by Molly Jebber
Liza smiled. “Danki for kumming. I enjoyed your company.”
Jacob watched Liza. She was the perfect hostess, and so gracious. She’d wilkomed him and Ellie into her life, and she’d been warm and friendly to Mae and Peter. He’d noticed she greeted and served her customers with the same kindhearted manner.
Everyone bid the Chupps a cheerful farewell.
The women walked them outside.
Abe waved Jacob to join him in the front room. “Let’s get out of the women’s way before they put us to work.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He winked at Liza, then followed Abe. He’d gotten comfortable enough to exchange endearing glances and tease her. She hadn’t protested. It was important she knew to trust him. A milestone for her after Paul’s misuse of such an important part of marriage. A problem she’d have to overcome if they had a chance at a future together. He’d take it one day at a time with her.
Ellie’s first day to watch Peter on her own would be a good and worrisome one for him. He couldn’t predict if this job would keep her here. Taking care of Peter in the best way possible should be her priority. He trusted her not to disappoint him or Peter’s mamm. Would she make him regret giving her this chance to prove her sense of responsibility?
*
Jacob waved farewell to Ellie early Monday morning. They’d had a good day together at the Sunday service and the afternoon meal yesterday, sitting with Liza and her family. Ellie and Hannah had been inseparable. He’d had a chance to chat with Liza, which always made his day brighter. “Have fun with Peter. Give him my best.” He leaned against the barn and watched her back until she disappeared at the end of the lane. Full of vibrant energy, she’d done a couple of chores and readied to leave for the Chupps’. Ellie hadn’t appeared this happy early in the morning for a long time.
Liza had proposed this job for Ellie at Esther’s suggestion, despite her concerns. He worried Ellie might blindside him and show Liza’s apprehensions were valid. His gut told him the risk was worth it.
Liza had become an important part of his life in such a short time. She’d captivated him the moment he met her. His interest in her hadn’t waned, and he hungered to learn more about her. They’d both had their share of sorrow, Liza, with her troubled marriage, and his loss of his precious fraa.
Conversations with Liza had been frank and personal. She’d shied away from him at times, but he understood her desire to protect her heart after the way Paul had treated her. Liza might be the one for him. So far, she had the kind and compassionate demeanor he was searching for in a fraa. Her strong faith in God and importance of family were evident. He hoped her scars didn’t run too deep. He mustn’t prod her too much about Paul. He might have asked too many questions about her late husband in their past conversations.
He walked into the barn and clamped his hand on his toolbox. No time for distractions. The porch steps wouldn’t repair themselves.
Hours later, Jacob held his head under the pump and drenched his hair and face with water. He raked both hands through his wet hair and pushed it out of his eyes. Pleased with the porch repairs and the work in the hayfield and garden, he went inside and fixed a cold leftover pork sandwich for dinner. Supper was a long way off and he was hungry. He opened ajar of peaches and dumped them in a bowl. He sat on the porch and admired the summer breeze swaying the trees a little and the cows grazing in the pasture as he forked a slice of his fruit.
His choices hit the spot. He enjoyed every bite. Scraping the bowl, he devoured the last of it. He couldn’t sit still another minute. He had to check on Ellie and stop at the bakery.
Harnessing his horse to the wagon, he headed out to the Chupps’. Waving to neighbors, he scanned the properties in Charm along the way. Green grass, thick woods full of tall trees, and fat cows and muscular horses grazed in the distance. The community’s appearance fit its name. Turning into the Chupps’ lane, he waved to Ellie and Peter outside, secured his horse, and approached them.
Peter threw a ball to Ellie, then ran to Jacob. “We made butter cookies. Want some?”
Jacob smiled at Ellie and tousled Peter’s hair. “I’d love a couple.”
Ellie tossed the ball in a wooden box in the barn, then came alongside Peter. “This little one thinks he can have more cookies if you eat some.”
“Please, may I have two more? Please?” Peter stared at her in anticipation.
Ellie pushed out her lips. “You’re a big help.”
He winced. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not, but kumme on, you two. I’ll give you both a snack.”
“Yippee!” Peter hugged her legs.
