Anna's Trials (Living Plain Book 1)

by June Belfie

  “Jah, I hope not. I don’t fancy the cold too much.”

  Rose wrapped up some fresh brownies she’d baked earlier and put them in a toot for her daughter. They kissed good-by and Anna stopped at the barn to say good bye to her father before heading home. She felt a lift in her spirit. After discussing it with the children this evening, she’d write to Dinah to tell her of her plans.

  Beth was so engrossed in her thoughts, she nearly passed Josiah’s shop. Stopping just in time, she turned onto his new parking area. There was a car off to the side. She pulled her shawl closely around her shoulders as she tethered her horse on the post in front.

  When she entered the shop, Josiah looked over and smiled broadly, nodding his head. He then continued talking with a middle-aged stocky man about doing over their kitchen. It was several minutes before the customer left. Beth had busied herself looking at a binder with photos of sample kitchen cabinets.

  Once the door closed behind the man, Josiah took several quick steps to be by her side. “What a nice surprise. What brings you here, Beth?”

  “Actually, I want to invite you to a party.”

  His brows rose.

  “My daed’s birthday is coming and we’re celebrating Friday. I know you work but—”

  “I’m free to close the shop whenever I want to, unless I have customers. What time does it begin?”

  “I think Mamm said around five.”

  “Better yet. I usually close at five anyway. Can I bring anything?”

  “Just an appetite.”

  He laughed. “That goes without saying. Am I allowed to bring a small gift?”

  “I can’t stop you, but it’s not expected.”

  Beth realized she hadn’t even smiled at the man. How rude. She made an effort to relax her body and force a smile, which brought on a grin from him. “You look gut, Beth. Like it’s springtime instead of winter.”

  “Really?” She tilted her head. “Like rosy cheeks?”

  “Jah, that’s it. You have gut color.”

  “That’s because it’s windy and cold out.” She touched her cold cheeks with her hands and pretended to shiver.

  He reached over and covered her hands with his strong warm hands, leaving them on hers longer than necessary. His eyes drew hers and they shared an intimate moment. She felt her heart quicken and wondered what was transpiring. When he stepped back, she noticed his eyes still focused on hers. “Beth…I…I’ll be at your place Friday, Gott willing.”

  She nervously rearranged her shawl, still surprised at her response to his touch. Then she headed towards the entrance. “I should get home to help Mamm. We’re baking a lot of goodies for the party.”

  “Denki for the invitation. We need to spend more time together. We have so much in common.”

  “Jah. I guess we do.” She turned away as she felt her cheeks burn from a blush, and then left the building, aware of his eyes on her every move. Oh, that she had never set eyes on Randy Gordon. She had to get out of their Saturday date. She just had to.

  Josiah walked over to the window and stood slightly back so he couldn’t be seen from the road. He watched as Beth pulled herself onto the seat of her buggy and turned the horse toward the road. What a lovely woman. Inside and out. It was still bewildering that she was single. He was sure she’d had many a young Amish man interested in her as a potential wife. Or was her spunk, which so attracted him, a detriment to the girl’s chances at matrimony? Not all men wanted their wives to be strong-willed. It might threaten some men leaving them feeling emasculated. It only amused him. Her intelligence, instead of being a challenge, was an asset. They enjoyed gently sparring with each other verbally. He wondered if she found him at all interesting – in a manly way.

  He’d been in love once. It had been three years since he’d been turned down by Christina. She’d given every indication that she cared for him as well. They’d even discussed marriage and children in a general way, but then that fateful day when he proposed to her, she had laughed at the very suggestion. Laughed in his face. Like it was an impossible idea. How could he have read her so wrong? Even his family had been shocked when he told them he no longer wanted to see her. It had hurt beyond words. For the last three years he had avoided any close contact with members of the opposite sex. He couldn’t take that kind of humiliation ever again, and here he was falling in love with a woman who most likely would never think of him as more than a friend.

