Always Close to Home by Jerry S. Eicher

Author:Jerry S. Eicher
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736965927
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Chapter Twenty-Two

The golden rays of an Indian summer sunset hung in the sky that Saturday evening. Inside Uncle Henry’s farmhouse, supper time was not its usual boisterous affair. They were all tired, but their weariness was caused by something deeper than physical labor. The reality of Mamm’s death still haunted them during these quiet moments.

Uncle Henry looked up from his plate and smiled. “We have had a goot week of pumpkin sales. I want to thank you for the goot job you’ve been doing, Lydia. Without your charming face out at the stand, I’m sure half of our customers would have shopped elsewhere. And you did that with the sorrow of your mamm’s passing still heavy on your heart.”

“Yah, I am sorrowing,” Lydia agreed. “But you grew the pumpkins. I didn’t do much other than greet customers and take their money—”

“You’re as modest as your mamm was,” Uncle Henry interrupted, “and you’re as much of a jewel too. She was a great frau to your father and a wunderbah sister to me. May the angels in heaven minister to her tonight.”

Aunt Millie reached across the table to hold Uncle Henry’s hand.

He tried to smile. “Tomorrow we rest and refresh our spirits at the Lord’s house. Bishop Jonas might even have a rousing sermon for us all.” Uncle Henry chuckled, and Lydia and Millie joined in. They all knew that old Bishop Jonas from this district hadn’t done a rousing sermon in years. The aged bishop used to preach up a storm in his youth, but he had slowed down in recent years. The words were still the same, but now they were delivered in a voice that barely carried through the house.

“He’s still a goot man,” Millie said. “And I can always hear him fine from where the married women sit.”

“Yah, his heart is in the right place,” Uncle Henry agreed, then turned his attention to Lydia. “How are you doing, dear? Seems like we’re so busy I rarely get a chance to ask.”

“Still mourning, I guess,” Lydia said. “I miss Mamm a lot, but life moves on.”

“Yah, it does,” Uncle Henry said. “That reminds me. I spoke with Milton this afternoon.”

“Oh?” Lydia jerked her head up nervously.

Uncle Henry grinned. “I thought that might interest you, Lydia.”

Lydia covered her face with her hands. Why had she let slip her feelings about Milton?

Uncle Henry laughed and went on. “Milton wanted to know if it would be okay if he stopped by later this evening.” Uncle Henry glanced at the kitchen clock. “Actually in thirty minutes or so.”

“Why?” Lydia almost choked on the word.

Uncle Henry chuckled. “I thought maybe you’d have some idea about that.”

Is Milton bringing his Englisha car here? The words almost slipped out. But Milton would never dare make such a bold move.

Uncle Henry winked. “He wants to bring his buggy over to take you for a ride. It’s not exactly a date…but you never know.”

“In his buggy?” Lydia bounced to her feet. “I must get ready then.” Had

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