An Amish Miracle Page 16

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning Rosa received another delinquent tax notice in the mail. She opened the kitchen drawer and added the latest reminder to the stack with the others. “I’m running out of time, God. I need a miracle.” She had said those same words earlier when she found the nesting boxes empty again.

  Maybe she should go ahead and write her aunt a letter, just in case. It was a last resort, but she was almost there, and she didn’t think she should show up on Aenti Lilly’s doorstep unannounced.

  Rosa reached for a pen and notebook from the drawer, but instead picked up her ledger book and began flipping through the list of her egg customers “God,” she said, “this isn’t just about me. What about the widows? I’ve never charged them for eggs, so it’s an unexpected expense for them. This is the middle of October. Soon it’ll be Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone bakes more during the holidays.” She paused. “But I guess I don’t have to tell You about the widows’ needs. You have provided for them, and You will continue even without mei eggs.”

  Rosa scanned the income log. With nothing to record, the tally hadn’t changed. She’d never be able to pay the taxes before the auction day. She closed the book and slipped it back into the drawer. Unless she sold Bolt and Thunder . . .

  Did she dare hope that was part of God’s plan? It would make sense. If she sold the horses, not only would she be able to pay her taxes, but she wouldn’t have winter feed to buy.

  God would provide. He often worked in mysterious ways.

  A buggy pulled into the yard. Rosa craned her neck at the kitchen window and saw Peter Zook climbing out of his buggy. She opened the door before the man knocked. “Hiya.”

  “Wie geht’s?”

  “Fine, danki.” Now with the formalities accomplished, she wanted to whisk him out to the barn and show him the horses. “Let me get mei cape, and I’ll take you out to see Bolt and Thunder.” She yanked her wool cape from the peg and slipped it on as she left the house. “They’re a gut team. I want to sell them together.”

  “How old are they?” She had to think. Uriah bought them the year after they married, and they were three at the time. “Nine.”

  He opened the barn door, waited for her to enter, and followed her to the stalls. “I didn’t realize you had so many horses.”

  “These aren’t mine. Adam Bontrager is using mei barn.” She stopped in front of Bolt’s stall. “This one is Bolt and the next stall over is Thunder.”

  While he inspected the draft horses, Rosa checked on the fillies in the nearby stall. She ran her hand over one filly’s silky coat. The smaller of the three nuzzled her cape while the one with the white star on its forehead nipped at her elbow. Under different circumstances, she would love to spend more time with them.

  Maybe those circumstances would change today. Selling the team would improve everything. She wouldn’t lose her farm. Adam wouldn’t be forced to relocate his horses.

  Peter came outside of Bolt’s stall and entered Thunder’s. “They packed on some extra weight, ya?”

  “They gained a little.” A lot. They were fat and borderline lazy. Sometimes when a horse wasn’t worked it lost its stamina, and often its value as well. “The only planting I’ve done is in the garden. So they haven’t been worked in two years. But they’re a strong team.”

  “Ya, so I see.”

  She breathed easier.

  Peter closed the stall gate. “I’m interested if I can pay on time.”

  “How much time do you need?”

  “I would have all the money by spring. Maybe early summer.”

  The air left her lungs, her hope along with it. “I wanted to sell them this winter.”

  He looked into the stall as if recalculating their worth. “You could take them to the auction, but you’ll get pennies on the dollar for them. It’d be a shame.”

  Exactly what Adam had told her too. Lord, this wasn’t how I thought You would answer mei prayers.

  “I could give you a down payment at the beginning of next month.”

  That wouldn’t help either. The tax sale was in eighteen days.

  “I’ll be honest with you.” She fought to control the quiver in her voice. “I don’t have the money to buy hay. I can’t wait until spring to sell them.”

  He nodded. “If it helps, I’ll take them nau so you’re nett out the winter’s feed bill. And I’ll pay your asking price on payments.”

