“Oh, trying to keep the customers smilin’,” Eva said.
“Hullo,” said Ida Mae, shifting her empty basket. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”
“Are ya lookin’ to buy some of Frona’s delicious rhubarb jam?”
“Ida Mae is,” Naomi volunteered and beamed at her daughter. “Ain’t ya, dear?”
Ida Mae motioned that she was going to slip into the back of the line.
Meanwhile, Naomi stood with Eva, asking when she’d like to come over again for some dessert. “Just to talk.”
Eva was pleased by the thoughtful invitation, especially on the heels of seeing Jed again. “I could come over after supper tonight.”
“Suits me fine.” Naomi smiled encouragingly. “I’ll bake some cookies for us.”
“Is Abner along today?”
“One of the cows came down with milk fever, so he’s at home getting an IV started.”
“Abner’s always been conscientious thataway.” Dat was, too.
“Well, I’d better let you get back to work,” Naomi said, giving her shoulder a pat now.
“Glad ya dropped by.” Eva watched her go and looked forward to opening her heart to the woman who’d come to understand her so well. Surely she’ll have some advice for me about an out-of-town fella. . . .
———
At only twenty-eight, Menno already had a rather arrogant swagger. Eva witnessed this very trait as he moved through the aisle toward them, not making eye contact with a soul.
She was thankful the earlier crowd had thinned out as Menno approached their table. Without even greeting them, he reached down and picked up one of Frona’s jars of jam, deliberately turning it in his hand.
“How many have ya sold this mornin’?” he asked.
“More than four dozen,” Frona said.
Eva wondered why he’d come. “You needin’ some jam?” Bena’s surely got plenty for him at home.
He waved vaguely. “I’ve been weighing something and wanted to ask what ya thought.” He wandered behind the table, making himself at home, then motioned them into a huddle like the menfolk made before Preaching services. “Bishop Isaac came to see me the other day. He thinks we oughta try and follow Lily’s path, so to speak. He wants her back in the fold right away.”
Frona nearly gasped. “The bishop, ya say?”
“No need to worry,” Menno cautioned. “He’s adamant that someone should go lookin’ for her. Who knows where she’ll end up? Ain’t safe for such a girl.”
“I tried to get some leads,” Eva admitted, “but there was really only one.”
It was Menno’s turn to be flabbergasted. “Well, let’s hear it.”
Eva recounted Fannie Ebersol’s evasive behavior the morning after Lily had fled. “I’ve wondered if Fannie knows something she isn’t tellin’ . . . maybe even where Lily headed.” She sighed as she recalled her suspicion and frustration that first day.
“Why have ya kept this to yourself?”
Eva hoped Menno wouldn’t cause a scene. “Fannie refused to say. She was convinced that Lily wanted to leave Eden Valley, and there was no stopping her.”
Menno looked stricken. “Tell that to the bishop!” He scoffed. “The man of God believes Lily is too young to know what’s good for her—and I happen to think he’s right.”
“Of course ya do,” Frona said.
Eva glanced at her sister, who’d turned rather agreeable, as though trying to get on Menno’s good side.
Menno nodded emphatically. “I’d hate to think she’d do something to bring more disgrace to the family.”
More than just leaving the People, thought Eva. “I’m prayin’ for her.”
Frona nodded. “In all truth, both of us are.”
“What do our other brothers and the bishop think is the best way to handle this?” Eva had to know.
“No one’s sayin’, really. But Bishop Isaac has urged us to go after her—‘get her home!’”
“Against Lily’s will?” Eva asked. “If it comes to that?”
“Jah, if she’s not thinkin’ straight—which she ain’t. That’s mighty clear.” Menno nodded, then abruptly turned and left Eva standing there with Frona.
Eva was shocked he had sought them out at market, of all places. And just that quick, she knew it had been a mistake for Menno to approach them about such a private matter there. Mary Riehl and another woman were eyeing them, wagging their heads, and a short line of customers had formed at their table.
Eva’s heart sank with shame. For a fleeting moment, she wished Jed might forget to stop by again. Not the way I feel right now . . .
