by Molly Jebber
Jacob studied Abe. The man’s long arms rested on the maple chair arms and he had his legs up and feet propped on a footstool. Abe put him at ease. The man hadn’t judged him but offered him sound advice. “It’s reassuring to talk to another daed about it.”
“Hannah has been an obedient child. We’ve been blessed thus far. I’m confident she’ll influence and encourage Ellie to stay Amish.”
“I’d be grateful. The thought of her leaving me and our community hurts more than I can say. The first time she left, I feared for her safety every day and night. The worry chewed my soul to bits. God and prayer were the only things that kept me sane. I don’t want to relive it again.”
“I understand.” Abe leaned forward, his face serious. “Maybe you’ll marry again and she’ll be the right mamm for Ellie.” He grinned. “Liza is available. Maybe you and she can form a friendship and let it grow. Just take building a relationship with her slow. I have no doubt she’d make any man an excellent fraa and mamm to kinner.”
He had Abe’s support to pursue Liza. All he had to do was convince Liza. He’d take Abe’s advice. Take their friendship slow and hope they would both want it to turn into something more serious. He’d had indications she might be open to the idea. She’d sat and talked with him at the bakery and she’d accepted Esther’s invitation to supper, knowing he’d be here.
He hoped Abe would share more insight about Liza. “Has she shown interest in a suitor since her husband died?” Jacob raised his brows.
“Since Paul passed, she has been quick to decline men’s offers to get better acquainted with her for a possible future together. They have been honorable, respectable, and attractive. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever open her heart up to another man, until Esther told me she had a sparkle in her eyes when she talked with you.” He patted Jacob’s knee. “I’d say you have a chance.”
“The first time I met her I was drawn to her sweet voice, sunny blue eyes, and kind way about her. I plan to frequent the bakery and learn more about her. I had a close relationship with my fraa, Lydia, and I miss having a partner. Ellie needs a woman in her life, someone she can trust to discuss what she would have talked about with her mamm.”
“If you and Liza progress into something more serious, you couldn’t find a better mamm than her. Her patience is astounding, considering her unhappy times with her husband.”
“Was he difficult?”
Abe cleared his throat. “He had a stellar reputation in the community. But Paul wasn’t kind to Liza, and she shared examples. She kept his behavior toward her a secret from us until now. I’m shocked by what she confided to my fraa and disappointed she didn’t tell us earlier about him.”
“What examples did she give?”
“Forget I said anything. Liza wouldn’t approve of me divulging to you what happened between her and Paul during their marriage. She should be the one to discuss her personal life with you. I’ve said too much already.”
A red-faced Liza entered the room.
Abe paled and stopped talking.
Jacob cringed. She’d heard them. Her mouth in a grim line, she stared at her feet. He opened his mouth, then shut it. He didn’t know what to say.
She whispered, “Supper’s ready. Kumme in the kitchen and have a seat.”
Abe gestured for Jacob to follow him to the kitchen. He whispered to Liza, “I’m sorry if I said too much.”
Jacob’s shoulders sagged. He hadn’t meant to get Abe in trouble with Liza. Should he apologize too? He shouldn’t have pursued the subject of Paul with Abe. Curiosity had gotten the better of him. This could destroy any chance of moving their friendship forward.
Ellie entered and plopped into her seat. “Daed, Hannah’s showing me how to quilt.”
The smile on Ellie’s face erased his concern about Liza for the moment. Any glimpses of the dochder he had enjoyed before she turned rebellious was a gift these days.
“How generous of her.” He addressed Hannah. “Danki for teaching her, Hannah.”
“Quilting is one of my favorite things to do. I wish I had more time to devote to stitching them. I’m glad it’s something Ellie and I can do together. She’s wilkom here anytime.”
Esther carried a basket of sliced bread. “Jacob, I’m happy you accepted my invitation to supper.” She grinned and nudged her husband. “Did Abe talk your ear off?”
“We had a pleasant conversation when he arrived.” Abe took the basket from her and put it on the table. He avoided Liza’s frown.
