Chapter 22
Delilah tried to focus on Freemont’s sermon on Sunday. He was preaching for Timothy Glick, who was visiting his family in Lancaster with his wife and sons. The sermon focused on God’s will, a topic she, and all Amish, was familiar with. Living according to the Lord’s will and believing it was his will no matter what happened, good or bad, was the Amish way.
But this morning she was struggling to understand. She’d gone through worse in her life. The poverty of her childhood, which had been extreme because of the strict community she had grown up in. The death of her husband and leaving his grave behind when she moved from Wisconsin. Trying to be a mother to two stubborn grandchildren, who while growing into fine adults were hopeless when it came to finding spouses. Yet for some reason, Selah quitting had put her over the edge.
She couldn’t stem her disappointment. She had known deep in her heart that Selah and Levi were meant for each other. She had also felt like Selah was already becoming a part of their family.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord”—Freemont looked over the community members seated in Hezekiah Detweiler’s barn—“Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
I could use some peace too. She had been so sure about Levi and Selah, and she had followed Cevilla’s advice about letting God oversee their relationship. The result? They were further apart than ever.
She didn’t feel much like socializing after the service. Neither did Levi, apparently. He was standing just outside the barn but not engaging with anyone. She’d never seen him hold himself back during a social situation, which increased her worry. He was already quiet and sullen at home. Loren was subdued, too, and Delilah knew he was concerned about the bills and their lack of guests. Only Nina, who was talking to Ira near Hezekiah’s optics shop, seemed to be behaving normally. But she was also overly quiet at home.
She saw Cevilla coming toward her, and she was tempted to pretend she didn’t see her and go to the buggy. But when Cevilla waved at her, she tossed the idea aside.
“Delilah!” Cevilla was beaming. She also had a pep in her step Delilah certainly hadn’t seen the day before. She smiled a little. She’d tired of waiting for Cevilla to return home and left, but forcing her to hash things out with Richard must have worked.
“Mei goodness,” Cevilla said, sounding a little out of breath. “What are you doing all the way over here by yerself? Usually you’re right in the middle of everything.”
“We have a guest at home.” Delilah hadn’t planned to use Jackson as an excuse, especially since he wasn’t at the inn right now. He’d left in his car right before they’d departed, not saying where he was going. Delilah got the impression that he didn’t attend church. She wasn’t sure he even believed in God. Perhaps she could have a discussion with him about that while he was staying at the inn. He was a nice young man, and he seemed interested in what she had to say—when it came to recipes, anyway.
“Oh? That’s gut news.”
She nodded her head and then said, “You look chipper.”
“And you don’t.” Cevilla frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nix. You and Richard worked things out?”
Smiling, she nodded. “We did. And I want to thank you. We’d probably still be giving each other the silent treatment instead of”—she leaned forward and whispered—“getting married!”
Delilah tried to show enthusiasm. She wasn’t envious of her friend’s happiness. She had loved Wayne deeply, and she’d never find another man like him. But although she was happy for Cevilla, it was difficult to show it. Cevilla didn’t seem to notice, though. That was good, because she’d always been an open book when it came to her emotions.
“Please don’t mention it to yer familye yet,” Cevilla said. “We still have to tell Noah and Ivy. But I didn’t want to miss telling you that we want our wedding to be at the inn.”
That got Delilah’s full attention. “You do?”
“Ya. Both our hauses are too small, and we think the inn will be the perfect place. We were thinking about late March or early April. And we’d like Selah to plan it.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Cevilla lifted a brow. “You don’t want us to get married at yer inn?”
“Nee, not that. Of course we’ll host yer wedding. But Selah quit.”
“Nee,” Cevilla said.
“Ya. Out of the blue.” Delilah patted Cevilla’s arm. “But don’t you worry, mei familye and I will make sure yer wedding is perfect.”
“I’m not worried about that.” She frowned. “Selah quit. I can’t believe it. Did it have something to do with Levi?”
“I think so. She didn’t say, and he’s not talking.” She glanced at him, seeing that he’d made his way to the buggy, just as eager to get home as she was.
“Humph.” Cevilla tapped her cane on the grass. “We can’t have that, can we?”
Delilah looked at her. “Nee interference, remember?”
“Oh. I did say that, didn’t I?” She frowned. “Then we’ll have to find a way to get them together without interfering.”
“How?”
Cevilla grinned. “Leave that to me.”
* * *
Levi picked up the last shovelful of manure and added it to the large pile behind the barn. Seth would pick it up later in his wagon to use as fertilizer on his family’s farm. That was a good solution to one of their dilemmas. They couldn’t have a smelly pile of manure within the proximity of the inn, especially during the summer.
He finished cleaning the barn and then took a shower. After getting dressed, he headed to the inn. There wasn’t much else to do since Jackson was still their only guest, and it was already Wednesday. When he walked into the lobby, he saw Jackson sitting at one of the empty tables, his laptop open.
“How’s it going?” Levi said.
