Covered Bridge Charm

by Christner, Dianne;

  “Well if I was dating Adam, it would be for me, too,” Miranda teased. “Is Jimmy just as cute?”

  Carly only had to think for a moment. “Jah. Girls like him. But he’s not ready to settle down.”

  “Perfect. Neither am I. I’d love to see your yellow cottage, and I don’t have anything to do this weekend. Why don’t you hook us up?”

  “We’ll see. Right now I’ve got to sterilize these teeth and check on Klepto.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  How can I help?”

  Carly couldn’t verbalize the responses that sprang to mind. She was mentally kicking herself for giving in to Miranda’s request. She met the other woman’s dark, imploring eyes, seemingly guileless. Carly was appalled to discover her true feelings as they arose to the surface. She fought to school her reactions. “There’s ice in the freezer. You can fill the glasses if you’d like.”

  “Sure.”

  Behind her, Carly heard the gentle plunk, plunk of Miranda at task. She drowned her out by fervently mashing the potatoes. Heat from the open oven door enveloped Carly as she brought out a savory roast. Preparing dinner was no big deal. She’d wanted to discuss Sherie’s newest assignment with Auntie, anyway. And they usually got together when Jimmy was home. Might as well let Miranda see for herself that Jimmy wasn’t her man.

  After three quick raps, the door flew open, and the man in her thoughts bound into the room. “Smells great, Sis.”

  Cocoa hopped out from hiding when he heard Jimmy’s voice, and Jimmy knelt to scratch him behind the ears. But his brow lifted with surprise when he saw Miranda. Before he could say anything, Aunt Fannie arrived and plopped a pumpkin pie on the counter.

  Miranda giggled and introduced herself as Carly’s friend from Sweet Life.

  Jimmy wiped his hand on his pants and held it out for Miranda. She gave it a gentle squeeze, then jerked away. “Sorry. I was filling the glasses.”

  He rubbed his hands as if to warm them. “Glad to hear it. For a minute I thought you had ice flowing through your veins.”

  “Hardly.” She flashed a knowing smile.

  “Good to know,” he grinned back.

  “Maybe this will help.” Carly handed Miranda the warm roast platter. “You can sit by the window.”

  Jimmy peeled his eyes away and brought the mashed potatoes to the table. As usual, he stuck his finger in and stole a taste, winking at Miranda. Carly swatted his arm. “Just for that, you can pray.”

  It didn’t take long for Carly to relax. In fact she found herself laughing near to tears as Miranda shared stories about their work at Sweet Life. And when she started talking about living at a house with six other Mennonite volunteers, Carly realized that Miranda had a servant’s heart. Of course, she’d always known the young woman was a hard worker. It was her own fault she’d kept their relationship shallow. But when the flirting resurfaced, Carly remembered why they’d never clicked. Miranda was too immature for her taste.

  Once they’d cleared the table, Auntie shooed Jimmy away with a snap of a towel. “There’s too many for this small kitchen. Why don’t you go talk to that rabbit and keep it out of mischief.”

  “I didn’t even know about Cocoa until today,” Miranda accused, eyeing the creature that had hopped under the table and tried to hide behind the round central table leg.

  “Really?” Carly read the hurtful glint in the other woman’s eyes. “Why don’t you go get acquainted now.”

  “Oh, no. I want to help with the dishes first.”

  Reluctantly, she shook her head. “Auntie’s right. It’s too crowded here.”

  Miranda gave her a thankful smile.

  Carly plunged her hands into the hot sudsy water. She thinks I’m helping to set them up. When she heard Jimmy speaking softly, she forced herself to ignore them. “I told Sherie about my idea of bringing children into the volunteer program.”

  “Wonderful,” Auntie replied.

  Only her enthusiasm didn’t match her words. For the first time, Carly realized her aunt was distracted. “Something wrong?”

  “What? Oh, nothing important. Just thinking about a problem I’m trying to work out.”

  “One of your quilt patterns?” Carly asked.

  “I found a contest in Quilter’s magazine, and I’m thinking about entering.”

