“I assume Dad and Lenore must be working in the store this afternoon,” Ellen said as they all began walking.
Mom nodded. “You’ll see them at supper in a few hours.”
“What about Darla? Will she be there, too, or is she scheduled to work at the restaurant this evening?”
“She’s there right now,” Ruby spoke up. “Darla was able to work the breakfast and lunch shift, so all our family will be together for supper.”
“I’m glad.” Ellen swung her tote bag as she stepped lightly. Despite missing her friends in Hawaii, it felt good to be home.
Middlebury
“How come you’re panting for breath?” Ezra asked when he saw Lenore coming in the back door of the shoe store.
“I was out in the storage shed putting some boxes of shoes away that a customer didn’t buy.” Lenore blew on her hands and hung up her shawl. “It’s cold out there, and I ran all the way back to the store.”
He gave a nod. “Guess that’s why your gsicht is red too.”
Lenore touched her nose and snickered. “Bet my naas is as red as my face.” She glanced at the clock on the far wall. “Oh, good. It’s almost quitting time. I can’t wait to go home.”
“Are ya doing anything special tonight?” he asked, grabbing a pen.
“Jah. Mom hired a driver so she and Ruby could go to South Bend to pick Ellen up at the airport. We’re gonna have a celebration supper tonight, and Mom’s cookin’ Ellen’s favorite meal.”
“That’s great news.” Ezra’s cheekbones almost hurt from smiling so hard. “Say, what is Ellen’s favorite iems?”
“Noodles over mashed potatoes.” Lenore took a seat on a nearby stool. “Why do you care about my sister’s favorite meal?”
Ezra couldn’t help noticing how Lenore eyed him with suspicion, but it didn’t stop him from blurting out what he wanted to do. “Think I may drop by later on to say hello.”
Lenore’s eyebrows squished together. “Are you sweet on my sister? Is that why you asked me about her so many times when she was gone?”
A warm flush crept across Ezra’s cheeks. After working with Lenore all these months, he’d learned that she wasn’t a bit shy about coming to the point. To his relief, some customers came into the store just then. Nathan began talking to one of the men, and Ezra quickly headed for the other Amish man.
He wasn’t about to answer Lenore’s question. The last thing he needed was Ellen’s little sister blabbing to Ellen about his intentions or spreading gossip around the community. If anyone did the telling, it had to be him. Now he needed to find the right time to do it.
“It’s sure nice to have you back home with us.” Ellen’s dad smiled at her from his seat at the head of the table. “Didn’t seem right with one of my dochder missing.”
Ellen returned his smile. It was nice to be missed, and it felt good to be home, sitting around the table with her dear family. From what she could tell, nothing had changed since she left.
Ellen took a bite of mashed potatoes. Rueben should be with his family as well, but he chooses an unyielding life.
“Tell us all about your time on Kauai.” Darla leaned forward as she gazed at Ellen from across the table. “Did you get to do anything fun while you were there?”
Ellen nodded, thinking about all the things she and Rueben had done. “But of course, most of my time was spent helping at the organic farm, and later, the B&B Ken’s mother bought from Luana and Makaio.”
“I imagine you enjoyed working at the bed-and-breakfast more than taking care of smelly hinkel.” Lenore wrinkled her nose.
Ellen laughed. “I didn’t mind helping care for the chickens, but you’re right—working at the bed-and-breakfast was more enjoyable.”
“What kind of fun things did you do when you weren’t working?” Darla asked.
Ellen blotted her mouth with a napkin. Could she tell them without letting on that she cared for Rueben? “Well, I got to see Spouting Horn again.” She paused for a sip of water. “Another time, I was able to tour a replica of an ancient Hawaiian village.”
“Did you go alone?” Lenore questioned.
Ellen swallowed hard. “No, I went with—”
A knock sounded on the front door, bringing their discussion to an end.
Mom went to see who it was, and returned to the dining room with Ezra. Holding a cardboard box in his hands, he moved toward the table. “My mamm made two apple pies today, and I brought one over to share with all of you.” His gaze moved to Ellen, and he offered her a wide smile. “Welcome back. I bet you’re glad to be home.”
