A Time to Heal(25)

When it was used on the farm in this community, it meant the team of really large horses Matthew led out of the barn.

What had he gotten himself into?

This was farming the way it had been done back in his great-grandfather's time, he told himself as he helped Matthew hitch the horses up and lead them into the field.

A half-dozen Amish men approached, dressed in broadcloth pants, jackets, and black felt hats. Matthew introduced him to Daniel, John, and David.

Although the day started out cool, just as the sun came up, Chris's shirt quickly soaked with sweat. It burned his chest where the hot coffee burned him two days ago. He had wanted an excuse to stay and he'd gotten it.

As he stood in the field of corn watching the green stalks with their golden tassels wave in the wind, Chris felt a sense of peace wash over him. He'd missed it so much.

Matthew came to stand beside him. "This is my favorite time of the year—when we harvest." He looked at Chris's boots. "Not sure how those'll hold up. Tomorrow maybe you can go into town and get some better ones. I'll advance you the money."

"I'm okay for money."

Nodding, Matthew looked up at the sky, then out at the field again. "Weather's holding. Thanks be to God."

He turned back to Chris. "You just let me know what you're able to do. I don't want you hurting yourself by overdoing."

Chris straightened. "I'll be fine."

Two hours later, every muscle in his body screamed in protest.Hard physical labor hadn't been part of his life for a long time, and farming this way . . . well, he had a new respect for Matthew who appeared to have superhuman energy and stamina. He'd never fully appreciated until now the modern farm machinery they used on the family farm.

The process was different, and Chris didn't know just how much he'd be helping. Farming could be dangerous work and while he didn't have to worry about a tractor turning over on him and the like, he had to keep his wits about him or he'd end up under a big plow horse instead.

But it was hard not to daydream and remember what it was like back home when they harvested the corn—he, his brothers, and his father. At the end of the day what could be better than gathering around a big kettle set over a blazing fire boiling shucked ears, slathering them with real butter, and eating them with hamburgers or barbecue until they were stuffed?

Hannah came out with coffee and hot chocolate and saucersized cookies.

Chris watched her serving the other men and found himself feeling jealous of the amount of attention they got. He reminded himself he'd known her only a short time and would be on his way soon. Besides, what woman would want him with the baggage he carried?

But there was no doubt he was attracted to her and he couldn't stop the unfamiliar emotions welling up in him.

"Don't forget Phoebe will be serving dinner," she reminded her brother.

Matthew took off his hat and wiped his face with a bandanna."Ach, that's right. It's your day to teach . . . and enjoy the Amish grapevine."

She elbowed him. "Stop that! Like you men don't love to talk about the goings-on in the community. The difference is that men walk around talking on their cell phones like they're doing business but you're gossiping." Chris heard one of the men snort as they turned away and began walking back to their work.

"More kaffi?"

He nodded and held out his cup. "You and Mathew remind me of the way my older sister and I used to get along." When her eyes widened and she stared at him, surprised, he muttered, "What?"

"I think that's the most you've said about yourself since I met you."

He set his cup on the tray she held. "People talk too much about themselves."

"Not you," she said. "Not you."

She turned and walked away. Tearing his eyes from her retreating form, he saw that Matthew was watching him.

Chris couldn't blame him. He wouldn't be surprised if it took a while for the man to get over how things had looked in the barn that first day.

He was surprised when Matthew came over and laid his hand on his shoulder an hour later. "Can you go see if Phoebe has dinner ready?"

"Sure."

Chris was halfway across the field when he suddenly had a thought: was this just Matthew's attempt to go easy on him his first day? He wanted to protest that he was doing just fine, thank you. Too late now. He'd gotten halfway there, and if this was indeed Matthew's way to keep him from overdoing his first day, well, he'd fix that tomorrow.

He knocked at the front door and heard Phoebe call for him to come on in. When he walked into the kitchen, she moved a big platter of sandwiches from the counter to the table.

"Matthew wanted me to ask if dinner's ready."

"We always—" she stopped. "Schur," she said quickly. "I'll have you ring the bell in a moment."