of it.”
“I understand. It’s new with new friends, jah?”
Roy simply stared at him.
And all the unspoken words slammed into his heart. Roy didn’t consider any of the men—not even Will—a friend.
“All I can offer is my opinion, Roy. And that is that it’s a good thing to try something new from time to time. You won’t know if you like a stranger if you don’t meet them. You also won’t know if you like something if you never try it at least once.”
John walked to their side. “Roy, I know you and Jemima have already had your fair share of new things this year, but I promise that there isn’t a one of us who would knowingly put you in danger or make you sad. Try to trust us, if you can.”
“But you aren’t Amish.”
“Nee, I am not. But I used to be. And more important than that, I have known Will and Harley, here, since we were younger than you, Roy.”
Roy looked up at Will. “Really?”
“Really. Mei mamm used to watch John and Harley in the summers from time to time. E.A., too.”
This time it was Jemima who looked surprised. “I didn’t know that.”
“Eight of us were fast friends.”
“Eight of you?”
“That’s right. We took our friendship seriously, too. In fact, all of us but one are still here in Walnut Creek.”
“What happened to the other one?”
“He died.”
“You’ve known someone who died, too?”
“Jah. You aren’t alone, Roy.”
Roy took a deep breath. “All right.”
“All right then.” Will grinned. “Let’s go find ourselves a turkey for Christmas.”
“I’m not sure how to find turkeys,” Jemima said. “What should we do?”
Harley answered that one. “You’re gonna have to stay quiet, walk carefully, and try to think like a turkey.”
Her lips curved up. “We’re people. We can’t think like fayl.”
“Sure we can. All you have to do is look around and think about where you would want to perch.”
Jemima giggled before slapping her hand over her lips. “Sorry.”
“That’s all right, girl. You sounded a bit like a giggling turkey. Maybe they’ll think you’re a friend.”
Jemima giggled harder, followed by Roy, before he, too, slapped a hand over his mouth.
And so it continued.
Will, John, and Harley carried shotguns in their hands and backpacks filled with snacks on their backs. They pretended to look hard for turkeys, but in actuality, Will knew their chances of actually finding any birds were slim. What was important was that they had gotten Jemima and Roy out of the house for a little adventure. Three days before, he’d spoken to John at work about the children. When John had suggested a Christmas turkey-hunting trip, he’d been doubtful, but now he was realizing that it was good medicine for all of them.
They were all dressed in boots, layers of clothing, hats, and mittens. Harley was gifted in the way he dealt with Jemima. She responded well to his quiet, solemn ways as well as his ability to spy rabbits, deer, and bright red cardinals.
As for Roy, Will could tell that he still wasn’t exactly sure what to think about John. Though Roy had been in an English foster home, Will knew that it hadn’t been a very positive situation. He feared that Roy was also coming to associate Englishers with people like their former foster parents. Perhaps by the end of their adventure, the boy would warm up to John and maybe even Englishers in general.
After an hour went by, Harley stomped his feet. “I reckon it’s time for a hot chocolate and cookie break.” He looked around. “Anyone want to have some with me?”
“We don’t have any hot chocolate or cookies,” Jemima said. “Mrs. Kurtz packed us sandwiches.”
“Of course we do, child. Mei frau Katie made it for us.” Harley pointed to a rock. “Let’s sit down for a spell, jah?”
“Does he really have hot chocolate?” Roy whispered to Will.
“Of course,” Will said as he helped the boy take off his backpack. When Jemima sat on Will’s other side, he felt a burst of pride. He was out with his children. Even though he hadn’t known them for long and they weren’t his by birth, he felt a connection to them and their well-being as strongly as if he’d held each of them in his arms in a delivery room.
“How are you doing, Jemima?” he asked. “Are you glad you decided to come out with the men today?”
She nodded. “I didn’t think I would have fun, but it’s nice to be out in the woods.”
“I think so, too.” Will smiled down at her.
“Do you think E.—I mean, Mrs. Kurtz is doing okay all by herself?” Jemima asked.
“I think so. She was going to do some cleaning around the house. Maybe sewing, too.” He also knew E.A. was going to be sewing blankets for Roy and Jemima for one of their Christmas presents. She was making stuffed rabbits for each of them as well.
“She sure likes to sew,” Roy said.
“That’s because she has a sewing shop. Someone is managing it for her now, but for a while she worked there all the time. Ah, here we go,” he said as Harley handed out paper cups filled with hot chocolate, followed by napkins folded around sugar cookies.
Jemima gazed at the perfectly formed stars and hearts. Harley’s wife, Katie, had even lined the edges with red sprinkles. They were truly works of art. “They’re really pretty.”
“They are, and they taste good, too,” Will said.
“Why, I’d say these cookies are almost as good as my Marie’s cookies,” John said with a smile.
“Never say that,” Harley retorted.
John laughed. “My wife Marie is a terrible cook, Jemima and Roy. That’s why they’re teasing about the cookies.”
“You don’t mind that she can’t cook?” Jemima asked.
“Not a bit. We all have our gifts, jah? Marie is a whiz at math and all sorts of things. An’ it just so happens that I am rather handy in the kitchen. I never would have known that if Marie hadn’t been so terrible.”
“E.A. makes good chicken,” Roy said. “She bakes it with carrots and potatoes.”
John’s expression softened. “I bet it is wonderful-gut, Roy.”
Just
