William’s arm stiffened, and Fanny squeezed his knee under the table.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Daed?”
Daed remained emotionless. “William, you’re going to have to go to your onkle Aaron’s in Lancaster County.”
At this announcement, William jumped to his feet.
“Sit down!” Daed commanded, his voice booming, which made Fanny shrink further into her seat. “You’ll be learning the carpenter trade from my bruder Aaron and returning here to help me when you turn sixteen.”
At their father’s words, equally as surprising as what he had said earlier about her being sent to Ohio, Fanny felt William’s arm drop from her shoulders. He slid his hand under the table and sought out hers. When he found it, he squeezed her fingers so tight that she thought they might start turning blue.
“When shall I return, Maem?” she asked, somehow finding the courage to speak up.
But her mother did not answer her. The baby began to cry from the cradle at the foot of their bed in the master bedroom, and she jumped up, hurrying to fetch Ruth. Her father merely gave her a look and advised her to pack and pack quickly, for the driver would be arriving within the hour and it would be best for the younger siblings if she were gone before they awoke.
Without further discussion, Daed stood up and gestured for William to join him outside to start on the chores. Fanny watched as her older bruder stood up and slowly followed his father outside, pausing at the door to cast a long look over his shoulder at Fanny. And then, after a sharp word from Daed, William turned and, with his head hanging down, disappeared into the lingering darkness of morning.
Alone and stunned, Fanny somehow managed to make her way into the bedroom and in a robotic fashion took her three dresses and nightgown from the hooks that hung from the wall. She folded them and placed them into a small canvas bag along with her few toiletries, undergarments, and stockings. When she finished, there was still room for more. The only problem was that she had nothing more to take.
Glossary
ach vell—an expression similar to Oh well
aendi—aunt
boppli—baby
bruder—brother
daed—father
danke—thank you
dochder—daughter
Englische—non-Amish people
Englischer—a non-Amish person
esse—eat
fraa—wife
ferhoodled—confused, mixed up
g’may—church district
grossdaadi—grandfather
grossdaadihaus—small house attached to the main dwelling
grossmammi—grandmother
gut morgan—good morning
haus—house
ja—yes
kapp—prayer cap worn by Amish girls and women
kinner—children
kum—come
maem—mother
Mammi—used as a title for grandmother
mayhaps—maybe
nee—no
onkle—uncle
rumschpringe—period of “running-around” time for youths
schwester—sister
vell—well
Other Books by Sarah Price
THE AMISH CLASSICS SERIES
First Impressions
The Matchmaker
Second Chances
THE AMISH OF LANCASTER SERIES
Fields of Corn
Hills of Wheat
Pastures of Faith
Valley of Hope
THE AMISH OF EPHRATA SERIES
The Tomato Patch
The Quilting Bee
The Hope Chest
The Clothes Line
THE PLAIN FAME SERIES (WATERFALL PRESS)
Plain Fame
Plain Change
Plain Again
Plain Return
Plain Choice
OTHER AMISH FICTION BOOKS
Secret Sister (Realms)
An Amish Buggy Ride (Waterfall Press)
An Empty Cup (Waterfall Press)
An Amish Christmas Carol
Amish Circle Letters
Amish Circle Letters II
A Christmas Gift for Rebecca
Priscilla’s Story
For a complete listing of books, please visit the author’s website at www.sarahpriceauthor.com.
About Sarah Price
THE PREISS FAMILY emigrated from Europe in 1705, settling in Pennsylvania with the area’s first wave of Mennonite families. Sarah Price has always respected and honored her ancestors through exploration and research into her family’s history and their religion. At nineteen she befriended an Amish family and lived on their farm.
Twenty-five years later, Sarah Price splits her time between her home outside of New York City and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she retreats to reflect, write, and reconnect with her Amish friends and Mennonite family.
Contact the author at sarah@sarahpriceauthor.com. Visit her weblog at http://sarahpriceauthor.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.