by Amy Clipston
“Danki for bringing so much food,” Allen said as he reached for one of the trays in Nathan’s hands. “I’ll carry this for you.”
“This is fantastic!” Laura reached for the tray in Kayla’s hands. “Let me help you.”
“Oh, no.” Kayla shook her head. “I’ve got it.”
“I’ll get the door.” Laura held the screen door open wide, and the others carried the food into the kitchen, where they deposited it on the long table. The trays held a variety of sandwiches.
When another knock sounded on the door, Allen scurried off to greet more guests.
Laura folded her hands together as she surveyed the food. “This is wunderbaar. Danki so much.”
“Gern gschehne.” Kayla removed a tote bag from her shoulder and set it on a chair. She leaned in close. “I hope it’s okay that I brought Nathan. He wanted to come, and Lorraine offered to tag along and help serve the food.”
“That’s fine. I’m glad they could come.”
“Danki.” Kayla looked past her. “Where’s the birthday girl?”
Laura pointed toward the doorway. “She’s in the schtupp. I put her in her play yard so she wouldn’t wander out the door or get stepped on.”
“I want to go see her.” Kayla rushed out of the kitchen with Lorraine and Nathan in tow. “There she is!” Kayla gushed from the family room. “Happy birthday, Mollie!”
Jamie sidled up to Laura. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” Laura removed the plastic covers on the sandwich serving trays. “Have you been on duty at the fire station at all this week? Kayla said you’d have today off.”
“I was on duty Wednesday, and it was quiet. We had one medical call and one car accident, but the people were fine. No bad injuries.” Jamie leaned on the back of a kitchen chair. “I haven’t seen you since Sunday. How are things here?”
“They’re great.” Laura smiled as she took a stack of paper napkins from the pantry. “When will Dat, Cindy, and Mark be here?”
He glanced at the clock above the sink. “They should be here soon. Dat and Mark were going to come after finishing a couple of things at the farm. Cindy was finishing a project. I think she made something to give to Mollie.” He looked toward the doorway, where Allen stood talking to a couple of his friends from church.
Laura set the napkins in the center of the table.
“Is Rudy here?” Jamie asked.
She looked at him. “No, but I assume he’s coming.”
“You assume?” He raised a dark eyebrow. “You haven’t talked to him?”
She shook her head. “No, I haven’t spoken to him since Tuesday night, but I invited him to come. He was supposed to call me and tell me if he could make it, but I haven’t heard from him.”
“He hasn’t called you since Tuesday?” His words were careful, as if he were attempting to comprehend their meaning.
“Ya, but that’s not unusual for us.” She shrugged despite her tightening stomach. “Sometimes we don’t talk for a few days.”
He stood up straight and motioned toward the doorway. “I’m sure you remember I took Kayla for granted when we first started seeing each other last year, but I quickly learned my lesson.”
“Rudy doesn’t take me for granted. He’s just busy.”
“We’re all busy, but Kayla and I talk at least every other day. I try to see her at least twice during the week and then on the weekend. I can’t imagine not talking to her, because I think about her all the time. I wonder how she is, and I want to hear how her week is going. I can’t fathom going more than a day without talking to her and checking on her.”
“That’s nice, but Rudy and I aren’t like you and Kayla.”
“Uh-huh.” Jamie rubbed his chin as he studied her.
She began to arrange the trays of sandwiches on the table to avoid his concerned gaze. She hated the fist-size ball of unease forming under her ribs. After she’d moved the sandwich trays around, she placed the pile of plates at one end of the table. “These sandwiches look appeditlich. It was so generous of Kayla to bring them.”
“Oh my goodness!” Kayla came in holding Mollie. “She’s getting so big!” She carried Mollie over to Jamie. “Can you say hi to Jamie?”
Lorraine walked over to Kayla while Nathan lingered in the doorway to the family room. “Is there anything I can help you do?”
