A Cousin's Promise

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Jake nodded and swiped a hand across his damp face. Maybe he’d have a chance to ask Loraine out when they got to her place.

  ***

  As Loraine climbed back in her buggy and took up the reins, she thought about the way Jake had looked at her after they’d bumped heads. Had he been about to kiss her? Did she want him to?

  Pushing her thoughts aside, she focused on the road ahead and concentrated on keeping her horse from losing its footing on the slippery, wet pavement. She’d have time to think about all this later on—after she was home safely and had changed out of her wet clothes.

  Loraine was glad Wayne had suggested that Jake follow her home. She didn’t know what she would have done if she’d been all alone when the nut had fallen out of the buggy wheel. If she’d gone much farther with it that way, the wheel would probably have fallen off, and she might have ended up in a serious accident.

  As Loraine approached her folks’ place, she clicked on the right-turn blinker and guided the horse up the driveway. She halted it near the barn, and when she climbed down, she was surprised to see Jake pull his rig in beside hers. She figured he would have gone on his way home once he’d seen her turn up the driveway.

  “Danki for seeing me home,” she said when he stepped up to her. “And again, I appreciate your help with the buggy wheel.”

  “No problem. Glad I could do it.” He fiddled with the flashlight in his hands, turning it over and over a couple of times. “Uh, Loraine, there’s something I want to ask—”

  “What are you two doing out there in the rain?”

  Loraine looked toward the house. There stood Mom with her hands cupped around her mouth.

  “Jake followed me home from the Lambrights’!” Loraine called back.

  “Bring him in for some hot coffee!”

  Loraine looked over at Jake. “What do you think?”

  “I think a cup of coffee sounds pretty good about now,” he said with a nod. “If you want to get in out of this cold, I’ll take care of putting your horse away, and then I’ll be up as soon as I’m done.”

  “I appreciate that.” Loraine shivered. “I really do need to get out of my wet clothes.”

  “You go ahead then, and I’ll be in shortly.”

  Loraine hurried into the house, shivering all the way.

  When she stepped into the kitchen, Mom handed her a towel. “Where’s Jake? Isn’t he coming in for coffee?”

  Jake? Was he all Mom could think about? Didn’t she even care that Loraine was sopping wet and shivering from the cold?

  “Jake’s putting Trixie away for me, and he’ll be in as soon as he’s done.” Loraine turned toward the door leading to the stairs. “I’m going up to my room to change out of these wet clothes.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll set things out and have them on the table by the time you get back.” Mom motioned to the living room door. “Your daed’s in there reading the newspaper. I’ll go see if he wants to join us in the kitchen.”

  “Okay.” Loraine hurried from the room.

  When she returned sometime later, she found Mom, Dad, and Jake sitting at the kitchen table, eating thick slices of apple pie and drinking coffee.

  Mom motioned to the chair next to Jake. “Have a seat, Loraine.”

  Loraine hesitated a minute, then pulled out the chair and sat down.

  “I told your mamm I was awfully wet and probably shouldn’t sit at her table,” Jake said, smiling at Loraine. “But she just plopped a towel down and told me to take a seat and that between the fire in the wood burning stove and a hot cup of coffee, I’d warm up and dry off real quick.”

  Loraine smiled. “The heat from the stove does feel good.”

  Mom handed Loraine a piece of pie. “Jake explained about the missing wheel nut on your buggy.”

  Loraine nodded. “It was Wayne’s idea for Jake to follow me home.”

  “It’s a good thing he did,” Dad said. “Otherwise you might have had a serious problem out on the road by yourself. I’ll have to keep a better check on our buggy wheels from now on. Wouldn’t want to see an accident happen because I was negligent about checking.”

  Mom poured more coffee into Jake’s cup. “Would you like another piece of pie?”

  He nodded with an eager expression. “Jah, sure, why not?”

  “Jake was also telling us that he plans to raise and train horses,” Mom said as she cut a large piece of pie and handed it to Jake.

  “What kind of horses did you say you want to raise?” Dad asked.

