A Secret Encounter (Amish Secrets--Book 2)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  Good. Now Anna didn’t have to worry about Mammi asking questions while she rummaged through the attic. Now, she just hoped there were no spiders lurking up there. Mice, she could deal with. But there was nothing worse than the feel of a potentially poisonous arachnid crawling around on one’s skin. Anna shivered just thinking about it.

  As Anna topped the last step to the attic, she heard the unmistakable sound of horse hooves and a buggy rolling to a stop in their yard. She sighed, partly in relief of not having to fend off the spiders for an extra few moments. But now she’d have to postpone her lofty excursion for another time.

  “Anna,” her grandmother called up the stairs. “It looks like Aaron's buggy. You'd better come down.”

  Anna groaned. “Coming.”

  <><><>

  Aaron held the puppy behind his back as he knocked on the Smuckers' back door for the second time. The creature was beginning to get restless. Why hasn't she opened the door yet? he wondered impatiently.

  When the door opened, he said the first thing that came to his mind. “It's about time.”

  Anna's eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

  “Ach, I'm sorry, it's just that...here.” He handed her the puppy.

  Anna received the puppy with a puzzled look on her face. “Uh, he's cute. This is a nice dog, Aaron.” She handed the dog back.

  “Nee. It's for you. I wanted you to have him as a pet,” he explained.

  “Oh. Uh...thank you, Aaron. But it's not really the best time for us to be takin' in a pup. We don't have any extra resources and I'm afraid a dog would require quite a bit of food. And with me working at the fabric shop and my chores, I'm afraid I wouldn't have any time to spend with it,” she said, hoping she didn't hurt his feelings.

  “So you really don't want him?” he asked with surprise.

  She shook her head. “We can't take him. I'm sorry, Aaron.”

  Out of all the reactions he thought he might get, this one had never crossed Aaron's mind. I guess I'll take him back home. Aaron looked back to his buggy, wondering whether the puppy would stay in the box while he spent time with Anna.

  “Would ya go on a short walk with me? I'll just put the puppy up in my buggy,” Aaron said.

  “Jah, just a short walk.” Anna really didn't want to, but she already felt guilty about rejecting his gift. It wasn't like Aaron to bring gifts and she wondered if maybe he was up to something. But what could it be?

  They walked along her property and Anna listened politely as Aaron talked all about his puppy business. While he continued on, she began wondering why she was still seeing him. He was handsome, jah, but it seemed as though they didn't really mesh well together. Their interests were so different and, besides their faith, she couldn't think of one thing they had in common. No, she needed someone who valued the same things she valued. Someone compassionate, who wouldn't turn their back on another in need.

  When they arrived back at the small front porch, Aaron took her hand. “Uh, Anna, I wanted to ask you something.”

  Anna's eyes bulged as Aaron came closer and pressed his lips – and his body – against hers. She stood frozen like a statue and stiffened her lips as she pushed him away. This was not how she'd envisioned her first kiss.

  “What's wrong? Can't I even get a kiss from my girl?” he asked, forcing her close. He bent down to kiss her again, holding her tight. She squirmed under his strong grip and he released her, letting out a chuckle. “Just relax, would ya? I was wanting to ask you to marry me.”

  Definitely not! “Nee, Aaron. I don’t think we’re meant to be together,” she said, taking a step toward the house.

  “What do you mean, Anna? I bring you a nice pup and you reject it. I court you for months and now you’re not interested?” His voice raised.

  “I'm sorry, Aaron, but–”

  “No, Anna. I cannot accept that,” he interrupted. “Please, will you just consider it? Listen, I'm sorry for trying to steal a kiss from you.”

  “Aaron, please. You and I are just too different. We wouldn't make a good couple,” Anna attempted to explain without totally offending him. “I wouldn't make a gut fraa for you.”

  “You'd make a fine fraa, Anna. I know, I've tasted your cooking. And I've been inside your home for meeting; it appeared clean enough.” Aaron gently stroked her forearm.

