Mason peeked at Cassie, who seemed engrossed in buttering her roll, then back at his brother. What was going on here?

  “We don’t need compliments for doing what needs to be done.” Job patted his lips with his napkin and threw it on the table. “It’s expected.”

  Bobby shrugged and helped himself to more stew. “Doesn’t hurt to be grateful, though.”

  In all his years Bobby had never expressed thanks for Mason’s efforts to feed him. Of course, that usually involved food that came in a paper sack.

  Still, it was good to see him show some manners. Even if it did seem sort of like flirting. Bobby was sixteen. If he had a girlfriend back in Wichita, he’d kept it to himself. The age difference was just enough that Mason and his half brother never hung out or played around together. They shared a room for years, but Mason was either at work or at school most of the time. Bobby was into skateboarding and hip-hop while Mason liked baseball and country music.

  The chance to be close seemed to have passed them by.

  The first notes of a Miranda Lambert tune played from the vicinity of Mason’s hip pocket. Sudden heat toasted his face. “Sorry about that. It’s work.” Tugging at the phone, he slid from the bench and headed for the back door. “I always answer when the boss calls.”

  “That’s a good policy.” Job waved away the apology with his fork. “Don’t mind us.”

  Mason ducked outside and answered. His boss sounded harried, which made perfect sense somehow since his name was Harry. “Can you come in tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow is Saturday. I’m beat.”

  “I know, but it’s OT. I’ll pay you double time. We’re running behind schedule and the owners are getting antsy. Their lease will be up at the end of the month. They don’t want to have to move into a month-to-month rental.”

  Harry had the upper hand. He knew Mason always needed the money. “Sure, I’m game.”

  “See you around six then.”

  Mason groaned. One of two days when he allowed himself to turn off the alarm. “Make it eight.”

  “Seven and we’ll call it even.”

  “You know how to hurt a guy.”

  Mason returned to the kitchen. “I hate to eat and run, but I have to get home. It turns out I’m working an early shift tomorrow. I need to do a load of laundry. My work pants are so dirty I could stand them in the corner.”

  “Don’t go, Sonny.” Jennie used the nickname Mom had preferred for Mason. “Don’t go.”

  “Yeah, don’t go,” the others chorused.

  “It’s OT, guys. I don’t have the luxury of turning down good money.”

  Jennie slid from the bench and trotted to his side. She tugged on his sleeve. “When will you be back?”

  Honestly, he didn’t know. “Soon.”

  “Promise.” The protruding lower lip was back.

  “We’ll see.” He slipped through the back door and made it to the Trailblazer without tearing up. Cowboy up, dude.

  “You didn’t get dessert.”

  He started and turned. Cassie stood behind him. She held out a stack of peanut butter cookies wrapped in a napkin. Her nose wrinkled. “Even I know ‘we’ll see’ means no.”

  “It’ll be easier if I stay away.”

  “For you, maybe. Not for them. Sunday will be their first visit to church. Monday they’ll start school. It’s a scary time for them. They need their big brother.” Her compassion for his children, whom she’d just met, told him so much about her. “The bishop is coming for supper Monday night. Come, too, so they can tell you all about their first day at school. You can talk to the bishop about any questions you have about us—who we are. It’s a good opportunity to learn more about how we live.”

  When she put it that way, Mason had no choice. He ducked his head and sighed. She had him right where she wanted him. “Fine. I’ll be here.”

  “We’ll eat about five thirty. I’ll make chili and cornbread. Do you like venison chili?”

  He had no idea. His chili usually came from Wendy’s. “I like anything I don’t have to cook.”

  “Gut. Gut.” She paused. Cassie should never play poker. Every emotion showed on her face, and right now she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how to do it.

  “Say whatever it is you need to say.”

  She took a long breath and let it out. “Dinah wants Perry to come home. Can you tell him?”

  “She shouldn’t want him to come home.” Mason cursed inwardly. Being mean didn’t help. Still, if Dinah knew her grown-up son, she wouldn’t be so eager to have him in her life. “I mean, I know he’s her son and her only child now, but he’s never been one of my favorite people.”

