Lena dipped her head, self-conscious. “I think she and I have some things in common.” She paused, wanting to be careful how she phrased this. “I doubt Rebekah’s made many connections here outside of Cora Ruth and the children.”
Mimi was quiet for a moment. “It’s true Rebekah’s endured some distressing circumstances this past year.” Mimi sighed but kept her eyes on the road. “She still needs our prayers.”
This struck Lena’s heart. “Cora Ruth mentioned that Rebekah was a big help with the little ones.”
“Oh, I’m sure of that.”
Lena Rose nodded. “Although Emily Ann’s a great help for a five-year-old.”
“Not all little girls are, but I know you were, Lena. Your father even wrote to Harley about how you and Emma helped your Mamma.”
Lena blushed but thought it was sweet to know that Dat had shared such things about their lives out in Michigan.
“ ’Tis real gut for Rebekah to be with Cora Ruth and Melvin,” added Mimi.
Pondering what had been said just now, Lena wondered if maybe she was supposed to have discovered Rebekah’s difficulties in reading. And if so, perhaps it was the Lord who had prompted her to tutor the woman. If I dare to think that way.
In the bookstore parking lot, Mimi tied Barney, their more reliable road horse, to the hitching post, and the two women headed toward the entrance. A flash of sunlight on the window momentarily blinded Lena, and she heard a plane fly low overhead.
Inside, Lena perused the beginning readers while Mimi went to look at cookbooks “for fun,” she said over her shoulder.
They had only been browsing a few minutes when the bell jingled over the door as another customer came in. Lena didn’t bother to look up, engrossed in the choices before her, even though most of the books were obviously for young children.
“Hullo, Lena Rose.”
A bit startled, she turned and saw Arden Mast. “I wasn’t expectin’ to see you today.”
He smiled. “You never know where I’ll show up.” He winked.
“Lookin’ for something to read?” she asked.
Arden shrugged and looked a little sheepish. “Well . . . I do enjoy bookstores, and I have bought quite a few books here. But . . .”
“Don’t they have what you’re lookin’ for?” She almost asked if it was a book on starting up a cabinetmaking shop.
He shrugged, a suspicious twinkle in his eye. “Actually . . . I noticed Harley’s horse parked outside and wondered if . . . well, it might be you, out and about.”
“Are ya followin’ me?” She tried not to smile.
“Nee.” He shook his head, seemingly flustered. “Not at all. I just happened to be headed this way.”
She narrowed her eyes, pressing further with her little joke. “You’re sure about that? Seems like quite a coincidence.” She gazed at him with mock seriousness.
He must have caught the glint in her expression and returned her smile. “You are quite the kidder, ain’t?”
Lena laughed, and Arden joined in, nodding as if pleased with their witty banter. Then he lowered his voice. “What I’d really like is to get to know ya better . . . sometime over coffee, maybe?”
She was flattered that he would ask and felt guilty for not being forthright earlier, no matter how much she’d enjoyed their bantering. “I’m sorry, Arden,” she said softly, wanting to be honest. “I should’ve said somethin’ sooner. You see, I have a beau back home.”
Arden’s face dropped a little, but he managed to salvage his smile. “Well, I’m sorry, too.”
“It’s my fault, really.” She’d considered telling Lydia last Sunday night but hadn’t even done that. And besides, like Lydia had pointed out, Lena had needed a ride home in the cold.
An uncomfortable moment passed between them. Then Arden stepped closer to look at the book in Lena’s hand. “So . . . are ya hopin’ to teach school here?”
“Not school, nee.” She thought it best not to mention Rebekah’s plight to anyone beyond Mimi.
He nodded, then another awkward moment followed. Thankfully, Arden didn’t press her further. “Well, I’d better get goin’. Have a wunnerbaar-gut day, Lena Rose,” he said, not sounding as disheartened as she’d feared. “Hopefully we can be friends.”
“For sure,” she said.
He grinned. “Oh, and I promise to quit following ya all over kingdom come!”
She laughed again.
“So long.” Arden walked toward the door and left with a turn and wave to her, a pleasant look on his handsome face.
I did the right thing, Lena thought, returning her attention to the books.
Toward the bottom shelf, she was pleased to discover a set of old-fashioned McGuffey Readers, the first two of which she decided to purchase. These will be perfect!
Harley noticed Melvin Ebersol’s road horse pulling into the driveway late the following afternoon, bringing Rebekah Petersheim to her first lesson with Lena Rose.
Who would’ve pictured this? he thought, recalling Mimi’s and his lengthy discussion about Rebekah’s unusual situation. Leaving her husband behind in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, last year before his death . . .
“What Lena Rose doesn’t know won’t hurt anything,” Mimi had assured him when they talked in the privacy of their bedroom about opening their home for the weekly instruction.
Harley had eventually agreed—the lessons wouldn’t last forever. Especially if Rebekah catches on quick, he thought now, wondering how she’d failed to learn to read English, at least not well enough to read it aloud. Perhaps her teachers had given up on her . . . or she hadn’t put her mind to it. But then, Harley didn’t know the whole story. He chastised himself for thinking this way. No use in idle speculation.
Peering out the stable window, Solomon’s dog, Blackie, at his side, Harley was glad to have sprinkled salt along the walkway so that the woman’s footing was sure. Harley took notice of Rebekah’s determined stride as she made her way toward the house, dressed all in black.
She looks mighty eager. . . .
“Willkumm, Rebekah,” Lena said as she opened the back door with a smile, excited about this first lesson. She waited for Rebekah to remove her coat, scarf, and black outer bonnet, then hung them up in the utility room.
“Still can’t believe
