A Season for Tending by Cindy Woodsmall Page A

when the whole congregation couldn’t participate. Also, it seemed reasonable to accept what she’d been told: outside of a church setting, music easily became filled with ungodly lyrics and devilish beats that appealed to the sensual side. But apparently Arlan thought the whole topic was some kind of joke.
    She bet Samuel could have a helpful conversation with Arlan.
    The screen door popped open, and Mamm walked into the house. “The morning was beautiful and cool, but the temps are soaring now.” She held her dirt-covered hands away from her as she went to the sink. “I put off weeding that garden for far too long. They’d threatened to take over.” She flicked on the faucet and scrubbed her hands. “Going to Samuel’s, are you?”
    Catherine glanced at Arlan, wondering how he could do something that might cause his parents grief. “Definitely.”
    Mamm pulled a carton of eggs out of the refrigerator. “And if you take him the pie you made, you’ll be able to play with little Hope instead of simply talking about her nonstop.” She got a bowl out of the cupboard and glanced at Arlan. “Your sister finally has a dog. Did you know that?”
    “Cool.” Arlan set his glass on the counter. “Where is it?”
    “ It is a she.” Catherine got an insulated carrier from the cabinet and set it on the counter. “Her name’s Hope, and she’s staying at Samuel’s. She’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
    Mamm pinched her cheek. “That’s how I felt about you the first time I held you in my arms.”
    Mamm would have loved having a large brood of children, but after Arlan was born in a home delivery, she had complications and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital. Whether right or wrong, the doctors felt it necessary to remove her uterus. She was unconscious, and Daed gave them permission.
    Mamm kissed Catherine’s forehead.
    “Well.” Arlan dusted off his clean hands, a motion that meant he was brushing them off or at least this conversation. “I’m outta here. That’s all the gushy stuff I can take for the day, the month, the year.”
    Mamm held up an egg. “I was going to make you something to eat.”
    “No thanks.” He ran up the steps. “I’m jumping into some real clothes, and I’ll be gone in less than a minute.”
    “Where’s he going?” Catherine moved the pie to the cooling shelf just inside the open window.
    Mamm put the egg back into the carton and slid it away from her. “Not sure.”
    “He sleeps half the day and then just leaves?”
    “He’s been hauling hay for weeks in this heat, and it’s his day off. He’s earned it and however he wants to spend it.”
    Catherine plunged her hands into the sink of lukewarm, sudsy water and began washing a few more dishes.
    “Don’t go worrying about him.” Mamm wiped sweat from her forehead. “He’s fine. Both of you grew up way too fast, but I can’t treat him like a child just because I want him to be that way. He’ll be a legal adult in a little more than a year.”
    Catherine envied her friends who had many little brothers and sisters that they helped and nurtured as they grew up. Arlan was never one to be babied. Now many of those same friends were married and starting their own families. Samuel didn’t understand how hard it was to be in her position. But all she could do was remain patient with him and look forward to the day when they started having children. Her mother would love it. “Mamm, did you have to wait for Daed to be ready to get married?”
    Arlan bounded down the stairs, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Bye.” He ran out the door while they both said good-bye.
    Mamm put the carton of eggs in the refrigerator. “Now, where were we?”
    “I asked if you wanted to get married long before Daed did.”
    “No. But everyone’s story is different. You know your father. He isn’t afraid to make a decision based on feeling. The minute he fell in love with me, at nineteen years old, he asked me to