Liza's Second Chance

by Molly Jebber

  Jacob wilkomed Hannah and Ellie’s friendship, but should he punish her misbehavior by taking away time with Hannah? Something she enjoyed? On the other hand, Hannah’s example of honoring her parents and God was what Ellie needed. He’d discuss her impoliteness earlier on the way home and not chastise her in front of them. “Danki, Hannah. Quilting is not something I can teach her.”

  Ellie rolled her eyes, her usual reaction. He abhorred it.

  He and Ellie bid them farewell, untied their horse and buggy, and left.

  The horse trotted at a comfortable pace. Jacob wanted time to address Ellie’s comment at supper. “I’m disappointed in you, Ellie. This family has gone out of their way to befriend us and your belligerent remarks threaten to destroy it. Why?”

  She stared out over the horizon. “You irritate me with your puppy-dog eyes admiring Liza. I want her to know if she even sneezes in your direction, I won’t make it easy for her. If you pursue her and marry again, I’ll lose you too. I don’t want another mamm.”

  “Ellie, a fraa for me would also be at least a friend to you no matter what woman I might choose to marry someday. We would be a family.”

  “I don’t believe you!” She tightened her mouth in a grim line.

  His head began to throb. Control your temper. He gripped the reins tighter. “Ellie, if I marry again, no matter who she is, you are to respect and obey her. I would not tolerate you treating her otherwise.” He pulled the mare and wagon to a stop in front of the barn doors.

  She huffed and jumped out of the wagon and ran inside.

  He took deep breaths to calm his endless frustration.

  Chapter Three

  Liza greeted and served pastries to a steady flow of customers from Thursday morning to afternoon. Not an empty seat was left in the place. Hannah and Esther had baked tarts, cookies, and pies to fill the empty spots in her display cabinet. She’d never had so many visitors at once.

  Hours later, Esther walked from the back room to the front door and flipped the hanging sign to “Closed.” She patted her apron. Puffs of flour decorated the air. “I don’t have a clean spot left on this apron.” She chuckled. “We haven’t had a crowd passing through town like the one we had today for a long time. I did manage to bake enough treats for tomorrow.”

  Jacob and Ellie came in. “Good afternoon. Ellie and I were in town, and I brought her here to meet Hannah. They had planned to quilt. Do you mind taking her home with you?”

  Esther chuckled. “I’m glad I forgot to lock the door and that you ignored the ‘Closed’ sign. I wouldn’t want to miss seeing you or Ellie.”

  “Danki, Esther. I caught a glance of Liza in the window, so I knew she was still here.” Jacob grinned.

  Liza gazed at him. Each time she encountered him, her heart raced. His eyes danced and his smile beamed. He couldn’t hide his emotion if he tried. He could’ve easily dropped Ellie off at Hannah’s later. He must’ve stopped here to chat with her. She couldn’t deny she was happy he was here. Think friendship. He has difficulties with his dochder. Marriage scared Liza. Her head hurt with this back and forth.

  She’d take things slow with him. “We’ll take her home with us.” She passed Jacob and Ellie oatmeal cookies. “Hannah’s in the back, Ellie.”

  “Danki.” Ellie skipped to the back room.

  Esther followed her. “Pleased you stopped in, Jacob.” She touched Liza’s back on her way to the kitchen. “I’ll tidy up in the back. You take a break.”

  Jacob pulled out a chair for Liza. “Talk with me for a bit.”

  She sat and yawned, covering her mouth. “I’m sorry for my rude yawn. We’ve had a long day.”

  “Ellie and I had to weave through the crowd on the boardwalk to get in and out of stores this afternoon. The town is bustling with activity.” He leaned in and crossed his arms on the table. “I had an enjoyable time with you at Esther and Abe’s last night. Danki for opening up to me. You’re easy to talk to, and I’m not always the best at communicating.”

  She cocked her head. “I’m astonished. You share your thoughts with ease and I’m relaxed with you. I have a difficult time sharing things about the life Paul and I had together. Your gentle and nonjudgmental demeanor made it easier.”

  Esther, Hannah, and Ellie joined them.

  Liza straightened her back. Her cheeks heated, as if she’d done something wrong. The special moment was broken. Our attraction and conversation is getting too personal anyway. She needed to back off a bit.

