An Amish Family Christmas: Heart of ChristmasA Plain Holiday Page 11

  Michele stepped to her mother’s side and bent to kiss her cheek. “I’ve got to run. I need to get back and finish packing. Our plane leaves at nine o’clock tonight. Have fun with the children. Sally, I’d like to speak to you outside.”

  “You’re not staying for supper, Michele?” Mrs. McIntyre’s face fell.

  “Wish I could, really. Merry Christmas, Mom. See you in two weeks. We’ll have time to visit then, I promise.” Michele kissed Ryder and Kimi on the cheeks and hurried out the door.

  Sally glanced at Ben and saw he was watching her. Her heart lightened. His gaze slipped from her head to her shoes and back up again. Slowly. He seemed puzzled by what he saw. Her momentary satisfaction was quickly swallowed by cold reality. He was noticing her Englisch clothes with silent disapproval. No, she wasn’t the woman for him.

  * * *

  After Sally followed Mrs. Higgins outside, Ben shook his head. How had she changed so much in such a short time?

  “Can I go see the horses, now?” Ryder asked.

  “After Ben takes your bags to your room,” Mrs. McIntyre said. “Do you remember which one it is?”

  “I think so. That way, right?” Ryder pointed to the hall leading to the west wing of the house.

  “That’s right. All the way to the end. Kimi, you and Sally will have the rooms on either side of his.”

  “Come on, Ben, let’s put this stuff away. I want to see the horses.” He took off at a run down the hall.

  Mrs. McIntyre laughed. “I don’t envy Sally trying to keep up with him. He’s all go, go, go.”

  After depositing the luggage in their rooms, Ben followed Ryder outside. Michele was going over a list with Sally. When she saw Ryder, she pushed it into Sally’s hands. “You’ll figure it out.”

  “Bye, Mom.” Ryder ran past.

  “Bye, dear.” Michele waved to him. When he was out of earshot, she turned back to Sally. “Make sure the presents are marked from us.”

  “I will. Have a nice trip.”

  Michele sighed. “Paris is wonderful, but I do wish they would learn to speak English there. I mean, how hard can it be? You learned Dutch and English.”

  “Pennsylvania Dutch,” Sally replied quietly.

  “It’s the same difference, isn’t it?”

  “Almost.” Sally’s voice slipped lower.

  “Pennsylvania Dutch isn’t Dutch at all. It’s Deitsh, a German dialect,” Ben said as he stopped beside them.

  Michele curled her lip. “Whatever. Make sure you get everything on the list, Sally.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Michele got in the car and sped out of the yard. At least she was allowing the children to visit. Mrs. McIntyre’s life hadn’t been easy since she lost her husband to cancer. She deserved a chance to share her happy memories with her family and pass on the stories of her youth to her grandkids. She didn’t deserve to be ignored.

  Ben held out his hand for the bag Sally was clutching. “May I take that in for you?”

  “Nee. I’ve got it.”

  “Don’t let the greilich Frau get you down.”

  “She isn’t abominable, and shame on you for saying it.” Spinning around, Sally marched toward the house. Her thick, gleaming hip-length braid swayed behind her as if it had a life of its own.

  He never expected to see her hair down. Even in a braid. An Amish woman did not display her crowning glory to anyone but God and her husband. It was true that Sally hadn’t taken her vows of faith yet, but still, it was a disturbing sight, although he wasn’t sure why. He’d seen Englisch women with their hair down. None of them made his pulse kick up a notch and his chest tighten until it was hard to take a breath.

  What would Sally’s hair look like unbound? He imagined a riot of fiery red ringlets and curls. It would be beautiful. He shook off the thought and shoved his hands deep in the pockets of his coat. It wasn’t right to imagine such things.

  At least she wasn’t dogging his every move. Yet. What was her game this time? He’d find out sooner or later. He glanced toward the corrals where Ryder was climbing the white-board fence. There was someone he might be able to pump for information.

