The Atonement Read Free

ailing and elderly, even building Dawdi Hauses onto the main house to provide for aging relatives. But while Christian didn’t put all fancy folk in the same box, he hadn’t expected such a revelation from a Yankee. Dale’s compassionate attitude struck him as atypical. “That’s quite admirable.”
    â€œWell, I loved my dad—thought the world of him.” Dale bowed his head briefly. “I still do.”
    Christian fell silent, remembering his own father, no longer living.
    â€œDad worked long hours at his hardware store to take care of Mom, and my sister and me, growing up.” Dale glanced away for a moment. “It was the least I could do.”
    â€œ Nee, ’ twas the best .”
    Dale studied him, light brown eyes intent.
    â€œI understand . . . lost my own father three years ago.” Christian was taken aback by the connection he felt with Dale. He’d rarely talked of Daed ’s death to anyone.
    â€œI’m very sorry,” Dale offered.
    â€œMy Daedlived a long and fruitful life. But losin’ him . . . well, it’s a grief that’s been mighty hard to shake.”
    More plainspoken sharing came from the young man. “I’llnever forget the prayer Dad offered for our family before he closed his eyes for the final time.” Dale’s voice was thick with emotion. “It made me want to step up my prayer life; he valued it so.”
    Christian listened as Dale spoke freely of his family and the fact that he’d inherited his father’s hardware store. “A fair number of Amish frequent it.”
    After the benediction, Dale stayed around, seemingly interested in continuing their conversation. “I realize this has nothing to do with the meeting here,” he said, pushing his hands into his trouser pockets. “Frankly, I’ve been curious for a few years now about how I might live more simply, less dependent on the grid. The current solar storm activity and other natural events make me realize just how easily disrupted modern life can be.”
    Christian frowned. “Really, now?”
    â€œI’d like to be more self-sufficient.”
    â€œWell, ain’t something most Englischers would consider doin’.”
    Dale laughed. “If you knew me, you’d know I’m not like most ‘ Englischers ,’ as you call them.”
    â€œI’m just sayin’ you might find it harder than you think.”
    Dale nodded thoughtfully. “No doubt.” He hunched forward as if to share a deep confidence. “I’ve always had a do-it-yourself streak and have been doing a lot of reading about this. Besides, it’s not too hard to imagine that we English could wake up one morning with no way to sustain the life we’ve become accustomed to . . . at least temporarily.”
    Christian ran his fingers through his long beard, suddenly leery. Dale sounded like some of those survivalists who spent decades preparing for the end of the world. “Not even your cell phone would work, if it came to that,” Christian told him. “But I daresay all of that rests in God’s hands.”
    â€œDefinitely,” Dale replied. “I believe that wholeheartedly, but I don’t think it’s wrong to prepare a backup plan. I think of itas getting closer to the way the Lord may have intended for us to live.”
    Christian noted the sincerity in the young man’s reply, but he’d known a few folk who’d dabbled in the Old Ways and fell short, quickly becoming disillusioned and finding their way back to their familiar modern environment. Even so, Christian enjoyed his conversation with Dale and appreciated his respectful manner.
    They said good-bye and parted ways. An unusual fellow, Christian thought as he waited for his ride. He certainly hadn’t expected to meet anyone like Dale tonight.

    Lucy leaned on the kitchen table to read her Bible in