by Mary Ellis
But the wheels seemed to be turning faster as Matthew stuck out his hand to shake. “Danki, bruder. I’ll think on it. Now let’s go hit the dessert table. I intend to sample everything there.”
“I’m right behind you.” Jamie shook the outstretched hand and hoped he hadn’t overstepped his bounds. Starting a business enterprise wasn’t easy. But if Matthew’s facial expression and long strides were any indication, at least considering his options had lifted the his spirits.
Leah could barely catch her breath during the lull between the breakfast rush and lunch. Besides her normal prep work, she wanted to bake a double batch of brownies to take to the wedding she’d been invited to. Because her family was already there, she would join them on her way home from work. The district hosting the wedding stayed on “slow time.” They didn’t go on daylight savings or “fast time” the way her district did. But even if she left promptly at three, she would miss dinner. Brownies could be nibbled later on when folk grew hungry from socializing.
Usually a from-scratch kind of cook, today Leah pulled two boxes of Pillsbury brownie mix down from the shelf. They would taste just as good as homemade once she added plenty of chopped walnuts. While blending the batter she noticed an advertisement on the side of the box. The annual baking contest was open for those with new recipes. She read until her gaze landed on the grand prize: “Winners will share in $1,000,000 of prize money.” Dropping her spoon into the bowl, Leah grabbed the box to study the rules as her customers’ comments about her Peach Parfait Supreme swam through her head.
Didn’t one English woman suggest I should enter it in a contest?
Hadn’t that elderly farmer declared it was the best pie he’d tasted in eighty years?
The “$1,000,000” seemed to grow larger on the box.
She turned her attention back to her brownie mix when April carried in a tray of dirty plates for the dishwasher, but an idea had been born. She could secretly enter the contest with her favorite recipe. If she didn’t place, no one would be the wiser. And if the impossible happened? A portion of that prize money would restore her savings from the diner investment and build up the medical bill account for every Amish community in the U.S. Leah set the pan of brownies in the oven, put the windup timer in her pocket, and went to prepare her tables. But the Pillsbury Bake-Off occupied her thoughts throughout lunch and then all the way to the wedding.
Although the service and dinner were over by the time she arrived, people still milled around the dessert table. She greeted the bride and groom, presented her gift, talked with her parents, and then spent the next hour hiding from Steven and Daniel. The behavior of both of the men who had fought over her was subdued compared to their time in Cleveland. At least, that’s how it seemed to Leah as she spied on them from behind a willow tree. Subdued or not, she didn’t want to be seen talking to either man.
“Are you stalking someone, Miss Miller? If so, you’re not very good at it.”
The sound of Jonah’s voice nearly caused her heart to stop. She wheeled around to see him looking very handsome in his Sunday best. Her heart struggled to regain its normal rhythm. “More like trying not to be seen. There are a couple customers I’d prefer to avoid.” She met his gaze and then glanced away. His eyes could bore holes through concrete.
“What happened? Did you give them food poisoning and now they’re threatening to call the authorities?” He approached until they stood only three feet apart.
She shook her head. “I don’t know which menu item gave you such a negative impression of my cooking, but no. I have other reasons to discourage an encounter.”
Jonah looked in the direction she’d been focused on. A muscle twitched in his jaw, but his tone remained friendly. “Then why not take a walk with me? That might put off any unwanted intruders.”
Leah swallowed a lump in her throat, remembering mamm’s warning about her reputation. “I don’t know. Maybe I should go sit with my family and stop this silliness altogether.”
One of his black eyebrows arched while his dimples deepened. “You would consider walking with me to be continued silliness? What have I done to deserve that?”
Leah blushed. The fuss at the ballgame wasn’t Jonah’s fault. “You haven’t done anything. I’m the silly one—spying from behind trees.” She tried to steady her nerves. “Okay, Jonah. I’ll walk with you as long as we stay in the yard with everyone else.”
“Let’s head to the pond. We can watch the kids swimming and wish we were young again.”
Leah mulled this over as they walked side by side in silence. As he’d predicted, some of the younger boys had changed from their good clothes into their worst and were splashing around in the shallow end. Mothers hovered nearby, talking to friends while keeping their kinner in sight. Jonah headed to the split-log bench farthest away from the others. They sat down a foot apart to watch summer’s favorite pastime.
“Why would you want to be young again?” she asked. “I couldn’t wait to be out from under mamm’s eye every minute.”
Jonah’s gaze remained on the swimmers as he spoke. “Life was simple then. I had my chores, but when they were done my time was my own. I had lots of friends from school. We would meet to swim or play baseball or ice-skate. And I had my daed back then. We went squirrel hunting in the woods and fishing in the lake near our farm. He taught me useful things, like starting a fire without matches and how to roast corn using only the hot sun.”
Silence spun out again between them. Even the laughter from the pond seemed distant. “You still miss your daed,” Leah said softly, stretching her legs.
“Every day of my life.” He raised his chin while a muscle in his neck jumped.
“And Wisconsin too?” Her question hung in the humid air.
