The Sisters of Sugarcreek

by Cathy Liggett

  “So, well, maybe . . . ,” he finally started as he pulled another box from his coat pocket. “This isn’t too much, then?”

  It was a tiny jewelry case, as diminutive as the one before. Far too small for a bracelet, but just right for a necklace. At least that’s what she assumed. What she expected. Until she peeled open the box, revealing something altogether different.

  A mist of tears sprang to her eyes, clouding her view of a ruby-and-diamond ring. “It’s so beautiful, Derek, so beautiful,” she gushed. “And it matches the earrings perfectly.”

  “I had it designed to match. That’s another reason why I didn’t give you the earrings before now. I was waiting for the jeweler to have this ready for you.”

  “Is it—is it possibly what I think it is?”

  “It’s whatever you want it to be. It can be a ring that completes your set, along with the earrings. Or . . .” He paused a beat, gazing at her longingly. “I’m hoping it’s a ring that completes my life—our life together. A family for the three of us.” His voice broke with huskiness. “But, uh, I know all of this is a surprise, Jess, so if you need more time . . .”

  “I think we’ve already wasted enough time, Derek. The only time I want is with you.”

  Her certainty triggered a smile that spilled over his face. Not hesitating a moment, he took the ring from the box and placed it on her offered finger.

  “I love you so, so much, Derek.”

  “Ah, Jess. I’ll love you forever. I already have. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I do,” she said softly. “Now I do.”

  His mouth captured hers once again, leaving them both so caught up in one another’s kisses that they startled at the sound of Cole’s voice.

  “Smile!” her son shouted out.

  All at once, their lips broke apart. Still locked in each other’s arms, they turned to see Cole, half of his face hidden behind his new camera.

  “Smile!” he commanded them again.

  But he didn’t really have to.

  Neither she nor Derek could contain their joy. They couldn’t stop smiling or laughing as Cole clicked away, documenting their special event—the start of their lifetime together.

  And as sure as there was a heaven above, Jessica knew her aunt Rose had to be looking down and smiling too.

  AT THE SOUND of her cell phone, Liz looked up from her rows of knitting and noticed Daisy’s head poked up curiously as well. Until then, the pup had been napping undisturbed beside the hearth under the string of Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel, looking like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

  Being that it was Sunday and early evening, Liz was anticipating Amy’s call. But she wasn’t expecting to hear her grandkids’ voices the moment she picked up the phone.

  “Mare-wee almost Christmas, Nana!” The two of them shouted their sweet garbled greeting, warming her heart and making her laugh out loud.

  “Merry almost Christmas to you, too!”

  “Do you have kisses for Nana?” Liz could hear Amy saying, to which Ellie and Jack both made smooching sounds in the phone, and Liz readily returned the love with smacks of her own. But of course, once Ellie and Jack had started, they didn’t want to stop. And didn’t, until Amy chimed in. “Okay . . . that’s enough kisses. Off to baths, you two. Daddy’s waiting for you.”

  Liz could hear them scampering away in the background and moaned into the phone. “Oh, they are so precious. I can’t wait for you all to get here so I can cuddle them close.”

  “It won’t be too much longer now. How’s everything on your end, Mom? What are you up to?”

  “Just sitting here enjoying my beautiful Christmas tree.” Well, beautiful might be a stretch. She and Daniel had made a trip north to a Christmas tree farm, determined to find the perfect tree for her family room, something grand the whole family could admire. But then they spotted Pat, the name they’d given the pathetic, skinny eyesore of a tree with nothing much symmetrical about it. Instant pushovers for the endearingly sad thing, they’d brought it home and decorated the scrawny, lopsided limbs the best they could. Unfortunately, the layer of tinsel hadn’t improved its appearance much at all.

  “You’re just sitting there?” Amy suddenly sounded concerned. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “I feel great! I’m knitting while I’m sitting. And not a vest this time. I’m knitting a sweater.”