  “Why’s that?” Disappointment shrouded her words. “Did he do something bad?”

  “For one thing, he took off after the funeral and never even said good-bye. He didn’t offer to help me with the kids. He’s their uncle—my uncle—but he wanted nothing to do with raising them. I guess Mom knew he wouldn’t. That’s why she left instructions for how to find Job and Dinah.”

  “He’s not married? He doesn’t have kids of his own?”

  “No. I think he might have been at one time, but not now. He was always making cracks about Mom being a baby-making machine. Once he said something about it being in her genes.”

  At the time Mason hadn’t understood. Now he did.

  “Dinah wants to see him.” Cassie’s shoulders hunched. “He’s her son, like you said, and he might not be perfect, but he deserves forgiveness. And Dinah deserves another chance to know him. Surely by now, he must want that too.”

  “If he did, he’d be here. And I don’t know about forgiving him for abandoning the kids when they had just lost their mother.”

  “There’s nothing that can’t be forgiven.” Cassie pulled her coat tighter and shivered. “Do you have a way to reach him?”

  “I have a telephone number. I tried to call him after he did his disappearing routine. I wanted to give him . . . to let him know how wrong it was to abandon the kids. They needed him. I got voice mail. He never called me back.”

  “Will you try again? For Dinah’s sake?”

  How could he say no to such a kind soul, such a sweet face? Mason had known very few truly nice people in his life. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Good. You are a good man, Mason. Better than Perry. My mother always says take the high road. Thank you for taking it. I’d better get in there before a food fight breaks out.”

  “I said I’d think about it.”

  She whirled and scampered toward the house. Her laughter rang in his ears long after he shoved the Blazer in gear and drove toward the highway. That and her teasing words.

  Something inside him stirred for the first time in a long time. It felt like anticipation. Or possibility. That something better might be possible.

  All from a girl’s laugh.

  “You’re losing it, dude.” He turned up the radio and sang along with Blake Shelton. He still couldn’t drown out the sound of her sweet, sweet laughter.

  Chapter 11

  The arrival of Georgia’s five children would definitely assure that no one fell asleep during the church service at the Millers’ house on a bright, sunny Sunday morning. With the heat from the fireplace and sixty or more bodies stuffed into the living and dining rooms, naps would normally be expected. Keeping her smile to herself, Cassie nodded at the Masts and waved at her mother, who sat with Cassie’s aunts and her grandmother. Mother smiled and mouthed, Talk to you after.

  Cassie guided Kathy, Donny, and Jennie to a backless wooden bench midway back from where the ministers—meaning the bishop, deacon, and minister—would take turns speaking. Every person in the district—even ones who’d been missing recently because of illness—had made it to church this morning. Despite the icy rain and furious north wind. No malice or ill will intended. Plain old human curiosity. Everyone knew the story of how Georgia and Perry had disappeared one day without a trace.

  Now they wanted the rest of the story.

  “Have a seat, kinner.” It had been decided that Bobby and Kevin would sit with Job, even though the teenagers typically sat farther back than the older men. Job would explain the service, which would alternate between Pennsylvania Dutch and German throughout. “The service will start in a few minutes.”

  “I want to go back out and pet the horse.” Jennie tugged at Cassie’s hand. “Won’t he be sad and cold outside by himself?”

  Every time Jennie said something like this, Cassie wanted to laugh and hug her. Was it possible to hug a child too much? She had so much wonder at everything new in her world. “He’s wearing a coat. He won’t be cold and he’s out there with all the other horses. They’re probably gossiping about us right now.”

  Jennie giggled. “Do you speak horse?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Me either. I wish I did.” Kathy picked up the Ausbund and flipped through a few pages. “What is this?”

  “It’s our hymnal. It’s called the Ausbund.”

  “There’s no notes.”

  “We don’t use music.”

  Her brow wrinkled, Kathy studied the room. “There’s no piano.”

  “We don’t use musical instruments either.”

  “Mommy liked to sing.” Kathy smoothed her small hand over the book. “She liked to dance too. She and Clayton would turn up the music and dance all over the living room on Saturday nights.”

