Planted with Hope Read online

  Just as long as Mem and Regina didn’t concern themselves with her love life next. With each passing day, Hope had a growing desire to leave Pinecraft, return up north, and find a job that could support her. Mostly, she just wanted to find a garden to tend.

  Since it was only January, she still had four months to find such a garden. Even though the sun shone brightly in Pinecraft, most of Ohio and Indiana was still covered in snow. And hopefully by the time the ground thawed she’d know just where to go. Did God have a good place for her? She’d been thankful to be here for her family, especially during Dat’s illness, but with each passing day Hope longed for a farm with squealing baby pigs, black-and-white dappled calves, and a large garden in need of a gardener.

  With quickened steps, Hope moved away from the table, and instead she fixed her eyes on the creekside trees in the distance. Heavy, dark moss hung from the limbs, and she smiled, remembering something she’d overheard last week from a young boy new to Pinecraft. “Look Dat, even the trees have beards down here.”

  Maybe those weren’t true beards, but Hope knew one bachelor who’d no doubt be growing one soon, just like all married Amish men. In the dark of the night, in the quiet of their bedroom, Lovina had shared that she and Noah were discussing wedding dates. They’d wait until after the busy winter season, when things at the pie shop slowed down, but it brought joy to Hope’s heart that one of the sisters had found love.

  Hope was also excited to hear that Hannah would be a mother of not only one, but two babies, but those things just added to the list of all the ways she fell short. She wanted all that, but she also wanted space—space Pinecraft couldn’t offer her.

  As Hope left the crowds behind, her heartbeat slowed to its normal pace, and a memory filled her mind. Just before she’d sat down with her plate, her youngest sister, Grace, had told Hope that she wanted to introduce her to someone—the new schoolteacher. A male schoolteacher by the name of Jonas Sutter. Hope had nodded, and then she’d quickly forgotten about it. Her guess was that Grace had been simply trying to pull her into the conversation—since she’d never met the man before. No one seemed to understand that Hope rather enjoyed listening without having to insert her opinion. She just hoped that Grace hadn’t seen her leave and planned to track her down.

  “Five minutes’ peace, please.” Her words escaped in a whisper. And then she quickly said louder than she should. “And if you try to follow, Grace, I can run faster than you!”

  As if on cue, laughter filled the air behind her, and she paused and turned back. There wasn’t an inch of space left in the steel pavilion, and even the volleyball bleachers were filled with teens sitting and eating with plates on their laps. Mostly there were families clustered together, enjoying the sun, the event, and just being together. Being part of a family like that was something she wanted… but as Mem had told her it was something she’d never find if she kept hiding away.

  Hope clenched her fists at her side as she walked on. What’s wrong with me? Why do I always run? Hide?

  From the time she was a child she wanted to find a good man to love and become a wife and a mother. Yet even as she yearned for those things, she yearned for them from afar. As much as she longed for a family of her own, it was the noise and the busyness of her own family that pushed her from their midst. Being one of five girls, there was always movement, always noise, and always conversation in their home. As a child she’d run to the barn to watch the quiet cats or to the cool well house where she kept a few lumba babba, or rag babies, to tend to in the quiet.

  But then, at the age of eight, she discovered the garden. Weeding the garden had become her chore that summer, and it was one she never gave back. The next year Dat had given her a plot of ground to call her own, and each year her plot had grown bigger. By age fourteen she’d taken on the complete garden as her own. Not only did she enjoy the straight, neat rows and the peace and quiet, but she also soon came to appreciate the harvest and the satisfaction of a job well done.

  As Hope continued on through Pinecraft Park, the aroma of sausage faded away and the musky scents of the grass, trees, moss, and brackish water filled its place. Hope still could hear voices behind her, but they were quieter now. Hope released the breath she’d been holding. At least out here she had the ability to think.

  “Emma!”

  From the edges of the gathering a tall man with a dark beard cupped his hands and called into the woods. He wore an Amish hat, and his voice called out as if trying to chase Emma down.

  Hope smirked. “Good luck trying to find her.”

