Chapter 6

Chapter 6

T ricia was wearing a new dark blue dress, thick black stockings, black boots, a red sweatshirt, and red wool mittens. On her head, she wore both her kapp and a black bonnet. She also had on a black wool cloak and a thick knitted muffler in a pretty shade of hunter green that her grandmother had knitted for her last year.

She was feeling a bit like a child on the way to school in February. The many bulky layers didn't allow one to move all that easily.

It was also rather warm in the confines of the shuttle bus the family had hired to carry all fifty of them around that evening.

On a positive note, everyone else looked just as uncomfortable. Well, everyone except for Mark's parents. As usual, Uncle Abel and Aunt Annie looked as delighted as ever about the upcoming excursion.

Next to her, Frieda—who she was pretty sure was one of Mark's sisters-in-law who lived out of state—shifted uncomfortably. "I love Abel and Annie, but after last year, I swore that I wouldn't do this again," she whispered.

Tricia looked at her with sympathy. Last year, her Uncle Abel had borrowed a friend's camel, which had carried the grand prize on its back. Unfortunately, the camel wasn't pleased to be out of its pen and disliked having a bunch of strangers attempt to grab a blanket off its back. More than one person had been spit upon.

It had been awful.

That wasn't even the worst thing that had happened in recent history. Flooded floors, a firepit in need of a fire extinguisher—and the broken bridge, which had given someone a broken foot—had instigated a lot of arguing and hurt feelings.

Jah , the annual scavenger hunt was a lot of fun, but it was also maddening and exhausting. All the hunting and running around didn't always agree with each member of the party. "You're not the only one who gets on this bus with a sense of misgiving," Tricia said in what she hoped was an encouraging tone. "But the hunt really does bring everyone together."

Frieda looked skeptical for a moment before she smiled. "You're right. Mixed in with all the memories of being cold and frustrated, I do recall laughing an awful lot with more than one new friend I'd made. Why, once I even met Simon from Kinsinger Lumber in Charm. He was great fun. He even got me a deal on some new French doors."

"There's your silver lining."

Frieda patted Tricia's hand. "Ach. I think you are my silver lining, dear. It's all about one's attitude, ain't so?"

"Indeed." Warmed by the thought, Tricia couldn't resist glancing Brandt's way. He was sitting next to Carter, the other Englischer, who was also housed in the back of the barn. From the way they were talking, they'd become fast friends—which was another wonder of the season. Aunt Annie often liked to say that she had a gift for bringing people together. The occupants of the bus were a testament to that. They were family, friends, colleagues, and friends of friends. Somehow, they all mixed together in such a way that everyone felt as if the Lord's hand was on their shoulders, offering support and guidance and assurance to one and all. If that was the case, then it was certainly all that anyone could ask for.

As the vehicle groaned to a stop fifteen minutes later, Uncle Abel stood up with a microphone in his hand. " Gut ohvet! " he called out.

He laughed as nearly every one of the folks sitting down responded "good evening" in kind.

"Since I have a microphone and you all are a captive audience, I wanted to take a moment to say a few words before we begin this year's scavenger hunt."

A couple of lighthearted moans and comments greeted him, but for the most part everyone was quiet. Tricia even found herself leaning forward, eager to hear what her uncle had to say.

"When my Annie and I decided so many years ago to start this gathering, we had no expectations beyond selfish ones. You see, we missed so many of you. Everyone had gotten so busy that writing a letter seemed to take too much time, let alone paying a call on someone in person." Glancing at Aunt Annie, he smiled. "That's when mei frau here suggested we ask everyone to join us for a spell. She thought that if we were feeling a bit isolated, then maybe others felt the same way. And since we liked everyone we invited very much, we reckoned the folks who came might enjoy each other's company too."

Looking at all of them, he coughed. "And now, here we are. Five years later with a full bus."

"You're gonna have to have a barn-raising just to house more people!" someone sitting in the back joked.

Annie took the microphone. "Don't give him any ideas, Ted," she said in a stern voice.