“All right, I guess.” He gestured for Levi to sit down. “Still looking for a job. There’s a lot of part-time work out there, but I really need full-time.”
“What about your business?”
“I have to set that aside for a while. I’m not making any money right now, and that’s my priority.”
Levi scratched his chin, an idea coming to him. “You said part-time jobs are available? What kind?”
Jackson listed a few jobs—convenience store clerk, fast-food worker, and delivery driver. “There’s also a job opening for a warehouse stocker at the discount department store in Barton.”
“That might work,” Levi said.
“Are you looking for a job?” Jackson looked surprised.
Levi nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it. There’s not much maintenance to do here right now, and Dad’s back managing the inn and doesn’t need help.” He didn’t add that they could use the money Levi would bring in from an outside job, which was his primary reason for wanting to get one.
“You can apply online.” Jackson turned the computer around so Levi could see the screen.
Levi looked at the unfamiliar machine. He’d used a computer exactly one time in his life, at the library to search for a book when the librarian was too busy to help him find the one he wanted. “Is this the only way to apply?”
“For this job, yes. Most places require online applications.”
He pushed the computer back. “Then I can’t apply.”
“Is that a church rule?”
“You could say that.” He frowned. Getting a job in the English world was more difficult than he thought. No wonder Selah had wanted to keep her job here. Had she found another one? He had no idea. He hadn’t talked to her since she quit, and they had avoided each other at church.
“I have a way to get around that,” Jackson said. “You give me the information for the application, and I’ll type it in.”
Levi thought for a minute. “I think that will work. Thanks.”
They spent the next fifteen minutes filling out the application, which
was surprisingly extensive. The inn’s application for the maid job had been one handwritten page.
“Done,” Jackson said, hitting a button. “And sent. Now you just have to wait until they call you for an interview.”
Levi nodded as the front door opened and Cevilla walked in, Richard behind her. Levi got up from the table to greet them. “Hello,” he said. “Nice to see you two smiling. I guess you worked things out.”
“We did.” Cevilla looked up at Richard, who was also grinning. Then she looked at Levi. “We would like to discuss a possible event at your inn.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “A wedding, perhaps?”
“Bingo,” Richard said.
“Great. Dad’s not here, though,” he said, still speaking English for Richard’s benefit as well as Jackson’s. “He went to Barton this morning, but he should be back later this afternoon.”
“Actually, we want to talk to you.” Cevilla smiled, a twinkle in her blue eyes.
“I’ll make myself scarce.” Jackson shut the laptop. “Lois has been asking me to stop by for a visit anyway.” He put the computer in his bag and got up from the table.
“Cevilla and Richard, this is Jackson Talbot.” Levi motioned for Jackson to come over. “He’s a guest here, and he’s also a friend.”
Jackson grinned and held out his hand to both of them. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Richard said, shaking his hand. “Good strong grip. I like that.”
“Thanks.” He looked at Levi. “I’ll be back later.” He gave Cevilla and Richard a little wave and then walked out the front door.
Levi showed the couple to an empty table and then asked if they wanted any coffee or tea. “Not right now,” Cevilla said. She pointed to the chair across from her. “Sit.”
He complied, feeling a little intimidated by a woman who was half his height and close to four times his age. “You sure you don’t want to talk to Dad? Or Grandmother?”
“We’re sure, son.” Richard turned to Cevilla. “My fiancée has some specific ideas about our wedding, and what she says goes.”
That didn’t surprise Levi one bit. “All right, Cevilla. What are your ideas?”
“First, we’d like to get married at the end of this month or in early April. A Tuesday, of course, and outside if the weather is nice.”
This sounded typical to him. He’d never planned a wedding, but he’d been to a few.
“Of course, we would rent the inn again,” Richard said.
“That’s not necessary. We wouldn’t charge for your wedding.”
“I insist, though. You’ll be losing income because of us, and I can’t in good conscience let that happen.”
“Always a businessman.” Cevilla patted his hand.
Levi started to protest, but he quickly realized that would be pointless. And they could use the money. “Thank you,” he said.
“Here’s the most important thing.” Cevilla looked him directly in the eye. “We want Selah involved in the planning. Every detail of it.”
Levi blanched. “I’m sorry,” he said, feeling as though his stomach were sinking to his knees, “but she doesn’t work here anymore.”
“Your grandmother told me that on Sunday.” A crafty grin stretched across her face. “I guess you’ll have to convince her to come back.”
Despair seeped through him. Having Cevilla and Richard’s wedding here would not only help them financially but be good marketing. If the wedding went well, perhaps they could book other weddings here. But if Selah’s involvement was the catch, there would be no wedding at Stoll Inn.
Levi turned to Richard, who was gazing intently at the empty tabletop. He suspected something was going on here, but he didn’t speak his thoughts. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“I’m sure you can persuade her, Levi.” She smiled at him again. “Have a little faith.” Cevilla clasped her hands together in a similar fashion to his grandmother, which raised Levi’s suspicions again. Then she said, “You know, I think I do need to speak to Delilah,” and then she slowly got up from the table. “Is she in the house?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll let you two talk for a bit, then.” She touched Richard on the shoulder and then made her way toward the back of the inn.
