Lizzie pushed the door closed and hurried to join him. The rain had turned to a spotty drizzle. He noticed the drops on her gray raincoat and in her honey-colored hair. She looked up at him and gave him a nervous smile.
“I hope you’re not busy,” she said in a soft voice.
He let out a laugh. “No! This rain is keeping everyone at home.” Paul stood there looking at her, so happy she’d come by today.
“Can I come inside?”
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that. Here, let me get the door for you.” It was then that he noticed she was hugging a canvas bag. When she entered the store ahead of him, he asked, “Are you in town to do some shopping?”
“Nee. I came to bring you these.”
Before she even made it to the counter to set her bag down, Paul was hoping she’d finally brought him some of her watercolors.
“I was going to come yesterday, but we were so busy at the farm and my vader was feeling strong enough to do light work. So Mamm needed me to keep an eye on him.” She let out a laugh. “He thinks he can do what the rest of the men do, but he’s not ready for a full day just yet.”
She set the bag up on the counter. Patting the dampened fabric, she turned to look at him. He could see the uncertainty clouding her eyes.
“Lizzie, this is very exciting!”
“Now, don’t be getting ahead of yourself. I’m not even sure you’ll like the ones I’ve chosen.”
Stepping close to her, he caught the faint scent of lemons and noticed the tiny freckles on her nose. Softening his voice, he replied, “I know I’ll love whatever you decide on.”
“So, now you’re going to be my number-one fan?” she teased.
“Ja. And I can guarantee I can sell whatever you bring here.”
She dipped her eyelids and nibbled her lower lip, her hand still resting on the top of the canvas bag. He could see the edge of the watercolors peeking out. Paul knew it had cost her a lot to come here. He’d been so busy these last few days that he hadn’t even seen her. But Lizzie had never been far from his thoughts. And now here she was, putting her talent and her courage on the line. He knew enough to handle the situation with great care. Lizzie could be as stubborn as the day was long. But this was a matter of trust, and the last thing he wanted was to frighten her away and send her running back home.
She reached into the bag to slide out the sheaf of papers. Paul raised his eyebrows. He shook his head in disbelief. Where had she been hiding these? he wondered. He’d only seen a few of the pieces she’d been working on. But one look at these images and he immediately recognized the hard corner of the barn, the white clapboard fencing, and the rolling green pastures dotted with new spring grass to be the field outside the barn where the Miller cows grazed. He helped her lay the artwork out on the counter.
“Lizzie. You’ve outdone yourself. These are lovely.” Paul gazed from the artwork to her.
There was a sparkle in her blue eyes he’d never seen before. A light pinkish blush rose on her cheekbones. Her face took on a glow at his praise.
“I thought I could part with these the easiest. And I think they are what you’re looking to put in your shop.”
He ran his fingertips over the papers, nodding. “These landscapes will most certainly complement my work. Wow! Lizzie, I had no idea you had these.”
“Oh, there are a lot more where these came from. But I must admit that my earlier work is pretty primitive. Art is like so many things in life—you need to keep practicing until you get it right.”
Gathering her hand in his, Paul gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re right,” he said, wanting to tease her, but instead his voice came out in a strained whisper.
She started to tug her hand out of his reach, but he held fast. Lizzie held his gaze and he could see the struggle brewing inside of her. A bit of the sparkle left her. Her mouth tightened into a thin line. Paul didn’t know how else to convince her that this was the right thing—that they could be right together. Somehow his thoughts were no longer just about Lizzie selling her art here.
Finally she said, “Nee, I’m far from right. Just think about what we’re doing here today. I went behind my family’s back. Even if the end justifies the means, I wish I didn’t feel so bad about it.”
He gave her a quick wink. “You want to know something?”
She cocked her head to one side, waiting for him to answer his own question.
“I’d be very worried about you if you didn’t feel that way about coming here. Family is important to both of us. After all, they are the reason we are both here. Come on—I’m going to show you where all the framing will be done. We can take these to the back room and pick out the ones you think will be the best fit.”
“How difficult can that be?” Lizzie asked.
He let out a laugh, thinking Lizzie had a lot to learn about the different types of wood that could go into making a frame. The right choice made all the difference.
Picking up the watercolors, he directed her to the back room. “I’ll get you started.”
As they entered the work area, he said, “You can hang your coat on the hook over there.” He pointed to a spot on the wall near the back door.
Once she’d done that, Paul showed her to the place where he’d set up the framing area. Corners of frames hung on a pegboard behind the counter. “You can pick out anything you want. I have the wood set aside for your frames.”
Lizzie studied the choices. “I like the darker colors for the fall picture.”
“That’s a good choice.” He took the corner piece from the pegboard and lined it up along the edge of the paper. “Ja.” He agreed after seeing the match.
They couldn’t have been there for more than ten minutes when Paul heard the front door open. “I’ve got to go see who came in. You keep working on this.” He excused himself.
Walking through the doorway, back out into the front of the shop, Paul saw an Amish man bent over, looking down at one of the small children’s rocking chairs he’d created last week. As the man stood and turned around, Paul recognized him. Squaring his shoulders, he walked across the floor to greet him.