  “You’ll learn these songs with time. We sing them over and over. You’ll see.”

  Kathy didn’t seem convinced, but she settled onto the bench and folded her hands over the book.

  Bryan announced the first song. The song leader stretched out the first note and the congregation began to sing. Cassie quickly found the page in the hymnal and pointed to the words for Kathy. It might help to hear and see at the same time. This was the best part of the service, though Cassie knew better than to say so aloud. Hearing her family and friends singing as one, holding each syllable for several notes, filled her with peace. All was right in her small world. It took thirty minutes to sing one song, but in that half hour they melded together as one in praise of their God and Savior.

  Kathy tried to join in, but she kept shaking her head and frowning.

  “What is this?” Jennie clapped her hands over her ears and shouted at Cassie, even though she was sitting on her lap. “I don’t like it.”

  Cassie dug a small doll from her bag and handed it to the girl. “Play with this.” She put her finger to her lips. “No talking, okay?”

  Jennie took the doll. “What happened to her face?”

  Nadine, who was seated in front of them, turned and offered a compassionate smile. It’s okay, she mouthed.

  Cassie shrugged and mouthed, Sorry.

  Finally the second song began. Cassie’s favorite because she had sat on her mother’s lap as a child and sung it with her. Every service included it.

  “Das Loblied. There.” She pointed to the page for Kathy. “‘The Praise Song.’”

  “What does it say?”

  “It’s thanking God for His goodness and His mercy.”

  “I know a song. Haters gonna hate . . . I’m just gonna shake,” Jennie sang at the top of her lungs.

  Her cheeks hot, Cassie sought a glimpse of Job. His big ears were red and his mouth set in a thin line. She put her hand over the girl’s mouth and bent close to her ear. “Hush, child. That’s not a song we sing in church.”

  “She doesn’t know. She’s never been to church.” Dinah held out her arms. “Give her to me.”

  With a soulful glare at Cassie, Jennie went willingly. She crawled into Dinah’s lap, leaned against her chest, and closed her eyes.

  Well, she was the grandma. Not Cassie.

  Ten minutes later the first sermon began. Bryan preached about yielding to God’s will in times of trial. It was a familiar theme, illustrated by stories from the Martyrs Mirror and the lives of folks in the district. Everyone could relate.

  “I’m bored.” Donny slid from the bench and settled on his back on the floor, one knee crossed over the other. “And I’m hungry.”

  Only the older folks who’d gone deaf with age didn’t hear his pronouncement.

  “Donny, get up,” Cassie whispered. She tugged on his arm. “I have crackers.”

  “I want a Dairy Queen hamburger with cheese and an Oreo Blizzard. Can we go out to eat?”

  Dinah reached down, grabbed his ear, and tugged the boy into a sitting position. “Nee.”

  “Oww!” The boy covered his ear and began to cry. “I don’t like church.”

  “Me either.” Bobby stood in the midst of the men’s section. “This is bull.”

  Bull? Embarrassment turned Cassie’s vision fuzzy. Lord, have mercy!

  “Why isn’t the service in English?” Kevin didn’t bother to speak quietly either. “This is America, for crying out loud.”

  Some of the women gasped. Nadine clasped her hand to her mouth. Dinah simply rocked Jennie and shook her head.

  “Quiet. Quiet.” Bryan held up his hand. Silence descended once again. “We have some visitors in our midst today. This might not be the best time to introduce them, but it seems that they have our attention. We should extend the same mercy and grace to them that God does to us. We have with us Job and Dinah’s kinnskinner: Bobby, Kevin, Kathy, Donny, and Jennie. This is their first time in a Plain church. They’ll gain understanding as time goes on. For now, let’s do our best to make them feel wanted, loved, and accepted.”

  A murmur swept the room.

  God knew what He was doing when He made Bryan bishop. “After the service, please make it a point to introduce yourself to the kinner. This is a hard time for them. They’ve lost their mudder and her mann. They don’t know us. And they’re kinner. Jah, they should be seen and not heard. They will learn. They have much to learn. Our job is to help them.”