  “Standard-bred racing horses, because they’re good for pulling our buggies.” Jake took a drink of coffee and swiped his napkin across his lips. “When my business gets going good, I may want to raise some Percheron workhorses, too.”

  Loraine ate her pie and drank her coffee as she listened to Jake talk about horses and answer all of Mom and Dad’s questions. Every once in a while, Mom would compliment Jake on something—how much he knew about horses, how helpful he was, and what an easygoing, pleasant person he seemed to be.

  Jake’s cheeks reddened, and he quickly launched into a couple of humorous stories, which Mom especially seemed to enjoy.

  Finally, Jake pushed back his chair and stood. “Guess I’d better get home before my folks start to worry.” He looked over at Mom and smiled. “Danki for the pie and coffee, Priscilla. It was just what I needed.”

  She grinned at him. “You’re quite welcome. Come by and see us anytime.”

  Jake looked over at Loraine. “Guess I’ll see you soon.”

  She nodded. “Jah, probably so.”

  When the door clicked shut behind Jake, Mom turned to Loraine and said, “I think that young man likes you.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “The way he kept looking at you and telling those funny stories. I think he was trying to make you laugh.”

  “You seemed to be enjoying Jake’s stories more than Loraine.” Dad nudged Mom’s arm with his elbow.

  She smiled and nodded. “I think an encouraging, positive thinker like Jake would make a real good husband.”

  Loraine couldn’t argue with that. She just wasn’t sure she’d want Jake to be her husband.

  ***

  “You look mied,” Wayne said when he entered the living room where Ada sat on the sofa with her leg propped on a pillow.

  She yawned. “I am tired, but I dread going to bed.”

  “How come?”

  “The cast on my leg is so cumbersome, and it’s hard to find a comfortable position.” She leaned her head against the sofa cushion and sighed. “I can’t wait until my leg’s healed and I can finally get this cast taken off. It’s so heavy and awkward.”

  Wayne lowered himself into a chair. “This prosthesis I’m expected to wear weighs about four pounds, and since it doesn’t feel like my own leg, I wonder if I’ll ever fully adjust to walking with it.”

  “Just give it some more time and try to be patient.” Ada stretched her arms over her head and released another noisy yawn. “One of the biggest reasons I can’t wait to get my cast off is so I can take over my household chores again. It’s hard to sit around and watch someone else come in here and do everything the wrong way.”

  “Who’s doing things the wrong way?” Wayne asked.

  “Loraine.”

  “What did she do that was wrong?”

  “For one thing, she put my frying pans and kettles in the cupboard on the left-hand side of the sink.” Mom grunted. “They’re supposed to go in the drawer beneath the stove.”

  “It’s not the end of the world, Mom. Once you’re able to take over in the kitchen again, you can put the frying pan and kettles back exactly where you want them to be.”

  Ada pursed her lips and folded her arms. “She left dust on the bookcase, too—which she said she had cleaned, and then she—”

  “I think Loraine’s doing the best she can,” Wayne interrupted. “She doesn’t have to take time out of her busy day to come over here and help,
you know. I think you ought to appreciate what she does instead of complaining and finding fault all of the time.”

  “I’m not complaining or finding fault; I’m just stating facts.” Ada wrinkled her nose. “If you want my opinion, I think Loraine only comes over here so she can make you jealous.”

  Wayne’s eyebrows furrowed. “Jealous of what?”

  “Not what—who. Haven’t you seen the way Loraine hangs on Jake’s every word? I think she’s using him to try and get to you. And Jake’s no better,” she quickly added. “He hovers over Loraine all the time, and hangs on her every word. He’s out to get her back as his girlfriend. Mark my words, before this year’s out, they’ll be announcing their engagement.”

  Wayne shrugged. “That’s fine with me. Fact is, I’m hoping Loraine and Jake get back together.”

  “You ... you are?”

  He nodded. “Why else would I have suggested that Jake follow Loraine home tonight?”