  “Oh, something new! One of your argyle vests with sleeves.” Amy snickered, and Liz couldn’t blame her daughter for ribbing her. As she’d mentioned to the gals at the Cottage, over the years she’d worked from the same pattern so many times she could recite it backward. Even sideways if that were possible. She felt completely comfortable with the tried-and-true design and knew it would always turn out. Just so. But like everything else in her life, she’d known it was time for a change.

  “Okay, I deserve that.” She grinned. “But I’ll have you know I’ve found a brand-new pattern. Something I’ve never tried.”

  “Mom! After all these years!” her daughter teased more. “I’m so proud of you. What’s it like?”

  “It has cables, and I’m using a nice, subtle olive-green yarn.” A color sure to bring out the green flecks in Daniel’s hazel eyes.

  “Cables and no crimson, gray, or white yarns?” Amy chuckled. “Well, that is new and different. You’re branching out.”

  “Geez, Ames, I can’t believe you called just to ridicule your dear old mother.” Liz smiled. “And after all that I’ve been going through to plan a special Christmas for you all, shame on you.”

  “Oh, you know I’m only kidding. We love everything you knit for us,” Amy insisted. “And, Mom, about our visit: I seriously hope you’re not going to a lot of trouble. We’re only going to be in Sugarcreek for four days.”

  “Trust me, celebrating Christmas with my darling grandchildren is no trouble at all.”

  After accepting the job offer from Belinda and John, she’d had a few loose ends to tie up at the real estate office. Then, when she wasn’t visiting the Annabelle’s kitchen to get a feel for the daily operation there before her official start in January, she’d been in her own kitchen—baking Christmas cookies and bars galore. Daniel had complained he couldn’t taste-test any more sweets or he was going to have to diet before Christmas even arrived.

  “Have you taken the kids to see Santa yet?” she asked Amy.

  “We’re going a night this week so it’s not as crowded. But tonight, once they’re bathed and in their pajamas, we’re planning to take a ride and look at Christmas lights.”

  “That was always so much fun to do with you,” Liz sighed. “I’m actually going to the outdoor candlelight service at the church grounds tonight.”

  “Oh, you told me about that. Sounds chilly.”

  “Ha, yes. I’m sure it will be. But they promised it won’t run too long, and it’s a way of joining together for Christmas before they start the reconstruction in January. It’ll be an emotional night, for sure. But overall, a good one, I think.”

  “Are you going by yourself? And meeting people there?”

  “Uh, no . . .” She stumbled over her words. “Actually, my, uh, ride should be here any minute.”

  “Is Jessica picking you up? How is she doing?”

  “Jessica? She’s doing well. But no, that’s not who’s taking me. I’m going with . . .” She paused and instantly her heart sped up a few beats at the knowledge of what finally had to be said. She’d kept putting off telling Amy about her feelings for Daniel, not sure how she’d react. But she couldn’t put it off any longer, not with Amy and her family coming to town. Her ear felt like it was on fire, pressed against the phone. “I’m going with someone very special, Amy. With Daniel.”

  There was a moment’s lull on Amy’s end. “Daniel? Your handyman? But I thought . . . Well, I’m confused. I thought you said he was just a friend.”

  “I know, Ames,” Liz said ever so softly. “For a while, I thought that’s all he
was too.”

  Her daughter went silent, and Liz wished she knew what was going on in her mind. As much as Amy didn’t want her to be alone, was she ready to see her with someone else? Especially now, right at this time of year, when she’d surely be remembering her father’s passing? Would she be hurt? Disapproving? Embrace the idea? Or fight it like Liz herself had?

  She sat silently, hoping and praying their Christmas together wouldn’t be spoiled because of her disclosure. The seconds felt like minutes before Amy spoke again. “Well, all I can say is—”

  Liz closed her eyes and held her breath.

  “I was wondering when you were going to realize how special he is to you, Mom.”

  “What?” Liz squealed. “You knew too?” Just like Lydia and Jessica had. Liz sure felt slow on the uptake.

  “Are you kidding? I could hear it in your giddy voice every time you’d talk about your ‘friend.’ So we’ll be seeing you and Daniel when we get there on Christmas Eve?”

