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  “Ah, of course.” Dorrine’s gaze dropped. “We were sorry to hear of your loss. How hard it must be to lose a husband so young.”

  “It is,” Esther agreed. “But the Lord helps us in our sorrows.”

  “You are very brave to move all the way to the valley by yourself.” Dorrine told her.

  “Maybe.” Esther allowed.

  She wasn’t exactly brave, just practical. But that was for another conversation. “I’ll be seeing both of you, then, in the days ahead.” She turned to hurry back into the house as Arlene took the broom and began to sweep the truck.

  TWO

  Two hours later Esther sat at her dining room table as dusk fell outside the small house. The men had set up her table, and the women had draped it with a white linen cloth. Beth had supervised the supper preparations, and now Esther’s plate was loaded with potatoes, gravy, sliced ham, coleslaw, green beans, and a well-buttered, fluffy roll. Diana was perched beside her on the bench, with smaller portions on her plate.

  “This is goot eating,” Diana declared, beaming up first at Esther and then at her grandmother, who sat on the other side of her.

  “Yah, it is,” Esther agreed.

  “This is such a decent community,” Mamm said. “They sure have been a big help with this move.”

  The clatter of silverware and soft voices filled the kitchen, reaching into the living room, where the overflow crowd was also eating the evening meal.

  “I want some more,” Diana piped up.

  “You do?” Esther glanced downward. Her daughter’s plate was indeed empty of everything, except for a few green beans. “You must have worked up quite an appetite, dear heart.” Esther dipped out a small spoonful of potatoes beside the green beans before slathering it with gravy. Diana dove in without hesitation.

  “You women have outdone yourselves,” Esther told Dorrine, who sat beside her.

  Dorrine’s husband, John, must have overheard, because he leaned over the table to say, “Our women have all brought the finest cooking skills of Lancaster County with them. You’ve not moved out to the sticks.”

  “John,” Dorrine chided.

  Esther joined in their laughter. “I’m quite happy here already,” she assured them.

  “So what brings you here to our valley?” John asked.

  “Well, for one, it’s a beautiful place with very nice people. Also, it’s a fresh start for Diana and me.”

  “Sometimes getting away after a tragedy is wise,” John agreed. “We certainly want to welcome you to the community. If you need anything, Dorrine is at home all day, and I’m usually close by out in the fields.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Esther gave him a gracious smile. “Thanks again for the help you’ve already given. I’ll try not to be a nuisance to my neighbors.”

  “I’m sure you won’t be,” Dorrine said as one of the children pulled on her elbow and demanded her attention.

  Esther turned to check on Diana. Her plate was empty again.

  “Now I’m ready for dessert,” Diana announced.

  “Not so loudly,” Esther said softly. “It’s coming soon.”

  As if on cue, Beth appeared with pecan pies. The offering was greeted with cheers from the men, who proceeded to take large pieces before they passed the pies. Shoofly and apple pies were brought out next, but neither of those was as popular as the pecan. Clearly pecan pies carried the day in this community. Esther would have to remember that when she baked for community events.

  After the pies had been eaten and a prayer of thanks offered by Bishop Willis, Esther began to gather up the plates. But Beth wouldn’t hear of it and shooed her away. “You go rest. We’ll take care of the dishes. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

  “I am,” Esther admitted. “But I do want to help.”

  “There will be plenty of opportunities for that later,” Beth said, taking Esther by the elbow and leading her into the living room. The men had found seats, and several of the women with smaller children to tend were also there, chatting happily.

  Deacon Daniel’s frau, Sadie, jumped up and offered Esther her chair. Esther stifled her protest. They wanted to serve her tonight, and the gesture was appropriate.

  “Thank you,” she told Sadie as she took the seat. Beth had vanished back into the kitchen.

  Isaiah was sitting across the room from her and looked up to offer a smile. Esther returned the greeting, and the conversation buzzed around them again. Now that she had a better look at him, Isaiah appeared not unlike what she remembered from her rumspringa days. Maybe he had put on a little weight, but what man didn’t after his wedding date? Especially if the marriage was a happy one. Her Lonnie had put on a few pounds after they said the vows.

