A Love for Lizzie

by Tracey J. Lyons

  And in her heart of hearts, she also knew she no longer saw him as just a friend.

  She picked up the stainless steel ladle and began scooping the apple butter into the sterilized canning jars. The warm, spicy steam wafted up out of the jar. She filled a half-dozen jars. Then she screwed the metal lids in place. When that was done, she lined them up alongside the other filled jars, admiring her handiwork. After the jams and butter were cooled, she planned on packing them up in a basket. Lizzie also had the recipe cards in a neat pile on the counter, waiting for the recipe box Paul had said he would make for her.

  These three recipes were the ones that were the most popular at her roadside shed. She let out a contented sigh. These were the best choice for the gift.

  She heard boots stomping on the porch and knew her vader had come up for his morning tea. Anticipating this, she’d set a teakettle over low heat half an hour ago. Taking it from the stove top, she set about making his favorite cup of tea. Simple black tea with two teaspoons of sugar and a dollop of cream.

  “Hello, Daed,” she called out as he came into the haus.

  “Dochder. I see you’ve got my tea brewing. Danke.” Sitting down at his usual spot at the table, he said, “I’ll have you know it’s a fine late summer’s day out there. The last cutting is going to be this week. Just in time for your cousin Rachel’s wedding.”

  Lizzie was looking forward to Rachel and Jacob’s big day. Her sister, Mary, and her husband would be arriving soon. Her mamm had been cleaning out the spare bedroom all week. This very minute the freshly laundered sheets were hanging to dry out on the clothesline, flapping in the breeze.

  “You look to be having a great day, Daed.”

  “I am at that, Lizzie. This morning I woke up before the light of dawn and for the first time did not feel the effects of my illness. The doctors were right. Three months later, I’m as fit as a fiddle again.”

  After setting the pitcher of milk in the refrigerator, Lizzie took him his tea.

  “I think your sister will be here today.”

  Lizzie raised an eyebrow, curious as to how he would know that.

  “I can’t keep the surprise from you, not on a day as fine as this. Her letter last week let us know when she was arriving. That’s why your mamm has been so busy getting that room ready.”

  It had been almost a year since Lizzie had seen Mary. They had so much to catch up on. With Rachel’s wedding and their vader’s illness, no doubt their chatter would fill an entire afternoon. But Lizzie couldn’t wait to get her sister alone to talk about Paul.

  No sooner did those thoughts leave her head than the sound of a ruckus came from out in the yard. After wiping her hands on a dish towel, Lizzie followed her daed outside, where they found Paul helping her sister and Aaron down from the wagon.

  Lizzie took off at a run, meeting her sister halfway down the walkway. “Mary! I’m so excited that you’re finally home.” Lizzie let out a squeal of delight as she ran into her arms.

  Their mamm came out from around back, running so hard, she was out of breath by the time she got there. “It’s wonderful to have my dochdern together!”

  Stepping back, she cocked her head to one side, giving Mary the once-over, observing, “Mary, you are glowing. This can only mean one thing!” their mother exclaimed, her eyes tearing up. “You’re going to have a bobbli!”

  Rubbing a hand over her stomach, Mary took hold of Aaron’s arm, pulling him in close. “Bopplin. We’re having twins.”

  Mamm’s hand flew to her chest. “Twins! This is wonderful news.”

  “If it’s all right, I’d like to get Mary into the house. It was a long trip and she needs to put her feet up,” Aaron advised, putting a protective arm around Mary’s shoulders.

  Mary swatted her mann’s arm. “Aaron, I’ve told you before, I am not an invalid.”

  “Come along anyway,” her mamm said, taking Mary’s hand and escorting her up the steps.

  Lizzie watched as her family moved to the house, leaving her alone beside Paul. Fussing with the front of her apron, she found herself happy to see him. She’d missed him. Lizzie wondered if he felt the same way about her.

  “That was nice of you to bring my sister and her mann here.”

  “I had to pick up a furniture order from the workroom at my vader’s. There are a few cabinets that I’d finished up before I opened my shop, and the customer is ready to receive them,” he explained. “The trip out here was no trouble. That’s gut news about your sister.”

  “Ja. It is. I’m going to be an aenti.”

  “You’re going to make a fine one, at that, Aenti Lizzie.”

  “Oh, my, when you say call me that, it makes the news seem that much more real.”

  “I have the recipe box you wanted for Rachel and Jacob’s wedding gift.” He reached around to get the small box from underneath the wagon’s seat.

  The box looked so tiny in Paul’s strong hands. He handed it to her. Lizzie stared down in awe. The cherrywood box had tiny hearts carved into all four sides. On the top were the words Made with love. Running her thumb over the smooth wood, Lizzie knew Rachel would get much use out of this.

  Raising her eyes, she met Paul’s clear gaze. “This is lovely.”

  “Danke.” Nodding at her, he said, “Go ahead and open it.”

  Carefully she lifted the lid and peered inside to find a white envelope that had been folded in half. “What’s this?”

  “It’s for you,” he answered, rocking back on his heels.

  Lizzie had never seen him so excited. She didn’t know what to expect, but whatever was inside had Paul beaming. “I can’t imagine what this could be.”

