Sewn with Joy by Tricia Goyer Page B

brought them this far to fail them—fail her—now.

Nine
    Listening is 50 percent of our education.
    A MISH PROVERB

    J oy followed Matthew through the front door of Yoder’s Restaurant—one of the favorite places to eat in Pinecraft, Amish or not. The aroma of fried chicken and fresh cinnamon rolls greeted her, and her stomach rumbled a little despite the lunch she’d had earlier. A cell phone chimed, and Matthew reached inside his pants pocket. Up north, cell phones were only used because of work-related needs, but in Pinecraft it seemed almost everyone had one. The Amish snowbirds often proclaimed, “What happens in Pinecraft stays in Pinecraft.”
    Matthew checked the number, and his brow furrowed. “Sorry…do you mind if I get this? It’s Mose.”
    â€œ Ne , of course not. There’s a line anyway. It’ll be a while before we can get a table.”
    Matthew stepped out of line and hurried outside. From her place in line she saw him talking, and then a worried expression came over his face.
    â€œJoy?” The Amish hostess waved her forward, and Joy recognized one of Faith’s friends. “Will there be two of you today?”
    â€œ Ja , but give us a minute…” She glanced outside again.Matthew blew out a heavy sigh as he tucked his cell phone back into his pocket. She could see worry on his face and noticed a stiffness in his shoulders.
    She offered a quick smile to the hostess. “I’ll be right back.”
    Joy hurried outside, the warm breeze dancing across her face. “Is everything all right?”
    Matthew released a sigh. “I’m afraid not. It sounds like Mose was using a temperamental chain saw when he was tearing down the old structure. It jumped and got his leg real good. Abraham took him to the ER. They’ve been trying to get hold of me for an hour, but over the noise in my own shop I didn’t hear my phone.”
    â€œDo you need to go?”
    â€œJa.” He removed his hat and ran a hand through his hair. “Not only did we lose Mose’s help, but Abraham’s too. I need to get back to that project. I’m afraid I’m going to be working late. And I was hoping to see you this evening.”
    â€œI understand. But I actually need to spend time with my dat and mem . Lunch tomorrow?” She offered a bright smile, even though thoughts of her dat caused her chest to resume its ache.
    â€œThat sounds perfect. Maybe a picnic at Phillippi Park?”
    â€œI’ll prepare a basket.”
    Joy watched him go, moving with long, purposeful steps. She considered picking up a snack to go, but there were plenty of leftovers at home. Besides, she needed to spend her money more wisely now.
    As she walked toward home, Joy said a quick prayer for Mose. Then she considered how best to approach the subject tonight with her dat . She knew he could be stubborn, but he’d raised five girls who could be equally so. She just hoped Dat would allow her and Faith to pitch in. Their family needed him—needed him around, needed him to be well. Ja , there were many needs withinthe Amish community, but that’s what God designed family for, wasn’t it?

    Dat and Mem sat side by side on the couch. The evening sun slanted through the windows, highlighting the white of Dat ’s beard. They’d just finished dinner, and Mem had made an orange cream pie— Dat ’s favorite—but no one had touched it. Dat narrowed his gaze at them as Faith asked about his illness.
    â€œSo tell us the truth, Dat . How bad is it? I know you need more money to get the type of help you need.”
    â€œIt’s not something you need to worry about.” His reply was sharp.
    Mem almost seemed relieved by the questions. “John, please. They are concerned. As I told you before, it’s not right that you keep so much from them. They are women now, not children.”
    â€œJust tell us what we can do