  As Wayne’s words set in fully, Ada smiled to herself. It’s amazing how when you want something badly enough, it all works out for the good. And to think, I didn’t even have to make this happen myself.

  CHAPTER 31

  For the last two weeks, Loraine had gone over to the Lambrights’ every morning before work and every afternoon on her way home. She still hadn’t won Ada over, but at least the difficult woman was willing to accept Loraine’s assistance. Some of the other women, including Loraine’s mother, took turns helping out, too.

  Wayne’s father was feeling better, so he’d taken over his chores again. For some reason, Jake thought his help was still needed, though, so he came over nearly every day. When he was finished with the chores, he hung around Loraine. That made her nervous.

  On Saturday, Loraine had the day off from her job at the hardware store, so she was free to spend most of the day at the Lambrights’. She’d just begun baking some bread when Jake entered the kitchen.

  “I’m done cleaning the barn, and Wayne’s in his daed’s shop helping him with some taxidermy stuff, so I thought I’d see if you needed my help with anything.” He stopped and sniffed the air. “Whoa! Something sure smells good in here!”

  “I’m baking bread.”

  “What kind?”

  “I’ve already made one loaf, using the basic recipe for friendship bread, but I’m planning to add some nuts and chocolate chips to this next batch, hoping to make it more interesting for finicky taste buds.”

  Jake snickered. “Can’t imagine who’d have finicky taste buds in this family.”

  Loraine put her fingers to her lips. “Shh ... she’ll hear you.”

  He glanced around. “Where is the old grouch?”

  “In her bedroom, resting her leg. She was up on it quite a bit yesterday, and I’m afraid she’s paying the price for it today.”

  “She’s had you and several other ladies from our community helping out, so why was she doing too much?”

  “It’s her home, and she wants to help. You can’t really blame her for that.”

  “No, I guess not.” Jake frowned deeply. “I sure can’t figure out why Ada’s so grouchy all the time. You must be a saint for helping someone who doesn’t even appreciate it. For all the mean things that woman has said to you, I’d think you’d want to stay as far away from her as you possibly can.”

  Loraine shook her head. “I’m no saint; I just care about people and want to help whenever I see a need. Even if Ada never comes to like me, I won’t regret having helped during her time of need.” She stood on her tiptoes, reaching for the jar of nuts on the top shelf of the cupboard.

  “Here, let me get that for you.” Jake rushed forward and grabbed the jar at the same time as she reached for it. Their heads collided, the jar slipped out of his hands, and it tumbled to the floor. Crushed walnuts scattered everywhere!

  “Rats!” Jake dropped to his knees and picked up the jar. “Well, at least it’s not broken.”

  Loraine sighed. “No, but now I have no nuts to add to the bread dough.”

  “Sorry about that. Guess that’s what I get for trying to help you get the jar down. I should have minded my own business.”

  Jake’s sheepish look brought a smile to Loraine’s lips. He’d always been a bit accident prone. “If you really want to help,” she said, motioning to the utility room, “you can get a broom and dustpan and sweep up this mess while I finish mixing my bread dough.”

  “Sure, I can do that.”

  Loraine turned back to the counter and had just begun adding the chocolate chips when she heard a crunch, then a crash!

  She whirled around. Jake sat on the floor in the middle of the scattered nuts, wearing a bewildered expression.

  “I can’t believe it,” he groaned. “I really am a big dummkopp!”

  “You’re not a dunce. You’re just a little clumsy at times, but that doesn’t mean you’re stupid.” She held out her hand. “Here, let me help you up.”

  Jake reached out his hand, and as their fingers touched, Loraine felt a tingle shoot all the way up her arm. A familiar longing crept into her heart as she remembered how she used to feel when she and Jake had been dating. Why does his touch send my heart flying up to my throat? she wondered. It’s over between us and has been for some time.

  With Jake standing so near, Loraine could feel his warm breath on her neck and smell a minty aroma. It made her light-headed. Jake’s face was so close to hers that she noticed the fine lines etched around his eyes and saw a look of longing on his face.