  One way or the other she had to sell the team. She couldn’t move them to her aunt’s place in Ohio. She wasn’t even sure when the next livestock auction was scheduled.

  She swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Ya,” she said, “I’ll accept your offer.”

  But all the while she was wondering, Where is God?

  Adam stood next to the barn and directed Stephen Bowman as he backed up the hay wagon. The load wouldn’t fill the loft, but it should carry both his and Rosa’s horses through the winter. At least now she could wait until spring to sell the team.

  Adam held out his hand to signal Stephen to stop. “That’s far enough.”

  Stephen set the wagon brake and jumped down from the seat. His son, James, followed.

  Adam slipped his hands into a pair of worn leather gloves. With Stephen and his son helping to unload the wagon, the hayloft would be loaded in no time.

  And none too soon, if the storm clouds on the horizon were any indication. This late in October, any rain could turn into sleet. Rosa’s buggy was missing from the yard. He worried she might get caught in bad weather.

  Stephen cranked the engine on the gas-powered conveyor belt. “We should get started, or we might nett get this hay undercover before it rains.”

  Adam went into the barn and climbed the wooden ladder into the loft. He stood at the opening and waited for the bale to reach him. With both Stephen and James tossing bales on the belt, Adam wasn’t able to keep up with the volume reaching him. Every other bale fell off the belt while he carried another one by the twine over to the stack. It didn’t matter so much that they weren’t piled nicely, what mattered was getting them under cover.

  From his elevated view, Adam spotted Rosa’s buggy a quarter mile down the road. The wagon was half unloaded when she pulled into the yard. She looped Blossom’s reins around the post and nodded a greeting to Stephen and James. Then her gaze carried up to the loft, and her smile quickly turned to a frown. She shook her head as she went into the house.

  An hour later they unloaded the final bale just as the drizzle turned to sleet. Adam leaned out of the loft opening. “Danki for helping.”

  “What about stacking? Should we kumm up?”

  Adam shook his head. “I’ll be fine. You two should be on your way. It’s getting kalt.” He shot them a quick wave, then wrapped his fingers around the twine and hoisted the bale on top of the pile.

  Stephen’s wagon had barely rattled out to the end of the drive when Rosa’s screen door slammed. Adam glanced out as she marched toward the barn. A few moments later she stood at the bottom of the ladder, arms crossed, calling his name.

  He shimmied down the ladder. His foot landed with a thud, and when he turned, he met her glare. “Something wrong?”

  “What are you doing putting hay in the barn? You should be taking it out.”

  He wiped his shirtsleeve across his sweaty forehead. “You said you were worried about getting through the winter.” He picked loose hay off his shirt.

  “I told you. You have to find another place for your horses. All the hay too.”

  “Rosa, be reasonable.”

  “I don’t have that option,” she said. “And neither do you.”

  He followed her outside. “There’s enough hay to last the winter for all of our horses. You don’t have to sell the team either.”

  “They’re already sold. Peter is picking them up later this week.”

  “I don’t understand the problem.” Unless it had something to do with him wanting to court her. “I’ve used your barn for a couple of
years nau.”

  “And it was supposed to be temporary.”

  He groaned and followed her into the house. “We need to talk about this.”

  “It’s too late.” She stressed the words. “I didn’t have any eggs again today.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. She whirled away and darted into the kitchen.

  “I told you, it takes time.”

  She turned on him with fire in her eyes. “I don’t have time. I have sixteen days to pay mei delinquent taxes or I’m going to lose this farm.” She bowed her head. “When the cows got sick, Uriah let the taxes lapse. When they came due, I wrote a letter to the county clerk explaining that mei husband was deceased, but it didn’t matter. They said the taxes were too far behind.”

  He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to her. “How long have you known?”

  “Since the beginning of the year.” She swiped at the tears. “If mei chickens hadn’t stopped laying . . .”

  “I wish you had told me sooner. I spent the last money I had on hay. I won’t have an income until the horses are trained.”

