The Innkeeper's Bride

by Kathleen Fuller

  Chapter 23

  After Cevilla and Richard left, Levi sat on the couch and stared blankly at the empty woodstove. Maybe his family could cut their losses. Sell this place, go back to Wisconsin, tails tucked between their legs. Actually it wouldn’t be embarrassing. People would understand a failed business. They happened all the time. They hadn’t left Wisconsin on bad terms, and he and his father could go back to their jobs in construction as though their time in Birch Creek never happened. That was a more likely scenario than Selah agreeing to work with him again.

  Or maybe he could just leave. His family was settled in this community. It wouldn’t be fair for them to give up because of his mistakes. If he wasn’t here, Selah would come back, and they could all move forward.

  He looked around at the place he and his family had created. He loved the inn, and even though the work had been challenging and they had yet to see much success, being here felt right. He couldn’t walk away from it. He was stupid and cowardly to think he could.

  “Hey, Levi.” His father walked into the lobby. He was still using his cane, but only when he was away from the inn or the house.

  Levi straightened and managed a smile. “Back from Barton so soon?”

  Daed looked confused as he sat down next to him. “Not really. I expected to be back by lunchtime.”

  It was already noon? He glanced at the clock. Twelve thirty. How long had he been moping about Selah? Then again, he still didn’t understand why she believed he’d been telling his family there could be something between them. That’s what she’d accused him of just before she quit. He’d avoided telling anyone how he felt about her, but he must have done something for her to believe he had.

  “I think it was a good trip,” Daed was saying. “I visited some of the businesses downtown, dropped off our business cards and brochures, and talked up the inn. Some folks hadn’t even known we existed. I think word of mouth is going to work better for us than any advertising in the paper. We just have to get some more guests here and encourage them to spread the word.”

  Levi nodded, a knot forming in his stomach. He had to tell his father about the reviews. After he explained what happened and who was responsible, he added, “It’s not Jackson’s fault. He didn’t know what his father was doing until he saw the reviews. He’s been working to get them taken down.”

  His father stared straight ahead, rubbing his healing leg. “Do you think the reviews are the reason we haven’t had much business?”

  “Besides it being the winter season, ya.” He shook his head. “There are probably other reasons too.”

  “I agree.” Daed clapped his hands on his legs and looked at Levi, his expression full of determination. “We don’t need to worry about those reviews. We just have to do the work God has given us and do it honestly and diligently. That’s our responsibility. God will see the rest through.”

  Levi nodded. “That leads me to something else.” He explained Cevilla and Richard’s visit. “Daed, it’s mei fault Selah left. I’d rather not geh into details about that, but I’m not sure I can convince her to come back. Yet they said they wouldn’t have the wedding here if she didn’t participate. That’s their condition.”

  “I see.” Daed pressed his lips together. “Does yer grossmutter have anything to do with this?”

  “I don’t think so. She hasn’t said anything about Selah since she left.”

  Daed paused again. “I don’t like conditions,” he said. “This seems a bit manipulative.”

  “They’re right about Selah, though. She planned Richard’s surprise supper mostly herself. Grossmutter, Nina, and I just executed her plan. She’s really gut at making an event special.”

  “She also seemed to enjoy it, from what little I saw.” Daed sighed. “I’m going to leave this up to you, sohn. If you feel pressured to talk to Selah, then I’ll have a word with Cevilla.”

  That would be the easy way out. But Levi couldn’t allow his father to get him off the hook. And he did owe Selah a huge apology. More than one. “I’ll geh see Selah. I just can’t promise she’ll agree to come back.”

  “If she doesn’t, we’ll figure out something else. I can’t believe Cevilla and Richard will find another place for their wedding if Selah isn’t involved. After all, it’s her choice whether or not to work at the inn.” Daed looked at him. “Levi, if you ever need to talk about what happened with her, I’m here. Women are hard to figure out.”

  “Even Mamm?”

