Harley smiled broadly, as if buoyed by his wife’s return to the regular order of things, and he thanked Lena for all she’d managed to do during the past weeks.
“Honestly, I was glad to help. I feel like Mimi’s become my second Mamma,” Lena admitted.
Mimi came over and gave her a hug. “Well, and if ya don’t know it by now,” she said, “I think of you as one of my daughters, Lena Rose.”
A daughter, she thought, Mimi’s words warming her heart.
The next morning, while Lena finished washing floors in James Zook’s house, he asked if she had a few minutes to chat. “Of course,” she said and went to sit in the screened-in back porch with him while the floors dried. “You might’ve heard that Rebekah Petersheim has been comin’ over to help me some,” he said, his face turning a bit pink—he seemed rather guarded about sharing this.
“Oh jah, and such a fine cook she is.” The fact was, Lena had only learned last week from Rebekah herself that the woman had been “stopping by to visit” James from time to time. The idea of the two formerly lonely souls spending time together had tickled Lena.
“Well, an’ Rebekah’s been doin’ the washing for me, too . . . and some light housekeeping now and then.”
Lena smiled. Rebekah hadn’t told her that.
Still seemingly hesitant, James asked, “So what I’m getting at—if it’s not too sudden—would ya mind if I had Rebekah do all the cleaning over here and whatnot?”
“Not at all.” Lena would miss the man and the income, but she also felt relief that he had someone to look after him once she finally returned to Michigan, whenever that might be.
He held out his hand to shake hers. “You’ve been a godsend, Lena Rose.”
“Denki, James. I’ve enjoyed my time here,” she told him. “And Rebekah’s a dear woman.”
James’s eyes lit up. “Ain’t she, though? An’ she says the nicest things ’bout you.”
Lena didn’t dare ask if James was thinking of marrying again. Most older folk their age just remained close friends. Even so, Lena had noticed all the smiles on James’s face here lately.
“If you’d wanna work one more Saturday, that’s fine,” he was saying. “I really didn’t give ya much warning.”
She didn’t want to complicate things, not if Rebekah was eager to help. “That’s kind of ya, but it’s not necessary.”
“Denki,” he said, “for understanding.”
“I was real happy to help,” she said, patting his wrinkled hand.
On her way home, Lena waved at a number of passersby in buggies, thankful for the warm sunshine. She felt happy for James and Rebekah, knowing from experience that friendship was a healing balm. And considering the difficulties and heartache both had experienced in losing a spouse, Lena liked to think they were being given a second season of love.
What about my own season of love? she thought suddenly. She had put the idea of courting on hold until she returned home, but truly Arden was as attentive as any beau she might hope for. He had been talking, here lately, of wanting to take her out for supper. But seeing how he looked at her, and aware of her own growing feelings for him, Lena worried that a real date might lead him to think she was ready to be his girlfriend.
Her hope had always been, and still was, to return home. And Arden’s home is here, she thought, recalling what Eli had told her about Arden’s first serious girlfriend and how he had let her go. I can’t fool myself. Things couldn’t possibly be any different for us.
CHAPTER
32
As usual, Lena lived for each day’s mail delivery. Emma’s most recent letter had stated that she was still praying in earnest about Lena’s return, as were all the children. We want you home again, dearest sister!
Lena could only imagine how much Chris and the others had grown by now, especially the younger boys. Time is marching on, she thought, yet she was more hopeful than she had been in weeks.
On this sunny afternoon at nearly the end of April, she ran barefoot out to the road to check the mailbox.
What she found awaiting her from Centreville was a letter from Clara, Preacher Yoder’s wife. Clara relayed that their youngest daughter was moving to Berne, Indiana, to live with an elderly aunt, which meant she would be leaving her position as the teacher at the local Amish schoolhouse. And, of all things, Clara was writing to offer their daughter’s room—and the teaching position—to Lena Rose. Are you interested? The school board agrees you’re the perfect choice, Clara had written. If so, may we hear back from you directly?
Elated, Lena ran all the way back up the driveway, stubbing her big toe on a pebble along the way, though that didn’t slow her down. “Mimi . . . ya won’t believe this!”
She arrived nearly breathless in the kitchen, where she found Mimi baking peanut blossoms to take to Rebekah Petersheim tomorrow for a birthday surprise.
“What is it?” Mimi asked, setting down the jar of peanut butter and turning around. “Is it gut news?”
In answer, Lena began to read the letter aloud. When she’d finished, Lena smiled. “I’m getting the desire of my heart at last . . . bein’ offered another job back home! And this one’ll last the whole school year!”
Nodding, Mimi blinked back tears.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m just so pleased,” Mimi said, wiping her eyes.
Lena looked into the face of this most dear woman. “I shouldn’t be quite so—”
“Honestly, it just took me by surprise,” Mimi replied quickly. “I’m so glad for you.”
Overjoyed, Lena took a deep breath to calm herself. She couldn’t deny that she felt somewhat torn—she’d truly come to love the People here in Leacock Township.
She stared at the letter, knowing this was a miracle. I’ve been asked to be a teacher like Mamma!
Lena
