October song Read Online Free PDF

late-night singing planned at the Stoltzfus home, expected after most every Amish wedding. “Did you get someone to help you in the barn, then?” she asked, steering clear of Benjamin for now.
    “Jah, Bishop John’s on his way over.”
    “Ourbishop?” This was a surprise, in deed.
    “Said he wouldn’t mind helpin’ out an old man.”
    She shook her head, sitting across from her husband now that their family had shrunk to almost nothing, ‘specially those living at home anyways. “You ain’t feeling so well today?” she asked, disregarding her husband’s comment ‘bout Bishop John’s tactless remark.
    53
    “Ach, well enough.” And with that, he bowed his head and silently prayed over the meal, and Rebecca joined him in doing
    SO.
    When the “amen” was said, she passed the chicken salad and bread to Samuel. “What made you think to ask the bishop for help with milkin’?”
    He snorted gently. ” ‘Twas John’s idea. Good of him, I should say.”
    Samuel wasn’t one to mince words. The fact that John Beiler still held either of them in any regard was downright astonishing, as she thought on it. They’d purposely hid the truth of Katie’s adoption from the People all those years, deceivin’ nigh everyone in the hollow … before the Bann came on Katie, that is. Hardest thing Rebecca had ever endured.
    She didn’t mention it just now, but she guessed the bishop had something on his mind. Prob’ly why he was coming over ‘fore too long. So, since her husband was thinking on the bishop’s arrival, she decided against bringing up Katie’s invitation. Somehow, it didn’t seem quite right, seem’ as how their daughter had refused to marry the widower-bishop one bright November day nearly two years ago now.
    They ate in silence for the longest time.
    54Then, clear out of the blue, Samuel looked up from his plate. “Saw Katie today.” His
    words seemed to hang in the air.
    “You did?”
    He nodded, his beard touching his chest. “On the road, early this mornin’.”
    “Whatever was she doin’ over in these parts on her brother’s wedding day?”
    Eyes serious, Samuel stared at his plate as if deep in thought.
    “She wasn’t on her wayhere,was she?” she pressed.
    When he finally looked up, his jaw was clenched. “Seemed a bit lost, to tell you the truth.”
    “Well, how could that be?” Rebecca wondered what in the world Samuel was tryin’ to say. Katie knew her way round Hickory Hollow, and she was a modern, car-driving Mennonite woman, too.
    Scratching his head, he shifted in his chair. “Spoke to my daughter., first time since her shunning.”
    Rebecca daresn’t allow a smile to shine on her face. No, that might spoil things. Besides, Samuel was nodding now, appearin’ to be slightly pleased with him self. Maybe that he’d even told her. Then he reached for another piece of bread and nothing more was said of the encounter,
    55
    though Rebecca wondered what had prompted him to share such news.
    If nothin’ else, this was a beginning. A new start, maybe. Yet she wouldn’t get her hopes up too high. She’d wait a day or two and bring up the dinner invitation. See what Samuel made of it.
    Rebecca couldn’t seem to budge from her spot at the back door, lookin’ out toward the barn. Curious as she was, she wouldn’t think of going out there and interrupting whatever the two men were discussing just now. Surely Samuel wasn’t telling the bishop ‘bout his seem’ Katie on the road today. No, she couldn’t imaginethatwas being talked over. More than likely, John was talking blacksmithing duties and whatnot. Jah, that’s prob’ly all. Though, she’d heard tell from the bishop’s mother-in-law, Rachel Stoltzfus, that Mary had been feelin’gnipplich —sickly. “Under the weather,” word had it. Rebecca wondered if Mary’s marrying into a readymade family, five youngsters and all, might not be taking its toll on the young woman.
    She should’ve gone right over to visit Mary