The Innkeeper's Bride

by Kathleen Fuller

  On the way home from the inn, she’d tried to stem her embarrassment with the realization that she didn’t have anything to worry about when it came to Levi—either when working at the inn or running into him anywhere else. But knowing that fact didn’t help much. Although she wasn’t interested in him either, it didn’t help to hear him reject her so plainly—and loudly. She also felt silly for thinking his friendliness might have meant something. Like Mary Yoder said, he was a nice man. Her ego had just taken a well-deserved hit for making any other assumption.

  “Selah?”

  She glanced up to see Ruby looking at her with concern. “Ya?”

  “You haven’t touched yer food. Are you feeling all right?”

  Selah nodded and cut the small potato in half. “I’m fine.” She tamped down her hurt feelings and forced a smile. “I got a job.”

  “You did?” Ruby grinned. “I’m so happy for you. Where?”

  “Stoll Inn.” She explained how she got the job, leaving out the part about Levi not liking her. Or being interested in her. Whatever.

  “Imagine that.” Ruby turned to Christian. “Isn’t that wonderful news?”

  Christian meticulously spread a small pat of butter on his roll. “Indeed. Excellent news. When do you start?”

  “Tomorrow morning.” She cut the half of a potato in half again and then took a bite. It was cold, but she swallowed it despite the nerves rioting in her stomach. By the time the meal was finished, she had managed to eat only a few bites, but she whisked away her plate before Ruby or Christian could notice.

  As she prepared for bed later that night, she remembered Levi’s handkerchief and the money for the cinnamon dots. In all the fuss over the job, she had forgotten to give them to him. She’d make sure she did tomorrow. As she brushed out her hair, she reminded herself that this was just a job, and she would do it to the best of her ability. It didn’t matter what Levi did or didn’t think of her. She would be an ideal employee, making sure she stayed out of the Stoll family’s way. She had other things to focus on anyway. She had already started a budget and a plan for how she was going to afford a house. She needed to keep that goal at the forefront, not Levi Stoll’s or anyone else’s opinion of her.

  This time she managed a genuine smile. Thank you, Lord. You truly do provide.

  * * *

  “I might have made a terrible mistake.”

  Cevilla handed Delilah a bowl of sugar-free candies. When the woman declined to take one, she returned the dish to the coffee table and leaned back in her rocking chair. She’d been surprised when Delilah showed up right before suppertime. Usually Richard was here by now, but he said he had a meeting to attend. He didn’t elaborate, but she knew it wasn’t his stamp club meeting. What other meeting would he be going to? One at the Mennonite church? She pressed her lips together.

  “Cevilla? Did you hear me?” Delilah sniffed. “I’m going through a crisis, and you’re over there daydreaming.”

  Cevilla blinked. “I’m sorry. You said you made a mistake.”

  “I might have made a mistake. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I blame that for mei lapse in judgment.”

  “Of course.” Cevilla held in a chuckle, knowing Delilah wasn’t in a humorous mood. She really did look distraught, which was unusual for her. She and Delilah weren’t exactly friends, but they were the only two women in their age bracket in Birch Creek, so they visited each other from time to time. “Tell me what happened.”

  After Delilah explained everything from Loren’s fall to hiring Selah at the inn, Cevilla said, “It sounds like everything is all right now. Loren’s going to be okay, and you have a maid.”

  “I should have known you wouldn’t understand.” She sniffed again. “You’ve never had kinner.”

  Cevilla’s eyes narrowed. “That might be, but I consider all these young people mei adopted kinner. I care very much for them.”

  “I’m sorry.” Delilah stared at her lap. “That was uncalled for.”

  “That’s okay.” And it was, for the most part. She was used to people making offhand comments about her being single and childless, but they’d rarely used those comments as weapons like Delilah just had. Usually they bounced off her, but right now she was feeling more raw than usual.

  “I didn’t tell you the worst part.” Delilah explained how she’d seen an opportunity for matchmaking when Selah showed up at her door. “It was so perfect. She and Levi would be working together, and naturally they would fall in love with each other.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “But Levi is having none of it. And then Selah overheard him yelling at me that he wasn’t interested in her.”

