoy our company, do you think she would still be staying here with us?”

  “I don’t know. She might not want to hurt our feelings.” Mary Ruth nudged his arm with her elbow. “Did you ever think of that?”

  Willis shrugged. “I suppose you could be right. Maybe our granddaughter wants to go home and is afraid to say anything because she doesn’t want to hurt our feelings.”

  Tears welled in Mary Ruth’s eyes as she clasped her hands together. “I hope that is not the case. I want Sara to stay with us for as long as possible. Her being here is almost like having Rhoda back. And since she has no job or family to go home to, I see no reason for her not to remain here permanently. Only if she wants to, that is.”

  He slowly nodded. “But if she wants to go, we can’t force her to stay for our sakes. We need to give Sara the freedom to go whenever she wants.”

  “I’ll talk to her about it soon. See if she’s happy here or would rather leave.” Mary Ruth stood. “I’m going to the kitchen for a glass of cold buttermilk. Would you like one too?”

  “That’d be nice. And I wouldn’t mind a bowl of popcorn to go with it.”

  She lifted a hand. “Sure, no problem.”

  When Mary Ruth entered the kitchen, she reflected once more on Sara’s happy expression as she went out the door this evening. If there was even a chance that their granddaughter and Brad might become a couple, it could guarantee that she would stay awhile—maybe even permanently. Especially if Brad took a church in the area once he became a minister. Mary Ruth’s lips formed a smile, and she began humming a tune from her youth. Now wouldn’t that be something?