The Mercy by Beverly Lewis Page B

the horse away to the stable. “He does tend to keep to himself, though,” he said over his shoulder.
    Her grandfather was always one to look for the best in folk—and usually found it. Rose recalled the years of her friendship with Nick. She and Dawdi Jeremiah were similar in that way, considering both Jeb and Nick were reckoned outsiders. Englischers through and through.

C ome Tuesday evening, Solomon was glad for Emma’s suggestion to have Aaron and Barbara break bread with them. He took heart at their neighbors’ interest in Emma’s imminent surgery.
    At the meal, Barbara drew Emma out in conversation. And much later, when Emma asked Sol to take her back to their bedroom—even before Rose Ann served Barbara’s pineapple upside-down cake—Barbara went and sat with her in the room, relinquishing dessert.
    Meanwhile, Aaron talked cordially with Emma’s parents and Sol and Rose Ann while enjoying black coffee and the tasty dessert his wife had gone out of her way to make. All of them keenly realized this would be the last time such a gathering would take place for quite some time. At least until Emma was released from the rehab facility where she would go following her recovery from surgery. Sol was mighty thankful all of them had shared in the meal and the fellowship. Emma, too, had expressed her delight that they’d come.
    Solomon talked with Aaron about his family’s plan to go to York early on Thursday morning. “Nearly all the boys and their wives are comin’. Hen’s husband wants to be there, too.” Of all things.
    Sylvia’s head popped up, and Sol assumed that she was as surprised as he’d been about Brandon’s decision.
    “ ’Tis unexpected, I daresay,” said Aaron.
    Jeremiah didn’t comment, only nodded his head right quick, looking mighty tired. His gray hair was awfully sparse on top—Sol hadn’t really noticed till just now. Smacking his lips, Jeremiah raised his coffee cup and with pleading eyes asked Rose for more. She cheerfully did his bidding.
    “Next thing, there might be a whole caravan of vehicles heading over to York for Emma,” said Aaron thoughtfully.
    “She’s well loved. We’ll all be there pullin’ for her,” Sol said.
    Just then Barbara came back into the kitchen. “Emma’s fallen asleep,” she said quietly, then asked what the talk was about so many going to the hospital in York. Sol explained how they planned to fill the waiting room during the surgery.
    Barbara’s eyebrows rose. She looked at Aaron. “I’d sure like to go. All right with you, Aaron?”
    Her husband set down his coffee. “Well, now, I was thinkin’ the same thing. But only if it’d bring some solace to ya, Sol.”
    Solomon blinked back tears. “Havin’ my family and both of yous there, during this dangerous surgery . . . well, that’d be wonderful- gut. ”
    “Then consider it done.” Aaron nodded his head, his long beard nearly brushing the table’s edge.
    Barbara offered to help Rose and Sylvia clear the table and put away the leftovers, but Rose wouldn’t hear of it and urged the two older women to sit and enjoy themselves, which they did.
    Aaron moved with Sol to the front room and mentioned again how pleased he was Brandon would be joining them on Thursday. “Seems he’s become interested in the family,” he observed.
    “Sometimes it takes a bolt of lightning, ya know?” Sol replied.
    In that moment, Sol knew he would miss seeing Brandon round here—walking hand-in-hand with Mattie Sue in the barn and elsewhere—when he left to resume his modern life back in town. Sol truly would.

    After the dishes were done, Mamm awakened refreshed and was able to join them again. Aaron and Barbara had stayed for Bible reading and prayers, and Aaron offered to read from the Christenpflicht . The good bishop was so moved by the evening prayer he’d chosen, he unashamedly wiped his face with the back of his hand .
    Once their neighbors said good-bye and headed out to the road to walk