Page 9 of The Christmas House

Liz enjoyed going to Friday market the next day, arriving right at nine o’clock when it opened.

She, Mamm, and Martha Rose mingled at various market stands, talking with relatives and purchasing items they needed and some Christmas gifts, too.

Afterward, they went to a nearby card shop to purchase boxes of Christmas cards.

Hearing the carols playing over the intercom made the time there all the more special.

Liz could feel the anticipation mount as she thought ahead to the whole family coming home for Christmas dinner, the joyful atmosphere, the smiles and laughter of her dear nephews and nieces, and, of course, Mamm’s incredible feast.

Best of all , Dat and Adam will be home!

When they arrived back from shopping, Mamm had a letter from Dat waiting in the mailbox, and Liz couldn’t stop smiling about it, wishing Dat could see Mamm’s cheerful face.

Her sadness has lifted , Liz thought, feeling ever so much better for her mother.

Letters from him make all the difference—even more , just maybe , than the Sisters Day gathering will.

That evening before bedtime in her room, Liz worked on knitting the long, navy-blue scarf, thinking happily of seeing Matt again tomorrow for the Saturday tours.

He’s remarkably good with the tourists and our horse .

.. and perty wonderful to work alongside , too , she thought, knowing she might be just a little biased about the latter.

Following the final tour the next day, Matt waited until all the passengers had driven away, then asked Liz if he could groom King before he left. “Even though I know ya don’t want me to bother with it.”

This took Liz off guard, and she asked if his driver would be coming at the usual time.

A mischievous smile stretched across his face. “I stepped out on a limb and asked him to come an hour later than usual.”

What on earth? Liz was taken aback. “ Ach , there’s no need to groom King by yourself when I can help,” she said, then laughed a little when Matt opened his trusty grooming tote and handed her the dandy brush.

Liz worked on King’s long, regal neck while Matt removed the trapped debris from the right front hoof, working from heel to toe. As he did so, he spoke softly to the horse. Like the smithy does.

The sun was near the western horizon now, though the sky was still filled with light. Several buggies drove past as the two of them worked, and one family buggy slowed up considerably.

Looking toward the road, Liz could see Martha Rose at the reins and Mamm seated next to her. Mamm waved as Martha smiled and nodded her head, both of them surely getting a good, long look at Matt.

Liz returned the wave. Are they really that curious about Adam’s replacement?

“You must know those folks.” Matt glanced up at her while holding the horse’s right back hoof between his knees.

“That was my Mamm and my youngest sister.”

Matt nodded. “So you have at least one sister and one brother that I know of.”

“ Jah , Adam and Martha Rose. But I also have two married brothers and two married sisters.” She looked down and noted that he was doing a thorough job. “I understand from my Dat there are nine children in your family.”

“My Mamm’s always said a big family makes for the most fun. And Dat says sticks in a bundle are hard to break.” Matt moved to work on the back left hoof as she shifted to the opposite side.

“Do you have school-age siblings?” she asked, recalling his patient way with the children on the tours.

“The youngest are triplet boys who just turned six.”

“Triplets? Your Mamm must’ve had some help when they were babies.”

“Actually, she assigned a baby to each of my three sisters once the triplets were weaned. But immediately after their births, both my Grossmammi came and spent a lot of time at our house for the first few weeks. Dat helped, too. He’s always helped, ’specially with our little ones, and he cooks to give Mamm a break from kitchen work. ”

Liz was impressed. “I don’t know many husbands who cook.”

Matt explained that his Dat’s father—Dawdi Yoder—had been the same way with his big family, changing diapers and playing with the toddlers and cooking.

“Like father, like son, I guess. Believe it or not, I’ve learned a lot ’bout cooking and even kitchen tips from both my parents,” Matt continued.

“I mean, a guy should know how to survive on his own, right?”

Liz tittered. That’s rare around here.

Soon, they were talking about whatever came to mind, Matt asking her more about her family and herself. “I’m guessin’ you’re baptized,” he said at one point.

She nodded. “My baptismal day was ... well, I’m not sure I can even describe it.

” She remembered the moment the bishop had placed his water-filled hands on her head as though it was just yesterday.

“I can say that it was precious and holy, for certain. My heart was filled with such peace, even joy.”

Matt stopped the hoof picking and stood up. “That’s just beautiful, Liz.” Their eyes met briefly. “Never heard it said quite that way.”

Now Liz had to know. “Have you joined church, too?”

“ Jah , and like you, I literally felt God’s presence that day. It’s difficult to put into words other than to say the air seemed thicker somehow with His blessing.”

She wanted to soak up Matt’s response, her heart was so moved. “I truly understand.”

Goodness, the more she learned about Matt, the more she wanted to know. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him. And all the way home, she pondered just how easy it was to talk openly with him.

It was close to dark by the time Liz arrived home that Saturday evening. She led King to the stable, where the stalls had been mucked out and fresh bedding straw put down. Reuben and Henry were here , she thought, grateful for their help.

She returned to the house and washed up, and as Liz might have expected, Martha Rose got things off to an interesting start at the table after Mamm asked the silent blessing. “I noticed ya had some extra help groomin’ King today,” Martha said, trying to keep a straight face.

“And I noticed yous rode by.”

Mamm remained silent, politely forking up some green beans with ham bits from her plate.

“Thought ya didn’t want Matt to do that,” Martha continued, unable to squelch her smile now.

“I didn’t.”

“Well, but there he was, groomin’ to beat the band ... and with your help, too.”

“True.”

Martha rolled her eyes. “Okay, if ya don’t wanna talk ’bout it ...”

“ Ach , girls, such a conversation,” Mamm teased with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

Liz reached for the tuna noodle casserole and dished it up. “I’ll fill you in later, Martha, never fear.”

Martha Rose gave a conspiratorial wink and laughed. “I’ll count on it.”