A Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis Page A

fastened on a lively lamb frolicking among the tall buttercups. Luckily, the animal’s eyes looked clear and its nose dry.
    “That baby is having fun on this nice spring day, no?” Hannah asked, setting down the buckets.
    Phoebe eyed her cautiously and then shook her head up and down. Her attention returned to the lamb chasing a bumblebee from flower to flower.
    “Is that lamb your favorite, Phoebe? Would you like to pet him?” Hannah held her breath waiting for the reply.
    Phoebe nodded enthusiastically for her answer. Luckily the lamb’s mother was a pleasant enough ewe, accustomed to Hannah and not overly protective of her young. When Hannah entered the paddock and lifted the animal, mama offered a complaining baaa but didn’t become agitated. Hannah carried the baby to the fence and held it in between the rails. Phoebe stroked the soft head and velvety ears. The lamb began to lick Phoebe’s fingers, much to the child’s delight. She giggled and grinned at Hannah, showing a space where she’d lost her two front teeth.
    “Would you like to have this lamb, Phoebe?” Hannah asked on sudden impulse. “You could give him a name, and he would be yours.”
    The child’s face glowed with joy.
    “We must check with your daed to be sure it’s all right with him. And the lamb needs to stay here with his mother so he can nurse, but I know how you can find him and tell which one is yours.” Hannah pulled some long white ribbons from her apron pocket and began braiding them together. She and Julia had used the ribbons to make new kapps for Leah, Emma, and Phoebe. When she finished, she tied the ribbon collar around the lamb’s neck just as the animal was growing restless.
    Phoebe buried her face in the snowy wool and whispered in a barely audible voice, “Joe.”
    “What?” Hannah asked. “What did you say, Phoebe?” Her heart thumped against her chest wall as Hannah realized the child had spoken.
    “I believe she has named him Joe,” Seth said from over her shoulder. He’d come up without their notice. Hannah looked up to meet his gaze, and their eyes lingered longer than necessary. “A right suitable name for a sheep, I’d say. Unless, of course, Joe is actually Jolene.”
    Seth laughed before bending low to examine the critter. “Nope, Joe will do nicely. And danki for the gift, Mrs. Brown.” He patted the lamb’s head and then his daughter’s while Hannah stood mutely.Apparently when Phoebe regained her ability to talk, Hannah misplaced hers.
    Finally she managed a sentence. “You’re welcome. I hope you’re not mad. I know I should have checked with you first, but the lamb could stay here with us indefinitely.” Hannah smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt. She had to do something, look anywhere other than into his handsome face.
    Phoebe giggled and ran along the fence as Joe rejoined the other sheep. Her head poked in and out between the rails as she kept track of her new pet.
    “Not to worry,” Seth said. “But it does bring up a matter I wish to discuss with you.” He swept off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. For the first time Hannah noticed a few strands of silver near his temples. “I want to start my own sheep business, Hannah, and I’d appreciate any suggestions you can give me. The price of wool is shooting up in these parts, as well as the price of lamb meat, especially if I were to get organic certification for my operation. Even without it, I’m thinking this might be the cash crop I need at my place.” He rested his boot on the bottom rail and pulled up a long weed to chew.
    Hannah’s mouth dropped wide open. Seth Miller was seeking her advice? Unlike flaky piecrust or uniform quilt stitches, this was the one area she excelled at. “I’d be happy to offer advice, Seth. I’d even be willing to part with some of my spring lambs to start your flock, once they’re weaned of course.” She hoped she didn’t show on her face the excitement she felt in her