A Sister's Hope (9 page)

Everyone else seemed relaxed and happy, as Aunt Rosemary and Dad caught up on each other’s lives, and Ken alternated between talking to Martha about her dogs and to Cleon about his bees and honey. Grace juggled the baby on her lap while keeping Anna entertained, and Mom
kept trying to engage Sharon in conversation. It felt good to have the whole family together—almost as if everything in their life was normal.

But it’s not normal,
Ruth thought regretfully.
My family is still under attack by someone who wrote a note reminding us that it’s not over yet. To make matters worse, I’m having doubts about whether I should marry Abe or not.

“If our Thanksgiving meal is anything like this meal, then I sure have something to look forward to,” Ken said as he took another helping of chicken potpie.

“We’ll be eating at Grace and Cleon’s place on Thanksgiving, and Grace is a fine cook,” Mom said. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy every bite.”

Grace smiled as her cheeks turned pink. “I won’t be the only one cooking that day, Mom. You’ll be furnishing the pies.”

Mom nodded. “Ruth’s planning to make a fruit salad, and Martha will bring some of those sweet potato biscuits Irene taught her to make.”

Ken patted his stomach. “Sounds good to me.” He looked over at Ruth and smiled. “I understand you’ll be getting married in January.”

“That’s right—the second Thursday,” Ruth replied.

“I’ll bet you’re getting excited already,” Sharon spoke up.

Ruth nodded and forced a smile.

Aunt Rosemary reached over and touched Ruth’s arm. “If you’re like most brides, you’re probably feeling a few prewedding jitters.”

“She’s got nothing to be nervous about,” Dad put in from his place at the head of the table. “Ruth’s marrying the finest man in these parts. I’m sure they’ll have a real good marriage.”

“Yes,” Aunt Rosemary said before Ruth could respond, “but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling a bit nervous.” She leaned close to Ruth and whispered, “As soon as we’ve finished supper and the dishes are done, how about the two of us having a little heart-to-heart chat?”

Ruth nodded as a sense of relief flooded her soul. If anyone could help her deal with the unsettled feelings swirling around in her head, it was Aunt Rosemary.

As Rosemary stood at the kitchen sink, doing the dishes after supper, she thought about how quiet Sharon had been during the meal and
wondered how she was getting along in the living room with Grace and Judith. The men and Martha had gone out to the barn, and at Ruth’s suggestion, she and Rosemary had become the designated dishwashers.

“Are you ready for that talk now?” Rosemary asked Ruth. “Or would you rather wait until we’re done with the dishes?”

Ruth reached for a clean plate to dry. “We can talk while we work, if you like.”

“I could tell by the way you responded when Sharon asked about your upcoming wedding that things aren’t quite as they should be.”

“No. No, they’re not.”

Rosemary sloshed the dishrag along the edge of the glass and waited to see if Ruth would continue. After a few minutes, Ruth spoke again.

“I love Abe, and I want to be his wife, but I’m not sure I’m ready to get married again.”

“Is it because you still love your first husband?”

Tears pooled in Ruth’s eyes. “There will always be a place in my heart for Martin, but there’s more to what I’m feeling than that.”

“Is there a problem with Abe’s children? They’ve all accepted you, right?”

“All but Gideon. He’s been so moody and unpredictable lately. I can’t be sure what he’s thinking.”

“He’s probably struggling with the idea of someone moving into their home and taking over the role of his mother.”

“But I’ve been working as Abe’s
maad
for some time.”

“Even so, a maid’s not the same as a new wife for Gideon’s father.”

“True.” Ruth’s gaze dropped to the floor.

“Is there something else troubling you?”

“Jah. I’m afraid for my family. We’re still being attacked, Aunt Rosemary. The last act of vandalism included a threatening note.” Ruth drew in a shuddering breath. “Abe thinks I’ll be safe living at his place, but even if I am, I’ll still be worried about my family. What if the attacks get worse? What if—”

Rosemary lifted her hand from the soapy water. “You mustn’t borrow trouble.”

More tears filled Ruth’s eyes. “But you know what happened to Martin and me. The attacker rammed us off the road, and—”

Rosemary shook her head. “You don’t know that the person who rammed your buggy is the same one responsible for the attacks against your family.”

“I—I don’t know it for a fact, but I feel it in my heart.”

“Worrying about your family won’t solve a thing.” Rosemary dried her hands on a clean towel and touched Ruth’s shoulder. “Your folks wouldn’t want you to set your happiness aside and continue living here just because you’re worried about their safety. If something’s going to happen, it will happen whether you’re living here or not.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Was the sheriff notified after the last attack?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Dad didn’t think it was necessary. He thinks if the sheriff really wanted to put a stop to the attacks, he would see that the area is patrolled more often.”