She nodded.
Mom took the box from Ezra. “Tell your mamm we said danki. It was a nice gesture.”
With hands in his jacket pockets, Ezra rocked back and forth on his heels. “Well, um … guess I’d better head for home.”
“Oh, don’t rush off,” Mom was quick to say. “Have a seat at the table and join us.”
He glanced at Ellen again, then back at Mom. “It’s nice of you to offer, but I already ate supper.”
“That’s okay,” Mom said. “You can visit with us while we eat, and then we’ll have some of that pie your mamm made, along with hot coffee.” Grinning, she hurried from the room.
Ellen pursed her lips. It seems odd that Mom would be excited about a pie, when she made my favorite banana whoopie pies for dessert.
Ezra went over to one of the empty chairs at the table and sat down.
“How’s the weather out there?” Dad asked. “When Lenore and I came home from the store earlier it looked like it might snow.”
“No snow yet.” Ezra looked at Ellen again. “Think ya might come back to work at the store?”
She shook her head. “Dad has plenty of help with you and Lenore working there. I’ll start looking for a job elsewhere soon.”
Ezra cleared his throat louder than Ellen thought necessary. “There’s to be a young people’s gathering, with a bonfire, at your friend, Sadie’s soon. Think ya might go?”
Before Ellen could respond, Ruby blurted, “Darla and I will be there, and I’m sure our sister will go too. Right, Ellen?”
Ellen nodded. What else could she do? There was nothing like being put on the spot. She would most likely go because it would be nice to see all her friends again.
She rose from her seat. “Think I’ll see if Mom needs any help in the kitchen.”
Ellen had no more than entered the adjoining room, when Lenore showed up. “Know what I think?” she whispered to Ellen.
“What?”
“I think Ezra likes you. I’ll bet he’s gonna ask if he can take you home after the get-together.”
Mom gave a curious look their way, but didn’t say anything. Ellen noticed a faint smile on her mother’s face as she continued to cut the pie.
Hoping Ezra hadn’t heard their conversation, Ellen leaned closer to Lenore and whispered, “Why would you say something like that?”
“‘Cause the whole time you were in Hawaii he kept asking questions about you.” Lenore rolled her eyes. “And didn’t you see the way he looked at you when he sat at the table? I’m certain that poor fellow’s in love with you.”
Ellen’s face warmed. Could it be true? Is Ezra interested in me? If so, what should I do?
CHAPTER 38
The day after Ellen returned home, she decided to pay Sadie a visit. Since it was Wednesday, Sadie would be working at the hardware store. She looked forward to visiting her friend and hoped she and Sadie could go out to lunch during her noon break.
As Ellen headed down the road toward Shipshewana, it felt a bit strange to be traveling by horse and buggy again. During her time in Hawaii, she’d gotten used to either riding in a car or on the back of Rueben’s motor scooter. She’d enjoyed all those times spent with Rueben and hadn’t even minded getting windblown on the back of his scooter. Truthfully, Ellen had found pleasure in everything she’d done with Rueben.
“There I go, thinking about him again.” Ellen clamped
her mouth shut. How long would it take her to get past the feelings she had for him? Perhaps the longer she was home, the more distant her memory of Rueben would become. She hoped so, because it did no good to pine for something she couldn’t have.
Soon another buggy came from the opposite direction. As it drew closer, Ellen realized it was Ezra’s mother. They greeted each other with a hearty wave, and their horses trotted on.
Ellen reflected on Lenore saying the other night that she believed Ezra might be in love with her. “What nonsense.” She snapped her horse’s reins. “Let’s go, Flame. It’ll be lunchtime soon, and we need to get to Shipshewana.”
Shipshewana
When Ellen entered the hardware store, she found Sadie behind the counter, but there were no customers at the moment.
As soon as Ellen stepped up to the counter, Sadie put down her notepad and leaped off the stool. “Ellen! What a joy it is to see you. When did you get home?”