“I hope she hasn’t put you in too difficult of a position,” Richard said.
Levi shook his head, even though he was telling a bald-faced lie. “If that’s what makes her happy.”
“Trust me, it does.” He sat back in the chair. “I’d love to hear how you came to establish this inn. If you don’t mind. Cevilla’s right, I’m always the businessman.”
“I don’t mind at all.” He was grateful for the diversion. But even he couldn’t muster the optimism to believe that Selah would come back.
* * *
Delilah paced in the kitchen. Cevilla and Richard should be at the inn by now, talking with Levi about the wedding. She had no idea what the woman was up to, other than she was just as determined to get Selah and Levi together as Delilah was. She’d just decided to go to the inn herself when she heard someone come into the back of the house.
“Goodness, it’s brisk outside.” Cevilla shivered as she closed the mudroom door. “Spring is around the corner, but it still feels like winter.”
“What happened?” Delilah gestured for her to come into the kitchen, uninterested in pleasantries.
“My, aren’t we eager.” Cevilla sat down, still wearing her coat. “I made it clear to Levi in no uncertain terms that Selah is to be involved in every aspect of our wedding.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re a genius.”
Cevilla shrugged. “I have mei moments.”
Delilah’s grin faded. “But what if she refuses?”
“She won’t. Trust me.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You don’t have to.” Cevilla patted her arm. “I owed you one.”
* * *
When Jackson arrived at the hotel, he didn’t see his father’s car in the parking lot, but inside he found Lois dusting the flat screen TV in the lobby. She turned when she heard him come in, and then she grinned and hurried over, waving her pink feather duster in the air. “Jackson! I’ve missed you!” She gave him a huge hug, enveloping him in a cloud of perfume.
“I haven’t been gone that long.”
“I know. I was just used to you being around. How are things at Stoll Inn?”
He gave her an update on his living arrangements, not worried that she would say anything to Dad about the inn. Not that there was anything to say. The place was homier than the apartment he’d shared with his father. “Haven’t had much luck in the job department, though.”
“There’s a position available here.”
“Yeah, but no thanks.”
Lois frowned. “I didn’t want to say anything, but . . .” She sighed. “I know you and your father have had problems. We’ve all had problems with him. But I’m worried about him. Did you know he has a new girlfriend?”
“I’m not surprised.”
“She’s younger than what’s-her-face.”
“Ashley.”
“I think she’s younger than you. He’s not breaking the law, if you know what I mean. But still, it’s unseemly. He’s also been coming to work with alcohol on his breath. He never did that before you left.”
A tiny sliver of guilt stabbed him, but he pushed it away. “I’m not my father’s keeper,” he muttered.
“I know. A child shouldn’t parent their parent. But I’m concerned about him. I might fuss and complain, but your father has a good side under all the bad.”
“I haven’t seen it lately.”
Lois put her arm around him. “He’s in the office. Go talk to him.”
He considered refusing her request, but then he rolled his eyes. “Fine. For you.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” She tapped him on the shoulder with her duster and then flounced back to the counter.
Jackson went to the office, stopping before the closed door. He thought about knocking, but then he just barged in. He was shocked by what he saw. His father, usually decently dressed, looked like he’d slept in his clothes. The manicured eyebrows had started to grow in, and Jackson could smell alcohol on him. Lois was right. He looked a mess.
“What are you doing here?” he snarled.
I have no idea. “I came to check on you.”
He took a swig from his mug, and Jackson was sure it held more than coffee. “Go back to that Amish inn. Lois told me you were staying there, you traitor.”
Jackson drew in a deep breath, ready to storm out again. But something held him back. Through the haze of his father’s surly insult, Jackson felt compassion. The man was clearly miserable and determined to make everyone around him feel the same way. “You need help, Dad. Serious help. You can’t keep hurting other people because you’re hurting.”
“I’m fine.” His father started to take another drink.
Jackson grabbed the mug out of his hands. “You call getting sloshed before noon fine?”
“Mind your own business. Isn’t that why you left? You don’t want to be around me anymore?”
“Can you blame me?” Jackson stepped away from the desk.
His father stared at him, his body trembling. “Get out. Go back to those Amish people you like so much. I never want to see you again.”
The compassion disappeared. Jackson threw the coffee mug in the trash can by the desk. He was so angry and hurt he couldn’t say anything. He just rushed out the door and past the front desk.
“Jackson,” Lois called out.
But he didn’t stop. He got in his car and gasped for air. So his father didn’t want to see him again? The feeling was mutual. He threw the car into reverse and squealed out of the parking lot.
He drove without thinking until he found himself back in Birch Creek, and pulled over to the side of the road. His father didn’t want him, and his mother was too busy for him. He was an adult, though, so he shouldn’t care. They lived their lives, and he lived his. “It’s fine,” he said out loud, his throat thick with emotion. “It’s all fine.”
The Innkeeper's Bride Page 23
