“Jah, but no sign of Jesse and Cindy yet. I’m eager for them to get here, because today is Cindy’s first birthday.”
“I’m sure they will be along soon.” Grandma gestured to the stack of plates and silverware on the counter. “Why don’t you set the dining-room table while Sara and I finish mashing potatoes and making the gravy?”
“Sure, I can do that.” Lenore picked up the plates. “If Jesse isn’t here by the time everything is ready, are we going to eat without him?”
“I’d rather not, so we’ll try to keep everything warm until they get here,” Grandma replied.
“Okay.” Lenore headed to the dining room. She couldn’t help feeling concerned. What if they’d been in an accident on the way here? Or maybe Cindy had gotten sick and they weren’t coming at all.
Chapter 31
I’m sorry we’re late,” Jesse apologized after Lenore let him and Cindy into the house and he’d taken off their jackets. “We would have been here thirty minutes ago if this little schtinker hadn’t messed her windel when we were getting ready to head out the door.”
“Things like that can happen when it’s least expected and most inconvenient.” Mary Ruth chuckled as she joined them in the hall. “I may be old, but I still remember how it was when Willis and I were raising our two kinner.”
Jesse smiled and sniffed the air. “The wonderful aromas in this home are enough to make my mouth water.”
“Mine too.” Mary Ruth placed her hands on Cindy’s cheeks. “Happy birthday, sweet Cindy.”
“It’s hard to believe my baby girl is a year old already.” Jesse felt a lump forming in his throat. “Seems like just yesterday that she was born.”
“Babies don’t stay babies long enough.” Lenore gestured toward the doorway to their right. “Shall we go into the living room now? I’d like to introduce you to Brad’s parents. They live up in Harrisburg, and we are happy they could join us today.”
Jesse set Cindy’s diaper bag on the floor, along with the bag containing gifts for Lenore and Mary Ruth. He would give them to the women privately so as not to offend anyone else here today, although he knew giving a gift to the others was not expected.
After Lenore introduced Jesse to Brad’s parents, she excused herself to help get the meal on the table.
Jesse felt a bit uncomfortable visiting with people he didn’t know, so he spoke only when a question was asked of him and let the others do most of the talking.
At one point, Lenore’s mother got up and disappeared into the kitchen, and a short time later, Lenore came in and announced that Christmas dinner was ready and waiting on the dining-room table.
Carrying the birthday girl over his shoulder, Jesse followed the rest of the group into the other room. They all took their seats, with Lenore’s father at the head of the table. Cindy sat in her high chair close to Lenore, as she had volunteered to oversee feeding Jesse’s daughter.
Throughout their silent prayer and during the meal, Cindy babbled silly baby talk and pounded on her wooden tray whenever she wanted something more to eat.
Lenore seemed unaffected by the noise or interruption of her meal as she kept Cindy occupied and doled out her food. Her attentiveness to his daughter’s needs impressed Jesse. Lenore would truly be a good mother to my little girl.
Once the meal was over, everyone returned to the living room to relax, sing Christmas carols, and visit. Jesse and Lenore sat on the couch with Cindy situated between them. When the child grew restless and started to squirm, Jesse set her on the floor in front of the coffee table. Within a matter of seconds, Cindy pulled herself up and stood grinning at everyone as she slapped her hands on top of the table. Fortunately, there was nothing on it that could get knocked off. Jesse’s easily excited daughter had broken an empty cup the other evening when she pushed it off the coffee table in Jesse’s living room.
Engrossed in their conversations, no one seemed to pay Cindy’s antics much attention, until she gripped the edge of the table, scooted around to the other side, and took a few wobbly steps. She teetered a bit but remained upright as she made her way across the room, stopping in front of where Mary Ruth sat in her rocking chair.
Mary Ruth laughed and held out her hands. Everyone else in the room clapped. Jesse was glad he’d been able to witness his daughter taking her first steps—and on Cindy’s first birthday, no less. Squinting, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. If only Esther could be here right now to see this milestone in our daughter’s young life.