  “Yes! I mean, that’s what I was planning.”

  “Good. I can’t wait to meet him, Mom.”

  “Oh, Amy, I can’t wait for you to meet him either.”

  “And, Mom . . .” Amy faltered, and Liz could detect the emotion in her daughter’s voice in the way only a mother can. “I want you to know, I’m really, really glad for you.”

  “Oh, honey, thank you.” Tears brimmed in Liz’s eyes. She was so relieved . . . so appreciative of the support, understanding, and love in Amy’s words. “I love you, Ames.”

  The doorbell rang just as Liz was finishing her call and swiping the tears from her eyes. Knowing it was Daniel, she quickly hid the beginnings of his sweater under a sofa pillow and turned off Pat’s tree lights before answering the door.

  He stood in her doorway, grinning as if he were seeing her all over again for the first time. And she knew just how he was feeling. Seeing him, her heart swelled the same way it had the first morning he’d stood on her doorstep with a bag of muffins.

  “Hey!” He leaned forward slightly and she stretched up to meet his kiss hello. “I left the car running so it would be warm for you. Are you ready?”

  Gazing into the face of the man she’d come to love, she sighed. “Yes!” she said without hesitation. “Yes, I am.”

  It had taken a while for her to get there, but she was definitely, definitely ready. Open for any and all blessings to come her way. And it dawned on her at that moment that in many ways her life was a lot like her knitting. She’d learned lessons, acquired a few skills, and then had settled into a way of doing things she was comfortable with, sometimes expecting nothing more. It wasn’t until recently that she’d realized the real depth in life—as in knitting—came in being brave and trying out new colors and patterns. Being open and accepting of the new situations and new people God had brought into her life.

  Obviously, she had no way of knowing what the end result would be. But if she only kept trusting in His love—and herself—she was sure to discover more somethings and someones pleasing to her heart. More than she’d ever imagined, just as she already had.

  “We’ll be back soon, Daisy,” she said over her shoulder to her pup, then picked up her coat and purse from the nearby bench and closed the door behind her.

  The air was crisp. The sky was clear. And she knew without a word being said, as she joined Daniel on the porch, that his heart like hers was full of promise. He held out his kind, solid, gentle hand. She took it. Warmed by each other’s touch, they walked that way, into the starlit, glittering Christmas-light night.

  A DRAFT OF COLD AIR sneaked its way into Lydia’s house as she opened the door to let Jonas inside.

  “I can’t promise the buggy will be verra warm for the trip into town tonight,” he said, briskly rubbing his hands together.

  “Oh, I know. Just feel that air.” Shivering, she hurriedly closed the door behind him. “Flora is lucky I’m not the one driving. She can stay cozy in the barn. As for us, I thought a few blankets might help.”

  She nodded toward the love seat, where she’d already stacked an assortment of wool lap covers to take on their ride to the Faith Community Church grounds.

  “Jah, those blankets will help some. But the backseat of a sheriff’s car would sure be a lot warmer.” His eyes twinkled merrily.

  Putting a hand to her hip, she pretended to be disgruntled. Though hard as she tried, she couldn’t hold back a smile whenever her neighbor got to ribbing her. “Really, Jonas Hershberger, are you gonna tease me about that forever?”

  “Nee, not forever. Just a little while longer. Maybe till next year this time.” He laughed. “Our friendly Deputy Derek is coming tonight, isn’t he?”

  “Jah, he’s bringing Jessica and Cole.”

  “I talked to Uncle Daniel again the other day. He mentioned he’d be at the candlelight service with Liz.”

  “I believe the Keims and some of the other families from our quilting circle are coming too.”

  “That’s what I’d heard from a few of the men down at work.” Jonas nodded. “It’s gut the pastor made such a point to invite nonmembers too. Though I keep wondering, Lydia, how you’re doing. I know it’s gotta be mighty hard for you.”

  Once she’d finally gotten answers that helped make better sense of her marriage, she’d still lain awake many a night crying. She’d drifted through many a day in a fog. Until one morning, Gott, in His goodness and mercy, brought her just the comfort she needed.

