“Here, Dat,” Eli’s deep voice startled her from behind, causing her to spin to face him. “Martha.”
“Eli! I didn’t realize you were still inside.”
“Annie forgot EJ’s hat.” He held up the child’s small black-banded straw hat to show his father, and with a nod Samuel climbed into his vehicle.
Eli returned his attention to Martha. Her heart pounded as she gazed up at him. There was something about him with his golden locks, azure eyes and charming smile that did something strange to her insides. Alarmed by the feeling, she didn’t smile back.
“If you need anything, just ask,” Eli said. “All of us Lapps are handy with construction tools.”
“That’s kind of you.” And it got Martha to thinking. The house needed repairs. Maybe after the planting she could hire the Lapps.
“Eli?” his father called through the open buggy window.
“Coming, Dat.” He seemed reluctant to go. “It didn’t take long to finish Noah’s deliveries,” he said as if she’d asked. “Some customers weren’t at home. As you see, I found clean clothes.” He started to cross the yard, then paused to grin back at her. “Don’t be chasing livestock while I’m not here,” he teased.
Martha had to smile. “I won’t.” Senses tingling, she watched as he climbed into his father’s buggy and while they drove away from the farmhouse down her dirt lane. Eli Lapp was too charming, too handsome and too young—seven years younger—for her to give him another thought. She was getting ahead of herself. So what if she noticed an attractive man when she saw him? It didn’t mean anything. She was still determined to remain single and manage on her own.
Martha carried a large chocolate cake as she exited her farmhouse. She smiled at Meg Stoltzfus, who waited on the front porch.
“Let me,” the girl said as she took the cake plate.
It was visiting Sunday. Meg, the young woman who’d stayed with her after Ike’s death and through the winter, wanted to ride with her to the Samuel Lapps, their hosts. Meg often visited or attended church with her since moving back home. Despite their ten-year age difference, Martha and Meg had become good friends.
“How does your vadder feel about your riding with me again?” Martha asked as they headed toward her buggy. She didn’t mind driving alone, but Meg wanted to come for reasons of her own, and Martha enjoyed the company.
Meg leaned inside Martha’s vehicle and set the cake on the back floor. She grinned as she straightened. “I enjoy the extra room. It feels crowded in the back of Dat’s buggy.”
Martha approached the Stoltzfuses’ carriage. “Morning, Arlin.” She smiled. “Nice to see you again. Missy, you, too.” Missy was Arlin’s wife. “I hope you don’t mind Meg coming with me again. She’s a wonderful girl. I enjoy her company, especially after the winter I had.” After Ike’s death.
Arlin’s stern, weathered face softened. “Staying with you was gut for her,” he admitted.
Meg’s four sisters were seated in the backseat of the vehicle. “Hallo.” The girls returned her greeting.
“Dat, can I ride with Martha, too?” Charlie, named Charlotte at birth, was Meg’s youngest sister. Charlie’s nickname had worked out well since Martha’s niece, who lived in Happiness, too, was also named Charlotte. The older Charlotte was happily married to Deacon Abram Peachy.
Arlin frowned while he seemed to struggle with his daughter’s request.
“I don’t mind if she rides with us, Arlin, but it’s entirely up to you.” Martha made the offer carefully; she didn’t want to offend.
“Ja, Dat, it will be fun if Charlie rides with us.” Meg beamed at him. “I promise we’ll take gut care of her. This afternoon we’ll ride home with you.”
Finally, Arlin gave a curt nod. “Oll recht,” he said, glancing back toward his youngest. “You may go with Martha and Meg.” There were murmurs from the backseat as Charlie scrambled from the vehicle on her mother’s side. He held up a hand. “Don’t ask!” he warned his other daughters. “The rest of you will ride with your mudder and me this morning.”
Ellie Stoltzfus leaned forward between her mother and father. “We are comfortable right here with you, Dat.”
The man’s expression softened. “We should go,” he said gruffly. “Katie will be wondering where we are.”
Friends and families gathered to spend time with each other on visiting Sundays. Unlike church days when service started early, visiting occasions began leisurely with folks leaving for their destination midmorning. Martha enjoyed visiting family and friends.
“I’ll follow you,” Martha told Arlin, and the man nodded.
As Arlin steered the horse back toward the main road, Martha, Meg and Charlie climbed into Martha’s vehicle, and Martha drove her horse to follow. The Lapp farm was on the opposite end of their village. As they drove past the William Mast property, Martha spied William and Josie approaching in their gray family buggy. “Morning, William. Josie,” she called. She waved to the couple and their three children, who happily waved back. Martha continued to steer past Jacob and Annie’s house, the Joseph Zook farm and Zook’s Blacksmithy.
“Looks like Jacob and Annie may have already left,” Meg commented. “I don’t see anyone at their house.”
“Ja,” her sister said. Charlie leaned forward and gestured past Meg and Martha toward a residence on the left side of the road. “Look! There are Noah and Rachel. And their baby!”
Martha caught sight of Rachel and Noah exiting their house. “Noah! Rachel!” She slowed her buggy and waved.
The couple grinned and returned the wave. “Martha! Heading over to Mam and Dat’s?” Noah said as he cradled his daughter lovingly against his chest.
“Ja. ’Tis a great day for visiting.”
“Ja, a fine one indeed,” he called back pleasantly. “We’ll see you when we get there.”
“Who else do you think will be coming?” Meg asked as Martha drove on to catch up with Arlin.
“Not Reuben Miller, if that’s why you’re wondering,” Charlie said. “Ya know he’s not from our church district. Mostly likely, he’ll be visiting his own friends and neighbors.”
Meg got quiet. “I didn’t ask about him.”
Martha shot her a sympathetic look. “Have you seen him recently?” This past winter Martha had become Meg’s confidante. She’d heard all about Meg’s feelings for Reuben Miller, who had shown an interest in the girl last year at a youth singing. Reuben had sat across from Meg and paid her special attention during two additional singings, but then had become noticeably absent ever since. “Meg?”
“Nay.” Meg kept her eyes on the road ahead. “It’s been a while.”
“The Zooks will be there,” Charlie offered, obviously trying to cheer up her sister. “Peter should be with them.”
“Peter.” Meg groaned. “The last thing I need is that boy following me with those dark puppy dog eyes of his.”
“Meg, what’s the matter with you?” her sister exclaimed. “Peter is a nice boy, and he likes you.” She sighed dramatically. “And he’s so handsome.”
“Too handsome for his own gut,” Meg replied irritably. She drew a sharp breath. “Reuben is