“Yesterday, late afternoon.” Ellen hugged her friend. “If you haven’t taken your lunch break yet, I thought we could go to the little café in this building and visit while we eat.”
Sadie nodded. “I haven’t eaten yet. It’ll be great getting caught up and hearing all about your trip.”
Ellen smiled and slipped off her outer bonnet. Even though she’d written Sadie several letters, she hadn’t told her everything—especially about Rueben.
Sadie informed her boss she was going to lunch, and the two of them headed down the hall to the restaurant. After placing their orders at the counter and finding a place near the back, they took a seat.
Sadie leaned forward, with her elbows on the table. “I’m eager to hear how Mandy and Ken are doing, and also their boppli.”
“That baby is adorable. Little Isaac has Mandy’s brown hair and Ken’s blue eyes, but that could change as he grows older.” Ellen took napkins from the holder for her and Sadie. “Mandy’s doing well and getting her strength back.”
“How about Ken? Is he getting along better now?” Sadie asked.
Ellen nodded. “He uses a cane and has some limitations, but Rueben’s there to help out, so they’re getting along as well as can be expected.”
Sadie tipped her head. “Who’s Rueben? I thought you said Ken’s mother hired a young man named Rob to do the yard work and maintenance at the bed-and-breakfast.”
Ellen’s shoulders hunched. “Rueben Zook is Rob Smith’s real name. He was raised in Pennsylvania, and his parents and siblings are Amish.”
“What?” Sadie’s brows lifted high on her forehead. “Tell me more.”
“It’s complicated. That’s why I wanted to share this with you in person and not in a letter or phone call.”
Sadie leaned closer. “You have my undivided attention.”
Ellen explained everything about Rueben’s situation: his girlfriend, the accident, and why he’d hidden out in Hawaii.
“It hurt me deep inside when he admitted this to me.” She lowered her head. “If Rueben cared for me, like he said, then he should have been honest from the beginning.”
“Is he ashamed of his Amish heritage?”
“I don’t believe so. It has more to do with Rueben blaming himself for his girlfriend’s death and being unable to face her family or his.”
Sadie rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It’s a good thing you didn’t show your romantic side and get involved with him. He’s not an honest person.”
“To be frank, I do have strong feelings for Rueben.” Ellen fingered her napkin. “But I’ll get over it. It’s just going to take some time.”
“You should get a job so you’ll be too busy to think about Rob—I mean, Rueben.” Sadie shifted against the back of her seat. “And if someone asks you out on a date, you should go.”
Ellen shrugged. “I’ll consider it.”
Kapaa
Mandy smiled, watching her father sitting in the recliner, holding his precious namesake. Mom sat near him, watching little Isaac. “He’s such a good boppli.”
“Jah,” Dad agreed.
What a precious sight to see her parents’ joy as they interacted with their newest grandchild. Mandy wished Mom and Dad could stay here permanently, but they needed to return to their family and Dad’s job back home. They would board a ship next week that would take them to California. Then it would be a train ride to Indiana.
Mandy moved closer to Ken on the couch and reached for his hand. It comforted her to see his strength returning and know that he had accepted his limitations with a more positive attitude. For a while, she’d been worried about his emotional state, but since the baby came, Ken seemed much calmer and upbeat. Their lives seemed to be back on track, although it did seem strange to be living in the home that used to belong to Luana and Makaio. She missed their smiling faces and gentle spirits. Maybe someday she, Ken, and little Isaac could fly to the Big Island for a visit. It would be fun to meet Makaio and Luana’s newest granddaughter too.
Mandy thought about Ellen, and how much she missed her. It was selfish, but she wished things could have worked out between Ellen and Rueben and that they could live in Indiana. It was strange how her thinking had changed, because Mandy hadn’t wanted Ellen and Rueben to develop a relationship at first—not until she learned that Rueben had been raised Amish. If only he’d get right with God and go back to his family, there could be a possibility of him and Ellen getting together. But Rueben seemed determined to wallow in self-pity, letting the guilt of his girlfriend’s death swallow him up like a bottomless pit. All Mandy and Ken could do was continue to pray for Rueben.