  “Oh dear.” Cevilla leaned forward. “I see why you’re so upset now.”

  “Levi hasn’t talked to me since. Not that I blame him.” She smoothed the skirt of her plum-colored dress. “I wouldn’t blame Selah if she didn’t show up tomorrow, either.”

  “I don’t think Selah would be that petty.”

  Delilah nodded. “Neither do I. I still think she and mei grosssohn would make a wonderful pair.”

  “Like him and Martha? Like Nina and Seth?”

  “I was new to the community.” Delilah lifted her chin. “And there’s still a chance for Nina and Ira, you know.”

  Cevilla blew out a breath. Had she been this persistent when she’d been in her matchmaking prime? I’m sure I was. “Perhaps it would be best to let yer grosskinner find their own spouses, Delilah.”

  “I considered that option, but then I realized if I leave them to their own devices, they’ll never get married.” Her bottom lip jutted out slightly.

  “That’s not the worst thing in the world.”

  Delilah looked at her. “I wasn’t insinuating that it is. Besides, you have Richard now.” Her expression turned soft. “How blessed you are in yer old age.”

  Nodding, Cevilla stood, using her cane for balance. She opened the door of the woodstove and put a small log inside. For years the Yoder boys had taken turns cutting wood for her for winter, and Judah had brought over the latest batch. They always made sure the pieces were light enough for her to lift.

  “You have nix else to say?” Delilah asked.

  “About what?” Cevilla sat down.

  “About you and Richard.” Delilah shook her head. “You’ve been out of sorts since I got here. Is something wrong between the two of you?”

  She paused, unsure whether she should confide in Delilah. So far she knew the woman wasn’t prone to gossip, only misguided intentions. Even then it was clear she loved her family dearly. Since she had confided in Cevilla, Cevilla should do so in return. “We’re . . . okay.”

  “Just okay.”

  “Ya. I’m concerned about how his familye is reacting to our relationship. His dochder seems upset about it.”

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “I’ve tried. Her phone always goes to voice mail.” Cevilla scowled. “And she never returns mei calls, but Richard says she’s just a very busy woman.”

  “Sounds like an excuse.”

  “I thought so too. But there’s not much I can do about it. The ball is in Richard’s court, so to speak. Just like it’s in Levi’s and Nina’s courts. You have to let them figure out things for themselves.”

  “Then why were you so insistent on playing matchmaker with yer nephew? And with Martha and Seth?”

  Delilah didn’t even know about another couple, Lucy and Shane. But they lived in Iowa, and Cevilla wasn’t going to admit to another episode of meddling, which had turned out well only because of God’s will, not her machinations. “Because I was a nosy old biddy, that’s why. But I’m retired from the matchmaking business now. I mean it this time. I suggest you do the same unless you want to drive a wedge between you and yer grosskinner.”

  “Nee,” she said, sounding horrified. “I hadn’t thought about it like that.”

  A knock sounded on the front door, and Richard walked in. “Pardon me,” he said. “I di
dn’t realize you had company, Cevilla.”

  “I’m a surprise guest.” Delilah popped up from the couch and picked up her coat. “I’ll see myself out.” She turned to Cevilla and said, “Danki.”

  Cevilla nodded and stood. When Delilah was gone, Richard asked, “What was that all about?”

  “Girl talk.” Cevilla couldn’t help but smile.

  “Which means none of my business.” He returned her smile, his eyes filled with warmth. “Is it too late for supper?”

  She couldn’t resist him when he looked at her like that. “No,” she said. “It’s never too late.”

  Chapter 5

  The next morning Selah wondered what she had gotten herself into.

  “Nee, nee. That’s not the proper way to clean a sink,” Delilah said, shaking her head.

  Selah turned toward her, bewildered. Delilah had insisted on training her the moment she’d arrived at the inn. She looked at the sink, which seemed fine to her. How many times had she cleaned a sink? Too many to count. “What did I do wrong?”

  “Always wipe counterclockwise.” She took the rag from Selah. “Like this.”

