by Amy Clipston
He followed Emma through the door and was surprised to see a buggy traveling up the driveway. “I wonder who that could be this late in the evening.”
“It’s Marcus!” she said, announcing the arrival of Saul’s best friend. “I wonder if Esther is with him.” She started jumping up and down.
“I doubt it, Emma. It’s awfully late for visiting. She’s probably getting ready for bed, which is what you need to be doing.” Saul and Emma approached the buggy as Marcus Smucker brought it to a stop by the barn. “Wie geht’s?”
“Hi, Marcus!” Emma stood on her tiptoes and craned her neck to see inside the buggy. “Did Esther come too?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” Marcus climbed from the buggy. Saul had often thought it interesting that he and his best friend since childhood looked so much alike—dark brown hair and matching beard, about the same height.
“She was getting ready for bed when I left.” Saul gave Emma a knowing glance, and Emma nodded her head.
“You’ll see her at school tomorrow,” Saul said gently.
“I have something for you, though.” Marcus held up a basket. “Esther and her mamm made a casserole and pie for you and your dat.”
“Oh.” Emma took the basket and sniffed it. “It smells appeditlich. Danki.”
“Gern gschehne.” Marcus nodded at Emma.
“Take that inside and get ready for bed now,” Saul told Emma.
“Okay.” She looked at Marcus. “Gut nacht.” Emma waved and then headed for the house.
“You can tell Sylvia she doesn’t have to keep cooking for us,” Saul said after Emma had disappeared through the back door. “Emma and I are doing okay by ourselves.”
“Does that mean you’re saying you don’t like my fraa’s cooking?” Marcus grinned as he leaned against the buggy.
“You know it’s not that.” Saul shook his head. “I appreciate everything you and Sylvia do for Emma and me, but we’re doing fine. Please tell her thank you for us.”
“I will. You know Sylvia feels bad that you’re raising Emma alone.”
“It’s not her fault Annie ran off.” Saul leaned back on the fence behind him.
“I know, but she still feels bad.” Marcus folded his arms over his coat. “She talks all the time about how the four of us were dating at the same time and then were married within a month of each other. Sylvia and I are still together, and you’re all alone. Sylvia still can’t comprehend what Annie did to you and Emma.”
Saul shrugged as if it didn’t bother him, even though Annie’s abandonment was still painful. “That was Annie’s choice. I guess on some levels it was better for her to go than to stay here and be miserable.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“No, I think I do. Emma would’ve been able to tell that her mamm resented her. I don’t believe any kind should feel that kind of rejection from a parent.”
Marcus frowned. “She still doesn’t know the truth about her mamm, does she?”
“No, and she doesn’t need to know—not yet,” Saul insisted. “I’ll tell her when the time is right. I don’t know when that will be, but not now. She’s too young.”
Marcus glanced toward the house in front of Saul’s property. “I see that Englisher is still living in Martha Stoltzfus’s old haus.”
“Ya.” Saul spotted the woman standing on the back porch while talking on a cellular phone. Her slight body was illuminated by two lanterns.
“Do you know anything about her?” Marcus asked.
“No, she just appeared back in February, so she’s been in the haus for almost eight months now.” Saul rubbed his beard as he spoke. “I guess she’s renting the haus from Martha’s dochder. I never saw a For Sale sign go up.”
“Is that right?” Marcus looked intrigued. “And you’ve never met her?”
“No, but I’ve noticed she likes to go for runs early in the morning.” He didn’t mention he’d also noticed she was fairly tall, only a couple of inches shorter than his nearly six feet. “She drives that red pickup truck, and she leaves a few times a week and is gone for extended periods of time. It seems like she has a job somewhere. She hasn’t had any work done on the haus, so she’s living without electricity. But she uses that cellular phone frequently.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been watching her?”
“Watching her?” Saul shook his head. “No, I’ve just noticed her patterns. Her haus is right in front of mine, so it’s difficult not to notice things. Emma wants to go meet her, but I keep telling her to mind her own business. We don’t need to barge onto her property any more than she needs to barge onto ours.”
