An Amish Christmas. Patricia Davids

round of eating is almost over. It’s time for the singing to start.”

      John sent Karen an inquisitive glance. “The first round of eating?”

      “Ja, we will start the wedding supper in an hour or so. Many of the older guests will leave soon, but the young people will stay. There will be much visiting and even games out in the barn.”

      Around the tables, guests were bringing out their songbooks. The curly-headed young man, in a beautiful voice, started the hymn, and soon all joined in except the bride and groom. There was no accompanying music, just a moving blend of dozens of voices.

      Karen asked, “Do you recognize the melody or the words?”

      Was that worry he saw in her eyes? Why would she be concerned if he knew the song? He shook his head. “No, it’s not familiar.”

      She seemed to relax. At least she gave him a half smile before joining in the hymn. Her sweet alto was pleasing to his ear. Once again he felt a deep pull of attraction toward Karen, something he couldn’t put his finger on but something he wanted to hold on to. Each day he spent with her those feelings deepened.

      He counted her among his very few friends. He wasn’t sure she would appreciate how often he thought of her not as a friend but as a woman.

      When the first song was done, a young woman stood to announce a second song. She then led the congregation. Her voice, pure and light as sunshine, flowed around the room. He listened more closely. There was something deeply familiar in her voice. Had he heard her before?

       CHAPTER EIGHT

      When the song ended, John touched Karen’s arm and gestured toward the singer. “Who is that woman?”

      “That is Sarah Wyse, why?”

      “She has a beautiful voice. Could I have heard her before?”

      “Where?”

      “I have no idea. Does she live near you?”

      “Not far. She lives just at the edge of Hope Springs. Her husband ran a harness shop. He passed away three years ago from cancer. She works in the fabric store now.”

      “It’s strange. I just think I’ve heard her voice before.” “I will see if she will talk to you when the singing is done.” Karen stayed for one more hymn and then returned to her duties serving the guests.

      When John had eaten his fill, he excused himself from the table and walked outside. Uncertain of how to introduce himself to the Amish and uncomfortable at being an outsider at a wedding feast, he stood alone on the porch gathering his courage. The door opened and Nettie bustled out with a large pan full of dishes.

      Catching sight of him, she stopped and settled her load on one hip. “Have you had enough to eat, Mr. Doe?”

      “More than enough. Thank you. Why are you working? Shouldn’t you be inside enjoying your son’s wedding day?”

      “The parents of the bride and groom receive no special treatment on this day. It is my job to supervise the kitchen and make sure everything runs smoothly. That is my gift to my son and my new daughter. And you, Mr. Doe, you wish to speak to some of our guests, do you not?”

      “I thought I did but I didn’t realize I would feel so awkward about it.”

      She looked over to the men gathered near the barn. “Do not feel awkward. Let me get someone to take you around and introduce you.”

      Waving her hand toward them, she called to Eli Imhoff. “Eli, come here.”

      He crossed the yard with quick steps. “What do you need, Nettie?”

      John couldn’t help but notice the soft look that passed between them or how the color bloomed in Nettie’s cheeks. She said, “John wishes to be introduced to some of our guests. I have not the time. Can you escort him for me?”

      Eli nodded. “It was my intention to do so.”

      As Nettie carried her pan to the washing tubs, Eli followed her with his eyes. John said, “She has been very kind.”

      “Ja, she is a goot woman.”

      The door to the house opened. Several Amish couples came out followed by Harold. The elderly doctor pulled a roll of antacid tablets from his pocket. “I knew I was going to need these. The food is always so good but so rich.”

      He offered some to John and Eli. John declined but Eli accepted them. Dr. White said, “How is the arm, Eli?”

      “Old bones heal slow.”

      “Tell me about it.” Harold rubbed his thigh.

      Eli jerked his head toward the barn. “Let us see if any one recognizes John Doe.”

      Harold said, “Amber and Karen are asking around inside. I thought the women would be more comfortable talking to them.”

      John followed the men through the maze of buggies to the barn. Inside, youngsters were engaged in games and chatting in groups. He caught sight of Jacob and several of his friends looking down from the hayloft. He was surprised to see the young men were much older than Jacob. The boy’s friends were staring at John with outright curiosity and snickering.

      Eli asked for everyone’s attention, speaking English out of deference to John and Harold. He briefly explained John’s situation and asked if anyone knew him or had seen him before. John scanned the faces of the young men and women looking for signs of recognition. The only one he knew was the freckle-faced redheaded young woman he’d met several days before.

      Sally, that was her name. He smiled and nodded to her. Her eyes widened. She spoke to her friends and then hurried past him back toward the house.

      He followed Eli and Harold from group to group speaking to elderly couples, young parents with children and teenagers that had paired off and were enjoying the social event. Each time he met with expressions of compassion but no concrete information.

      Giving up for the moment, John excused himself from the older man and returned to the house. Something in Sally’s expression stayed with him. He wanted a chance to talk to her in private but didn’t know how that would be possible. He was about to open the door when Karen came out with Sarah Wyse, the singer, by her side.

      * * *

      Karen stopped in surprise when she saw John in front of her. “We were just coming to find you. John, this is Sarah Wyse.”

      The way his eyes roved over Sarah’s face sent a prickle of envy through Karen. Immediately, she chided herself for allowing such emotion to taint the day. Sarah was pretty. The young men had flocked around her when she and Karen had been in school together, but none of that had gone to Sarah’s head. She remained a devout member of the church in spite of all the heartache in her life.

      John said, “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Wyse. I wanted to compliment you on your beautiful singing voice.”

      Sarah glanced from Karen back to John. “Compliments are not needed. All gifts come from God. We do not seek honors or to stand apart from each other.”

      “I’m sorry,” John said, “I did not mean to offend you.”

      “No offense was taken. Karen says you have some questions for me.”

      The three of them moved to the end of the porch so they weren’t blocking the flow of traffic in and out of the house. John said, “I don’t know how to say this, but your voice sounds familiar to me. Is there any way I could have heard you singing before?”

      “Not unless you have heard me as one of many voices praising God in song during our church services.”

      He heaved a tired sigh. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

      “I wish I could be more help.