Rebecca Kertz - Jedidiah's Bride

“Praise the Lord that I can’t,” Sarah said with such feeling that Jed laughed out loud.

He saw her lips curve before her laughter joined his.

“Shall we take the long way home?” he asked, expecting her to decline.

To his surprise, she said, “You are the driver.” She frowned. “Do you know where I live?”

“Ja, I asked directions and realized that Arlin and I drove by on our way back from the Sale.”

She seemed content with his answer, and he drove at the slowest pace he could manage with the horse. He wouldn’t take the long way home; it wouldn’t be fair to her when he was leaving tomorrow. He would enjoy this time with her, even if in silence. Having her on the seat next to him was enough to keep him happy.

He didn’t like the thought of leaving her, of never seeing her again, but what could he do? They both had responsibilities and family in two communities a long distance from each other. If only she lived in Lancaster, or his family resided here in Kent County, Delaware.

But the Lord had granted him the pleasure of knowing her if only for a brief time, and he would pray to the Lord to help him when he was home again...to get on with his life...and find a woman to love and become his bride.

* * *

All too soon for Sarah, Jed was steering the wagon onto the driveway that led to her family farmhouse.

They had chatted easily, sharing stories of their siblings. As time passed and the Mast farm drew nearer, silence had reigned between them. Sarah wanted to say something, admit how much she’d enjoyed his company, but she was reluctant to do so. He knew her situation. Perhaps he was just being kind.

She was conscious of the sound of the wagon wheels over dirt and gravel as Jed steered closer to her house.

Soon, too soon, Sarah thought, the wagon was in her yard, at her front door.

Jed jumped down and rounded the vehicle to help her. He didn’t extend his hand as he had before. He simply reached up and grabbed her waist. She blushed, feeling the heat in her neck and cheeks, the tingling of his hands on her waist, as he promptly released her and stepped back. The action took only seconds, but Sarah knew she’d remember the moment for a lifetime.

“Home,” he announced. It was the first time Sarah thought that he looked uncomfortable.

“I appreciate the ride,” she offered shyly. “I hope God grants you a safe journey home tomorrow.”

He hesitated a few seconds. “I will remember this night, Sarah Mast.”

“As will I,” she admitted, her heart beating wildly.

Neither spoke as they looked out into the yard as if studying the way the moonlight played on the barn and property. Sarah chanced a look at Jed. His handsome features were clearly visible under the bright moonbeam. She saw that he looked troubled.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked, knowing that she shouldn’t ask.

Jed turned, then smiled, and suddenly it was as if she had only imagined his sadness.

The sound of a buggy coming down the dirt lane toward the house heralded the arrival of her brothers. She didn’t want her last moments with Jed to be witnessed by her older siblings.

“Jed...” she began.

“I will miss you, Sarah,” he said.

She blinked back tears. “And I will miss you.” She bit her lip. “I had fun today and this evening. I will thank the Lord for the moment when you stepped in to save my brothers.”

His smile was warm. “Did you know I first thought you were their mother?”

She looked stunned. “You did?”

“Ja. And I was disappointed, for I knew you must be wed.”

Her brothers’ buggy pulled into the barnyard. He glanced their way and seemed to feel the same urgency that she did. “I am glad you weren’t wed or I would not have had this time with you.” He grew quiet and then said, “I regret that the Lapp family farm is not in Kent County, Delaware.”

Ervin and Toby had climbed out of their wagon and approached them.

“Farewell, Sarah Mast,” Jed said, sending her a look that she would never forget.

“Farewell and safe journey, Jedidiah Lapp. Give my regards to Arlin.”

He nodded and then spoke briefly to her brothers before he climbed back onto the wagon and turned the horse for the Miller home.

* * *

Sarah stood, watching as the wagon headed down the lane, overwhelmed by a bittersweet mixture of sadness and pleasure.

Ervin came to stand next to her. “You like him.”

“Ja.”

“He lives far from Delaware.”

“I know,” she whispered, then managed to grin at her brother. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for bed.”

Ervin studied her a moment and seemed satisfied by what he saw. “I could use something to eat.”

Sarah laughed. “What?”

“Pie?”

“There may be a slice of apple or chocolate cream left.”

Ervin grinned. “Singing makes me hungry,” he said as they headed into the house.

Toby had already gone inside. Apparently, the singing had made him hungry as well, for he was already in the kitchen, delving into the extra cookies she’d made yesterday afternoon.

Later that night, as she lay in bed unable to sleep, Sarah thought of Jedidiah Lapp and the time she’d spent with him. As she chose to remember the warmth of his cinnamon-brown eyes and quick, ready smile instead of the fact that tomorrow he would be gone, Sarah finally fell asleep with a pleased smile on her face.

But when she woke the next morning, she thought of him leaving...then she tried not to think of him any more as she went about her daily chores and checked to see if her mother needed anything.

Still, she couldn’t get him out of her mind.

Chapter Five

Jedidiah Lapp had left Kent County a month ago, yet Sarah couldn’t stop thinking about him. She recalled the warmth in his brown gaze, the dark brown hair beneath his wide-brimmed banded hat, his grin. She knew she should forget him, but spending time with him had been a wonderful experience. She had enjoyed his company, his smile...the way he’d made her laugh...his pleasant voice lifted in song when they’d attended the singing that evening. She and Jed had talked during the buggy ride home. She had loved every second she’d spent with him.

It was late morning and Sarah was upstairs making the beds in the twins’ room. The sun shone brightly through the window and streamed golden against the sheets as she tucked them beneath the mattress. She picked up Thomas’s blue shirt and hung it on a wall hook near his bed. Spying a straw hat, she bent to retrieve it. As she set the hat on Timothy’s bed, she thought of her parents. Mam and Dat were sleeping downstairs now. Her mother’s strength was weakening, and Sarah knew she’d have to discuss her health with Dat soon.

“Sarah!” Her older brother Tobias stood at the bottom of the stairs as Sarah came out of the twins’ bedroom to the top landing. Toby had been working on the farm. He’d pushed back his straw hat and there was a streak of dirt across his forehead and on his left cheek.

“Ja, Toby?” Sarah descended the stairs.

Toby tugged on his suspenders. “Mam needs you.” He readjusted his hat, pulling the brim low.

Sarah hurried down the rest of the steps. “Is she all right?”

Her brother shrugged. “Seems to be. Except for being tired all the time.”

Sarah sighed as she left him, shaking her head as she crossed the family gathering area toward the small room where her parents now slept. At times she didn’t know what to make of her older brother. Didn’t Tobias realize their mother was ill? Their eldest brother, Ervin, understood the situation better than she’d expected, certainly better than Tobias did. Lately, she’d caught Ervin watching their mudder with an intentness that was telling. Last evening, he had discussed his concerns with her, and she’d been surprised that Ervin was worried about her as much as he was for Mam.