The Hope Chest Read online

  “Would you like to try a slice?” Nancy asked. “I already have an apple-crumb cut.”

  “It’s real tempting, but I’d better not spoil my appetite, or I won’t be able to eat any of the lunch I brought along.”

  Nancy smiled. “How’s your mamm doing these days? The last few times I’ve seen her, she was in her wheelchair. Doesn’t she use her crutches anymore?”

  “She does some, though I think it’s difficult for her to walk like a stiff-legged doll. Mom says the older she gets, the harder it is, so she uses her wheelchair more often than the braces these days.” Rachel fanned her face with her hand. “Well, guess I’ll be moving on. It’s awful hot and muggy today, so I think I’ll see if I can find a bit of shade somewhere.”

  Nancy nodded. “I know what you mean. If I weren’t here alone, I’d be doing the same thing.”

  “I’d be happy to watch your table awhile,” Rachel offered. “Danki, but my sister Emma will be along soon. I’m sure she’ll be willing to let me take a little break.”

  “All right then. See you later, Nancy.” Rachel moved away from the table and found the solace she was looking for under an enormous maple tree growing in the field behind the market. She was about to take a seat on the ground, when she caught sight of Silas Swartley. Her heart slammed into her chest as she realized he was heading her way.

  ***

  Silas gritted his teeth as he made his way to the backside of the farmers’ market. He had just come from the Yutzys’ table, and the few minutes he’d spent talking to Reuben’s folks had made him feel sick at heart. They’d told Silas that they had a pretty good inkling of what their son was up to ... or at least they knew some of it. Silas was sure Reuben hadn’t told his folks everything he’d been thinking of late, but then, he hadn’t really told Silas all that much the last time they’d spoken, either.

  Reuben had always had a mind of his own, even when they were children attending the one-room schoolhouse together. Silas remembered one time when Reuben had skipped school and gone to the lake for a day of fishing. When he’d come back to school the following day, Reuben had expressed no repentance. The ornery fellow had bragged about the three fish he’d caught and how he’d gotten out of taking the spelling test they were supposed to have that day. Even though Reuben had to stay after school every day for a week and do double chores at home, he hadn’t been tamed in the least.

  Silas drew in a deep breath. He figured he’d best forget about Reuben, because it wasn’t likely that his stubborn friend would listen to anything he had to say. Might be best for him to concentrate on Anna, since she suddenly seemed discontent with her life. He hoped to change all that, though. If Anna would agree to court him, maybe soon they could talk about marriage and settling down to starting a family of their own.

  Silas had decided to head out to the field behind the market to think things through, when he noticed Anna’s little sister Rachel sitting under a giant maple tree. Hmm ... she might be the one I need to talk to.

  He hurried across the grassy area and plunked down beside her. “Hey, Rachel. What’s new with you?”

  ***

  Rachel couldn’t believe Silas had taken a seat beside her, but it tickled her pink that he had. “Not much new with me,” she said. “How about you?”

  “Same old thing, I guess.” Silas removed his straw hat and fanned his face with the brim. “So, what are you doing out here by yourself?”

  “Trying to get cooled off.” For one crazy moment, Rachel had an impulse to lean her head on Silas’s shoulder and confess her undying love for him. She didn’t, of course, for that would have been far too bold. And it would have only proved to him that she really was quite immature.

  “Sure is a warm day we’re having. Whew! Even under the shade of this big old tree, it’s hot.”

  She nodded and looked upward.

  “What are you lookin’ at?”

  “Oh, I thought I heard a bluebird whistling.”

  Silas tipped his head way back. “Really? Where is it?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe I’m just hearing things—hoping a bluebird might show itself.”

  Silas chuckled. “I thought I was the only one who liked to listen for the bird sounds.”

  “You’re not alone; that’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

  He glanced over at the people crowding around all the market tables. “Say, Rachel, I was wondering if we could talk.”

  “I thought we were talking.”