Laura glanced around the table and then snapped her fingers. “We need ice. Let me get the ice bucket down, and maybe you can fill it with ice from the freezer?”
“Ya.” Lorraine followed Laura to the cabinet.
Laura opened it and then groaned when she spotted the ice bucket on the top shelf. How she despised being the shortest in her family.
“Let me get it.” Nathan, who seemed to have sprouted at least two inches during the past year, appeared beside her. He retrieved the ice bucket, and then he and Lorraine set to filling it with ice.
When a knock sounded on the back door, Laura turned toward the family room. Allen was still talking to friends. Instead of interrupting his conversation, she hurried to the back door, where she found Rudy, Cindy, Mark, and Dat.
“Hi.” She opened the screen door, and relief flooded her when Rudy smiled. Jamie is wrong. Rudy and I are just fine. We’re just working a few things out.
“Hey, sis.” Mark grinned. “Long time, no see.”
“Come in.” Laura opened the door wider, and they filed in.
Cindy held up a large gift bag as she stepped into the mudroom. “I have to show you what I made for Mollie.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” Laura stepped back as her father and twin followed Cindy into the kitchen. When Rudy stepped over to her, she smiled. “I’m glad you came.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Rudy’s face clouded with a frown.
“I didn’t know if—” Laura began.
“Laura!” Kayla called.
“Ya?” Laura moved into the kitchen.
Kayla scrunched her nose. “I think Mollie needs a diaper change. Is it okay if I take her upstairs and change her?”
“Ya, that’s fine. Danki.” Laura stepped toward her. “But do you want me to do it?”
“No, no.” Kayla shifted Mollie in her arms. “I can handle it.”
“I’ll come with you.” Cindy walked over to her.
“Great.” Kayla grinned at Laura before they left the room to disappear up the stairs.
“Laura.” Lorraine frowned. “I spilled some iced tea. Where’s a mop?”
“It’s in the utility room.” Laura crossed the kitchen and opened the door to retrieve the mop. “I’ll clean it up.”
“No, I’ll do it. I’m so sorry.” Lorraine blushed.
Another knock sounded on the back door, and Laura started toward the mudroom. But a hand on her shoulder startled her, and she stopped.
“I’ve got it.” Allen’s voice was close to her ear, sending a chill dancing up her spine.
Whoa. Where did that reaction come from?
Laura looked up at him and nodded. “Okay. Danki.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Allen motioned toward the table. “You’ve practically planned and run this party by yourself. Danki.”
Before she could respond, he headed for the door. When she felt a hand on her other shoulder, she spun toward Rudy.
“Can we talk?” His dark eyes seemed hopeful.
“Um, well . . .” She took in the chaos in the large kitchen. “I need to get ready for everyone to eat, and I—”
“Allen can handle it.” He nodded toward where Allen now spoke with a few people she knew were his customers turned friends. “Please.”
The desperation in his eyes shoved away her anxiety about the party.
“Of course. Let’s talk on the front porch.” She took his hand and guided him through the family room and out the front door.
When they stepped onto the porch, her gaze landed on the swing where she and Allen had so recently sat and poured out their souls. What would Rudy say if he knew
she and Allen had shared such an intimate discussion?
Pushing away her guilt, she leaned back against the railing and faced him. “What do you want to talk about?”
Frowning, he stared down at the wood floor and fingered his suspenders. “I don’t know how to say this.”
Her eyes widened as her chest seized. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“What?” His brow furrowed as he looked up at her. “No, I’m not breaking up with you. I just wanted to apologize, and I didn’t know how to begin.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders relaxed.
“I thought about what you’ve been trying to tell me, and you’re right.”
“What are you talking about?” Her mind swam with all their recent discussions.
“I need to be a better freind to Allen.” He lifted his hand and then let it drop. “I’m sorry for not thinking about what Allen is going through. I was only thinking of myself, which is prideful and sinful. I’ll talk to him tonight and see how he is. I’ll make an effort to be a better freind.”
Laura blinked.