  He sauntered up next to the boy and leaned his arms on the top rail. Inside the enclosure, a black horse with a white star pranced and tossed his head. “This fellow is Wyndham’s Fancy. He’s put in some impressive times on the track. Your grandmother thinks he’ll be her next champion.”

  “He looks like a champion to me. What kind of horse is he?”

  “Your grandmother raises Standardbreds, although we have a few ponies to keep some of the more nervous horses company, and a draft horse, too.”

  “Can I ride this one?”

  “I’m afraid not. Wyn loves to pull a sulky, but he doesn’t care to have a rider on his back.”

  “What’s a sulky?”

  “It’s a two-wheeled cart that’s used in horse racing. I’ll show you one later.”

  “Can I see more horses?”

  “Come this way.” Ben led the excited boy toward the new stables. The bright red building was trimmed in white. A central corridor divided the long rows of stalls. The place smelled of horses, hay and oiled harnesses. Ben loved it.

  He introduced Ryder to a number of his grandmother’s prized animals. When they had made the circuit and were at the last stall, the one that held Dandy, the farm’s draft horse, Ben said, “I can see you are excited about spending Christmas on the farm. What about your sister?”

  “I think it’s tight, but Kimi thinks it’s jacked.”

  Ben chuckled. “Could you shvetza Englisch, maybe ja?”

  “What?”

  “Talk English.”

  Ryder grinned. “I think it’s great, but Kimi thinks it’s terrible. She hates the farm. She would rather go to Paris with Mom and Dad. Or to New York and stay with our other grandmother.”

  “Was it Sally’s suggestion for you to come here?”

  “No. She about fell over when I told her. Kimi said Sally didn’t want to come because she didn’t want to see some guy she knew was here.”

  Ben perked up. “Are you sure?”

  “I think so. Anyway, Mom said Sally had to come because Grandma can’t look after us. I’m glad she came. I really like Sally. Better than any of our other nannies. She’s cool. She doesn’t think I’m stupid like Mom and Dad and Kimi do.”

  “You seem pretty sharp to me.” Why would anyone call this energetic and charming child stupid?

  “Sally says I’m brighter than a kerosene lantern at midnight.”

  Ben ruffled the boy’s hair. “That’s bright.”

  “I wish Mom thought I was smart, but I don’t do so good in school.”

  Ben leaned closer. “I didn’t do so well in school, either.”

  “Honest?”

  Ben nodded. “Honest.”

  “Do you think Sally might marry someone who doesn’t do well in school? I mean, if he was older. She’s really smart.”

  It was clear the boy was taken with her. Ben tried to keep a straight face. “If Sally is as smart as you say, I reckon she knows there’s more to a man than schooling.”

  Ryder looked up at Ben in relief. “Good.”

  “Is she dating anyone?” Ben asked, trying to sound casual.

  Ryder shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know.”

  “Ryder, come in and unpack,” Sally called from the doorway of the house.

  The boy waved at her and turned to Ben. “I’d better go.”

  Ben nodded and digested the information Ryder had shared as the boy ran toward the house. Maybe Sally had finally come to her senses. Ben hoped and prayed that was the case. Maybe she was happy in the outside world. She was good for Ryder, that was certain.

  Did she
have an Englisch boyfriend? That would explain her rapid change of heart.

  It should have cheered him to think Sally was interested in someone else...but for some odd reason it didn’t. At least she seemed content to avoid him, and that was what he wanted.

  Wasn’t it?

  * * *

  “Are you seriously going to make me ride in a one-horse open sleigh with my pain-in-the-neck brother?” Kimi demanded.

  It was early afternoon on the second day of their stay. Sally had managed to avoid Ben after their first meeting but that didn’t mean she wasn’t thinking about him. She looked out the bedroom window. Ben was already outside getting the sleigh ready for their tree-cutting expedition and the trip to the children’s great-grandmother’s home. The sky was overcast and it looked as if it could start snowing at any moment.

  Sally turned to Kimi and said, “An old-fashioned sleigh ride is fun. Try to enjoy yourself today.”

  “Old-fashioned is right,” Kimi groaned. “Nowadays, we don’t think frostbite is fun.”

