Amish Promises by Leslie Gould

Simon’s chores. I’m down a worker. If Daniel and I have to take the time to do Simon’s work, we’ll get behind.”
    Shani couldn’t help but look at Charlie. He nodded in return and then said, “That sounds fair.” Shani wasn’t so sure.
    Zane leaned back in his chair. “What chores does Simon do?”
    â€œHe helps milk the cows twice a day—all forty of them. And feeds the chickens and gathers the eggs. He waters, feeds, and grooms the horses, and cleans out the dairy and all the animal stalls. Plus he helps in the fields and repairs fences some, although I do most of that.” Tim took the last bite of his eggs.
    Zane appeared bewildered. “That’s a lot of chores. What about Daniel?”
    â€œHe does the same and helps Eve around the house as well.”
    Zane tipped back on his chair, but Shani reached over and placed her hand on the edge of the seat, pushing it back to the floor as she asked, “How do they have time to do all that and go to school too?”
    Tim reached for another napkin. “They manage.”
    Shani felt her face grow warm at Tim’s abruptness.
    But Zane didn’t seem upset at all. “What time do you need me?”
    â€œSix a.m. Sharp.”
    Shani couldn’t help but ask, “For how long?”
    â€œAn hour or two in the morning,” Tim answered. “And then another hour in the afternoon.”
    â€œNo, I mean how many days?”
    He shrugged. “Until Simon can take over again.”
    Shani couldn’t imagine how that would work once she started her orientation and Zane was in school. But she wouldn’t say anything now. She’d talk to Tim without Zane around.
    She took a bite of her omelet, wondering how Joel would react to Tim’s edict. Then she nearly choked as her name came over the PA system. “Shani Beck,” the voice said again. “Please report to X-ray.”
    â€œUh-oh,” Zane said.
    â€œWant me to come with you?” Charlie asked.
    â€œPlease,” she answered. “And you too,” she said to Zane.
    â€œI can go with him.” Zane pointed to Tim. “And see Simon.”
    â€œHe’s not up to visitors,” Shani said.
    â€œThe boy can wait out in the hall,” Tim answered. “Come find him there when you’re done. Leave your trays. We’ll take care of them.”
    Shani nodded her thanks and hurried out of the cafeteria. Charlie’s footsteps sounded behind her. Every day she struggled to juggle it all—Joel, Zane, the pregnancy, her job, their finances, the mass of Army paperwork. She thought coming to Lancaster would simplify things.
    Not make them worse.

 8 
    T hat afternoon Eve opened the oven door and grabbed the first pan of sticky buns, lifting it to the stovetop. Then she did the same with the second pan.
    â€œGrab me a towel,” she said to Lila. She’d checked the answering machine in the barn for a message from Tim after she put Trudy down for her nap, but there hadn’t been one. There had been one from the bishop though, left for Tim, asking what the results of Simon’s test had been. Obviously Tim had called him that morning.
    She supposed no news was good news as far as Simon was concerned, but she still wondered how he was doing. That’s why she’d decided to go over to the new neighbors’ with sticky buns to see if they’d returned from the hospital. She should have thought to ask Charlie to give her an update.
    Eve would help Daniel with the evening chores after she delivered the rolls. He insisted he could do it all himself, but she knew he’d need help with the milking.
    Lila returned with the towel. “Can I come with you?”
    â€œI need you to stay with Rose and Trudy.” She could hear the baby fussing in her crib.
    â€œThey could come too. The fresh air would do them good.” Lila spoke with confidence. “I’ll tell Rose