Joy's Barn Wedding: Nurse Hal Among The Amish, #14

By Booksbyfay and Fay Risner

Eli Yutzy and Joy Petermeyer have decided to get married. What they didn't realize was how much work there was to planning an Amish wedding in the short amount of time the Amish gives them. Joy wants to have the wedding in Uncle Jim's barn, but it hasn't been cleaned for one hundred years. She is supposed to sew her wedding dress, but Joy doesn't know how to sew. She is supposed to cook Eli a meal, but she can't cook. Enos Yutzy refuses to talk to Eli about the wedding, and if he won't attend the wedding then Eli's brothers and their families won't be there either. Daniel Lapp is coming with John Lapp's brother and his family from Tennessee for the wedding. Eli is worried Joy and Daniel might rekindle their romance. Besides all that stress, they have to worry about thieves in the area who are stealing the horse hair from the tails of their horses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booksbyfay Publisher
• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201366414

Book preview

Chapter 1

Joy Petermeyer rushed past the barn to the pasture gate at such a speed that her red ponytail swayed back and forth across the back of her head. It was right after lunch and a great time to  go for a walk to check on her sheep. Her favorite spot on her aunt and uncle's farm was the pasture. Besides, she had just turned the buck in with the ewes a few days ago, and she wanted to see if he was behaving himself.

The plan was that when she married Eli Yutzy the sheep were going to the farm she shared with Eli which was left to them by Adalheida Wasser in her will. They planned to drive the herd down the road the three miles and try to get all of the sheep to the Wasser farm without them scattering over the countryside. John Lapp, Nurse Hal's husband, and her Uncle Jim Lindstrom, Hal's father, offered to help move the sheep.

All that would be left in Uncle Jim's pasture would be his Jersey milk cow, Gloria Swanson. The cow was going to be lonesome without the sheep for company. Joy thought the cow acted like she missed her black horse, Raven. On a recent visit, Eli had tied him to the back of his buggy and took him home  for the winter. Truely Joy wasn't sure the cow missed her horse, but she knew for sure that she missed Raven. She liked to spend  time currying him and loved to ride him. No doubt the horse would become too spirited and would need to be gentled down again by the time she could spend time with him in the spring.

Joy eased up on her flock of sheep and studied them as they grazed. The buck glanced up for a moment and decided she wasn't a threat. He went back to eating.

Satisfied the sheep were doing okay, Joy decided to walk to her cemetery and see how tall the grass was. Maybe she needed to turn the sheep in one more time before the weather changed to fall. The grass would stop growing then.

What a pleasant walk. The timber on the other side of Buggy Creek had changed to fall colors. As she neared the cemetery, Joy heard a squirrel chatter a warning to other animals that a human was close.

The water in Buggy Creek was trickling over the rocky bottom with the pleasant sound running water makes. She had always sat behind the two large boulders on the edge of the creek and watched the water meander along. She'd miss doing that as often as she did now once she moved.

Joy sighed. Oh well, she'd just have to find a quiet place on the Wasser farm to sit when she wanted to get away by herself. She'd had so many changes in her short life, and she had managed to adjust to them all so far so this one was hardly anything in comparison. First, her parents were killed in a car wreck. She needed a place to live so Uncle Jim and Aunt Nora took her in. It seemed like only yesterday instead of four years ago. Now she was planning another move after she married Eli Yutzy. She didn't expect this move to be as traumatic as the first one, but she would miss seeing her aunts and uncle every day. Oh yeah! She had to admit to herself she expected to be homesick for a while.

Aunt Tootie would say all her thoughts about marrying Eli Yutzy were just counting her chicks before the eggs hatched. It was true she thought that Eli wanted her to live in Adalheida's house with him and share the farm they now jointly owned. He had told her so, but he hadn't proposed to her yet. That's why she hadn't moved in with him. She told him she was an unmarried woman and couldn't live on Wasser Farm with him. She remembered Eli looking disappointed, but he hadn't brought up marriage again during all the times they had been together.

Joy opened the gate to Lindstrom Cemetery and stepped inside. She sat down in the tall grass and listened to the silence. She hoped the occupants buried there would have appreciated being laid to rest in this quiet, peaceful place if they had been able to know that was where their remains were resting.