Eyes moist, Jacob swallowed the lump in his throat. Pride sprang within him. His little girl had grown up. She’d taken on the role of caring for Peter as if she’d done this often. No need to worry that she had any trepidation about her caring for the child.
Ellie put two cookies each on plates for them and one for herself. They sat at the kitchen table.
Peter got up and dragged his chair closer to Ellie’s. “Your dochder made me clean haus with her this morning.” He groaned and rolled his eyes.
Jacob held his cookie in midair. “You did a fine job.”
Peter’s lip curled into a smile. “Mamm will be surprised. She was embarrassed for Ellie to find the mess I made at breakfast when I dropped my glass on the floor.” He lowered his eyes.
Ellie patted his arm. “It’s all right. Accidents happen. We threw away the broken glass and wiped up the spilled milk in no time.”
“Mamm is still gonna be upset. She said her mamm gave her those glasses when I broke the other one.”
Jacob tightened his lips to stifle his chuckle at Peter’s confession and the worried expression on Ellie’s face. He batted a hand in the air. “She’ll realize Peter didn’t mean to break the glass and she’ll be happy not to have to clean it up.”
Peter relaxed, and Ellie’s mouth curled in a smile. “I’m glad you stopped by, Daed.”
Jacob bid them farewell and went to the bakery. Town bustled with activity. Englischers and Amish entered and exited stores carrying their purchases from the general store, the milliner’s shop, and the apothecary. A line of men and women waited for their turn at the post office.
He opened the door to the bakery and gasped at the number of customers waiting for service. He weaved his way through them to the back of the counter, next to Liza. “I’ll wrap their purchases for you.”
She gave him a wide grin. “Jacob Graber, you showed up at the right time. I’d really appreciate it. You can wash your hands in the porcelain bowl behind you. Hannah and Esther are busy baking in the back, and I could ask one of them to help me, but your offering is better. You’re a wilkom sight.”
Jacob recognized Mr. Phillips. The rude man had bumped into Ezra, his neighbor, a while back. Ezra had told him the man had a bad temper. The young man behind him must be his son. The two resembled each other in their light brown hair and muscular build. The daed wore the same scowl he had the first time Jacob had encountered him. But the young man nodded and smiled. “Are you Ellie Graber’s father? She mentioned your name was Jacob. Is Ellie here?”
Jacob’s heart thudded in his chest. His eyes narrowed. “I am her daed. How do you know my dochder?”
The young man held out his hand. “I’m Bill Philips. She and I have bumped into each other in town a few times.”
Jacob shook his hand and wanted to question the boy, but Bill’s daed’s huffs of impatience and glower stopped him. Ellie had often offered to go into town for food or supplies. Thankful she wanted to help, he hadn’t suspected she might have other motives for doing so. Had Bill Phillips been the real reason she was so anxious to go to town? He should talk to her first before getting upset.
“Boy, I don’t have time for this nonsense.” Mr. Phillips elbowed his way in front of an elderly woman who was ahead of him in line. “Mrs. Grayson, I’m in a hurry. You don’t mind, do you?” Not waiting for the
woman to answer, he smacked his hand on the counter. “I’d like six oatmeal cookies and an apple pie.”
Mrs. Grayson moved slowly with the help of her cane and backed away from him. “Go ahead, Mr. Phillips.”
Bill hurried behind Mr. Phillips and put a friendly hand on his arm. “Dad, I’ll stand in line. Let Mrs. Grayson order.”
Mr. Phillips gave his arm a hard shrug and the young man’s hand dropped. “Don’t tell me what to do, son.” The man’s eyes glared at the boy, then he yelled to Liza, “What’s the holdup, woman?”
Liza, red-faced, stammered, “I …”
Jacob swept in behind the counter, hurried to remove the man’s requests, and wrapped and handed them to him. “Here you go.”
The man shoved money at Liza and pushed customers out of his way to the door. Jacob winced.
The young man darted his regretful gaze to all of them. “I’m sorry.”
Mr. Phillips grabbed the young man’s collar. “You don’t speak for me, do you hear?” he yelled, “Get in our wagon now!”
A burly, broad-shouldered man closed a firm hand on Mr. Phillips’s shoulder. “You’ve been rude. You owe Mrs. Grayson and the woman behind the counter an apology.”
