Levi snickered. “They’d probably think we had an old cow in the back room.”
Nona playfully swatted Levi’s arm. “You’re such a kidder.”
Levi motioned to the stack of invoices on the desk. “Is Pop done with those, or do you need me to finish them up?”
“He’s done with them and is getting some boxes out for some more things I want to donate to the Care and Share Store.” Nona motioned to the back room. “Why don’t you help him? When I have the boxes filled, you can take the stuff to the Care and Share and then stop by Lydia’s place on your way home.”
“I don’t mind delivering the boxes for you,” Levi said, “but why am I stopping by Lydia’s place?”
Nona rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “So you can ask her out, of course.”
Levi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because Lydia’s mamm is probably home. I’m sure she doesn’t like me.”
“I don’t think Mae has anything against you.” Nona frowned. “It’s me she doesn’t care for, but I still can’t figure out why.”
“Maybe she’s got something against little people,” Harold said as he joined them, carrying two cardboard boxes.
“That makes no sense,” Nona said. “What could she possibly have against little people?”
Harold shrugged and set the boxes on the floor. “Who knows what reasons people have for their prejudices? You and I both know that we’ve been teased a lot over the years because we’re so short.”
“I have a feeling the reason for Mae’s behavior goes much deeper than us being short,” Nona said.
Levi grunted. “If she ever says anything negative about my family to me, I’ll set her straight.”
Harold shook his head. “You won’t earn any points with Lydia if you get in an argument with her mamm.”
“Didn’t plan to argue with her. Just said I’d set her straight.” Levi picked up one of the boxes. “Guess we’d better get busy filling these so I can head to the Care and Share.”
“I still can’t believe things are so slow at the restaurant,” Mom said as she and Lydia sat at the kitchen table cutting out quilting blocks.
“Hopefully it’s just a temporary slump.” Lydia stacked the pieces she’d cut into a pile beside the ones Mom had cut.
“If the other quilts I left at Miller’s Dry Goods would sell, I wouldn’t be quite so worried.” Mom sighed. “With things slowing down, it makes me wonder why I’m bothering to quilt.”
“I would think people would start buying things for Christmas pretty soon. For that matter, I’m surprised more of your quilts, or at least some of your potholders, didn’t sell during Charm Days when the town was full of people.”
Mom shrugged. “Guess people weren’t looking for quilted items that day.”
Lydia heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves and turned toward the window.
“Who is it?” Mom asked. “Rueben?”
Lydia shook her head. “No, it’s Levi.”
“I wonder what he wants.”
“I’ll go see.” Lydia hurried out to the yard just as Levi finished tying his horse to the hitching rail.
“What brings you here this afternoon?” she called.
“I was on my way back from the Care and Share in Berlin and thought I’d stop and see how you’re doing,” Levi said.
“We’re getting along okay.”
“I was at the restaurant around noon and was surprised that you weren’t working today.”
“They cut back my hours because business has been slow.”
“So I heard.” Levi took a step closer to Lydia, and she sensed that he was about to say something else, but just then another horse and buggy entered the yard. It was Menno.
“I went by the restaurant for lunch,” Menno said to Lydia. “When I heard you weren’t working today, I decided to stop and see if you’d be free to go out to supper with me and the boys this evening.”
“That’s nice of you,” Lydia said, “but Mom’s already started chicken and dumplings for our supper.”
Menno licked his lips, while patting his stomach. “Umm…that sounds real good. Haven’t had chicken and dumplings in a long time.”
“I’m sure there’s more than enough, so if you and the boys would like to join us you’re more than welcome,” Lydia said.
“That’d be great. I’m on my way home from running some errands, but as soon as I get there I’ll make sure the boys get their evening chores done, and then we’ll be over.” Menno glanced at Levi. “How are things with you and your family these days?”
“Fine. Everything’s fine.” Levi untied his horse. “Guess I’d better get going. If things have gotten busy at the store while I’ve been gone, I’m sure Mom’s missing me by now.”
“Danki for coming by,” Lydia said as Levi climbed into his buggy.
He replied with a nod, then guided his horse down the driveway toward the road.
“I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?” Menno asked, leaning closer to Lydia. “I thought Levi looked upset about something, and he was sure in a hurry to go.”
“I don’t think he was upset. He just stopped by to say hello and see how Mom and I are doing.”
“He’s not interested in you, I hope.”
Lydia’s cheeks warmed. “Of course not. He’s never given me any reason to believe he has anything more than friendship on his mind.”
Menno smiled. “That’s good to hear, because I wouldn’t want him influencing your decision about whether you’ll marry me or not.”
Lydia shook her head. “The only one who’ll influence my decision is God, and I’m still praying about the matter.”
CHAPTER 45
Have you tried asking Lydia out again?” Nona asked Levi a few weeks later, as the two of them sat behind the store counter, sipping coffee.
Levi shook his head. “I went to the restaurant again last week, but Lydia was waiting on Menno.” He grimaced. “I heard him ask her to go out to supper with him yet again, so I figured there wasn’t much use in me asking. He’s obviously courting her, so I think it’s best that I don’t get in the way.”