  “Lizzie, just open it up already.”

  “Okay, okay.” Lizzie reached in and removed the envelope.

  As she unfolded the paper, she realized it was thicker than it looked. What on earth? She broke the seal open and was shocked to find cash inside.

  “Paul, what is this? What have you done?”

  “Oh, I didn’t do anything, Lizzie. It was you. This is from the sale of your first piece of art.”

  “This can’t be. The watercolors have been there for less than a week.” She stared at the money in disbelief. Quickly, she thumbed her fingers across the bills. “There must be a hundred dollars in here.”

  A broad smile stretched across his face. “One hundred and seventy-five dollars, to be exact.”

  In her excitement over seeing what he’d brought her, Lizzie pushed convention aside and flung herself into his arms. Her entire being vibrated with emotions. This money would help her family at a time when they needed it the most.

  “Oh, Paul!” Her voice hitched. “Thank you.” She squeezed him tightly.

  The air around them seemed to grow still. Lizzie felt Paul’s arms wrapped around her. She laid her head against his chest and heard the strong beating of his heart. She couldn’t hold back a grin, because hers felt as if it were going to burst from her chest. For this one brief moment she allowed herself to feel safe and loved.

  Lizzie pulled back a bit and stared up at him. She saw his powerful love reflected in those beautiful dark eyes. If she’d ever doubted his feelings before, now, in this very instant, Lizzie saw and felt the things he’d been trying for so long to tell her.

  “Lizzie... I—”

  She yearned to hear him say the words that would change her life. But the only sound she heard was that of a loud tractor engine shattering their moment. Paul dropped his arms at the same time Lizzie stepped out of his reach. Blinking up at him, she wanted to tell him to leave before her vader caught them in a compromising situation. But Paul just stood there watching her. She could tell he wasn’t going to be moving anytime soon from where he stood.

  Worry began to nibble at her conscience. Would he stay there until her vader came out of the house to check on them?
Would Paul continue to honor their agreement now that she’d made the first sale of her art at his shop? But the biggest question she couldn’t get out of her mind was how could she ever have a future with this furniture maker when her family needed a farmer?

  * * *

  Paul’s arms felt empty without Lizzie standing in them. He knew that her feelings for him were deepening. She didn’t know it, but he’d been watching her grow and change over these past months. He’d been holding out hope that she would come around to selling her art and, after that proved successful, grow to trust him...to love him. Now that those things had happened, she hadn’t said that she loved him. But he could see the change in the way she felt about him from the look on her face. She wasn’t looking away from him. And he hadn’t seen her pull away or turn her face to hide her scar in weeks.

  These were all good things and an answer to his many prayers.

  Paul could be patient a bit longer. The rest would come. And one day soon he and Lizzie would declare their love for one another.

  He heard the sound of Mary’s laughter and Aaron joining in.

  Then Joseph called out, “Lizzie! Where have you gone off to? Come join the rest of the family to welcome your sister home.”

  The screen door slapped closed behind the man as Joseph came out onto the porch. “There you are.”

  He saw them together, and Paul watched the man’s eyes narrow in disapproval.

  “Come. Come inside,” he said, motioning to Lizzie. “Paul, you’re welcome to have some pie with us to celebrate Mary’s return.”

  “Danke for the offer, Joseph. But I have to get this order delivered.” Paul nodded to the cabinets still needed to be unloaded. “I need to be getting on. I’m glad your family is all under one roof again.”

  “Ja. It’s a happy day, indeed.” The man made a big show of adjusting the straps on his suspenders.

  Paul took the hint. He waved to Joseph, then turned to face Lizzie. “I’ll look for you at Rachel and Jacob’s wedding reception.”

  “I’d like that. And, Paul?”

  “Yes?”

  She patted the pocket she’d put the money in. “This is still just between us.”

  “You can count on it.”

  “Gut. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The day of Rachel and Jacob’s wedding dawned gray with a cool drizzle. Soon the roads and fields surrounding the Miller farm would be covered with buggies. This was a big day in Miller’s Crossing. Rachel and Jacob had a lot of family members who’d be attending, besides their friends and neighbors in the surrounding communities. From what Lizzie had heard, they were expecting almost five hundred people to show up. She’d heard about weddings where over one thousand people came to join in the celebration, so she supposed this wedding might be considered small compared to that.

  She imagined if she were to have a wedding of her own, it wouldn’t be anywhere near that size. The image of Paul standing tall and handsome flitted through her mind. Lizzie realized she had a long way to go as far as her feelings for him were concerned. These feelings of love were so new and fresh. A part of her wanted to embrace the sensation, while another part of her was so scared by the notion, she didn’t know what to do. He’d been so kind to her over these past weeks. She looked at the spot where she’d put the money he’d brought her. The small basket sitting on top of her dresser held the future of her family. She needed to bring him more of her artwork. She decided after the wedding was done that she’d make plans to go into town to his shop.

  Aware that it was getting late, Lizzie ran her hands along the front of her best Sunday dress, making sure there wasn’t a wrinkle to be seen. She ran a brush through her hair and then took great care to wind it up into a bun at the back of her head. After that she carefully pinned her prayer kapp on her head. The rich smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted upstairs. She headed down to join her family for their morning meal.

