Holiday of Hope by Kelly Irvin

Author:Kelly Irvin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2020-10-06T00:00:00+00:00

8

Henry almost made it out of the Yoders’ yard. He could’ve pretended not to hear Noah calling his name, but that would’ve been dishonest. And right after the Sunday service. He tugged on the reins and halted the buggy.

“I’m glad I caught you. We need to talk.” Noah’s earnest delivery of those two sentences didn’t bode well. Nor did his somber expression. “We could grab a seat at a picnic table. I didn’t see you eat.”

“My stomach is complaining this morning.” This was the truth. So much so Henry had been afraid he might have to miss church. Only his determination to set an example for Tommy had kept him from settling back in bed. “I really need to check on Tommy.”

No point in getting into the details of the choice he’d given Tommy or the smirk he’d received in return right before Tommy set out for home, kicking up gravel with every step of his new church shoes.

Noah’s smile tightened. “Exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.” To Henry’s surprise, Noah climbed into the buggy and settled on the seat next to him. He turned up the collar on his coat and rubbed his hands together. “They say winter is coming early. This north wind is proof enough. I’ll go with you to talk to Tommy. You can drop me at the house afterward.”

A spattering of raindrops spit on Henry’s face. A few minutes with Tommy and Noah would know the truth of the child’s spiritual malaise. “It’s not necessary.”

“Given the stunt he pulled during the service this morning, I must disagree. Especially when you consider what I’ve been hearing.”

Here we go. Irritation was wrong. Henry silently counted to ten. Accountability from the community was a staple of their faith. He snapped the reins, and the buggy jolted forward. “What did Leesa tell you?”

“What makes you think Leesa said anything?” Noah paused for a beat. “What has the bu done at schul?”

Besides birdcalling and destroying his own desk? Those were the least of Henry’s concerns. “He’s rambunctious, that’s all. A high-spirited boy.”

“Then why do you walk around looking as if the sky has fallen on your head?”

Henry urged his horse into a canter. The rain came down harder. He scanned both sides of the dirt road that led to his cabin but saw no sign of Tommy. Dealing with the boy’s antics challenged Henry, but coping with his spiritual mess was quite another larger swarm of gnats. “His presence was unexpected.”

“I reckon that’s what they call an understatement.”

“He’s been scarred by loss. He’s been uprooted. He’s lashing out.”

“A steady, firm hand will rein him in.”

It would help, but discipline would not fill the hole in Tommy’s heart. Henry picked his words with care. “Or a loving heart.”

“Of course discipline must be meted out with love and caring.” A gust of wind blew rain into the buggy. The sweet smell of Douglas firs came with it. Chuckling, Noah wiped his face with his wool coat sleeve. “But he doesn’t need a friend.

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