  “Really? That’s exciting.”

  “What’s exciting?” Jimmy asked, refilling his glass.

  Soon all four were squeezed back into the kitchen, discussing Auntie’s entry.

  Carly asked, “Why not enter your sunflower pattern? It’s my favorite.”

  “I really want to do something new.”

  “When’s the deadline?” Miranda asked.

  “November 30. The winners will be published in the magazine’s January edition.”

  Carly folded her dishtowel and placed it on the towel bar. “Why such a short deadline?”

  “Oh, it’s not. The contest has been running for a while.”

  “But that’s hardly time for something new.”

  “I know, but I’m thinking of a Christmas theme, and I’m not happy with anything I’ve already done. I should have started earlier, but…” She shrugged.

  “Christmas…” Miranda tapped her fingers together. “Let’s see. You could do angel’s wings and halos. Snowmen. Or how about wreaths made out of gingerbread men?”

  Auntie stared at her, then her eyes widened. “Jah, those could work.”

  They discussed it a bit, and then Miranda asked. “Carly? You have any paper?”

  Later Carly glanced around the table, watching Miranda sketch several ideas. Jimmy was mesmerized by the flourish of her slender, red-tipped fingers. Auntie was more excited than she’d seen her since the rejection at Salem’s Quiltopia.

  Finally Miranda pushed the papers away and blushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take over here.”

  “Nothing of the sort!” Auntie chided. “These are marvelous.”

  “I like this one,” Jimmy said, pointing to a design where each square was topped with a ribbon and bow.

  Carly tapped a Christmas tree design made from four triangles each tilted playfully.

  “This one reminds me of Adam’s tree farm.”

  Jimmy gave her a sharp glance.

  Miranda tapped her watch. “I should get back to the house. I’m on for dinner duty tonight.” She gave a contrite smile. “The house only has one car, and they dropped me off earlier. I need to call for a ride.”

  Scooting his chair, Jimmy jumped to his feet. “I’ll take you home.”

  Carly frowned. For a guy used to fending off girls, he was slipping.

  Miranda thanked him and then Carly before she told Aunt Fannie, “I’d be happy to help more.” She shrugged. “If you like.”

  “Would you like to look at some material with me? I have to send samples along with my pattern.”

  “Sure.” Miranda scribbled her phone number on one of the pattern pieces. “It was really fun. Thanks so much.”

  When Jimmy was at the door, Auntie called, “Don’t forget to take that pie.” Once they were gone, she turned to Carly. “I like that girl. She’s a real surprise.”

  “She certainly is.”

  “Inspiring. In fact, I’ve even got an idea for you.”

  “Jah?”

  “I understand Ann’s good with the children at church. Why don’t you ask her for ideas about incorporating the children.”

  Carly’s eyes lit with excitement. “Of course. She loves children. Maybe she’d even head it up for me.”

  Later when Carly was alone, she absently stroked Cocoa. She needed to rethink her relationship with Miranda. How quickly the woman had wormed her way into her family’s hearts. Why was her own so cold against Miranda? Her thoughts rambled through the afternoon’s events. She hadn’t even known Miranda was an artist. How easily she’d sketched her ideas. Carly’s favorite was still the tree. A quilt like that would make a great gift for Adam. Someday.

 
; She shook aside the thought. Giving Adam gifts was trouble. Then she remembered his sister Ann also helped out at the tree farm. Would she have enough time to help with the volunteer program? Thinking there was only one way to find out, she picked up her phone.

  A large wrench held the door to Sweet Life’s furnace room ajar. Carly hadn’t heard anything was wrong and assumed it was Rocco doing routine maintenance work. She stuck her head inside to give a friendly greeting. It took her eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dimly lit room. The first thing she saw was a battered red toolbox, a familiar box that caused the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle. Her gaze shot to Mr. Gadget, who was slumped over in his wheelchair in front of the heating unit. Her worst fear came true. “Sonny!”

  Mr. Gadget flinched, and a screwdriver clunked to the floor beside a discarded hammer. Her eyes lifted and she saw dents all along the unit’s protective casing.

