Her Amish Legacy by Tracey J. Lyons

Author:Tracey J. Lyons
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-26T23:29:58+00:00

Chapter Four

It was shortly before noon on Saturday when Faith heard the sound of a horse and buggy approaching the house. She dropped the sponge she’d been using to wash grimy windows into her pail, dried her hands on her apron and waited to see who had come calling.

The buggy stopped in front of her gate, and three Amish women stepped out. They all carried large baskets over their arms.

“Guder mariye,” called the oldest woman. She wore a bright, beaming smile of welcome. Behind her came a young woman with black hair and dark eyes followed by another woman with blond hair.

“Guder mariye,” Faith replied. A faint flicker of happiness sparked inside of her. She was free to make new friends here—if they would have her. She wouldn’t have to hide her bruised face or bear pitying looks from those who suspected her husband’s cruelty.

The leader of the group stopped at the bottom of Faith’s steps, adjusted her round wire spectacles on the bridge of her nose and switched her heavy basket to her other arm. “Welcome to Hope Springs. I am Nettie Sutter.”

She indicated the dark-haired girl standing behind her. “This is my daughter-in-law, Katie.”

“And I am Sarah Wyse,” the blonde added. “My cousin is your neighbor to the south.”

“Adrian?”

Sarah nodded. “When I heard he’d met you, I thought it best to rush over and assure you the rest of Hope Springs is more hospitable than Adrian is.”

“He has been most kind and welcoming.”

“He has?” Sarah exchanged astonished glances with her companions.

Faith swept a hand toward the front door. “Do come in, but please excuse the condition of the house.”

“None of us can keep our houses free of dust in the summertime. With all the windows open to catch any breeze, the dust piles up before you know it.”

Faith had more than a sprinkling of dust to contend with. She had twenty years worth of accumulation to haul out. She was thankful that she had made a coffee cake for herself while making one for Adrian that morning. At least she had something to offer her guests.

The women gathered around the kitchen table, each one setting her basket on it. Sarah opened the lid of the one she carried and began to pull out its contents. “We brought a few things to help you settle in and get this old house in order.”

Out of her basket, Sarah brought cleaning supplies, plastic pails, pine cleaner, rags, sponges and brushes. “Where shall we start?”

Faith was speechless. She hadn’t expected help from the community so soon.

Nettie picked up the pail and carried it to the sink. “I will finish these windows for you. Sarah, why don’t you take a broom to the front porch and steps? Elam, Eli and his boys will be here to paint this evening.”

“I’ll get this food put away.” Katie opened her basket and brought out two loaves of bread and a rhubarb pie with a gorgeous lattice crust just begging to be eaten. A second later she began unpacking mason jars filled with canned fruits and vegetables.

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