“Interesting.” Marcus motioned toward Saul’s biggest shop. “How’s business?”
“Gut, gut.” Saul rubbed his beard. “I’m trying to keep up with all the orders.”
“Do you need some help?”
“Oh no. You’re busy enough with your furniture orders.”
“You know it’s time you hired someone to help you,” Marcus said. “Then you can expand and start supplying the local stores with your cabinets. They could take the orders for you, and you could concentrate on the work.”
Saul stood up straight. “That’s easier said than done, my friend. I’ll expand someday, when the time is right.”
“I’ve known you since we were the same age as our girls,” Marcus began. “You always go the cautious way. You never try something new. When we all went camping when we were teenagers, you were afraid to jump off that tree branch into the water, even when the rest of us did.”
“What does my business have to do with jumping into a lake?” Saul’s brow furrowed. “I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. You’re talking about taking a risk with my dochder’s livelihood. I can’t hire someone and run the risk of going bankrupt when my cabinet sales fall off.”
“What makes you think your sales will fall off? You’re known for your quality and craftsmanship. That’s why your sales are very gut.” Marcus opened the buggy door and climbed in. “Think about it, Saul. You sell yourself too short. You can expand. Just have faith.”
Saul shook his head. “You were always the free spirit.”
“I better go.” Marcus closed the buggy door. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Danki for the food again. Tell Sylvia we appreciate her meals.”
“I will.” Marcus paused. “I heard Carolyn Lapp and Joshua Glick are getting married next month.”
Saul nodded and rubbed his beard again. “I’m not surprised.”
“Don’t give up. I’m sure the Lord has plans for you.” Marcus grinned. “If not, then you’ll just have to start eating supper at my haus.”
“I told you we’re not starving, but we do enjoy the food.” Saul waved. “Gut nacht.”
Marcus returned the wave before guiding the horse back down the lane. Saul saw his neighbor wave as Marcus’s buggy passed her house, and he wondered again who the mysterious neighbor was.
FIVE
Hannah scurried around the kitchen, her mind racing with preparations. She was running out of time before her guest was supposed to arrive.
The storm door opened and closed with a bang, and then Trey stood near the kitchen doorway. “Hannah? Are you okay?”
“Ya.” She grabbed a bleach wipe and began to swipe it over the counter. “Carolyn called a little while ago. She’s coming by to visit.”
“Carolyn Lapp?” Trey looked surprised.
“That’s right. She asked if she could come to see me. She’ll be my first Amish friend to visit the bed-and-breakfast.” She opened the china cabinet and studied her best dishes. “I have to make sure everything is perfect.”
“Hannah, I’m certain she will be happy just to see you.” He crossed the kitchen. “How can I help you?”
“Would you hand me those teacups up top?” She pointed toward her favorite set of teacups, which Trey had bought her as a wedding gift. “I’m going to serve hot tea and the cheesecake I made yesterday.” She s
uddenly stopped as dread settled in. “Oh no. We can’t eat together at the same table.”
Trey stopped and studied her. “Will she really visit and not share a dessert with you?”
“She’s not supposed to.” Hannah scowled. “I don’t know what to do. How can I not serve her some refreshments?”
“Why don’t you set out the cheesecake and then see what she says. She may surprise you. After all, she is coming to see you. She wouldn’t come over here and then refuse your food, would she? That would be awfully rude, and I haven’t met many rude Amish folks.”
Hannah smiled. “You’re right.”
“Why don’t you start the hot water and get the cheesecake out of the refrigerator, and I’ll set the table?”
She kissed his cheek. “Danki.”
The table was ready by the time Hannah heard a car door slam.
“She’s here!” Hannah’s heart thudded in her chest.
“It will be fine.” Trey touched her hand. “Trust me. Go see her. I’ll serve the tea.”
She rushed to the open front door, pushed open the storm door, and saw Carolyn walking up the front sidewalk with a basket over her arm as a van backed out to the street.