Joy rose up and studied the grass as she dusted off her jeans. The grass was tall enough to let the sheep graze it off. She opened the gate and walked away. She trusted the sheep to find the gate open. They were good at going through an open gate and once in a while through or over the fences. It seemed it was the nature of sheep to always think the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. She could check again in a few days to see if the grass was shorter so she could shut the cemetery gate. Letting the flock graze the grass off sure was easier than pushing the lawnmower across the pasture to the cemetery.

Joy made her way back to the house, dreaming about what she would say or do when Eli finally did decide to propose to her. Sometimes, it worried her because he hadn't already asked for her hand in marriage. She was pretty sure that is what he had in mind, but since his sister, Susanna, lived with him now, he had a built-in housekeeper and cook. It sometimes seemed like the man wasn't in any hurry to change his life by getting married with Susanna there to help him.

She looked up and noticed the man she was just daydreaming about standing by the barnyard gate, waiting for her. She picked up her pace, happy to see he had come to visit.

Hello, there, she called.

Gute afternoon. Eli waved at her as he unlatched the wire gate and lifted the wooden post out of the way so she could come through.

Joy waited for him to hook the gate back in place. He turned and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips then blushed as he looked toward the house to see if any of her relatives had been watching them.

What a nice surprise. I didn't expect to see you today, Joy said gleefully.

I would like to say it is because I missed you and wanted to see you, but I had to tell you something. Eli looked worried.

What has happened now? Better yet what has your father done this time? Joy stormed.

It has nothing to do with my daed. At least I do not think it does, Eli told her.

What is it then? Joy asked.

I just came from checking on the cattle I bought for the pasture and Raven, your horse is with them. Eli paused.

Joy had a sinking feeling. So has something happened to Raven?

Sort of, Eli said.

What do you mean sort of? Joy demanded. Is he all right or isn't he?

He is healthy enough if that is what you want to know. He has not had an accident or anything like that, Eli related slowly.

Good, so what is wrong with him? Joy snapped, getting very worried.

Eli rubbed the back of his neck. Your horse's tail is missing.

Joy's mouth dropped open. She shook her head and swallowed hard. What do you mean his tail is missing?

The tail is gone, Eli said softly. Or at least most of it.

How - how could that have happened? Joy stammered, flustered.

Eli shrugged his shoulders. I do not understand it.

All right, I better go check Raven out for myself. I think we should take Uncle Jim with us and let him look. He has seen more odd things with animals than I have, Joy said over her shoulder as she rushed for the house.

Eli followed along behind her, trying to keep up.

Joy hurried up the steps and opened the porch door. She crossed the porch and opened the kitchen door. Uncle Jim are you in here?

In the living room, Sunshine, her elderly uncle called back.

Come on, Eli, Joy said over her shoulder as she headed to the living room.

Her uncle put his newspaper down and took off his reading glasses. Well hello, Eli. I didn't hear you come in.

Hi, Eli, Nora greeted, looking up from the book she was reading.

Eli nodded his head. Gute afternoon.

What are the two of you up to now?" Jim asked, looking from one to the other of them.

Eli just came to tell me something is wrong with Raven. You tell Uncle Jim, Eli, Joy said as she stepped aside.

Jim let his recliner down with a bang. How bad is he hurt?

That's just it, Jim. The horse is well. It is just—well just that his tail is missing, Eli stammered.

Aunt Nora put down the book she was reading. The couple had her attention now.

What do you mean the horse's tail is missing? Jim asked.

I went to the pasture to check on him and the cattle we brought home from the sale barn last week. The horse is missing his tail, Eli said.

Jim rubbed his chin. Really! I honestly don't know how something like that could happen. Horses have a tail for a reason. It protects them from insects and flies, and now he's got nothing.

Eli shook his head. "It was done by a human being. Someone obviously thought about this. Whoever it was must have brought scissors and wore footwear to cover his tracks before  going into the field. They slipped into the pasture in broad daylight when we could have been around, and didn't leave tracks. I find it very strange. Not all of the tail is gone you see, Jim. Just the bottom part up to the tailbone. Someone cut the hairs off with scissors.