  She watched as Delilah wiped the sink with quick, efficient, and counterclockwise movements. Talk about being picky. Selah didn’t think it mattered which way she wiped the sink as long as it was clean. But Delilah was her new boss, and Selah would do it her way.

  “Now try it again.”

  Selah recleaned the sink according to Delilah’s specifications. She even found a spot Delilah had missed but said nothing and cleaned it off. She took a step back while Delilah inspected her work. It did look better than it had the first time she’d cleaned it.

  “Perfect.” She turned to Selah and gave her a small smile. “I think you’ll work out fine.”

  Selah remained under Delilah’s tutelage for the rest of the day, learning how to clean each room until it shone. The guest rooms were decorated simply but with typical Amish touches—quilts, a calendar on the wall, a bouquet of artificial flowers on the windowsill, a few books and a Bible in a small bookcase across from the bed. Each room also had a small bathroom with a pedestal sink, a cabinet above the toilet, and a shower. The only thing different between the four rooms was the paint color—a delicate blue, a butter yellow, a soft rose, and a pale sage green. Each room was peaceful and inviting. Selah imagined the inn would have plenty of business when it opened.

  After cleaning the rooms, she was instructed on the proper way to mop the wood floors, which were brand-new but had an artificial patina to make them look old. Then they spent the rest of the afternoon in the prep kitchen, where breakfast would be assembled each morning. The bulk of the food preparation would be done by Delilah in the larger kitchen in the house. “As soon as we start having guests, you’ll be serving breakfast until Nina can. That means coming at six in the morning, not seven,” Delilah said, and then she proceeded to show her how to put together the meals and serve them.

  Selah hadn’t known that would be in her job description. She’d served plenty of meals, and she didn’t mind getting to the inn that early. But she was glad the task would be temporary. She didn’t want to make a mistake that would put a damper on the guests’ experience.

  Delilah showed her how to clean the kitchen, and even though all the appliances were already clean, Selah cleaned them again. “The kitchen must be spotless and efficient at all times,” Delilah stated. “You never know when an inspector might drop by unannounced.”

  Selah gave a counter a final wipe and then glanced at the clock. Four thirty. Her first day was nearly over, and she was exhausted. She was confident she could handle working for Delilah Stoll. It wouldn’t be easy, but she was determined to work hard and prove they hadn’t made a mistake by hiring her.

  They were walking out of the kitchen when Levi burst out of the office. Delilah had kept her so busy that she hadn’t seen him all day—for some reason he hadn’t joined them for lunch—but she’d had his handkerchief and the money for the candy in the pocket of her apron, ready to give them to him.

  “Gut news!” he exclaimed. “We have our first reservation!” He pulled out a ledger from behind the counter.

  Delilah rushed over to him. “Who is it? When are they coming? How long are they staying?”

  “One guest, a Mr. Talbot. Staying for two days.” Levi grinned. “He’ll be here on Friday.”

  “But we’re not opening until Saturday,” Delilah said.

  “I made an exception.” He looked at his grandmother, his expression suddenly and uncharacteristically stern. Just as uncharacteristically, Delilah nodded and didn’t say another word.

  Selah was happy for them. Now that she had seen almost every nook and cranny of the inn, she realized how much work and financial investment had gone into creating the beautiful property, and she found herself also wanting it to succeed.

  “Wait,” Delilah said, frowning. “Is the inspector still coming tomorrow?”

  “He is. I confirmed with him again. After that, we’ll be open for business.”

  “If everything checks out,” Delilah mumbled.

  “It will. I spent the day going over everything, including the plumbing. Three times.” He smirked, and then his smiled widened. “Where’s yer faith, Grossmammi?”

  She glanced up at him, her smile returning. “God’s will,” she said.

  “God’s will.”

  Selah leaned against the kitchen doorjamb. Levi had to be the most optimistic person she’d ever met. Except for the moment in the kitchen yesterday, when he was upset with his grandmother, it was as if nothing bothered him. She was a little envious of that. While she was learning how to see life on the brighter side, Levi’s optimism was natural.