Mr. Phillips glowered and huffed. “Take your hand off me, Clint, or I’ll move it for you.”
Hands on hips, Clint said, “Your son, Bill, is a gentleman. Not a word I would ever use to describe you. Now apologize. I’m sick and tired of putting up with your meanness around town. I’ve witnessed you too many times treating people unkindly and turned a blind eye.”
Jacob came around the corner of the counter. Mr. Phillips’s hands were balled. A fight was brewing. The patrons had stepped back and stared at them. He made his way to the door and opened it. “Please take your conversation outside.”
Clint nodded and complied. Mr. Phillips and his son followed. Jacob backed away from the door but kept an eye on them. Mr. Phillips reared a fist back and Clint held up his palms and made an abrupt exit. The son, Bill Phillips, sat in the wagon. Mr. Phillips got in the wagon, snarled, slapped his son’s face, and then drove his wagon away.
Jacob pinched his lips and shook his head. How could a man be so full of hatred? He breathed a sigh of relief that the two men hadn’t resorted to a fistfight and returned to Liza.
She penciled in the last purchase in her journal and bid the woman farewell. “I didn’t know what to do. The man is such a bully. He sought a fight with the belligerent tone of his voice and his piercing eyes. I’ve noticed him in town and he’s had the same glower on his face every time.”
Jacob recounted the details of Mr. Phillips bumping rudely into Ezra. “Ezra stays away from the man. He warned me that Mr. Phillips is trouble. I hope you don’t mind I didn’t demand he wait his turn in line. It was better for everyone if he got out of here as soon as possible.”
“I was grateful you took over and handled the matter. Mrs. Grayson understood what you were doing, and she agreed with getting him out of here. He kummes in periodically, but this is the first time he would’ve had to wait. This time, his temper got scary.” She fluttered her hand. “Enough talk about Mr. Mean. Peter must be thrilled to have Ellie to himself today.”
Busy and having had to deal with a difficult situation, she was thinking of Ellie and shifting the conversation to what she knew was of interest to him. The woman was remarkable. “Curious to find out how my dochder and Peter were getting along, I went for a short visit. They were tossing a ball outside, and they’d cleaned haus and made cookies.”
Liza raised her eyebrows. “What kind?”
“Butter cookies, and they tasted like the ones you sell here.”
“I wonder if Hannah gave her my recipe. I hope so. I’d be flattered.”
Esther and Hannah came to the front of the store. Flour in her hair, Esther grinned. “Jacob, always a pleasure to have you here.” She cocked her head. “What was the commotion out here? Nosy me wanted to peek out, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the sugar pies in the oven.”
Hannah nodded to Jacob and kept silent.
Liza gave a grateful glance in Jacob’s direction. “Jacob took care of getting the angry man out of the bakery without a hitch until another man scolded Mr. Phillips. Thankfully, the men agreed to Jacob’s request to settle their dispute outside the bakery.”
Esther brought fingers to her lips. “Jacob, I’m glad you were here to help settle these men down. Your timing couldn’t have been better.”
Hannah flattened her hand to her mamm’s back. “I’d have been very uncomfortable if I’d been here and Mr. Phillips had been rude to me. Danki, Jacob, for urging them to take their argument outside.”
Liza distributed molasses cookies to them. “Have a snack. We all need a break. Jacob, you get two for rescuing me.” She closed the counter’s sliding door.
Jacob faced Hannah. “Mr. Phillips’s son, Bill, introduced himself to me and asked if Ellie was here. He said they’d met in town a few times. Did she tell you anything about him or their meetings?”
Hannah jerked her head in surprise. “She hasn’t mentioned him to me.”
He gave her an apologetic grin. “I’m sorry to put you on the spot. I’ll talk to Ellie about him tonight. I worry about her.”
“It’s all right. I understand.” Hannah’s smile faded and her eyes darkened.
Jacob’s heart sank. Hannah’s worried expression told him she really didn’t have any knowledge of Ellie and the Phillips boy. Why was Ellie keeping this boy a secret? What did he mean to her?
Chapter Five
Liza waited on customers and wondered how Jacob was doing since he’d left the bakery an hour earlier. He’d been upset when Bill Phillips told him that he and Ellie had been meeting in town.