“Jah, I miss my home. Dawdi is real nice, but it’s not the same. He was a stranger up until a few months ago. I don’t mind working for him; don’t get me wrong. I just wish we hadn’t had to move.”
“We know how to have fun in Holmes County,” she said, hoping that didn’t sound too defensive. “Once you make friends, things will seem different.”
“You’re my friend, Leah, and I’m happy to know you. Now, why don’t we go get something to eat?”
Leah knew he wanted to change the subject, but she persisted. “If you start coming to preaching services, you’ll meet the other young men in our district. And since you play baseball, you can join their next pickup game. Plus we have volleyball parties, hayrides, and cookouts besides Sunday singings. I think you’ll find Ohio folk to be just as nice as Wisconsiners.”
He looked at her with eyes bluer than the pond’s deep water. “I’m sure that’s true, but my mamm says no social events until I start attending church again.”
Leah felt herself relax. “Then it’s simple. If you’re not traveling back and forth to Hancock anymore, come to preaching on Sunday. It’ll be at Amos Miller’s on Route 390. Your dawdi knows where it is.”
“It’s not simple at all, sweet girl.” He lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. “I’m no hypocrite. I won’t show up for service and go through the motions. If a person has lost their faith, a church filled with believers isn’t a comfortable place to be.”
His demeanor seemed normal, yet he spoke the most shocking words Leah had ever heard. What does it mean to lose your faith? Does Jonah no longer believe in God? How could the company of other Christians be uncomfortable?
He stood abruptly and looked down at her. “I’m hungry. I didn’t eat earlier with the crowd. You want to get in the chow line with me?”
“You go ahead, Jonah. I want to watch the swimmers some more. I’ll see you later.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you. But you kept asking questions and I didn’t want to lie to you.”
His soft and gentle words touched her heart. If she could help him she would.
She rose to her feet. “You didn’t upset me, but I think they packed the food away except for desserts. Are you staying for the wedding suppe
r? It won’t be until this evening, but I know it’ll be delicious.”
“I wasn’t invited.” It was a statement of fact, delivered without emotion.
The second wedding meal was strictly for friends of the couple. Because no one knew him in the district, the bride and groom wouldn’t have extended an invitation to a stranger. “I was invited,” she said. “And you can come as my guest.” Her mouth turned dry while he pondered the idea.
“If I leave now, I can probably get enough chores done to come back later.” His eyes widened. “All right, Leah. I’ll meet you back here at six thirty.” He grinned, started to walk away, and then turned back. “Tell me. Which contribution to the dessert table did you bring?”
“The walnut brownies, far to the right.”
“Danki for letting me know, and for the supper invite.” With a wink he headed toward the parking area for buggies.
And she was left to wonder if he meant to sample or avoid her brownies.
Leah spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting with girlfriends, her old schoolteacher, and her mother. Mamm had spread a quilt under a shady tree, and when they’d talked themselves out, Leah fell asleep in the warm afternoon air. When she awoke she found a note anchored to the quilt with a rock.
Gone home. Have a good time at supper. Don’t stay late. Your bruder will drive you home in our buggy. We took yours.
Mamm
Leah was glad Matthew had been invited. He might just get his chance to talk to Martha tonight. She also wouldn’t be tempted if Jonah asked to take her home. After the nonsense at the ballgame, she would just as soon not encourage anyone until things cooled down.
Jonah. Leah dug in her handbag for a watch she never wore but kept handy since she’d started working. How long had she been asleep? She hurried toward the house with enough time to wash her face and hands and brush her teeth. Once presentable, she waited for Jonah to arrive on the porch steps, pondering his odd confession. Leah not only prayed several times a day, but she also asked God for guidance too many times to count.
If someone lost their faith, whom did they turn to when they were hurt or scared or confused, especially if that person had no friends?
Considering how nice Jonah looked when he arrived, she figured at least a couple gals would be willing to befriend him before the night was over.
He walked toward her carrying a basket and an armload of gladiolas, irises, and lilies. She rose to greet him, and together they started for the barn where the wedding supper would be held.
“You don’t get the big bunch,” he said with a sly grin. “It’s for the bride, but I did pick this for you.” He pulled a small bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back.
“Danki, I love them.” Leah took the flowers and inhaled, despite knowing wildflowers held little scent. She was grateful that he remembered her allergies and had brought her a bouquet that wouldn’t tickle her nose. “What’s in the basket?”
“An assortment of cheese spreads and smoked meats for the happy couple. And some Hershey kisses to give them ideas.”
Leah opened her mouth to comment on chocolate, but the sight before her rendered her speechless. They had entered the same barn that held the service, but it had been transformed into a wonderland of silver and white. Hundreds of streamers had been strung between the rafters while clusters of helium balloons and vases of flowers adorned each table. White tablecloths and real china had replaced the casual tableware of the noon meal.
“Oh, my goodness,” he said.
“You can say that again,” she murmured. “Look, there’s Matthew and some of my friends. They saved us seats.” Leah introduced Jonah to Rachel and Martha Hostetler and to another newly married couple.
