Page 1 of The Christmas House
Signs of the Christmas season were visible all over Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, even this early in November.
Vendors at the local farmers markets had put out homemade candy canes, snowman-shaped chocolates, and chunks of fudge wrapped in cellophane and red bows.
Many of the big chain stores had been displaying artificial trees, lights, and ornaments for a while now, nudging shoppers into the spirit of giving.
The signs were less noticeable in Hickory Hollow’s strict Amish community, though.
Oh, there were a few battery-operated candles already twinkling in young Amish couples’ front windows, and in all of Ella Mae Zook’s windows, upstairs and down.
She had even boldly decorated her front door with a simple evergreen wreath, but then, the elderly widow was known to march to the beat of her own drum.
Otherwise, things in the secluded farming community looked much as they did any other late autumn day during wedding season.
On nearly every road come Tuesdays and Thursdays in November and much of December, there were numerous horse-drawn carriages, as well as large church wagons filled with wooden benches and boxes of tableware, headed to various brides’ family homes for the big celebrations.
Twenty-two-year-old Liz Lantz was a little reluctant to attend weddings this season since she had no beau to pair up with during the afternoon festivities.
Her bustling tourist business, Amish Buggy Rides, was a needed distraction this time of year.
The steady flow of folks who reserved tickets for her Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday tours meant she had to dedicate the off days to her household chores.
Even so, she was looking forward to the return of her very popular Christmas House Buggy Tour starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Liz still marveled at the number of Englisher folks eager to experience the novelty of a ride in an Amish buggy.
That appeal, and Liz’s commentary about the sights of her community, which sometimes turned into a bit of storytelling, had quickly given her great word of mouth, bringing new customers beyond the big-city tour buses and her own website.
Thankfully, her Mennonite cousin, Roy Miller, had been willing to create and maintain the online site where people could purchase tickets.
A wunnerbaar-gut business , she thought, grateful each Monday when Roy stopped by with a list of names and tour reservations for the week.
“Coming to Lancaster for a breather has turned out to be one of my better ideas,” a smiling middle-aged gentleman with a New Jersey accent had told her just that morning before the first ride of the day.
He waited in the partially enclosed wood structure built for her customers adjacent to Hickory Hollow’s hardware store.
“If you’re looking to relax, you’ve picked the perfect way,” Liz agreed with the congenial man. “We Amish try to take one day at a time, ’specially durin’ the busy wedding season.”
The man bobbed his head as he stepped closer to hand his ticket to Liz’s nineteen-year-old brother, Adam, her assistant since starting the business two years ago.
Ah , wedding season , thought Liz, who would not be one of the Hickory Hollow brides after all.
Her former beau, Calvin Kinsinger, and she had mutually parted ways almost a year ago now, when he moved from the area.
And all for the better, it turned out. While Calvin was a pleasant young man, she hadn’t missed him as much as she’d expected.
Even though she was about the age when most Amish young women were engaged or getting married, Liz knew it was wise to be patient for the right person to come along, someone who wanted similar things in life and entrusted the future to God, for certain.
Thankful for the brisk business on this chilly yet sunny day, Liz welcomed her second group of morning customers, a family of four and a young couple, all wearing puffer jackets and some wrapped in plaid scarves.
They boarded the extra-long and extra-wide buggy her father had generously paid to have custom built when she first started offering rides.
It had many windows and more space than the traditional family buggy.
Her brother made small talk with the six passengers as they got settled into the enclosed carriage with its handy dashboard heater.
While she’d initially protested to her father that it wasn’t necessary for her to have Adam go along on these rides—something Dat had insisted on to keep her safe when interacting with strangers—she’d come to appreciate what her sometimes reticent brother brought to every excursion with his even-keeled approach and occasional humorous remarks.
He had told her, however, that he did not view this part-time job as something that would be permanent, wanting to settle into a full-time job elsewhere and eventually marry.
“ Willkumm , everyone!” Liz said as Adam stepped away to untie their black Belgian draft horse, King, from the hitching post. “Thanks for joining us for our Amish Back Roads and Tasty Treats Tour.”
“Be sure to keep your arms inside the carriage at all times,” Adam said as he slid into the front seat and picked up the driving lines. “As we go, my sister Liz here will share some things ’bout Amish life which, honestly, ya might not hear anywhere else.” He chuckled.
“Prob’ly so.” Liz smiled. “Just leave your cares behind as we ride through beautiful Amish farmland. Today you’ll see working windmills, our historic general store, a harness shop, and the one-room schoolhouse Amish children attend until eighth grade.
If you have questions along the way, please don’t be shy ’bout asking. ”
Wasting no time, a petite girl sitting with her parents raised her hand. “Does your school have a kindergarten?” she asked.
