Kendra grinned, hoisting her daughter a bit higher on her hip. “Real well. As you can see, little Heidi is growing by leaps and bounds.”
“Yes, I can certainly tell.”
“If you’re not busy, I’d like to come in. I have some exciting news to share with you.”
“I’ll be teaching another cooking class today, but my young students aren’t due to arrive until shortly before ten, so please come in.” Heidi opened the front door. “Let’s take a seat in the living room and we can visit awhile.”
“Okay.” Kendra glanced at her watch. “But I’ll only stay a few minutes. I apologize for not calling ahead.”
“It’s not a problem. I’m always pleased to see you and the baby.” Heidi reached out her hands. “May I hold her?”
“Of course.” Kendra handed her daughter to Heidi, and they both took a seat on the couch.
Heidi stroked the little girl’s soft cheeks. “I’m eager to know. What is the exciting news you want to share with me, Kendra?”
Kendra extended her left hand and pointed to the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. “Brent and I got engaged last night. We’re planning to be married this December.”
Heidi clasped Kendra’s hand. “That’s wonderful news. I only met Brent the one time when Bill stopped to introduce his son, but he seemed like a nice young man.”
“You’re right about that, and he’s so good with the baby. I think he’ll make a great father for little Heidi, not to mention a wonderful husband for me. I’d like it if you and Lyle could come to our wedding in December. I’ll send you an invitation as the time gets closer.”
“It would be so nice to be a part of your special day.”
“I can’t stop looking at my ring.” Kendra wiggled her hand back and forth as the light caught the diamond and made it sparkle. Then she pointed at the box of toys across the room. “I’m guessing you and Lyle are still foster parents to the children who came to live with you toward the end of last year.”
“Yes, we are. Marsha and Randy are upstairs, putting on their shoes. Lyle and I have become quite attached to those two.” Heidi leaned closer and lowered her voice. “We are seeking to adopt them, but they don’t know yet. No living relatives came forward after their parents died, so we assume that either there are none, or no one wanted the responsibility of raising them. Now, we’re just waiting to see if our application gets accepted.”
“Now that is good news.” Kendra reached into her purse and pulled out a tissue, then wiped a wet spot off the baby’s chin. “Sorry about that. She’s on the verge of cutting another tooth, so she drools a lot.”
Heidi nodded. “They do grow quickly, don’t they?”
“You can say that again. It won’t be long before my daughter will be toddling all over the place. Ever since she learned how to crawl, the little stinker’s been getting into things.” Kendra looked at little Heidi with such adoration. “Course, I am not complaining. I’m enjoying every phase of my daughter’s babyhood, and so are my folks, as well as my sisters.”
“And that’s how it should be.” Heidi chuckled when the baby stuck her thumb in her mouth and made loud sucking noises.
Kendra rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t know about good manners yet.”
A forceful knock on the front door interrupted their conversation. Heidi glanced at the clock. It was a quarter to ten. She hadn’t heard any vehicles pull into the yard, and figured it might be Velma, since she’d previously come on foot.
“Excuse me, Kendra. I’d better answer that.” Heidi handed the baby to her mother and hurried across the room. When she opened the door, she found Velma on the porch with Peggy Ann, as well as a young boy with dark brown hair and eyes that matched.
“I’m here to do more work for you, while Peggy Ann takes her cooking class.” Velma motioned to the boy. “This here’s my son, Eddie. I didn’t want to leave him home alone, so he’s gonna be helping me today.”
“Oh, I see. Well, perhaps he’d like to come in and take part in the cooking class with his sister.”
With a pinched expression, Velma shook her head. “I can’t afford to pay for Eddie’s lesson, and believe me, it’s best that he helps me outside. I’ll chop some more wood, and he can stack it for me. Unless there’s something else you’d rather have done today.”
“No, that’s fine. You can start with that. I’ll be out later to tell you what else I’d like to have done. That is, if you have time to do anything more than chop wood today.”
“I’m sure I’ll have the time.” Velma dropped her gaze to the wooden planks on the porch. “Workin’ helps take my mind off the troubles that seem to keep coming my way.”