The door swung open and she smiled at the woman. “Wilkom.”
The Englischer had a kind smile and a pretty flowered cotton skirt and blouse. Her hat matched with its white ribbon and pink flowers. “I’m Mrs. Phillips. I’m sorry for my husband’s outburst in your bakery today. My son, Bill, shared with me what happened.” She harrumphed. “If I had family near, I’d leave the man.”
Liza’s jaw dropped. The woman’s personal comment shocked her. Trapped in a bad marriage herself before Paul died, she empathized with her. Mrs. Phillips smiled and had a much kinder demeanor than her husband. “You would’ve been proud of your son. He was quite the gentleman. All is well.” She went behind the counter. “How about a cherry pie or rhubarb tarts?”
“I’ll take a cherry pie.” She quirked her eyebrows. “Bill told me he met Jacob Graber, Ellie Graber’s father, when he was in the bakery with my husband. Jacob’s daughter is such a sweetheart. Bill said Mr. Graber pitched in to help you when my husband had his outburst. Are you interested in him?”
This woman didn’t hesitate to dive right in and ask personal questions, and they’d just met. She seemed nice enough, but much too forward. Liza’s cheeks warmed. “We’re friends. My niece, Hannah, and Ellie, Jacob’s dochder, are close. How do you know Ellie?”
“Bill brought her to our house when he knew his father would be out of town. She mentioned her father’s name was Jacob in conversation. I fed them dinner and we had a pleasant afternoon. She told me they’d moved from Nappanee, Indiana, to Charm not long ago. I was surprised she came with my son by herself. I didn’t think her father would approve of her being alone with my son in the wagon or at our house, although I stayed with them the entire time she visited us.”
“Did you ask her about it?”
Mrs. Phillips shrugged. “I didn’t want to put her on the spot. She’s a sweet girl. My son is smitten with her, but she seemed truthful, calling him a friend. I hope I haven’t gotten her into trouble. Her father may not be aware she was at our house. Must you tell him?”
“I hope you understand. Jacob and I are friends and it wouldn’t be right for me to keep it from him. If I were in his position, I’d want to know.”
“As a mother, I agree wit
h you. Ellie’s such a dear, I wouldn’t want to cause her any turmoil. I’ve never seen my son happier, gushing about her. My husband makes both our lives miserable, so I’m thrilled she and Bill have met.”
This woman prattling on about her son’s happiness and the joy Ellie had brought to his life showed her Mrs. Phillips hadn’t considered the heartbreak it would cause Jacob if Ellie chose the Englisch life. As an Englischer, it was clear Mrs. Phillips didn’t understand the Amish laws or lifestyle traditions. Otherwise, she would’ve understood how wrong it was for Ellie to meet Bill alone without her daed’s knowledge and for her not to care who saw her with Bill.
Liza sucked in her lips. A surge of frustration mounted in her. Ellie had such disregard for her reputation and her daed’s feelings. She didn’t want to discuss this any further with Mrs. Phillips. She forced a smile. “We have fresh pies, an assortment of cookies, pastries, and many other desserts. Would you like any other offerings besides your cherry pie?”
Mrs. Phillips bent to peruse the goodies on the shelves behind the glass. “I’ll take a dozen of your famous molasses cookies my neighbors are always lauding and a sugar pie.” She opened her reticule and paid for her purchases. “Thank you, and it was a pleasure.”
Liza wrapped her purchases and passed them to Bill’s mamm and then walked around the counter and opened the front door. “Kumme in anytime.”
She shut the door behind her. The back of her hand to her head, she groaned. Jacob would be distraught to find out Ellie had had dinner with Bill and his mamm. The action spoke volumes about her disrespect for Jacob and her Amish upbringing. She couldn’t rest until she’d told him everything. He’d be devastated and she dreaded hurting him.
At five, Liza bid farewell to Esther and Hannah and they climbed in their separate buggies. She didn’t speak to them about Ellie and Bill. Better tell Jacob first.
*
Jacob peered out the window. Liza had just pulled her buggy in front of his haus. He came running to her, flailing his arms. “Ellie’s gone!”
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Liza clasped his hand and jumped down from the wagon.