  There had to be no less than fifty Amish children in the park today. Each of the young girls wore similar dresses and kapps. It was like trying to find the right bobbing head in a sea of others just the same.

  Hope scanned the area near her, just to make sure there was no little girl, and then she continued on. She walked parallel to the creek, taking in the shimmer of sunlight on the greenish-blue water.

  It was then that Hope noticed something out of place—noticed her. Down at the bottom of the concrete boat ramp a small girl was climbing into a canoe. Hope gasped as it swayed with the movement of the water. The girl had somehow untied the rope and was swinging it above her as she fearlessly climbed in.

  “No, no. Stop!” Hope rushed to the edge of the river’s bank and peered down. “You’d better not do that. Those canoes aren’t so sturdy, and look, there’s a current. It could sweep you away.”

  The girl froze and turned. She shielded her eyes, trying to make out Hope’s face. “I’m just looking,” she said. “I’ll get off.”

  Hope recognized the girl. It was the same child she’d talked to in front of the pie shop a few days ago. The girl couldn’t be more than seven or eight. Emma, yes, that was her name.

  “Emma, I heard your dat. He’s calling for you.”

  Hearing that, Emma froze. Then her whole body seemed to move at once. With a jerky motion she turned, trying to scramble to dry ground before she was caught.

  “Emma, wait!”

  The girl scurried faster. The canoe rocked and swayed. Emma reached out, grasping for something to hold on to, but there was only air. She cried out and her eyes widened. She took another step toward the bank, but the movement caused the canoe to shift. Then, in one smooth motion, the canoe turned.

  “Emma!” Hope’s voice rose and then caught in her throat as the young girl slipped into the dark brackish water, kapp and all.

  Becky Fisher’s Sauerkraut

  Cabbage

  1 Tbsp salt

  Shred cabbage and pack in quart jars, not very tight. Make a hole through the middle with a wooden spoon. Put one Tbsp of salt into each jar. Fill jars with boiling water and seal jars real tight. It will be ready to eat in 6 weeks. More salt may be added if desired. The cabbage is delicious served hot over mashed potatoes with cooked sausage.

  Chapter Two

  Trying times are times for trying.

  AMISH PROVERB

  Hope darted down the grassy bank toward the water. She rushed toward the canoe—toward the ripples where Emma had disappeared. The canoe righted itself and rocked gently, but there was no sign of the girl.

  Hope half ran, half dove into the water. She reached out her arms, searching, grasping for the small body. The water rushed up to her waist, and she struggled to find her footing on the slimy bottom. Hope searched, and her hands found nothing. Then, to her right, she spotted the white of Emma’s kapp.

  She lunged for it, reaching down at the exact moment Emma’s face emerged. The girl’s eyes were wide and filled with fear. She gasped for air, choking. Hope grabbed Emma’s arm first. Then, with all the strength she could muster, she grabbed under her armpits, hoisting her up.

  Emma gagged and coughed, reaching for Hope. Wet arms stretched around her shoulders. Emma’s hands found each other behind Hope’s neck and intertwined. Her legs wrapped around Hope’s waist. Hope cocked her face to the sky, trying to breathe. But the tightness of the girl’s
hold and the fear that still coursed through her at the sight of Emma going into the water made it difficult to catch a breath. The girl clung to her, and again Hope struggled to keep her balance. Dear Lord, help.

  Hope kicked off her flip-flops, using her toes to grasp for footing. Then, with as much balance as she could muster, Hope struggled back to shore.

  Emma’s vise grip tightened, and a small sob emerged.

  “Shh, I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” Hope’s arms circled the girl’s body as she slogged to the boat ramp. Relief flooded over her as her feet found the concrete. She released a breath, the salty taste of the creek on her lips. “See, we’re okay. Almost to shore… ”

  Another small whimper emerged from Emma. Hope continued up the ramp, finally leaving the water behind.

  The girl’s weight pulled on Hope. Water poured off of them both. A trembling started in Hope’s knees and moved up her legs, and she took a few more steps.

  Feeling as if all the energy had just been drained from her, Hope turned and sank down on the concrete. Emma was soaked, and Hope was too except for her kapp. Somehow she’d managed to rescue the girl and keep her head above the water.