  She stood and wrapped a loaf of apple bread. “Jacob, take this home and butter it for supper.”

  He accepted the package. “Danki, I appreciate it. I should go.”

  Esther herded the girls to the door. “Let’s go home, everyone.”

  Jacob followed the women out and escorted them to their buggy at the livery. He paid the liveryman. “What time should I pick up Ellie?”

  Esther shielded her eyes from the sun. “Would you like to kumme for supper?”

  “I would, but I’ve got to finish shopping in town then head home to do chores.”

  “I’ll bring her home a little after supper.” Liza grinned.

  “Danki. I’ll look forward to it.” He winked and headed for the hardware store.

  Her face heated and she waved. The women bid him farewell.

  Liza couldn’t help herself. The man had woven his way into her life quickly, and she was enjoying him. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the giddy feeling she had around him. She had grown comfortable with Jacob in a very short time, but she must keep herself in check. Her marriage to Paul had been hasty. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

  She glanced back at Hannah and Ellie. The bag in Ellie’s hand puzzled her. A printed piece of material with a button peeked out of the bag. Was it an Englischer blouse or dress? Maybe she planned to show the fabric to Hannah and use it for a quilt. It made her uneasy. She didn’t want to ask and be nosy. She’d wait until later, and maybe Ellie would show them what was in it.

  Esther nudged her. “My dochder and Ellie are prattling away in the back. You’d think they’d known each other all their lives.”

  “I’m glad they’re getting close, but I’m a little uneasy considering Ellie’s past and present interest in the outside world.”

  “Hannah loves Charm and the Amish life. A hurricane couldn’t budge her. Her faith in God could move mountains. I’m not worried.” She rolled her shoulders back. “I’m stiff. I didn’t get many chances to sit today. We had to bake extra tarts and pies for your display cabinet and still have enough to start the morning tomorrow. I’m fixing beef stew. I have leftovers in the icebox for an easy supper. Would you like to join us? It will give you a chance to spend time around Ellie.”

  Liza was determined to find out the contents of Ellie’s bag. Esther trusted everyone to a fault. She didn’t want Ellie to put Hannah in an uncomfortable position, bringing strife to her life. She worried also that Ellie might tarnish Hannah’s reputation through her association with her. Liza would blame herself if that happened. “I would like to join you.”

  “Good. You can slice the bread for me.” She pointed. “Mae Chupp is talking to Abe on the porch. Wonder if anything is wrong?” She tilted her head. “Her little boy, Peter, is with her. I can’t believe he’s five. I remember the day he was born. I wish she’d remarry. She needs a loving husband and Peter needs a devoted daed.”

  Liza could understand why Mae hadn’t married. Her husband had dropped dead in the post office one afternoon three years ago. He’d never smiled and hardly said a word at church or when she’d observed him at the bakery. Mae had walked a few feet behind him each time she ran into the couple. The woman hung her head and frowned in the presence of her husband. It had always bothered Liza and, given her past with Paul, she’d assumed her friend also suffered from a bad marriage. She empathized with Mae.

  She admired the widow. Her dochder, Naomi, had died two years ago. The girl had experienced terrible pain in
her lower abdomen, gotten a fever, and passed two days later. The doctor couldn’t pin down a diagnosis. Liza was sure it would break the woman, but she’d persevered with courage and strength to raise her son.

  “He’s adorable. He won’t mutter more than a word or two when I talk to him since his schweschder passed. Let’s find out why they’re here.”

  The women went to greet their visitor.

  Peter ran to Ellie and hugged her legs. He looked at her with his big brown eyes. “You remind me of my schweschder, Naomi.”

  Mae and the other women gasped.

  Ellie knelt before him and put her hands on his shoulders. “Is she with you?” She scanned the yard.

  “No, she died. I wish I could have her with me again. Mamm says she’s in Heaven with God.”

  Ellie blushed. “I’m sorry, Peter.”

  “She did puzzles with me. Do you have any puzzles here? Would you play with me?”

  Hannah knelt beside Ellie. “I’ve got some stowed in a trunk in the barn. They were mine when I was little. Let’s go sort through them.”

