Gideon recognized Anne Pine’s pickup truck as soon as it came over the rise of the road. She was nearly even with Gideon when she noticed him driving Mae and the buggy down Josiah King’s lane headed for home. Anne Pine waved in such a way as to communicate to him everything was fine - nothing to worry about.

Gideon relaxed for the first time since those foolish kids flew through Five Corners last night. The woman was alright! As the truck passed by Gideon caught sight of the passenger staring at him out of the back window of the truck. He couldn’t see her face. He didn’t have to. Her face was etched into his memory.

A little while ago Gideon had stood in Josiah’s barn recounting the details of what happened on his way home last night. Josiah sat on his milking stool working, the side of his face resting flat against the Guernsey cow and listened. A shadowed expression scudded across Josiah’s face when Gideon told him about finding an unconscious Englischer woman in the ditch.

As Bishop of the District Josiah compelled his flock to remain separate from the English. It was unheard of for an Amish man to be alone with an English woman. It never happened! What would the members think? And why did it have to be Gideon who found her. But Gideon wasn’t Amish yet - no not yet. And the English woman was unconscious and in need of help. “Did she wake up?” asked Josiah.

“No she didn’t come to. I got her to my house then went for Anne Pine. She’s over at the house right now.” said Gideon. ” I sure wish I had a phone last night.”  As soon as he said the words Gideon regretted them.

Josiah snapped to his feet knocking the milk stool over. His ever present temper that festered just below the surface erupted. “Ya - ya, if that’s what you be wanting then go!” barked Josiah. Picking up the full bucket of milk he headed for the milk house.

Gideon had re-adjusted to Josiah’s temperament in the months since moving to Eden. The best thing to do when Josiah got this way was to keep silent and not challenge him. Josiah’s internal storms passed faster that way.

Josiah had always been like this. As boys growing up on the farm together Gideon all too often was the recipient of that anger. To control it Josiah turned to the scriptures. He believed his religion and faith would cure him of it. Now as Bishop of the District, Josiah was feared almost as much as he was respected.

When Josiah didn’t return to the barn Gideon went looking for him.

“Hello Onkel,” said his little niece Libby. Although Libby was only five years old she had the important job of gathering eggs each morning. In her little woven basket half filled with straw lay one egg. Libby’s job was to walk around the farmyard looking for eggs. Eggs left by errant hens who broke the rules and laid their eggs everywhere but where they were suppose to - in the chicken coop.

Gideon smiled. As Libby passed by him he gently touched the top of her head. It felt good to be a part of a family again. “Good morning Libby,” said Gideon.

Gideon wandered into the milk house. Josiah stood gazing out the window. Eventually he spoke, “You did goot Gideon. I know that you did right,” said Josiah. “Anne Pine will know what’s to be done with the Englischer.”

~

Gidion watched Anne Pine’s pickup disappear from sight. Carefully checking the road in both directions he pulled out onto it. He clicked his tongue putting Mae’s ears on high alert. Gently splashing the loose reigns over her back Mae started her rhythmic trot. Up ahead Gideon admired the fine old elm arching over the road. It reminded him of the woman’s hair. Gideon shook his head. He obviously needed sleep. Sleep would set him right. It had to!