Lydia's Charm

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Guess I’d better let you go. Besides, I should get home. No telling what those boys of mine are up to by now.” Menno stepped into his buggy. “See you soon, Lydia.”

  As Meno drove away, Lydia turned toward the house. Just as she reached the back porch, another horse and buggy pulled into the yard. This time it was Rueben. He secured his horse to the hitching rail and headed for the house. Lydia met him halfway across the lawn.

  “I missed seeing you and your mamm at church this morning and thought I’d stop by on my way home and check up on you.” Rueben glanced toward the house. “Mae’s not sick, is she?”

  “No, but she fell and broke her arm yesterday.” Lydia once again related the story of the evening’s events.

  “That’s a shame.” His brows furrowed. “Is she feeling up to company? I’d like to say hello and let her know I’m concerned about her.”

  “She’s sleeping right now,” Lydia said. “After her last pain pill took effect, she couldn’t keep her eyes open.”

  “Guess I won’t disturb her then. Please tell Mae that I stopped by, and do let me know if you need anything.”

  As Rueben’s buggy pulled out of the yard, Lydia thought about the look of concern on his face when he’d heard about Mom.

  I wonder if I should invite him to join us for supper some evening, Lydia thought as she stepped onto the porch. Maybe when we have Menno and his boys over again, I’ll make sure Rueben’s included. Surely Mom won’t mind.

  CHAPTER 34

  Are you sure you’re going to be all right here by yourself?” Lydia asked Mom on Monday morning.

  Mom, who sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea, nodded. “You helped me get dressed, made my breakfast, and even put a sandwich in the refrigerator for my lunch, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” She held up her left arm. “I still have one good arm, so I’m not completely helpless.”

  “I know, but you need to be careful not to do too much.”

  “I won’t; I promise.”

  “I need to head for work now,” Lydia said, glancing at the clock. “Is there anything you want me to do before I leave?”

  Mom shook her head. “You go ahead and don’t worry about me.”

  “I’ll try not to, but I’m going to stop by Sarah Yoder’s on my way to work and ask her to check up on you.”

  “There’s no need for that.”

  “Sarah’s your friend,” Lydia said. “She’d want to know that you broke your arm, and I’m sure she wondered why we weren’t at church yesterday.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  Lydia gave Mom a hug and opened the back door. She was about to step out when she noticed a cardboard box sitting on the porch, a few feet from the door.

  “What’s that?” Mom asked when Lydia returned to the kitchen and set the box on the table.

  Lydia opened the flaps on the box. “It’s full of canned food items and some root vegetables. It looks like our secret gift-giver is at it again.”

  Mom peered into the box. “Hmm… I wonder who it could be.”

  “I don’t know, but I have my suspicions. I’m really thinking it must be either Menno or Rueben.”

  Mom pursed her lips. “Hmm… You did say that they both stopped by here yesterday when I was napping, so they’re the only ones who know I broke my arm. Of course, one or both of them might have told someone else by now. Anyone could have left the food, I suppose.”

  Lydia motioned to the box. “I’ll put these things away when I get home from work.”

  “I can do it,” Mom said.

  Lydia shook her head. “These things need to be put on the shelves in the basement.”

  Mom’s jaw tightened. “My legs aren’t broken, Lydia. I’m perfectly capable of going down to the basement.”

  “But with only one good arm, you can’t carry jars and hold on to the railing.”

  “Guess you have a point.”

  “Promise not to go down to the basement?”

  “I won’t go down.”

  “I’ve really got to go now, or I’ll be late for my shift.” Lydia gave Mom another hug. “Take it easy while I’m gone, and I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

  After Lydia left, Mae decided to rest on the sofa. Her eyes felt so heavy she could barely keep them open. It must be the pain medication, she thought as she reclined on the sofa and closed her eyes. I’ll just rest here awhile…

  Tap-tap-tap!

