The Hawaiian Quilt

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean;

  Pushing her thoughts aside, Mandy left the room and shut the door. Luana’s daughter and son-in-law would be coming for dinner soon, and she needed to help Luana and Ellen in the kitchen.

  That evening, everyone sat around the dinner table, enjoying the chicken chowder and haystack Mandy and Ellen had prepared for them. The delicious aromas reminded Mandy of home. I wonder what Gideon’s doing right now. Chicken chowder was one of his favorite soups. Mandy had fixed it for him several times since they’d begun courting. I should make the soup again when I get home and invite him over for a meal. She placed her napkin in her lap and bowed her head for silent prayer.

  “This chowder is good.” Ailani and her husband, Oke, spoke at the same time.

  “We’re glad you like it.” Mandy looked at her friend and smiled. When they’d been putting the chowder together this afternoon, she’d told Ellen she was sure everyone would enjoy it. Since it was a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch recipe, Ellen wasn’t sure the Hawaiian family would like it as much as they did.

  Makaio, who had insisted he hobble to the table on his crutches unassisted, was gulping down his second bowl. “This is different from what I’m used to, but I have to say, it’s sure good.”

  “Don’t eat too much,” Mandy teased. “There’s still a Dutch apple pie coming for dessert.”

  “Yes, and Makaio, where are your table manners?” Luana scolded, shaking her finger. “You sound like a puppy lapping milk.”

  Everyone laughed, including Makaio. “Sorry. The soup is so tasty, I couldn’t help it. Bet the pie you made will also be good.” He looked at Luana and grinned before taking another bite.

  “You two young women are spoiling us with your good cooking. I won’t know what to do when you leave—except maybe put my husband on a diet.” Luana laughed, then reached over and touched Mandy’s arm. “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate you both being here and helping out.”

  Mandy sighed. As much as she wanted Makaio’s leg to get well, she was in no hurry to leave Kauai. She wondered if God had a special reason for allowing them to become stranded on this island.

  Chapter 18

  Middlebury

  I don’t know what to do anymore,” Gideon mumbled, clutching his shirt to his heart. “I feel like I’m losing her.” He left the phone shack and headed up to the house. It was the second day of December, and Barbara and Sadie had been back two weeks, but in all those days, he’d only talked to Mandy once. Each time he called, she was either busy doing something at the bed-and-breakfast or had gone someplace. He’d finally gotten ahold of her, but it hadn’t gone well. Mandy seemed distant—like her mind was someplace else. When he’d asked when she might be coming home, she wasted no time telling him she and Ellen were still needed there. It almost seemed as if she didn’t want to come home.

  I need to quit dwelling on this. He kicked a clump of snow with the toe of his boot. Think I’ll head over to Mom’s store and see if she needs help with anything.

  “I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, Barbara, I’m glad you’re back working in the store again.”

  Barbara chuckled as she carried a bolt of material to the counter for a customer who was still shopping. “It’s good to be back, Peggy. I enjoy my work here.” She glanced around the room. “I haven’t seen any sign of Gideon today. Do you know if he’s planning to come by?”

  “I’m not sure.” Peggy looked toward the battery-operated clock on the far wall. “Maybe he had to work later than usual at the upholstery shop. When he does come by, it’s usually earlier than this.”

  “I’m hoping to get the chance to talk to him about Mandy.” Barbara folded some material from a customer who had changed her mind.

  Peggy’s eyebrows rose. “Is something wrong with Mandy?”

  “No, nothing like that. She’s fine physically. I’m worried about her attitude.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I spoke to her last night, and—” Barbara stopped talking when another customer came in.

  “We can talk later,” Peggy whispered. “I’ll take care of the counter, if you don’t mind putting some more white thread on the notions shelf. I can’t believe how many spools we’ve sold in the last two weeks.”

  “I’ll take care of it right away.” Barbara headed to the back room to get the box of thread. As she turned to leave the room, Gideon stepped in, bumping her shoulder.