“Carolyn!” Hannah hurried outside and met her in the driveway. “It’s wonderful to see you.”
Carolyn hugged Hannah with her free arm. “You too.” She handed the basket to Hannah. “I brought you some goodies that my mamm and I baked. I remember you liked our pretzels and pumpkin muffins.”
“Oh, danki!” Hannah looped her free arm around Carolyn’s waist and led her back toward the house. “Please come in.”
“Oh, Hannah.” Carolyn caught her breath, cupping her hand to her mouth. “This haus is positively schee. You must be froh here.”
“I am.” Hannah dropped her arm from around Carolyn and touched her abdomen. “I’m very happy here. Please come inside, and I’ll show you the rest of the haus.”
Carolyn’s eyes moved to Hannah’s abdomen, and Hannah saw the flash of a question twinkle in her friend’s eyes. She wondered if Carolyn suspected her secret, but Carolyn didn’t ask. Instead, she simply smiled.
Carolyn started up the porch steps. “You look gut, Hannah.”
“You do too.”
Carolyn stepped into the front family room and looked delighted. “Hannah, this is lovely.”
“Danki.” Hannah pointed toward a hallway. “Our living quarters are down there. There’s a three-bedroom apartment for us and the kinner.”
Carolyn looked toward the light switch on the wall. “Did it take you awhile to get used to electricity all the time now, instead of only at work?”
Hannah shrugged. “It was a fairly easy adjustment, although I do feel a little spoiled.” She gestured toward the stairs. “There are six bedrooms upstairs for the guests.”
“It’s fabulous.” Carolyn nodded. “You must love it.”
“We do. Please come into the kitchen.” There they found Trey putting finishing touches on the table. “Carolyn, this is my husband, Trey.”
“Carolyn.” Trey shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” Carolyn glanced around the kitchen.
Hannah placed the basket on the counter. “Would you like some tea?”
“Ya, I’d love that.”
“I’ll let you two visit,” Trey said. “I’ll be working out in the barn.” He gave Hannah a smile and then disappeared through the mudroom and out the back door.
“He seems very nice,” Carolyn said.
“Danki.” Hannah gestured toward the table. “Would you like a cup of tea and a piece of cheesecake?”
“That sounds wonderful. You always made the best cheese-cake.”
Hannah poured two cups of tea and then handed Carolyn a cup. “Did you want to sit here?” She motioned toward the table and hoped her friend would agree to sit with her.
“Well . . .” Carolyn looked at the table and then crossed to a window. “Do you have chairs on your porch?”
Hannah nodded.
“If we sit on the porch together, then we aren’t technically eating at the table together, right?” Carolyn asked with a wink.
“I understand.” Tension slipped from Hannah’s shoulders as she took a serving tray from a cabinet and loaded it up with the teacups, sweetener, and two pieces of cheesecake.
They moved out to the porch, where they sipped the tea and enjoyed the cheesecake.
“It’s lovely out here.” Carolyn looked out over the large backyard. “I can see why you fell in love with this place.”
“Danki.” Hannah cradled her teacup in her hands. “Trey likes to go out into the barn and tinker with woodworking. I think he’s making a trinket box to give Amanda for Christmas.”
“How nice.” Carolyn took another sip of her tea and then turned toward Hannah. “I have some news.”
“Oh?” Hannah placed her cup on the small table beside her. “What is it?”
“I’m getting married.”
“Carolyn!” Hannah clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful news! Who is your fiancé?”
“You know him very well.” Carolyn paused. “It’s Joshua Glick.”
Hannah gaped at her friend.
“That’s fantastic!” she finally said. Hannah couldn’t stop a smile. She’d prayed that Joshua would find his true love. She’d felt guilty for breaking his heart, but she knew it wasn’t in God’s plan for her to marry him.
“Danki. Joshua is a wonderful man, and he’s been gut to my son. He wants to adopt Benjamin, and that means a lot to Ben and me.”
Carolyn’s smile faded, and a look of concern took its place. “I want you to come to the wedding. Please tell me that you will.”