Lenore felt such excitement seeing Cindy walk, she barely noticed the knock on their door. Grandma must have heard it right away, though, for she was up on her feet and heading to the hallway that led to the front door. A few minutes later, she returned to the living room with Ezekiel and Michelle. Brad’s parents were introduced once more, and everyone gathered around the table again—this time for dessert. So many delicious pies had been set out: pumpkin, apple, chocolate cream, and Lenore’s favorite, Pineapple Philly. Just looking at them made Lenore’s mouth water.
“It’s so good to see you both.” Grandma looked over at Michelle and Ezekiel and smiled. “How are things going with your new business, Ezekiel?”
Michelle sat beside him quietly as he enthusiastically told all about making bee supplies and how much he enjoyed it. “I’m getting more customers all the time,” he added.
“That’s wunderbaar. And how about you?” Grandma asked, turning her gaze on Michelle. “Have you been keeping busy since you moved to New York?”
Michelle lowered her gaze to the table. “Not that much. It’s kinda lonely being away from friends and family.”
“Haven’t you made any new friends yet?” The question came from Sara.
Michelle shook her head. “I know a few women from our church district, but I haven’t developed a close relationship with any of them.”
Lenore had a hunch Michelle might have closed herself off from establishing new friendships because she didn’t really want to be in New York.
“We do have some exciting news, though.” With a wide smile, Ezekiel spoke again. “We are expecting our first child. So sometime in July, my fraa will have more than enough to keep her busy.”
“That is exciting. I’m so happy for you.” Sitting in a chair to Michelle’s right, Lenore leaned over and hugged her friend.
“Thank you.” Michelle pressed her lips together for a moment and then spoke. “I just hope everything goes okay with my pregnancy. I’ve suffered so many disappointments over the course of my life. I think I’d fall apart if I lost this boppli.”
“What’s a boppli?” Brad’s mother asked.
“It’s the Pennsylvania Dutch word for ‘baby,’” Brad explained. He looked over at Mary Ruth and grinned. “Bet you didn’t think I knew what it meant, huh?”
She shrugged. “I’m not really surprised. You have been around us so much you’ve probably picked up a lot of words from our everyday Amish language.”
Brad nodded. “Not enough to understand whole sentences though—just a few words here and there.”
“That’s how it is with me too,” Sara agreed. “Maybe someday I’ll understand the language better.”
“It took me a while to learn,” Michelle interjected. “But Mary Ruth, Willis, and Ezekiel were good teachers. I may not say everything just right, but I’m quite comfortable with the Pennsylvania Dutch language now.”
“Well, as you may have all noticed, there are more than enough pies on the table, so I say we should each take a piece or two, and as Daed used to say, ‘let’s eat ourselves full.’” Lenore’s dad gave his belly a couple of thumps, just the way Grandpa used to do for emphasis.
The mention of Grandpa’s name put a lump in Lenore’s throat. From the way Grandma’s shoulders drooped, Lenore figured she wasn’t the only one at the table feeling the loss of Grandpa tonight.
By eight o’clock, everyone except Jesse and Cindy had gone home. He’d decided to stay a little longer to give Lenore and Mary Ruth th
eir gifts and spend some more personal time with Lenore.
“I’ll be right back. I have something for both of you,” Jesse said, looking first at Lenore and then Mary Ruth.
He stepped into the hall to retrieve the sack he’d brought in earlier and took it to the living room where Mary Ruth and Lenore sat in chairs near the crackling fireplace. Cindy seemed quite content as she sat on the floor, playing with one of the toys she had received as a birthday present this evening.
“Here you go. Merry Christmas.” Jesse handed one of the packages to Mary Ruth. “This is from me and Cindy.”
Mary Ruth opened the gift and smiled when she removed the battery-operated candle Jesse had purchased at Herschel’s store. “Danki for thinking of me. You can be sure this inschlichlicht will be put to good use.”
“You’re welcome.” Jesse handed the other package to Lenore. “Merry Christmas. I hope you’ll like what I got you as well.”