“I love vegetable pie.”
Esther’s cheeks dimpled. “Fill your plate. We have plenty.” She picked up a pan of vegetable pie covered with a golden crust and passed it to Hannah, then glanced at her guests. “Don’t be shy. Take big helpings.”
Jacob sat next to Liza. She remained quiet as she handed him the butter. She avoided Abe’s gaze too. Later, he’d take the blame for asking Abe about Paul.
Esther bragged about Liza’s most recent creation, her molasses cookie recipe. “They disappear as fast as we can put them in the showcase.”
Abe held up his glass of water. “I can’t get enough of them.”
Liza blushed and whispered, “Danki.”
Jacob and Abe discussed farming.
Esther rested her fork on her plate. “Liza, you’re upset about something. What is it?”
Abe stared down at his plate.
Jacob glanced at her. A pang of guilt washed over him. He had caused her pain. What could he say to erase her disappointment? Nothing came to mind.
“I’m a little tired, but I’m enjoying listening to the conversation.”
Esther smiled. “All right.” She switched her gaze to Ellie. “Did you enjoy meeting the other girls and baking this afternoon?”
Ellie smirked and stared at her daed. “I did. I may have shocked them with my story about my time in Nappanee with Jane and Duke Patterson.”
Jacob dropped his spoon and shook his head. “Ellie, why would you bring up such a forbidden subject? No one needs to know of your reckless foray into the Englisch world.”
“I didn’t mean any harm.” She gave him her usual dismissive shrug.
Hannah put her hand on Ellie’s arm. “Ellie and I will become good friends and she’ll forget all about the Englisch world. We’ve already made plans to quilt together.”
Ellie’s face softened. She patted Hannah’s hand. “You’re already a true friend, Hannah.”
He envied Esther and Abe having such a wise and compassionate dochder. He was grateful to Hannah for her persistence in befriending Ellie, despite his dochder’s insistence on sharing her life in the Englisch world.
Liza stood and stared at her empty plate as she carried it to the counter. “I’ll serve dessert.”
She and Esther carried over the empty dishes to the counter. Esther uncovered an apple pie. “I made this last night. No one wanted any, so I saved it for tonight.”
“I love your apple pie.” Liza smiled and cut and lifted out the slices onto plates and served them. Jacob listened to the girls talk about quilting. He nodded as Abe talked about the new saw he’d bought. Sitting with Liza’s family, he hoped this would occur often. He liked them all.
Esther refilled everyone’s water glasses. “We devoured dessert fast!”
“It was mouthwatering good!” Ellie grinned.
She and Hannah got up and carried away their dirty dishes.
Jacob noticed Liza had been avoiding him and Abe all evening. He had to correct his mistake in coaxing Abe to talk about Liza and Paul. He had to say something to her. “Would you mind taking a stroll with me after supper?”
Liza sucked in her upper lip and nodded. “I should help Esther with the dishes first.”
“Of course, I understand. I’ll help too.” Jacob gave her a shy smile.
Esther waved a dismissive hand. “The girls and I will take care of the dishes. You two go for a walk and enjoy this beautiful evening.”
Abe pushed his small plate aside.
“I’ll put extra chairs on the porch. We can all sit outside when you’re done, Esther.”
“Sounds good.”
Liza and Jacob headed out the door.
She grabbed a blanket off the rocking chair on the porch. “We can spread this out near the meadow on the other side of the barn where there’s a stretch of grass perfect for us to sit and enjoy the purple, white, and yellow wildflowers. They’re beautiful this time of year.”
He gently took it from her and strolled along beside her, then stopped. “This is a flat, grassy spot.” He glanced over his shoulder to ensure they were out of Abe’s view and gently put the blanket on the ground.
She sat and pushed her back against the big oak tree behind her. Her body was stiff, her face stricken.
He sat next to her. “Liza, did you overhear Abe and me discussing Paul?”
“Jah, and it upset me.” She crossed her arms.