“Vader. What brings you into the village on this rainy day?”
The man scrunched up his eyes, narrowing his gaze to look at his son. “I’ve come to see for myself this folly my son has entered into.”
Paul called on every bit of strength and patience he had. His vader had no business coming here and insulting him. But his vader deserved his respect, no matter how hard it was to give at the moment.
“I don’t see this as a folly. This is where my future lies.”
The man scoffed. “That remains to be seen.” Waving a hand around, he continued, “You’ve been working on some new pieces, I see.”
“Ja, I have.” Paul wondered if this meant he might be softening toward the idea of this store.
“I’ve a lot of work orders that need filling.”
Since Paul had been talking with his bruders, he knew that wasn’t exactly the truth. Their cabinet shop had been slow these past few weeks. Right before Paul had opened, he’d been working on finishing up the one big order they’d had all summer. All the more reason for his vader to realize that having a place here in the village was needed.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he studied the man standing before him. Age was slowly making its way over his face, leaving behind wrinkles that fanned out around the corners of his dark eyes. His hair and beard were almost all gray. And now Paul noticed a slight hunch to his vader’s shoulders. He knew his vader was getting on in years, but he also knew the man’s life as a cabinetmaker was nowhere near over.
“Paul, I’m going to get right to the point of my visit. I want you to close up this shop and come back to our business. I can’t have you splitting us up.”
“I don’t think I’m doing that.”
“Ja. You are. I know that Ben and Abram have been helping you here. Taking time away from their projects at the cabinet shop.”
“They offered to come over after their day was completed. And you know I would never pull them from you,” Paul said, feeling the anger and frustration at his vader’s narrow-mindedness creeping over him.
Aware that Lizzie could overhear what was being said, he tried again. “I want to do this. And I’m doing this for all the right reasons.”
“What? You think coming here to be closer to the Englischers is our way? We need to stick together to keep our community growing. And here you are wandering off like you’re having a rumspringa!” His vader’s voice rose.
Paul shook his head. Keeping his voice low, he said, “It’s nothing like that, and you know it. I’ve told you again and again that I’m doing this to not only secure my future but to secure a future for the entire family.”
His vader’s face reddened. “And what of your future? Have you plans for a courtship yet?”
Paul looked over his shoulder, trying to figure out how much of this Lizzie was overhearing. He didn’t want to be having this exchange with the man. His vader came closer to him. Paul stood his ground.
“You know how to respect your elders.”
“I do respect you.”
Vader shook his head. “At the moment I’m not sure.”
“Give me time to make this work.”
“And what of your courtship?” Vader’s expression softened a bit as some of the anger left him.
Paul looked over his shoulder once more. Lizzie was being awfully quiet back there. He wanted to answer the question, but he didn’t want her to overhear his response.
“Paul, answer my question.”
He frowned, replying, “I’m working on that, too.”
“Listen to me, sohn. I know your life has had its share of ups and downs. And the Miller boy’s death has stayed with you a long time.”
Paul raised his eyebrows in surprise. He’d never discussed David with his vader. He wasn’t sure how to respond, so he waited for him to finish his thought.
“You’ve always had a soft spot in your heart for Joseph’s youngest daughter. Perhaps we should consider speaking to him...”
Holding up his hand, Paul interrupted his vader, stopping him from going any further. “Nee. Now is not the time to discuss that.”
His vader sighed in exasperation. Some of the earlier anger seemed to have returned, because his voice rose again as he spoke. “I’m telling you, Paul, time is not going to stand still while you make up your mind about your future! If I need to intercede on both of these matters on your behalf, I will.”
“Please, Vader, like I said before, give me time.”
“You don’t have long.”
He escorted him to the door. Holding it open, Paul waited while he stepped out into the overcast day. The rain had stopped and the clouds were breaking up. Tiny patches of blue sky poked through the darkness of the sky. The lighter sky did little to clear the darkness from Paul’s day. He waited as his vader got into the buggy and drove away. Turning, he went back inside to find Lizzie standing at the counter.
As he approached her, he attempted a smile, but failed miserably. “I’m guessing you overheard all of that?”
* * *
“Ja, I did,” Lizzie answered.
She’d heard every word and her heart was breaking for him. Lizzie leaned toward him. She could see the confusion reflected in his eyes. She wanted more than ever to take some of that pain away, but she didn’t know how. She put her hand on his arm. She felt his strong pulse thrumming under the pads of her fingertips. She felt the strength in the hard sinew of his forearm. Lizzie’s heart melted just a bit. She didn’t quite know what to do with this new feeling. She only knew that she wanted this sensation, whatever it was, to last.
For as long as she could remember, Paul had been there for her. And like his vader had stated, he’d been there as a constant friend and shoulder to lean on since the day David had died. She and Paul never really spoke about that day. Now she found herself wondering how he’d managed to cope over the years. She knew he’d a great faith in Gott, just as she did. Perhaps he drew his strength from Him. Maybe one day soon they would be able to speak about David and what a great loss his death had been for both of them.