  “I won’t ask anyone for money. You included.” Rosa crossed her arms and turned her back on him. “I don’t want anyone to think Uriah wasn’t a gut provider.”

  “He would never have wanted you to go through this alone,” Adam said. He felt his stomach twist into a knot. He’d made a promise to Uriah to take care of Rosa, and he’d fallen short of fulfilling his vow. “There’s a widow’s fund. Maybe you should speak with one of the elders—”

  She spun to face him, her eyes narrowed. “I would never ask for money from that fund. It’s for the widows.”

  “Ya. You fall into that group.”

  She shook her head. “There are women in much greater need.” She locked eyes with him. “And don’t you say anything about this—to anyone.”

  He buried a groan under his breath. Pride would devour her if she continued on this path. “Rosa—”

  “I mean it. I won’t ever speak to you again.”

  “Things will work out. God has a plan.”

  “Ya. Apparently His plan is for me to go live in Ohio with mei aenti.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t let you go there. How would I watch over you?” He inched closer and touched the wet streak on her cheek. “Have faith. God will see you through.”

  Her shoulders slumped and she sniffed.

  “He will, Rosa. Trust me. Trust God.”

  Adam believed what he said. But he knew he had to figure out some way to help, or her eyes would haunt him forever.

  Rosa poured kaffi into two cups as Adam leaned against her kitchen counter. She wanted to break the silence between them, but her thoughts were a jumbled mess.

  He rubbed his jaw. “So how much money do you need yet?”

  “A lot.” She set the pot on the stove.

  “Even after selling Bolt and Thunder?”

  She cringed. “Peter didn’t have the money.” Rosa handed him a cup of coffee. “He’s going to make payments.” Right or wrong, she’d already agreed to the terms. These past two years without Uriah had proven unbearable, and battling the delinquent taxes left her weary and questioning God’s will more than ever.

  “How does that help you? I wish you had talked to me first.”

  “I couldn’t afford to feed them all winter, so taking payments was the only choice I had.”

  “Why don’t we sit down and go over what you owe? Maybe we can figure something out.” He pulled out a chair and tapped the seat.

  Rosa hesitated.

  “You can’t do this alone. Please let me help.”

  She opened the kitchen drawer and removed the stack of notices from the County Tax Bureau, along with the book she used to record her income. She handed the information to him, then sat in the chair next to his. “The top envelope is the most recent.”

  He unfolded the letter, and as he scanned the page, his expression turned hopeful. He set the paper down. “It says you only have to pay twenty-five percent by the auction date.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  He pointed to the clerk’s letter. “That’s the amount you’re trying to raise?”

  “Ya,” she said. She opened the log book and pointed to the first column. “This is how much I have saved. In this row I’ve listed what I had counted on from egg sales.”

  He blew out a short breath.

  “It’s hopeless, isn’t it?”

  “Nothing is beyond God’s help.” He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad you shared this with me.”

  She was too. Even knowing he lacked the financial means to help, it still comforted her to know she wasn’t alone.

  He sipped his kaffi and set down the cup. “I guess we have some work to do.”

  “Ya. I need to pack, and you need to find a new home for your horses.”

  He shook his head. “I meant horse training. I’ll pick the one that shows the most promise. Lord willing, there’s a chance I can find a quick buyer once he’s trained.”

  “Really?”

  “Don’t you think that would be God’s will?” He shrugged. “I do.”

  She found a ray of hope in his faith and smiled. “I’m blessed to have a friend like you.” She patted his hand. “I mean that.”

  He placed his other hand over hers, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, then closed it again. Adam released her hand and pushed away from the table. “I’m going to pick out a horse.”

  “You really want me to help train?”

  “Of course I do.” He winked. “I like your company. Besides, you’ll find working with horses will get your mind off your problems. Make sure to wear old clothes.”

  When Adam left the house, Rosa dashed upstairs to change. She hadn’t felt excitement like this since Uriah had convinced her they could make a go of dairy farming.