“Scholars actually start in first grade,” Adam replied, “so no kindergarten.”
Glancing in the large rearview mirror, Liz noticed the little girl looking up at her mother with big, inquisitive eyes.
She paused in case the child had another question, then continued.
“Toward the end of the tour, we’ll be makin’ a stop at our Aendi Hannah’s for some melt-in-your-mouth cookies and sticky buns.
She’ll bring the goodies out to the carriage, so for your safety, please stay put when we stop. ”
Back when Liz was only toying with the notion of possibly starting a buggy-tour enterprise, Aunt Hannah had suggested offering baked goods as part of the ride package.
Liz had jumped on the idea, knowing it would provide extra income for their widowed aunt, a baker extraordinaire.
Not surprisingly, Adam had declared the baked goods the best part of the tour.
“Now, if everyone is ready and there are no further questions, we’ll be on our way.
” Adam clicked his tongue and directed King past the waiting area, where he and Liz planned to hang a large Christmas wreath with a big red bow in a couple of weeks.
Englishers enjoyed the sights and sounds of the holidays, as evidenced by the popularity of last year’s Christmas House Buggy Tour.
To Liz’s delight, many of the bookings were already sold out.
Adam directed the horse with a gentle tug on the left rein, and they headed out of the lot adjacent to the local Amish hardware store owned by Mamm ’s older brother, Onkel Joe, who’d graciously given Liz and Adam permission to meet passengers there.
As always when they started out, Liz prayed silently for God’s protection over each person in the carriage, thankful for this chance to give customers a laid-back yet enjoyable experience—a little taste of Plain life.
As for Adam, his mind was likely focused on Aunt Hannah’s tasty treats. Liz smiled at the thought.
While helping make supper that evening, Liz heard Dat talking to Adam at the kitchen table. Not in hushed tones, either, so their conversation wasn’t private.
“I need ya to go with me to help build a large addition to my cousin’s farmhouse over in Somerset,” Dat was saying.
“It’s a big job. The whole east side of the house will be enlarged—the front room and kitchen—to accommodate their growing family.
He and his wife are hoping to have it done in time for Christmas.
We’ll leave a week from today, bright an’ early.
They should have all the supplies by then. ”
“I don’t mind, but who’ll go with Liz on her buggy rides?” Adam asked, pouring coffee for Dat and himself.
“Oh, I’ve seen to that already.” Dat ran a callused hand through his blond bangs.
Surprised that her father still thought it necessary for her to have someone along on tours, Liz stepped away from the gas range as her plump, blue-eyed Mamma came upstairs carrying a quart jar of chow chow.
Going over to the table, Liz said, “I couldn’t help hearin’ what ya said, Dat. How long will yous be gone?”
“Depends on how everything goes, but we should be back by Christmas.”
“May I ask who ya lined up to take Adam’s place?”
“Matthew Yoder from Bird-in-Hand has agreed to fill in for the time bein’. He’s the son of an old friend of mine,” Dat explained. “Now that the harvest is in, Matt’s been doin’ odd jobs and house repairs. But he’s glad to pick up a part-time job here and there. Dependable as a pillar, he is.”
“So, he’ll start next Tuesday, then?” Liz wished she could put an end to the plan. To her thinking, Dat seemed a little too eager for this guy to help out. She didn’t know Matt, and she felt anxious about working with a stranger.
Dat nodded. “Matt’s a mighty careful driver. I’ve known him since he cut his first tooth.” Her father’s lips parted in a half smile. “And he’s not spoken for, either.”
Liz cringed inwardly—she’d never heard her father say such a thing. Was he that concerned she was still single?
Even Adam’s eyebrows rose at this, though Mamm remained silent by the stove.
Martha Rose, Liz’s twenty-year-old sister, just coming in from the hen house with a basket of fresh eggs, stood with eyes wide in the doorway of the utility room. She stared at Liz curiously, evidently trying to grasp what Dat had said.
Dat himself filled the awkward silence. “Years ago, I dug a well with Matt’s father and uncle, before Matt was even born.
Hardworkin’ family they are—with nine fine Kinner , too.
They’re all just as devout as deacons.” He nodded approvingly.
“And to keep things simple, I’ve arranged for Matt to come by Amish taxi.
He’ll meet ya over at the hardware store and return home the same way.
I’ve already paid the fare through just before Christmas. ”
Adam gave Liz a sympathetic look, but it was apparent there would be no backing down on Dat’s part. He’d decided who would fill Adam’s place and, stranger or no, that was that.
“Trust me, Lizzy. This’ll all work out chust fine.” Her father seemed confident enough, but Liz certainly didn’t feel the same.