Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis Page A

her chest grew tight. She couldn’t bear to lose another child to the big city and English ways. When no better idea came to mind, she took pen and paper to jot a hurried message, folding the paper over twice when she finished.
    “Katie!” she called. When the girl appeared in the doorway, Elizabeth commanded, “Take this to the Troyer farm and be quick about it. Give this note to no one but Adam. And do not let curiosity get the better of you. It’s not your concern.”
    With a nod of her head, her youngest girl flew off. Elizabeth sat praying she hadn’t made another huge mistake.



T EN

     
    Sunday
    S arah rechecked her suitcase for necessities and her purse for money and directions for the tenth time. For once she was grateful it had snowed the previous night. Usually her family traveled to another district for church services on their district’s off week, but with several inches of new snow and more on the way, the Beachys were staying home today. And she had plenty to do yet if she was to leave tomorrow morning. At least Mrs. Pratt agreed to drive her to the bus station, although she too had tried to convince her to wait until spring.
    Spring would be too late. Adam would never give her that much time. He was patient and kind with kids and animals, but he could be stubborn once he’d fixed his sights on something.
    Her mother, on the other hand, had surprised her. Sarah had half expected mamm to forbid the trip or at least demand that one parent accompany her, but she had done neither. Maybe her mother realized she was an adult, fully capable of traveling alone and making important decisions about her life.
    Setting aside her purse with a sigh, Sarah headed downstairs to help fix lunch before her mother hollered up the steps again. She entered the kitchen with a cheery “Guder nachmittag .”
    Katie and Rebekah both returned the greeting, while Elizabeth merely grunted acknowledgement that someone had spoken.
    “What are we having for lunch?” asked Sarah.
    Elizabeth pursed her lips and then pointed at the table, where a loaf of freshly baked bread, jars of pickled vegetables, and a cold meatloaf waited to be served. She took a bowl of pasta salad out of the refrigerator that had been fixed yesterday.
    “Ah, good, meatloaf sandwiches. One of my favorites. I’ll slice a tomato and break off some lettuce leaves.”
    “You’re not too busy to eat with us?” Elizabeth asked in a chilly voice.
    Sarah’s head snapped around. Never before could she remember her mother being snide. She might not be forbidding the trip, but she certainly wasn’t happy about it. “I have plenty of time. I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning. Mrs. Pratt will take me to the station at eight o’clock.”
    “Where’s Sarah going?” asked the younger girls in perfect unison.
    “Never you mind where she’s going.” Elizabeth set the bowl on the table with a thud. “Katie, slice the bread and don’t make the slices too thick. Rebekah, cut that meatloaf in one-inch pieces. I hear your father in the mudroom.”
    A moment later Sarah expected to see the rosy cheeks of her daed , but instead Adam Troyer walked into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together to warm them up.
    “Adam,” said Sarah, not hiding her shock.
    “ Jah , it’s me. Glad my face is still familiar.” He winked with a broad smile. “The snow is sure giving us a run for the money this year, no?”
    “True, ’tis early. Usually it holds off till after Christmas.” Sarah stood holding a tomato in the palm of her hand like a prize. The other three females glanced between Sarah and Adam as though expecting something to happen.
    “ Ach , I see you’re ready for lunch. Sorry about my bad timing, Mrs. Beachy.” Adam twirled his hat brim between his fingers.
    “Nonsense. It’s a simple meal and we have plenty. Pull up a chair.”
    Adam did as directed as Eli trailed in, looking flushed from his morning chores. After silent prayers, Sarah tried to catch