  Esther continued to sneak glances in his direction. He had to notice, she was sure, but he pretended otherwise. The man’s arms and shoulders were sculptured by a lifetime of fieldwork, and his skin was lightly tanned for this early in the year. He obviously spent most of his time outdoors. He wasn’t handsome in a dashing sort of way, but neither had Lonnie been. That was fine. She didn’t want flash and glitter in a husband.

  Isaiah caught her glance the next time and smiled. When she held his gaze for a second, he got up from his seat to come across the room. “Care if I sit beside you?” he asked. “I have to catch up on all the Lancaster County news.”

  “Of course not.” Esther added her warmest smile.

  There was a flurry of seat switching as the women adjusted to the change. Several of them exchanged sly looks and pleased grins. Beth wasn’t the only woman glad to see the community’s single minister moving off of his limb.

  “I didn’t mean to cause all that,” Isaiah objected.

  “We’ll remember the favor you owe us the next time you catch us breaking the Ordnung,” one of the women teased.

  Ripples of laugher went around the room, and Esther joined in. None of this surprised her. Isaiah was a decent man. They were well matched in so many ways. What else explained his ease around her and his willingness to make such a public display of his interest in her? Everyone would know that this was more than catching up on Lancaster news.

  “So!” Isaiah said, once he was settled in his seat. “You drove in today with your mamm and daett?”

  “Yah, and our hired driver’s wife followed us in the family car. The two are at a motel for the night, and they will take Mamm and Daett home tomorrow.”

  “I see,” he said. “It’s goot to have your parents along for the move, I’m sure.”

  “Yah, it is,” she agreed.

  “So how are things going in Lancaster County? Do they have as much rain as we do?”

  “It was bright and sunny all the way here,” she chirped. “And the same yesterday at home. So…”

  “Ah…Lancaster County,” he mused. “I get lonesome for the homeland sometimes, stuck as we are all the way up here in the shadow of the Adirondacks.”

  “But it’s beautiful here,” Esther protested.

  “Tell him!” several voices chorused.

  Isaiah chuckled. “I’m just teasing. There’s nothing like riling up the locals with comparisons to where we came from. Really, I love this part of the country. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. I hope you soon feel the same.”

  “I’m sure I will.”

  “Do you need help around the place in the next day or so?” he asked. “We have several single men who would jump at the chance of helping a pretty young widow settle in.”

  Laughter rippled again.

  “How about offering yourself there, Isaiah?” one of the men asked.

  “I guess I could get on my knees and beg her for a date.” Isaiah winked at Esther. “I doubt if she would dare turn down my charms in such a public place.”

  “Then you’d better take your chance while you have it, Isaiah.” One of the women spoke up. “After tonight they’ll be lining Esther’s front porch with marriage proposals, to say nothing of Sunday evening dates.”

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nbsp; This produced hoots and hollers all around the living room.

  Beth stuck her head out of the kitchen doorway. “What’s going on?”

  “Just teasing Isaiah,” someone said. Beth withdrew with a smile on her face.

  “We are a happy community,” Isaiah told Esther after the ruckus died down. “I hope you feel quite welcome.”

  “I’m sure I will,” Esther said.

  “So how are you really doing? Even though it’s been awhile since Lonnie passed, the grief must remain.”

  “Yah, it does. And you? You know what I went through from a husband’s perspective.”

  “This is true. The Lord gives and the Lord takes, but blessed be His name.”

  A comfortable silence settled between them.

  Then he looked up to ask with a grin, “No lining the front porch with marriage proposals while you lived in Lancaster County?”

  “No.” She lowered her head.

  “So you’re free,” Isaiah mused, more statement than question.

  Esther smiled encouragingly at him. She hadn’t expected this quick action from her old friend, but neither did she complain.