  “She had her moments.” His eyes grew wistful. “So did I. But she accepted me for who I am, warts and all, and I accepted her.” He smiled. “That’s what you do when you love someone.” He got up from the couch. “I’m ready for lunch. See you back at the haus?”

  Levi nodded, but he held back for a minute. He’d go see Selah this afternoon, hoping she’d be home. And he prayed that she would at least be open to listening to him. If not, then at least he would have tried.

  * * *

  Selah waved to Cevilla and Richard as he pulled his car out of her driveway, a big smile on her face. They had worked things out, and now they were getting married. Richard had even said he was going to get rid of his car by the end of the week. “I’m ready to start my new life,” he said, looking at Cevilla with love in his eyes.

  “We both are.” She patted his knee and then looked at Selah. “We wanted to tell you about the wedding in person. You put so much thought and care into our Valentine’s Day supper—”

  “We’re sorry about what happened,” Richard added. “That wasn’t our best evening together.”

  Cevilla gave him a curt look and then continued. “Anyway, because of that we wanted you to be among the first people to know.” She glanced up at the clock on the wall. “Oh, Richard, look at the time. I didn’t realize how late it was. We must be going, Selah. Sorry for the short visit.” They both slowly got to their feet.

  “I’m happy for you,” Selah said.

  “Thank you.” Cevilla smiled. “Love is in the air, Selah Ropp.” She winked at her, and then she and Richard left.

  Selah wasn’t sure what Cevilla meant. Both she and Richard could be a bit perplexing. She went back into the house and slipped on her coat, bonnet, and boots, intending to take a long walk.

  The ground outside was dry, but the overcast sky seemed to threaten rain or even snow. She wouldn’t let that stop her, though. She couldn’t spend another minute in the house, her thoughts bouncing back and forth, trying to figure out what she was going to do about getting a new job.

  She stepped outside, but then she halted. Levi was walking up the driveway. What was he doing here? What was she going to do? Go back inside? Wait on him? She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. No need to get worked up—yet. But lately Levi gave her plenty of reason to. She would wait on him, but she wouldn’t go meet him.

  “Hey,” he said as he stopped in front of her. He looked down and pressed his toe against the grass in the yard. “Looks like you’re going somewhere.”

  “I am.” No need to tell him she was still at loose ends.

  “Guess mei timing isn’t that great. I won’t keep you.” He finally met her gaze.

  Her heart seemed to flip in her chest. He was still so attractive to her that her knees almost buckled. She’d never had such a strong reaction to a man—ever. Her attraction to him cut through her anger and disappointment. She lifted her chin, determined to keep the lid on her emotions tight. “How can I help you?”

  “By coming back to work at the inn,” he blurted. “I’m not going to beat around the bush, Selah. I don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but Cevilla and Richard are getting married. They want to have their wedding at the inn, and they also want you to plan it. In fact, they insist on it.” He paused, still looking at her. “I know you’re upset with me enough to have quit, but I’m asking you to look past that and work for us again, at least until after this wedding. I won’t be involved in the planning, if that helps you make a decision. You’ll be working with Ni
na and Grossmutter. And I’ll stay out of yer way.”

  She frowned. “Cevilla and Richard stopped by earlier to tell me they were engaged, but they didn’t say anything about wanting me to help with their wedding.”

  Levi shrugged. “You never know with those two.” He met her gaze. “I’ll give you some time to think about it.”

  “I don’t have to.” She wasn’t going to let her personal problems get in the way of her friends’ happiness—and she still needed a job. She’d make this work. “I’d be honored to help make the plans for Richard and Cevilla. So I’ll come back at least until after the wedding, as long as it’s okay with you—I mean with yer familye.”

  “Of course it’s okay.” Sincerity radiated from his eyes and words. Then his expression grew impassive again. “We appreciate it. This event will help the business.”

  Business. It was always about business with him—except when it wasn’t. “I understand. When do you want me to start?”