  “Oops, sorry. Didn’t realize anyone was in here,” he apologized.

  “It’s okay. No harm done.” Barbara’s face warmed as she stepped aside so he could enter the room. “Mind if I ask you something?”

  “Sure.” Gideon took off his hat and tossed it aside.

  “Have you heard from Mandy lately?”

  “Jah. Talked to her this morning.” He dropped his gaze. “The conversation didn’t go well.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I spoke with her last night.” She ran her hands down the sides of her dress. “I’m worried about her, Gideon.”

  “Same here.” Frowning, he looked up. “She won’t be coming home for Christmas.”

  “She told me the same thing.” Barbara leaned against the cabinet where some of the extra notions were stored. “Mandy and Ellen are doing a good deed by helping out at the B&B while the Hawaiian man is recuperating.” She drew in a quick breath, wondering if she should share her concerns with Gideon.

  “You’re right. It’s a charitable thing they’re doing, but it seems as if Mandy likes being there a little too much.”

  “I agree. All she wanted to talk about was all the wonderful things she’s seen so far on the island, and Mandy even mentioned…”

  Gideon took a step toward her. “What else were you going to say?”

  “Mandy admitted she wished she could stay on Kauai forever. Of course, I’m sure she didn’t mean it. She’s probably caught up in the excitement of being there, where the weather is warm and all the tropical flowers and trees are so pretty. I felt the same way when I was there, although I did miss home and looked forward to returning.”

  “You don’t think Mandy will decide to stay in Hawaii, do you?” Gideon clasped Barbara’s wrist, sending a strange tingling sensation all the way up her arm.

  Disappointed when he let go, she tried to reassure him. “I’m sure she and Ellen will come home as soon as Makaio is better. From what Mandy said, his leg is slowly healing, but he needs to stay off it right now.”

  “Sure hope you’re right. I hate to say this, but Mandy seems different. When we talked this afternoon, I had a horrible feeling she’s forgotten where she belongs.”

  “With all she and Ellen have gone through, they’ve had to adjust to a new environment. Once she gets home, things will go back to what they were before our trip.” Barbara moved back toward the door. “Guess I’d better get the spools of thread put out. Don’t lose hope, Gideon. Mandy will be home soon.”

  As Barbara headed for the notions aisle, she glanced back and saw Gideon carrying a larger box out of the room. How could Mandy treat her boyfriend like this? Doesn’t she realize how worried he is and how much he misses her? She placed the box of thread on the floor. If Gideon was my boyfriend, I would have come home by now. Mandy and Ellen are doing a good deed, but I’m sure the Hawaiian couple could have found someone else to help out at their bed-and-breakfast.

  Kapaa

  “Where are you going?” Ken’s mother asked when he grabbed a cardboard box and started for the back door.

  “Over to the B&B. I’m taking them more eggs and poultry. Remember when Luana called and asked for those?”

  Mom nodded. “You’ve been over there quite a bit lately, Son, and staying longer than normal. What’s grabbed your interest all of a sudden at Luana and Makaio’s place?”

  Heat crept up the back of Ken’s neck. “Nothing, Mom. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” It was one thing to admit he was looking for excuses to go there, but another thing to acknowledge the reason why. Ken was not goin
g to admit he was interested in Mandy or that he looked for any excuse to see her. Not that it mattered. She’d be leaving as soon as Makaio’s leg healed, and then he’d probably never see her again. Besides, they were worlds apart. She’d return to her plain Amish life in Indiana, and he would remain here on Kauai, taking care of chickens. So there was no point in telling Mandy how he’d begun to feel about her.

  “Whew! It sure can get humid here.” Mandy wiped the perspiration from her forehead with a handkerchief. “I wonder if it’s going to rain.” She and Ellen had spent most of the afternoon pulling weeds in Luana’s garden. It hadn’t been so bad when they’d first come out, but as the sun grew higher, the heat increased, along with the muggy air. “This isn’t the kind of weather they’re having back home. Isn’t it strange to be doing this type of work in December?”

