by Kate Lloyd
“I wouldn’t sell yourself short, Evie. It seems all the men around here are flocking to get your attention.”
If only she knew.
More rapping on the back door brought our conversation to an end.
Sadie grabbed a terry cloth rag. “I’ll make sure the tables are clean and fill the salt and pepper shakers.”
I opened the door to find Olivia looking pale and as downcast as Sadie. I’d never seen her without a grin on her face.
“Ta-da!” Olivia’s exuberance seemed forced, her mouth forming a tight smile. Tendrils of flaxen hair escaped her kapp, its strings hanging behind her back. “My bruder was running late, so I talked my parents into letting me use their open buggy and bring the baked goods in myself.” She deposited a box on the counter and then embraced me as if she were clinging to a life raft.
“I need to talk to you if you have time,” she whispered when we finally parted. “If I don’t speak to someone, I’ll burst.” Chewing her lower lip, she rubbed her puffy eyes.
“Whatever do you mean?”
Olivia wiped away a tear. “Keep your voice down. Would ya come out and help me carry in my baked goods?”
“Sure.”
She tipped her head toward the door and stepped outside. I trailed her. “I’ll confide in you only if you promise never to tell anyone.”
“Yah, I promise.” I couldn’t imagine where she was headed.
“I may be leaving…with a man…” She buried her solemn face in her hands.
“Are you sure he’s the right man for you?”
Her nod was barely perceptible. “Yah, but I best not tell you his name so you won’t have to lie for me should someone ask.”
I had to agree. I didn’t want to have to fib to cover up her transgressions. Maybe she would change her mind.
She hefted up another container filled with baked goods from the back of her open buggy. “I promised my parents I wasn’t seeing him anymore, so we’ve been meeting in secret in the middle of the night.”
“Do they suspect anything?”
She looked over my shoulder, I assumed to make sure we were alone. “Not yet. But eventually we’ll…”
“Get married?”
“Maybe. He hasn’t asked me yet. But he says he loves me, so I’m sure we will.”
“Sometimes men lie.” Jake told me he’d adore me forever.
She must have noticed my distress “I’m sorry, Evie. I wish things were different with Jake. My guy has been upfront with me from the start. He’s never wanted to join the church. He’s been considering moving away and living in the Englisch world since he was a child. If he takes off, he said he’d take me with him.”
“But not get married first?”
“It’s not as if we don’t know each other.”
I was afraid to ask how well. I thought of Jake and was thankful we’d never gone beyond kissing. Kisses I would never forget. Not that we hadn’t been tempted, but prudence and caution had prevailed.
I would not condemn Olivia’s actions, but I hoped to influence her. Still, if I were in her position, I might have left the only life I’d ever known to be with Jake. If he’d asked me. Which he hadn’t.
“Wait here.” I deposited a box inside and then returned. “Liv, please promise you won’t run off without saying goodbye first.”
“I can’t promise anything.” She looked away. “I thought you of all people would understand.”
“I do understand.” All too well.
THIRTEEN
Our many hungry customers kept me from fretting about Olivia’s pitiful dilemma. I felt compassion for her because I knew what it was like to be in such a quandary. I’d always thought she was the prettiest and most vivacious young woman in the county, and I still did. In the past, many had speculated that she and Glenn Yoder would marry, and she would manage the café seamlessly. Now she would become the subject of gossip if she ran away with her young man. Ach, I hoped not.
But maybe she didn’t care.
I was delighted at how well my soup turned out, thanks to Beatrice’s stock. I felt guilty taking credit for its rich flavor, but I reminded myself I’d combined the ingredients. As my thoughts flitted like moths around a lightbulb, I wondered how and why the café had been visited during the night. I hadn’t worked here long enough to understand the possible reasons, and I would have to let Stephen unravel that mystery. But what if he thought I’d been negligent and hadn’t bothered to lock up? Surely he’d mention it to Glenn Yoder. Was my job in jeopardy?