  “Selah,” Delilah called. “Come here.”

  Selah went to her while Levi wrote down the reservation in the ledger. She glanced at his handwriting, which unlike hers, was neat and easy to read.

  “We still have so much to do,” Delilah said. She started ticking off tasks on her fingers. “I need to show you the laundry, and how to clean the quilts properly . . . I defy anyone to say Stoll Inn isn’t as clean as freshly fallen snow.”

  “They wouldn’t dare,” Levi said, looking at Selah with the beginnings of a grin.

  “Then we have to make sure everything is stocked, from bathrooms to firewood to—”

  “Grossmutter,” Levi said, his voice gentle, “we have time to get everything done.”

  Delilah nodded, looking calmer. Then her eyes widened. “Nina was supposed to get Christmas decorations.” She gestured to the tidy lobby. “We can’t have a guest here without decorations.”

  “Actually we could—”

  “Did she get them, Levi?”

  He shook his head. “Not unless she’s hiding them in her room.”

  “I guess she could geh shopping tomorrow. I can tend to Loren.”

  Selah watched the back-and-forth between Delilah and Levi. Although he was much calmer than his grandmother was, for the first time she noticed tiny lines of strain on Levi’s face. “I can pick them up,” she said, surprising herself by volunteering. “I just finished decorating Christian and Ruby’s haus the other day.” She couldn’t bring herself to call it her house, even though she would be living there for a while yet. “I know exactly where we can get some schee decorations in Barton. Just tell me what you need.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful, Selah,” Delilah said. “Levi will give you the money in the morning, and then you can help me tackle our remaining tasks in the afternoon.”

  “I’ll just geh with her,” Levi said.

  “You will?” Both Selah and Delilah looked at him.

  “Ya. I need to stop by the bank in Barton. The inspector isn’t coming until after lunch, and we can knock out two birds with one stone.”

  “I never liked that expression,” Delilah said, her brow pinching.

  “You know what I mean.” He turned to Selah. “As long as it’s all right with you.”


  Selah nodded, but she was confused. She wouldn’t say no to him since he was her boss and this was her first day of work, but she was stunned that he was willing to ride with her after what he’d said to Delilah yesterday. He was a confusing man.

  “Are you sure?”

  To Selah’s surprise, Delilah’s words were directed to her. She looked genuinely concerned for some reason. “Ya. I’m sure.”

  Her expression relaxed. “Then it’s settled. Danki, Selah, and I’ll see you tomorrow at seven sharp. I’ll arrange to have a taxi pick up both of you at nine.” She left the lobby.

  Selah turned to see Levi looking at her. He didn’t say anything, and neither did she. She realized this would be the perfect time to return his handkerchief and money, so she started to reach into her pocket.

  “How did you survive yer first day?”

  Surprised by the question, she said, “Fine. Although yer grossmutter is particular about how she wants things done.”

  “Nitpicky is what we call it.” He stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. “She can be a tyrant sometimes, among other things. But she’s harmless.” He met Selah’s gaze, his eyes serious. “I, uh, want to talk to you about—”

  “I almost forgot.” Delilah barged back into the lobby. “Before you geh, Selah, stop by the kitchen to get yer basket. I put a few treats in there for you and Christian and Ruby to enjoy.”

  Selah smiled, pleasantly surprised. “Danki, Delilah. You didn’t have to do that.”

  With a bright grin, the “tyrant” bustled out of the lobby again.

  Levi glanced at the wood-carved clock on the wall above the woodstove, and Selah followed his gaze. The clock was simple but well made. “It’s quitting time for you,” he said. “I’ll fill out yer time card.” He hesitated. “Do you need a ride home?”

  “I don’t mind walking.”

  “It’s pretty cold out. I can give you a ride.”

  She shook her head. “Danki just the same. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She left the lobby to don her coat, bonnet, and scarf in the mudroom, and then she went to the house to get the basket. On her way home she peeked inside and saw a plate of Christmas sugar cookies and a loaf of bread wrapped in a tea towel. Both smelled yummy.