  Anna sighed. Surely he knows there's more to marriage than a clean house and food on the table!

  “Anna, please give me another chance. Let's give it another month or two so we can get to know each other better,” he coaxed.

  “All right.” She gave in. “Another month.”

  “Denki, Anna. You'll see. We'll make a gut couple,” Aaron assured her.

  A squeal from the buggy brought Anna the relief she sought. “Uh...I think your pup is getting antsy.”

  “Jah, I'd better get him home. I'll be seeing ya soon,” he said, tipping his hat before hopping into the carriage.

  A yawn escaped Anna's lips as she entered her and Mammi's quiet home. Only a single lamp burned on the small coffee table in the sitting room, indicating that Mammi had already gone to bed. Forgetting about her previous quest for clothing, she readied herself for bed and slipped into another dream-filled night.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “What are we going to do, Joe?” Harvey eyed his friend over a bite of the warm soup Anna had left in the alley earlier. The two of them had watched from behind the dumpster as she'd carefully poured the soup from a Thermos into a large disposable plastic bowl.

  Joseph's eyebrows knit together. “What are you talking about? You can't just ask a question like that without explaining to a body what you're talking about.”

  “You know, the woman. We can't just let her keep bringing us food every day.”

  Joe nodded. “You're right. I'll talk to her and tell her to stop.”

  “Well, wait now. That's not what I meant. Don't you think we should say something to her? I mean, we should at least let her know we appreciate what she's doing,” Harvey reasoned.

  Joseph tugged on his beard, thinking. “You've got a point. All right, I'll take care of it. But you've got to be gone when she comes by tomorrow, cause I ain't talkin' to her in front of you.”

  “Okay. Okay. Hey Joe, do you think you can ask her to bring more of them whoopie pies? Or some more of that hot cocoa? Or how about–”

  “Harv,” Joseph said in a warning tone.

  “All right. Maybe just mention that we liked them?” Harvey pleaded.

  Joseph laughed, shaking his head. “You are too much, old friend.”

  <><><>

  Anna sang in her quiet soprano voice as she mucked out Brazen's stall. The horse whinnied in approval when she mentioned the Saviour's name. Anna looked up in amazement, wondering if perhaps the animals had their own special way of communicating with God.

  After shoveling the dung into the wheel barrel, she added fresh hay and water to Brazen's trough, then led the horse back in. She treated Brazen to an apple for behaving nicely and rubbed the horse's head affectionately.

  Anna's shoulders ached from all the extra work she'd been doing around the farm. It would be great to have a man around to do all this, she mused. If she'd had extra money she would have hired someone immediately after Dat died. Maybe I can get Aaron to come over and do some of the work around here. She suddenly remembered the other evening and thought better of it, then again, that might not be the best idea. Anna released a frustrated breath.

  Pray. The word seemed to float above her as though it were a wishy flower gracefully meandering on a gentle spring breeze, just waiting for her to catch it. She reached out and grabbed it, carefully examined it, and then released it back into the air. Lord, please send an answer to our problem, according to Thy will. Amen.

  <><><>

  Mammi’s glowing countenance greeted Anna as she trudged through the door. Anna stood a little taller in anticipation of whatever news had brought such excitement to her grandmother.

  �
��You're not going to guess what came in the mail today!” Mammi held out a letter to Anna. “Your cousin Jacob Schrock and his fraa Rachel are coming to visit us next week! Isn't that wunderbaar?”

  Anna smiled broadly, skimming over the letter. “Ach, jah. That's great. How long will they be staying?”

  Mammi snatched the letter back. “I'm not sure. I don't think they mentioned how long they'd stay. But won't it be wunderbaar to have someone to visit with? I can’t wait to see how big the kinner are now. And I'm sure Jacob will help with the outdoor chores.”

  Tears pricked Anna's eyes. “Oh Mammi, I just prayed for help. I didn't expect the answer so soon. Gott sure is gut, jah?”

  “The Lord heareth the prayer of the righteous...” Mammi placed her weathered hand over Anna's and smiled. “Yes, my dear Anna. Gott is always gut.”

