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.The bishop was changing his way of preaching, repeating scriptures that seemed foreign to Caleb.Had anyone else noticed? There was no getting Mamm’s or Leah’s opinion, since they’d taken their turn staying at home with Daed.And anyway, for the most part, he didn’t discuss church-related matters with his mother and sisters.Only Rebekah had ever shown any interest in such things, but he couldn’t talk to her now, not since she’d gone to live with the Ebersols.Since she’d gone off the deep end.Caleb was washing down the fifth cow in the first row when here came Leah, Emmie, and Mamm.He looked away when he saw how puffy and red Mamm’s eyes were.“I don’t want to be gone long from Daed,” she said quickly, which created even more apprehension in him.What’s happening? Is it possible my father’s dying?After milking, and before a light supper of sandwiches, red beet eggs, and celery sticks with peanut butter, Rebekah sat down with Caleb at the far end of the table.As was her way, she smiled freely.Placing a plateful of cookies in front of him, she said, “I baked your favorites yesterday.”He reached for a chocolate chip cookie, eyeing the peanut butter ones, as well, but she slid the plate back quickly.“You’ll spoil your supper, Caleb Yoder.”“Where have I heard that before?” He glanced at Mamm, worry slapping him in the pit of his stomach each time he noted her serious demeanor.She was even more solemn than earlier.Why? He wanted to fool himself into thinking it was merely her usual response to the Lord’s Day; she’d always been a stickler for observing Sundays reverently.But something told him her glum spirits had more to do with Daed’s deteriorating condition.That and whatever they’d discussed alone.Mamm sat with them for the silent prayer, which Caleb offered as the only male present at the table.Then she rose and dished up food for Daed.“I’ll be helping your father with his meal tonight” was all she said before leaving the kitchen.Once the door to Daed’s room was latched shut, Rebekah leaned forward.Her smile faded.“I don’t mean to frighten yous, but Mamma’s told me Daed believes his days are numbered.”Leah gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, and Emmie shook her head, mouthing, No.“He’s settin’ his house in order,” Rebekah continued, looking toward Caleb now.“What’s that mean?” Caleb managed to ask.“Well, I know you may not understand this, but if I may be so bold.” She paused, her eyes on Leah and Emmie.Then she faced Caleb again.“The way I see it, God’s beginnin’ to answer the prayers that have gone up for our family.and for Daed, ’specially.”Unable to grasp her point, Caleb stared at her.“Meaning what?”“Evidently Daed’s makin’ peace with God.in his own way.” Rebekah reached for her sandwich.“But he did that at his baptism,” Leah said, “back when he joined church as a youth.”Rebekah glanced at Caleb.“Well, if you go walkin’ with me in a bit, I’ll tell you more ’bout what I mean.And the reason for the break in the old church, too, in case you don’t know.”“Had something to do with a big debate,” Caleb said.He hadn’t meant to sound so dismissive.Rebekah’s face lit up—the same glow he’d seen on Nellie Mae’s face the day they’d said their good-byes.“Jah, the split was about saving grace,” she said.“And makin’ a public confession of it.”“I’ll take a walk with ya, Rebekah,” said Leah, her voice surprisingly bold.Caleb wasn’t interested in Rebekah’s views of the church split.He already knew far too much about all of that.Rosanna saw the tobacco farmer first as the man turned into their lane.Coming for counsel with Elias, no doubt.She touched Elias’s hand as they lingered at the table, having a piece of strawberry pie.“Mind if I go out and talk to him?” Her husband rose quickly.“Supper’s through,” she said softly, and Elias got up from the table and headed for the back door.No question, he was taking his ordination seriously, even to the detriment of his own work, just as Preacher Manny and others of the ministerial brethren did.Elias not only embraced his divine calling, but his was truly a caring heart for the congregation.The Lord knew what He was doing when He chose him.Rosanna carried the dishes to the sink, surprised again at how much stronger she felt lately.Will I keep this wee one, Lord? It was the question she dared not ponder too much, for she was so much in love with this baby, conceived in the midst of her great sadness over the loss of the Beiler babies.Little Eli and Rosie were growing like weeds now—she’d seen them again from afar, all bunched up with John and Kate and their other children in their carriage, on the way to Preaching service this very morning.She hadn’t winced at the sight of them sitting on Kate’s and her oldest daughter’s laps but waved as they came up closer on the road.Elias had done the same, and after the two buggies passed, neither he nor she had mentioned the twins or John and Kate.In fact, they’d said nary a word, which seemed odd to Rosanna now, thinking back on it.Yet what a blessing to realize her darling also held no animosity.Washing the last dish, she reached for a tea towel.She glanced out the window, observing her husband.Perhaps he was discussing tractors and what they could and could not be used for in the fields, the subject of much talk these days.Now that fieldwork was going on all over Honey Brook, this fellow probably assumed he could make some time by using his tractor for transportation on the road, as she’d heard of others doing.Such was not permitted by the new ordinance, and several families had left the New Order church over this issue, joining up with the Beachys, who allowed more liberal use of tractors.For herself, she much preferred to think about all the pretty yarn she planned to purchase this week with the money from her quilts.She wanted to begin crocheting baby afghans for Lena’s baby, whom Lena intended for the Amish midwife to bring directly to the Kings’, following his birth.Lena had started referring to herself as the “baby carrier,” declaring Rosanna the mother appointed by God.Because of her own secret pregnancy, Rosanna felt rather sheepish reading Lena’s touching letters, even though she cherished each one and saved them in a pretty wooden box Elias had built for her as a recent birthday gift
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