“Ja,” Charlotte urged her. “You said you’d enjoy watching the work take place.”
Rachel nodded. “But surely there is more you’d like me to do first.”
“Nay,” Aunt Mae said. “Horseshoe Joe came by for Uncle Amos early this morning. They went over to Abram Peachy’s house. I told Amos that we’d come for him before supper.
“Your new haus is not far, and it’s a nice day for a walk. Just head up the lane and turn right. Be careful,” she warned, “of speeding cars along the narrow road.” She rolled her eyes. “Some of these Englishers drive like...”
Rachel nodded, pleased with the idea of visiting the cottage. “I will.” She knew her hair must look a sight. Should she head upstairs to put herself to rights first? The breeze would only pull her hair free...unless she put in extra pins.
She debated whether to fix her hair when Aunt Mae approached. “You can take these muffins for the workers. I’m sure they would enjoy something to eat about now.”
Charlotte came up from behind her mother and handed Rachel cups and a water jug. “The Lapp men will be thirsty as well.”
“Go along now, Rachel.” Aunt Mae didn’t see anything wrong with the way she looked, Rachel realized, so it must be all right for her to go just as she was. Besides it was wrong to worry about one’s looks. Vanity was a sin that she wouldn’t give in to.
With a brown paper bag filled with sweet muffins and cups in one hand and the jug of water in the other, Rachel started down the dirt lane that led through the King property toward the main road.
The sun felt wonderful, and Rachel tilted up her face to enjoy its warmth. A fly buzzed about her ear and, laughing, she swatted it away. The warm breeze held the scent of fresh-tilled earth and the honeysuckle that grew along one side of the lane. Rachel felt a deep sense of peace and contentment as she walked.
Would she see Noah at the house? Her heart gave a little thump. She hadn’t seen him since Sunday. While she fought hard to get him out of her mind, she couldn’t forget his face, his endearing smile and the many kindnesses he had shown her.
She reached the end of the dirt lane and waited at the edge of the paved road until a car sped past before she ventured to cross the street. She turned right and continued along the roadway, facing traffic. She smiled as she caught a glimpse of the schoolhouse and hurried on. With her heart buoyed by lightness, she approached a window and peered inside.
She grinned. She loved the rows of desks and the larger one in the front of the room. The schoolhouse was empty. Would it be unlocked?
She tried the door and realized that it was necessary to lock it when no one was about. Such a shame. She would have liked to wander around inside again.
Soon, she thought. Soon she would be standing before her class of eager students.
Rachel rounded the building and headed along the dirt drive toward the teacher’s cottage. The day was quiet. The only sounds she could hear were an occasional insect or a passing car on the main road and the breeze stirring the nearby trees and her dress hem and apron. Perhaps the Lapps couldn’t find time to work on the house today, she mused, disappointed.
Unlike the school, the cottage door stood partially open. With a frown, she hesitated only a few seconds before pushing the door in and entering.
“Samuel? Jedidiah? Noah?” she called out. “Is anyone here?”
“In the back of the haus, Rachel!” Noah appeared within seconds. “You’ve come to see the construction,” he said, sounding pleased.
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