Chapter 11
AS EMMA STOOD IN FRONT of her bedroom window Sunday morning, charcoal-colored clouds could be seen on the horizon.
I bet it’s going to rain today. Sure hope Grandpa doesn’t plan to take his open buggy to church.
She grimaced. It would not be good for us to end up soaking wet and have to sit through a three-hour service in soggy, damp clothes thanks to the rain.
Emma smiled, thankful that Grandpa had gotten his way concerning the puppy he’d found a few days ago.
Even though Grandma had made it clear that she didn’t want the dog, things had worked out in the pup’s favor.
The thing that had made Grandma accept the idea was when Emma volunteered to take care of the pup.
Grandpa said he would do his part to help with the puppy too, so Grandma had shrugged and said, “Okay, you two, have it your way. Just don’t expect me to lift a finger to help with that hund.
She’s your responsibility until someone comes along and claims the mutt as their own. ”
Emma hoped that wouldn’t happen. The dog had only been with them a few days, and already Emma had bonded with little Fawn. Grandpa had given the pup that name, saying that the puppy’s big brown eyes reminded him of a baby deer.
With an upturned face, Emma hummed a little tune she’d learned as a child.
She liked the name Grandpa had chosen and enjoyed being able to help with the pup.
She’d also given the dog a bath and brushed her tangled hair, and when she wasn’t busy doing other things, Emma had made sure little Fawn got plenty of attention.
Emma pushed her musings aside and focused on putting on her shoes so she could go down to help with breakfast. She’d already gotten dressed for church, and she would cover her dress with a work apron during their breakfast hour.
If she spilled something on her clothes, it would mean taking the time to change into another dress, and there might not be enough time for that.
This was their off-Sunday from attending church in their own district, but Grandpa had informed Emma last evening that they would be visiting another church district this morning.
Emma knew that was customary for most Amish, so the news hadn’t taken her by surprise.
She couldn’t say she looked forward to going, however.
Since this wasn’t their usual group of people to worship with, it was unlikely that she would know anyone at the service today.
Emma heard her name being called, and she turned away from the window.
It was Grandma’s voice, and Emma figured her help was probably needed in the kitchen.
Since this was Sunday, it wasn’t likely that there’d be another cooking lesson, but no doubt the table needed to be set, or perhaps there was some other task, like pouring fresh orange juice into their glasses.
She would also need to feed the puppy and take her outside to do her business.
Emma was still surprised that Grandma had allowed Fawn to sleep in the house.
Of course, the pup had been barricaded in the utility room.
Emma wished it didn’t have to be that way.
Maybe once Fawn was housebroken, Grandma would agree to let the dog have free roam of the house—or at least when Emma could be there to keep a watch on things.
When Grandma called Emma’s name again, Emma refocused her thoughts once more and opened the bedroom door. “Be right there!” she called.
Once Emma entered the kitchen, Grandma looked at her with furrowed brows. “How come you’re not wearing the dress you made? You worked hard on it, and I figured you’d want to wear it to church today.”
“Well, I, uh, didn’t think it was suitable for church,” Emma replied.
Grandma tipped her head from side to side, as if contemplating what her next words should be. Finally, she shrugged and said, “It’s your choice, Emma. You can wear whatever you like.”
Emma couldn’t miss the displeasure she’d seen on her grandmother’s face.
She really didn’t want to disappoint Grandma, and since they’d be going to a church district she’d never been to before, it would be a little easier to wear a dress she didn’t really care for.
“I’ll feed the puppy and take her outside for a few minutes, and then I’ll run back upstairs and change my dress. ”
Grandma gave a quick shake of her head. “There’s no need for you to bother with the hund this morning, Emma.
Your grandpa already gave her food, and he’s outside with Fawn right now.
” She gestured to Emma’s dress. “And if you feel more comfortable in the frack you’re wearing, then there’s no need for you to change clothes either. ”
“Are you sure? I mean, if you’d prefer that I wear the other dress, I suppose …”
“No, it’s okay. You can wear the dress some other time—maybe tonight for the singing.”