  As she’d sifted through a bottom dresser drawer in search of thicker stockings to ward off the cold, her fingers came across something she had tucked away there a year or more ago. A tissue wrapped around a rose, so old the flower was nearly void of any pink color. So dry, many of its petals had broken loose. But still, the rose had been precious to her the day she’d hidden it away. And its specialness hadn’t faded at all. Neither had the memory of the afternoon Henry had given it to her—a most perfect summer day that the two of them had shared.

  Instead of heading their buggy homeward after church, that Sunday Henry had veered off onto a back road and into a meadow she’d never seen before. There, they spent hours sitting under a shade tree, snacking on apples he’d brought along and dipping their toes into the pond. And her heart had melted as he plucked a wild rose from a bush and tucked it into her kapp. That night, too, he had held her closer than he ever had before.

  But by the next morning, he acted as if none of those things had ever happened. All that she had left as proof was the pink wild rose.

  Rediscovering that flower brought her solace. But it was also a harsh reminder of how the evil one had racked Henry’s soul, tortured his life—and she couldn’t let him do the same to hers. She made up her mind right then that she wouldn’t let the devil get his way any longer. She simply wouldn’t let that happen. If she did, it felt as if she’d be dishonoring Henry’s memory.

  So her pouting and pondering turned into prayers. She kept busy crafting and working. And she vowed to Gott to help anyone she could, knowing from experience how healing kindness and encouragement could be. Life on earth was not easy for anyone, for sure. Everyone was going through something at one time or another. But a stitch of hope, as she’d been told Rose used to say, was just the thing that could help get a person through hard times more easily.

  “I’m just thankful for so many friends who are coming tonight,” she told Jonas. “A friend can make all the difference, ya know?”

  Jonas stared at her longingly, like there was something more he wanted to say. Something perhaps to comfort her?

  She placed a hand on his forearm, consoling him instead. “Don’t you worry, Jonas. I’m going to be all right.” A promise she’d made to herself as much as to him.

  “I know you will.” He clasped his warm hand over hers, patting encouragingly. “Knowing you as I do by now, I have no doubt about that, Lydia.”

  He squeezed her hand gently before she broke away from him. Taking a deep breath, she tried to lighten the moment
with a smile. “We still have some time before we leave. This morning, I defrosted the pecan pie that your uncle Daniel and Liz didn’t finish. Do you think you’d like a piece and some verra hot tea before we go?”

  “Pecan pie?” His eyes lit up. “It’s my favorite.”

  She raised a brow as they walked side by side into the kitchen. “Hmm . . .” She started to grin. “Really? I thought sugar cookies were your favorite.”

  “Ah, did I say that?” He scratched at his chin.

  “Yes, you did.”

  “You have way too good of a memory. I’ll have to watch what I say around you.”

  Laughing at his honesty, she gently chided him, “Yes, you certainly will.”

  As always, it was easy making small talk with her neighbor as she placed wedges of pie onto plates and poured steaming water into both of their mugs. Going from one topic to the next, they chatted about work, the weather, their pets, and even her excitement over the upcoming visit from her mother and sister.

  “How long did you say they’re staying again?” he asked once he’d savored his first bite of pie.

  “Oh, just for a week or so, though I wish they could visit a lot longer. I haven’t seen them in forever. Or at least it feels that way.”

  “It’ll be a nice way for you to end the year, for sure.”

  Lydia could feel the delight bubbling up inside her as she thought about the approaching day of their arrival. “I’m also verra glad they’re coming soon so they can stay at my house. Especially since I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be here.”

  Jonas’s fork halted in the air. It hovered over his plate as he narrowed his eyes on hers. “Well, if not here, Lydia, where on earth would ya be?”

  “Oh, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you the news!” She leaned closer. “Derek confided to me that he’s proposing to Jessica tonight.”

  “Jah?” Jonas blinked, looking even more bewildered than before. And slightly put off as well. “That’s wonderful gut for the two of them, but I don’t understand what it has to do with you.”