The Restoration
Authors: Wanda E.; Brunstetter
© 2016 by Wanda E. Brunstetter
ISBN
978-1-62416-711-9
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63409-740-6
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-63409-741-3
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental. No medical advice mentioned in the story is to be taken as fact. Always consult with a medical professional before trying a home remedy.
Cover design: Faceout Studio,
www.faceoutstudio.com
Published by Barbour Books, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683,
www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
Printed in the United States of America.
To Dianna Yoder, a special friend.
[Jesus said,] “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
M
ATTHEW
6:14
CHAPTER 1
Arthur, Illinois
P
riscilla Herschberger shivered as she hurried across the yard, anxious to get out of the cold. It was only the first week of December, but with fresh-fallen snow and blustery winds, it felt like the middle of winter. Despite her chattering teeth and tingling hands and feet, this weather stirred Priscilla’s feelings like it had when she was a child, filling her with hope that they might have snow for Christmas.
Entering the small store where she and her mother sold jams, jellies, and several other types of home-canned goods, she quickly shut the door. Business was slow this time of year, so they opened the store only a few days a week. Priscilla had come to get several jars of strawberry jam to serve at a dinner for tourists hosted by her friend Elaine Schrock. Elaine’s helper, Karen Yoder, couldn’t be there this evening, so Priscilla had volunteered to take her place. She looked forward to going—not only to help but also to spend time with Elaine.
“Sure hope everything goes okay,” Priscilla murmured. She’d never helped with one of Elaine’s dinners before, but she had plenty of experience in the kitchen, helping her mother.
It should be fun
, she told herself, placing the jars inside a cardboard box. From what Elaine had told Priscilla, these dinners often provided unexpected chuckles. Once when Elaine’s grandmother was alive, her parakeet, Millie, had gotten out of its cage and created quite a stir among their dinner guests. Another time, a man had made everyone laugh by his constant burping. He’d later explained that, in his country, burping was a custom that showed appreciation for a good meal.
Priscilla always enjoyed listening to Elaine’s stories, but she hoped nothing she said or did tonight would cause anyone to laugh.
Leaving the store, she put the box in her buggy and headed back to the house to tell her mother good-bye. She found Mom in the sewing room, cutting a pattern for a new dress. “I got the jam, and I’m leaving for Elaine’s now.”
Mom looked up and smiled. “What time do you think you’ll be home?”
Priscilla shrugged. “I’m not sure how long the dinner will last. It starts at six o’clock, so it may be over by eight or so. Of course, I’ll stay awhile after that to help Elaine clean up and do the dishes.”
“Please be careful. The roads could be icy tonight.” Mom’s depth of concern was revealed in her ebony-colored eyes.
“I’ll take it easy. Tinker is a good horse. I’ve never had a problem with her in the snow.”
“There’s always a first time.” Mom’s face tightened. “Just because a
gaul
is easygoing, doesn’t mean it won’t spook. Remember to keep a tight rein. Some people don’t take the road conditions seriously enough.”
“Try not to worry, Mom. I’ll be okay.” Priscilla knew her mother was concerned, but sometimes she tended to be overprotective. Maybe it was because Priscilla was the youngest of five children and the only girl.
Once I’m married and living in a place of my own, Mom won’t worry about me so much. Of course, that won’t happen if Elam never asks me to marry him.
“
Danki
for coming to help on such short notice,” Elaine said when Priscilla entered her house that evening and set the cardboard box on the table.
Priscilla hugged her friend. “It’s not a problem. I’m glad you asked.” Before Elaine hired Karen, Priscilla and their friend Leah had offered to help Elaine many times, but Elaine had always said she could manage by herself.
“How are the roads?” Elaine questioned.
“Not too bad. Right now they’re just wet, but they could get worse when the temperature drops.” Priscilla motioned to the jars of jam. “Where would you like me to put these?”
“You can put them in glass bowls and place two on each of the tables I’ve set up in the other room.” Elaine smiled. “I appreciate all this jam and will gladly pay for it.”
Priscilla shook her head. “There’s no need.”
“You won’t let me pay you for helping tonight, so I insist on paying for the jam.”
Priscilla knew she wouldn’t get anywhere arguing with her friend, so she nodded and took the jam and dishes into the generously sized room next to the kitchen. Elaine’s grandfather had added it on to the house when his wife started serving dinners for tourists many years ago. It could accommodate as many as one hundred people and had been used to hold church services when needed, in addition to groups of people who came for the meals. Elaine had continued offering the dinners after her grandparents died. It gave her something meaningful to do and had become a favorite event for tourists, as well as some of the locals.
Priscilla looked around as she set the bowls of jam on the three tables. Elaine had covered each table with a bright red cloth and draped white lace over the top. Beside each plate was a green cloth napkin, and chubby red pillar candles with a bit of greenery at the base served as centerpieces. Between the tantalizing aromas coming from the kitchen, the scent of pine from the greenery, and the overall festive appearance, the room was ready to welcome their guests. Just being in it made Priscilla look forward to Christmas.
She wondered if the holiday would be special for her and Elam. Last year she’d hoped for that, too. Unfortunately, nothing had changed—they were still courting, but Elam had not proposed. It did no good to analyze his reasons, so she reminded herself to focus on other things.
Priscilla returned to the kitchen, where Elaine was slicing freshly baked bread. “That room sure looks festive,” Priscilla commented. “I had to look closely at the candles before I realized they were battery operated.”
Elaine filled a basket with bread and began slicing another loaf. “Besides being safer, battery-powered candles last for hours, with no dripping wax to worry about.”
“That’s true. Now, what would you like me to do?” Priscilla questioned.
“The salads are made and the chicken’s in the oven. Why don’t we have a cup of tea and visit until it’s time to start the potatoes?”
“Are you sure? I came here to work, you know.”
Elaine chuckled. “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty to do as soon as our fifty guests arrive.”
Priscilla’s mouth opened wide. “Fifty? I didn’t realize there would be so many people to serve.”
“Guess I forgot to mention it, but don’t worry, we’ll manage okay.” Elaine poured tea, and they took seats at the table. “The people coming here tonight are family members who wanted to do something different to celebrate Christmas.”
“This is only the first week of December. Why would they celebrate Christmas so early?” Priscilla scooted her chair closer to the table.
“Some people who’ll be coming live in the area, but others are from out of town. They’re having a get-together now because it’s the only time they could all manage to gather.” Elaine pushed a strand of shiny blond hair back under her white head covering.
Priscilla took a sip of the warm tea, enjoying the familiar pumpkin-spice flavor. “Speaking of Christmas, if you haven’t made plans, I’d like you to come over to our place that day.”
“I appreciate the invitation,” Elaine replied, “I’ll be joining Ben’s family for Christmas Eve dinner, but I have no plans for Chrismtas Day.”
“You two have been seeing each other awhile now. Has there been any talk of marriage?”
Elaine nodded. “Ben proposed several weeks ago.”
“Really? How come you’re just now telling me?”
“Since I haven’t given him an answer yet, I figured there was no point mentioning it.” Elaine blew on her tea. “Ben’s a wonderful man, and I care for him, but I’m not sure what I feel is deep enough for a marriage commitment.”