Love’s Journey Home by Kelly Irvin Page B

at the shop.
     I imagine it will need work before we can open. Remodeling and such.” Isaac took a
     step back from the gray Percheron that whined and snorted as if anxious to get started.
     Isaac stretched his arms over his head and then bent at the waist in a deep stretch.
     “I also heard Emma’s brother might need help at the blacksmith shop. I was thinking
     the extra money might be needed until we get the shop open.”
    “You’re needed here. There will be storm cleanup on every farm in the area. Levi Stubbs
     passed by and said some of the farm roads are blocked by fallen trees and debris.”
    “Every farm comes with a family and men who will do the work.” Isaac crossed his arms,
     a frown marring his expression. Gabriel couldn’t see any of Laura in his oldest son’s
     face; he saw a reflection of himself. Unlike Daniel, Isaac had his personality, which
     made for frequent head butting. “If we’re to make it here, we need to find work quickly
     or get the shop open.”
    “In God’s time, son, not yours.”
    “Doesn’t God expect us to make an effort?”
    “Only God knows what His plan is.”
    Isaac blew out air in an exaggerated sigh. “I should’ve stayed in Dahlburg. Nothing
     will be different here.”
    “You had your chance.”
    His son didn’t answer and Gabriel regretted his words. Isaac had intended to stay
     in Indiana, until the girl he’d courted for more than two years had decided to choose
     another man—his closest friend from childhood. Unlike Daniel he and the girl had been
     old enough to start their own life. The girl’s father had been agreeable. The girl
     had been the one to change her mind. Isaac hadn’t said a word about it, but tongues
     wagged in the small community, and a father could read much into a son’s furious,
     insistent refusal to mention it. Instead, he chose to be the joker in the family.
     Acting silly. Acting lighthearted. As if that would make it so.
    “I’ll help with the cleanup, but at least let me take Mary Elizabeth to the bakery
     this morning.” Isaac squatted and picked up a rake that had fallen to the ground.
     He stuck it on the back of the wagon with shovels, saws, and brooms. “That would be
     a fine job for her. She’s a good cook and she’ll be among Plain folks.”
    “And who will watch the girls, cook, sew, and clean?”
    “Abigail is capable. You know she is. She’s been doing it since—”
    “Jah.” Gabriel couldn’t help himself. He cut his son off. He didn’t need to be reminded
     of what the girls had done every day for the past three years. At first his sisters
     and cousins had taken turns helping with the baby and the household chores. They’d
     taught Abigail and Mary Elizabeth what they still needed to know to care for the two
     younger girls. It wasn’t that much, considering what a good job Laura had done with
     them. Gradually they had taken over, growing up quickly in the absence of their mother.
     “There’s Thomas. Where are Seth and Samuel?”
    “Seth and Samuel are slopping the pigs for Thomas and helping Eli with the other chores.
     I haven’t seen Daniel since breakfast, though. I suppose he’s still mooning over Phoebe.”
    “Be kind to your brother. He’s not like you.”
    Isaac whipped around so he faced Gabriel. “Not hard-hearted, you mean?”
    “Nee. Just that you are different. You get through life in different ways.”
    “He moons around, I move on.”
    “Phoebe was too young to come with us.”
    “And you refused to stay in Dahlburg, on our farm, in our home.”
    “Jah.” These recriminations weren’t new. “I did what was best for all of us.”
    Gabriel held his son’s gaze until Isaac’s dropped.
    The horse whinnied and stamped, eyes rolling. Using the interruption as an excuse,
     Gabriel turned to examine the horse. His sons would understand someday. Until then,
     they would have to trust his judgment.
    “Easy, there, easy.” He peered at the horse’s hindquarters. One