  “You won’t get frostbite. Not if you dress warmly. Put on extra socks and wear your mittens. Make sure you take a scarf to cover your face. I’ll have hot chocolate waiting for you when you get home. How does that sound?”

  “Wait. You aren’t coming with us? You get to stay here in a warm house and watch TV while poor little Ryder and I are freezing our toes off?”

  “Yes.”

  “That is so unfair.” Kimi flounced onto the bed.

  “What is unfair?” Mrs. McIntyre asked.

  Sally turned around. She hadn’t heard the wheelchair approaching over the thick carpet. Kimi launched herself off the bed. “It’s unfair that Sally doesn’t get to join in our fun, Grandma. I know she’s dying to come with us today. Tell her it’s okay.”

  Sally shook her head. “I don’t care to go along.”

  Kimi moved to stand beside Sally and slipped an arm around her waist. “She’s just saying that. She doesn’t want you to think that she’s trying to horn in on our fun, but Sally is practically part of the family. I feel terrible about leaving her here.”

  “Sally, I never meant to exclude you. By all means, accompany the children.

  “Nee, I couldn’t.” Sally disengaged Kimi’s clinging arm.

  Mrs. McIntyre held up one hand. “It’s settled. You are going with them, and I don’t want to hear another word about it. I’ll call the stable and tell Ben to expect one more on this trip. I know my mother will be delighted to have more company.”

  Sally’s halfhearted smile vanished as Mrs. McIntyre rolled away. A whole afternoon with Ben. This would not be good.

  Kimi leaned closer and muttered, “If I have to be miserable, you have to be miserable, too.”

  Sally looked at her sharply. “Why do you hate me so?”

  “I don’t hate you. I like you.” Kimi smiled, as she waltzed out of the room.

  Sally stood staring at the empty doorway. Please, Lord, let Ryder find his tree quickly.

  Chapter Three

  “This is her doing. I know it is.”

  Ben threw a heavy blanket in the back of the sleigh, still fuming after Trent delivered the last-minute news that Sally was joining them. So much for her change of heart.

  Trent stood with his arms crossed. “Look on the bright side. You’ll have someone to help you watch the brats.”

  Ben checked the stash of tools in a box fitted behind the backseat. “Why can’t she get that I’m not interested in being her boo-freind?”

  “Her what?”

  “Boyfriend,” Ben translated. It was harder to speak English when he was upset.

  “Have you told her that?” Trent held out a silver thermos of coffee.

  Ben took it and shoved it under the front seat. “Not in so many words, but I’ve made it clear.”

  “Apparently not.”

  Maybe Trent was right. Maybe blunt speaking was required. He’d avoided Sally, ignored her at singings and frolics when the younger crowd from their church got together. He’d told others he wasn’t interested in courting her, but he hadn’t told Sally to her face. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings. He’d always liked her, even after she started running with the wilder crowd. But then she started telling her friends he was The One. He had no idea what caused her obsession with him, but enough was enough. He’d find an opportunity to tell her exactly what he thought of her pointless pursuit today.

  He walked around the horse, checking to make sure the harness was secure and hitched properly. Dandy, the only draft horse on the farm, shook his cream-colored mane, making the harness bells jingle gaily. Satisfied, Ben checked over the sleigh. Painted a rich, dark mahogany color with yellow pinstriping, the sleigh was as pretty as they came. The two small bench seats in the interior were upholstered in thick tufted burgundy mohair, a material that was both warm and water resistant. A smaller box on runners had been added to the back to enable the estate staff to haul loads of firewood, bales of hay or other equipment when the roads were impassable. It would easily carry a Christmas tree. The sleigh wasn’t Trent’s preferred method of travel, but Ben was right at home in one.

  Trent glanced at the gray sky. “The forecast is calling for snow.”

  “It’s winter, Trent. It snows in the winter.” There was already eight inches on the ground. By the end of March, there could be several feet, if not more. Ben wasn’t concerned about a little snow. Dandy could plow through just about anything. Besides, if the kinder got cold, they’d want to come home more quickly, and he’d be rid of Sally that much faster.

