A Simple Hope: A Lancaster Crossroads Novel by Rosalind Lauer Read Free Book Online Page B

mercilessly at times, and they could raise some thunder, but when one person was hurting, the way she had been after the accident, they all pulled together to help. She loved them dearly.
    After the accident, folks had come through for her in small and large ways. Mamm and Dat had rushed to the hospital to see her, even though she was unharmed. The main concern had been to take care of the injured folk, and after the first few days that had included all the young people in the van who had been spared physical injury but hurt inside—traumatized. Dr. Monroe offered to do group counseling, and it was a blessing that the bishop allowed it because talking about the worst parts of the crash had eased the terror in Rachel’s heart. It was still a sad thing, especially losing Tom Lapp and seeing James and old Jacob injured. But now Rachel could talk about the accident without quivering inside.
    Stepping back from the painting, her blue brush tipped in the air, she thought about James. How she wished he’d been able to join in the group therapy. Dr. Dylan had been going to see him, but that wasn’t the same as hearing that Elsie, Ruben, Zed, and Rachel were battling the same feelings, suffering the same dreams. Was James getting the support he needed from his Amish family—the folks in the church district, the Plain folk of Halfway?
    She hoped so. Now, more than ever, James needed his Amish family.

    Later that morning, James was still on Rachel’s mind as she drove the buggy toward town. Mamm had given her a list of items to buy at the bulk store, but first she was going to drop sisters Molly and Bethany off at the farm stand on the road by the other family dairy farm, run by cousin Adam King.
    “I can’t wait to see what’s come out of Mammi Nell’s greenhouse,” Molly said, clapping her hands together in delight.
    This was the first year that the younger girls had been put in charge of running the family farm stand, which was used to sell off extra vegetables from the garden as well as items their grandmother grew in the greenhouse. Last year at this time, Rachel had managed the stand with her cousin Sadie. Dear Sadie! She had gone off to the city during her rumspringa, and Rachel missed her so.
    “Look at that! Ruthie’s already there.” Bethany pointed ahead at the white roadside hut down the hill. Today the chalkboard sign said FLOWERS & PIE FILLING. Underneath was the painted sign that read NO SUNDAY SALES.
    “Do you think we’ll get many customers today?” Molly asked, holding a hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.
    “I reckon so,” Rachel said. “A lot of Englishers come out this way on weekends, especially in the good spring weather.”
    As Rachel drew back the reins to slow the horse, cousin Ruthie emerged from the cover of the hut with her hands on her hips, her face set in a scowl.
    “Ruthie King, I’ve never seen such a look from you,” Rachel said as her sisters hopped down from the buggy. “You need to turn that frown upside down.”
    “But I’m not happy.” Ruthie pointed to the stand. “Somebody came by and stole our hyacinths. Every last one.”
    “Don’t tell me that!” Bethany rushed into the little booth to seefor herself. “We’ve been growing those hyacinths for weeks, checking them every day. And now they’re stolen?”
    “I don’t believe it. Who would steal flowers?” Molly picked up two pots of daffodils, as if the money might be hiding under them. “Maybe they’re coming back to pay us later.”
    “I thought of that,” Ruthie said, “but the cash box is empty. Whoever came by took the money we left here to make change.”
    “Oh, dear girls, I’m afraid Ruthie is right.” Rachel understood their disappointment. “Someone didn’t obey the honor system.”
    “The sign is very clear,” Bethany said, reading:
“Honor system. Place money in box. Thank you.”
She squinted up at the sign, shaking her head. “Why didn’t they follow directions?”
    Molly