“I apologize. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have questioned him about your late husband.”
She heaved a big sigh. “He shouldn’t have brought up the subject.”
“He didn’t share details. I asked him direct questions. Again, I’m sorry. You’ve been gracious, and I don’t want anything to hinder our becoming friends.”
She broke off a long blade of grass and snapped it in two. “I’m unhappy with both of you for discussing such a private matter. Our turbulent relationship is difficult to talk about. I kept it a secret for a long time. Esther insisted on telling Abe about my miserable marriage with Paul once I shared the information with her. I understood, but Abe knows how private I am. He shouldn’t have spoken of it.” She gazed at him. “I’m disappointed you pursued the matter with him.”
Jacob stifled the urge to cover her hand with his to assure her he cared about her. She was honest and spoke her mind. Two more traits he admired about her. He had to win her trust again. “It wasn’t for the purpose of gossiping about him. I care about you, Liza. I want to learn everything about you. You can trust me not to share what you tell me.”
She glanced at him. “Paul paid the medical bills and gave food, horses, and did repairs for many of our friends. He listened to our friends’ woes and showed them compassion. The Amish community assumes he treated me the same way. Esther, Abe, Hannah, and you are the only ones who know otherwise.”
“I’ll not talk about it with anyone. Would you care to tell me about your life with Paul?”
She didn’t answer him right away. Had he overstepped his bounds again?
“Oh, Jacob, it was awful.” She wiped at a tear wetting her cheek.
He was relieved she was opening up to him. He longed to hold her in his arms and console her. His heart broke for her. Why would her husband not love and honor such a beautiful and sweet woman? He moved his hand slowly to hers and covered it. She didn’t pull it away. Joy rushed through him. He felt an instant attraction and connection with her he couldn’t explain. “The man was a fool not to cherish you. We’ve just met, but I’d be blind not to notice your beauty, integrity, and giving heart. You’re the first woman to give Ellie a chance. You’ve listened to my troubles. Share yours with me. Sometimes it helps to lighten your burden to speak about it.”
She brought her knees to her chest and pulled her skirt down over her shoes and hugged her legs. “He criticized how I cooked, cleaned, sewed, and gardened. He punished me as if I were a child by sending me to my room. It was humiliating. His temper would flare over the silliest things and he’d hit the wall or table. Thankfully, he didn’t lay a hand on me.”
“Did you love him when you married him?”
“I never loved him. Our marriage was arranged. I assumed he was an honorable and respectable man because of his exceptional reputation in the community.”
Jacob gazed at her. “Why did you agree to an arranged marriage? You have so many good qualities. Why didn’t you wait to fall in love?”
“My family needed his financial support. Abe couldn’t take care of my parents, his family, and me. Paul offered to hire Abe to manage his farm and oversee the field hands. My parents were ill and couldn’t manage their property anymore. Amish men helped when they had time, but our crops suffered. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
She had put her family’s needs ahead of her own. Paul had trapped her in a miserable marriage. Had he forced her to work? “How did the bakery kumme about? I’m confused as to why he bought it for you.”
“He inherited a lot of property from his parents. Paul’s daed was a smart and wise businessman and grew his wealth. Paul took counsel from his daed and bought more land and made a lot of money with crops and gardens. He hired several Amish men to make furniture and sell it out of the store in town. I love to bake and I sold pies, cakes, and cookies to the general store. Englischers would ask for them. Paul wanted to keep all the money instead of sharing it with the general store, so he opened the bakery in a building he already owned. He sold the furniture store for a nice profit and the bakery brought in a substantial amount of money for him. I did all the work and he reaped the rewards.”
This man had a long list of undesirable traits. “Were you happy he bought the bakery?”
“Jah. The bakery was my safe place. I could relax, bake, and enjoy my time there. I still do, but I can do all those things at home in peace now too.” She lifted a small pebble from the ground at the edge of the blanket and gave it a toss. “Now I can do things my way without feeling inferior. I no longer have to listen to his constant criticism.”
