[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Titus handed Allen a cup of coffee and motioned for him to take a seat at the table. “If my folks saw where I’m living, Dad would probably say it was the kind of challenge I need, and that it would do me good to rough it for a while. But if Mom saw the way the trailer looks, especially the kitchen, she’d get all worked up and insist that I come right home.”

  Allen chuckled. “Most mothers are like that where their kids are concerned. They don’t want to see them go through any trials or deal with hardships.” He blew on his coffee, then took a sip. “When I left Washington to move here, my mother fussed and carried on like I was moving to a foreign country where nobody spoke English and no one had indoor plumbing.”

  Titus grimaced. “When I first laid eyes on this place, I had my doubts about whether there was indoor plumbing. Figured for sure I’d be stuck using an outhouse and would have to take a bath in a galvanized tub.”

  “I guess in some parts of the country that’s still how it is,” Allen said, “but most of the Amish, as well as the Horse and Buggy Mennonites who live around here, have indoor plumbing. Although I do know of a few women in the area who do their laundry in a tub outside.”

  Titus’s eyebrows furrowed as he stared into his coffee. “My mom wouldn’t like that, and most of the Amish women I know wouldn’t either.” His thoughts went to Phoebe. He was sure that she’d never put up with such primitive conditions. She didn’t even like using her mother’s gas-powered wringer washer, which they kept in the basement. She’d sometimes taken her clothes to one of the local Laundromats in Lancaster County, saying it was easier, and that the clothes came out softer when they’d been dried in an automatic dryer, rather than on a line.

  “Why the furrowed brows?” Allen asked Titus.

  “I was just thinking about having to wash clothes in a tub outside. Since there’s no gas-powered washing machine here in the trailer, I’ll probably have to look for a Laundromat someplace nearby.”

  “There’s none close that I know of, but there are a few in Hopkinsville,” Allen said. “If you can’t get to town often enough to keep clean clothes in your closet, you could always wash them in the bathtub, I guess.”

  Titus shook his head. “Not if I can help it.”

  “Then maybe you’d better find yourself a wife who’s willing to wash your clothes.”

  “No way! I’m not interested in marrying anyone right now.” He glanced out the window toward the barn. “I am interested in the old buggy I discovered the other day, though.”

  “What buggy?”

  “Found it in the barn, under a tarp. It’s in pretty bad shape, so it’ll need some work to make it useable, but if you’re willing to sell it for a reasonable price, I’d be interested in buying it from you.”

  Allen looked at Titus like he’d taken leave of his senses. “Why would I want to sell you an old, beat-up buggy?”

  “Figured since you own this place, the buggy’s yours.”

  “Legally it is, but I wouldn’t think of charging you for the buggy. Especially since you’ve had to put up with this dump of a house for the last several days.” He made a sweeping gesture encompassing the kitchen. “The buggy’s yours to do with as you wish.”

  Titus smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”

  The clip-clop of horses’ hooves could be heard coming up the driveway.

  “Sounds like the workers are starting to arrive.” Allen pushed his chair aside and stood. “Guess I’d better get out there and hand out the supplies I brought with me today. Then I’m gonna roll up my sleeves and get busy with the others so we can make this place livable.”

  Titus glanced at his bowl of cereal, mostly uneaten and now turned soggy. He guessed he’d better not take the time to eat the rest of it. If the others were about to start working, it wouldn’t look right if he didn’t make an appearance right away. Besides, he was eager to get started and looked forward to seeing how much they could accomplish in one day.

  When Titus stepped outside, he was surprised to see how many Amish men and women had come to help. Allen introduced him to Emmanuel Schwartz, the buggy maker, and Titus asked about getting new wheels and some other things for the buggy he wanted to fix.

  “Jah, sure, I’ve got all kinds of wheels,” Emmanuel said with a grin that revealed a couple of missing teeth. “You come by my shop anytime, and I’ll let you choose.”

  “I’ll do that as soon as I find the time,” Titus said with a nod. He moved on and met the man who owned the lumber mill in the area, an elderly couple who owned a greenhouse, and a widowed woman who ran a bookstore, as well as several other people. It didn’t take him long to realize that the folks in this community were friendly and eager to help out.

  He was about to grab a hammer and join some of the men who were tearing off his old roof when he spotted Suzanne’s friend Esther heading his way.

  “Hello, Titus, it’s nice to see you,” she said.

  He gave a nod. “Nice to see you, too.”

  She smiled, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “My folks couldn’t be here today, but I came to do some cleaning inside and help feed everyone.”

  Titus’s stomach rumbled at the mention of being fed. He should have gotten up earlier so he’d have had more time to eat a decent breakfast.

  “I made some raisin bread, and Rebekah, who owns a bakeshop, brought doughnuts and cinnamon rolls, so whenever anyone needs a break, we’ll have everything set up over there.” Esther pointed to the tables that had been placed under the maple tree in the middle of the yard, where several women scurried about.

