The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis [Lewis, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: FIC026000, Christian fiction, Foundlings—Fiction, Lancaster County (Pa.)—Fiction, FIC042000, Amish—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441261038
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2013-05-23T20:25:59+00:00

Chapter 27

Jodi noticed the cars parked along the narrow road and in the lane leading to the farmhouse that evening. It surprised her so many others besides Amish had come here to run. She’d read online that whoever hosted the run was also responsible for planning the routes, either a ten-mile course or a four-and-a-half-mile route, as well as refreshments.

The friendly group of mostly Amish and Mennonite men and women runners, the Vella Shpringa, met frequently at different farms. An even larger group ran the night of each full moon. Jodi found it fascinating, thrilled for the company.

While doing a few stretches, she discovered she was next to Barbara Yoder, Mollie’s sister-in-law. “I met Mollie at Maryanna Esh’s,” she said, shaking the younger woman’s hand.

Barbara tilted her head, eyes fixed on her all of a sudden. “Then you must be the one who rescued little Sarah?”

Jodi smiled. “I’m just glad she was okay when I found her.”

Barbara looked at her with rapt attention. “Nothing but the hand of God, you findin’ Sarah like that.”

“More like an angel of God,” the woman next to Barbara spoke up. “By the way, I’m Rosaleen Yoder, Barbara’s cousin.”

Turning the conversation away from herself, Jodi mentioned how calm the evening was, perfect for a nice long jog. Both Barbara and Rosaleen had been running with this group for more than a year, they said. “It’s loads of fun,” Rosaleen said. “So glad you joined us.”

The group set out into the darkening night, the women running behind the men. Jodi’s companions were quiet for a while; then Barbara said, “I’m ever so anxious for autumn.”

“For the wedding season?” asked Rosaleen.

“Well, that and for a break from the hectic pace of gardening, canning, and weeding,” Barbara said. She ran between Jodi on her right and Rosaleen on her left.

“I feel the same way, believe me,” Rosaleen replied, laughing a little, somewhat out of breath.

Jodi loved how they broke into Deitsch or mixed it sometimes with English, sounding so carefree.

“Is it nosy to ask why you have to quit teaching when you’re engaged?” she asked.

“Well, it’s simply our tradition,” Rosaleen explained. “I’m expected to start preparing to make a home for my husband-to-be and our future family. There’s much to accomplish in a short time.”

“Makes sense.” There was a huge difference between the soon-to-be Amish bride and one in the modern world, where career women juggled work and wedding planning and shared the task of setting up a household. “But I’m sure the children will miss you as their teacher.”

“I’ll miss them, too.”

They ran a bit farther, then Rosaleen asked, “I heard ya quizzed the children on their arithmetic at Maryanna’s.”

“I did.” Jodi chuckled, surprised at the speed of the Amish grapevine.

“That sort of thing rarely happens during the summer,” Rosaleen said. “Maybe ya didn’t know.”

“Really? Why not?”

“Book learning’s reserved for the school year. The summer break is to be a carefree time for the scholars.”

Scholars? Jodi mentally tried on the word for size. She’d occasionally heard older teachers refer to students as pupils before, but never scholars.

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