Hannah hesitated. “Did you talk to Josh about this?”
“Oh ya.” Carolyn nodded. “We talked about it last night, and he agrees that you should come.”
“I don’t know.” Hannah felt stuck. She wanted to see her friend and Joshua get married, but she also knew if she went to the wedding, she’d be in an awkward situation because she was shunned. “Would it be all right if I thought about it?”
“Of course.” Carolyn’s expression brightened. “You think about it and discuss it with Trey. Of course, Amanda and Andrew are also invited. I’m certain Lily will be there too.” She reached over and touched Hannah’s hand. “I know you’ve had a difficult time with Lillian. Josh has told me. We’re praying Lillian will forgive you soon.”
Hannah studied her teacup as she rubbed her abdomen again. “Danki. I pray that every day.”
“How are Amanda and Andrew? I bet the kinner are getting big, ya?” Carolyn asked as she forked the cheesecake.
“They are, and they’re doing well,” Hannah said. “Amanda is taking college biology classes, and she worries about her grades all the time. She’s doing great, though. Andrew is enjoying fifth grade. He has new friends, and he loves the school bus.”
“This cake is appeditlich.” Carolyn wiped her mouth with a paper napkin.
“Danki.” Hannah sipped the tea. “How’s Benjamin?”
“He’s doing gut. He works on Joshua’s farm, and he loves it.”
Hannah took a bite of the cheesecake. “How are your parents doing?”
Carolyn talked about her family, and then Hannah asked her how work was going at the hotel. They discussed their friends and acquaintances in the community, paying no attention to the time.
Soon Trey emerged from his workshop and approached the porch. “I’m heading to the hardware store for stain and a few other things. Would you like me to pick up something for lunch?”
“Lunch?” Hannah asked with surprise.
He tapped his wristwatch. “It’s almost noon.”
“Is it?” Hannah stood. “I didn’t realize that. Amanda will be home soon.”
Trey pointed toward his car in the driveway. “Do you want me to pick up something from town?”
“No, thank you. We’
ll make some sandwiches.” She turned to Carolyn. “Does that sound gut to you?”
“Oh no.” Carolyn shook her head. “I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll call my driver and have him come to get me. I just need to use your phone.”
“Don’t be gegisch.” Hannah waved off the comment. “I insist you stay for lunch, and then we’ll take you home later.”
Trey headed to his car, and Hannah and Carolyn made sandwiches before returning to the porch with the sandwiches and glasses of iced tea.
“How is business?” Carolyn asked while lifting a chip to her mouth.
“It’s gut.” Hannah nodded. “We’ve stayed very busy. Right now we have two couples staying until Sunday.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Oh ya.” Hannah ate a chip. “I love telling them about the Amish culture and pointing out the best places for them to visit.”
“And Trey?” Carolyn asked. “How are things?”
“Things are wonderful between us.” Hannah’s hand dropped to her belly again before she could stop it. Carolyn’s gaze moved down and then back up to Hannah’s eyes.
“Hannah . . . ?” Carolyn’s question was barely audible.
Hannah nodded, and her cheeks heated.
“Oh, Hannah.” Carolyn’s eyes filled with tears.
Hannah wiped tears that had formed in her eyes too. “I didn’t think God would bless me or Trey again, but he has. I’m praying Lily will find out and realize things have changed, but we’ll always be family.”
“Ya,” Carolyn agreed. “I think that is true.”
“How’s Josh’s farm?” Hannah asked. “He’s asked me to stop by, but I haven’t gone to see it.”
“He’s been very busy.” Carolyn shared stories about Joshua’s horses and customers while they finished their lunch.
They were enjoying Carolyn’s homemade pretzels when Amanda’s blue Ford sedan steered into the driveway.
“Amanda is home!” Hannah said. “I’m glad you’ll get to see her.”
“Oh gut,” Carolyn said.
Amanda and her boyfriend, Mike Smithson, climbed from her car and walked to the house.
