A Dream of Home: Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel: Book Three

by Amy Clipston

  “Hi, Mamm.” Amanda climbed the steps and dropped her backpack onto the porch. “Hi, Carolyn. It’s great to see you. This is my boyfriend, Mike.” She gestured between them. “Mike, this is my friend Carolyn Lapp.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Carolyn stood and shook his hand. “Would you both like a pretzel? I made them this morning.”

  “Oh, I’d love one.” Amanda took one and passed it to Mike. “These are the best.”

  “Thanks.” The young man smiled as he took a bite. “Oh wow. These are amazing.”

  “Told you.” Amanda grinned and then sat down next to Hannah.

  “How was your day?” Hannah asked.

  “Oh, it was good.” Amanda gestured toward Mike. “Mike is going to help me study for my test tomorrow. We were wondering if we could use the kitchen table for a while.”

  “Of course you can. Carolyn came over to tell me some news.” Hannah smiled at Carolyn. “Would you like to tell Amanda?”

  “Oh ya.” Carolyn wiped her hands on a napkin. “I’m getting married next month.”

  “Oh!” Amanda’s eyes widened. “That’s wonderful news! I had no idea you were engaged. Who are you going to marry?”

  “You know him very well,” Carolyn teased.

  “I do?” Amanda pushed her long, thick, blonde braid behind her shoulder while she contemplated the riddle. “I’m not certain who that could be. Tell me.”

  “Your onkel Josh.” Carolyn’s smile was wide.

  “Onkel Josh?” Amanda gasped. “That’s fantastic!” She turned to Mike. “My onkel owns the horse farm where we used to live.”

  “Oh, right.” Mike nodded. “You mentioned that when I walked you home from the deli that one time.”

  “You need to come by,” Carolyn said. “Josh tells me all the time that he wants you all to visit.” She turned toward Hannah. “All of you need to visit.”

  “That would be fun.” Amanda pulled the pretzel apart. “I know Andrew would love to see Huckleberry.” She looked at Mike. “Huckleberry is Andrew’s favorite horse.”

  “Oh.” Mike chewed another piece of pretzel. “I haven’t been riding in a long time.”

  “It would be a blast to show you where I grew up. It’s beautiful there. You’d love all the horses.”

  Amanda shared stories about the farm, and Hannah smiled as happy memories filled her. She’d wanted to visit the farm, but she was afraid the memories might be too emotional for her. Yet now that she was happy with Trey and her new life, the memories of her old life felt more like warm blankets from her past than frozen nightmares. And knowing Joshua was happy with Carolyn made the idea of visiting much easier.

  Hannah, Carolyn, Amanda, and Mike visited for about an hour.

  “We need to go,” Amanda finally said as she tapped Mike’s arm. They headed into the kitchen to start studying.

  Hannah and Carolyn were still sitting on the front porch when a bright yellow school bus rumbled to a stop in front of the bed-and-breakfast. Hannah and Carolyn walked to the driveway and met Andrew as he hopped down from the bus.

  “Hi,” Andrew said.

  “How was your day?” Hannah took his backpack from his hands.

  “It was great. I had pizza for lunch.” He smiled up at Carolyn. “Hi. You’re Carolyn, right?”

  “That’s right. How are you, Andrew?” Carolyn asked.

  “I’m fine. Are you staying for supper?” he asked as they walked back to the house.

  “No, I need to get home and make supper for my family.” Carolyn touched his arm. “But I wanted to see you before I went back home. I’ve spent the day with your mamm.”

  “Oh. Well, it’s good to see you.” Andrew held the storm door open for them once they reached the porch.

  “Carolyn brought homemade pretzels and muffins too,” Hannah said as she walked into the family room.

  “Oh wow! Thank you!” Andrew beamed. “They’re my favorites.”

  “You’re welcome,” Carolyn said. “I’ll see you next month.”

  “Next month?” Andrew tilted his head in question. “What’s next month?”

  “I’m marrying your onkel Joshua next month,” Carolyn told him. “Will you come to our wedding?”

  “Of course I will! That’s cool!”