  Titus was tempted to head over there, but he knew he really ought to get some work done before he took a break.

  As if sensing his dilemma, Esther smiled and said, “Why don’t you come over and sample some of my bread now? If you wait too long, it might be gone.”

  Titus’s growling stomach finally won out. “Guess it wouldn’t hurt if I had one piece of bread. Might give me more energy to work.”

  They walked through the tall grass and visited a few minutes while Titus ate, not one, but two pieces of her moist and tasty raisin bread. Esther not only had a pretty face, but she could obviously cook. “This is really good,” he said, smacking his lips.

  Esther smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”

  When Suzanne climbed down from the buggy behind her mother, she spotted Esther standing under a maple tree, talking to Titus. I’ll bet Esther’s happy, she thought. She’s finally getting to spend a few minutes alone with Titus. Once he finds out what a good cook she is, he’ll probably want to court her.

  Mom handed Suzanne a container full of peanut butter cookies. “Would you please take these over to the food table? I’m going inside to see what needs to be done.”

  “Why don’t you take the cookies to the table, and I’ll go inside and see what needs to be done?” Suzanne suggested. She really didn’t want to be here at all. She’d been hoping she could stay home so she could go out to the woodshop and fiddle around. With Nelson and Grandpa at the work frolic, they’d have been none the wiser. But no, Mom had insisted the whole family come to help out.

  “I see Esther over there,” Mom said. “Wouldn’t you like to visit with her?”

  Normally, Suzanne would have enjoyed chatting with Esther, but she didn’t want to interrupt the conversation between her friend and Titus.

  “Go on now.” Mom gave Suzanne a little nudge. “When you and Esther are done visiting, you can come help with whatever needs to be done in the house.”

  Suzanne hurried across the yard, and as she set the cookies on the table, she heard Titus mention something about finding an old buggy in the barn that he planned to fix up as soon as he found the time. Esther seemed to be hanging on his every word, and Suzanne wasn’t about to interrupt.

  By this time next year, they’ll probably be planning a wedding, Suzanne thought as she leaned against the table. I, on the other hand, will probably never find a man willing to marry me. Why can’t men see
that there’s more to a woman than a pretty face or the ability to cook? Why can’t they be interested in someone who likes to hunt, fish, hike in the woods, or work with wood?

  Suzanne was about to head for the trailer, when Esther touched her arm. “Have you been standing there long?”

  “Uh … no, not really.” Suzanne motioned to the peanut butter cookies. “Just came over to add those to the rest of the baked goods setting out.”

  “Did you bake them?” Esther asked.

  “No, my mamm did.” Suzanne hoped Esther wouldn’t say anything about her cooking skills—or rather, the lack of them—in front of Titus. From the way he sometimes looked at her, she figured he already thought she was stupid and incapable.

  “How are things going with Callie?” Suzanne asked Titus, after he’d helped himself to a cup of coffee. “Since you haven’t brought her back to our place, I take it you’ve decided to keep her?”

  “Haven’t been able to catch the critter. So I suppose I’ll have to let her stay.” Titus frowned. “She found her way into the house last night, and I discovered her sleeping in the bathroom sink this morning.”

  Suzanne bit back a chuckle. “Callie’s always liked to sleep in strange places. Even when she was a kitten, I never knew where I might find her.”

  “I don’t care where she sleeps, as long as it’s not in the trailer.”

  “Don’t you like cats?” Esther asked.

  “Nope, I sure don’t.”

  “How come?”

  “They bite and scratch. One nearly took off my finger when I was a kinner, and I’ve tried to stay away from cats ever since.”

  “Not all cats bite and scratch,” Suzanne said. “And those that do usually have a good reason.”

  “Humph!” Titus held up his hand. “There was no good reason for your stupid cat to bite me the other day.” He set his cup on the table. “I’d better get to work. It was nice talking to you, Esther. Oh, and thanks for that great-tasting raisin bread.”

  As Titus walked away, Suzanne gritted her teeth. He’d worn a frown on his face throughout most of their conversation, but when he talked to Esther he was all smiles. He was obviously attracted to Esther, and Suzanne had no problem with that. What she didn’t understand was what he had against her.

  CHAPTER 11

  The air rang with shouts and sounds of carpenters and roofers, the chatter of children, and the laughter of women who’d come to help at the work frolic. By noon, a good many repairs to the trailer had been completed. They had removed the old roof and put on a new one, repaired both front and back screen doors, replaced most of the boards on the porch, cut the overgrown lawn, and weeded quite a bit.

  The inside of the trailer looked much better, too. Volunteers had given the home a thorough cleaning, replaced hinges on the broken cabinet doors, re-covered the living room furniture, and brought in a better mattress for Titus’s bed. Someone had also given him two sets of sheets, as well as several towels and washcloths. His cupboards and refrigerator had been stocked with plenty of food. Titus was amazed at the generosity of these people, some of whom he hadn’t met before.