Chapter Sixteen
ON THE RIDE BACK FROM MARKET, Naomi Mast was thankful her daughter insisted on taking the driving lines in hand. Naomi guessed Ida Mae hadn’t liked the way she’d handled the horse on the way there. It didn’t really matter the excuse; she was glad to relax during the uphill journey home.
“Not sure if you noticed it or not,” Ida Mae mentioned when they were about a third of the way. “But Fannie Ebersol was cryin’ like her heart might break.”
“When was this?”
“Before we left . . . while you were occupied with Mary Riehl.” Ida Mae frowned. “What’s odd was that Menno Esch was standing nearby, his arms folded and his expression severe. It sure looked like he’d given Fannie a talkin’ to.”
Naomi groaned. “Anyone else witness this?”
“Only me that I could tell.”
“Where was Fannie’s sister? Doesn’t she usually help tend the market table?”
“That’s just it. Fannie was by herself.”
“Maybe the rest of the family ain’t feelin’ well.” The spring flu was making its rounds, Naomi thought.
“You know what I think?” Ida Mae said, turning to face her. “I heard Menno say something ’bout Lily Esch. And it sure sounded like he was accusing Fannie of knowin’ more than she was telling.”
Naomi had known Menno to be a rather bigheaded man when it came to what he thought and how he wanted things done. Nearly proud, especially since his father passed away. “Things must be worrisome if Menno’s pressuring Lily’s friend for more information.”
“All I know is he headed straight for Fannie, talked to her, then waited for her to say something—‘Spit it out, ya hear?’ is what he honestly said. Then, after waiting a while and getting nowhere with her, Menno spun on his heels and left.”
Naomi didn’t like the sound of this. As dogmatic as Menno Esch had become, she’d never known him to behave so rudely. “I’ll admit to feelin’ sorry for Fannie,” she said softly.
“But what if she is stonewalling and knows something ’bout Lily, Mamm? It might help the family find her.”
“’Tis true.” Naomi wished she had a cat to put on her lap right this minute. A purring pet could perhaps ease her nerves. Oh, she prayed Lily’s disappearance wouldn’t disrupt the whole community of the People.
A steady hum filled the marketplace—vendors selling their wares, people stopping by to see what items were new or just to visit and catch up on the previous week. Popcorn was popping one aisle over, behind Eva and Frona’s table.
It must have been the Lord’s good timing when Jed returned quite a while later. A half-dozen people were milling about near their long table, listening attentively to Frona’s method for making her strawberry-rhubarb jam—all Englischers.
Eva rose and went to stand near the aisle.
“Here, I bought something for ya.” Jed gave her a pretty red package.
She couldn’t help but smile.
“Hope ya like fudge.”
“I surely do!” She was pleased he’d think to do this. “But I won’t eat it in front of you, unless you’d like a piece.”
He shook his head, blue eyes fixed on her. “It’s all for you.”
“Denki.” She wondered what people were thinking, seeing them like this.
“Would it be wrong to ask if you have time to take a quick w
alk through the aisles?” He glanced about, undoubtedly surveying the number of customers.
Now that Jed was here and the embarrassment she’d felt over Menno had faded, Eva wished she could slip out with Jed. “I shouldn’t leave my sister to handle all the customers,” she said, smiling up at him. “Hope you understand.”
He nodded, respecting her wishes. “How about a buggy ride Saturday afternoon or evening—would that suit ya?”
“Sounds nice,” she said in a near whisper. “Evening’s better.”
Jed’s face broke into a satisfied smile. “I’m hopin’ we might get better acquainted.”
Before he leaves. The realization made her sad. “I’ll meet you halfway between my house and our neighbors to the east, all right?” She told him the address of her father’s farmhouse on Eden Road.
“Around dusk, then?”
Nodding, she smiled again, suddenly wishing this moment might freeze in time. She was drawn to him, yet she hardly knew him. But what Eva did know, she liked very much.
