His Amish Nanny

by Samantha Price

  When Elijah asked about her new job, she told him she enjoyed it and loved looking after the little boy. She didn’t tell him how she felt nothing she did for her boss was good enough. Blake had been less tough on her as time went by. And, there’d never been any more talk about that one week trial period, so he must’ve been mostly satisfied with her.

  The drive to the coffee shop was just enough time for her to plan what she would tell her friends. Olive knew from experience they’d be relentless in asking questions to extract every detail of her new job. She’d seen them all at the Sunday meeting, but this was the first time in ages they’d be sitting down and talking together, just the five of them.

  When she arrived, she was surprised they were all on time. Not only that, they were sitting and waiting for her at their regular table. Soon, tall steaming cups spread across the table along with a variety of pastries. Oftentimes on their outings, each would order a different pastry or cake and each girl would have a taste of every one.

  “For someone who’s just landed a well-paid job as a nanny you don’t look very happy,” Jessie’s eyes bored through Olive’s thin disguise of a smile.

  Of all her friends, Jessie would be the one to notice that something was not right.

  Jessie watched her from across the table waiting for Olive to speak, but Amy spoke first. “Nee, you don’t, Olive.”

  The girls all leaned in, waiting for her response. She was tempted to shrug off their concerns and tell them everything was fine, but they knew her too well to do that. “Some things about the job are great. I love looking after Leo. The house is amazing, and Leo’s grandmother is extremely nice.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” one of the girls asked.

  “Leo’s father is a different kind of a man. He makes me feel awkward.” So they wouldn’t guess she liked him a little too much, she added, “He’s a little grumpy. I’m trying not to take it personally.”

  “Why’s he grumpy?” Claire asked.

  “Mrs. Worthington, his mother, told me her son is angry all the time because he’s deeply hurt.” Olive lowered her voice. “His wife died about a year ago, and now it seems that he’s cranky with the whole world, but it lands on me.” Her friends exchanged looks but said nothing. “You don’t understand; his mother said he was different before that. He was full of life and so much fun. Now, he’s not happy about anything and … he’s taking it out on me.” That wasn’t entirely true, and Olive wasn’t quite sure why she’d added that last piece of information.

  “Why would he take it out on you?” Jessie asked.

  “That day at the farmers market, Blake’s mother gave me the job outright. I guess Blake’s mad with her for doing that and he can’t take it out on her, his own mother.” Olive shrugged.

  Claire leaned forward and held Olive’s hand. “Um, Olive, can I ask you a question? What does Blake look like?” The other girls turned to her and snickered while waiting for her to answer.

  Olive thought about it and felt that the truth would not hurt. “He’s attractive in an older-man sort of way. I can see how women might find him interesting. His mother says all women fall in love with him, and he could have any woman he wants.” Olive pulled her hand away from Claire’s.

  Claire leaned back into her seat and slapped a hand over her mouth, stifling laughter that appeared to be bubbling. Amy playfully slapped Claire’s arm and tried to remain serious.

  It was the forthright Jessie, who said, “So you think he’s handsome, and you absolutely love his son; that’s interesting.”

  Olive couldn’t believe what she heard. That was not what she meant them to hear; he was just her employer and she ought to have no other feelings for him except empathy for his situation.

  Amy interrupted Olive’s thoughts just in time. “We get it, Olive, I mean, it’s not hard to fall in love with someone, but be careful. It’s not fun to be delusional, but feel free to come to any of us if you need someone to talk to.”

  They all dissolved into laughter at the way Amy spoke, and Olive couldn’t help laughing with them. When they were through with laughing, they told Olive about each of their job situations.

  The stall at the farmers market had been successful for most of them. Jessie Miller found a position as a housekeeper, Amy Yoder obtained a position looking after an Englisch lady’s children after school, Saturdays and was ‘on call’ in emergencies. Amy was to start her job the upcoming Monday, and Jessie Miller started her job in two weeks time. Claire Schonberger and Lucy Fuller had interviews to attend and both were hopeful.