“After I get settled into my new home, I might pay a call on Sheriff Osborn. In the meantime, I want you to commit everything to God and start counting the days until your wedding.”

Ruth gave Rosemary a hug. “It’s real good to have you back, Aunt Rosemary.”

“Thanks. It’s good to be here.”

A
s Luke crawled out of bed on Thanksgiving morning, a wave of nausea hit him with the force of a speeding horse. He groaned and clutched his stomach. They were supposed to have dinner at his brother Henry’s home, but the thought of eating all that Thanksgiving food made him feel even worse.

Another wave of nausea came, and Luke dashed into the bathroom just in time to empty his stomach. When he stepped out several minutes later, his stomach lurched again at the smoky odor of bacon coming from the kitchen. He felt light-headed, and his legs trembled so badly he could barely stand. He inched his way down the hall to the kitchen. “Have you got a bucket I can use?” he asked his mother, who was at the stove.

“What do you need a bucket for?” she asked over her shoulder.

“I’m grank, and I don’t think my shaky legs will keep taking me to the bathroom.”

Mom whirled around. “Ach, Luke, you must be sick. Why, your face is paler than a bucket of goat’s milk!” She quickly pulled out a chair at the table. “You’d better sit down.”

He grasped the back of the chair and shook his head. “I—I just need a bucket so I can go back to my room.”

“I’ll get one right away.” Mom opened the door to the utility closet and handed Luke the bucket she used for mopping floors. “Do you think you’ve got the flu?”

Luke grimaced. “Sure looks like it. Either that or I’ve got a bad case of
food poisoning. Even the thought of food makes my stomach churn.”

“I don’t think it could be food poisoning,” Mom said. “You ate the same thing your daed and I ate for supper last night, and neither of us feels sick.”

“John and I had lunch in town yesterday,” Luke said. “It could have been something I ate there.”

Mom slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Guess you won’t be up to going with us to Henry’s this afternoon.”

“No, I just want to go back to bed.” Another wave of dizziness hit Luke, and he closed his eyes.

“Your daed’s out in the barn right now.” Mom slipped her arm around Luke’s waist. “I’d better help you back to your room.”

Luke didn’t argue. He felt too weak to resist. Clinging to the bucket with one hand and holding onto Mom’s arm with the other, he made his way upstairs. There would be no turkey and pumpkin pie for him today. All he wanted to do was crawl back in bed and sleep until he felt better.

“If everything looks as good as it smells, I think we’re in for a real treat,” Ken said as everyone gathered around Grace and Cleon’s table.

“I’m glad you and Sharon could join us,” Grace said with a smile. “It’s always nice when family can be together for a special holiday.” She glanced over at Cleon. “I wish your folks could have joined us today, too, but by the time I invited them, your mamm had already planned a big Thanksgiving dinner and invited your brothers and sisters to join them.”

Cleon nodded. “I think she would have liked it if we could have been there, too, but we’d already made plans to have your family here.”

Grace knew Cleon wasn’t trying to make her feel guilty. He was just stating facts. She looked down the long table to where Abe sat with his children and smiled. Having them here would make the day go easier for Ruth. Last Thanksgiving, Martin had still been alive. Despite the fact that Ruth would soon be marrying Abe, Grace figured her widowed sister was probably feeling some sorrow and regret today.

“Now that everyone’s seated, let us bow for silent prayer,” Dad said.

All heads bowed, and Grace offered her private prayer.
Heavenly Father, bless our family this day, bless the food we’re about to eat, and help us to remember to trust You as we face each new day. Amen.

Dear Lord,
Martha silently prayed,
bless this food, bless my family, and help me find out who’s responsible for the attacks that have been made against my family.

When she ended her prayer and looked at the faces around the table, a lump formed in her throat.
If only things could be as peaceful and joyous every day as they are today. If only we no longer had to worry about being under attack.

“Martha, would you please get the potatoes going?” Mom asked when everyone had opened their eyes.

“Jah, sure.” Martha reached for the bowl of mashed potatoes and passed it to Sharon, who sat to her right.

“Danki.”

Martha’s mouth dropped open. “I’m impressed. You’ve only been here a couple of days, and already you know how we say thank you.”

“Rosemary taught us a few simple words on the drive here from Idaho,” Sharon explained.

“I’m surprised she remembered any German-Dutch,” Dad spoke up from his seat at the head of the table. “It’s been so long since she spoke our language.”