The Englisher Read Free Page A

lot of catching up to do.’’
    Lou’s smile returned.
    Annie spoke up, offering to return for Courtney with the horse and buggy first thing in the morning.
    Courtney shook her head. ‘‘Maybe if I had directions, I could walk over.’’
    ‘‘Too far. But if it’s any consolation, I’ll bring the team over myself,’’ Lou offered.
    ‘‘You?’’
    ‘‘Sure. I know how to manage a horse.’’
    Courtney raised her eyebrows as if to say, Now, that’s interesting .
    Lou seemed momentarily pleased. ‘‘Welcome to Amish country,’’ she said. ‘‘Loosen up. Have some fun!’’
    Annie was surprised by Lou’s sudden offhand approach.
    ‘‘So what time is breakfast?’’ Courtney asked.
    ‘‘Six-thirty.’’
    Courtney’s mouth fell open. ‘‘You’re kidding, right?’’
    ‘‘Too early?’’ Annie asked, stifling a grin.
    ‘‘And don’t forget,’’ Lou added, ‘‘church is right afterward.’’
    Courtney groaned. ‘‘Uh, that’s a really long ordeal, right?’’
    Annie and Lou exchanged glances.
    ‘‘C’mon, Court,’’ Lou said. ‘‘We talked about this. You’ll have a front-row seat.’’
    Courtney sighed audibly. ‘‘Fine. A three-hour history lesson.’’
    ‘‘Yeah, that’s the spirit,’’ Lou said.
    ‘‘Cool. See ya,’’ said Courtney.
    They said their good-byes, but Annie could not shake her unsettled feeling. Not because she wasn’t somewhat accustomed to worldly folk but because Courtney seemed to have something up her sleeve. Surely she wasn’t here simply to tour the countryside or to visit an old friend.
    Why’d she come here really?
    Years ago Jesse had learned everything he would ever need to know about cows and milking procedures. The practical aspects and the shortcuts allowed by the bishops, including the use of an air compressor to keep fresh milk cooling and stirring in a bulk milk tank, powered by a diesel engine.
    But this night, with lantern in hand, he heard only the mooing of Holsteins chained to their wooden stanchions. Milk cows were such an enormous part of his family’s livelihood.
    The memory of lowing cattle had been planted in his mind for nearly two decades now, since the fateful evening he’d met with Isaac’s stubborn father, Daniel, in the Hochstetlers’ barn. ‘‘You are God’s anointed.’’ Jesse had been adamant, cautioning Daniel of the dire situation at hand. ‘‘You’ve rejected almighty God, don’t you know? It is imperative that you take up the office of preacher as ordered by the drawing of the divine lot.’’
    Imperative . The word had pounded in Jesse’s brain even then. Alas, Daniel had chosen that dark and different path, against the angels of heaven. The first-chosen of the Lord God had stated his decision, slapping his black hat against his thigh for emphasis. ‘‘The deed’s done. I’ve made my bed. Now I’ll lie in it,’’ Daniel had told him.
    Jesse wandered outside, making his way through the snow, strangely drawn to the tall scarecrow over yonder. He stared at it, gritting his teeth. No need to protect a sleeping garden against the boldest of birds in winter, and spring was months away. One look at the arctic gray sky and anyone could see that.
    Anger, long suppressed, rose in him and overflowed in one hasty gesture. Marching forward, he set down his lantern and began to dismantle the straw man, first tearing away the cold-hardened shirt to reveal the straw body, then the worn black britches. His gloved hands fumbled repeatedly as he breathed in icy air.
    Helpless Isaac, his life snuffed out like a wee candle. Barbara’s dreams fraught with empty hope, when the reality is in the buried truth .
    Jesse thought of his daughter, welcoming yet another worldly outsider into their midst. Where will it end?
    His disturbing thoughts pushed Jesse beyond the brink of good sense.
    The old hat was next to go, and the wooden crossbeam. When Jesse was done, the pieces lay on the desolate ground.
    He