After at least a decade of drawing large, steady crowds, the market was growing even bigger. Perhaps because her dat was implementing new ideas. With each new son-in-law, he’d expanded the market.

  Gideon had taken on the role of assistant manager, and later married Becca. Aaron was in charge of the RV park. He’d first worked there with her schweschder Bethany, who was now a stay-at-home mom. Ethan covered special auctions that had been added randomly throughout the year. They always drew large crowds as well as articles in the paper. Ethan was married to Ada, something Eunice hadn’t seen coming. And Noah was in charge of a work crew that oversaw additions and renovations. Noah and Sarah had been married the year before.

  Four new sons-in-law.

  Four market expansions.

  And now Zeb was in charge of Englisch tours at the market. Yeah. She definitely could read the writing on the wall, and though she’d warned her dat that it wouldn’t work, she couldn’t help being glad that Zeb had taken the job. Maybe it would improve his outlook. Maybe he’d find something to look forward to, other than his son. It was plain that Zeb adored Joshua, but she suspected Zeb was missing adult conversation. Apparently his bruder wasn’t around much, which meant it was just Zeb and Joshua at home alone most of the time.

  Was he also missing the companionship he’d had with his wife? Eunice hadn’t really known Suzanne, though they’d met at the wedding. She found herself wondering how he had adjusted to being a widower. How did one go from being part of a couple to being alone?

  Zeb might not think he wanted to date another woman.

  He was probably hiding on his farm much like she had been hiding in the barn. At least the tour groups had forced him out into the world for three afternoons a week.

  Maybe he’d meet a potential spouse on one of the tours.

  Eunice had heard of Englischers converting to the Amish faith, though it was rare.

  Despite his hesitant attitude toward dating again, Eunice thought that would change in time. She suspected that he would want to marry again, once his heart had healed. He was good-looking, smart and kind. He would have no problem finding a woman to court. He’d have no problem falling in love. He’d find another woman like Suzanne—someone who was traditional. Someone who would be satisfied being a homemaker and having a large family. Someone who would provide Josh with plenty of brothers and sisters.

  Zeb fit in as far as the community was concerned. Eunice didn’t. And while she had thought she was used to that, some days it rankled her more than others.

  As she harnessed Oreo to the buggy and set out to the market, Eunice couldn’t help appreciating the beautiful autumn day. The leaves on the trees had yet to fall, but they offered a dazzling array of orange, red and yellow color. She passed yards sporting scarecrows and jolly pumpkins. As she drew closer to town, she noticed that every shop window was decked out with harvest displays.

  She wished that her mood could match what she was seeing. She knew how to put on a good show for people, smiled when she was supposed to, asked about their jobs and families. Her mood didn’t always match her face though. In truth, she felt a restless kind of dissatisfaction that was like an itch in the middle of her back—impossible to reach. It was exhausting.

  Maybe something was wrong with her. Maybe she was sick. She didn’t feel sick though. She simply felt...adrift. That was the word. As if she had no idea if she was going this way or that.

  Fortunately, Oreo had no such reservations.

  Without any direction from Eunice, the mare turned into the parking area for the market.

  The Shipshewana Outdoor Market was usually only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May through September. Auctions—both livestock and antiques—continued throughout the year, but there wasn’t the normal display of vendors once the summer season had closed.

  For the annual fall festival, they opened the entire market from Thursday through Saturday, and the large number of vendor booths was surprising even to Eunice. She spied everything from quilts to homemade peanut butter to turkey calls. The mood was jolly. The crowds were out. And the weather couldn’t have been better if they’d special ordered it.

  She made her way to Gideon’s office and knocked lightly on the door frame. When he glanced up, she said, “I’m surprised you’re in here. Suspected I’d have to search the grounds for you.”

  “Eunice! Perfect timing. I still need you in the Backyard Barnyard. Think you can handle it?”

  “Animals and a barn? Ya. I can handle it.”

  “You’re the best.” His phone rang at the same time that another auctioneer appeared at his door.

  Eunice offered a wave, then rushed off in the direction of the animal barn which acted as a sort of petting zoo. They usually kept a few sheep, some ponies, goats, rabbits and a cow. Eunice hurried into the small office, switched the sign from Closed to Open and was relieved to see two girls from her church show up.

  “We usually help on the weekends, but Gideon asked us to work extra hours for the festival.” Elizabeth Schrock was eighteen years old, dark-haired and pretty. She’d moved here after Zeb had moved away, so she probably didn’t know him. Eunice could make an introduction.

  Why was she thinking about Zeb’s dating life?

  She needed to focus on the job at hand.

  Hannah Glick was also young, eligible and attractive—though in a more studious way. She wore blue-rimmed glasses and always carried a book in her apron pocket. “Is everything okay, Eunice?”

  “Ya. Of course.”

  “We didn’t know what to do when we saw the Back in a Moment sign.”

  “I’m going to help out today. Can you two handle the guests if I start sending them through?”

  “Ya. No problem.”

  “I’ll take care of the pony rides,” Hannah said.

  “And I’ll walk them through the various animal pens.” Elizabeth smiled.