Jed made his way along the road early that afternoon, pummeled by rain in spite of the borrowed umbrella. Walking in the direction of Jonas Byler’s big spread, he was offered numerous rides by Amish farmers. But he wanted to be alone with his thoughts while he could still hear Eva’s sweet voice in his mind, so he politely refused the offers.
He pulled the photo from his pocket, hunched over to protect it from the rain, and studied it. The picture was creased in places and soiled a bit, probably taken a few years ago, when Eva was younger. It’s gotta be her, he thought. I’m certain of it.
Perhaps by now Eva was sorry she’d had it taken. If she was a baptized church member, she might even have confessed it to the ministerial brethren.
Replacing the picture, he began to whistle. He was getting drenched but didn’t mind. Just having the photo in his wallet gave him an exhilarating feeling, though it was surely against the church Ordnung.
Since Jed planned to be in town till Monday afternoon, it crossed his mind to find out where Eva would be attending Preaching. On the other hand, being Jonas and Elsie’s guest, he ought to go with them, if it wasn’t their off-Sunday. Otherwise, he should accompany them wherever they’d like to go. He just hoped the day might not include their granddaughter Orpha again.
Thankfully, Eva finished up her chores before scaring up something to eat with Frona that afternoon. She felt like she was walking on a cloud as she recalled Jed’s handsome face and blue eyes. And oh, that grin!
Frona had looked at her askance more than once as they made small talk while Frona washed dishes and Eva dried. “Eva, are ya even listenin’?”
Eva apologized, her mind whirling with the day’s events—Jed’s seeking her out at market, his confident smile, that look in his eyes, as if he’d known her for years.
“You’re daydreamin’ again,” Frona said.
“Prob’ly so.”
Eva dried faster, wondering if Frona had ever had special feelings for a young man. “Naomi’s expectin’ me over there soon.”
Frona made a small groan. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be workin’ on the pile of mending.”
Eva instantly felt sorry. “S’pose I could go another day. We did miss out on a few tasks, bein’ at market and all.”
“What? And miss the chance to share your heart with Naomi? You mustn’t keep her waiting.”
She’s upset. Eva wished she’d done a better job of keeping her giddiness to herself. “Frona, I—”
Her sister waved as if to silence any further discussion, then continued with the dishes, her head bowed.
Pursing her lips, Eva continued drying. Sometimes it was easy to forget that Frona, for all her anxious prickliness, was sensitive, too.
I need to be more forgiving, Eva thought. And more aware.
They finished redding up, working silently for a time. Then, out of the blue, Frona mentioned Menno’s surprising visit at market and his determination to confront Fannie.
“I can’t help wondering how that’ll go,” Eva said. “Menno can be . . . a little harsh.”
“Well, I don’t feel sorry for Fannie. I mean, what’s she thinkin’?”
“Jah,” Eva replied sadly. How had everything gotten so verkehrt—topsy-turvy?
When the table and counters were wiped clean, Frona leaned against the sink and gazed out the window, her eyes misty and expression grim.
“I’ll be back right quick,” Eva said as she hung up the tea towel. “In time for evening prayers.”
Seemingly lost in her own worries again, Frona shook her head, working her lips. “Everything’s a-changin’, Eva.” Frona shifted her weight, and the floor creaked.
She’s afraid, Eva thought. “Remember, we can count on our Lord . . . for today and for tomorrow.”
“Now you sound like Mamma.”
Eva gave her a smile. “Besides, no matter what happens, you’re still stuck with me.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Eva. You’ll end up leavin’ like Lily. You’ll be marryin’ Alfred—that is, if the fella from Ohio who was makin’ googly eyes at ya doesn’t win your heart.”
Eva’s mouth dropped open. “What kind of eyes?”
“Oh dear,” Frona muttered, setting her chin.
The kitchen was hushed, tension evident between them, until Eva could hold it in no longer. One giggle was followed by another, and then they were both laughing.
“You’d better get goin’,” Frona finally said. “I can’t handle all this fun.”
Ain’t that the truth, Eva thought, grinning as she headed out the door. “See ya later, sister!”