  <><><>

  Anna placed a bolt of green fabric back into its place among the other similar hues. She loved how all the colors were displayed as though they were a beautiful rainbow. It seemed green and red fabrics were selling more and more often now that fall was in full swing.

  She glanced over at the customers examining Mammi’s Christmas quilt, hoping they wouldn't have to discount the price. Mammi did such fine work; the quilt was easily worth the four hundred dollars they were asking for it. When the customers left without buying anything, Anna frowned in disappointment. If only we had more tourists, Anna thought.

  She’d been to the larger, more popular towns where the Amish tourist trade flourished. In fact, she’d even taken some of their handmade goods to the farmers’ market and mud sales on occasion. But that had been when her folks were still alive. She’d never be able to do it now; it was simply too much for one person to manage. Not to mention she wouldn’t feel comfortable driving all that way, especially in the wee hours of the morning prior to the sun peeking over the eastern horizon.

  “Anna, would you mind taking this delivery over to Mrs. Lapp at the candle shop? I've been meaning to do it all morning but I've barely had time to breathe. I still have that order of crocheted mittens and scarves that need to be completed too,” Linda said.

  “No problem. I'll take it right now, if you'd like,” Anna said.

  “Oh, thank you, Anna. You're a Godsend.”

  Anna clutched the bag of ribbon at her side as she walked toward Nature's Candle, several blocks away from Threads of Beauty. Anna smiled thinking how befitting the name of her employer's shop was. Not only because the store sold beautiful things, but also because Linda's name meant beautiful.

  As Anna stepped into the candle shop, sweet fragrances immediately enveloped her senses. Oh, how she wished she could afford to buy a candle in every scent she desired. That would be nice, but it wasn't practical and it would be silly to spend her hard-earned money on something that wasn't an absolute necessity. She didn't begrudge handing over her money to pay the bills, she just thought that it would be nice to buy something luxurious once in a while.

  After delivering the promised goods to Faith and pocketing the money, she took one last whiff of a large vanilla candle displayed near the front window. She peeked at the bottom to see the price and almost dropped it when she discovered what it cost. No, she wouldn't be buying that candle anytime soon. Who had forty dollars to spend on a candle that would burn up in just a few weeks?

  The streets seemed surprisingly quiet for the middle of the day. Anna passed by a couple of local shops and one of the few fast food places in town. The greasy smell made her stomach queasy and she wondered how people could eat at those places all the time.

  Anna was caught completely off guard when somebody grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind a building. She would have screamed but for the large hand that covered her mouth. Her heart beat rapidly as she squirmed under the stranger's firm hold.

  “Shh...I'm not going to hurt you. I'm the man you gave the pizza to. I'll take my hand away from your mouth if you promise not to scream,” he said calmly.

  Aaron’s words echoed in her head once again, cautioning her about the homeless man. Anna wriggled once again, trying to break loose of his grip, then gave up when she realized her efforts were fruitless.

  Joseph chuckled at her futile attempts. “Promise not to scream?” he asked again. “I swear I won't hurt you.”

  Anna nodded and the man quickly uncovered her mouth, as promised. “You shouldn't swear. Will you please let me go now?” she asked, her back still pinned against his chest.

  He gently released his hold on her and she spun around. “What did you do that for? You scared me half to death,” she said.

  “I didn't want to frighten you. I guess it didn't work.” He shrugged.

  “Have you ever thought about the direct approach? You know...Hello, my name is...what's your name?”

  “Joe.”

  She continued, “Hello, my name is Joe. Do you mind if I speak with you for a few minutes?”

  Joseph guffawed.

  Anna gasped and placed a hand on her hip. “I don't think this is funny. You could have given me a heart attack, you know!” She tried to suppress a smile that threatened.

  “I know. I'm sorry. Please accept my sincerest apology.” He bowed at the waist.

  Anna giggled. “Apology accepted.”