  “Tomorrow. I’ll let the familye know. You can resume yer regular hours.”

  “All right.”

  He looked at her again, and she thought she saw his stone-faced expression slip. But it must have been her imagination, because he turned on his heel and left.

  She sat down on the front stoop, the cold concrete seeping through her coat and dress, her walk forgotten. She had her job back, at least temporarily, and she would be working solely with Nina and Delilah on the wedding plans, which was great. She did enjoy planning the Valentine’s Day supper, and she already had a couple of ideas about the wedding.

  She should be happy that this had all fallen into place. But she wasn’t.

  * * *

  Jackson returned to Stoll Inn right before supper. He wasn’t in the mood for company, having driven all over Amish Country that afternoon, trying to squash his anger. He’d stopped on one of the back roads in Holmes County, pulled over to the side, and stepped out of the car. On both sides of the road were rolling farms, waiting for the weather and ground to warm up enough for planting. He saw Amish homes in the distance, all similar to the Stoll family’s house and other homes he’d seen in Birch Creek.

  He breathed in the crisp air, and although he was still hurt and upset, he felt some of the tension release from his shoulders. Growing up in northeast Ohio, he had always taken Amish Country for granted and never been interested in visiting here or taking stock of the slower pace of life. But that had changed. Being here didn’t make his relationship with his father better, but getting away from the noise and stress of his life did ease the strain, if only temporarily.

  While he was on the road, he’d even given a fleeting thought to trying church. Not an Amish church, of course, but maybe a regular one. The Stolls must be rubbing off on me. But religion had never been a part of his life, and he wasn’t sure it mattered anyway. One thing for sure, though, it mattered to the Stolls. He’d had a good view of how they lived, and the image they presented to him the first day he’d stepped foot into the inn wasn’t any different from the one he saw when he was in their home. None of them had ranted and raved about the fact that guests had been nearly nonexistent, and he knew they had to have extra bills because of Loren’s surgery. Yet they went about their lives with patient faith. Maybe there was something to this God thing after all, at least for them.

  When he walked into the inn, Loren was just coming out of the office. “How was your day?” he asked, genuine interest in his eyes.

  What a difference from how his father talked to him. “Okay. I got some job leads to pursue tomorrow.” He wasn’t about to reveal the disaster of a relationship he had with his dad. What relationship? He was pretty sure it was nonexistent now.

  “Excellent. Will you join us for supper tonight? Or did you already eat?”

  A little while ago he hadn’t wanted company. Now he realized he didn’t want to be alone. “I haven’t eaten, so yeah, I’d like that. Thanks.”

  He walked with Loren to the house and listened as he told him about the wedding for that elderly couple Levi had introduced him to that morning. “They’re over eighty years old,” he said. “They have more energy than I do some days, though.”

  As they entered the kitchen, the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread hit him. His stomach growled, and he realized he hadn’t eaten lunch.

  Loren went to the stove and peeked into the stewpot on one of the gas burners. “Jackson’s joining us. What’s for supper?”

  “Vegetable beef stew and the bread I just made,” Delilah said, tapping him on the arm. “Now put that lid back on.”

  The back door to the kitchen opened, and Levi walked in from the mudroom. The bustling in the kitchen stopped as Loren, Nina, and Delilah looked at him.

  “You’ve been gone a long time,” Loren said.

  “I had some thinking to do.”

  “Did that thinking include Selah?”

  Jackson frowned. He knew Selah had quit—rather angrily. He’d been right there when it happened, and Levi had seemed stunned. Whatever was going on was none of his business, so Jackson had just left, no questions asked. But that was days ago. Had something else happened while he was gone today? Everyone suddenly seemed on edge.

  “I saw her.” Levi sat down at the table. He looked tired and downtrodden. Very much unlike himself.

  Nina sat next to him. “What did she say?”