  She changed into the old charcoal gray dress she saved to wear for spring cleaning. It was spotted white where bleach had splattered, with the hem tattered beyond repair. The dress should have gone into the rag pile long ago. Rosa hurried down the stairs to the door where she kept her work boots. She had one boot on when someone knocked on the door.

  Rosa opened the door. “Mr. Wade! What—what can I do for you?” She hopped on one foot, trying to get the other boot on.

  He thrust a piece of paper toward her. “Here’s the vet bill.”

  She glanced at the charges, and her heart plummeted.

  “Had the dog not lived, the amount would’ve been higher. As it looks now, the vet says he’ll eventually be able to compete in hunting competitions. So I guess you’re lucky.”

  Lucky? She’d paid less for Blossom than the price of this vet bill. She extended the paper toward him.

  “Keep it. That’s your copy.” He made to leave but turned back. “If I have to file a lawsuit, you’ll have court costs tacked on to the vet bill.”

  Rosa closed the door and stared at the long list of charges. Fifty dollars for bandages. Three hundred for each night at the animal hospital. Over two hundred for medications and IVs alone. She flipped to the second page as the itemized costs continued.

  Paying this would leave her destitute.

  Chapter Ten

  Rosa lagged behind Adam as he headed toward the corral. He had said working with the horse would take her mind off her problems, but he failed to warn her how achy she’d be at the end of the day. She was stiff and sore from sitting on the fence, and even a thick application of arnica ointment didn’t alleviate her soreness.

  Every night she dropped into bed exhausted. But as worn out as she was physically, she still wrestled with the empty nesting boxes and the neighbor’s vet bill.

  She hadn’t slept in three days. Not since Mr. Wade had given her a copy of the bill. Last night she got down on her knees and prayed for wisdom . . . and forgiveness. Every time she thought about taking up that shotgun, she wondered how she could have exercised such poor judgment. She could
have killed the dog—or one of the horses—or even worse, a person.

  It was true that the dog was on her property and had attacked her chickens, but that was rationalization. She felt prompted by God to hold her tongue, make amends with the neighbor, and pay the vet charges.

  But even with that strong conviction and sleepless nights, she couldn’t bring herself to deplete her savings. She prayed that God would show her another way. So far, she hadn’t received an answer. Not even a hint.

  Rosa climbed up the fence rail as Adam adjusted the harness on the sorrel gelding. He hitched Flapjack to the open buggy and took a seat on the bench. Adam clicked his tongue and ordered the gelding forward. Flapjack sidestepped but quickly calmed down under Adam’s tone of voice and steady actions.

  Adam steered the horse around the corral, the first lap walking, then trotting. Rosa marveled at the level of skill Adam demonstrated. After making several laps of stopping and going, walking and trotting, and changing directions, Adam pulled up next to the fence railing. “Would you like to take him around a lap or two?”

  “Sure.” She climbed off the fence too quickly. The horse jerked his head up. “Sorry.” She reached her hand to his neck and the horse flinched again. “Maybe this isn’t a gut idea. I don’t think he likes me.”

  “He’s a little nervous yet.” Adam slid over on the bench, making space on the driver’s side.

  “Are you sure I can hold him?”

  “I’ll be right beside you.” He extended the reins.

  She eased onto the bench.

  “Give him a tap and tell him to go,” Adam said.

  The horse’s ears perked at the sound of Adam’s voice. Rosa only had to click her tongue for Flapjack to move forward. Except for the young gelding stretching his neck to gain more reins, his gait was smooth. They completed the lap and she pulled back on the reins. “I think you’ve done an amazing job training him so fast.”

  Adam smiled. “You can take him around again.”

  She wasn’t sure if the ripple in her stomach was from the thrill of driving a newly trained horse or simply sitting shoulder to shoulder next to Adam. She clicked her tongue and lightly tapped the horse’s rump. Taking the first bend, the horse pulled on its lead and at the same time increased his pace.