“Maybe she’d rather be courted by you. Did you ever think of that?”
“If that were the case, then she wouldn’t be going out with him.”
“Maybe so; maybe not. I think you’re giving up too soon—before you even know whether she’s serious about Menno.”
The bell on the front door jingled, and Levi swallowed the rest of his coffee and stood. “Looks like you’ve got a customer to wait on, and I’ve got to get busy on those shelves I promised to make for the store.”
Nona turned to the customer and smiled when she recognized Rueben Miller. “It’s good to see you,” she said.
“Good to see you, too.” Rueben placed a horseshoe on the counter. “Found this in the parking lot. If I knew whose horse threw it I could probably drum up a little business.”
“Is business slow for you right now?” Nona asked.
“Not really, but it goes in cycles.” He grinned. “ ’Course I don’t really mind those days when there’s no horses to shoe. Gives my back a chance to rest.”
Nona had never really thought about it before, but bending over to shoe a horse would be hard on anyone’s back.
“How’s business doing here?” he asked. “Are things as slow as they are with some of the other shops in town?”
“They’ve slowed down some, but we’re still keeping busy enough. It’s probably because we carry most of the basic items that people need.”
“With you and Harold having a family to support, you need your business to do well.” Rueben glanced around. “Where is Harold anyway? Haven’t seen him for a while.”
“He had a dental appointment this morning. Seems like between the two of us, we’re always getting some kind of dental work done.” She frowned. “Last month it was a root canal for me. Today, Harol
d’s getting a crown. Never seems to be an end to the bills coming in.”
“Are you folks needing any help?” Rueben asked. “Because if you are…”
“It’s nice of you to be concerned, but I think we’ll be fine. The other day, Levi sold some wooden toys he’d made to an English couple looking for some simple things to give their children for Christmas. He also sold some bird feeders and a couple of small rocking chairs. The extra money he’s brought in has helped a lot.”
“Well, let me know if you need anything,” Rueben said. “Since I have no kinner living at home anymore, my expenses are much less than yours, I’m sure.”
“We appreciate the offer.” Nona smiled. “By the way, we’re having a few people over for another one of our Frogmore Stew suppers this Friday evening. Would you like to come?”
“What’s in Frogmore Stew?”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “You’ll have to wait and see, but I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
He smiled. “I’d be happy to come, but would you mind if I brought a friend?”
“Of course not. The more the merrier is what we always say.”
“You can have a seat at any of the empty tables you like,” Lydia said when Nona entered the restaurant. “Our hostess is taking a break right now, but I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“Actually, I didn’t come in here to eat today. Just came by to ask you a question,” Nona said.
“Oh, okay. I need to check on an order I put in first, and then we can talk.”
Lydia hurried toward the kitchen. When she returned, she found Nona standing near the front counter.
“What’s up?” Lydia asked.
“The girls and I are fixing Frogmore Stew for supper this Friday night, and we’re inviting a few friends over. I was wondering if you’d like to join us.”
Lydia smiled. “I don’t think I can pass up that tempting offer.”
“We’ll look forward to seeing you around six o’clock.” Nona hesitated a moment, then quickly added, “Your mamm’s welcome to join us, too.”
Lydia figured Mom probably wouldn’t want to go, but she smiled and said, “I’ll let her know that she’s invited.”
“See you soon.” Nona turned toward the door.
A few seconds later Lydia’s boss stepped up to her. “Can I speak with you a minute?”
“Sure.”
Edith motioned to the break room at the back of the restaurant. “Let’s go in there.”
Lydia followed Edith into the small room. Brenda, the hostess, was just leaving the room when they entered, and she shot Lydia an anxious look as she passed by.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Lydia asked after Edith told her to take a seat.
“I really hate to tell you this, because you’re a good worker and I know you need this job, but business has slowed down so much that we’ve been forced to make further cutbacks.” Edith paused and her lips compressed. “Unfortunately, because you’re the most recent person we’ve hired, your job will have to be terminated until things pick up again, which probably won’t be until spring.”
Lydia sat for several seconds, letting Edith’s words sink in. Then, with a whispered, “I understand,” she dashed out of the room.
CHAPTER 46
Are you sure you won’t reconsider and go to supper with me at the Stutzmans’ tonight?” Lydia asked Mom Friday evening. “I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun.”
Mom shook her head. “Rueben and I have plans for this evening. He’s taking me out to supper again.” Her shoulders sagged. “Besides, I don’t see how you can have fun when you’ve just lost your job at the restaurant.”
“I am upset about losing my job,” Lydia admitted, “but whenever I’m with the Stutzmans, I feel so relaxed. Their cheerful attitudes and good humor always makes me laugh, which is something I really need right now.”
Mom shrugged. “Suit yourself, but my idea of a good time isn’t listening to a bunch of silly jokes or eating a meal with no plates or silverware. Apparently the Stutzmans don’t know anything about proper table manners.”
