The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts Patricia Davids (best self help books to read TXT) 📖

Michael had snapped the leash on Sadie’s collar and pulled Sadie away from the tree. Jenny dropped to her knees and hugged the dog. “You are such a goot hund. I love you, Sadie Sue.”

Willis knelt beside the dog and used his free arm to rub her head. “I think Sgt. O’Connor was right. You are a wonder dog.”

Jenny beamed a smile at him. “I told you Sadie could do it.”

The rumble of engines preceded the lights of a pair of ATVs as they made their way through the trees toward Willis and his group. Eva untied her kapp from Sadie’s collar and put it on.

The two officers drove into the clearing and turned off their engines. The one in front pulled off her helmet and smiled brightly. “This looks like we’ve come to the right place.”

Thirty minutes later Willis carried his tired and disheveled sister into the schoolroom. He was immediately surrounded by people of the community offering congratulations, patting his back and giving thanks. Sadie stood at his side, wagging her tail as if the excitement was all for her.

Harley and Otto pushed their way through the crowd to his side and locked their arms around him. “She’s fine. Gott was goot to us this day.”

Willis caught sight of Eva coming in. The smile she sent him made his heart leap. He didn’t know how he could have made it through the day without her.

Maddie reached for Harley. Willis handed her over to him. She cupped his face with both hands. “Are you mad at me, Harley?”

“You know you weren’t supposed to go into the woods alone and don’t tell me Bubble was with you. She doesn’t count.”

“I won’t tell you she was there, but she was,” she finished with a whisper. “Willis is kinda mad at her, too.”

He leaned toward her. “Only because you frightened me half to death. You’re never to pull such a stunt again. Is that understood?”

Maddie lifted her shoulders in a big shrug. “I didn’t know I was pulling a stunt. I thought I was following Eva to the Arnett farm.”

Inside the school, he found the women of his congregation setting out food along with napkins and coffee cups on a long table. He heard the hum of his generator outside the back door of the building. Sgt. O’Connor worked his way to Willis’s side. He patted Maddie’s head. “Best possible outcome. Once all the searchers are in, we will get out of your hair.”

Willis gripped the man’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for coming.”

“The way I hear it you didn’t really need us.” He petted Sadie’s head. “My deputy says Sadie found Maddie and treed a bear all by herself.”

Maddie made Harley put her down. She walked over to Jenny. “Can Bubble and I come over and play with Sadie sometimes?”

“Sure, as long as that’s okay with Willis. I don’t think you should go anywhere without telling him first.”

“Okay. Danki. I’m hungry. I missed my supper.”

“We all missed our supper because of you, little girl.” Willis patted her head. He looked at Eva. “Maybe your teacher can find you something to eat.”

“As a matter of fact, I can. Dinah Lapp brought over a chicken and rice casserole. I think there’s enough left to feed you both. But first a very grubby little girl needs to wash her hands and face. Come into the bathroom and I’ll take care of that.” She took Maddie’s hand and led her to the back of the building. Willis hated to let Maddie out of his sight, but he knew she was safe with Eva. She always would be.

Fortunately, someone had stocked washcloths and towels on the shelves in the washroom. Eva turned on the faucet. There wasn’t hot water, but cold water would work just as well. She wiped Maddie’s face and then her hands. She checked the child’s arms and legs, finding a few scrapes and bruises but nothing serious. It could’ve turned out so much worse. She hugged Maddie and kissed the top of her head. “Gott was looking after you, little one. I will be forever grateful.”

Maddie reached up to touch Eva’s cheek. “Are you crying?”

“They are tears of joy.” She brushed them away and straightened.

Dinah and the bishop’s wife came in as Eva was drying Maddie’s hands. Constance Schultz smiled at the child. “You had quite an adventure today, didn’t you?”

“It wasn’t much fun. I don’t think I’ll do it again.”

Dinah and Constance laughed. Constance pulled a black kapp from the pocket of her apron. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Maddie tipped her head to the side. “How did you get my kapp?”

“Michael Shetler gave it to my husband to keep for you. I’m afraid it has a tear in it.”

Maddie poked her finger through the hole in the top of the bonnet. “Aw, this is my last one. Now what do I do? Willis doesn’t know how to sew.”

“Don’t worry about it. I can make you another one,” Eva said.

Constance folded her arms over her chest. “That’s very nice of your teacher, isn’t it?”

Maddie nodded solemnly.

Constance looked at Dinah. “What Willis Gingrich needs is a wife to take care of the kinder. One who can cook and sew for all of them. We may have to find him one.”

Dinah chuckled. “It’s been a while since I’ve done any matchmaking, but I don’t think I’ve forgotten how.”

Maddie gave her a puzzled look. “What is matchmaking?”

“A matchmaker is a person who helps a single fellow, or a single woman, find someone to marry,” Eva said.

“Oh.” Maddie cocked her head to the side.

Eva was amused by the concentration on Maddie’s face. “I think your hands are clean enough. I’ll fix you something to eat now.”

Eva held Maddie’s hand as they walked across the schoolroom. Maddie stopped and looked up at Eva. “Can anyone be a matchmaker?”

“I suppose.”

“Could you be a matchmaker?”

“I could but I think I would make a much better teacher.”

“Couldn’t you do both?”

“I guess