Reclaiming the microphone, Abel continued. "In any case, I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us this weekend—and ask you to please bow your heads. I know we usually say silent prayer, but I'd like to say a prayer out loud this evening. I fear my heart is too full to keep my thoughts to myself."

As they collectively bowed their heads, he said, "Dear Heavenly Father. We're so blessed by your presence in our lives every day. Thank you for bringing us all together to celebrate the wonder and miracle of your birth. Please keep us safe during our travels—and give us each a moment or two to reflect on the many blessings you've given us. In your name we pray."

"Amen," Tricia whispered with the others.

"Okay, everyone. Here's what's going to happen next. Each of you has a card printed with your name on the table near the front door of the building. Open the card up. It will not only give you your team's color but will list the other members in it. Around the entryway are signs with each color. Find your color, wait there for everyone else, and then wait for instructions."

Annie stood up. "There are refreshments of coffee, tea, and hot cider in one of the hallways, and the Porta Potties are off to the right."

"Now that the logistics are taken care of, I hope all of you have a good time, and may the winner not be too cheeky!"

As they all stood up and filed out, Frieda reached for her hand. "Forgive me, Tricia. I shouldn't have burdened you with my complaints practically the whole way here."

"You didn't do that at all. You were simply being honest."

"Well, now I honestly wish I had behaved better. I hope you have a good time tonight."

"I wish you the same." She smiled as she got in line, finally spying Brandt. He'd not only been talking with Carter, but also with several Amish and Mennonite men surrounding him. She was proud of him. Though she knew he sometimes felt out of place, he'd quickly ingratiated himself to everyone he met.

The thought warmed her as she made the short walk into the Dennison's dusty, sparsely furnished house.

Just as in years past, a sense of excitement filled the air as everyone crowded into the front door, looked for cards with their names on them, and opened them up.

"Here, Tricia," her mother called. "I found your name."

" Danke , Mamm." Eagerly taking her envelope, she took a moment to admire the way her name had been printed on the outside before breaking open the seal.

There were four people on her team. To her amusement, it was Frieda, herself, Brandt, and his barn mate, Carter. They were team gold.

She was the last one to join the group but the recipient of everyone's well-wishes.

"I can't believe that we're on the same team, just moments after I was complaining to you," Frieda said.

"I guess the Lord and Aunt Annie knew the four of us belonged together." Smiling into Brandt's eyes, she added, "I think we're going to do just fine."

"I hope I don't slow you three down," Carter said. "I wasn't too good at solving the clues two years ago."

"There's no pressure from me," Brandt said. "It's all in fun anyway."

They were prevented from further discussion when her uncle spoke. "Here are the basics. You will have seven clues. Each clue leads you to the next one. However, don't forget to follow the directions on the cards. Sometimes you have to find your item and bring it to the table before you are permitted to search for the next one. If, for some reason, you inadvertently discover more than one clue or find someone else's prize, you must not take it, hide it, or tell anyone. We're on the honor system here."

General laughter followed before he said, "In your areas, each of you has a red metal box. On the bottom of it is your first clue. Don't forget, the scavenger hunt is over when the last team turns in their last clue."

"That's for you, Mary P!" someone called out with a laugh.

"I learned my lesson five years ago!"

"We remember!"

As more gentle ribbing continued, Tricia hurried to the gold area, where Carter had his hands on the box, obviously waiting for all four of them before he flipped it over.

"You ready, everyone?" he asked.

"We're ready," Brandt said.

Carter turned over the box, then read the clue. " ‘You'll find this mighty important piece where children are nestled.' "

"Ugh. How am I supposed to figure that out?"

"I do," Carter said. "Don't forget the ‘Night Before Christmas' poem."

" ‘Children all nestled snug in their beds' . . ."

"‘While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads,' " finished Brandt.

"We need to go upstairs to the scary empty bedrooms."

"And find what? Sugarplums?" Tricia asked.

"Why not? I can think of worse things to look for," Brandt commented. "Let's go."

And with that, the four of them headed toward the stairs while other folks walked outside, and one group descended into the basement.

The scavenger hunt was on, and she had the best team in the whole place.

What could possibly go wrong?