  Ellen nodded.

  “Think how nice it would be if we could garden all year. Our lives would be a lot different, jah?”

  “You’re right.” Ellen paused for a drink of water. “Speaking of home, how did your conversation with Gideon go?”

  Mandy swatted at a pesky fly buzzing her head. “Not well. I could hear the disappointment in his voice, and he seemed offended. In fact, when I told him we wouldn’t be back for Christmas, he got kind of huffy.”

  “It’s no wonder, Mandy. He misses you.”

  “I miss him, too, but we’re needed here right now.”

  Ellen sighed. “The hardest part of being gone from home for me is missing Christmas with my family.”

  “I’ll miss my family, as well, but we can celebrate the holiday with Luana and Makaio, like we did Thanksgiving. To me, they’re starting to feel like family.” Mandy thought about the delicious turkey dinner Luana had prepared with their help. In addition to Ailani and Oke joining them, Luana had invited the four guests at the bed-and-breakfast to enjoy the holiday meal with them. Mandy was impressed with her hospitality and kindness. It was one more similarity to the way her Amish family and friends reacted to those who visited their homes.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready to take a break.” Ellen set her small shovel aside, stood, and flexed her back. “Let’s go inside and see if Luana needs us to do anything else.”

  “If not, maybe we can do something fun before supper.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Why don’t we go to the beach? You haven’t been there yet, and it’s a perfect day with no wind at all.”

  “I don’t know.” Ellen’s eyes blinked rapidly as she tapped her chin. “With the sun being so hot, we might get burned.”

  “We have our sunscreen.” Mandy gathered up her weeding utensils and was almost to the house when Ken’s rig pulled in.

  “Aloha!” he called after he got out of his SUV. “I brought some eggs and poultry.”

  Mandy waited for him to join them on the grass. “Luana will be glad, because we’re getting low on eggs.”

  “I can take the box inside to her,” Ellen offered.

  “You don’t have to. I’ll take it myself.” Ken smiled. “What have you two been up to this afternoon?”

  “Weeding, but now we’re ready for a break.” Mandy returned his smile.

  “I could use one myself. How’d you like to join me for a hot dog and some shave ice?”

  “Is it really called shave ice, or did you leave off the d?” Mandy questioned.

  “Nope. Here in Hawaii, it’s known as shave ice.”

  Mandy smiled at Ellen. “Seems like we learn new things about Hawaii all the time.”

  Ellen nodded quickly before making her way to the house.

  “So do you want to get something to eat with me?” Ken asked.

  Mandy nodded. “Could we go to the beach for a bit when we’re done eating? Ellen hasn’t been there yet since we arrived on Kauai.”

  “Not a problem. As soon as I give the eggs to Luana, I’d be happy to take you both there.”

  As Ellen walked barefoot along the shoreline with Ken and Mandy, she noticed how well they got along. The way they laughed and talked nonstop, walking close to each other, made it almost seem as if they were a courting couple. Of course, how could it be? Mandy’s boyfriend was waiting for her back home.

  When Ellen stepped into the water, she couldn’t get over how warm it felt. The waves lapped against her ankles as the sand moved slowly away, tickling her bare feet.

  “Hey, look at the seal over there!” Ken pointed as the creature swam out of the water and came onto the beach.

  “Do you see many seals here?” Mandy asked, reaching into her satchel for her camera.

  “Not all the time, so it’s worth a few pictures.”

  They watched the seal awhile, then moved down the beach, visiting and walking in the surf. The edge of Mandy’s dress had gotten wet, and Ellen noticed hers had, too. It was hard to guess where the water would hit her legs as it rolled onto the beach. The breeze blowing on her face felt good, as the sun warmed her exposed skin.

  “Hey, come take a look at this.” Ken stopped walking and bent down to scoop something off the sand.

  “What is it?” Ellen moved closer.