  With a sigh Bobby plopped onto the bench and propped his chin on his palm. Kevin dropped down next to Job. Dinah patted Jennie’s back and smiled. “Gott is gut,” she whispered. “He is wise.”

  Jennie and Donny slept through the remaining two hours of the service. Kathy’s eyelids drooped, but every time she started to list to one side, she straightened. Cassie gave her a pencil and a piece of paper to draw on. That seemed to help. No more outbursts occurred on the men’s side.

  Danki, Gott.

  Halfway through the second sermon—this one on Moses and the Ten Commandments—Jennie pushed away from Dinah. Fear emerged on her elfin face. “I have to potty. I have to potty now.”

  A titter of laughter ran through the women’s side. Dinah set her on her feet. “Remember, no talking.”

  Her eyes wide with concern, Jennie took Cassie’s hand and trotted from the room into the hallway. “Are you mad at me?”

  “Nee, I’m not mad. This is all new to you. You have to learn.”

  “I don’t like church. It’s no fun.”

  “It’s not supposed to be fun. We’re here to worship God.”

  “Why does it take so long? Isn’t God hungry?”

  Cassie couldn’t help it. She chuckled. “Maybe He is. Either way, He won’t mind if I give you a snack in the meantime. Wash your hands. And next time, go potty before the service starts.”

  The rest of the service passed without incident. Afterward Cassie took Jennie from Dinah’s arms and together they made their way to Job. He took charge of Donny, who hummed a tune and skipped between the benches, chipper after his long nap. The girls headed to the kitchen where the women crowded every inch of floor, getting the food ready while the men rearranged furniture in the other rooms.

  “That was quite a spectacle.” Nadine squeezed between Dinah and Cassie, holding a platter of sandwiches. “I thought Peter Raber was going to pass out. His face turned purple.”

  “Like Bryan said, grace and mercy, grace and mercy. My kinnskinner have a lot to learn, but they’ll be fine if everyone treats them like family.” Dinah placed cookies on a platter without missing a beat. Cassie could never figure out how she did it. “It would be nice if you’d ask your bruders to make friends with the boys.”

  “I will.” Nadine snatched a snickerdoodle from the plate and took a bite. “Maybe they can help them get settled at schul tomorrow too.”

  “That would be so helpful.”

  “Consider it done.” Nadine winked at Cassie. “My mudder says Saturday is a gut day for a sewing frolic. She says it would be easier for you if we come to your house. Is that okay with you?”

  “Perfect.” Cassie had already shared Nadine’s idea with Dinah. She was all for it. “I have everything ready.”

  “Gut. I’ll go check on the boys.” Nadine patted Jennie’s head. “You have your mammi’s eyes.”

  “She’s a gut friend.” Dinah watched Nadine slip into the dining room. She wiped at her face with the back of her sleeve and cleared her throat. Then she held out the cookie platter to Kathy. “Would you like to help Cassie serve?”

  “Jah.” Kathy grinned at her grandma. “That means ‘yes.’”

  “Can I help too?”

  Jennie’s hand went to the plate. Dinah brushed it away. “You can help, but let Kathy carry the platter. You can have a cookie after we’ve served the others and you eat your sandwich.”

  Jennie’s exaggerated sigh coupled with an eye roll made all of them laugh.

  Cassie let the girls go first and then Dinah, who leaned harder on her walking stick than usual. Dark circles ringed her faded eyes. “Are you all right? You seem tired.”

  “My kinnskinner are with me in church today. It’s the hand of Gott moving in Job’s and my life.” Her smile lit up her face. “I’m wunderbarr.” At the door she paused. “Gott didn’t say it would be easy. Only that He would be with us during hard times. Don’t you feel Him moving here today?”

  Cassie nodded. Then she remembered Dinah’s dim eyesight. “I do. My hope is that the kinner feel Him too.”

  “Don’t you worry. He’s working on them. Our big mistake is thinking it’s our job to fix them. I think He laughs at the thought. Us, with our puny ways, thinking we’re in charge.”