A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon (classic books to read .TXT) 📕

of bark to the Fishers. They each stopped what they were doing and made a production out of sampling her offering. They were too old to be Eva’s students but none of them appeared to be married as they were all clean-shaven. Maddie was doing her best to impress them with her pie-making skills.

Eva was ready for a break by midmorning. She went back to her house to fix some lunch for herself and the Gingrich kids. She was dicing celery for chicken salad when Constance Schultz and Dinah Lapp stopped in.

“I had to see how you were getting along,” Constance said as she came in.

“I’m fine. Just anxious for school to start. Everything seems to be in place. The only things I don’t have are my library books but I should get them any day.”

“Goot. I see they are working on the barn foundation. You were told we are having a frolic to raise it on Monday, right?”

“Ja, I heard.”

“I also came to let you know we have another new family that arrived a few days ago. A young widow, her father-in-law and her daughter. She is the granddaughter of Samuel Yoder. He convinced them to settle here. Her name is Becca Beachy. I believe the child will be in the first grade. They purchased the old Kent farm on Pendleton Road.”

Dinah made a sour face. “That house hasn’t been lived in for years.”

Constance nodded. “That’s why I intend to organize a frolic for tomorrow. With all of us working we can get the house in shipshape in no time. We are spreading the word and you may do so, as well, Eva. So far Bethany, Gemma, Penelope Martin, myself and Dinah are going.”

It was her first opportunity to join the women of the New Covenant congregation in a charitable endeavor and she was pleased to be asked. Taking care of each other was as important to the Amish as taking care of family members. Eva was beginning to feel she truly belonged among these North Country Amish and she gave thanks for the many gifts the Lord had given her since she arrived. Especially for the friendship Willis had extended to her. If only she could be sure she would be staying.

Bright and early the next morning, Constance turned her buggy into the schoolyard. Eva and Maddie had been waiting for her and hurried out with a basket of supplies. “Does the family know we are coming?”

“Nee, I thought we would make it a surprise.”

The shocked expression on Becca Beachy’s face when she opened the door proved Constance right. The women all introduced themselves. Dinah gestured to Eva. “This will be your daughter’s teacher when school starts.”

Becca, a soft-spoken woman in her early twenties with dark hair and dark eyes extended her hand to Eva. “My daughter is looking forward to school.” She smiled at Maddie who was uncharacteristically quiet. “I hope there will be other children her age attending. Will you be in school?”

Maddie didn’t say a word. She had her face against Eva’s skirt.

Eva patted her head. “This is Maddie Gingrich. She is also a first grader. Is your daughter here?”

Becca shook her head. “She’s gone with my father-in-law to purchase some dairy cows, but they should be back soon. Please come in. I’m afraid I’m out of coffee, but I can offer you some tea.”

Constance walked past Becca into the kitchen and set her basket on the table and pulled out a coffee tin. “I brought some with me. We’re here to tackle the dust so let’s get started, sisters.”

The other women gathered around the table, each one with a basket or pail filled with cleaning supplies.

Becca pressed a hand to her cheek. “I hadn’t expected this much help from the community so quickly.”

Eva carried her pail to the sink and began to fill it with water. “I can start on the windows.”

“I’ll get this food put away,” Bethany said as she opened her basket. She brought out two loaves of bread, butter and a cheese spread and finally a cherry pie with a golden lattice crust. Penelope Miller began unpacking pint jars filled with canned fruits and vegetables.

Becca shook her head. “This is overwhelming. Danki. I’ve already cleaned two bedrooms and this kitchen. If you could help me drag the mattresses outside from the other two bedrooms so I can beat the dust out of them I would appreciate it.”

The house quickly became a flurry of activity as the women attacked the floors, walls and even the ceilings with pine-scented cleaner and elbow grease. Eva was amazed at how quickly the dilapidated farmhouse took on new life as grimy windows were cleaned, rubbish hauled out and the floors scrubbed and polished. Even Maddie was given the task of polishing the kitchen cabinet doors that she could reach.

The group broke for lunch at noon and decided to eat outside. Eva was shocked when Willis walked in the door with the bishop while she was fixing a plate. Willis wrinkled his nose. Eva smiled at him and chuckled. “We are about to eat outside where the scent of real pine trees isn’t as overpowering as the cleaner we have been using. What are you doing here?”

Bishop Schultz smiled at her. “I asked Willis to come take a look at some machinery Mr. Beachy purchased along with this farm. He’s not sure it’s in working order.”

Willis pushed the brim of his straw hat back with one finger. “I can usually make a part for less than what the owner would have to pay to buy one. I won’t know if it’s something I can fix until I get a good look at it.”

“The property has been planted in potatoes and hay,” the bishop added. “The church will help Mr. Beachy get his first crops harvested. I just wanted to know if we should bring our own machinery. Is your father-in-law about?” he asked Becca.

“I think that is him now.” A pickup pulling a silver cattle trailer turned