  Her vader sat at the head of the kitchen table and looked up as she came into the room. His bushy eyebrows came together. “Getting a late start, aren’t you, Lizzie?”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, heading to the stove to replace his second cup of coffee with some herbal tea.

  His last doctor’s visit had gone quite well. But he’d been warned about his caffeine. He needed to cut back.

  Vader eyed the teapot. “Lizzie, I hope that’s not for me.”

  Turning her head, she looked over her shoulder at him. “And what if it is? You heard what the doctor told you.”

  “Ja. But I will make do with less coffee before I ever switch to that.”

  Resigned that she couldn’t change his mind, she set the teapot off to one side on the counter. Mary and Aaron came in to join them. She thought her sister looked a bit pale, so she opened the narrow cabinet next to the stove and pulled out a box of ginger tea bags. After grabbing the teapot, she placed a bag inside and then poured hot water from the kettle over it.

  While the tea brewed, she said to her sister, “Come. Sit, Mary. I’m steeping some ginger tea I think might do you some good.”

  Letting Aaron hold the chair out for her, Mary sat. “Danke. These babies are already making their presence known. Can you get me some dry toast? Sometimes that helps with this morning sickness, too.”

  Mamm walked behind Lizzie, carrying a slice of toast on a white plate. “This should do the trick.”

  Grabbing a cup of tea for herself, Lizzie joined the family at the table. Her vader bowed his head and began the morning prayer.

  “Lord, danke for this day. Danke for the food on our table. We are grateful for the bounty You’ve bestowed upon us, not only in our food, but in our growing family. May You bring blessings upon Rachel and Jacob on what I know will turn out to be a fine day. Continue to guide us all in the way You see fit.”

  “Amen,” Lizzie whispered.

  * * *

  Paul stood with a group of his friends, watching the buggies roll into the yard. For over an hour he’d been waiting, looking for the right one. The problem was the buggies for the most part looked the same and, in a crowd as large as this one, it was going to be hard for him to pick out Joseph Miller’s. The drizzle from this morning had given way to a sunshine-filled afternoon. The dark clouds had dissipated, leaving behind a sky as blue as the ocean.

  From his vantage point Paul took in the large food tent placed in front of the barn. Alongside that was a rented food trailer. The smell of the wedding roascht filled the air. The roasted chicken and vegetables would continue to cook until it was time to serve the throng of people. Then the tables would be laden with the chickens, potatoes, carrots, celery and wedding cakes and pies.

  Ben jostled his arm, bringing Paul’s attention back to the line of buggies along the roadway.

  “I think that’s the one you’ve been waiting for.” He nodded toward the Millers’ vehicle.

  Paul caught a glimpse of Lizzie through the window of the back seat of the buggy top and gave a wave. Paul watched as Joseph followed the direction of one the neighbor boys, driving almost all the way down to the end of the second row before finding an opening to park in. Joseph helped his wife and then Mary down from the buggy. Lizzie came next. The family came toward him, and he saw the women carrying their wedding gifts. Paul felt a bit of pride well up inside knowing that Lizzie was carrying the recipe box he’d made.

  “Good afternoon, Paul,” Lizzie’s vader said, stepping out in front of his family to greet him. “We’ve a fine day for this celebration.”

  “Ja. That we do, sir.” Paul’s gaze met Lizzie’s. He couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked today. She wore a dress he’d seen her wear to church services. The light blue color matched her eyes. Her honey-colored hair was up in a neat bun, underneath her prayer kapp.

  “There’s a lot of people here,” Lizzie commented. “And even a few E
nglischers.”

  Paul saw the shadows of wariness in her eyes. She stepped back. His instincts made him want to reach out to her, to tell her not to worry, that he’d protect her from whatever she was afraid of. She ran her hand up along the right side of her face, her fingers skimming the scarred area. She didn’t need to hide herself from others. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her. He needed to assure her that he’d always protect her, no matter what.

  Except, if he were to be honest with himself, he knew he couldn’t always be there to protect her. The one day she’d needed him the most, he’d been too late. Too late to save his friend David and too late to keep Lizzie from harm’s way. Paul vowed he would continue to do his best to give Lizzie the life she so deserved.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Lizzie’s vader watching them. Paul gave Joseph a nod and then started to walk toward the festivities. He continued to say hello to those he knew, but his attention never wavered from Lizzie. He wanted to grab hold of her hand. But he knew it wouldn’t be proper to display his affections in public. His thoughts filled with the memory of their time together up on Clymer Hill. The day had been perfect for a picnic, and watching her paint, he’d been amazed at the talent she possessed.

  They entered the wedding tent, where Paul joined his family. Lizzie’s family sat on the benches in the row across from them. They all settled in for the three-hour ceremony.

  The congregation began to sing the opening hymns as Rachel and Jacob were led off to a room with the bishop and ministers for their time of Abroth, admonition and encouragement. After they returned, the bishop preached a sermon about love and faith. When it came time for the Bible reading, Paul quieted, preparing his mind and heart to hear the words.