  “Have it running good as new,” he muttered.

  She swallowed, quickly assessing the situation. The unit was partly dismantled and wires were precariously exposed. She had no electrical training but assumed since Sonny was still breathing that they weren’t in imminent danger. She touched his shoulder. “Good. You can finish after lunch. I’ll bet you’re hungry.”

  He rubbed a hand over his balding head. “Guess I could eat.”

  Careful not to touch any of the wiring, she wheeled him out of the room, closing the door behind them. Catching Miranda in the hall, she pawned Sonny off and hurried to the front desk. “Becca, call Rocco. We need him immediately!”

  After conferring with Sherie, she put a call through to Sonny’s son, explaining the situation. “It’s time to take his toolbox away.” She listened to the son’s objections. “I know. But it’s one thing to dismantle his bed and another to play with live wires. He could have gotten killed today.” She blushed when he put the blame on the center’s care. “We can’t be with him every second.” After a lengthy discussion, it was finally determined to place the toolbox under lock and key until the weekend when it would be replaced with plastic tools.

  “That’s rough,” Becca said. Then she turned a cheery smile toward the lobby. “Good morning.”

  A ray of sunshine filled the room as Ann’s four-year-old-daughter, Mary, skipped toward them. “Hi. We’re having a picnic lunch.”

  “You are? How wonderful,” Becca replied before turning to answer the phone.

  Glancing at the residents gathering for lunch, Ann raised a brow. “Is this a bad time?”

  Carly brushed her hand through the air. “No more than usual. Sonny just dismantled the heating element, but Rocco’s putting it back together.” When Ann’s eyes widened, Carly grinned. “I’ll go grab my lunch.” She was anxious to discuss the volunteer program with Ann.

  When she returned from the staff room, she waited while Ann finished conversing with some of the residents who had gathered for the noon meal. Martha was questioning little Mary about her age and when she planned to attend school. Smiles all around, the residents loved having Mary visiting them.

  After that, they moved outside to the garden patio and sat on a metal bench. “Thanks for meeting me like this.”

  “No problem. I feel guilty for not coming more often.”

  “One person can’t do everything,” Carly said. “I hear you’re really good with children.”

  Ann dimpled and hugged little Mary. “I love children.”

  “Did you notice how the residents lit up when Mary entered the room?”

  “Jah. It made my heart swell,” Ann replied.

  As they spread out their lunch items on a metal side table, Carly explained, “That’s why I invited you to lunch.”

  Ann tilted her head. “Really? This isn’t about my brother?”

  Carly laughed nervously. “No. Sweet Life is starting a volunteer program called Every Little Bit Helps.”

  Ann nodded. “Adam told me you drafted the entire program and that he was appalled at the way Uncle Si treated you.”

  “That’s water under the bridge. Sherie’s been letting me help. In fact, she liked my newest idea and asked me to make it happen.” Surprise governed Ann’s expression, and Carly could see the other woman was struggling to understand how she was to be involved. She recognized the instant that Ann understood.

  “It has something to do with children, doesn’t it?”

  “Jah. Michelle Zook asked me if she could read to the residents. They would love it. Children could sing and play games.” Carly leaned close and whispered. “At this stage in life, the residents have much in common with children. They enjoy the same things.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. I could bring the church group over.”

  Carly bit her lip. Then she continued. “I’m single. I don’t know much about children.”

  Ann grinned. “And I do.”

  “Jah. I know you’re busy at the Christmas tree farm right now, and I hate to ask, but you’re perfect for the job. Will you head up the children’s volunteer program?”

  “Mama! Look!”

  Carly watched the child’s delight as a gray squirrel with a bushy tail skittered along the fence wall and finally climbed high into an oak tree.

  Mary clapped her hands. “Again! Again!”

  “He’s gathering supplies for winter.”

  “Does he live in that tree, Mama?”

  “Jah, I suppose he does.”

  “Can I go look?’”

  “Sure.”

  They watched the little girl run to the fence and stand gazing up into the tree. The squirrel chattered loudly.

  “What’s he saying, Mama?”