  Peter took Ellie’s hand in his. “Mamm, is it all right if I go with them?”

  Mae wiped the tears staining her cheeks. “Jah, you can go.” She dabbed her eyes with her fingertips. “He hasn’t spoken in sentences since Naomi left this earth. Ellie does resemble my dochder quite a bit.”

  Liza hooked her arm through Mae’s. “Hannah and Ellie will entertain him. Kumme inside with us. You and Peter stay for supper. I won’t have it any other way.”

  “Absolutely. I’ve got more food than I needed to prepare. Please join us.” Esther stepped onto the porch. “Abe, my handsome man, how are you?”

  “Had a satisfying day, but I’m hungry.” Abe gave Esther a warm smile and flopped in a rocker on the porch.

  “Supper will be ready earlier than usual. I’m making leftover stew.” Esther waved them inside.

  Mae coughed and covered her mouth. “I don’t want to trouble you.”

  “It’s no trouble, and I enjoy having a big crowd at my table. To see little Peter smile brightens my day.” Esther reached over and patted Mae’s shoulder.

  Liza winced. The woman’s deep cough concerned her. “Sit and relax. Take advantage of Ellie helping Peter to open up. He’s content. Let’s let him get better acquainted with her.” She rested her hand on Mae’s arm. She poured Mae a glass of water and passed it to her.

  Mae sipped the water, then held the glass. “This cough kummes in spurts. I’m sure it’s nothing. Let me do something.”

  Liza and Esther pulled plates and dishes out of the cupboard and set them on the counter. Liza handed her utensils. “You can set the table.” Maybe Mae was right and she was making too much of the woman’s cough.

  Knife in her hand, Liza paused. “I’ll cut the bread.”

  Esther checked the stove. “Abe has wood burning in the cook stove. I’ll put the stew on.”

  Half an hour later, Liza called everyone to the table.

  “I want to sit by Hannah and Ellie.” Peter raced to an empty chair.

  Abe stuck his bottom lip out for a moment. “I wanted to sit by you, Peter.”

  Peter looked at him. “Don’t be sad. I’ll sit by you.”

  He tousled the boy’s thick brown hair. “I’m teasing you. You sit with your new friends.”

  Esther pulled out a chair for him and put a pillow on it. “There you go.” She sat and bowed her head.

  Abe prayed and thanked God for the food.

  Peter grinned from ear to ear. “Ellie and Hannah had puzzles with pieces shaped like bears, rabbits, and goats. We raced to put the pieces in the holes and I won!”

  Mae beamed. “Maybe now you can work your puzzles at home.”

  “They remind me of Naomi.” Peter’s eyes clouded. He sucked in his bottom lip, forked a bite of beef, and was silent.

  Ellie drank her water and set the glass on the table. “Peter, what do you like to do when you’re not doing chores?”

  “I’ve been too sad to do much of anything since Naomi went to Heaven. It’s no fun playing without her. We used to go fishin’. She put the worms on my hook. I’m too scared to do it. We played catch, or we dipped our feet in the water in the pond. She baked cookies and we made sandwiches together and had picnics.” He lowered his eyes, then hung his head.

  Ellie lifted his chin. “If it’s all right with your mamm, I’ll take you fishing, and we can stick our feet in the pond on a nice warm day. I might even bring some of Liza’s molasses cookies to share. She made a new recipe for them and they’re delicious!”

  “You will?”

  “Of course.”

  “Mamm, did you hear what Ellie said?”

  “I did. We’d be glad to have you over, Ellie. Danki.”

  Ellie put her hand on Hannah’s arm. “We must include Hannah.”

  “Jah, Hannah, will you kumme too?”

  “Jah, I’d love to.”

  Esther sighed. “I had one too many slices of bread.” She carried a stack of dishes to the dry sink. “Ellie and Hannah, you take Peter and go play. His mamm, Liza, and I will wash and dry the dishes.”

  Abe excused himself and followed Peter and the girls out of the kitchen.

  Mae pressed a hand to her chin. “I’m amazed at how he reacted to Ellie. He bubbled over with enthusiasm around her. He was chatty at supper. I can’t remember the last time he was this happy.”