  Joseph cordially held out his hand. “Hello, Miss. My name is Joe. Do you mind if I speak with you a few minutes?”

  Anna played along and shook his hand, then thought about Linda waiting for her at the fabric shop and grimaced. “I'm sorry, I can't. I really need to get back to work. Linda will be sending out a search party if I'm not back soon.”

  “Oh, uh, okay,” he said disappointedly.

  “How about if I meet you in the alley at lunch time?” she suggested.

  Joseph smiled. “That sounds great.”

  <><><>

  “So, did ya meet her, Joe? What did she say, huh?” Harvey asked eagerly.

  “Settle down, Harv. She's way too young for you,” Joseph teased.

  “Maybe...maybe not.” He shrugged.

  Joseph gawked at his friend as though he were...well... ferhoodled.

  “Relax, bud. I was just joshing ya.” Harvey grinned. “So, what's she like?”

  “Oh Harv, she's amazing.” Joseph closed his eyes, recalling their brief conversation.

  “I knew it! I knew someone as kind as that would be perfect for you,” Harvey emphatically proclaimed.

  “No, Harvey. She deserves someone much better than me. A gut Amish man with a job and a farm, someone that can provide for all her wants and needs and give her children. Not me. I have nothing to give her.”

  “Hey man, you ever hear of livin' on love?”

  “Oh yes, I can see it now. 'Come here, my sweet wife. How do you like our cozy little corner of the alley? Would you like me to scrounge through the garbage to find you more newspapers to keep you warm?' I think not, Harv.” Joseph shook his head in discouragement.

  <><><>

  Anna couldn't wait for lunchtime to roll around. She didn't know why, but for some reason she felt comfortable with the homeless man. As though she could identify with him somehow. Who would've thought the two of them would hit it off so well? Certainly not her.

  Why was it that she'd thought she'd be so different from him? Had she considered the homeless man, Joe, inferior to herself? It was almost as though she hadn't considered him to be a genuine person prior to meeting him. How's that for demut? She thought shamefully.

  Lord, please forgive me. Help me to be more like you. Help me to shine your love through my life.

  <><><>

  “Do you hear that, Joe? It's footsteps. She's coming. I think she's coming!” Harvey said excitedly.

  “Calm down, old friend. I'll go check it out.” Joseph arose from his crate behind the dumpster and set his playing cards face down. “No cheating,” he warned. “And stay there until I say.”

  “All right, all right.”

  Joseph hurriedly walked toward the opening
of the alley. He arrived just as Anna was rounding the corner, causing her to jump.

  “Ach, Joe. You've got to stop doing that,” Anna said, placing a hand over her heart.

  “Sorry, uh...” Joseph realized he hadn't caught her name.

  “Anna. My name is Anna,” she said. “So, is this your home?” She leaned slightly to the right, craning her neck around his shoulder to observe the quiet alleyway.

  “Yep, this is it. Home sweet home,” he said sarcastically. “Would you like a tour?”

  Anna smiled. “Sure, just as long as nothing's going to jump out at me.”

  “Just stick close to me and you'll be fine.” Joseph led the way down the alley, feeling a bit awkward. This is no place for a woman, he thought disgracefully.

  <><><>

  Anna quietly followed Joe, taking in her surroundings. For the most part, the alleyway was empty. Water trickled out from a pipe that apparently came from the back of one of the brick buildings, leaving a grayish-green stain on the wall behind it. Anna shuddered wondering if that's where Joe got his drinking water from. Aside from a few large dumpsters, there appeared to be nothing on this back street. How can someone live here?

  As they neared the second dumpster, Joseph turned to Anna and spoke up. “Anna, there's someone I'd like you to meet.”

  Anna nodded.

  “Okay, Harv. You may come out now,” he called.

  An older fellow with a cigarette hanging between his smiling lips popped out from behind the dumpster. His gray hair and beard reminded Anna of Grossdawdi Schrock, Mamm's vadder, who'd passed on to Glory about ten years ago. She immediately felt an instant kinship with the older man.