Lena glanced at Mimi. “Do ya miss your prayer bench this time of year?”
“Oh, s’pose I do, but a person can pray most anywhere, really.” Mimi’s eyes searched hers. “Why do you ask, dear?”
“It’s such a special spot, is all.”
Mimi set down her needles and studied her. “Is somethin’ else on your mind?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about my visit home. I hope it won’t be an inconvenience to you, considering all the sewing that’ll pile up.”
“I’ll manage—likely wouldn’t be doing much sewing over Christmas, anyway.” Mimi paused. “And we’ll look forward to your return.”
“I hope that’s all right, since nothing’s turned up yet back home.”
“I’ve been praying ’bout that, too,” Mimi said softly. “I know how much you love your family and long to be there with them.”
“Jah, ever so much.” Lena paused, then hastened to add, “But I’ve enjoyed spending time with you and Harley, too, Mimi.”
Truth be told, the words felt weak on her lips. I’ve enjoyed it here, but I want to go home. To stay.
Suddenly, she felt ungrateful. Yet Mimi didn’t seem to notice her drop in spirit, going on now about her plans for Christmas dinner, telling which family members were coming after Preaching service that day, since the celebration fell on a Sunday.
Yet all the while, in the back of Lena’s mind, she still felt guilty.
One week later, Lena was busy with some mending for Cora Ruth Ebersol’s neighbor, the elderly widower whom Arden Mast had described that night after Singing as a good-humored man.
Mimi mentioned that Cora Ruth had referred the gentleman to Mimi’s sewing business several years ago, after his wife died. “Between you and me, I think he needs himself a wife again,” Mimi said casually. “Someone to look after him.” But as she continued to talk about the old widower, it seemed clear that the man was still quite married in his heart to his beloved wife.
“Sounds like a love for a lifetime,” Lena murmured, picking up her needle and thread.
“Sorry?” Mimi glanced at her.
“Oh, I was thinkin’ about what you just said.” Lena raised the trousers she was reinforcing to examine the hem. “Do most married couples feel so strongly about their spouses after so many years together, do ya think? It wonders me.”
“Well, Harley and I haven’t been married nearly as long as ol’ James Zook and his wife were, but I believe I’ll feel that way, too, when I’m old and gray.” Mimi sighed. “Sure isn’t somethin’ I want to ponder too hard just yet, losin’ my beloved Harley.”
“Nee,” Lena whispered, thinking just then of her father’s postcards to Mamma, still tucked away in the suitcase upstairs. I should read them, she thought, especially missing her parents this close to Christmas. Surely I’m up for it now.
While Mimi and Lena Rose worked in the sewing room, Harley went two miles up the road to help neighbor Calvin Grant finish up the remodel on his kitchen. It was a rare thing for Harley to be able to volunteer his time, but given that the fields lay dormant, he was more than willing. His paid farmhands would cover the afternoon milking.
Arden Mast had been doing the bulk of the remodel work with help from Manny Beiler, although Harley wasn’t altogether sure when the two men had made much of an acquaintance or how this had fallen into place. Odd, really, since Arden should be plenty busy with the Mast family dairy operation. That’s between him and Abram, Harley reminded himself as he placed the last of the trim pieces near the spacious pantry, something Calvin’s wife had requested, the pantry being the initial reason for the whole redo.
From his corner on the opposite side of the kitchen, Harley could hear Arden telling Manny something about planning to “lay it all out to Dat once the holidays are past.”
Harley did not know what to make of this but knew better than to eavesdrop further, so he struck up a conversation with Calvin, who immediately brought up the topic of Lena Rose. “My wife says she’s a real fine seamstress,” Calvin said from where he worked right behind Harley.
“That she is.”
“Word has it Lena can do most anything with scissors, a needle, and thread.”
Harley glanced over his shoulder and saw that Arden and Manny had moved farther away, their heads together now as they chewed the fat while working.
“Your wife must be enjoying the company,” Calvin added. “What with Tessa married and living a distance away.”
“Jah . . . and we’re havin’ fun mastering jigsaw puzzles during the evenings with Lena. That and table games, too.” Harley wasn’t about to say anything about the blues Mimi had experienced after so suddenly losing her younger daughter to marriage. “Lena’s a real help to Mimi, and the People in our church district have opened their arms to her.” He thought especially of Lydia Smucker.
“The local young people are planning to use my pond out back on the day after Christmas for a skating party. Lots going on with the Amish youth.”
“Second Christmas,” Harley said, realizing Lena Rose would be home in Michigan.
“My wife and I are supplying the popcorn and hot cocoa afterward.” Calvin went on to mention that someone had recently cut several round holes into the pond where the youth had skated other winters. “Sounds like Preacher Elam’s teenage son has taken a keen interest in ice fishing.”
“Not such a gut idea for a skating pond, that’s for certain.” Harley had to laugh. Here he was getting the scoop from his Yankee neighbor, of all things.
Lena stopped to rub her neck and shoulders, sore from hours of mending. She looked forward to Rebekah Petersheim’s arrival and the second lesson. But when Rebekah appeared at the back door with red, swollen eyes, Lena’s heart dropped. Glad that Mimi had stayed put in the sewing room, Lena welcomed Rebekah and felt drawn to give her a little hug, but, unsure how