  Liza held her close. The woman wept in her arms. “You’ve had a hard time. First your husband passing, then your dochder. I admire your strength getting through it all.”

  Mae dried her wet cheeks. “I shouldn’t spill my emotions out on you. Danki for being so tolerant.”

  Liza beamed. “We’re happy for you and Peter. It’s been wonderful to watch him with Ellie.”

  “Indeed.” Esther grinned.

  Mae cleared her throat. “I came here to ask if either of you had any suggestions for a young woman to watch Peter for me Monday through Friday from eight until two. I’ve been offered a job at the front desk of Maybelle’s Inn. The sewing I take in and my crops aren’t a steady enough income to count on for unexpected expenses. This will be money I can count on.” She pressed a hand to her chest and coughed.

  Liza handed her a clean handkerchief. “Would you like lemonade instead of water?”

  She waved a dismissive hand and shook her head. “Danki. I’ll be fine.”

  Esther lifted a basin off a hook. “Ellie might be available.”

  Could she be trusted? Liza wasn’t certain. Peter, impressionable and young, didn’t need any outside-world influences in his life. Ellie boasted and spoke without reservation about the things she liked that Englischers used but the Amish avoided. She didn’t use discretion. She’d left the Amish life once. Would she again? It would break this child’s heart. He’d suffered enough hurt. “We should ask Jacob’s permission. I’d rather approach him before we mention it to Ellie.”

  Mae winced. “Leah said Ellie had a blemished reputation in Nappanee. She left, then returned.”

  Esther balanced the basin on her hip. “I don’t condone Ellie leaving her Amish life, but she’s young. Point being, she did return home. Caring for Peter would give her purpose and help her grow roots in this community. She’s having a positive influence on Peter. He needs her. Give her a chance.” She headed for the back door. “I’m going to get water for the washbasin.”

  Esther didn’t analyze or compare the negatives and positives. Liza couldn’t help it. She did most often. Envious of Esther’s simple and straightforward way of arriving at conclusions without hesitation, Liza wished she was more like her. “She did run away, but she’s back living the Amish life.”

  “Do you think she’ll stray again?”

  “We can’t be sure. We’re doing everything to inspire her to choose to stay in our community and adhere to our way of life.”

  “No one has been able to reach Peter before. He’s enthralled with her. I’ll hire her wit
h her daed’s permission. Would you ask him for me? I take it you know him because you’ve befriended Ellie.”

  “I’ll speak to him about it when I take her home, and then I’ll let you know what he says.”

  “Danki.”

  The women washed and dried the dishes and chatted. They bid Mae and Peter farewell. Hannah and Ellie went to Hannah’s bedroom.

  Liza plopped in a chair at the table, and Esther dragged one close to her.

  Esther removed her shoes and propped her feet up on the chair beside her. “I wonder if Jacob will agree to Ellie taking care of Peter.”

  “It’s hard to say. Ellie’s unpredictable. Should he take a chance Ellie’s caring for Peter might teach her responsibility or does he choose to wait until she’s got her feet more firmly planted in Charm and matured?”

  “Liza, you overthink things. Mae needs Ellie to take care of Peter to lift his mood. She’s the only one who has brought a smile to his precious face in a long time. Maybe they need each other. It’s worth the risk.” Esther rose. “I need to make a trip to the outhaus. I’ll be right back.”

  Liza went to Hannah’s room. Printed button-down ankle-length dresses lay strewn on the bed. She backed out of the doorway and peeked around the corner. They had their backs to her, and she hoped they wouldn’t turn around. The bag Ellie had brought lay open. She held a calico fitted round-collared dress to her body and twirled around. The tiny buttons went from top to bottom. “Isn’t it beautiful?” She shoved it toward Hannah. “Try it on.”

  Hannah passed it back to her. “I’m not interested in these clothes. Please put them away, Ellie. I have no use for them, and you shouldn’t either.”

  “Amish rules are ridiculous. No buttons, no printed clothing, no decorated straw hats, and no fun. What harm is there in adding a little color to our lives?”

  “You know why. The Ordnung is for our protection. If we allow one thing, it will lead to another and another. Where would it end? Before you know it, we’d no longer be any different from the outside world. We don’t need showy clothing or modern conveniences. God provides all we need.”