Brush of Angel's Wings by Ruth Reid

unlike her to be so curious about someone’s life. Perhaps because he came from a world she hadn’t much experience in.
    Thankfully, Naomi’s house was a short distance from hers and the rest of the awkward silence wasn’t too insufferable.
    Jordan pulled the buggy in front of the house to let her out before taking Blaze and the buggy by the others near the barn.
    Instead of taking her hand to assist her, he offered to hold the dish as she stepped down. At the door, he handed it to an eager Naomi, then excused himself.
    Naomi looped her arm around Rachel’s and giggled. “How was the ride here with Jordan?”
    Rachel rolled her eyes. “We both know it was arranged.”
    Naomi had heard it as clearly as she when Jordan hesitated to agree.
    â€œThe others don’t need to know that. Besides, maybe—”
    â€œDon’t say it. Jordan and I don’t get along.” Rachel removed her cape and bonnet and hung them with the others on the hook.
    â€œHave you prayed about it?”
    If the truth were told, she hadn’t prayed about much since her brother’s death. She hadn’t moved away from her faith, but she struggled to speak with a God who didn’t always make sense.
    â€œNot yet,” she said. “I don’t know that I need to.”
    â€œYou need to pray about everything, Rachel Hartzler.”
    Rachel pointed at her dish. “Where shall we put that?”
    Naomi sighed. “You do that a lot. You change the subject.”
    Rachel shrugged and followed Naomi into the kitchen.
    Naomi’s kitchen was small compared to the one in their farmhouse. The cookstove and firebox took up one portion of the room, while shelves of canned goods lined another wall. Since cabinets wrapped around the other walls, there wasn’t much space around the long wooden table, which seated ten.
    Rachel eased over to the window to see if she could find Jordan. He stood in the midst of the fellows but didn’t appear engaged in their conversation. He seemed intent to remain an outsider. It made no sense to her. Even if he was leaving, why would he not at least enjoy the time he had? The Amish treasured their close friendships. They bonded their tight community and fostered their strong belief not to be of the world. She had to remind herself that he wasn’t Amish.
    It wasn’t long before the men shuffled into the kitchen. They sat opposite the women at the table. All except Jordan, who stood near the entry, as though ready to make a quick escape. Rachel couldn’t get the image of him out of her mind. There had to be more of a reason for his refusal to participate than just the fact that he didn’t plan on staying in the community. He certainly wasn’t shy. Yet, propped against the wall, he looked despondent.
    Naomi paused at the entrance. “I’ll fetch another chair.”
    â€œI’d rather stand,” Jordan said.
    Naomi’s nose crinkled, then after a brief hesitation she said, “Let me know if you get tired.”
    The singing started with the familiar praise song “Loblied,” taken from the Ausbund . Rachel looked over at Jordan. With his arms crossed, his eyes traveled up the wooden molding of the door frame as though inspecting it. He wasn’t even humming along. He hadn’t been with the community long, but he attended services so he had at least heard most of the songs. Instead, his mouth tightened, as if guarding himself from joining in.
    Several songs later, the group took a break to enjoy refreshments. As they lined up in front of the food, Rachel ambled over to Jordan.
    â€œWhy won’t you join everyone and sing? Don’t you wish to honor God?”
    His stare bored into her. “Who says you must sing to honor him?”
    She stared back. “Why did you agree to kumm if it wasn’t to participate?”
    â€œTo keep an eye on you as your father requested.” Jordan pushed away