While they ate Jonah talked cordially with everyone at the table, allowing Leah time to relax. They dined on tender beef roast with asparagus spears and new potatoes. Now that she cooked for a living, she tried to figure out each seasoning and ingredient used. This was her first wedding supper, and it was far more romantic than she’d imagined. Will an occasion like this be part of my future?
Afterward, while people watched the bridal couple open gifts, and Matthew talked to Martha, Leah whispered near Jonah’s ear, “You seem to be breaking the ice. Before you know it, you’ll have more friends than you can shake a stick at.”
He inclined his head very near. “This is for your sake. I don’t want you to regret asking a hermit to supper.”
She laughed aloud as a mental picture of an old man with a grizzled beard who lived in a cave flitted through her mind. Then again, Jonah never came to the diner with anyone else. Plain folk weren’t loners by nature, so Leah grew more curious by the minute. “Do you think we could wander over to the coffeepot and then take a walk outside? I’d like some fresh air.” She felt a little shy about leaving, because the couple was still unwrapping gifts, but a better opportunity might not arise.
“Sure,” he said and took her elbow as they walked to the coffee urn.
With mugs in hand, they slipped outdoors into the clear, starry night. “What did you mean by the company of believers makes you uncomfortable?” she asked boldly. “Surely you still believe in God.”
He didn’t answer until they were well away from the barn. “Probably deep down I still do. It’s hard not to when you’ve been raised to believe. But since God has forgotten me, I thought I’d take a vacation from Him too.” He took a long swallow of coffee.
Leah was appalled. She glanced quickly around to make sure he hadn’t been overheard and then glanced skyward too. Never before had a person spoken so blasphemously in her presence. Yet her second reaction was one of sheer pity. How awful Jonah must feel to be separated from the one true Helper. “Let’s sit for a minute,” she said, pointing at a bench. “Tell me what happened that made you think like this.”
He sat down heavily and squinted into the thin moonlight, as though trying to see something that wasn’t there. “When my daed got sick, I prayed morning, noon, and night that he would be spared, as did my mamm and plenty of others. I worked my tail off at the farm and earned extra money on the side for medical treatments. I didn’t mind; I managed everything while mamm stayed at the hospital in Kenosha.” He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. “When she brought him home, he went straight downhill and died. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.”
Leah reached out to pat his hand, but Jonah didn’t seem to notice. Sorrow had closed around him like heavy fog.
“Afterward, I continued to work from dawn till dark to keep the farm going. And I prayed constantly that we’d be able to stay right where we were. But my mamm got it in her head to sell the place and move here. I had to leave everyone I knew and everything I loved behind. So I learned that prayer works fine for some people, but not so good for me.” His voice had drifted to a raspy whisper.
A question niggled at Leah, one she had to ask. “Did you leave someone special back in Wisconsin?”
Jonah turned on the bench, but she was thankful darkness hid her anxious face. “I’d started to court a gal, but I didn’t know if it was love. We surely didn’t know if we wanted to spend our lives together by the time I moved.”
“You sound mad at your mother besides God.”
He released a humorless laugh. “I begged to stay behind, Leah. I wanted to buy the place and make payments until I’d paid her what it was worth. I didn’t care if I had to work sixteen-hour days. But mamm insisted I move here to help dawdi. I’m a grown man, yet she treated me like a child.”
“Are you still angry with her?” Leah heard the childlike tone of her voice.
“No, sweet girl, not anymore. Let’s go back inside before your bruder wonders where you are.” He pulled her to her feet and started to walk back to the barn.
She didn’t get a chance to ask if he was still mad at God. But then again, she thought she already knew the answer to that.
Matthew breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Leah walking toward him at the end of the even
ing. He’d hoped she wouldn’t accept a ride from the new dairy farmer because he needed his sister’s advice. With so many ideas buzzing around his head, he thought it might explode.
“Glad you’re coming home with me,” he said as Leah stepped up into the buggy.
She glanced around. “Aren’t we taking Martha home? Didn’t you ask her?” She sounded exasperated.
“Hold your horses. I’m not a man who rushes things.” He shook the reins gently and the horse started at a slow gait.
“That’s an understatement! Once word gets around she’s no longer courting Joseph Kauffman of Berlin, plenty of boys will step up. You’d best not wait too long.”
“Leah, I don’t need something else to worry about. My plate’s already full.”
“Just giving you a little sisterly advice.” She crossed her arms over her shawl.
He huffed out his breath. “I do want to court Martha. She’s the reason I’m working at Macintosh Farms, and trying to save enough to buy the acres off Mr. Lee that he’s thinkin’ about selling.”
“That’s wunderbaar! You would build your house right across the street?”
“That’s my dream, except it looks like I won’t be working at that English horse farm much longer.”
Leah turned on the seat and demanded. “Why ever not? You make a good salary there. Why quit before you have enough money saved?”
Reluctantly, he sketched out his woeful tale with Jeff Andrews and finished with the encouraging conversation with James Davis.
