“Lena Rose didn’t seem all that happy ’bout that letter, did she?” Harley asked Mimi as they were getting ready to retire for the night.
“On the contrary, Harley. You should’ve seen her dash into the house. Nee, she’s thrilled to pieces, but she didn’t want to make ya cry . . . like I did.”
Harley snorted. “Menfolk don’t weep that easily.”
Mimi waved her hand at him. “For pity’s sake, ya know what I mean.”
He went over and wrapped his arms around the bride of his youth. “Ich liebe dich,” he whispered.
She leaned up to kiss his cheek. “Our lives will change once Lena goes.”
They had discussed this before, but then they had found solace in knowing Lena wouldn’t be going any time soon. Now, though, it was all so very real. “Did she say when she’d be leaving?” he asked.
Mimi took down her waist-length hair and began to brush it. “Well, she didn’t mention details. I suppose she’ll learn more once she writes to accept the job.”
“Jah,” he said, going over to the bed. He raised the quilt and got in, feeling mighty weary all of a sudden.
“I’m hopin’ with all my heart that Preacher Yoder and his wife will hold out the invitation till I send my answer. I’d be just sick if they didn’t,” Lena Rose confided to Mimi on their ride over to deliver the peanut blossoms and a birthday card to Rebekah the next day.
“Well, surely they will. You’re their first choice, jah?” Mimi said, glancing at her right quick.
Lena nodded. “Sounds like it. It’s such a wonderful opportunity that I’m having a hard time believing it’s real.”
“The Lord is faithful,” Mimi said. “You turned down that other job offer to look after me . . . and now here’s this wunnerbaar news.” Reaching to clasp Lena’s hand, Mimi said softly, “Life can be difficult, and we can’t always see what’s comin’.” She released Lena’s hand and drew a long breath. “But I’ve learned that by comin’ to grips with that, my path ahead seems easier to follow. Does that make sense?”
Lena agreed.
“Most folk go through life wishin’ things were easier . . . but, for the most part, it just ain’t thataway.”
“Jah,” Lena said thoughtfully. “I’ve certainly learned that. And it helps to accept that it’s goin’ to be hard.”
“Strange as that may sound, I’ve found it’s ever so true, ’specially as the years go by.” Mimi looked over at her and smiled. “With God’s help and direction . . . that’s where the peace comes from.”
Lena could see that trust and acceptance on Mimi’s face and in the way she lived her life. “My parents had that kind of peace, as well,” she said softly. “And being here with you and Harley has reminded me of that.”
For a long time, it was quiet in the buggy as Lena considered all that Mimi had just shared from her heart.
They spent some time visiting with Rebekah, who happily sampled the peanut blossoms, then passed them around to the youngsters. Lena was pleased when little Emily came into the front room and took her by the hand. “Can we go outside?” she asked.
Rebekah nodded and laughed, saying it was all right, and Cora Ruth and Mimi seemed content to stay put.
“I have a bunny rabbit,” Emily said, still clasping Lena’s hand. “Dat built him a hutch on wheels.”
“What’s your bunny’s name?” Lena asked as they walked into the barn to the raised wooden pen. She looked down at the pure white bunny, his pink little nose pushing against the screen.
“It’s Nibbles.” Emily giggled.
Lena laughed. “The perfect name.”
Emily opened the pen and reached in to pick up Nibbles and give him to Lena Rose. “He’s so soft and cute,” Lena said, holding the wiggly bunny close.
Emily reached to take him, but her face turned sad just then. “Mamma says you’ll be goin’ home real soon.”
“Aw, honey.” Lena crouched down to her. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen my brothers and sisters.”
“Nibbles’s brothers and sisters live somewhere else, too.” Emily stroked the bunny’s white head. “But he’s stayin’ here with me. . . .” Emily’s lower lip slipped out. “Why can’t you stay, too, Lena Rose?”
Lena hugged her, then tried to turn her attention back to the bunny, feeling nearly as sad as Emily looked.
As soon as they returned home, Lena wrote a short letter to Clara Yoder, thanking her and her husband for the invitation, and asking them when they’d like her to arrive. I couldn’t be happier, knowing I’ll see my brothers and sisters and everyone else there again. This is truly an answer to my prayers!
She addressed the envelope and licked it shut. How will Arden take this news? She certainly didn’t want to hurt him, yet he’d known from the start that she planned to go back home one day. Even so, Arden had come to mean much more than she’d ever intended. And because they’d shared so openly all these months, becoming closer each time they were together, she wondered if he might wish she wouldn’t take the job.
“How will he react?” she murmured, knowing he had to hear this directly from her before word got out.
Arden might have thought they’d just come to fish, as Lena sat with him on the grassy creek bank that evening. Her stomach in knots, Lena was determined to see this through. When the moment’s right, she thought, hoping it wouldn’t be too difficult.
Making things worse was Arden’s nearness just now, and she wanted the feeling to last a little longer. The ground was soft, and she tucked her long dress beneath her legs while Arden combed through his tackle box. He turned to her and grinned. “I can’t believe you put up with my fishin’ hobby,” he said. “Real glad ya joined me again, Lena.”
She nodded, trying to squelch the impending sadness.
“You do