  He grinned and dropped his hat to his knees. “I guess we were, at that. What I really meant to say was, can we talk about your sister?”

  Rachel frowned. She might have known Silas hadn’t planned to talk about her. She shrugged, trying not to let her disappointment show. “What about Anna? She’s the sister you were referring to, right?”

  Silas lifted his gaze toward the sky. “Of course, I meant Anna. It couldn’t be Elizabeth I want to talk about. I’m no cradle robber, you know.”

  Rachel felt as though Silas had slapped her across the face. Even though he was speaking about her twelve-year-old sister, she still got his meaning. She knew Silas wouldn’t dream of looking at her because she was five years younger than he. Besides, what chance did she have against the beauty of her older sister?

  In a surprise gesture, Silas touched Rachel’s chin and turned her head so she was looking directly at him. Her chest fluttered with the sensation of his touch, and it was all she could do to keep from falling over. “Did you hear what I said, Rachel?”

  “I—I believe so, but what was it you wanted to say about Anna?”

  “You and your sister are pretty close, isn’t that right?”

  She gulped and tried to regain her composure. “I used to think so.”

  “Anna probably talks more to you than anyone else, correct?”

  Rachel shook her head. “I think she tells her friend Martha Rose more than she does me these days.”

  Several seconds went by before Silas spoke again. “I suppose I could talk to Martha Rose, but I don’t know her all that well. I’d feel more comfortable talking to you about Anna than I would to her best friend.”

  Rachel supposed she should feel flattered that Silas wanted to speak with her, yet the thought of him using her only to learn more about Anna irked her to no end.

  “Okay,” she said with a sigh. “What is it you want to know about my sister?”

  “Can you tell me how to make her pay me some mind? I’ve tried everything but stand on my head and wiggle my ears, yet she still treats me like yesterday’s dirty laundry. I tell you, Rachel, it’s got me plumb worn out trying to get sweet Anna to agree to courting.”

  Sweet Anna? Rachel thought ruefully. Silas, you might not think my sister’s so sweet if you knew that she has no plans to let you court her.

  Rachel felt sorry for poor Silas, sitting there all woebegone, pining for her sister’s attention. If she wasn’t so crazy about the fellow herself, she might pitch in and try to set things right between him and Anna. “I think only God can get my sister thinking straight again.” She looked away, studying a row of trees on the other side of the field.

  “You’re kind of pensive today,” Silas remarked. “Is it this oppressive heat, or are you just not wanting to help me with Anna?”

  Rachel turned to face him again. “I think a man who claims to care for a woman should speak on his own behalf. Even though my sister and I don’t talk much anymore, I know her fairly well, and I don’t think Anna would like it if she knew you were plotting like this.”

  Silas’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m not plotting. I’m just trying to figure out some way to make Anna commit to courting. I thought maybe you could help, but if you’re gonna get all peevish on me, then forget I even brought up the subject.”

  Now I’ve gone and done it. Silas will never come to care for me if I keep making him mad. Rachel placed her trembling hand on Silas’s bare arm, and the sudden contact with his skin made her hand feel like it was on fire.
“I—I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if I had a little talk with Anna,” she mumbled.

  A huge grin spread across Silas’s summer-tanned face. “You mean it, Rachel? You’ll really go to bat for me?”

  She nodded slowly, feeling like she was one of her father’s old sows being led away to slaughter. First she’d promised Dad to help Anna and Silas get together, and now she’d agreed to speak to Anna on Silas’s behalf. It made no sense, since she didn’t really want them to be together. But a promise was a promise, and she would do her best to keep it.

  CHAPTER 4

  That Sunday, church was to be held at Eli and Laura Yoders’ place. They only lived a few farms from the Beachys, so the buggy ride didn’t take long at all.

  Many Amish carriages were already lined up near the side of the Yoders’ house, but Dad managed to find an empty spot near Eli’s folks’ home. Joseph helped Mom into her wheelchair, while Dad unhitched the horse and put him in the corral; then everyone climbed out of the buggy and scattered in search of friends and relatives to visit before church got started.