Lenore removed the wrapping paper and withdrew a box of pretty stationery and a book filled with short devotionals. “Thank you, Jesse. These will also be useful.” Lenore got up and left the room. When she came back, she handed him a package wrapped in red tissue paper.
Jesse tore it open and withdrew a dark gray knitted scarf. “This will keep my neck warm during our cold winter days. Did you make it, Lenore?”
“Jah. I knitted the scarf while I was waiting for my back to heal. Grandma’s a good teacher. She taught me how to knit when I was around ten years old.”
“Well, you did a fine job. Danki for thinking of me.”
“You’re most welcome.”
Jesse sat toward the edge of the couch and shuffled his feet across the hardwood floor a few times. “Umm … I was wondering if you’d like to go outside with me and look at the moon. There’s supposed to be a full one tonight.”
Lenore looked at her grandmother as though asking for her approval.
Mary Ruth nodded. “You two go ahead. I’ll keep an eye on Cindy. You’d better make sure you’re dressed warmly though. It’s bound to be nippy out there.”
Jesse wrapped his new scarf around his neck and put on his jacket, hat, and gloves.
Lenore tied a woolen scarf over her white head covering, put a woolen shawl around her shoulders, and slipped on a pair of gloves. “I’m ready when you are, Jesse.”
He opened the front door and held it for her. When she stepped out onto the porch, he followed. Then, closing the door behind him, Jesse walked up to the railing and pointed at the bright, full moon and the array of twinkling stars scattered across the dark sky. “Pretty awesome sight, isn’t it?”
“Jah. Only God could have created such beauty.”
They stood side by side, staring at the majestic display of lights, until Jesse managed to muster up his courage. “I have a question to ask you, Lenore, and if you say no, I’ll understand.”
When she turned her head in his direction, he saw a puff of warm breath emit from her slightly open mouth. “What is it?”
“Will you marry me?” There, it was out. Now he could breathe normally again. Jesse rubbed his hands down his pant legs, waiting nervously for her response.
Several seconds passed, then Lenore said in a near whisper, “Jah, Jesse, I would be honored to be your wife.”
Jesse drew another breath and released it slowly. He wasn’t sure if he felt relief or disappointment. Cindy needed a mother, and he needed someone to run his household, but how would Lenore feel if she knew he didn’t love her?
Chapter 32
The weeks flew by, and before Lenore knew it, spring was in full blossom. Teaching school, helping Grandma with chores, and planning for her wedding kept her busy. She saw Jesse nearly every day and looked forward to becoming his wife on the last Thursday of May. It was hard to believe in just one month she would become Mrs. Jesse Smucker. While Jesse had never said he loved Lenore, she felt sure he did, or he wouldn’t have asked her to marry him. Most Amish couples in their area got married in the fall, but Jesse had suggested May, since Lenore would be through teaching school by then.
Both she and Jesse had this Saturday off. Grandma had agreed to watch Cindy so they could go out to supper. It would give them an opportunity to be alone and talk more about the wedding.
Lenore checked her appearance in the bedroom mirror and went downstairs to wait for Jesse. He would be dropping Cindy off soon, and they could be on their way to the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant, where Jesse had said he would like to go. Lenore had been there many times and always enjoyed their food. But the best part of the evening would be time spent with Jesse. The more Lenore was with him, the more convinced she was that he was the man God intended for her. Jesse was kind and soft-spoken, always willing to help out whenever Grandma or Lenore had a need. He was a good father to Cindy, and Lenore looked forward to raising more children with him. The thought of marrying Jesse sent shivers up her spine.
“You’re shivering, dear girl. Are you cold?” Grandma asked from her chair across the room.
“Umm … no, not really. Just felt a little chill is all.”
“Maybe you should move away from the window. When Jesse shows up, if he sees you standing there looking out, he might think you’re eiferich to see him.” Grandma spoke in a teasing voice.
Lenore moved over to the couch and took a seat. “I am eager to see him, as well as Cindy.” She crossed her ankles and wiggled her feet. “I can hardly wait to be Cindy’s mudder.”
