The Atonement by Beverly Lewis

his gnarled hands. “I wonder if you might consider reciting the Lord’s Prayer for me?”
    She nodded. “I only know how to say it in Deitsch , if that’s all right.”
    â€œNo doubt the Lord will understand.” He chuckled and she enjoyed the sound, never having seen the man so jovial.
    Slowly, she began to recite the words. When she finished, Wendell’s face was wet with tears again.
    â€œI studied German for two years in college, eons ago,” he told her. “If I’m not mistaken, I picked up the words for heaven and father .”
    She was moved by his pleasure.
    â€œI also attended church when I was a teenager . . . even into my adult years. Not so much in a long while, however.” He paused, his breath labored. “These days I try to pray, but the words are like dust.”
    Lucy felt ill at ease. He was describing how she felt every day, though it didn’t seem that Wendell was admitting to beingangry with God. Truth be told, she couldn’t imagine such a meek man feeling that way toward the Almighty, yet he seemed so discouraged.
    His eyes, dim as they were, sought hers.
    She patted his arm. “All of us feel lost at times.”
    He nodded. “Some of us more than others, I presume.”
    â€œYou need your rest.”
    Wendell closed his eyes and chuckled again, more softly this time, whispering, “Rest has escaped me for many years, Miss Lucy.”
    She swallowed, feeling helpless and uncomfortable. Oh, if only her parents were here at this moment, one of them would have an appropriate response on the very tip of the tongue.

    That night in bed, Lucy watched the moon slide slowly across the dark sky and thought of Wendell and the anguished look on his face. “Rest has escaped me,” he’d said.
    If only she’d had the presence of mind to remember the Bible verse she’d heard so often before. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. How well she knew the verse, but embracing its meaning was another thing yet. Besides, she thought, who really has time to rest?
    Getting out of bed, she went to sit on the chair beside her desk, praying Wendell wouldn’t die before someone might offer him renewed hope. She wondered what Tobe might have said to help. She’d observed him with folk who needed support, offering solace and advice.
    Jah, she thought. Tobe would have known what to say.
    â€œBut what would he say to me if he knew the truth?” she murmured into her hands, leaning on the desk.
    Alas, that was something she could not afford to find out.

Chapter 7

    T HURSDAY EVENING WAS CHILLIER than the past few nights, and Christian lingered at the table, having another cup of coffee and a second helping of angel food cake. “Mighty tasty and light,” he complimented Sarah, who sat to his right, waiting till he finished to clear the rest of the table.
    â€œMy Mamm always says it’s like eating sugary air,” Sarah said with a smile.
    Faye sat patiently, too, and asked if he wanted anything else to eat while Lettie forked up the last crumbs on her dessert plate. Lucy looked lost in thought. Restless as she’s become. Christian felt unsure about asking her to the meeting tonight. In fact, he wasn’t certain he wanted to make the effort to go himself. Even so, he’d tracked down last week’s handout from the driver, and had his own writing tablet and pen nearby to take out to the carriage, once he’d hitched up.
    â€œYou could’ve called for a driver again, love,” Sarah suggested softly. “Go easy on yourself.”
    â€œ Jah , I know.”
    â€œI’ll help ya, Dat,” Lucy offered without looking at him. Risingfrom the bench, she went to the sink and ran the water, washing her hands. “I’ll groom Sunshine for ya right quick, too.”
    Ever helpful Lucy, he thought.
    â€œAll right, then.” Smiling at Sarah,