I want to go see my horse and check him out for myself. Uncle Jim, will you come with me? Joy asked.

Sure, let me get a jacket and cap on, and we can take off. I will take my pickup and meet you two there, Jim said.

Joy rushed Eli back out of the house, and they climbed into the buggy. Eli waited for Jim to start his pickup and take off, knowing that Jim would be able to get there faster than the buggy and horse could.

At the end of the three-mile ride, they rounded a curve and Joy eyed the large white house with a long porch across the front. Uncle Jim's pickup was parked in front of the house.

Eli slowed the horse down to make the turn into Wasser farm driveway. Jim was standing on the porch, talking to Susanna.

Joy searched the ditch on her side and leaned forward to look around Eli to search the ditch on his side. "Where is that noisy peacock, Nabal?

Eli cocked his head sideways. Listen, Nabal is screaming in front of the house.

I hear him now. Here comes Buster to meet us. Joy pointed at a big black Lab bounding down the driveway toward them. He is happy to see us.

The dog woofed at them and stepped out of the driveway to let them pass then trotted along behind. When they reached the house, Nabal gave a loud screech and stopped pacing at the edge of the yard to come to the buggy.

Eli stopped at the hitch rack and hopped down to tie the horse to the rack. Joy climbed out of the buggy. Jim yelled from the porch. You want to call that peacock watch bird off of me? He hasn't let me off this porch since I came.

Nabal stretched his neck and screamed to prove he could voice his opinion louder than Jim as he fanned his beautiful tail.

Eli clapped his hands at the bird and shouted sternly, Go away now! Shoo!

The bird wilted at the tone of Eli's voice. His tail folded up as he lowered his head to the ground and stalked away toward the back of the house.

Jim and Susanna stepped off the porch and came to meet them by the yard gate.

Good thing you came when you did, Jim said. That peacock was downright upset that I was here. I was afraid to come off the porch. You would have thought as much as I have been here he would remember me.

Uncle Jim, Nabal has grown old. Maybe his eyesight is getting poor. Joy tried not to grin.

Yeah, right, Jim scoffed. Now we best go see about that horse.

They all headed toward the pasture. The quarter horses in the barnyard came to the corral fence and nickered at the people. Eli stopped long enough to go into the barn and get a halter and a lead rope for Joy's horse.

When they were close enough for the black horse to make them out, Joy whistled to him. Raven came loping to meet her. I would say he has missed me. I wish now I hadn't brought him over here. He would have been home with me where he would be safe, she said with a groan.

A hurt expression crossed Eli's face as he looked away at the timber. Jim studied the sky, and Susanna looked at her feet. They all knew how much Joy thought of her horse so they didn't know how to console her.

The horse stopped in front of Joy and nuzzled her shoulder. Eli reached over and secured the halter and handed Joy the lead rope. Jim walked to the back of the horse with Eli right behind him.

Oh, my! Jim said softly.

I told you what the tail looked like, ain't so? Eli asked, frowning at the horse's back end.

What? What are you seeing? Joy asked, looking from one man to the other.

Susanna took the lead rope from Joy and patted Raven's face. You must go look for yourself, Joy.

Joy rushed to stand with the men. Her mouth flew open as she stared at what used to be her horse's black tail. Raven's pretty bushy tail is ruined. Tears came to her eyes.

Jim reached over and pulled up on the stub of tail that was hanging down and inspected it. He backed up and put his arm around his niece's shoulders. Sunshine, the horse isn't hurt. His actual tail is still yet intact. The hair will grow back in time.

Tears came to Joy's eyes as she asked, How much time?

Jim shrugged.

Eli stared at the horse's back end. What do you think happened to the rest of the tail, Jim?

Just what you said. Someone cut the tail hairs off slicker than a whistle with a pair of scissors, Jim said matter-of-factly.

Who would do such a thing? Joy declared. Do you think this might be a sick joke Enos Yutzy is playing on me?

