Seasons of Sugarcreek 02. Spring's Renewal by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

driveway.
    “Anywhere is fine. I’m just happy to be outside.”
    “ Jah . I feel the same way.”
    Around them, the air felt breezy and a bit cool, yet everywhere there were signs of spring. Crocuses were beginning to bloom—their tiny purple buds brightening the dark soil surrounding them.
    Yes, the early evening was a pleasure, for sure. But none of it mattered to him. His attention was far more focused on the woman standing next to him.
    By unspoken consent, they veered left, the opposite direction from the creek where they’d first met. As they walked, they passed a thick hedge. Directly after was the Allens’ home. Because the Allens were English, their house shone brightly. Almost every window was illuminated. The faint buzzing of a television drifted out from two open windows. Seconds later, they heard Mrs. Allen calling for something.
    Tim shared an amused look with Clara. “Their home is busy tonight, too.”
    “I would say so. I don’t know them too well. Do you?”
    “I’ve only talked with them a few times. My cousins like them very much. Anson and Ty are gut friends.”
    “Yes, Anson’s mentioned Ty to me a few times. Maybe a hundred or so?”
    He laughed. “That Anson, he’s never met a stranger.”
    “I admire that quality of his greatly.” After another twenty yards, they left the Allens’ mowed lawn and walked up a hill. There was a well-worn path to the side of the road. “If we continue this way for about five miles, it will lead us to downtown Sugarcreek. About a mile ahead, the Millers have a vegetable and honey stand. Would you like to walk to that?”
    “Sure.”
    “Okay. There are not too many cars, so it always feels safe.”
    Safety was something Tim never worried about. He felt strong and solid after a lifetime of working hard in the fields. No one would ever mistake him for a weakling.
    He imagined, though, that concern for safety was far different for a woman. No matter what the surroundings, it wasn’t safe for a woman to walk along the road at night. For a moment, he wished their circumstances were different. He wished he could offer her his protection all the time.
    But of course, he was in no position to make such a promise.
    So he stuck to safer topics. “Thank you for agreeing to walk with me. I was anxious for a break.”
    “From what?”
    He thought for a moment, wondering if he’d be able to pinpoint exactly what he’d been eager to leave behind. “The noise,” he finally said, though that didn’t really explain much.
    “It’s not what you’re used to, is it?”
    “No. My life at home is far different. My parents and I each follow our own pursuits. It’s a much quieter existence.”
    “Things with my mother are quiet, too. Sometimes too much so. But noise never has bothered me much.”
    “That’s probably a good thing, yes?”
    “ Jah ,” she replied with a smile. “Being a schoolteacher would be terribly difficult if I only ever demanded peace.”
    “Difficult for the children.” Tim remembered how rambunctious they’d been at the program.
    “And difficult for me! I enjoy getting to know my scholars. I have high hopes for them.”
    “Some outside our way of life would find that view a little strange. After all, most of your schoolchildren will adopt lives just like our parents and grandparents. They don’t need to know much.”
    “Is that how you think?”
    “I’m not sure.” After a moment’s reflection, he shook his head. “No. Though we may all have much in common, I know we are all individuals. And there’s much we need to know both inside and outside of the classroom. Is that what you’re trying to accomplish?”
    “Yes,” she replied with a happy smile. “To my mind, there is nothing ‘simple’ with wanting to be a wife and mother. Or a farmer. Or a factory worker. All of those jobs take many skills, some more than others!”
    “Your words sound almost revolutionary. Some might find them challenging to our way of