  Why was he so careless about giving his heart away? At least he had not yet spoken of love. And he had no plans to, for a long, long time. Nee, Beth would have to take the initiative if there was to be a real relationship between them.

  Something bothered him as he continued to stare out the window. He struggled for a few moments and then admitted it was the presence of another man. Randy something. The banker guy. He’d seen the signs from the man. Jah, the handsome young man was obviously quite taken with this Amish girl, but probably for the wrong reasons. English men—especially successful men—would not be interested in a plain girl as a mate. There was only one reason he’d be attracted to an Amish woman, and Abe did not like the thoughts that went through his mind. He’d speak to her again to warn her. Maybe at the birthday party—if there was an opportunity.

  She was no longer in his sight. He turned and went back to the workshop to sand down the shelves he was making. He counted the days to Friday and hoped perhaps, Beth was doing the same.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Friday was busy indeed at the Beachy household. Isaiah was shuttled to his son’s home while the women worked frantically in the kitchen to cook up his favorite meal. Chicken pot pies sat near the oven on the counter waiting for the temperature to rise high enough to bake them. There were eight pies prepared and since only six would fit the racks at one time, it would take longer than usual to prepare the entire meal.

  Some of Beth’s teen cousins had arrived early to watch over the young children, allowing the married women to work side-by-side preparing other dishes to be served. Bowls of slaw and potato salad remained refrigerated while Rose and Beth rolled the dough for molasses pies and lemon sponge pies—Isaiah’s favorite. Dozens of cookies were arranged by some of the young girls on dinner plates and scattered around the first floor of the house on every available table. A couple of the young boys were busy blowing up balloons and tying them together to tape onto the ceiling. It was very festive and laughter filled the air. There were already about thirty people gathered and a new family or guest arrived every few minutes, adding to the excitement.

  Anna and her sister-in-law, Lottie, brought in bottles of ginger ale and cans of fruit juice which were turned into punch. Large cubes of ice clinked on the old pressed glass punch bowl as Anna slipped them into the pastel-colored liquid.

  Anna’s boys made a beeline for the outside where the other young boys had already gathered. Snow had fallen the night before. There was barely enough to pack into small snowballs, but somehow Mark and Matthew managed to create a barrage of solid pellets, bombarding any unsuspecting victims as they arrived. Their Uncle Zach put a stop to their fun when one of the missiles hit one of the elderly women arriving. They were sent to the barn to sweep up the straw, a job they both detested. Anna did not hear of the incident and she was spared the embarrassment of having her unruly children’s behavior brought to her attention.

  Josiah Yoder appeared promptly at five bearing a small, beautifully waxed Bible stand, unwrapped with a small card attached. He set it on a table along with other gifts intended for Isaiah.

  Beth greeted him with a nod and a smile as she continued her conversation with one of her friends. She had moved from the kitchen to the large sitting room where there were several small groups of people standing about. He joined several of the men and she heard him discussing his business.

  It was crowded now and she figured there were at least fifty guests. Her father had returned with Zach and she could hear his gentle laughter above the conversation. Jah, he was pleased wit
h the celebration. In spite of his insistence for the family not to make a big thing of his birthday, she knew he was pleased.

  As Beth reached for a cookie, Josiah moved beside her. “Nice crowd, Beth,” he said as he picked up a chocolate chip cookie and rested it on a paper napkin he was holding.

  “Jah, lots of people. Daed looks pretty happy.”

  “He does. He’s a gut man.”

  “Jah. I can’t argue with you there.”

  “That customer came back and ordered a full kitchen.”

  “What customer?”

  “The one who was in there when you stopped by the other day.”

  “Oh, him. I’d forgotten.”

  “Of course. Why would you remember?” He looked down at the napkin and drew the cookie to his mouth. His smile had turned down.

  Why had she acted so indifferent? Would she never learn?