Heidi was about to comment, when Velma gave her daughter a little push. “You go on inside now, Peggy Ann. And you’d best do whatever Heidi tells you during the cooking class, ya hear?”
Looking up at her mother, Peggy Ann nodded.
Velma turned, took hold of her son’s arm, and stepped off the porch. “Come on, Eddie. Let’s you and me get to work.”
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his bib overalls, the boy mumbled something Heidi didn’t understand, but he went along with his mother, kicking a few pebbles in the dirt. It was obvious Velma’s son did not want to be here today. He’d probably rather spend the day doing anything other than work.
Back inside, Heidi introduced Peggy Ann to Kendra, then suggested the young girl choose a toy to play with until Randy and Marsha came downstairs or some of the other children arrived.
Kendra gathered up her purse and stood, holding her baby daughter. “Looks like things are gonna get busy around here, so I’d better go. I’ll let you know when Brent and I have set an exact date for our wedding. And again, we’d be honored if you and Lyle could be there.”
Heidi smiled. “It would be an honor for us to attend.” She wrapped Kendra in a warm hug and watched as the young woman went out the door.
A few seconds later, Randy and Marsha appeared, both fully dressed, including their shoes. Without saying a word, they took a seat on the floor next to Peggy Ann. It pleased Heidi to see them interact with the girl. Since Peggy Ann was new to the area, she needed a friend or two.
“I hope that stupid mutt of Heidi’s isn’t running around the yard today,” Kassidy muttered as they approached the Troyers’ driveway. “I’m glad I don’t have any pets.”
Denise glanced in the rearview mirror at her daughter. “What do you mean? Have you forgotten about Tokai?”
“She’s not my cat, Mom. She’s yours.” Kassidy’s nose crinkled. “Besides, Tokai doesn’t jump on me with dirty paws.”
Seeing no other vehicles parked in Heidi’s yard, Denise pulled up close to the house. She figured if the dog was running around outside somewhere, the front door wouldn’t be too far for them to go.
Seeing no sign of the dog, Denise signaled Kassidy to get out of the car, and she did the same. They were almost to the house when a young dark-haired boy, wearing a pair of faded overalls and a T-shirt with several holes in it, stepped in front of them. “Hey, I’m Eddie. Who are you?”
“My name is Denise McGuire, and this is my daughter, Kassidy. Are you here to take Heidi’s cooking class?”
He shook his head briskly. “No way! Cookin’ is for girls, not boys.”
“How so?” Kassidy crossed her arms.
“My papa says a man’s place isn’t in the kitchen.”
Narrowing her eyes, Kassidy’s face tightened. “Oh, yeah? Well, for your information, there are three boys taking Heidi’s class. And besides, sometimes, when he has the time, my dad likes to cook too.”
He sneered at her. “So what? Don’t mean I wanna cook, so just leave me be.”
“Hey, you’re the one who approached us. And you know what?”
“What?” Eddie asked, squinting at her.
“You look dorky in those bibs you’re wearing.” Kassidy’s hands went quickly to her hips. “I wouldn’t be caught out of the house in those faded o
ld things.”
Just then Rusty came bounding around the house. The dog ran up to Eddie and sat by his feet. Eddie knelt on one knee and talked to the dog. “You’re a good boy, aren’t ya?”
“I see you made a furry friend.” Kassidy snickered. “You two mutts deserve each other.”
Eyes narrowing into tiny slits, Eddie stood up, but before things could escalate, Denise grabbed her daughter’s hand. “You’re being rude. Let’s go inside.”
Kassidy gave Eddie a dismissive nod and quickly stepped onto the porch. Denise followed, giving the boy a backwards glance as he and the Troyers’ dog disappeared around the side of the house.
Denise pointed her finger at Kassidy. “What you said to that boy was uncalled for. And let me remind you, young lady, you own a pair of bib overalls yourself.”
“But mine are the latest style. They aren’t faded and tattered, like his are.”
“You haven’t learned a thing, have you?” Denise grew more disappointed as she looked at her daughter, wanting to say more. Instead, she turned and gestured to the door. “Let’s drop it for now, but don’t think this discussion is over.”
It was a good thing Eddie wasn’t taking part in today’s class. Those two would probably go at it the whole time. Kassidy had certainly met her match.