Emma felt an ache at the back of her throat, and she swallowed a couple of times.
The last thing she wanted to do this evening was wear the dress she’d struggled so hard to make to the singing.
Ivan would see her in it, and his sisters would too.
No doubt they were both good at sewing. The girls might even talk about Emma to others, criticizing her sewing skills.
Although Grandma had helped with the dress in many ways, in Emma’s opinion it still appeared to be a beginner’s dress.
No, I can’t wear it tonight, Emma told herself. I will have to come up with some way to get out of putting on that dress. It’s either that, or I’ll need to stay home.
They had just sat down to breakfast and said their prayers when a clap of thunder sounded so loud, it nearly catapulted Emma out of her seat. She’d never liked storms, especially the ones that occurred during the hotter months. Summer storms always seemed so much more intense.
A downpour came next, with rain pounding hard against the house and obscuring their view out the windows.
From time to time, Emma took a glimpse at the windowpanes streaked with rain, observing the immense drops trailing down the glass.
She hoped and prayed that the storm would end soon and wouldn’t cause any damage to people’s property or do harm to anyone who might be outside.
“It’s a bad one, jah?” Grandpa gazed at Emma, then focused on Grandma.
“I managed to get the horse and buggy ready before the bad weather hit, but since it’s storming so harshly right now, after we’re done eating, we may have to wait a bit to leave for church until the weather improves.
” He reached for the salt and pepper and sprinkled some on his eggs.
“It wouldn’t be wise to travel the roads in hazardous conditions.
Besides, with the crazy, unpredictable weather going on, my gaul would likely spook, creating a bigger problem for me as the carriage driver. ”
Another rumbling boom proclaimed itself, and the poor little dog, all alone in the utility room, let out several high-pitched howls.
With no hesitation, Emma got up and rushed into the utility room. She found the trembling pup hunched down between Grandpa’s work boots and Grandma’s galvanized washtub, now whimpering. The puppy looked up at Emma with wide eyes.
“It’s okay, little Fawn. I’m here with you now.” She spoke softly, hoping to calm the frightened puppy, and then Emma bent down and scooped Fawn into her arms. “It’s okay, little one,” she murmured again, nuzzling the dog with her nose.
“Emma, your scrambled eggs are getting cold,” Grandma called from the kitchen.
Still holding the pup, Emma poked her head into the adjoining room. “The pup’s really scared. Is it all right if I bring her into the kitchen? She could sit under the table by my feet.”
Emma saw Grandma exchange glances with Grandpa, and when he gave a nod, she said, “All right, but the dog must remain on the floor. And no feeding the hund any table scraps.”
Emma stroked Fawn’s head. “You’ll be safe in the kitchen with us, little one. There’s no reason to be afraid now.”
The puppy licked Emma’s hand, and she giggled.
Fawn seemed more relaxed now, which made her feel better as well.
We’re two fraidy-cats who don’t like storms, Emma thought, stroking one of the pup’s soft ears.
She wished she could hold the puppy on her lap at the table, but knowing Grandma would never tolerate that, she took her seat again and placed Fawn beneath the table, making sure the dog was close to her feet.
Apparently that was sufficient, because the cute little terrier-mix settled right down and was soon fast asleep.
Emma heaved a sigh of relief. At least one problem was solved.
When they stepped outside and headed for Grandpa’s closed-in family buggy, Emma noticed that a light rain drizzling down from the overcast sky was all that was left of the storm.
Sheets of rainwater from earlier had soaked the ground so well that the soil appeared quite dark.
Emma had also noticed several birds hiding in the foliage of bushes and trees.
Some were darting toward the ground to feast on the worms. They had to avoid several puddles while making their way to the horse and buggy at the hitching rail.
After the three of them climbed into the buggy and Grandpa backed the horse away from the rail, Emma leaned against the seat back and tried to relax.
She figured the heat of the day would soon take over, and then it would be warm and muggy.
Something else to deal with, but at least it wasn’t frightening.