At least her late husband had given her something to enjoy. Perplexed as to why Paul had not cherished her, he wondered why the man had arranged the marriage. Her life with her husband had ended and there was no need to ponder it further. He had a chance to show her true male friendship. And if their relationship grew serious, what a loving husband was like. “I’m sorry you suffered such a tumultuous partnership with him. I hope it didn’t turn you away from wanting to marry again. You’re young and could enjoy a happy marriage and kinner one day.”
She broke eye contact. “I’m afraid to marry again. I’m content to remain on my own.”
Saying the wrong thing could tarnish their budding friendship. “I loved my fraa, and I told her everything. She offered advice when I asked for it, and we made decisions together. She was my best friend. I long to have another marriage where I can love and share life with a fraa someday.”
“I’m happy you had a close relationship.” She held up her palm and lifted her left shoulder. “Mine left me with too much fear to trust again. Maybe one day my mind will change.”
“I pray so. Not all marriages are bad. You may fall in love again someday and have another chance at having a fulfilling marriage. I’m thankful for the time I had with my fraa before she passed.”
She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I don’t understand why I’m talking with you about Paul. Maybe it’s because you’ve been open with me. I appreciate your understanding.”
He smiled. “I’m happy you’re at ease with me.”
She blushed and fidgeted with her hands.
Embarrassing her wasn’t his intention. He shouldn’t have been so forward. He’d change the subject. Ellie had made a spectacle of herself again tonight. He must address it. “On another topic, I apologize again for Ellie’s snide remark at supper.”
She tilted her head and smiled. “You don’t have to say sorry for her. She’s responsible for her actions, not you. She’s old enough to know better and she is goading you to get you aggravated with her. Hannah and others will entice her to change her ways. We won’t give up on her. We are here to help you with her.”
What wonderful news! He didn’t understand why this family was so accepting of them, but he was grateful. “I’m relieved we haven’t exhausted your patience. I covet your advice and our talks.”
Her cheeks pinked. Again, he’d embarrassed her. Oh no! He’d better go home before she asked Esther and Abe to throw him out. He glanced at the sun lowering behind the tre
es, its orange hue coloring the sky, and stood. He offered her his hand and she grasped his fingers to gain her balance, then quickly let go. The softness of her skin against his sent warmth from his head to his toes. She had a hold on him he couldn’t explain.
“Ellie and I should head home. I don’t want to wear out our wilkom.” He grinned. “I’m hoping Esther and Abe will invite me back!”
She laughed. “Esther and Abe have an open door. She wouldn’t mind if you dropped in for supper every night. The more the merrier to cook for is her motto.”
If Liza would join them, he would never tire of being with her family. The days he didn’t talk to her, his mind filled with her face and the sweet sound of her voice. “I’ve had a delightful time.”
“Me too.” She gave him a shy smile.
Beautiful music to his ears. She’d gazed at him as she said the words. Baby steps to growing their friendship, those two little words. And they mean progress! He shook out the blanket, folded it, and carried it to the porch. They greeted Abe and Esther, who sat in oak rocking chairs.
“Danki for the delicious meal and the hospitality, Esther.” He extended his hand to Abe. “I’m grateful for our talk earlier.”
Esther gave him a mischievous grin. “Don’t be a stranger. You’re wilkom here anytime.” She winked. “If you let me know when you’re kumming ahead of time, I’ll make sure I invite Liza.”
Abe shook his head. “Get used to it, Liza. Your schweschder is never going to stop trying to marry you off.” He winked at Jacob. “I might help her if you consider this man.”
Liza waggled her finger. “You two stop right now. You’re embarrassing us both.”
Jacob laughed with Esther and Abe. Liza raised her hands in exasperation.
Ellie and Hannah joined them outside. Ellie wrinkled her nose. “What’s so funny?”
Esther circled around Liza and hugged Ellie. “Just having a good time. I expect you to stop by often. Understood?”
Hannah said, “I’ve already made plans with her to quilt after we close the bakery tomorrow.”
