Lifting the buggy blanket, Lena settled in for the ride home as Lydia pulled forward toward the road. Lena closed her eyes as the motion of the buggy soothed her. She felt relaxed, though a bit chilled.
“Thinking ’bout something?” Lydia asked, interrupting the peaceful silence. “Or . . . someone?”
“It was a real gut time tonight, jah?”
“The Singing . . . the wagon ride, or afterward?”
“’Specially the wagon ride,” Lena said, meaning it.
“All right, then,” Lydia said, sounding a bit disappointed.
“You should know I’m not one to jump from one beau to another,” Lena added softly.
“Well, nee . . . I wasn’t thinkin’ that. Just wonder if Arden’s someone you might enjoy spendin’ time with. He sure seems to like you.”
Lena shrugged. “He is nice,” she said, recalling how he’d asked her to let him know about going to coffee. But he hadn’t mentioned it again, and neither had she.
CHAPTER
27
There were times when Lena questioned if she shouldn’t just quit holding her breath to return home and, like Lydia had encouraged her, be content with where God had placed her.
Lena was contemplating this as she made ready for the Singing that evening, the first Sunday in March. While brushing her hair and redoing her bun, she recalled talking with Rebekah at the shared meal earlier today, after Preaching service. She had felt such relief hearing that Rebekah’s sister Rachel had made a turn for the better; Rebekah believed it was partly due to their being together again, which Lena completely understood.
Looking in the mirror, she made sure all the wispy new hairs were neatly caught up, then hurried downstairs to eat supper. Lena realized just then that she was looking forward to attending Singing.
Later, as Lena rode with Cousin Harley in the family carriage, she let him know that Eli and Lydia would be bringing her home after the Singing. “I won’t be out real late.”
Harley went on to say that Ada and Tessa had sometimes pushed the limit on that when courted by their now husbands. “Ain’t somethin’ I’d ever worry ’bout . . . not with you, Lena Rose.”
He gave her a glance. “Have you had any recent news from home?”
“Just that Emma is putting out more feelers to find a job for me.”
“You sure are determined. And ya must be awful sorry ’bout that one fella.”
“Honestly, Hans wasn’t meant for me.”
Harley smiled kindly. “Then I ’spect I shouldn’t waste any more time feelin’ sorry for ya.”
“Jah, no need.”
Harley seemed pleased. “The Lord will provide, if it’s His will.”
Lena sighed, but she kept mum. She knew she was supposed to trust God to do what was best for her, but it didn’t stop her from spending oodles of time praying about this.
When Harley pulled into the lane leading to the large bank barn, she thanked him. “I really appreciate you and Mimi, I hope ya know.”
“And we love havin’ you with us.” Harley’s voice wavered, and he looked away.
Lena felt touched by how much he cared. “Des gut. Because it sure seems like you’ll have me around for a while yet.”
“Jah, and I hope for your sake it isn’t too much longer. I know ya never expected to stay here this long.”
She gazed at him. It still felt like she was looking at her own father . . . just years older. The resemblance was a source of comfort to her.
“Hope ya enjoy yourself tonight.” Harley lifted the driving lines, and Lena felt sure that it was meant to signal her exit.
“Denki,” she replied.
“Du bischt willkumm.”
Climbing out of the carriage, she waved politely, and he called to her to be careful on the slippery snow. Always looking after me, she thought. Like Dat would have wanted him to.
Lena felt more at ease this time as the Singing commenced and she joined her voice with the others. She supposed it was because she had Lydia beside her, someone Lena would definitely keep in touch with.
During the evening refreshments, Lena Rose stayed right with Lydia, talking for a while just the two of them, then going together to visit with some of Lydia’s cousins, including Vera. The younger girls were all aflutter about a couple new fellows who’d just turned sixteen, which amused Lena—she and her own girl cousins had acted much the same back home. There’s always a new batch of Youngie turning sixteen, she thought, knowing that this would be of no help to her when she returned to Centreville, since she would be nineteen in late March. Too old for the younger fellows.
Suddenly, she heard Arden’s voice before she spotted him, and when she turned around, he and a few other young men were walking toward her and Lydia and her cousins. Soon, they were all mingling, and then Arden was standing next to Lena.
“Wie geht’s, Lena Rose?” There was that endearing smile again.
“Keepin’ real busy. You?”
“Learning a lot from Manny, and getting requests for remodeling.”
“Well, that’s gut for business, I’m sure.”
“Absolutely,” he said, smiling. He touched her elbow lightly, leading her away from the group. “I’d still like to take ya for coffee, maybe after the Ping-Pong gathering next Saturday . . . okay with you?”
Lena’s eyebrows lifted. She had not expected a renewal of this invitation.
“You look startled,” Arden said, frowning thoughtfully. “Just thought we could talk for a while somewhere quiet.”
She wondered what he had in mind to discuss. “Are things goin’ better ’tween you and your father?”
“The reality is slowly settling in, and each day Dat’s more understanding about what I’m reachin’ for. I wouldn’t say that he’s happy ’bout it, though.”
“Overall, you must be relieved.”
Arden nodded. “When I’m not workin’ with Manny, I still help round the farm when I can. I’ll do that till Dat finds someone to take my place.” He paused. “It’s only right.”
His words made an impression on her—whatever tensions existed between Arden and his father, it was clear that Arden was trying to do what he could to help make this