Mandy sighed, shifting positions. Guess some things just aren’t meant to be. I’m sure someday Ellen will find the right man and get married.
Needing a break from his work in the yard, Rueben entered the kitchen and got a piece of fruit from the refrigerator. As he ate the papaya, he watched the middle-aged Hawaiian woman who’d been hired to take Ellen’s place. She moved about the kitchen, helping Vickie get a midday snack ready for the two couples currently staying at the B&B. Every time he saw the native woman, he thought about Ellen and how much he missed her.
Well, I can’t stand around here all day, feeling sorry for myself. Rueben wiped his hands on a paper towel and headed back outside.
He’d begun watering some of the plants, when Ken came out of the house. Using his cane, Ken limped over to Rueben and stopped in front of him. “How long are you gonna let this go on?”
“What?”
Ken gestured to the picnic table. “Let’s take a seat. I’m more comfortable sitting down.”
“Okay.” Rueben turned off the spray nozzle and put the hose on the ground. As he followed Ken across the yard, he could almost predict what this conversation would be about.
Rueben took a seat on one side of the table, and Ken seated himself on the other.
“I’ve been watching you mope around here ever since Ellen left, and I think you were foolish for letting her go.” Ken stared right at Rueben, as though daring him to say otherwise.
Rueben lifted his shoulders. “She needed to go home. Her place is with her family, not here on Kauai.”
“I’m well aware, but you should have gone with her.”
Rueben shook his head with force. “No way! I can’t go back to the mainland and face my demons.”
Ken groaned. “Thanks to the shark attack that nearly took my arm and crippled my left leg, I’ve had to face my own share of uncertainties.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I also lived near the Amish the first two years of my marriage, and I’ve come to know Amish values, as well as their ways.”
Rueben massaged his forehead. “What are you getting at?”
“If you return to Pennsylvania and talk to your deceased girlfriend’s family, I’m bettin’ they’ll offer their forgiveness right away.” Ken leaned forward. “As I’m sure you must be aware, the Amish realize that without forgiveness there can be no healing.”
With both hands
clutching his stomach, Rueben rocked back and forth. It was difficult to speak, or even think. Before he could ask anyone else’s forgiveness, he needed to forgive himself. The agony he felt over Arie’s death screamed for release.
Rueben’s shoulders shook as he rested his head in the palms of his hands. Dear Lord, forgive me for what I did. Give me the courage to go home and face my deepest fears.
CHAPTER 39
Now buck up and stop feeling sorry for yourself, Mandy thought as she changed her little one’s diapers. Living here isn’t so bad, and you have much to be grateful for.
Baby Isaac gurgled and kicked his tiny feet. “Look at you, my little sweetie. You just wanna go, don’t you?” Mandy chuckled, in spite of her melancholy mood. Her bundle of joy overwhelmed her heart with happiness. She loved watching everything about her tiny son: his smiles, when he slept, and even his healthy cries, letting her know he was hungry. Isaac was two weeks old, and other then when he was hungry, he hardly ever cried.
Mandy, Ken, and Vickie were good about taking pictures of the newest family member. Mandy planned to mail pictures to her parents, so they could share in the things they’d be missing as this little one grew.
Vickie had sold her car a week ago and bought a minivan so she could carry more passengers. This morning, Vickie had driven Mom and Dad to the port in Lihue so they could begin their return trip to the mainland. Of course, Mandy, Ken, and the baby went along. It had been difficult saying goodbye to her parents, especially because Mandy didn’t know when she might see them again. Their future was uncertain, but at least she and Ken had been blessed with a healthy child.
Mandy was grateful for Vickie. In addition to paying off the remainder of Ken’s hospital bills with the money she’d earned from the sale of the farm, Ken’s mother had provided an income for them by buying the B&B. She was a good grandma, loving mother, and the best mother-in-law a girl could ask for. It was a shame Vickie’s other son didn’t care enough to come see her or his brother, not to mention his first nephew.
The Hawaiian Discovery Page 22