  Isaiah glanced over to Diana. “You have a daughter, I see. I thought I remembered that, but I wasn’t sure.”

  “Yah, Diana. Did you never…”

  A cloud drifted across his face. “The Lord didn’t bless us with kinner.”

  “I’m sorry. It does make it easier if they leave something behind for us who have to stay.”

  “Well said. You are a wise woman, Esther.”

  Her face flamed for the first time.

  “Are you preaching the woman a sermon over there, Isaiah?” one of the men hollered across the room. “She’s blushing like a rose.”

  “No. We’re just remembering what the Lord has given and what the Lord has taken.” The room fell silent, and Isaiah leaned closer to Esther. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you with that compliment.”

  “It’s okay,” she told him. “You did no wrong. The Lord’s ways are close to my heart. To have you speak such words of praise touched me deeply.”

  Isaiah nodded and smiled.

  “Is that the proposal we’ve been waiting for?” one of the men hollered again.

  Isaiah chuckled. “I was choosing my words carefully, that’s all.”

  “Putting them together just right, I suppose,” the man added. “Why don’t we get such care for our Sunday morning sermons?”

  Laughter filled the room again, and Isaiah shook his head. “You people are hopeless, but I’m glad I can supply such amusement for you on this fine evening.”

  One of the women leaned toward Esther. “I hope this talk isn’t bothering you.”

  “Not in the least,” Esther assured her. “Laughter is goot for the soul, and this way I get to see if Isaiah has a sense of humor.”

  Hoots filled the room, and Isaiah raised his eyebrows.

  “The woman can give back better than she gets,” someone said.

  “I see burning pain all the way down to your toes, Isaiah,” another man chimed in. “You should have made your marriage proposal earlier, before the woman discovered your real character.”

  “Behave yourself for once,” Isaiah shot back.

  “I am,” the man said, and the chuckles continued.

  Isaiah sat beside her without much comment, apparently lost in thought or listening to the chatter. She didn’t dare look at him again. She had been bold enough for one evening.

  “Well, I’d best be going,” he finally said. “It’s been goot catching up on things. We’ll have to do this again.”

  Esther gave him her warmest smile. “I would like nothing better, Isaiah.”

  He smiled at her in return and then moved across the room to hold a whispered conversation with one of the men before leaving. Esther watched his broad shoulders as he went out the door and into the dusk.

  With Isaiah gone, Esther noticed Joseph Zook’s absence. He must have left early with his son. She didn’t remember seeing them after supper, but she hadn’t been keeping track of them.

  Joseph would have been welcome to stay. She didn’t want him to feel left out. Maybe in the future she would have a chance to make him feel welcome. A man living alone in a house with his son could not be a goot thing. It might be nice if Joseph would return Arlene’s attentions. If the relationship progressed to marriage, that would surely help Joseph’s standing and acceptance in the community. Though new to the valley, perhaps she could help Joseph move on and overcome his sorrow.

  All around the room people began to stand and make their way over to offer their best wishes.

  “Glad you moved into the area, Esther.”

  “Hope you get settled in without too many adjustments.”

  “Be sure to let us know if you need anything.”

  “May the Lord bless you for coming to the valley,” several said, their handshakes firm and their smiles sincere.

  “I believe we’ll be very happy here,” she assured them.

  Once things had quieted down, Dorrine asked with a giggle, “Did you have a goot time?”

  “I had a wonderful evening,” Esther replied.

  “I saw Minister Isaiah spending time with you,” Dorrine said with a smile. “And teasing you too. Everyone likes you already, Esther.”

  “I don’t know about that,” she objected. “They seemed more taken with him than with me.”

  “That they are,” Dorrine agreed, “but they were taken with you as well. I’m so glad you’re here and that we’re neighbors. We’ll get along splendidly.”

  “I think so too.”

  As Dorrine and John left, Diana, Mamm, and Daett joined Esther on the porch to watch the buggies leave. The stars were bright above them, and off in the distance, the lights in the Adirondacks added their own twinkle. Below them long streams of headlights flowed like water on the turnpike.