  “Don’t look so distressed, Olive, I was just teasing with what I said to you before about being in love with your boss. It was silly of me.”

  Olive smiled at Jessie’s flashing green eyes and said, “I know, I’m just a little concerned that one day he’ll tell me that I don’t have a job anymore and I won’t see Leo again. I’m trying not to worry because I know that won’t help anything. I keep telling myself if Gott wants me there then He will have me stay and if Gott wants me somewhere else, then He will put me somewhere else.”

  “You’re right as usual. You were right for us to all advertise ourselves at the stall the other week. We’re all going to get jobs out of it, it seems,” Jessie said.

  “Jah—denke, Olive,” Amy agreed.

  The other girls chimed in with thanking Olive, but were cut short when Dan placed a plate of chocolate fudge in the centre of their table. “You girls can be taste-testers and tell me what you think of our new chocolate delight.”

  Olive was sure the five of them were his favorite customers because he always showed them special attention. As always, he had a special smile for Lucy, which made her blush.

  * * *

  That night, Olive made sure she helped her mudder cook the dinner since she wasn’t there to help on the weeknights. Their conversation quickly turned to Blake. “He’s cranky with me all the time, Mamm. His mudder, Sonia, said it’s because his wife died a year ago and he’s upset with the world. It didn’t help things that his mudder employed me without consulting him.”

  “Jah, that wouldn’t help him. Men like to feel as though they’re in charge.”

  “Jah, and they’re not really, are they, Mamm?” Naomi had just walked into the room.

  Mamm rolled her eyes. “Naomi, I’m trying to have a serious talk with your schweschder.”

  “I wasn’t joking.”

  “Just sit down, be quiet and help Olive with the peas.”

  “Now, where were we?” Mamm asked Olive.

  “You were saying men like to be in charge.”

  Naomi giggled loudly.

  “Up to your room!” Mamm ordered.

  Naomi jumped to her feet and scowled. “I’m never included around here. Olive gets all the attention just because she’s an ugly old maid.”

  Her mother picked up a wooden spoon and Naomi flew out of the room as fast as she’d ever moved before. “Go to your room,” Mamm called after her. Once they heard the upstairs door closed, Mamm looked back at Olive. “She didn’t mean it. You’re not ugly. Nor are you an old maid.”

  “I don’t care what she says. How will I help the situation with my boss being the way he is?”

  “If someone is mean to you or rude and you remain polite, then that person will see that you aren’t matching their ways.”

  “And?” Olive asked after her mudder left out the part about how that would help the situation.

  With a laugh, her mudder added, “He will see how rude he’s been and might correct his manners himself.”

  “That makes sense, I suppose; then I just pay his temper no mind?”

  “Jah, that’s right. Just be sure that working for an Englischer is not going to lead you into the ways of the world.”

  “Jah, I know. Dat has already mentioned that to me.”

  “We miss having you around the haus, but I suppose it had to happen some day. I hoped it would be for a different reason.”

  “Mamm, I know w
hat you mean, but there are no men around for me. None of my friends have boys interested in them either. It seems in our community there are many more girls than men. That’s why this job’s a good idea. In the future, I might be able to buy myself a little haus, or at least afford a lease on one.”

  “Olive, I don’t like hearing you speak of such things. Trust the gut Lord to bring you a mann.”

  Olive turned to her sweet mudder and smiled. “I will, Mamm.” She hoped she would marry someday, so her parents would be happy. But, Olive did not see how it could possibly happen for her. Not when she couldn’t get Blake out of her mind.

  Since it was raining heavily on Monday morning, Olive had one of her bruders drive her to Blake’s house. She knew she'd have to think up indoor things she and Leo could do today. They normally played in the park or the yard, but now, with the approaching cold weather, she would have to think up new activities.