“What about Jesse? Are you eager to be his fraa?”
A warm flush crept across Lenore’s cheeks. “Jah, I truly am.”
Grandma set her knitting aside and looked directly at Lenore. “I hope the two of you will be as happy in your marriage as your grandpa and I were. And I hope the Lord gives you many good years to enjoy together.”
Lenore smiled. “I want that too.”
Jesse’s muscles twitched as he guided his horse and buggy up the lane leading to Mary Ruth’s house. Normally he wasn’t this nervous about seeing Lenore, but tonight was different. He had something serious to discuss with her and hoped she would understand and accept what he said without becoming too upset. He’d already had a bad day that began when he climbed up a ladder to knock a yellow jacket nest off the house and received a nasty sting inside the collar of his shirt. The only good thing about it was he’d discovered how fast he could get down the ladder and pull off his shirt.
As the house came into view, Jesse’s tension increased. I have to tell Lenore I’m not in love with her. It wouldn’t be fair to let her marry me thinking there will ever be anything more between us than friendship. His jaw clenched so hard it spasmed. She has the right to know before it’s too late.
He thought about his older brothers, Samuel, Noah, Moses, and Paul, and wondered if they had been in love with their wives when they got married. I can only imagine what my family in Kentucky would have to say if they knew I was planning to marry Lenore only for convenience’ sake.
Jesse pulled up to the hitching rail and got out. After he’d secured his horse, he went around and got Cindy out of the buggy.
She clung to his neck and brushed her soft cheek against his.
“You deserve a mudder,” Jesse whispered. “One who’ll love you as much as I do. I only hope when Lenore hears my confession she’ll still be willing to marry me.”
Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania
“They’re quite busy this evening.” Lenore glanced around the restaurant. “Seems like a good many people had the same idea you had and decided to eat supper here.”
Jesse took a bite of mashed potatoes and nodded. If he kept his mouth full, maybe he wouldn’t have to talk. But I can’t be rude and ignore her all night. He struggled to come up with the right way to say what was on his mind. Guess it’d be best to wait till I take Lenore home before I say anything. Sure don’t want anyone to hear our conversation, or worse yet, what if Lenore doesn’t take the news well and starts crying?
Jesse had himself so worked up
he could barely swallow the next bite of potatoes he put in his mouth. He wanted to make their meal as pleasant as possible, in hopes that it would put Lenore in an amicable mood.
Jesse swallowed his food, took a drink of water, and asked Lenore, “How did things go at school yesterday? Are the scholars getting anxious for their summer break?”
“I’m sure they are, although no one has come right out and said so.” Lenore forked some noodles and ate them. “The other day when some of the older scholars were playing baseball, two of the boys crashed at first base. Gabe hit a ball toward right field, and the other boy, Delbert, jumped up to catch it. When he came down, Gabe was running onto the base and their heads collided. Both boys ended up getting stitches—one boy near his left ear, and the other close to his left eye.” Lenore shook her head. “We teachers always have some rough-and-tumble boys to deal with.”
“I was never that rough when I was a boy,” Jesse said. “But I was good at playing ball.”
Lenore smiled at Jesse from across the table. “I have always enjoyed playing ball too.”
They ate in silence for several minutes, and then Lenore spoke again. “As you know, I’ve been working on my wedding dress.”
Jesse nodded. He wished the topic of their wedding hadn’t come up so soon.
“Well, I finished it earlier today, so that’s one more item off my list of things to get done before our wedding.”
Jesse couldn’t think of what to say in response. He sure couldn’t blurt out that she’d made the dress for nothing because he wasn’t going to marry her after all. He clenched his fork so hard his knuckles whitened. Get a grip on yourself. Just smile and nod. Taking his own advice, he did just that.
“The wedding plans are coming together, and I’m pleased that I’ve been able to cross so many items off my list.” Lenore’s voice was light and bubbly, making it even more difficult for Jesse to carry on this conversation.
The Healing Jar Page 20
