Free Brush of Angel's Wings by Ruth Reid

Ordnung and learn the truth about the faith. Before she died, she repeatedly told him he must approach faith with his heart, not with his head. It had to be through his heart. But he had opened his heart when he needed God the most—and God didn’t respond. As a result, Jordan didn’t know if he’d lost what little faith he had or if he just walked away. How could a good God ignore his continuous prayers that his mother get well? If God wasn’t going to care enough about him to spare the only person he had in the world, why should he care about God anymore? It was time to walk away. Time to live the best he could, the best he knew how. If it wasn’t for his promise to his mother that he would give faith a chance by returning to her birthplace, he wouldn’t be here in the Amish community. He was thankful, though, that being here also offered him the opportunity to work and try to sort out what he wanted in life. Unless sending him to live with his uncle was God’s will, which Jordan doubted.
    Jordan glanced up at the clouds. I’m fulfilling my promise to my mother, but, God, I still don’t understand so many of their ways. Did she think I would feel a kinship and want to become Amish? Is becoming Amish what she wanted? After all that happened to her?
    â€œWhat do you think, Jordan?”
    Hearing his name spoken broke Jordan’s thoughts. Lingering in the past had choked his voice. He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t following the conversation.”
    â€œI asked what you thought of planting oats near the barn,” Micah said.
    â€œI think it’s a good idea. The angle of the sun and the positioning would give them optimum growth opportunity.”
    Micah looked over his shoulder. Jordan followed his gaze and saw Rachel and Naomi, locked arm in arm, strolling across the yard toward them. They must’ve come to announce it was time to eat. Not at all too soon, given that his stomach had started growling over an hour ago. They stopped in front of the group of men.
    A few strands of Rachel’s golden hair came out from under her bonnet, and the sunshine cast a perfect glow on her face, making her freckles look even more pronounced.
    Naomi jabbed Rachel’s side and nudged her forward.
    Rachel cleared her throat. “ Daed , there’s a singing at Naomi’s haus tonight. I would like to drive myself.”
    Before Micah answered, the cast iron bell clanged to announce the meal was ready. Jordan blew out a breath as the group headed toward the house. If Jordan had any smarts, he would’ve kept walking. Instead, he looked from Rachel’s down-turned head to Micah. A dullness had cast a shadow over his employer’s eyes.
    Micah made an apologetic sigh and admonished his daughter. “I don’t want you driving the buggy after dark. Unless . . .” Micah turned to Jordan. “Are you going?”
    â€œNo! I mean . . . I didn’t plan to attend.” It wouldn’t be right. Those evenings were intended to provide the youth with time to socialize in hopes that they would find a suitable mate within the faith. He wouldn’t be suitable for any Amish woman. Nor did he want to be.
    Rachel looked straight at him with narrowed eyes while slowly shaking her head as though giving him some kind of message. Obviously she didn’t want him to go. But there was something more. A veiled threat? The thought of aggravating her a little was tempting, especially after the haircut she’d given him. Jordan turned to her father. “I’ll see that she gets home.”
    He tugged his earlobe at Rachel when she trained her angry eyes on him.
    Micah patted his back. “Denki, sohn.”
    Instantly Jordan changed from mischievous to serious. He swallowed an emotion he couldn’t grasp.
    â€œ Kumm on nav ,” Micah said, looking at the people standing at the tables. “I think they’re waiting for us to