  That morning, Blake seemed calmer, which was a surprising change. Had her prayers worked already? Leo had loved the pancakes she’d made and Blake had even stolen a couple before he left. She didn’t say a word about it but had smiled secretly.

  Even after talking it through with her friends on Saturday, Olive still could not get Blake’s late wife out of her mind. As she wandered around the house, she realized that there were no pictures of his wife anywhere. She knew for a fact that Englischers often displayed photographs in their homes.

  Without even thinking about it, her feet wandered from room to room. Every time she entered a new space, Olive searched for any sign of his wife, but there was none to be found. She knew there was nothing in either of Leo’s rooms. She had never seen one picture or keepsake anywhere in the whole house. Olive decided that Blake must have loved her so much that he could not bear any reminder of her anywhere at all.

  Leo would never remember his mother because of his young age, so it would be up to his family to tell him about her. Olive could not imagine not having her mother around when she had been growing up.

  How would Leo ever learn what his mother was like? Would Blake speak of her or would his heartache prevent him from sharing memories with Leo? She knew it was none of her business, and they were Englischers, so most likely they did things in a very different manner.

  Olive finished a few small chores around the house before Leo woke from his nap. He was so full of energy that Olive was irritated by the weather that kept them trapped indoors. She remembered an idea her mudder had used when she and her brothers couldn’t go outside because of either the rain or the snow. Olive gathered a few sheets from the linen cupboard and went to work. Leo was excited about all the building she was doing and happily helped her. After they gathered some snacks from the kitchen, they climbed into their new tent.

  Olive had moved the furniture to allow her to create the large tent-like structure. She pulled in some of Leo’s toys and books. Together they enjoyed eating their snacks and playing with Leo’s toys.

  The sound of Leo’s laughter was becoming her favorite sound. Olive didn’t think she laughed as much with her girlfriends as she did with two-year-old Leo. From blocks, they moved on to reading a couple of stories. Leo loved the different voices she made for the characters and sat through two whole stories before his attention evaporated.

  They heard the rain thundering down, but in their make-shift tent, Olive and Leo couldn’t have cared less.

  Olive looked at the clock. Blake would soon be home. “Come on, Leo, we have to clean up. Daddy will be home soon. You can help me with the dinner.”

  In a quiet moment, Blake had confessed he had grown up hardly seeing his own father because he had constantly worked. Maybe Gott had put her in this family to make a difference in their lives. She had offered to fix a meal for him and Leo on those evenings when he could make it home early enough.

  During dinner that night, Blake said, “Tell me about being Amish, Olive.”

  It was a rare, quiet moment in which Leo was occupied trying to stab a pea with his fork.

  “I don’t know any other way of living.” She looked up at Blake and realized that she had given him an insufficient answer. “What exactly would you like to know?”

  “What are your thoughts on God? When I was younger, I went to church, searching for the meaning of life, but I never found it. I often wonder why we’re all here.”

  “We’re all here to live our lives for God. We won’t be here for long; our real home is elsewhere with God.”

  “What is the purpose of us being here; why aren’t we with God now if that’s what He wants?”

  “I guess He wants to find the faithful ones.”

  Blake looked down at his chicken and carefully cut a piece. “I was searching and then I couldn’t find any answers. I guess I buried myself in my work.”

  “The difference with us is that we don’t live for this life, but for the one we have with God.”

  “Hmm, I see that.”

  “We never know how long God will give us on this earth before He calls us home.” As soon as she said it she wished she hadn’t. Speaking of death would only remind him of Mona. She looked across at him, but he was busily eating as if he wasn’t worried by what she said.

  “Sometimes I feel my life’s a treadmill. Like I’m a mouse spinning on a wheel and going nowhere. I reach goals and they’re not satisfying. Each one I reach no longer pleases me, and on and on I go. I know there’s more. There’s got to be more to this life than—” Their peace was shattered when Leo decided to see how far he could throw his vegetables. “No, Leo! You’ll go to your room.” Leo started to cry at the tone of Blake’s voice. Then Blake shook his head and looked at Olive. “What would you do with him?” He nodded his head toward Leo.

