Читать книгу Elijah And The Widow - Rebecca Kertz - Страница 13

Chapter Five

The next morning Eli sat next to his father as he steered their buggy toward Martha’s farmhouse. As he’d suspected, Dat was pleased to do the work for the widow. “Amos is worried about her,” he’d said when Eli had first mentioned it to him. “He knew that his bruder had ignored the haus repairs. I imagine that Martha has been wanting things fixed for some time.”

“Then ’tis gut that we can help her,” Eli had said, and his father had agreed.

It was a warm and sunny day. Spring flowers had burst into bloom, adding a splash of color to the houses built along the main roadway. Residents, both English and Amish, were outside tending to chores in their yards or on their farms.

Eli and his father lifted a hand in greeting to Abram Peachy, church deacon and friend, who was driving his buggy in the opposite direction. “Abram,” Dat greeted him as their vehicles drew abreast of each other. “Nice to see you on a fine day such as this.”

“Should have more of the same tomorrow,” Abram said. “’Twill be a gut planting day for Martha’s.”

“Ja, you’ll be there then?” Dat asked.

Abram bobbed his head. “Ja, ja. Wouldn’t miss it. Martha’s family.”

“We will see you tomorrow, Abram,” Dat said, and they went their separate ways.

They rode in silence until they reached the King property. As Dat steered the horse into the widow’s driveway, Eli spied Martha in the backyard hanging laundry.

She glanced back as if sensing their presence and waved.

“She knows we’re here.” Eli watched as she stopped what she was doing and approached with a smile.

“Martha,” his father greeted her as he climbed from the vehicle.

“Samuel.” She gave him a nod. Her gaze slid in his direction. “Eli.”

“Hallo, Martha.” She looked well, he thought. The fresh air and spring warmth clearly agreed with her.

“You’re out early this morning,” she said.

“Is this a bad time?” Samuel asked.

She shook her head. “Nay, this is the gut time. It’s kind of you to come.”

“Do you have a list of what you want done or would you prefer to show us?” Eli felt himself the focus of her brown gaze. His thoughts flashed back to her seated on the ground, laughing, after one of her escaped animals got the better of her.

“I’d prefer to show you.”

Dat indicated his pad and pencil. “I’ll make a list.”

“If you follow me, we’ll start around front.”