  Carolyn laughed. “I’ll see you then.”

  “Where are the pretzels?”

  “In the kitchen,” Hannah told him. “You can have a quick snack, and then you need to start your homework.”

  “Ya, Mamm.” Andrew ran out of the room.

  “He’s such a gut bu.” Carolyn crossed her arms over her apron. “I’ll have to get used to seeing him in Englisher clothes and with a short haircut. Amanda looks different, too, but she’s still the same sweet maedel.”

  “Ya, they’re still my gut kinner.” Hannah sighed. “I guess you need to get going.”

  “Ya, I do. I’ll call my driver.”

  “No, you won’t.” Hannah shook her head. “Amanda can take you home.”

  “Are you sure it’s not any trouble?” Carolyn asked.

  “Don’t be silly. Amanda loves to drive. She picks up Mike and takes him to their classes most days.” Hannah started for the kitchen. “I’ll get her for you.”

  Hannah poked her head into the kitchen and asked Amanda to take Carolyn home. After Amanda agreed, she retrieved Carolyn’s basket from the counter and then returned to the family room, where Carolyn was gazing at the family photos lined up on the mantel.

  Hannah sidled up to Carolyn and handed her the basket. “She said she’ll be ready in a minute.”

  “Danki.” Carolyn pointed to the family portraits. “I like these photos.”

  “They’re Trey’s family.” Hannah pointed out Trey’s parents and also his daughter, who had passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning four years earlier.

  “Are you ready?” Amanda walked into the family room, her car keys jingling in her hand. Mike stood beside her with his backpack over his shoulder.

  “Ya, I am.” Carolyn smiled at Hannah. “Danki for having me over.”

  “I’m glad you came.” Hannah hugged her friend. “Please come visit me again soon.”

  “I will, and you need to come to the wedding.” Carolyn touched Hannah’s arm. “Please consider it. Joshua and I want you and your kinner there. You’re part of our family.”

  “Danki,” Hannah said, her voice thick with emotion. “I appreciate that.”

  Carolyn started for the door. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “I’m going to drop Mike off at work after I take Carolyn home,” Amanda said. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Hannah waved good-bye as they all walked out the door. The need to pray gripped her: Please, God, let my Lily spend the day at the bed-and-breakfast with me just as Carolyn did. I need Lily back in my life, Lord. Thank you. Amen.

  Hannah sat in the sitting area of her apartment while reading her Bible later that evening. Although her eyes were scanning the book of John, her mind was still stuck on her visit with Carolyn. She was thrilled that Carolyn and Joshua were going to be married, but she wasn’t certain if she should go to the wedding. Would it cause more heartache if she went and had an unpleasant discussion with Lillian in front of the whole community? The question churned through her mind while she tried to study the Word.

  The door creaked open, and she looked up as Trey entered the room.

  “Hi.” Trey sat down on the chair across the room from her. “How are you?”

  “Fine.” She closed the Bible and rested it on her lap. “Andrew is asleep and Amanda is studying for her exam.”

  “Good.” Trey leaned back in the chair. “I was talking to the guests on the front porch. They seem to be enjoying their stay. They appreciated your suggestions for sightseeing, and they said they’d recommend our bed-and-breakfast to their friends.”

  “That’s great news.” Hannah knew her voice didn’t match the sentiment in her words.

  “Is something on your mind, H
annah?” Trey’s eyes were full of concern. “You look upset about something.”

  “I’m not upset.” Hannah shook her head. “I’m just confused.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Carolyn is getting married next month, and she wants us all to come to the wedding.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Trey’s expression brightened. “We’ll go.”

  “It’s not that simple.” Hannah sighed. “Carolyn is marrying Josh.”

  “Oh.” Trey nodded slowly.

  “I’m very happy for Josh, but I don’t know if I belong at his wedding.”

  “Are you allowed to go even if you’re excommunicated?” Trey asked.

  “Ya, I’m permitted to go, but it may be awkward and painful for my family.”

  Trey’s expression softened. “You mean it may be awkward for you to see Barbie and Lillian.” He filled in the blanks.