  Eunice felt instantly relieved. They were a team. They’d make this work.

  No sooner had they settled on the details of their shift, than a family of five Englischers showed up asking if their children could pet the sheep. The morning flew by, and Eunice was surprised when Noah showed up to give her a late lunch break.

  “I thought you were in charge of renovations.”

  “No projects this week.” He grinned. “According to Amos it’s all hands...”

  “On deck,” Eunice said.

  “Grab some lunch and don’t come back for at least an hour. You’ve earned a break.” He sank into her chair. “Looks pretty quiet here.”

  “Just wait until the guests return from their lunch. Earlier this morning, we had a line for the pony rides that stretched around the barn. Then everyone realized they were hungry, and this entire area emptied out.”

  “Ah. Makes sense. Enjoy your lunch.”

  She waved goodbye and hurried away. It actually felt good to be out and about. Two young Englisch women walked past, each pushing a baby stroller. An older Amish couple stopped to admire the fresh vegetables on display in a booth.

  Perhaps this was what would soothe the restlessness that plagued her. It could be as simple as needing to get out of the barn. She definitely felt more comfortable here than in a yarn shop—though she had survived her first knitting lesson the week before. Still, if the yarn gig didn’t work, maybe she should ask her dat if he had an opening at the market she could fill.

  She shook her head at that thought.

  Must be the hunger talking.

  She’d finished a burger and shake and was making her way back a bit more slowly to the barnyard since she still had twenty minutes left when she practically ran into Zeb and Josh. He was trying to hurry his son along. Josh wasn’t having it. He sat down in the middle of the walking path and pulled off his shoe, shaking out a small pile of dirt.

  “Problem?” she asked.

  “We were ahead of time, but then Josh had a minor meltdown over lunch, and now—” He waved toward his son who was quite focused on pulling off his sock. “I have a tour starting in ten minutes on the other side of the market and my son woke up in an uncooperative m-o-o-d.”

  “There’s something in my sock,” Josh explained, turning it inside out and shaking it for good measure.

  “We need to hurry, son.”

  “I don’t want to hurry. Why do you have to go on a dumb ol’ tour, anyway?”

  Eunice and Zeb shared a look, then Zeb raised both hands in surrender. Eunice almost laughed.

  “Hey. I thought you were coming to the barnyard to help me this afternoon. I could sure use your help with the sheep and ponies and the cow.” Eunice realized she was laying it on a little thick, but they needed to get this parade on the move.

  Zeb was wearing his perpetually worried expression, but Josh studied her in complete surprise. His I’m-More-Stubborn-Than-You look had all but disappeared.

  “Where are you going, Eunice?”

  “Barn. Animals. Didn’t your dat tell you about this?”

  “I did, but apparently he wasn’t listening.”

  “Yes!” Josh hurriedly pulled his shoe back on, then stared at the sock still in his hand as if he wasn’t sure what to do with it.

  “I’ll hold that for you.” She accepted the sock and folded it in half. Kids’ socks were so small, as was Josh’s hand which he slipped into hers.

  “Can I really go with you?”

  “Absolutely. Your dat and I worked out the details yesterday.”

  Zeb looked as his son, checked his watch, then rubbed a hand up and down his jawline.

  “Problem?” Eunice asked.

  “Nein. Nothing like that. You two have a gut time with the animals.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain,” Eunice said. “We will have a gut time, and we’ll see to the animals.”

  Zeb took the sock from her hand and gave it to his son. “Put that back on. Not over your shoe, son.”

  Then he turned his back so that Josh wouldn’t be privy to what he was about to say.

  “Remember to watch him closely. Five-year-olds can find trouble like bees find a flower.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Don’t let him talk you into a bunch of sweets either. That just makes him more energetic, which you don’t want.”

  “You know, Zeb, this is my third week babysitting Josh. Plus, I have two nieces nearly his age. I’ve been around children before.”

  “Ya, well. Being in charge of a child is very different from being around a child.” He started to walk away, then turned back.

  “Danki,” he said to Eunice, then crouched in front of his son. “Do what Eunice says.”

  “Okay.”

  “Mind your manners.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ll be back in a couple hours.”

  “Ten-four.”

  Eunice and Josh stood watching Zeb as he disappeared into the crowd.

  “He’s a worrywart,” Josh said.

  “Where did you learn that word?”

  “Mammi.”

  “Ya?”

  “Yup. Say, Eunice, is there really a cow where you’re working? Could I ride it? Do you think that sheep can be taught to roll over? And I was wondering, if I could find a snake, would you like to show it to the Englischers?”

  Eunice didn’t bother answering.

  Josh’s attention reminded her of a Ferris wheel she’d ridden when she was a child. One minute you’re looking at one thing and having big thoughts about it. The next minute, you’re looking at a completely different thing, and your thoughts shift. She had noticed that Josh’s thoughts did a lot of jumping from one thing to another, and the boy’s abundance of energy was testament to that.

  He’d do great in the Backyard Barnyard.

  It would be like being home with his dat and onkel.

