Wild Horses (Sadie's Montana #1)(25)

There had been Ezra. They had been on a few dates—dated quite awhile, actually. But it didn’t last. Ezra was too … too … well … strict. He lived by the law—acting prideful and judgmental of others—and he expected as much from her. It was suffocating. So they broke up, much to the chagrin of Dat, Mam, and what seemed like the rest of the Amish community.

Sadie sat up, kicked off her shoes, then flung herself back on the pillows. She was hungry now, especially since her supper remained mostly uneaten, but she wasn’t about to go down there now.

“Sadie! Phone!”

The voice calling for her sounded urgent—that same rushed tone that occurred whenever someone was on the line. The telephone was out in the phone shanty by the shop, and the person who had called was fortunate if someone heard the phone and could answer its insistent ringing. Otherwise, they would need to leave a message and wait for a return call.

Sadie leapt up, stuck her feet into her shoes, and without bothering to tie them, raced down the stairs. She grabbed her coat and went out into the starry night.

“Hello?” she said, lifting the receiver.

There was no answer.

Bewildered, she repeated, “Hello?”

Silence.

Annoyed now, she fitted the receiver back on its base and pushed the door open to leave. So much for that interesting caller.

Back in the kitchen, Sadie hung up her coat, then went to the refrigerator in search of something to eat. The kitchen was dimly lit, the gas light in the living room the only source of light. Usually, after dishes, the light in the kitchen was turned off, the one in the living room was turned on, and everyone gathered there to read or write.

She found some lunch meat, which seemed less than fresh, and a pack of Swiss cheese. Montana Swiss cheese was so tasteless, not at all like the Swiss cheese in Ohio. Mam was right; this cheese tasted a lot like the packet it came in.

She yawned, then pulled out the produce drawer. There were two green peppers and a big sweet onion. Mmm. She would make a sandwich.

Finding a soft sandwich roll, she spread it liberally with home-churned butter, and then put sliced peppers and onions on top. She sprinkled it well with salt and pepper and closed the lid.

She was just about to enjoy a big bite when the kitchen door was flung open and Dat stuck his head in.

“Phone!”

“For who?”

“You.”

Grabbing her coat, the sandwich forgotten, Sadie dashed back to the phone shanty. What was going on?

Lifting the receiver, she said, “Hello?”

“How are you, Sadie?”

Sadie’s heart sank. Ezra!

“I’m doing well, thank you. And you?”

“Fine, fine. I’m fine.”

There was a long, awkward pause.

“Sadie, there is a practice hymn-singing at Owen Miller’s tomorrow evening. You haven’t been attending them, and I called to inquire why.”

Sadie swallowed her annoyance.

“I … I’ve been busy.”

“Doing what?”

None of your business, she thought, instantly on guard.

“I work full-time at the ranch now. I guess that’s most of it.”

There was a long pause.

“Well, tell me if I’m being impertinent, but I’m surprised your parents continue to allow you to work there.”

“Oh. Why is that?”

“It’s a worldly place. The way I understand it, quite a few men work for that Caldwell.”

“Yes.”

“Are you… Do you meet up with any of them? Do you work with them?”

“No. No, I work in the kitchen with Dorothy, an older English lady. Her husband, Jim, takes me to and from work.”

“I see. Is that all you do?’

“No. I clean. I keep the big house in order—or most of it.”

“I see. Do the ranch hands come in while you clean?”

“Oh, no. Never. They’re working outside.”

“Uh-huh.”

Sadie doodled on a Post-it note with a pen.

“Do you speak to Richard Caldwell or his wife?”

“Sometimes.”

“Is he trustworthy?”

“Who? Richard Caldwell?”

“Yes.”

“Certainly. He’s very kind to me now.”

“The right sort of kindness, I would hope.”

“Ezra, I…”

“Sadie, I worry about you working there. No good can come of it. You are not well-versed in the Bible, and you always did have an inclination toward rebellion.”

Anger swelled up in Sadie. How dare he speak so boldly to her. He had a few faults of his own, too. She wanted to scream at him—tell him to mind his own business—but that would never do. It would be disrespectful, and she would only have to apologize later.

Sadie took a deep breath, “I appreciate your concern, Ezra. That’s kind of you.”

“May I pick you up tomorrow evening to take you along to the practice singing?”

Sadie’s heart sank. No, no, no, she whispered silently.

“Leah, too?” she ventured, looking for a way to avoid another one-on-one date with him.

“If she wants. But it would be more appropriate if you and I went alone.”