The singing flew by quickly, filled with song and games, and delicious food.
Sarah went to search for her brothers afterward to tell them that Jed would be taking her home. There was an awkward moment when P.J. Miller offered to bring her home. Sarah had to tell him that she already had a ride.
“Jedidiah is taking me,” she said. She felt badly when she saw the young man’s face fall. “Maybe another time?”
His quick look of gladness made her slightly uncomfortable. She shouldn’t have said anything, but she hadn’t wanted him to feel bad.
“Jed will bring me home tonight,” she told Ervin.
Ervin didn’t seem surprised. “That’s nice, Sissy. We will be home as soon as we can.” He glanced over to where Toby and the two Yoder sisters stood. “We will be making a stop on the way.”
Sarah nodded, then teased, “Do not take the long way to the Yoder farm, Ervin Mast.”
Ervin looked stunned at first by her teasing, but then he grinned, obviously pleased. “We don’t appreciate you enough...what you do for Mam.”
“I am the daughter, and I love Mam. Emma isn’t here, so it is up to me.”
Ervin leaned closer to whisper in Sarah’s ear, “You must take time to enjoy your life, Sarah. I know your hard work is not merely a duty to you, but an expression of love. I will try to help more.”
Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
Ervin grinned. “There is Jed. He’s brought the wagon around, and he is waiting for you. Keep your words for your ride home.”
As she headed toward the wagon by which Jedidiah stood patiently waiting for her with his hat in his hands, Sarah thought of her brother’s words and wondered what he meant by taking the time to enjoy her life more. She prayed to the Lord and did what she could to live life the way He would want it. She couldn’t take time away from Mam, not until it was certain that she was well again.
* * *
Jed studied her expression as Sarah approached. She seemed upset. Why? He had seen her talking with his cousin P.J. Would she rather he was taking her home? His concern vanished as Sarah offered him a genuine smile as she reached him. He lifted his black felt hat, then set it back onto his head.
“Ja. I let Ervin know that I would not be riding home with him.”
“And did he mind?” he asked.
The corners of her blue eyes crinkled. “Nay. As you suspected, my brothers will not be going directly home. They have plans that include stopping by the Yoder farm.”
“And so you are stuck with me.”
“Nay, I am not stuck, Jedidiah Lapp.”
Her answer delighted him, and he studied her fondly. “Gut,” he said as his spirits rose with the prospect of spending a little more time with her. He would like the memory of the evening to take home to Happiness with him. He would like to see her farm, to picture her out in the yard or in the farmhouse, going about her chores, caring for the twins and her family.
He held out his hand, and Sarah looked at it a moment before their fingers touched as she accepted his help onto the wagon seat.
The night was a typical late-spring evening. The temperature was cool, but not cold. There was a full moon, which lit up the dark sky and shed a beam of brightness onto the yard. Jed felt sorry to release her hand as he climbed up onto the wagon seat beside her.
“All set?” he asked, and she nodded. “Are you cold?” She shook her head. “Are you going to be silent during the entire ride?”
“Nay,” she said with what sounded like horror.
He laughed. “I am teasing you, Sarah Mast.” Then with a click of his tongue and a flick of the leathers, he steered the horse down the long dirt lane and then turned right onto the main road. He glanced at Sarah and saw her look back as if seeking her brothers. “They will linger awhile before they leave,” he said.
She nodded. “I didn’t know that both of them are sweet on the Yoder sisters.”
Jed shrugged. “Why would any sister know? Unless she can read her brothers’ thoughts.”
“Praise the Lord that I can’t,” Sarah said with such feeling that Jed laughed out loud.
He saw her lips curve before her laughter joined his.
“Shall we take the long way home?” he asked, expecting her to decline.
To his surprise, she said, “You are the driver.” She frowned. “Do you know where I live?”
“Ja, I asked directions and realized that Arlin and I drove by on our way back from the Sale.”
She seemed content with his answer, and he drove at the slowest pace he could manage with the horse. He wouldn’t take the long way home; it wouldn’t be fair to her when he was leaving tomorrow. He would enjoy this time with her, even if in silence. Having her on the seat next to him was enough to keep him happy.
He didn’t like the thought of leaving her, of never seeing her again, but what could he do? They both had responsibilities and family in two communities a long distance from each other. If only she lived in Lancaster, or his family resided here in Kent County, Delaware.
But the Lord had granted him the pleasure of knowing her if only for a brief time, and he would pray to the Lord to help him when he was home again...to get on with his life...and find a woman to love and become his bride.
* * *
All too soon for Sarah, Jed was steering the wagon onto the driveway that led to her family farmhouse.
They had chatted easily, sharing stories of their siblings. As time passed and the Mast farm drew nearer, silence had reigned between them. Sarah wanted to say something, admit how much she’d enjoyed his company, but she was reluctant to do so. He knew her situation. Perhaps he was just being kind.
She was conscious of the sound of the wagon wheels over dirt and gravel as Jed steered closer to her house.
Soon, too soon, Sarah thought, the wagon was in her yard, at her front door.
Jed jumped down and rounded the vehicle to help her. He didn’t extend his hand as he had before. He simply reached up and grabbed her waist. She blushed, feeling the heat in her neck and cheeks, the tingling of his hands on her waist, as he promptly released her and stepped back. The action took only seconds, but Sarah knew she’d remember the moment for a lifetime.
“Home,” he announced. It was the first time Sarah thought that he looked uncomfortable.
“I appreciate the ride,” she offered shyly. “I hope God grants you a safe journey home tomorrow.”
He hesitated a few seconds. “I will remember this night, Sarah Mast.”
“As will I,” she admitted, her heart beating wildly.
Neither spoke as they looked out into the yard as if studying the way the moonlight played on the barn and property. Sarah chanced a look at Jed. His handsome features were clearly visible under the bright moonbeam. She saw that he looked troubled.
“Is anything wrong?” she asked, knowing that she shouldn’t ask.
Jed turned, then smiled, and suddenly it was as if she had only imagined his sadness.
The sound of a buggy coming down the dirt lane toward the house heralded the arrival of her brothers. She didn’t want her last moments with Jed to be witnessed by her older siblings.
“Jed...” she began.
“I will miss