  Loren must have filled everyone in on Cevilla’s request. “I told her Cevilla wants her to plan her wedding here at the inn, and she agreed to come back to work for us so she can. She’ll be here in the morning.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Nina grinned, but she looked a little confused. “Then what’s got you looking like you just lost your best friend?”

  “Nina,” Loren said. “I think the rolls are done.”

  “They’ve got two more minutes, Dad.”

  “Nina.” Delilah picked up her spoon and stirred the stew again. “Get the butter out of the pantry.”

  “I’ll go wash up.” Levi got up from the table and left.

  Jackson watched him leave. Something was definitely going on with him and Selah. “I should probably do the same,” he said, following Levi out of the kitchen. He hurried to catch up to him before he went into the downstairs bathroom. “Hey,” he said. “Everything all right?”

  “Yep.” His smile was less than halfhearted. “It’s all great.”

  “Are all you Amish bad at lying?”

  Levi let out a bitter laugh. “I hope so, since we’re supposed to be honest.” He glanced down at the floor. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

  “About Selah.”

  He looked at Jackson. “It’s that obvious, huh?”

  “Kind of. Plus, I was there when she quit, remember? Whatever’s going on, have you thought about talking it out with her?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “What relationship isn’t?”

  Levi shook his head. “We don’t have a relationship.”

  “And that’s where I think you have a problem.” He clapped the man on the shoulder. “I’m not an expert on women or anything, but if you need to talk about it, I’m here.”

  Levi nodded. “I appreciate that. I’ll wash up upstairs.”

  As Jackson watched him go, he tried to figure out what had possessed him to be Levi’s listening ear. Levi had called him a friend when he introduced him to that older couple, and the family did treat him like a friend, but Jackson didn’t do friendship. He was a loner, some of it forced on him because of family, the rest because he chose to be. But for some reason he’d been compelled to reach out to Levi. He just hoped the guy didn’t think he was a weirdo for doing so.

  After supper, Jackson was invited to join Loren, Nina, and Delilah in their living room, but Levi went upstairs for the night. Loren read the paper, Delilah sewed, and Nina looked through a magazine. Normally Jackson would pull out his phone and surf social media, but he kept it in his pocket and picked up a newspaper from the basket by the co
ffee table. The Budget. He started to read, soon engrossed in the comings and goings of the Amish from all over the nation. It was like a paper version of social media for the Amish.

  There was a knock on the front door, and Loren went to answer it.

  “Is Jackson here?”

  Jackson’s head jerked up at the sound of his father’s voice. Oh no. He shot up from the chair and rushed to the door. “Loren, this is my father, Trevor Talbot,” he said quickly. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

  His father looked even worse than he had earlier in the day, if that was possible. He nodded at Loren and then said to Jackson, “Can we talk? Outside?”

  His guard up, Jackson moved out to the small front porch, which was much like the larger porch in front of the inn. Loren closed the door behind them, and Jackson and his father walked away from the house. With spring’s arrival came more evening daylight, and he searched his father’s eyes, looking for signs that he’d been drinking and driving. But although he looked wrung out, he wasn’t wild-eyed, and Jackson couldn’t smell any alcohol. Thank God. That still didn’t mean he wasn’t here to make trouble. “What do you want?”

  “Lois quit.”

  “She did?” Jackson said, surprised.

  “She’s been threatening to for years. I guess our fight today was the last straw.”

  “So you want me to convince her to come back to the hotel? To tell her everything’s all right and she doesn’t have to quit?” He shook his head. “Forget it. I’m not lying on your behalf. You want her back, you convince her.”

  “I will.” His father grew quiet and averted his gaze. “She really cares about you. I didn’t realize that until today.”

  “She’s a good woman.” A lump formed in Jackson’s throat. Over the years Lois had been a bigger presence in his life than his own mother. “You don’t treat her right.”

  “She made that clear. She also made it clear that I don’t treat you the way I should.” He paused. “She’s right about that too.”