“You look stunned.” He snickered. “I’m sorry for being unsupportive. I’m going to try to do better.”
“Does that mean you approve of my staying here at night to take care of Mollie?”
When his smile faded, she gripped the railing behind her, awaiting his explosion.
“No, I don’t approve of that, but all of this will end when Irma Mae is well, right?”
She nodded.
“Then I suppose I can tolerate it since it’s temporary.”
“Danki.” She smiled.
“Gern gschehne.” He stepped forward and threaded his fingers through hers. “We should probably get back inside.” He led her toward the door.
Jamie’s words from earlier echoed through her mind, and she stopped him, pulling on his arm. “Wait.”
“What?” He looked down at her, his eyebrows lifting.
“When I last spoke to you Tuesday night, you promised you’d call me to confirm that you could make it tonight. Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “Too busy to call me and let me know you were coming?”
“I would have called you if I couldn’t come.”
“But why don’t you ever call me just to talk?”
“What do you mean?”
She released his hand and gestured around the porch. “Why don’t you call to say hi and check on me? Maybe to see how my week is going.”
He paused as if processing her question. “I guess I just sort of assume you’re fine and you’ll call me if you need something from me.”
“So you’re telling me you never just want to hear my voice and make sure I’m okay?”
His eyebrows drew together. “Why are you asking me all these questions?”
“Do you think of me during the week? Or am I more of an afterthought?” She dreaded his reaction to the hint of anguish she heard creeping into her voice. She couldn’t allow Rudy to see how much his nonchalance hurt her. Still, didn’t she have a right to know?
“I thought you accepted my apology.”
“I do accept your apology, but I need you to answer my question.” She dug her fingers into the railing. “Do you think about me during the week? Do you wonder how I am and if I’m having a gut day?”
“Ya, I guess so.” His expression hardened. “Where’s this coming from?”
“I just want to know how you feel about me.” I want your reassurance that we’re going to get through this, and that Jamie is wrong about you. Tell me you don’t take me for granted! Ease my muddled heart!
“You know I care about you, Laura. I always have.” He sighed as if the words were painful to say. “I don’t know what else I can do to show you you’re important to me.” He gestured toward the house. “This is somehow about Allen, isn’t it?”
“No, it has nothing to do with Allen. Forget it, Rudy.” She waved him off, defeat weighing heavily on her heart. “I need to get inside.” Her stomach felt hollow. She shook her head and started toward the door, her body trembling despite the humid evening.
Laura wrenched open the front door and was greeted by a flurry of conversations. Party guests were seated throughout the family room and in the kitchen, eating and drinking iced tea.
Laughter floated through the air as Laura squared her shoulders and plastered a smile on her face. She looked across the room, and her gaze locked with Allen’s. He stood between her father and Milton. A smile turned up the corners of his mouth, and he nodded a greeting to her. His eyes were warm and comforting, and the tension in her back and shoulders eased as she basked in his gaze. She returned the gesture as the front door clicked shut behind her, signaling that Rudy had also entered the house.
“Laura!” Lorraine and Nathan appeared in front of her, blocking her view of Allen. “Is this your boyfriend, Rudy?” Lorraine asked.
“Ya.” Laura gestured between them. “Lorraine, this is Rudy. Rudy, this is Lorraine. She works at Dienner’s restaurant.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Lorraine shook his hand and then turned toward Laura. “I’m so sorry about Monday at the restaurant.”
Panic gripped Laura’s spine. Please don’t bring this up now! She had to redirect the conversation. “Oh, it was nothing.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “I should go make sure we have enough iced tea. I might have to make some more.”
“Oh, we have plenty.” Lorraine dismissed the concern.
“What happened on Monday?” Nathan asked.
Laura cringed. Oh no. Not now!
“I thought I told you.” Lorraine looked at Nathan. “When I brought out Laura’s and Allen’s orders, Kayla introduced me to them, and I thought Allen and Laura were married.” She chuckled a little. “I told Laura Mollie looked like her and Allen. I said Mollie had her eyes and Allen’s nose.”