  Rachel noticed Silas standing on one end of the Yoders’ front porch, and she berated herself for loving him so much. She was almost certain he would never love her in return. She wasn’t sure he even liked her. She either needed to put him out of her mind or figure out some way to make him take notice of her.

  Silas seemed to be focused on Anna, who was talking with Martha Rose Zook and Laura Yoder at the other end of the porch. Guess I’d better speak to Anna soon, before Silas comes asking if I did. Rachel joined her sister and the other two women, but she made sure she was standing close enough to Anna so she could whisper in her ear. “Look, there’s Silas. He seems to be watching you.”

  “So?”

  “Don’t you think he’s good-looking?”

  Anna nudged Rachel in the ribs. “Since you seem so interested, why not go over and talk to him?”

  Rachel shook her head. “It’s you he’s interested in, not me.”

  “I think we’d better hurry and get inside. Church is about to begin,” Anna said, conveniently changing the subject.

  Rachel followed her sister into the Yoders’ living room, where several rows of backless, wooden benches had been set up. She would have to speak to Anna about Silas later on, even though she knew it would pain her to do it.

  The men and boys took their seats on one side of the room, while the women and girls gathered on the other. Rachel sat between her two sisters, and Mom parked her wheelchair alongside a bench where some of the other women sat.

  All whispering ceased as one of the deacons passed out the hymnals. In their usual chantlike voices, the congregation recited several traditional German hymns. Next, one of the ministers delivered the opening sermon. This was followed by a time of silent prayer, where everyone knelt. Then Deacon Shemly read some scripture, and Bishop Wagler gave the main sermon.

  During the longer message, Rachel glanced over at Anna, who sat twiddling her thumbs as she stared out the window.

  What’s that sister of mine thinking about? Rachel had a terrible feeling that Anna’s interest in worldly things might lead to trouble. What if Anna were to up and leave the faith?

  Rachel clenched her teeth. No, that can’t happen. It would break Mom and Dad’s hearts, not to mention upsetting the whole family. Why, we’d have to shun our own flesh and blood! She shuddered just thinking about the seriousness of it. Right then, she vowed to pray more, asking the Lord to change her sister’s mind about things. She would even make herself be happy about Anna and Silas courting if it meant Anna would alter her attitude.

  Rachel felt a sense of relief when the benediction was given, followed by a few announcements and the closing hymn. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy church, but all those troubling thoughts rolling around in her head made her feel fidgety and anxious to be outside.

  Once the benches had been moved and tables set up, the women served a soup-and-sandwich lunch. Rachel and Anna joined several other young women as they brought out the food to the men. After the men finished eating, the women and children took their places at separate tables.

  When the meal was over and everything had been cleared away, men and women of all ages gathered in small groups to visit. The younger children were put down to nap, while the older ones played games on the lawn. Some of the young adults joined in the games, while others were content to just sit and talk.

  Rachel didn’t feel much like playing games or engaging in idle chitchat, so she decided to take a walk. Walking always seemed to help her relax and think more clearly. She left Anna talking with a group of women and headed in the direction of the small pond near the end of the Yoders’ alfalfa field.

  The pool of clear water was surrounded by low-hanging willow trees, offering shade and solitude on another hot, sticky day in late July. Feeling the heat bearing down on her, Rachel slipped off her shoes and socks, then waded along the water’s edge, relishing the way the cool water tickled her toes. When she felt somewhat cooler, she plunked down on the grass. Closing her eyes, Rachel found herself thinking about the meeting she’d had with Silas the day before. She’d only made one feeble attempt to talk to Anna about him and knew she really should try again. It was the least she could do since she had made a promise.

  A snapping twig caused Rachel to jump. She jerked her head in the direction of the sound and was surprised to see Silas standing under one of the willow trees. He smiled and lifted his hand in a wave. It made her heart beat faster and was just enough to rekindle her hope that he might actually forget about Anna and come to love her instead.