  “Uh, that’s nice that he wants you to do over his kitchen. Big job—jah?”

  His mouth turned up slightly as he swallowed. “Real big. It will require at least a month of labor on my part. I may actually have to look for another person to help me now. Part-time probably.”

  “Goodness. That was fast. And the front? Are you still considering someone for the showroom section?”

  “I am. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Maybe Anna, if my mamm could watch the kinner for her.”

  “You think she’d be interested?”

  “I can ask her. She’s going away after Christmas for a few days, though.”

  “No problem. I don’t think it will be too busy then. People have other things on their mind.”

  “That’s true. Oh, excuse me, Josiah. I need to help my schwester in the kitchen. I’m afraid I’ve played hooky long enough. I’ll talk to you later.”

  As she made her way back to the kitchen, Lydia Cook arrived through the kitchen door. Though they saw each other nearly every day at school, they hugged and Lydia offered to help as she set her shawl aside and added a small gift to the pile on the table.

  “Nee, we have plenty of help. You go meet the other guests. I’m sure you know everyone.”

  “Well, I’ll be nearby if you need me.”

  When her mother announced the food was ready, people came through the kitchen to fill their paper plates and then most of the men made their way back to the sitting room while the women stayed in the kitchen. The little ones sat at the table to avoid spills. Anna’s boys ate quickly and then ran out to play with their friends. While Rachel played house with some of the other children, it gave Anna a chance to be with the adults.

  She had talked with the children about her trip. At first, Rachel had objected, but when she found out she’d be staying with her grandparents, she became excited. It helped that one of their cats had just had kittens and she’d be allowed to play with them.

  Once Beth had heard enough about raising children and the latest recipe exchanges, she made her way into the front room. She was surprised to see Lydia and Josiah talking by themselves in a corner of the room. Lydia was laughing at something he’d said, and a few strands of her bright red hair had escaped her kapp. Her blue eyes danced as she conversed. Jah, she was flirting. No doubt about that. And why should that bother the indifferent Miss Beth? She tried to put her feelings of jealousy out of her head, but she decided to interrupt their cozy alone time anyway. After all, he was Beth’s special friend.

  Josiah nodded when she reached them. “Hi Beth. You’ll be happy to know that I have someone who can help me on Saturdays. Your own friend, Lydia.” He made a wide motion with his arm as if introducing them for the first time. “She even knows bookkeeping.”

  “Oh, how nice,” Beth squeezed out.

  “Jah, and he pays well,” Lydia said as she grinned at him.

  “Does he now? I guess I should have offered first.”

  They both stopped smiling and looked over at her. “I didn’t think you’d want to work on Saturdays,” he said. “In fact, I think I mentioned it to you once—”

  “Nee, I don’t have the time. It’s nice of you, Lydia, to take up his offer. I’m sure you two will get along wonderful-gut.”

  “Uh, we’ll try to,” Lydia said softly, her cheeks turning red to match her hair.

  After a few moments, Lydia walked away. She headed into the kitchen, leaving Josiah and Beth to themselves.

  “Are you upset with me?” Josiah asked.

  “Mercy no. Why would I be?”

  “I don’t know, but you seem put out.”

  “I just hope she doesn’t wear herself out and come into school all miserable.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “I won’t work her that hard. She seems like a very nice person, and schmaert, too.”

  “Mmm. She’s schmaert enough. A bit boring sometimes, but that’s typical of most women.”

  Josiah’s eyes danced and his lips betrayed his amusement. He made every effort to appear serious. “I guess it’s hard for someone like you to put up with the rest of us.”

  Beth smarted at the inference. “I wasn’t trying to be proud!”

  “Oh, mercy no.” He couldn’t hold it in any longer. He laughed loud enough for several heads to turn.