Lydia’s back stiffened. “They’re not ill-mannered, Mom. They just like to have a good time, and their positive attitude has a way of rubbing off on people. At least it does for me.”
“Whatever.”
Lydia touched Mom’s arm. “I really wish you’d get to know them. Nona’s a very nice woman, and—”
“Oh, look at the time.” Mom pointed to the clock on the kitchen wall. “I’d better change my clothes before Rueben gets here.”
“I’m heading out now, so I’ll see you later this evening.” Lydia grabbed her shawl and outer bonnet, then hurried out the back door. Even though things were better between her and Mom these days, they still didn’t see eye to eye on some things, including the Stutzman family. Lydia wished she knew what Mom had against those dear little people.
When Lydia stepped into the kitchen, Levi wondered what was up. Apparently Mom had invited her to join them for supper without telling him.
“It’s good to see you, Lydia,” Mom said. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
Lydia smiled, although her eyes held no sparkle.
“Is everything all right?” Mom asked with a look of concern. “You seem kind of sad this evening.”
“I’ve had a trying week, but I’m sure I’ll feel better after spending the evening with all of you.”
“What happened?” Mom asked. “Is it something you feel free to talk about?”
“Things are slow at the restaurant, and I’ve been laid off. If business continues to be slow, I might be out of a job until spring.”
“I’m real sorry to hear that. We’ll have to pray that business picks up at the restaurant soon,” Mom said.
“My mamm’s been hoping that more of her quilts would sell, but things have been slow at all the quilt shops, too.”
“I’m sorry your mamm didn’t come with you tonight,” Mom said. “I was hoping for the chance to get to know her better.”
Lydia’s face reddened. “She…uh…had other plans for the evening.”
Mom flashed Lydia one of her optimistic smiles. “Maybe she can join us some other time.”
Lydia made no comment. Levi figured she knew that, short of a miracle, her mother would never have supper with them.
Mom nudged Levi’s arm. “We won’t eat until the rest of our guests arrive, so why don’t you and Lydia go into the living room and visit with the other guests who are already here?”
“Isn’t there something I can do to help you with the meal?” Lydia asked.
Levi figured she probably didn’t want to spend time with him.
Mom shook her head. “The Frogmore Stew’s done cooking, and since we won’t be needing silverware or plates on the table, there’s really not much more to do.” She shooed them toward the living room. “You and Levi go ahead. I’ll call everyone when it’s time for supper.”
Levi followed Lydia into the living room, where Pop sat with Bishop Yoder and his wife, Sarah.
“Where’s the rest of your family?” Lydia asked Levi after she’d been greeted by the other three.
“Betty and Selma are changing clothes. After helping Mom make the ‘icky stuff’ for the stew, they were both a mess.” Levi glanced toward the back door. “Peter and Andy are outside doing their chores. I’m sure they’ll be in soon.”
Lydia and Levi both sat on the sofa since the three chairs in the room were occupied.
As they visited, Levi noticed that Lydia seemed to be relaxing. Hopefully by the end of the evening he’d feel more relaxed, too.
When Mae glanced out the kitchen window and saw Rueben pull into the yard, she grabbed her bonnet and shawl and hurried out the back door. Thankfully, going to supper with him this evening had given her a good excuse not to go with Lydia to the Stutzmans’.
As Mae headed toward Rueben’s buggy, the shriveled leaves strewn around the yard crinkled beneath her feet. Fall was defini
tely upon them.
“How was your day?” Rueben asked as he helped her into the buggy.
“It was fine. How was yours?”
“Went real well. Shoed ten horses today, so I worked up a hearty appetite.”
“Where are we going?” she asked as they headed down the driveway.
He looked over at her and winked. “It’s a surprise.” He clucked to his horse to get him moving faster.
Mae figured they might be going to Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek, which she’d told Rueben was one of her favorite restaurants. When Rueben directed the horse to turn right instead of left, she changed her mind about Der Dutchman and decided Rueben was probably taking her to Grandma’s Restaurant in Charm. That was fine with her. The restaurant needed business, and if they got real busy again, Lydia might get her job back sooner than expected.
When Rueben’s horse and buggy went past Grandma’s Restaurant and turned up the driveway leading to the Stutzmans’, Mae became concerned. “I hope you’re not planning on us eating here.”
He nodded. “Nona invited me the other day, and I told her I was bringing a guest.”
Mae’s back went rigid, and her cheeks burned like fire. “You should have checked with me first, not just assumed I’d want to eat here.”
In the pale moonlight, she could see the outline of his nose. “I thought if you spent an evening with the Stutzmans and got to know them, you’d realize what nice people they are,” he said, halting the horse.
“I’m not comfortable around little people.” Mae’s voice came out in a strange-sounding squeak.
“How come?”
She twisted her fingers around the edge of her shawl, unsure of what to say. Should she admit her fear of little people? Would Rueben understand if she did?
Finally, she drew in a deep breath and decided to plunge ahead. “Little people aren’t to be trusted.”
Rueben turned to face her. “Sometimes people are afraid of what’s different. Is that your problem, Mae?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid of what I know.”
“And what’s that?”
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