  “Ya.” She nodded. “You know me well.”

  “How would an excommunicated church member be treated at a wedding?”

  “I would simply have to sit with the Englishers and eat with the Englishers. So I could still attend, but it would just be . . . awkward.” Hannah ran her fingers over the worn cover of her Bible. “I don’t want to cause any more heartache for Lily than I already have.”

  “But you have a right to be there.” Trey crossed the room and sat beside her. “You want to go. I can see it in your eyes. But you don’t have to decide tonight. Why don’t you pray about it and then make your decision? Talk to Amanda too. I’m happy to go with you and stand by your side. You won’t be alone.”

  “Okay.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He hugged her. “Now let’s get some sleep.” He patted her belly. “You both had a long day.”

  She laughed. “Ya, we sure did.” She looked down and wondered what God had in store for the little person growing inside of her.

  SIX

  Madeleine leaned against the porch railing while balancing her iPhone between her shoulder and her ear. She listened to the ringing until her mother finally picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mom. How are you?”

  “Maddie! How are you?”

  “Fine, fine.” Madeleine gazed toward the Beiler farm and breathed in the crisp air. “I’m enjoying this gorgeous day. You and Jack need to come out and see me. You can leave sunny California and experience some real fall weather for the first time in a long time.”

  “Oh, I know.” Mom sighed. “I want to visit, but we’re both very busy with work.”

  Madeleine rolled her eyes. She loved her mother, but she had every excuse not to come back to Pennsylvania. “I promise you can stay in a hotel so you’ll have electricity.”

  “You still haven’t had it installed in the house?” Her mother’s voice was full of surprise. “I thought you would’ve had electricity put in by now.”

  “I’m not sure if I want electricity. I sort of enjoy the quiet. I had enough noise when I was working at the hospital.” She noticed the little girl on the Beiler farm stepping onto her own porch. The girl waved, and Madeleine returned the gesture. “I wish you could see this adorable girl who lives next door. She and her dad live on the farm that your parents used to own. You know, the property behind Mammi’s house.”

  “Oh yes. I remember seeing them at the funeral. Maybe at my dad’s funeral too. They seemed nice.” Mom paused for a moment. “From what I remember, the father is very reserved and quiet. He’s like most of the Amish men I remember from my childhood. But the little girl is outgoing. I think she talked my ear off at the funeral.”

  “She always waves to me now,” Madeleine said. “I should go meet them, but I always seem to have something to do. And I don’t want to be an intrusive Englisher.”

  “How is the hotel working out? Are you still working there part time?”

  “It’s fine, thanks.” Madeleine lowered herself onto the top porch step. “I’m working there three days a week. The other housekeepers are Amish, and I’m enjoying getting to know them.”

  “Really?” Mom sounded intrigued. “I didn’t realize Amish women would work at a nice hotel like that.”

  “I find it interesting too. They all seem to have a unique story. I’m going to my friend Carolyn’s Amish wedding next month.”

  “Wow. That’s nice that they accept you.”

  “Yeah, I was wondering what would be an appropriate gift. You’ll have to coach me on that.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if I can remember what an acceptable wedding gift would be,” Mom said. “You might want to ask one of your other friends. It’s been a long time since I went to anything like that.”

  “I’ll talk to Ruth—”

  Madeleine thought she heard a scream, and she stood up. The shriek sounded again, and she looked over toward the Beiler farm, where the little girl sat on the ground. It looked like she was shaking, probably crying. “Mom, I have to go! Someone is hurt. I’ll call you later.”

  “Maddie?” her mom asked just before Madeleine disconnected the call.

  Madeleine took off running toward the farm, shoving her phone in her pocket as she rushed down the rock driveway toward the field where the girl screamed again and was most certainly sobbing now. When she reached her, Madeleine squatted next to her and found her cradling her foot in her hand. The girl looked up in surprise.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Madeleine said gently. “Are you okay? What happened?”

  “I fell,” the girl managed to say between sobs.

  “Will you let me help you?”

  The girl hiccupped and then nodded while tears continued to sprinkle down her pink cheeks. Her eyes were wide as her lower lip trembled.