  Mae’s eyes snapped open. When she glanced at the clock, she realized that she must have fallen asleep, because Lydia had been gone nearly an hour.

  “Come in,” she called.

  The back door squeaked open, and Sarah Yoder stepped into the room.

  “Lydia stopped by on her way to work and said you fell and broke your arm.” Sarah took a seat in the chair closest to Mae. “I came over to see if you needed my help with anything.”

  Mae yawned and sat up. “Actually there is something you could do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Someone left us a box of food this morning, and Lydia made me promise not to put the things away myself.”

  “No problem. Where do you want me to put things?”

  “It’s canned items and some root vegetables, so you can put them in the basement.”

  “I’ll do that right now. Is the box in the kitchen?”

  Mae nodded. “But you don’t have to do it this minute. If you have the time, we can sit and visit awhile.”

  “Let me get the things put away first, and then I’ll make us a pot of tea, and we can visit.”

  Mae smiled. “I appreciate your coming by.”

  “That’s what friends are for.” Sarah hurried from the room.

  A few minutes later, there was another knock on the door.

  Knowing that Sarah had gone to the basement, Mae went to the door and opened it. Nona Stutzman stood on the porch.

  “We were at the hospital last Saturday night, waiting to hear some word on our daughter Selma’s eye, and saw Lydia. She explained that you’d broken your arm,” Nona said to Mae. “I came over to see if you needed my help with anything.”

  Mae shifted from one foot to the other and dropped her gaze to the porch. “I…uh…Sarah Yoder’s helping me.” She glanced over her shoulder. “She’s in the basement right now.”

  “Oh, I see. Well, isn’t there something else I can do to help?”

  Mae shook her head. “I can’t think of a thing.”

  “Are you sure, because I’d be glad to—”

  “I’m doing fine. Thanks for stopping.”

  “All right then. Please let us know if you think of anything we can do for you.” Nona turned and walked back to her buggy. Normally she felt accepted among the Amish, but not so with Mae, who obviously felt uncomfortable around her. The question was, why?

  CHAPTER 35

  It had been two weeks since Lydia’s mother broke her arm. Nearly every day, one or more women from their community had come over to help out while Lydia was at work. Although it was hard to accept help from others, Lydia had a sense of peace knowing that Mom wasn’t at home by herself trying to do things she shouldn’t.

  At least twice a week, secret gifts were left on their porch. That morning before Lydia left for work, she’d found a basket full of homemade bread. Three days ago, they’d been given a ham, as well as a stack of cut firewood, which was appreciated, since Mom liked to sit by the fire in the evenings and read.

  Sure wish I knew who to thank for their generosity, Lydia thought as she donned her work apron at the beginning of her Wednesday shift.

  She glanced across the room and saw Rueben being seated by the hostess. I wonder if I should say something to him about the things that have been left on our porch. If he’s the one responsible, maybe he’ll admit it.

  Lydia picked up her order pad and walked over to his table. “Good morning, Rueben. Would you like to look at the menu, or did you want to order the breakfast special?”

  “I have a
couple of horses to shoe this morning, so I don’t have much time. Think I’ll just have a cup of coffee and a few glazed doughnuts.”

  Lydia’s forehead wrinkled. “If Mom was here right now, she’d lecture you about not eating right. She’s always stressed the importance of eating a nutritious breakfast.”

  He chuckled. “Your mamm’s always been kind of a health nut. Even when we were kinner in school, she used to lecture me and the other scholars about not eating too many sweets. Said we ought to bring fruit in our lunchboxes instead of doughnuts and cookies.”

  “I didn’t realize you knew Mom when she was a girl.”

  “Jah. We went to the same school here in Charm.” Rueben ran his fingers down the length of his nose. “I had a crush on her for a time, but then she chose David Weaver instead of me, so I started courting Rachel Mullet.”

  “Hmm…that’s interesting.” Lydia wondered why Mom had never said anything about knowing Rueben when they were children. Did Mom know that Rueben had been interested in her back then?