  The girl’s whimpering turned into a soft cry.

  “It’s okay, I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

  Hope pulled the small girl tight to her chest, cradling her like a mother would comfort an infant. Emma’s legs hung down and her soggy tennis shoes rested on the concrete. Emma’s whole body trembled—more from fear than cold, Hope thought.

  “It’s okay, Emma. You’re all right now. There is nothing to be upset about. You’re going to be all right.”

  “I—I almost drowned.” Emma’s chin quivered. “I was just looking—”

  “I know you didn’t mean for that to happen, and now you know it’s not safe. I’m sure you won’t do it again.”

  Emma shook her head. “Ne.” Then she looked at Hope with large, brown eyes, appearing so frail and small. “I won’t… ”

  “Emma!” A man’s voice called again, and Hope jumped.

  “Is that your dat?” Hope asked in a low whisper.

  Emma nodded.

  Then a woman’s voice joined in. “Emma!” Her mem?

  “Over her! She’s over here!” Hope called, and then immediately regretted it. Her wet dress clung to her, and she pulled Emma closer, hoping to hide her form. How inappropriate to be seen like this, and by a married man. Thankfully, Emma snuggled in.

  The man approached the boat dock and looked down. “Emma!” Relief flooded his voice, and he hurried to where they sat. “What happened?”

  Instead of answering, Emma buried her face under Hope’s chin and tightened her fingers around the back of her neck.

  Hope swallowed hard, wishing the man would step back. Wishing he’d give them space. The shape of her legs was clear under her dress, and she’d never felt so exposed. Still, she had to explain.

  “I was taking a walk, and I saw her.” Hope pointed to the upturned canoe. “She was exploring.”

  “What on earth, Emma?” It was a woman’s voice this time. “Whatever did you do that for? Don’t you know how dangerous that is?” The older woman hurried toward them. It was the same woman who’d been at the pie shop. The woman scowled and stopped at Hope’s bare feet. Emma’s dat stepped back, as if almost afraid to hear about what had transpired. Or maybe because Hope’s clothes clung to her.

  “It’s as much my fault as hers,” Hope quickly explained. “Emma was on the canoe, and I startled her. I told her that you were looking for her, and I urged her to get off. My words frightened her and… well, she tried to hurry… ” Hope couldn’t look at the man, so she turned to the woman. “Don’t be too upset.”

  “She fell in the water? All the way in?” The woman’s tone was sharp. “Emma Sutter, don’t you know there are sharks in there? Come here. We need to get you home. Need to get you cleaned up.”

  Emma still clung to Hope, and Hope wasn’t sure what to do next. The girl had to go with her dat, but prying the girl off would leave her completely exposed.

  “Thank you for saving her. I’ll wait over the hill.” The man backed away, refusing to meet Hope’s gaze. “Emma, thank the lady and then come. We must get you home.”

  Emma whimpered and pressed her cheek against Hope’s chest. Hope gave her a quick squeeze. “Go on now. Your dat is waiting.”

  The woman—her Aenti Ruth Ann, wasn’t it?—cleared her throat. “Didn’t your dat say to thank Hope?” Her voice was stern, and Hope had no doubt that young Emma would hear more from her aunt after she got home.

  “Thank you, Hope.” Emma pulled away. She struggled to stand, and Hope helped her to right herself.

  As Hope stood, she looked down at herself and heat rose to her cheeks. She was thankful that the boat ramp sloped downward so no one could see her from the park.

  She was a dripping mess. Her dress and apron clung to her. She crossed her arms over her chest, unsure of what to do. Unsure of how she was going to get home. The park was full of people, and she’d have to walk right through the middle of them to get out of the park.

  Ruth Ann must have been wondering the same thing. She took Emma’s hand and eyed Hope.

  Then, just as Hope decided she would hide out and wait until the crowd left, a voice called out.

  “Ruth Ann, can you come for a minute?” a man’s voice called.

  Hope couldn’t see Emma’s dat, but she could tell he was just over the hill.