  Esther ruffled her daughter’s hair. “So Diana, what do you think? Do you like it here?”

  “Yah, I do,” her little voice replied.

  “I love it too,” Esther spoke into the night.

  Daett and Mamm whispered something to each other, but she knew them well enough to know that they were agreeing perfectly with her.

  THREE

  The following Saturday afternoon found a wisp of distant clouds moving across the sky from the north. The sun’s warmth filled Esther’s small house and banished the last of the morning chill. Daett and Mamm had left early on Wednesday morning for the drive back to Lancaster County, and the peace of the community had settled over Esther and Diana in the days since.

  “Thank You, dear Lord,” Esther whispered, as footsteps came up the front porch. They were followed by a gentle knock. Esther stepped away from the stove and her pan of hot chocolate and headed to the front door, where Dorrine was standing on the porch with a bright smile on her face. “Goot afternoon, Esther.”

  “How goot to see you, Dorrine.” Esther opened her arms for a hug.

  A moment later Dorrine took a step backward. “I saw Diana playing in the yard. She’s such a sweet little girl.”

  “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.”

  Dorrine picked up the bag she had set on the porch floor. “A little gift. Tomatoes from Joseph’s greenhouse.”

  Esther reached for them. “It’s a bit early for them, isn’t it?”

  “Yah, but he has a green thumb, and with Arlene helping him almost every day, there’s plenty of produce. She brought us two bags this size, which is much more than we can eat.”

  “Well, isn’t that great,” Esther gushed, sneaking a peek into the bag. “These look wonderful. He is obviously a goot gardener.”

  “That he is. Arlene will be making a decent catch if she can ever capture his attention.” Dorrine sighed. “Jospeh is so bashful and withdrawn, though, that I despair at times. How he managed to get married the first time is beyond me. On top of that, Arlene’s not the best with men.”

  Esther c
lucked her tongue and held the door wide open. “Would you like to come in? I’m not completely unpacked yet, but I finished Saturday morning cleaning an hour ago.”

  “Settling into a new place takes time,” Dorrine comforted her. She followed Esther inside with a worried look. “Arlene troubles me. Maybe I’m making a mistake by giving her hope that pursuing Joseph will result in a happy ending for her. Maybe he has his back up, sensing that we’ve set our minds to making the relationship happen. John says we need to hang in there awhile longer, and eventually Joseph will see the light of day. But Jospeh hasn’t seemed to notice Arlene in a romantic way so far, and I wonder if Arlene might better spend her time looking for a husband in some other community.”

  Esther motioned toward a kitchen chair. “I’m sorry you’re worried for her, but I bet Arlene will make headway with Joseph soon. She’s a lovely young woman, and she obviously cares for him. He just hasn’t seen that yet. Would you like some hot chocolate? I have some about ready on the stove.”

  “I would love some.” Dorrine beamed.

  Esther poured the hot cocoa into mugs and took a chair across from her guest.

  Dorrine stirred her cup for a moment and then looked up at Esther. “I have a favor to ask, since you seem to have hope for our venture. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind visiting Joseph with me? Maybe if you and I team up, we can point him in her direction.”

  Esther laughed. “I’d love to help, but I don’t know what I can do. My guess is that Joseph needs time yet before he’ll be interested in another woman, and that doesn’t happen overnight.”

  Dorrine frowned. “I think you underestimate yourself, Esther. What an encouragement you have been to me this morning already, and you might be surprised by how much Joseph has changed since you arrived. When he was here for your moving day, I saw him smiling and laughing for the first time in many months. I think it was because of your influence.”

  Esther laughed. “Mine? Oh, I doubt that. Besides, did you notice that he left early? No, I can’t imagine I was the one who made him so cheerful.”

  “Oh, but you did!” Dorrine insisted. “It’s your personality, Esther. I haven’t seen Minister Isaiah have such a goot time before, either. Everyone enjoyed your company so much. I know I did.”