  “Speaking of your mamm,” Rueben said, “I haven’t checked on her in a while and wondered how she’s getting along with her arm.”

  “Pretty well. Some of the women in our community have been helping, so that’s kept her from doing too much. She has about four weeks left until the cast comes off.”

  “Glad to hear she’s allowing others to help. Your mamm’s always tried to do too much on her own.”

  “I know, but she and I are both learning to accept help, as well as the gifts that have come from others.” Lydia paused, hoping Rueben might ask what gifts she was referring to. Instead, he changed the subject.

  “Since Mae and I are both widowed, I was hoping there might be a chance for us to get together.” Rueben’s forehead wrinkled as he slowly shook his head. “Every time I think she might be showing me some interest, she cools off again. Sometimes when I’ve stopped over to see her, she’s been friendly. Other times she’s been distant—like she couldn’t wait for me to leave. Makes me wonder if I ought to give up on the idea of us becoming a couple.”

  Lydia shook her head. “I wouldn’t give up on her yet. If you spend more time with Mom, I’m sure she’ll see what a nice man you are. I’ve been planning to invite you over to our place for supper. Would you be free to come this Friday evening?”

  Rueben’s eyes brightened as he nodded. “Friday would be fine for me. Is there anything I can bring to help with the meal?”

  “Just a hearty appetite. Someone’s been leaving food on our porch for the last couple of weeks, so we’ll have a good selection to choose from for supper.”

  Rueben grinned and thumped his stomach. “I’ll make sure I don’t eat too much breakfast or lunch that day so I’ll have plenty of room for that good supper.”

  Lydia felt deflated. Rueben certainly hadn’t given any hint that he had been leaving the food on their porch. Of course, if he didn’t want her to know, he might have been playing dumb.

  “I’d planned to invite Menno and his boys to join us for supper, too,” Lydia said. “Is that all right with you?”

  Rueben nodded. “That’ll be fine.”

  “Good. We’ll look forward to seeing you on Friday evening.” I just hope Mom’s as happy about it as Rueben seems to be, Lydia thought as she walked away.

  As soon as Nona entered the restaurant, she spotted Lydia waiting on Rueben Miller. Hoping she’d have a few minutes to visit with Lydia, she indicated to the hostess that she’d like to be seated on the side of the room where Lydia waited on tables.

  “Oh, and I’ll need something to sit on,” Nona reminded the hostess.

  The young English woman smiled and said, “I’ll bring you a stack of newspapers.”

  Once Nona was seated, she glanced at the menu the hostess had given her.

  “How’s Selma’s eye?” Lydia asked, stepping up to Nona’s table.

  “Much better. The doctor said she’s going to be just fine.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Lydia motioned to the menu. “Are you here for breakfast?”

  Nona shook her head. “I’ll just have a cup of hot tea and a cinnamon roll. I really came by in the hopes that I could talk to you for a few minutes. If you have the time, that is,” she quickly added.

  Lydia glanced around the room. “We don’t have too many customers right now, so I probably have a few minutes.”

  “I wanted to ask about your mamm—to see how she’s getting along with her broken arm.”

  “She’s doing fairly well and has been getting some help from others in our community.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Nona tapped her fingers along the edge of the table, wondering how best to say what was really on her mind.

  “Is something bothering you?” Lydia asked.

  “Actually, there is.” Nona cleared her throat a couple of times. “When I went over to your place a couple days after your mamm broke her arm, I offered to help out, but she said she was getting along just fine. Now you say that she’s getting help from others in our community. It makes me wonder why she can accept help from them but not me.”

  Lydia moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “Well, I—”

  “I get the feeling that I’m not welcome at your mamm’s house, and she never comes into our store anymore. Do you know if I’ve done something to offend her?”

  “I don’t think so. I…I mean, I can’t imagine what it could be.” Lydia shifted uneasily. “As far as I’m concerned, you and your family are welcome to visit us anytime.”