  “Take the peas from him.” She looked at Leo, who'd stopped crying to watch the grownups. “I know you love to eat peas, but if you throw them you can’t have them on your plate anymore.”

  He ignored Olive and rubbed his eyes.

  “I think he’s one tired little boy. We did a lot of activities today and he didn’t have a nap.”

  “That must be it.” He chuckled. “I like the way you make excuses for him.”

  Olive laughed. “I know it sounds like that, but it’s true.” Right on cue, Leo yawned.

  After dinner, Olive cleared the dishes.

  “I’ll do that, Olive. You’re off the clock. Leave them, and I’ll take you home and do them when I come back.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. And, the motion of the car might send somebody off to sleep.”

  Blake drove Olive home and there were no more questions about what it was like to be Amish. Olive was intrigued that he had seemed interested and had questioned the purpose of his life.

  Chapter 9

  The next Friday when Olive got to Blake’s house, he surprised her by announcing he was not going to work that day.

  Olive’s jaw dropped, and for a moment she was lost for words. “The whole day?” she eventually asked.

  He nodded. It was a perfect seventy-degree morning with not a cloud in the sky.

  “Do you want me to go home since you’ll be here?” Olive offered looking down at Leo’s excited face.

  “No, I’d like you to come with us. We’re going to find a nice spot for a swim in one of the creeks before the cold sets in.”

  “Might be a little late for that. The sun’s out, but it’s not that warm.”

  “It’s only early in the day. It’ll warm up. You’re always telling me I should spend more time with him.” Blake glanced at Olive briefly. “I guess his mother always did this stuff with him,” he muttered. “I know you’re right about me spending time with Leo since I hardly got to know my father. Perhaps you can pack us one of those picnics like you used to have as a child?”

  Olive smiled. “I didn’t think you were listening the other morning.”

  “The key to my success is to listen to the advice of others.” He wagged a finger at her while a mischievous grin hint
ed around his lips. “Providing that the people who are giving the advice know what they are talking about.”

  “That’s a compliment, is it? You think I know what I’m talking about when I speak about my childhood?”

  “You’re good with Leo; that has to come from your own upbringing since you’ve had no formal training.”

  Olive was quick to change the subject from her lack of training. “I’ll pack us a wunderbaar picnic.”

  Blake chuckled.

  “Before that, would you like coffee?” Olive asked.

  “Absolutely.” Blake sat on a kitchen stool. “Should we stop by your home, so you can get your swimsuit?”

  Olive swung around to face him. “No, I don’t wear anything like that. I mean, Amish don’t ever wear them—ever.”

  “What do you swim in?”

  She looked down at her clothes. “Just our clothes.”

  “Seems as though that would be dreadfully uncomfortable.”

  Olive shrugged and put the cup under the outlet of the built-in coffee machine. “We don’t notice.” She turned back toward him once the coffee cup was filled to the brim. “It’s not considered modest to show too much skin.”

  “Ah,” he said, as he nodded thanks for his coffee.

  Feeling uneasy, Olive said, “I won’t go into the water today. I only ever went for a swim on the hottest days.”

  “Daddy, come wit’ us?” Leo asked his father in the broken words of a toddler.

  Olive answered, “Yes, daddy’s coming with us today, and we’re going to have a picnic. Just like we had in the tent the other day.” Olive could barely contain her smile at the thought of Blake spending time with his son. Maybe Blake’s barriers were breaking down.

  “Let me make a few phone calls while you load him into his car seat.”

  Leo squealed with excitement knowing that they were all going in the car.

  After they got ready, Olive and Leo waited in the car for a long time while Blake made his phone calls. Leo tried to peel the carseat straps off his shoulders. Just as Olive had given up on Blake and was opening the door to pull Leo out of the car, he climbed into the driver’s seat.