  “My name is Madeleine, and I’m a nurse,” she explained. “Would you let me look at your foot?”

  “It’s my ankle. I think I broke it.” The little girl pointed toward a hole in the ground. “I stepped in that hole on my way to the barn.”

  “Let me have a look.” Madeleine hesitated. “Is it okay if I touch your ankle?”

  The little girl nodded. “You’re a nurse?”

  “That’s right.” Madeleine gently removed the girl’s shoe and sock and examined her small ankle. “I normally find out the names of my patients.” She glanced up at the girl’s pretty pale blue eyes and smiled. “What’s your name?”

  “Emma Beiler.”

  “Well, Emma Beiler, it’s nice to meet you.” She studied the small red spot on her ankle and then moved the girl’s ankle slightly. When she looked up again, she saw Emma had jammed her eyes shut.

  “You can open your eyes now. I don’t think your ankle is broken. I’d say you have a slight sprain. All you probably need is some ice, but if the pain gets worse, then your daddy should take you to the doctor.” Madeleine pointed toward her house. “I have a truck, and I can take you to the hospital if your dad wants you to go.”

  “Okay.” Emma tried to stand up and then winced before sitting down on the ground again. “It hurts too much to stand.”

  “I can carry you.” Madeleine turned and pointed to her back. “Climb on.”

  Emma studied Madeleine. “You want to give me a piggyback ride?”

  “Sure.” Madeleine shrugged. “Why not?”

  “Okay.” Emma carefully climbed onto Madeleine’s back, wrapping her arms around Madeleine’s neck and peeking over her right shoulder. “This will be fun!”

  “Where’s your dad?” Madeleine asked as she stood up, carefully grasped Emma’s legs around her waist, and started to make her way to the farmhouse.

  “In his big shop over there,” Emma said near Madeleine’s ear. “He makes cabinets. That building over there is where he stains the wood, and the other shop is the showroom. This big shop is where he builds the cabinets. He makes the best cabinets in Paradise.”

  “Really? Who told you that?”

  “Marcus did. He’s my dat’s best friend.” Emma loosened one arm and pointed. “His
big shop used to be a dairy barn, but now it’s where he does most of his work.”

  “I remember when it was a dairy barn.”

  “You do?” Emma’s voice was full of surprise. “How do you know?”

  “I know this property really well.”

  “How?” Emma asked as Madeleine approached the shop.

  “I spent a lot of time on this farm when I was little.”

  “Does that mean you knew my mammi?” Emma asked as she craned her neck to look at Madeleine’s face.

  “Your mammi?” Madeleine stopped in front of the shop door and turned her head to look into Emma’s eyes.

  “Ya.” Emma nodded with emphasis. “Martha Stoltzfus lived in your haus. She was mei mammi.”

  “How was she your mammi?” Madeleine studied the girl. “I don’t understand.”

  “She lived in the haus where you live now. I used to visit her all the time. We cooked, worked in her garden, and sewed together,” Emma said as she tightened her hold. “Why are you living in her haus? It’s not an Englisher haus.”

  “I inherited the house because she was my mammi too.”

  “She was?” Emma asked, her eyes wide.

  “That’s right. Now let’s get your dat.” Madeleine pushed open the door and stepped into the large woodworking shop.

  The smell of wood dust filled her senses. The soft yellow light from lanterns perched around the large former barn illuminated the shop. A fairly tall man with dark brown hair and a matching beard stood at a workbench and sanded a cabinet while a diesel generator hummed. An array of tools cluttered a line of surrounding workbenches. A pile of wood sat beside cabinets in various stages of development that were sitting on the benches in the corner.

  “Dat!” Emma called.

  The man stopped working and turned toward Madeleine and Emma. His eyes rounded and his brow furrowed as he stared at them. He turned off the generator.

  “What’s going on? Who are you? Why are you holding my dochder?”

  “This is Madeleine.” Emma took one arm from around Madeleine’s neck and tapped her shoulder. “I fell outside and she came to help me. She says my ankle isn’t broken, but it’s sprained.”