  “They’re calling for a major storm. It could miss us, but it may move this way. Don’t lollygag. Get a tree, visit Grandma Weaver and get back here. I wish Mrs. McIntyre wasn’t so set on sending the kids out to get a tree. I know it’s because that’s what her husband loved to do, but these kids don’t care. With you gone, I’ll have to clean the stalls myself.”

  Ben swept his hand toward the driver’s seat. “Say the word and I’ll shovel manure while you go for a sleigh ride and a few hours of winter fun.”

  “Not on your life. I’ll clean the stalls. You just get back in time to help me exercise those colts.”

  “Get going. Get a tree. Visit Granny. Get back. That’s my plan.”

  Ben climbed into the sleigh and drove up to the front door to wait for his passengers. He didn’t have to wait long. The front door burst open, and Ryder came flying out. He skidded to a stop when Ben held up one hand. “You can’t come without a hat and mittens.”

  “It’s not that cold.”

  Ben pointed to his own flat-topped, wide-brimmed black felt hat. “It’s not that cold...yet. In an hour, you’ll be telling a different story. Covering your head will keep you twice as warm as just a coat and that’s a fact.”

  “Ryder, come put your hat and gloves on,” Sally called from inside the doorway.

  Ryder sighed. “Sally says the same thing. She always makes me button up and put a hat on, even if I’m not cold.”

  “We’re not going anywhere till you are dressed properly.” Ben was pleased to hear Sally looked after the boy so well. She had always been good with children.

  Ryder charged back the way he’d come. He seemed to have two speeds. Fast and faster.

  When he came out a moment later, he had his hat and mittens in his hands. “Can I sit up front with you, Ben?”

  “Sure.”

  “Can I drive? What’s your horse’s name? Is it a long ways to the trees? How are we going to cut the tree down when we find the perfect one?”

  “Put a sock in it,” Kimi said as she came out the door and climbed in. “I don’t want to listen to your endless questions this whole stupid trip. It was bad enough on the drive here yesterday.”

  Ryder stuck his tongue out at her, but f
ell silent. Ben smothered a grin. He had siblings, too. They didn’t always get along, although they loved each other dearly. He looked forward to going home and seeing all of them on Christmas Day but Christmas was still a week away.

  Sally came out with Mrs. McIntyre, who waved to them all. “Have fun. Give my mother and my brothers all my love.”

  “We will, Grandma!” Ryder waved wildly.

  Sally kept her gaze down as she approached the sleigh. She was dressed in jeans, tall boots and a long black wool coat, the same style as his mother wore. Serviceable and sensible, a good Amish coat. Not like the short brown leather jacket she had on yesterday. She settled a red-and-white stocking cap on her head and wrapped a red-and-white-striped knitted scarf around her neck. The bold colors were not ones an Amish woman would choose.

  Her clothes were a contradiction that mirrored Ben’s confusion about her. Was she still Amish? Did she intend to return home after her rumspringa, or was she determined to become a fancy Englisch woman? If that was the case, he had nothing to worry about. As an Englischer, she was forbidden to him and she knew it.

  Pulling on matching mittens, she paused beside Ben. “I’m sorry about this. Mrs. McIntyre insisted I join you.”

  She spoke so softly that he could barely hear her. Was she trying to make him think she hadn’t planned this? Should he believe her? He wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, but he hesitated. He’d never known her to tell an outright lie, but Sally could bend the truth to suit herself. Especially where he was concerned.

  After she got settled in the seat behind him, Ben flicked the reins to get Dandy moving. When they were out in an open pasture, he handed the reins to Ryder. With one arm around the boy, he explained how to hold the lines and how to give commands the horse would understand. After making wobbling tracks across the fresh snow for several hundred yards, Ryder began to get the hang of it. It gave Ben a chance to check on the passengers behind him.

  A tiny muffled voice shouted, “Text message!” Kimi pulled her phone out of her pocket.

  Sally leveled an exasperated stare at her. “You were supposed to leave your phone at the house.”