Letting go, Arden straightened and nodded his head. “I hear you’re a fine teacher.”
She sighed. Her work with Rebekah Petersheim had gotten out.
“God’s given you a gift,” he said. “This is an opportunity you can’t pass up.”
He’s right, she thought.
Another bittersweet moment passed between them. Then, with a sad sort of smile, he picked up the fishing rods, and they fell into step on the trail.
Before the mourning doves were awake and cooing near her window, Lena pushed herself out of bed the next morning to tiptoe over to light the lantern on the dresser. She gazed into the small mirror, the reality of leaving Lancaster County—and Arden Mast—dawning anew.
As the first glimmers of sunlight crept beneath the dark green window shade, she went to raise it enough to peek out at the sun’s rays breaking through the clouds at the horizon line. Their brilliance spread over the vast hay fields below, and her gaze drifted down to Mimi’s prayer bench. Lena realized that she had so very much to be grateful for.
A lump rose in her throat, and she turned away from the window, then pulled the shade down to get ready for another day. Arden will carry on with his life here, she thought, knowing that all too soon we will be saying good-bye . . . forever.
CHAPTER
33
It was hard to know what was going through Arden’s mind when Lena Rose spotted him across the side yard that Preaching Sunday. She was waiting outdoors with Lydia and Vera and the other young women for the shared meal at noon. Arden was definitely smiling at her, though not the vibrant grin she’d become accustomed to.
Fondly, she remembered their numerous talks, especially how keenly interested he’d seemed in each of her siblings . . . the way he often asked specific questions about them. Those memories were a comfort, as was the memory of Arden’s strong arms around her Tuesday evening after fishing for trout—but she dared not ponder that now.
The arrival of May was accompanied by sweet scents of honeysuckle, bell-shaped lily of the valley, and Kousa dogwood. Lena greeted the month with enthusiasm, knowing she would soon be with her family again. That first day, Mimi started planning a family picnic for the following Saturday at the farmhouse. Lena enjoyed helping Mimi with the menu and looked forward to seeing all of the Stoltzfus children and their families.
While they sewed, Lena and Mimi talked of how much fun it would be to have the whole family on the grounds at the same time. “This rarely happens,” Mimi told her.
“Maybe Manny should think about expanding your kitchen so there’s more room for everyone come Christmas,” Lena joked.
Mimi laughed. “Well, that won’t happen.” She mentioned that Harley wanted Manny and Arden to build another Dawdi Haus for when Eli married. “I ’spect it won’t be long till my kitchen is someone else’s.”
Hearing Arden’s name gave Lena an unexpected rush of emotion, and she was relieved when Mimi went on to other, more mundane topics of conversation related to the picnic.
This’ll be my chance to thank the entire Stoltzfus family for taking me under their wings, Lena thought, pleased with the idea. She wished she might also thank Arden for being such a compassionate friend, but how? And when?
Lena went to heat up the flatiron on the wood stove, still so lost in contemplation that she actually scorched one of Cousin Harley’s trousers when she went to press them. “Oh no,” she groaned. “Just look what I did.” Embarrassed, she showed the seared spot to Mimi. “I’ll buy material and make another pair,” she said, choking back tears, though her tears stemmed from more than the scorching.
“Ach . . . we’ll patch it,” Mimi said as she inspected the problem area. “Those trousers are old—no need to fret.”
“But I—”
“You have a lot on your mind, don’t ya, dear?” Mimi took the trousers from her and set them aside in a basket of other family mending.
“S’pose so, but nothin’ compared to what you’ve been through this spring.”
Mimi’s smile was sweet and encouraging as she returned to her chair. “I’m thankful to be doin’ so well now; you mustn’t coddle me any longer.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Lena went and gave Mimi a little kiss on the cheek.
The days before the picnic came and went without a word from Arden. Lena Rose knew it was part of adjusting to this new and lonely life, yet something in her wished he might have kept in touch. Since we’ve been such close friends.
Another loss, she thought while beginning to think ahead to packing. Next Tuesday she would finally depart for home.
Thankfully, Mimi was now able to work her usual hours, and Harley had mentioned that very morning that he’d noticed the spring in her step once again. But it was especially good to hear Mimi laugh. Her laughter is a song to those around her, Lena thought, knowing how much she would miss her.
The men in the family had gotten up early to go fishing on the day of the picnic. Mimi and Lena took advantage of the extra time alone for some last-minute preparations, including making a large quantity of meadow tea and lemonade.
The menfolk arrived right on time for the meal of barbecued chicken, potato salad, baked beans with ham bits, and homemade applesauce with cinnamon. To top it off, there was a four-layer chocolate cake and ice cream, too.
“What would a picnic be without sweets?” Mimi said as she and Lena laid out the food on the kitchen counter. “Once everyone arrives, we’ll take the serving dishes outdoors,” she added. “Fewer flies thataway.”
Harley and Eli had set up a number of tables in the backyard, more than Lena thought necessary, and Mimi arranged some old quilts on the lawn for the children to sit or play on. Near the back of the house, pink tulips and blue hyacinths bloomed abundantly, and mature lilac bushes marched along