  Zeb’s words of caution rang in her ears, but she dismissed his warning. He reiterated his concerns every day. She was becoming immune to his words of caution, and she’d been around kids way more than he realized. She helped watch children at sew-ins, occasionally volunteered at the school when they were in a real bind for a substitute teacher and had even babysat each of her nieces and nephews. She hadn’t lost a single kid yet.

  She and Josh would be fine.

  What could possibly go wrong?

  * * *

  Zeb was finishing up with his third Behind the Scenes Market Tour when he noticed Gideon lurking near the back of the crowd. Zeb handed an Amish farms tour map to the Englischer who had asked about home businesses and quilt gardens. She thanked him and walked away, which was when Gideon moved forward.

  “Don’t panic,” he said, then clarified that with, “Sorry, not a great way to start.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Josh is fine.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be fine?”

  “He had a little fall, but the market’s medic has already checked him out and—”

  “You called the medic?” Zeb looked around, as if he’d forgotten his horse and buggy or perhaps his first aid kit, then turned back to Gideon. “Where is he? Is he in the hospital?”

  “Nein. He’s fine, Zeb.”

  “If he’s fine, you wouldn’t be here.”

  “Okay. Take a deep breath.” Gideon moved directly in front of him, effectively blocking his view. “Seriously. Calm down before you see him or you’ll scare the kid to death.”

  “Right. Okay. Ya. You’re right.” He pulled a breath deep into his lungs then let it go. Again. And then a third time—just as the counselor had taught him after Suzanne died, when he’d sometimes found himself dizzy with grief.

  “Better?”

  “Ya.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  As they walked toward the barn, Gideon explained what had happened. Apparently Josh had decided to climb onto the cow, though Eunice and the girls working there had warned him not to do so.

  “He’s a hardheaded child,” Zeb admitted.

  “He managed to get on the cow’s back, but then of course she moved, knocking him off. When he fell he hit his head on the ground.”

  “Stitches?”

  “Nope. Just a large goose egg.”

  He could see the barn now, and it was all Zeb could do not to push through the crowd and sprint the rest of the way.

  “Thanks for coming to get me.”

  “Of course. And Zeb...” Gideon waited until Zeb stopped and turned toward him. “Go easy on Eunice. She feels really bad that it happened on her watch.”

  Eunice!

  He knew that he shouldn’t leave Josh with her. She’d never had a child. She knew nothing about children, and when he’d tried to warn her, she’d basically blown him off. Just because she’d had a few weeks of watching him on her home turf, didn’t mean she was ready to watch him in public.

  Still, she was family to Gideon. Zeb had enough presence of mind to nod and hope that Gideon took that as agreement.

  He hurried to the entrance of the barn. Several guests were standing in line, waiting for their turn to go through the animal pens. Eunice was working at the little office’s window, taking money and handing out maps. And Josh was sitting on a chair beside her, holding an ice pack to his head and grinning broadly.

  “Dat!” He hopped up, but Eunice put a hand on his shoulder, leaned down and whispered something to him.

  The boy nodded emphatically. “Forgot. I’m not supposed to run any more today. Gotta give the bump time to go down.”

  The Englischers moved off and Zeb walked into the office, squatting in front of his son. He pulled away the ice pack and saw the goose egg above his son’s right eye. Fear threatened to choke him and his pulse began to race. He tried not to picture his son with only one good eye, his son bleeding and on the ground, his son at the hospital. He tried, but all of those things flashed through his mind.

  Suddenly, he realized Josh was watching him and waiting.

  He attempted a smile. “You’re okay?”

  “Ya. See this sticker?” He pointed to a sticker that said I’m a Star. “Got it because I didn’t even cry. Well, not much. I mean at first, when I hit the ground, I did cry, but then when Eunice told me to settle down, I did.”

  “You told him what?” He turned to Eunice, unable to believe what he was hearing. A child falls off a cow, which he shouldn’t have been allowed on in the first place, nearly busts open his noggin, and she tells him to settle down?

  “We had a bit of theatrics at first,” she admitted. “But Josh calmed down, and the medic came, and he was a real champ.”

  Eunice grinned at Josh.

  Josh grinned at Eunice.

  Zeb feared his head might explode. “I’m proud of you, buddy. Can you stay here while Eunice and I have a private talk?”

  “Sure, Dat. I know all about your private talks. They’re usually kind of boring. Sorry. Probably shouldn’t have said that.” He zipped his mouth shut, then pushed the ice pack back on his bump.

  Zeb jerked his head to the right.

  Gideon, who was still waiting outside the office said, “I’ll just...take over here for a few minutes.”

  Somehow Zeb managed to hold in his anger until they were at the far end of the pony grazing area. Then he turned on Eunice with the fury of a summer storm. “What were you thinking?”

  “What do you mean, what was I thinking?”

  “How could you allow him on a cow?”

  “I didn’t allow him on a cow. In fact, I specifically told him not to get on the cow. But I turned around, and next thing I knew there was screaming that was loud enough to alert Englischers for miles.”

  “He was screaming?”

  Eunice put her hands on her hips and stared at the ground. Finally she looked up and said, “He was crying loudly. More loudly than he needed to.”

 

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