Sadie kept her distance from me. She and I seemed to swim like two fish in a tank—in close proximity but never speaking to each other for more than a moment at a time. My heart went out to her. I knew what it was like to be rejected by the man I loved.
I cringed when Mark sauntered in for his coffee. Fortunately, we were neck-deep in customers. I asked Sadie to serve him. At first she ignored me, but a moment later she took him a mug.
Sipping his coffee, Mark tarried. He finally approached me and asked if I’d seen Heath.
“You haven’t found him yet?”
“Not only that, but Glenn called Stephen. Glenn and Rose are extending their trip by another week. Rose’s father is sicker than they’d thought. Glenn doesn’t want to leave his frau and dochder behind to come home when he has Stephen here to manage things, plus many longtime employees like me.” He spoke as if we were alone—as if Sadie were invisible. “Can you think of where Heath could be?”
“I heard barking in the night. Beatrice must have let him out.”
“I’ll go ask her. After you tell me you’re coming to the singing with me.” I should be thrilled to receive all this attention, even if walking into the singing would be awkward. But if I still loved Jake, I would be leading Mark on. Duplicitous is the word that came to mind, and I didn’t want to be accused of one more false action. And I cared about Sadie’s feelings too.
“Mark, I’ve decided to visit my parents on Sunday.” As of this moment.
“I could drive you there.” He seemed determined. “And then come get you for the singing.”
My parents would be tickled if he did, but I said, “Please don’t push me. People would think we’re dating.”
“Exactly what I wish to do.”
Wanting to end the conversation, I glanced at the cash register and saw Beatrice attempting to use the machine. “Mark, I need to get back to work.” I turned and retreated behind the counter.
“May I help the next person?” I smiled at an Englisch woman, who rattled off her order. I caught every item and rang it up. I congratulated myself on doing so well, but then I realized I was becoming prideful. I couldn’t win.
After the lunch rush, I made a call to the phone in the shed between my family’s home and our nearest neighbors. I left a message for Mamm, stating I wanted to fill her in on how well I was doing in person on Sunday. I assured myself my actions were those of a good daughter, but I mostly wanted to drive by Jake’s farm, which was only half a mile from my parents’. I assumed many in our district were taking the Millers food or had stopped in to check on his father. I might see Jake one final time before I progressed into a relationship with another man.
Minutes later, Stephen sauntered into the café. “How are things going?” he asked me.
“Fine. I’m glad you came in because I have a question to ask. And a favor.”
“Go ahead. Shoot.”
“Sadie mentioned Glenn has a buggy and a mare.”
“Yeah?”
“If Glenn is Englisch, why does he own a buggy?”
“He grew up Amish, and his parents gave him the buggy years ago. He says he keeps it for old time’s sake, but I think he gets a kick out of taking it for a spin every so often. His wife, Rose, adores horses and riding in it.”
I mustered up my courage. “Do you think I could borrow it on Sunday?”
Stephen glanced out the window. Thirty seconds passed. Maybe more. I sensed he was making a decision. “I
could drive you in my pickup.”
“Won’t you be in church Sunday morning?”
“I could make an exception.”
“I’d enjoy driving the buggy if it’s all right.”
“Well, now, I don’t know. I’d better call and ask Glenn.” He pulled his earlobe. “Say, can you even drive a buggy?”
“I’ve been driving one since the age of six, and I really miss it. I’ll be fine unless Glenn’s horse is a feisty stallion, like one my dat once owned.”
“Just the opposite. Autumn is as sweet a mare as I’ve ever met. And she could sure use the exercise. Still, I’d better ask permission.”
“Of course.” I couldn’t believe my good fortune. “I’ll be very careful with her and avoid the highway.”
“How about I meet you at the barn after work and introduce you two?”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” I glanced over to see Beatrice was hovering near us, eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Has Heath shown up?” she asked. “He didn’t eat his breakfast with the other two dogs.”
