Emma has that throw pillow as one of her keepsakes, thought Lena, glad for her sister and so thankful for this special memory on this faraway Christmas Day.
CHAPTER
19
Lena began Second Christmas by making a birthday card for Verena, tucking a note inside. What with the U.S. mail still playing catch up after the Great Lakes blizzard, and her sister’s birthday coming up January 8, Lena wanted to be sure to get the card sent off soon.
Harley and Mimi had invited Lena to join them and Solomon for the noon meal at son Caleb’s farm—a merry Second Christmas celebration indeed. Eli met them at Caleb’s in his open buggy but excused himself following dessert to visit Lydia.
“I’ll come back to get you for the skating party tonight if ya want to go,” he offered to Lena before leaving. “If ya ask me, it would beat a night staying home.”
Lena knew he was right, and she decided to go ahead and attend.
True to his word, Eli returned for her, as well as to grab his skates and a heavier pair of gloves. While they rode together toward the Grants’, Eli brought up how peculiar it was for the gathering to be held at the farm of a Mennonite family. “Englischers hosting Amish skaters, of all things!”
Lena had wondered about this, too. “S’pose that doesn’t happen often round here.”
“Far as I know, it’s never happened.” Eli shook his head in apparent wonder.
Lena let the subject drop, thinking ahead to seeing Lydia again as Eli pulled into the long driveway leading up to the Grants’ house.
Later, walking out toward the pond with the other Amish youth, Lena carried the white skates she’d borrowed from Ada. It was impossible not to stare at the full moon’s reflection in the large pond behind the house.
When her skates were laced up, Lena stepped onto the ice. Within seconds, Lydia was right there beside her, and they linked arms and sped across the glassy surface, finding their way in and around other skaters.
“Wasn’t sure you’d show up,” Lydia said, out of breath.
“I wasn’t sure, either.” Lena gave her a mischievous look. “But don’t worry, I won’t keep ya from skating with Eli.”
Lydia laughed softly, the sound floating up into the cold air. “Oh, we won’t pair up just yet.”
It was a good half hour or more before Eli skated over to Lydia and whisked her away. Lena decided it was fine to keep skating without a partner. Best way to keep warm. The skaters’ merriment filled the night, and her thoughts were with dearest Emma as she wondered if her sister was out skating this very evening—perhaps with a young man.
I’m missing out on everything. She recalled how hesitant Emma had been the first time she’d gone to a Sunday Singing after her sixteenth birthday. Emma had confided in her that she almost wished she could wait another year, but Lena had been her guide, looking out for her and making sure Emma sat with her at the long table next to all the other girls. Even so, it had taken nearly ten months for Emma to decide to go out with a boy.
“Mind if I skate with you, Lena Rose?” Arden asked, bringing her out of her musing as he caught up to her.
“Hullo,” she said, feeling a bit reluctant at first. Then, realizing it was more awkward to just stand there, she pushed off over the ice, and Arden matched her pace.
Soon, she wasn’t sure who was keeping up with whom as they zipped around the pond. “How was your Christmas?” she asked.
Arden described the feast his mother had prepared. “How ’bout yours? I’m sure it was hard bein’ away.”
She gave him a quick smile, not wanting to reveal how very homesick she felt. She told him instead about Harley and Mimi’s sweet grandchildren and the fun they’d had with their great-uncle Solomon. “The children were spellbound by his story.”
“Sounds like a gut tellin’,” said Arden. “Doesn’t surprise me, knowin’ Solomon.”
They talked about each person present at each of their homes yesterday, and Arden brought up the various delicious desserts his mother and sisters had made.
The way to a man’s heart, Lena thought, suppressing a smile.
A few of Arden’s girl cousins skated past them two by two, calling to him. And when even more skaters overtook them, Lena realized that she and Arden must have slowed their pace. It’s all the talking we’re doing.
Eventually, they picked up speed, talking less now. As they turned into the curve a bit too swiftly, Lena tripped over her own foot and lost her balance. Just that fast, Arden reached for her hand and managed to keep her from falling to the ice.
“Goodness, not sure when I’ve done that before,” she sputtered, forcing a laugh and feeling foolish as she righted herself.
Arden seemed reluctant to let go of her hand. “We’d better watch these curves more carefully,” he said, and they fell into a slower rhythm than before, their blades making a whisper of sound on the pond’s glistening surface. The cold and wintry night was still young, and even more skaters arrived as the enormous moon rose ever higher.
“I had a long talk with my father early this morning,” Arden told her and then was silent for a long time, which seemed strange. Lena almost wondered if he was waiting for her to say something. Then he added, “It was the most difficult thing I’ve done in years.”
“What sort of talk?” She really had no idea what else to say, considering she suspected this had something to do with what Tessa had told her and Mimi.
“You surely know by now that my father’s a dairy farmer.” At her nod, Arden continued. “He’s always expected that I’d take over the operation . . . and till just recently, I thought I would, too.” He sighed and gave her a sidelong