  “He’s scolding you for interrupting his work.”

  “Is he the old people’s squirrel?”

  “Jah, honey.” Her voice faded, “I already teach Sunday school. And like you said, it’s November, and I’m busy at the farm. But my main concern is Dad. He’s already jealous about Adam’s time here at the center.”

  “I hadn’t thought about that.” Carly bit her tongue, to keep from saying how unfair and childish it was for Roman to control his adult children and prevent them from helping others. Being the family peacemaker probably made Ann more aware of her dad’s feelings.

  “Let me talk it over with Ron, and we’ll pray about it.”

  “Of course.” She could understand getting a husband’s approval. But even that grated her at the moment.

  Ann watched Mary skip along the fence, where she was gathering leaves, acorns, and seed pods. “Now I know how Adam feels.”

  Carly studied her friend.

  “Dad’s a good man, but stubborn. He doesn’t like anybody to cross him.”

  A catch appeared in Carly’s throat. “And he doesn’t like me.” She fiddled with her napkin. “So he doesn’t want your entire family to have anything to do with Sweet Life?”

  Ann’s hand shot out. “Oh no. No, it’s not that. It’s Simon. He says he doesn’t want us to be led astray by his brother who broke away from our church.”

  Carly’s thoughts drifted. When they’d dated, Dale had attended a more progressive church. When he’d proposed marriage, he told her it wasn’t an issue so she’d assumed they’d go to the Conservative Church. Assumptions. In the end, he suggested finding a new church in Indiana, one that would fit both their needs.

  “But Adam and I know it’s more than that.” Carly blinked. Met Ann’s gaze.

  “He’s jealous of Uncle Si. It’s just a delicate situation. With nothing to do with you.”

  Carly found that hard to believe.

  “Mama!” Mary skipped to the table and pointed back at the tree. “Is heaven up there in that tree?”

  “No honey. Why?”

  “Because all those old people are ready to go to heaven.”

  Ann smiled apologetically.

  Carly sighed. “I guess that’s one thing children don’t have in common with the residents.”

  “That’s why your idea is so good. They’d bring l
ife to this place.”

  Long after Ann had gone, while Carly was looking for the General’s hearing aid, their conversation lingered. It was what Ann hadn’t said that hurt the most. Roman Lapp was stubbornly set against Carly because he didn’t think she was good enough for his son. And even if Adam went against his father’s wishes, would she want to be a part of a family that lived in fear of the dictates of the family head? She didn’t think so.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Snip. Snip. November brought death to Carly’s flower garden. As gardening went, it was her least favorite month, and she spent many late afternoons cleaning and mulching. On Saturday, Jimmy promised to come and help rake and compost leaves. Kneeling now, she trimmed her pink coneflowers and chrysanthemums down to four- to six-inch stems and worked the dry heads back into the soil. As her thumb scattered the seeds, little Mary’s words came to mind. “All the old people are ready to go to heaven.”

  Hearing the words from one just starting life had initiated the sadness that enveloped her yesterday. Since then, it’d been easy to allow negative thinking to invade her mind. Working the soil, she understood death was inevitable and even a blessing. Wasn’t heaven a better place? She should be happy for the release the elderly experienced. Free from pain. Reunited with loved ones. She was too earthly minded. She wanted to change. To trust God with her life and find her own release from the pain her job entailed.

  “Hello!” Imogene waved two glasses of sweet tea by invitation.

  Carly rose, swiping her brow with the sleeve of her black sweater and crossed the street. “Thanks.” She took several satisfying sips of the sweet tea.

  “Why so glum? Spring is just around the corner.”

  “Hardly.” Only that was negative thinking, and she’d just chastised herself for that. But she could be honest with Imogene. “It’s just that my flowers reflect everything else in my life. Dying.”

  “Bah! It’s all of us old people you hang around with. What about that good-looking fellow with the black truck? He even gets my blood a-pumping, and I’m happily married to Baldy.”

  Carly laughed. “Adam’s a good friend. He runs a Christmas Tree Farm, and he’s pretty busy this time of year.”