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “Jah.”

  Nona smiled. “All right then, we’ll be over for a visit sometime soon.”

  CHAPTER 36

  I still can’t believe you invited Rueben for supper this evening without asking me first,” Mae said as she sat at the table, watching Lydia scurry around the kitchen.

  Lydia turned from peeling potatoes and smiled. “I figured you might say no.”

  “What would make you think that?”

  “Because sometimes when Rueben’s stopped by, you’ve given him the cold shoulder.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Rueben said so.”

  Mae frowned. “When did he tell you that?”

  “Wednesday morning when he came into the restaurant for coffee and doughnuts.”

  “Humph! He should have eaten a better breakfast than coffee and doughnuts.”

  Lydia snickered. “He said you’d say that.”

  “Oh, he did, did he?” Mae thumped her cast. “What else did Mr. Miller say about me?”

  Lydia’s face colored, and she turned back to the sink.

  “Lydia, what’d Rueben say?”

  “He said he had a crush on you when you were kinner, and now that you’re both widowed, he’d been hoping that the two of you might get together.” Lydia glanced over her shoulder. “He said he’d thought for a while that he might have a chance with you, but now he’s not so sure.”

  Mae straightened the silverware on the table in front of her as she tried to formulate the right words. She wasn’t sure how Lydia would take it if she told her that she’d been fighting her attraction to Rueben ever since she’d returned to Charm to take care of Dad.

  Lydia left the sink and took a seat beside Mae. “Do you have feelings for Rueben?”

  She nodded slowly. “Truth is whenever he comes around, I can barely take my eyes off him.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened as her mouth formed an O.

  “Are you upset because I have feelings for Rueben?”

  “Why would I be upset?”

  Mae leaned over and blew on her tea. “I know how close you and your daed used to be. I’ve been concerned that if you knew how I felt about Rueben you might think I’d stopped loving your daed.”

  “Dad will always hold a special place in your heart, just like Jeremiah will hold a place in mine. But I think Dad would want you to go on with your life and be happy,” Lydia said. “He
’d be pleased if you found love again.”

  “I appreciate hearing you say that, but I can’t get involved with Rueben right now.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you need me.”

  “Oh, Mom, don’t let that be your excuse. I’m a grown woman and can make it on my own.” Lydia placed her hand over Mae’s. “I would never stand in the way of your happiness. If being with Rueben makes you happy, then you need to give him a chance.”

  A sense of relief flooded Mae’s soul. If Menno kept coming around to see Lydia, maybe by this time next year, she and Lydia would both be married.

  During supper that evening, Lydia was pleased to see Mom chatting with Rueben. She was even more pleased when she overheard Rueben ask Mom if she’d like to go out to lunch with him soon and Mom had agreed to go.

  Lydia glanced at Menno, who sat to her left. “Would you like another piece of ham?” she asked.

  “Jah, sure.” He took a piece and passed the platter to Ike. “How about you, son?”

  Ike shook his head. “I’m full up.”

  “Does that mean you won’t have room for dessert?” Mom asked.

  Ike shrugged. “Guess that depends on what it is.”

  Menno nudged the boy’s arm. “Don’t be rude.”

  “What are we havin’ for dessert?” Carl wanted to know.

  “Lydia brought a couple of apple pies home from the restaurant,” Mom said before Lydia could respond.

  “I don’t like apple pie,” Dennis put in. “Can’t we have somethin’ else?”

  Menno glared at the boy. “If you want dessert, then you’ll eat the pie.”

  “Guess I won’t have any then.”

  “I like apple pie,” Kevin interjected. “Can I have Dennis’s piece?”

  “I think one’s all you need,” Menno said. “Now get busy and finish your supper.”

  The boys ate in silence, and after the final prayer, they scampered out the back door to play.

  Menno looked over at Lydia and smiled. “That was a good meal. Now I’ll help you with the dishes.”