  With that, Beth turned abruptly and left for the kitchen. It took everything she had not to stamp her feet in anger. That would never do. Now why was she reacting so? Her feelings surprised even her. Maybe Josiah was more important in her life than she wanted to admit. As that thought pervaded her mind, she had a flash of another young man. Good grief, tomorrow she had a date with Randy! And she’d had every intention of breaking it off. Why then, had she avoided carrying through? Twice a day she passed by her friend’s home where the phone was located, yet the date was still on. Her good manners would not allow for her to not show up without notifying him ahead.

  A moment of frustration followed by a strange sense of excitement passed through her. It was wrong. This she knew, yet their relationship was strictly one of friendship. Certainly there could be nothing immoral about that. Why did she keep it a secret then? She let out a long breath to calm her nerves and busied herself at the sink with a few stray pots.

  Anna came over and picked up a towel to dry them. She noted her sister’s taut expression. “What’s wrong, Beth? Why so upset?”

  “Does it show?”

  “Jah, to me. I know you so well. What’s happened?”

  “Nothing. I can’t talk now. In fact, I don’t even understand it myself. I just wish this party was over.”

  Anna’s brows drew together. “It’s not like you to get like this. Did someone insult you?”

  “Of course not!” she snapped. “We’re Amish. People don’t insult!”

  Their mother Rose appeared suddenly. “Hush, you two. People are staring. What’s gotten into you, Beth? I could hear you from the other side of the room.”

  “I’m sorry. Can I leave, Mamm? I want to go to my room and settle down.”

  “Jah, go. We’ll discuss it later. Anna, go check your buwe. I hear quite a stir out there.”

  As Anna went for her shawl, one of the male cousins came charging through the back door. “Mark hit me real hard!” he announced loudly.

  “Oh my,” Rose said as she checked the boy’s face for bruises. “And I’ve offered to watch these kinner for four days.” She shook her head as Anna went out to scold her son.

  Beth dropped onto her bed after removing her shoes and laid there for several minutes listening to her heart beating wildly. What strange emotions she felt these past days. Her head and her heart didn’t seem to match up. Something new was hitting her as well. A desire—no—a need, to be loved by a man. It was strange to be able to finally identify her frustrations. In the past, she could blame her feelings on the scholars at school or people’s annoying habits—it was never her own shortcomings or desires causing her problems. No, she could always find an outside reason to be upset. Something, or someone else. But now she realized it was her own inadequacies in socia
l situations, or perhaps more. Were her desires a conflict within her? She found it difficult to hide her emotions. She had thought Josiah liked her, found her attractive and interesting, but his attitude today bordered on…on what? Amusement? Did he find her ‘funny’? Immature perhaps? That would not do. She was to be taken seriously, at all costs.

  What about Randy? What did he really think of her? After you sort through his flirtatious lines, which she recognized as an English personality trait, did he see her as a woman? Or was she a plaything as Josiah had hinted could be the case? She would be no one’s toy! Certainly she was wise enough and experienced enough to handle anything that would come up Saturday. She wasn’t naive. Was she?

  Beth turned on her bed and looked out the window. New people had just shown up and were headed toward the house. More cousins. She had dozens of cousins. She should be downstairs helping, but her heart was not in it. Perhaps once she broke off her relationship with Randy, which wasn’t much more than an acquaintanceship really, she’d spend more time with Josiah—if he wanted to. And who knows, perhaps it would develop into something very special and end up in marriage. He really did seem to be interested in her earlier. Of course that was before she made such a fool of herself downstairs. Oh, if only one could live moments over. She felt so foolish.

  Lydia was way too pretty. All the men seemed attracted to her. Now that she was living back here, it wouldn’t be long before wedding bells would ring for her. She really hoped Josiah would not be the groom. Now, if she didn’t care, would that thought even come to her? Strange that without the competition, she had played it rather cool. Perhaps it was time to make up her mind and take the initiative in that relationship. Feeling stronger and with purpose, Beth rose, adjusted her kapp, re-pinned her apron and went downstairs to face the crowd.