  She drew back, her heart hammering fiercely in her chest. “I’d better get busy on the bread or it’ll never get baked.” She couldn’t let him know how being this close to him had affected her. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—admit it to herself.

  “I’d better try once more to get this mess cleaned up. Sure wouldn’t want Ada to come in here and see her kitchen floor littered with nuts. She might have a conniption.” Jake wiggled his eyebrows and gave her a playful wink.

  Loraine quickly turned her back on him. Was he flirting with her? Worse yet, did she want him to? Jake had such a pleasant way about him, and he’d always been able to make her laugh. But the look of longing she’d seen a few minutes ago frightened her.

  She braced herself against the counter, her pulse hammering in her head. Dear God, please make me strong. Help me not to lose my heart to Jake and forget the promise I made to Wayne.

  “What’s going on in here?” Ada asked, hobbling into the room on her crutches. “I was napping in my room, until I heard a crash, and then—” Her mouth opened wide. “Ach, my! Why are those nuts scattered all over my kitchen floor?”

  Loraine quickly explained what had happened and said that Jake was getting ready to sweep the floor.

  “If you’re the one who dropped the jar, shouldn’t you be the one cleaning up the mess?”

  “She didn’t drop the jar, Ada. I did,” Jake was quick to say.

  “Whatever.” Ada’s eyes flashed as she stared angrily at Loraine. “I thought you came here to help, not wreck havoc with my kitchen!”

  Loraine opened her mouth, ready to spew out angry words, but a verse of scripture, Matthew 5:44, came to her mind: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

  I need to pray for Ada, she reminded herself. I’ll never win her over with angry, spiteful words.

  Forcing a smile to her lips, Loraine looked at Ada and said, “It was an accident, and I’m sorry about the mess. Jake and I will get it cleaned up as quickly as we can, so why don’t you go back to your room and rest?”

  Ada stood staring at the floor several seconds, then with an undignified grunt, she turned and hobbled out of the kitchen.

  Jake poked Loraine’s arm with his elbow. “I don’t care what you say, you really are a saint.”

  She grinned and poked him right back. “You’d better hurry and get that broom before Ada decides to come
back in here and chew me out some more.”

  ***

  As Jake carried the broom and dustpan into the kitchen, he glanced back at Loraine. The memory of the way she’d smiled at him earlier sparkled like a moment in a pleasant dream. When he’d smiled at her in return, he’d seen a flicker of something. There’d been a flush on her cheeks and a sparkle in her heavily fringed eyes that he hadn’t seen for a long time. Was it a look of longing, or was it merely his own wishful thinking?

  Jake leaned against the doorjamb, watching as Loraine poured the bread dough into two pans. For the nearly two years Jake had been living in Montana, he’d been running from what he wanted most and hadn’t even realized it. He couldn’t deny his feelings—he was still in love with Loraine. The question was, what should he do about it?

  Ask her out, prompted a little voice in his head. Do it now, before you lose your nerve.

  He quickly swept up the nuts, deposited them in the garbage can, and put the broom and dustpan away. The whole time, he rehearsed what he should say to Loraine. I’ve never stopped loving you. I think we’re meant to be together. Would you go out with me? No, it would be too bold to declare his feelings right out. If he said he loved her too soon, it might push her away.

  He wiped his sweaty palms on the knees of his trousers and stepped up beside her. “Loraine, I was wondering—”

  “Oh, look, there’s Wayne and that cute little ewe of his.” Loraine pointed out the window. “I can’t get over how well that sheep gets around on only three legs.”

  “Jah, and the critter likes to follow Wayne everywhere he goes.”

  “Have you noticed that Wayne seems to be walking better with his prosthesis now?”

  Jake nodded. “Since he had it adjusted a few weeks ago, he’s walking more normally and, from what I can tell, with less pain.” Jake transferred his weight from one foot to the other and moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue. Ask her now, before you lose your nerve. What are you waiting for, anyway?

  “This bread’s ready to go in the oven now,” she said, picking up the two pans. “And I think it’ll be good, even without the nuts.”