  As he sat at one of the tables on the lawn, enjoying the variety of sandwiches and salads the women served, he decided that he might have made a good decision moving to Kentucky. Things had gone well with his job at the woodshop so far; the trailer, while not in the best condition, was now livable; and he’d made some new friends. He’d show his folks that he was able to make it on his own. He’d show them, as well as the rest of his family, that Timothy wasn’t the only one who could succeed.

  Titus glanced over at Esther, as she poured him another cup of coffee and smiled. I know I said I wasn’t interested in getting married, but if I were to start courting a woman from Kentucky, and eventually got married, that would let everyone at home know I’ve settled down and made a life of my own. Of course, he reasoned, I’ll have to get Phoebe out of my system before I can even think about marriage.

  As the noon meal was being served, Suzanne noticed how Esther was conveniently pouring beverages at the table where Titus sat between Nelson and Allen. She’d seen Esther talk to Titus several times during the morning, making it obvious that she was interested in him. If Esther wasn’t careful, she might chase him away with her boldness.

  Suzanne plunked down on a bench next to her mother. “Sure has turned into a warm day,” she commented.

  Mom nodded. “I thought you were going to help serve the beverages.”

  “Esther’s doing that.”

  “She’s serving coffee but not lemonade. Since the weather’s turned warm, I’m sure some of the men would rather have something cold to drink.”

  Suzanne shrugged.

  “Why don’t you carry the jug of lemonade around to the tables and see?”

  “All right, but I’d better get a sandwich, before they’re all gone.” Suzanne plucked a ham sandwich off the platter closest to her and plopped it on her plate. Then she grabbed two of the peanut butter cookies Mom had made, as well as a handful of potato chips. “I’ll be back soon,” she said, rising from her bench.

  Suzanne hurried to the table where the beverages sat and picked up the jug of lemonade. After she’d served the two tables nearest her, she made her way over to the table where Titus sat. “Would anyone like some lemonade?” she asked.

  Nelson and Allen both nodded, so she poured some into their cups.

  “How about you?” she asked Titus.

  “Sure,” he replied without making eye contact.

  Not this again. Suzanne lifted the jug, and was about to pour some into his cup, when Nelson turned in his seat and bumped her arm.

  Whoosh! Lemonade splashed all over the front of Titus’s shirt.

  “Were you trying to drown me?” Titus sputtered.

  “I’m sorry. Nelson bumped my arm, and—”

  Before Suzanne could finish her sentence, Titus abruptly got up and headed for the trailer, mumbling something about how clumsy she was.

  That’s just great, she thought with regret. At the rate things are going, Titus will never look at me with anything but disgust.

  CHAPTER 12

  For the next two weeks whenever Titus had a free moment, he worked on the old buggy he’d found. He still preferred to ride Lightning to work every day, but when it came to grocery shopping or hauling anything big, having a buggy was a good thing.

  As Titus made his way to the kitchen one morning, he felt thankful once again for all the repairs and cleaning that had been done to the trailer. He’d met so many good people the day of the work frolic and again the next day when they’d met for church at the bishop’s house.

  This coming Saturday would be his day off, and he thought he might like to saddle Lightning and take a ride for a better look around the area. It would be good to do something fun for a change. His new job was working out well, and both Isaac and Nelson seemed to be pleased with Titus’s carpentry skills. Unless he messed up and did something stupid, it looked like his position in the woodshop would be permanent.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Titus went to see who it was. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Suzanne standing on the porch, holding a flat of primroses.

  “I thought you might like to have a little color in your front flower bed,” she said. “Even though the weeds are gone, it looks kind of bare.”

  “I guess it does.” He scuffed the toe of his boot along the threshold, not knowing what else to say. By now he ought to be used to seeing Suzanne, since she often came out to the woodshop to sweep the floors or bring them lunch. But each time he saw her, she either said or did something to irritate him. Was it because seeing her still made him think of Phoebe?

  “So, is it all right if I plant the flowers?” Suzanne asked.

  “Sure.” He turned and was about to step back into the house, when she said, “Have I done something to offend you, Titus?”

  Titus whirled around and blinked a couple of times. The sunlight brought out
the glints of gold in Suzanne’s auburn hair. “Wh–what do you mean?” he stuttered.

  “You usually don’t say more than a few words to me, and when you do, you rarely look right at me.”

  He forced himself to meet her gaze. “I’m lookin’ at you now.”

  She gave a nod. “I might think you were still irritated about the lemonade bath I gave you the day of the work frolic, but you’ve acted strangely toward me since the first day we met, and I’d like to know why.”

  Her piercing blue eyes seemed to bore right through him, and he quickly looked away. “I’ve forgotten all about the lemonade.”