I do not know why he would want to do something like that, but, Sunshine, the hair will grow back. It might be a slow go, but hopefully, the horse has enough hair to bat at the flies come fly season next year. For right now, you better get some fly spray to use on Raven's rump until his tail is longer, Jim said.

Would Daed do something so awful? Susanna asked Eli.

Eli shrugged his shoulders. I just do not know anymore what Daed might pull to upset us.

Jim rubbed his chin. Could be some sort of practical joke.

I wish I knew who did do this. I want the person to know I am not laughing, Joy declared.

Well, Raven isn't missing his whole tail so no harm is actually done to him, Jim told her. He might as well go back to grazing.

Susanna took the halter off the horse and handed it to Eli.

They all turned and walked back across the pasture as Raven romped back to stand in the middle of the cattle herd.

Once they were through the gate, Jim glanced back at the horse. Raven seems to be liking the company of the cows. I think he is all right with them.

I think so, too. You do not have to worry about him, Eli said to Joy.

I thought that before his tail went missing. If someone is trying to upset me, what else will they do to my horse? Joy snapped.

You two want to go for a ride with me? Why don't we go check this out with John Lapp? We can see what he knows about such things happening, Jim asked.

Eli nodded. Jah.

Joy agreed. Sure. Maybe we should.

Chapter 2

When Jim turned into the Lapp driveway, Biscuit, the Lapp's  dog, jumped off the porch and raced to bark at the side of the truck. Smoke puffed from the chimney, so Hallie must be baking, joy surmised to herself. The breeze caused the cookstove smoke to float to the south.

Hallie came to the door and called for them to come in. After the three of them climbed the steps Hal backed up to let them inside and shut the door. That north wind has a little bite to it this day so I baked a batch of cookies. A warm house feels gute. It is so gute to see all of you. Come in the kitchen with John and me and have a cookie or two and a cup of coffee. The pot is always on these days.

They sat down at the table while Hallie got three more cups and filled them up from the pot that was simmering on the back of the wood cookstove. She placed a cup by each person and a saucer to place their cookies on. She pointed to the peanut butter cookies heaped high on a platter. Help yourself.

So far the three of them hadn't said anything. Hallie noticed they all looked rather glum, and that caused her to worry. John, something is wrong. Dad, is something wrong with Mom?

Jim's head shook no.

Is it Aunt Tootie then? Hal guessed.

Three heads shook no.

Well for goodness sakes, will you tell us what is the matter? Hal declared.

Jim cleared his throat. Eli found a problem with Joy's horse Raven, and we wanted to pass it by John.

Oh, is that all, Hal said as she plopped down.

Joy looked at Hal and teared up again. It is a lot to me, Hallie.

I'm sorry, dear one, Hallie said, reaching across the table to pat her hand. I didn't mean to make light of your troubles. I was just relieved there was nothing wrong with Mom or Aunt Tootie.

Did the horse die? John asked Jim.

No, John, Jim said. It isn't that bad. It's just somehow he's lost his tail.

John straightened in his chair. His whole tail?

No, not the whole tail, Eli said. Just the hair up to the tip of the tail bone.

John leaned back in his chair. His eyes narrowed. His whole tail?

Jim shook his head. What Eli and I found was someone had cut the horse's tail off with scissors, or that is what we think anyway.

That is awful, Hal declared. Who would do such a thing? Horses need their tails to shoo away flies.

You sure the hair was cut? John looked puzzled. Maybe the horse caught his tail on something and pulled the hair out.

No, the hair was cut because it was a clean even cut right below the tailbone, Jim assured him.

I think someone is playing a cruel joke on me by ruining my horse's pretty tail, Joy declared.

Who would do something that awful? Hal asked.

John shook his head. Playing a joke is not what happened, Joy.

It isn't? The girl asked.

Nah, I heard talk at the sale barn last week about such a thing happening to several English farmers' horses. I did not think it would happen to any in the Plain community, John declared. The farmers turned in the problem to the sheriff's office. The people who mutilated these horses need to be caught.

Well, by gum! That is just what we need to do then. Jim looked at Eli and Joy. You two up to one more ride? Let's go to Wickenburg and report this to the law.

They left their coffee cups half full and took off for