  “It’s a piece of coral.” Ken held it out. “You’ll find pieces like this in many places on the beach.”

  “It reminds me of a head of cauliflower, only it’s tan instead of white.” Ellen reached out to touch it.

  “We should each take a small piece,” Mandy suggested. “Then, when we return home, we can have part of the island with us.”

  Ellen felt a bit of relief. At least Mandy is talking about going home. I hope this means she has no crazy ideas about staying here on Kauai. If she did, there would be a lot of disappointed people back home.

  Chapter 19

  I’ve said this before, but I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your help.” Luana examined a vase as she, Mandy, and Ellen went through some things she planned to sell at her two-day yard sale, which would start the next day. “You both have been a God-send to us.”

  “We’re glad to do it.” Mandy hoped they would make enough money to help with Makaio’s hospital bills. He had health insurance, but it didn’t cover all his medical expenses. Luana had mentioned they’d also receive some aid from their church, and several people had brought things over for them to sell at the yard sale. It did Mandy’s heart good to see how the people from Makaio and Luana’s church had rallied to help them out financially. It reminded her of how things were done at home when an Amish church member had a need.

  “You have a lot of nice items here.” Ellen held a photo of pink primroses.

  “The picture you’re holding used to hang in one of our guest rooms, but we replaced it sometime ago with a painting a friend made for us.” Luana sighed. “Unfortunately, we can’t keep everything. Since the primrose picture is a reproduction I found at our local thrift store, it doesn’t have any real sentimental value.” She picked up a small photograph. “This, on the other hand, has a lot of sentimental value.”

  “What is it?” Mandy leaned toward Luana as she handed her the photo.

  “It’s a picture of the quilt Makaio and I received as a wedding present from my parents.” Sighing, she lifted her hands and let them fall into her lap. “It’s been missing since we moved here from the Big Island.”

  “It looks like a beautiful quilt.” Mandy looked closer at the picture. “The detail is beautiful, and I like the blue and white colors.”

  Tears welled in Luana’s dark eyes as she nodded. “My mother made it. She even sewed Makaio’s and my initials in one corner of the quilt.” After Mandy handed the picture back to her, Luana stared at it with a somber expression. “I fear my mother’s precious wedding gift may have been thrown out or accidentally given to charity before our move.”

  Mandy clasped Luana’s hand, gently squeezing her fingers. “It’s hard to lose something meaningful.”

  “It is, but life moves on, and I try to remember not to focus on things.” Luana
smiled. “Our relationship to God and people is what truly counts.”

  Friday morning, things were hectic at the B&B. Every room was booked, and Luana had to make sure breakfast was ready for her guests, as well as check that everything was set up as it should be for the yard sale later on. Fortunately, it wouldn’t be open to the public until ten, which gave her enough time to feed her guests first. She was thankful Ellen and Mandy had offered to go outside right after breakfast, in case anyone showed up early.

  When Makaio first woke up, he’d complained about his leg bothering him, but now, as they sat down for their morning meal, he shared with their guests some information about Kauai and said he’d be willing to answer any questions about island living.

  “One thing you should be aware of is the vog,” Makaio announced, reaching for his cup of coffee.

  “What’s a vog?” Ellen asked, as she served more coffee to their guests.

  “I’d like to hear about this, as well,” a middle-aged woman from Oregon said.

  “The vog is sort of like fog, only it’s from the volcanic ash on the Big Island.” Makaio’s nose twitched. “Depending on the intensity of the ash, it can bother some people, causing sneezing, congestion, and burning eyes.”

  “I hope it doesn’t occur during our time here,” the woman said. “I have enough problems with allergies and such.”

  “Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with it.” Luana gestured to the bowl of miso soup, along with some chopped green onions, small cubed tofu, and steamed white rice. “Miso soup is from Japan. Some people on this island enjoy having it for breakfast.”

  “Not me,” Makaio announced with a shake of his head. “I prefer Spam and eggs.”

  Luana rolled her eyes. Some things never change.