Stephen tugged his ear. “Not yet. I called animal control and the local veterinarian, but no one’s brought him in. I’ve asked several of my employees to put up lost dog signs. So far, no luck.” He paused and then turned to me. “I’m going to search for him after you and I see Autumn. If you’d like to join me, I could use another set of eyes.”
Again, I found Beatrice in close proximity. She must have heard his invitation.
FOURTEEN
Stephen strode into the café near three. “Hey, good news, Eva. You may borrow the buggy. But Glenn would feel more comfortable if you demonstrated your abilities to me first.”
“Okay, I’ll take you for a ride. We can both look for Heath for an hour or so.”
Beatrice closed in on us like a vulture. “I was planning to invite Eva over to dinner again. Ham and scalloped potatoes. Too much food for me to eat all by myself.”
“Does that invitation include me?” Stephen’s voice sounded jovial, as if restraining laughter.
“I was thinking just the two of us,” she said.
“I understand.” He gave me a wink. “Eva, do you still have time to hitch up the buggy? We could do it another day if you’d prefer.”
“Ach, I want to meet Autumn today.” I pivoted toward Beatrice. “Thank you for your kind invitation. How about tomorrow night?”
Beatrice’s features hardened. “I’ll have to wait and see.”
Stephen and I walked around a greenhouse and into the small barn next to a chicken coop. He opened the barn’s wide door to expose a gray buggy and an automobile, much to my surprise. Not that I assumed the Yoders didn’t drive vehicles. Both of them must.
Stephen called Autumn, who trotted right over to him. I pulled a carrot I’d pilfered from the kitchen out of a pocket in my apron and gave it to the mare. She nibbled it and then swallowed the rest.
“Oh, you are a pretty girl. And you seem friendly too. Gut.”
Stephen pulled Glenn’s gray buggy out of the small barn, and I hitched up the docile mare. So far, so good.
“She’s gorgeous.” Getting to know her, I stroked the roan mare’s neck. “She needs grooming.”
“After our ride. We’d better head out while there’s daylight.” Stephen beckoned me to get in and handed me the reins. As I climbed aboard, he jogged around to the passenger side. I realized he was testing my competence. If I couldn’t climb in the buggy by myself, how would I manage?
At an easy pace, I navigated the buggy through farmland, passing homes, farms, and silos. Both Stephen and I called Heath’s name and stopped several times to ask farmers and children if they’d seen the dog. After an hour, Stephen suggested we turn around.
A few blocks from the nursery I heard barking. “Wait. I hear a dog.”
Stephen pointed. “There he is, tied to that porch. What the—”
“Wunderbaar! ” I noticed a change in me. I’d never expected to be elated to see a dog, especially such a large and energetic one covered with mud.
“Pull into the driveway, Eva.” The moment we stopped, Stephen vaulted out of the buggy and ran over to Heath, who seemed ecstatic, his tail wagging.
A middle-aged Englisch man dressed in jeans and mud-spattered work boots rounded the house, carrying a shotgun. “Hey, what you doing with that dog?”
Without hesitation, Stephen lumbered toward the man and said, “I could ask you the same question.”
“That mutt killed one of my lambs.” The man raised the rifle’s barrel a few inches. “I should have shot it.”
“I don’t believe you.” Stephen moved closer to the man. “Heath wouldn’t hurt a flea.”
“Tell that to my dead lamb.” The man lifted the gun a few more inches. “Get off my property, and don’t come back unless you have the cash to pay for my dead animal.” The man lunged forward and poked Stephen’s chest with the shotgun’s muzzle. “Now, leave. You’re trespassing.”
Stephen held his ground. “I will as soon as you give me Heath.” At the sound of his name, the dog started barking and yanking on the rope.
The Englischer’s face turned beet red. “He’s my dog. His name is… Duke.”
“Since when?” Stephen asked, a hand on one hip.
“Since I bought him as a pup.” The Englischer poked Stephen again, but this time Stephen grabbed hold of the gun’s muzzle, twisted it out of the man’s hand, and flung it several yards away. The two men wrestled. Stephen maneuvered the man into a choke hold and held him like a vise. I’d never seen grown men fight. The Amish are nonresistant, a click beyond pacifists, who might march in a demonstration. Weren’t Mennonites nonresistant too?