Her cheeks reddened as she turned to Laura. “I was so embarrassed when Kayla explained you’re helping Allen care for Mollie while his mother-in-law recovers from an accident. I’m so sorry for my mistake.”
“It’s no problem at all.” Laura could feel Rudy’s resentment radiating from him in furious waves. “Danki for coming today. I’m going to go check on the drinks just to be sure.”
Laura was certain of Rudy’s angry stare as she stepped toward the kitchen.
NINETEEN
“Is it time to sing to the birthday girl?” Kayla asked as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen. She had Mollie in her arms.
Allen studied his beautiful daughter as she grinned up at Kayla. She was a year old today. How was that possible when it seemed like she had been born only a few months ago? If only Savilla were here to celebrate this momentous occasion . . .
A pang of grief sliced through him.
But he wasn’t alone. His house was bustling with people who had come to mark the occasion with him. Allen scanned the sea of faces surrounding him in his family room, and affection overwhelmed him. Although Irma Mae was still recovering in the rehabilitation center, Milton had come to celebrate the special day, along with friends from church and special customers, and Laura was the reason they’d all come. She had planned the party down to every last detail.
Allen’s gaze tracked to the kitchen where Laura scurried around, holding a birthday candle shaped like a number one. She looked beautiful tonight—happy as she moved among the guests. He bit back a groan. He had to stop thinking about how attractive and special she was. She was someone else’s girlfriend. She was forbidden!
He had spent the last few days trying to dodge any personal discussions. He wanted to avoid another intimate conversation like the one they’d shared on the porch swing earlier in the week. But it seemed impossible since he felt the invisible magnet between them growing stronger every day. He yearned to get to know her better, to learn everything about her. He longed to read her mind and find out how she felt about him. But all those thoughts
were inappropriate when he was only her friend and her heart belonged to someone else.
Allen glanced over his shoulder at Rudy, who stood scowling beside Mark. He’d approached Rudy after Laura came in from the front porch with him. But when Allen tried to pull Rudy into a conversation, the man had given him one-word responses and then turned to Mark and asked him about his farm. So much for trying to mend their estranged relationship.
“Let’s sing to Mollie!” Laura called as she gestured for everyone to come into the kitchen.
Allen followed the knot of people into the room, and Laura beckoned him over to Mollie in the high chair. His daughter was wearing a bib with a pocket over her diaper.
Allen leaned down to Laura. “Where is her dress?”
“I took it off since I’m going to give her a small kuche to eat by herself.” She smiled. “I’m sure she’s going to wind up wearing most of it.”
Allen grinned. “I suppose you’re right.”
She held up her hand as if to stop his next thought. “Don’t worry. I’ll give her a bath before I leave tonight.”
An unexpected twinge of disappointment nipped at him. It was Friday night, and Laura would go home to her family after the party was over. He would miss her. He shook off the thought.
“You don’t need to bathe her,” he said. “I can handle it.”
“We’ll argue about that later,” she whispered before turning toward the crowd. “Let’s sing,” she called. “Happy Birthday to you,” she began.
Everyone sang to Mollie as Kayla carried the small chocolate cake over to the high chair. Mollie squealed and banged her hand on the tray as they finished the song. Then Kayla set the cake on the tray, and Mollie smashed her hands into it. Allen laughed as Mollie lifted her fingers to her mouth and licked off the icing.
“She’s very schmaert,” Laura quipped with a grin.
“Ya, she is,” he agreed.
Mollie grabbed two handfuls of cake and shoved them into her mouth, and everyone laughed.
Laura began to cut pieces of the larger cake, and Lorraine and Kayla distributed them to the crowd. Cindy had made coffee in the percolator and Lorraine helped pour it into Styrofoam cups. Soon everyone was seated throughout the family room and kitchen while they ate cake and drank coffee.