For Lizzie’s family it had also meant the end of the future for the farm. Without David there was no son left to carry on. She’d heard Mr. Burkholder telling Paul he wanted to go to her vader to perhaps discuss a courtship. She and Paul had already discussed the reasons why that would never work. Paul was never going to become a farmer. He was a woodworker, a furniture maker. It was his life’s calling. And her family couldn’t afford to hire farm help. The only way to help her family continue to make ends meet was for her to sell her artwork. As she tried to hold fast to those arguments, Lizzie could no longer deny her growing feelings for Paul. But for right now, she wanted to make him feel better about today. About his encounter with his vader.
Squeezing the top of his wrist with her fingers, she said, “I’m sorry about the things your vader said to you.”
“Danke. I wish he’d listen to what I’m saying. Truly listen. Doesn’t he know that the last thing I would ever want is to make trouble for our family?”
“I’m sure he knows. But the old ways are hard to let go of, Paul.” She took her hand away from his arm.
He frowned, creating lines on his forehead. She could almost see his mind racing with thoughts. This had to be so hard for him. But Lizzie could tell his talents lay here, in the beautiful furniture he made. She turned to look around the store. Her gaze found the twin set of children’s rocking chairs. They were so adorable and would make a fine addition to someone’s home. She pictured a small child rocking away, perhaps with a book or doll in their tiny hands. The thought gave her pause. She’d never thought about having children of her own and now here she was, standing next to Paul, looking at his creations and thinking such thoughts.
“Lizzie?”
The sound of Paul’s voice interrupted her daydream. “Hmm?”
“What’s got you smiling?”
“I...” She hesitated, blinking as her thoughts collided with the present. “I was just admiring your furniture. You do such fine work, Paul. You should be proud.”
“I am. Now, if only my vader felt the same way you do.”
“He’ll come around.”
“We are two peas in pod, you and I.” His gaze softened as he looked down at her.
Lizzie’s breath caught in her throat. She wasn’t sure how to respond to his comment; instead she asked, “I decided on the frames. Would you like to come see what I’ve picked out?”
“Of course,” Paul answered as he let her go ahead of him to the back room.
Lizzie couldn’t contain her excitement. She wanted him to be as pleased as she was with her selections.
“Look at this barn wood.” She had the sample piece of wood covering about half an inch of the painting. The weatherworn wood held a subtle gray patina. “I think I want that for all the frames. The look is fitting with the fields and that portion of the barn that’s showing on the side.”
He nodded. “I agree. This choice is much better than the darker frame you first looked at.”
She set the artwork down, clapping her hands together. Lizzie couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this happy. She wanted to hold tight to the sensation. Paul must have felt her excitement, because he put his hand on her shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re coming around to this idea.”
“Me, too. Danke for pushing me to do this.”
With a gentle nudge, he turned her to face him. “I’m so proud of you, Lizzie.”
The look she saw in his eyes held more than pride. Lizzie’s heart began to race as her stomach did the stra
ngest little flip-flop.
She whispered his name. “Paul.”
He gazed deep into her eyes, and she knew his feelings for her were more than just friendship. Lizzie pulled away from him. Even though she felt the shift in their relationship, she couldn’t help thinking she wasn’t ready for this.
Then Paul spoke so softly that Lizzie had to lean in to hear him. “One day soon, Lizzie Miller, you will know that you can trust what is going on between us with your whole heart.”
Then Paul turned his attention back to the frame. Running his hand over the wood, he told her, “I’ll get these made up tonight.”
“All right.” Gathering the canvas bag, she realized that she needed to be hurrying back home. “I have to go.” She was almost to the door when she turned around and said to him, “I’m working on Rachel’s wedding gift. Would you be able to make me up a small recipe box?”
“Of course. Are you going to be giving away all your special recipes?” he asked, grinning at her.
She laughed at him. “Not all of them. Just a few of my jam recipes.”
“I’m sure Rachel and Jacob will love your gift,” he added.
“I hope so.” Lizzie paused in the doorway. She looked up at Paul as her stomach gave her that little flip-flop sensation again. She didn’t like feeling confused about Paul. Gripping the straps on the canvas bag, she said, “I’ll see you in a few days.”
He gave her a nod and gently closed the door behind her.
Chapter Ten
The next few days flew by as Lizzie found herself rushing to complete her wedding gift. She’d already made up the blueberry and the blackberry jams. Today she planned on finishing up with a batch of apple butter. She loved making this recipe because it was a perfect way to use up extra apples. However, for her cousin’s wedding present, she’d used only the finest Cortland apples. The entire kitchen smelled like warm apples and cinnamon. As she took the canning jars out of the hot water bath, she couldn’t help but ponder her last meeting with Paul.
Lizzie had felt that their relationship was changing. For a long time now, she’d known his feelings were more than that of just a friend. Once again her long-held insecurities reared their ugly heads. She was having trouble imagining herself as a wife. As far as she was concerned, Paul deserved someone far better than her. And yet he stuck by her through the good and bad days. In her heart of hearts, she knew there weren’t many men like him.
A Love for Lizzie Page 10