  “I didn’t know anyone else was here,” Rachel murmured, as Silas moved over to where she sat.

  “I didn’t know anyone was here, either.” Silas removed his straw hat and plopped down on the grass beside her. They sat in silence for a time, listening to the rhythmic birdsong filtering through the trees and an occasional ribbet from a noisy bullfrog.

  Rachel thought about all the times Silas had visited their farm over the years. She remembered one day in particular when a baby robin had fallen from its nest in the giant maple. Silas had climbed that old tree like it was nothing, then put the tiny creature back in its home. That day, Rachel gave her heart to Silas Swartley. Too bad he didn’t know it.

  “I just talked to Reuben Yutzy,” Silas said, breaking into Rachel’s thoughts. “He’s been working for a paint contractor in Lancaster for some time now.”

  She nodded but made no comment.

  “Reuben informed me that he’s leaving the Amish faith.” Silas slowly shook his head. “Can you believe it, Rachel? Reuben’s been my friend since we were kinner, and I never expected he would want to leave.” The lines in Silas’s forehead deepened. “Since he started working for that English man, Reuben’s been doing a lot more worldly things. I tried talking to him the other day, but I guess nothing I said got through. Reuben’s made up his mind about leaving, and he seems bent on following that path.”

  “Many of our men work in town for paint contractors, carpenters, and other tradesmen,” Rachel reminded. “Most of them remain in the faith in spite of their jobs.”

  “I know that’s true, but I guess Reuben’s not one of ’em.” Silas gave his earlobe a quick tug. “Reuben told me that he bought a fancy truck awhile back, but he’s been keeping it parked outside his boss’s place of business so none of his family would know.”

  Rachel fidgeted with her hands. She wanted to reach out and touch Silas’s disheartened face. It would feel so right to smooth the wrinkles out of his forehead. She released a deep sigh instead. “Things are sure getting verhuddelt here of late.”

  Silas nodded. “You’re right about things being mixedup. I think something else is going on with Reuben, too.”

  “Like what?”

  “I’m not sure. He dropped a few hints, but when I pressed him about it, he closed up like a snail crawling into its shell. Said he didn’t want to talk about it right now.” Silas grimaced
. “I’m thinking maybe a woman is involved.”

  “An Englisher?”

  “Might could be. It wouldn’t be the first time an Amish man fell for an English woman.” Silas shrugged. “That’s what happened to Eli Yoder a few years back, you know.”

  “But Laura joined the Amish faith.”

  “That’s true, but it’s an unusual situation and doesn’t happen very often.”

  Rachel slipped her socks and shoes back on before she stood. “I should be getting back to the house, I expect. If Mom misses me, she’ll probably send Joseph out looking, and I’m not in any mood to deal with my cranky brother today.”

  “Joseph’s not happy?”

  “Nope. He’s got a big crush on Pau—” Rachel covered her mouth with the palm of her hand when she realized she had almost let something slip. “As I was saying, I need to head back.”

  “Wait!” Silas jumped to his feet. “I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to speak with Anna yet.”

  Rachel’s face heated up as she turned to face him. “I—I haven’t said much to her on the subject, but I still believe it would be best if you spoke with her yourself, and you’d better do it soon, before it’s too late.”

  ***

  “How’s things at your place?” Rebekah asked her friend Mary Ellen as the two of them sat on the front porch visiting and watching the children play on the lawn.

  Mary Ellen smiled. “Never a dull moment with Eli and Laura’s two living right next door. Those little ones keep Laura hopping all the time.”

  Rebekah sighed and maneuvered her wheelchair closer to the swing where Mary Ellen sat holding Martha Rose’s little girl, Amanda. “Sure wish I had a couple of kinskinner like this one to love on.”

  “You’ll have grandchildren sooner than you think.” Mary Ellen gave her granddaughter’s chubby legs a little squeeze. “I heard that Silas Swartley’s been courting your Anna, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a wedding wasn’t in the near future for them.”