  “Just a minute, Jonas.” Ruth Ann walked up the boat ramp and paused near the top. A smile filled her face. “What a good idea,” she said. “Emma, go with your dat, and I’ll help Hope.”

  Ruth Ann disappeared for a moment and returned with a thin quilt.

  Relief poured through Hope, and she gladly accepted it. “Thank you so much. Where did he get this?”

  “Jonas said that Elizabeth Bieler from the fabric store brought it with her. She said there’s always more people than seats, and she thought someone might be able to use it.”

  Hope took the blanket from Ruth Ann’s hands, unfolded it, and then wrapped it around herself. “I’m so thankful that she did.” It was a light quilt that had seen many years, many picnics. Thankfully there was enough room for her to wrap it around herself and hold it tight in front. Hope let out a soft sigh, feeling hidden once again.

  “Would you like me to walk with you—at least out of the park?” Ruth Ann said.

  “Ja, danke, but let’s walk around the edges. I want as few people seeing me as possible. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this.”

  “No, of course not. I’ll try to keep you out of view. I’m sure that everyone will be so busy socializing and talking that they won’t even notice.”

  Hope breathed out a sigh of relief. “I hope so.” She stepped forward, her bare feet on the rough concrete. Her flip-flops were somewhere in the creek, but thankfully it wasn’t much of a walk to get home.

  She moved from the boat ramp into the grass, and it felt cool under her feet. The quilt around her shoulders smelled of spring and sunshine, but Hope also could still smell the fishy, salty odor from the brackish water. A shiver ran down her spine when she replayed Ruth Ann’s words in her mind. Nearly as soon as a visitor got off the bus in Pinecraft they’d hear about Phillippi Creek, especially the sharks or alligators that were spotted every now and then in the murky waters.

  As she continued forward, water dripped from her dress and squished between her toes, yet a prayer of thanksgiving rose in her heart. Thank You, Lord, for protecting Emma and protecting me. Thank You for leading me to the creek at the right time. A shudder moved up her spine. I hate to think of what could have happened if I wasn’t there.

  They neared the park, and Hope attempted to steer as far away from the crowd as possible, but it wasn’t to be. As she neared the gathering, most of the eyes were on her. In the middle of them stood Jonas with Emma on his hip.

  “There she is. There is my Hope.” Emma’s
voice rose above the din of voices. She pointed. “She saved me from sinking!”

  Grace pushed through the crowd and rushed forward. Mem and Dat followed, and soon Faith, Lovina, and Noah rushed up, circling around her. The only one who was missing was her sister Joy. Joy was working at the quilt shop, filling in for Elizabeth Bieler so the older woman could be at the gathering at the park. Hope’s shoulders straightened as she tucked the quilt tighter under her chin. The muscles in her neck tightened, and she wished she could disappear into the blanket’s folds.

  Grace stopped in front of her, grasping her shoulders. “Are you all right?”

  “Ja, I’m fine.” She forced a smile, wishing she were anywhere but there.

  “That little girl said that you saved her. She said she fell into the creek and you dove in and pulled her out.”

  “Ja, I did… Well, it was more wading than diving.” Hope took a step back. The press of people caused her chest to tighten, and their stares nearly stole her breath. “It really was not a big deal. I’m just thankful I was there. I should get home… ”

  “I’m thankful too.” Jonas stepped forward. “I still don’t know how to thank you.”

  She dared to look at him now. He wore a beard, evidence of being a married man, and she wondered where his wife was. Maybe she’d stayed home today? If she were here she could have done a better job watching the young girl than he had.

  Anger mixed with embarrassment, and it was directed at him. If this man, Jonas, had been paying better attention to his daughter none of this would have happened. She wouldn’t be standing in the midst of this gathering, a dripping mess, hiding under a quilt.

  Hope shot him what she hoped was an angry glance, but the emotions in his gaze caught her by surprise. Appreciation filled his gaze, but there was something more. Hope sucked in a breath and took another step back. She’d only seen that look in a man’s eyes a few times before, but never so intense. And from a married man of all things. Jonas Sutter should be ashamed of himself!