Eva waited on this side of the road while Abner Mast pulled his open wagon out of his driveway. She had checked for mail this late, thinking surely Lily would realize she must get in touch with her family. But there was nothing from Lily or anyone.
Eva thought again of how she’d left Frona with the unfinished mending. I’ll sew a new dress and apron for her, she decided, wanting to do something nice for her.
Once Abner was out on the road and ready to head on, he waved his hand over his head. “Naomi just took the cookies fresh out of the oven for ya,” he called in his deep voice, a grin on his pleasant ruddy face.
“Denki!” She crossed narrow Eden Road after the horse pulled forward.
Inside Naomi’s sparkling kitchen, the place smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. “Let me guess. You made snickerdoodles, jah?”
“That’s a right gut smeller.” Naomi motioned for her. “Kumme, sit at the table with me.”
Eva hugged her friend and got settled at the table. She began to share her private hope that her brothers might not be so caught up with their own families and focus more on finding Lily.
“Well, they love Lily just as you and Frona do,” Naomi said. “Just ’cause you don’t see them all too often doesn’t mean they don’t care. You know what’s in their hearts.”
“Jah, s’pose.”
“No s’posin’ about it.” Naomi folded her plump arms. “Listen, my dear. I bumped into Bena at market, and she said Menno’s been worried sick over Lily. It keeps him up at night.”
“Menno himself stopped by to see Frona and me today about her.” Eva felt she should own up to that much.
“So, see there?” Naomi smiled, her round face rosy.
Eva took a second warm cookie from the pretty plate. “These are so delicious,” she said, changing the subject.
Thankfully, Naomi seemed to understand and let it drop. She had that way about her.
Then they got to talking about ways Eva could help direct her worries to praying whenever Lily came to mind. “Prayin’ while you make your delicious candies, too,” Naomi suggested.
Sighing, Eva thought of her wonderful little shop. “I guess my whole world can’t just be making sweets and selling them.”
“’Tis true, and I, for one, know it ain’t.”
Eva wondered what, if anything, to say about Jed Stutzman. Unsure of hersel
f, she ate more cookies than necessary and let Naomi talk gently about how the best exercise for one’s heart was to practice reaching out to pick someone up—“and carryin’ them, if need be.”
“I certainly would reach out to Lily if I knew where she was.”
“I know ya would.” Naomi’s eyes shone with sympathy.
Eva held her breath, refusing tears.
Naomi got up and poured some homemade meadow tea and set it down in front of Eva. “Now, I’ve been doin’ my share of talking. Is there anything you’d like to bring up that we haven’t already discussed?”
“Well . . . you remember meeting Jed Stutzman, the fella who took care of little Sammy at the auction?” She paused. “He invited me to go riding come Saturday.”
Naomi’s eyes sparkled. “Ach, isn’t that nice?”
No words of caution?
“It’ll be fun,” Eva agreed.
“And something to look forward to during this sad time.” Naomi tilted her head toward her. “Jed’s his name?”
“Jah. And not a very common name round here.”
Naomi looked away, her chest rising and falling. “I daresay if you two fall in love, he’ll take you away from us.”
Just like Frona said, Eva thought.
“And I’d have to say selfishly that I’d miss you something awful.”
“It’s just a carriage ride,” Eva said, but it sounded empty even to her. Buggy rides could lead to courtship, even marriage, and she recognized that the interest she was feeling from Jed was unlike anything she’d experienced before.
At that precise moment, someone knocked at the back door, and Eva was relieved at the interruption. But then she saw who it was—Fannie Ebersol, who looked sheepish when she noticed Eva sitting there.
“Goodness, Eva, never expected to see you here.”
What on earth? Eva thought.
Fannie’s firm jaw—the way she cast her gaze at first Eva, then Naomi—gave Eva a twinge of misgiving.
Chapter Seventeen
“WHAT DO YA MEAN you pledged on your honor?” Eva asked Fannie when she was seated at Naomi’s table.
“Your sister was determined,” Fannie answered. “She didn’t want anyone to keep her from leavin’, or even to go lookin’ for her. That’s why I didn’t tell you where she went.”
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