Centreville is just over the Indiana border, she thought, excited. Thirty-one miles and I’ll be home!
It was nearing eight o’clock that morning when Lena’s driver slowed to make the turn onto the familiar dirt road, the very one where Dat had first taught her to drive their horse and buggy, and the road their family had faithfully taken so many times to Preachings. How often had she and Mamma gone this way to Murk’s Village Store or to the post office? The memories soared in Lena’s mind, and she felt surprisingly wide-awake in spite of having spent the night on the bus.
She knew this idyllic area like the back of her hand, but seeing it again made her want to get out of the cab and walk the rest of the way to Preacher Yoder’s place. Resisting the urge, she leaned into the seat and gazed out the window as they rode past the field where pumpkins were often harvested in the fall. Farther up, cattle grazed on fertile land, and at the end of one of the lanes, Lena spotted a cardboard sign with the words Sewing and Alterations printed in large letters. Immediately, her thoughts flew to Lancaster County and to Mimi and Harley . . . and Arden.
As they turned into Preacher Yoder’s narrow dirt driveway, Lena Rose reached into her purse for her wallet to pay the driver. She could hardly wait to surprise her siblings. But right now, Lena wanted to visit with Clara Yoder, to thank her in person for this amazing opportunity, even though she’d already expressed her appreciation in a letter.
After paying for the ride, Lena carried her heavy suitcases up the walkway. Red and white geraniums filled the clay pots on either side of the wide porch steps, and a redwood swing hung at the far end of the porch. She leaned over to rub the neck of the Yoders’ yellow Lab. “Remember me, ol’ boy?”
Just then, Clara Yoder opened the screen door, her blue eyes lighting up. “You’re here!” She showed Lena to her new room, conveniently near the kitchen and with an east-facing window. Just like at Harley and Mimi’s, she thought.
Clara offered to cook breakfast for her, which Lena politely turned down, having nibbled on an apple and some snacks earlier. “If ya don’t mind, I’d like to go and surprise my brothers and sisters—at least the ones not in school.”
“Well, Wilbur’s away at the RV factory, I’m sure ya know,” Clara said. “He’s likin’ his job there. But Emma should be around. She’s been baking quite a lot, talkin’ about getting a job at a bakery somewhere.”
“I’m not surprised,” Lena said, again thanking Clara for inviting her to stay there and for thinking of her for the teaching position. “You have no idea how happy I am to be here at long last!”
Clara nodded. “The People will be glad to know you’ve made it back—so many have been askin’ about you. My husband and I had hoped you’d arrive in time to meet with the school board to discuss the curriculum for next year, and before the annual cleanup at the schoolhouse, comin’ up in July. This is ideal timing.”
“Well, I hope you aren’t putting yourselves out for me, Clara. I’ll help around the house and pay ya room and board, too.”
“We’ve already discussed that,” Clara said. “No rent until school starts in the fall and you’re getting paid.”
“Are ya sure?” Lena truly wanted to pay her way, considering all the Yoders were doing for her.
“Absolutely,” Clara said. “We want you to feel comfortable here. After all, you’ve been wanting to get home for, what, eight months now? Your sister Emma has been so sweet to keep me up-to-date.”
Lena Rose thanked Clara yet again, and when she was alone in the room where she would be staying, she quickly unpacked. Going over to look at the bookcase at the far end of the room, even more spacious than Tessa’s former bedroom, she let the tears of relief flow. I’m blessed beyond measure, she thought as she took down her hair and brushed it. She reached for the hand mirror, checking to see if her middle part was straight before braiding her hair the way the womenfolk here always did, wrapping the braids to make a bun before putting on her black head covering. I nearly forgot how. . . .
Going to the window, she admired its view of cropland and a green meadow already blooming with wildflowers, and she paused to thank the Lord above for this most remarkable day of days.
Barefoot, Lena Rose walked out to the road and headed north. She took in the familiar sights on both sides—the rustic outbuildings, the neighbors’ rain cisterns, the quaint-looking gazebos, and all the tall birdhouses. She cherished everything about being home again. How’d I ever manage to leave? she wondered, nearly breathless at the thought of seeing her family again.
She recalled what Clara Yoder had said about Emma’s interest in baking and wondered if her sister was still making her favorite lard-laden biscuits. “So yummy, but they go straight to my hips,” Mamma used to say.
Lena ran around to the back of the house where her sisters had been living and rapped on the screen door. She could hear Emma talking to someone as she waited on the back porch. Shall I sneak in?
Emma must have spied her, because she let out a squeal. “Lena Rose!” She dashed to the back door, flung it open, and hugged Lena ever so tight. Tears came, and soon they were both sobbing with joy.
“Guess what? Liz and Verena are home from school this mornin’, a half day, since they’re taking an end-of-year test this afternoon,” Emma said. She then called to their sisters, “Kumme schwind!”
Right quick, Liz flew out the screen door, followed by Verena, their eyes wide,