Half of me was terrified. The other half was fascinated.
Heath bared his teeth, his hackles raised. While the man struggled to get free, I ran over and untied the dog. Tail waving, Heath charged over to Stephen.
“Hey, stop that.” The man grabbed for Heath. The dog sprang up and nipped him on the arm. “Ow!” The man’s face contorted. “You’ve turned my own dog against me. I ought to call the police.”
“You sure you want to do that? You would be charged with theft. This dog belongs to Glenn Yoder.”
“Then what was he doing on my property in the middle of the night? He killed one of my lambs. Do you understand? My flock is my livelihood.”
My heart was beating triple time. Ach, everything was happening so quickly that I’d forgotten to tether Autumn, who was grazing on weeds and grasses at the side of the road. I hurried over to her and grabbed the reins. Heath bounded after me and licked my hand. Then he jumped into the buggy.
The Englisch man shook his fist as Stephen backstepped toward the buggy.
“That dog bit me and killed one of my lambs. I’m calling animal control and the police.”
The man trailed Stephen, who seemed unfazed.
Stephen came to a halt. “Where’s your proof he killed the lamb? In fact, where is this dead animal?”
“You insinuating I’m lying?” He balled his fist.
Stephen seemed to grow in stature. He glanced my way. “You still driving, Eva? Better get in the buggy.”
“Yah, but I wish we had your pickup to rely on.” My face must have been white, drained of blood.
“You want me to drive?”
“Nee, I can manage.” My hands shook as I hoisted myself into the buggy.
“Let’s get out of here before that guy really goes ballistic.” Stephen climbed in next to Heath. “One thing for sure, Eva. I can safely tell Glenn you know how to drive a buggy.”
“But I forgot to tether Autumn.”
“When you meet Glenn, you are welcome to relate that tidbit, but as far as I’m concerned, you did the best you could under the circumstances. He will be delighted to get his dog back.”
As I steered Autumn toward the nursery, Stephen wrapped his left arm over the dog’s back. “I wonder what brought him down here to begin with.”
The same thought was weaving through my mind. “Do you think that man snuck into the café last night?”
“I can’t imagine why he would. Unless he bears a grudge against Glenn for some reason.”
“If he did, where did he get a key?” I looked out the back window to make sure he wasn’t following us in a car or truck.
“That’s a missing piece of the puzzle. In any case, I don’t want to tangle with him again.”
“He could have hurt you. I’m thankful you and Heath are okay.” I wanted to ask Stephen where he’d learned to fight so well, but he answered before I could speak.
“I grew up in foster care and on the streets in Philly until age thirteen. Then a Mennonite couple adopted me and brought me to New Holland.”
“How about your parents?”
“My mother told me she didn’t know who my father was. A one-night stand, and she never got his name or saw him again.”
“Where does she live?”
“In the state penitentiary. I tried visiting her a few times, but it was no good. She wants nothing to do with me. I consider my adoptive parents my real parents.” He swiped his mouth. “I bet they would not have approved of that tussle I just had.”
“Yah, I suspect not if they’re Mennonite. But he could have killed you.”
He stroked Heath. “I never thought I’d have to defend myself again.”
I noticed a buggy approaching, pulled by a black horse resembling Jake’s father’s standardbred. The driver, his chin cleanly shaven, wore a baseball hat and sat next to a young Englisch woman. As we neared, I pulled the reins to slow Autumn and take a good look at the driver. Was it Jake, or was my imagination tricking me?
As we passed each other, his gaze locked onto mine. Then, in an instant, he was gone.
FIFTEEN
When Stephen and I returned to the nursery, Beatrice, Mark, and several other employees stood waiting for us. They gushed over Heath while Stephen and I were pummeled with questions. Stephen deflected their concerns and complimented me on my skill as a buggy driver.