When Darren pulled his SUV into Heidi’s yard, he was pleased to see Ellen getting out of her car. This would be the perfect opportunity to talk to her alone.
As soon as Darren got out of his rig, he called out to Ellen. She turned and smiled.
“Can I talk to you a minute, before you go inside?” he asked.
“Certainly.” Ellen looked at Becky. “Why don’t you go ahead in?”
The girl shook her head. “That’s okay. I’ll wait till you’re ready to go in the house.”
Oh, great. Darren struggled not to give an impatient huff. Should I ask Ellen for a date, with her daughter standing here? Of course, Jeremy had gotten out of the car now, too, and stood near Darren, shifting from one foot to the other. Well, it’s better to have it out in the open with Becky and Jeremy here, Darren decided, since he’d already discussed it with his son.
He moved closer to Ellen. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out to dinner with me one night next week. Just the two of us this time.”
Ellen glanced at Becky, then looked back at Darren. “That sounds nice. Would Friday night work for you?”
Nodding, he grinned. “That’d be great. I’ll pick you up at six, if that’s okay.”
“Six will be fine.”
Whew, that’s a relief. Darren closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again and saw the obvious displeasure on Becky’s face, the joy he felt seconds ago was replaced with concern. Apparently Ellen’s daughter wasn’t thrilled about him dating her mother. Well, our kids will have to deal with it, because Ellen and I have the right to date whomever we choose.
Chapter 23
I wish you and Daddy could both take us to the cooking class,” Kevin announced from the back seat of Miranda’s minivan. “Then we could all learn to cook together.”
“Mommy already knows how to cook,” Debbie put in. “Besides, Daddy has to work today.”
Kevin spoke again. “I miss him and wish he’d come home to live with us, like he did before.”
Miranda cringed. Sometimes she felt guilty for asking Trent to move out, especially knowing how much the kids missed him. Even so, she couldn’t let him come waltzing back until she saw a true change in his behavior. Sending gifts and making promises he might not keep in order to lure her in simply wouldn’t do.
Shifting mental gears, Miranda turned into the Troyers’ driveway. Seeing that three other vehicles were already there, she hoped she and the children weren’t late.
New Philadelphia
Trent had only been at work an hour, when a stabbing pain started on his right side, radiating to his back, and making him feel nauseous. As he rubbed the area, and took a deep breath, Trent tried to recall what he might have done to make it hurt this much. But he hadn’t done anything strenuous lately, except being on his feet several hours at work yesterday.
Oh no! Trent rubbed the bridge of his nose as he leaned against a shiny new car in the showroom. I hope this isn’t another kidney stone. Trent remembered all too well the stone he’d passed a few years ago. It was the worst pain he’d ever experienced, and he’d hoped he would never have to go through anything like that again.
As Trent headed toward his boss’s office, he felt relief that for a Saturday, no customers had shown up yet. He found Herb sitting at his desk going over some papers. “Trent, come on in and sit down. It’s been a slow morning so far, hasn’t it?” Herb got up to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Would you like a cup?”
“No thanks.” Trent inhaled sharply as the pain grew worse. “Think I need to head home. I’m not feeling well all of a sudden.”
“Sure, sure, Trent.” Herb’s thick eyebrows furrowed. “I can handle things here. Do you think you’re coming down with something?”
“I can’t say for sure, but I believe I’m having a kidney stone attack.”
“Oh my, you’d better get on home then. My brother gets kidney stones, and I know from what he’s told me, how bad they can be—especially if they’re difficult to pass.” Herb’s brows came together in a frown. “Do you want me to drive you home?”
“Thanks, but my apartment isn’t far from here.” Trent started to leave, then turned back. “Hopefully, if I pass this stone quickly, I’ll be back to work on Monday.”
“Just let me know.” Herb waved him off. “Get going now, and be careful driving home.”
Walnut Creek
“Now that the Coopers have arrived, let’s all go into the kitchen.” Heidi led the way, and everyone followed.
Ellen noticed her daughter’s solemn expression as she took a seat at the table. Becky doesn’t want me to go out with Darren. She’s had me all to herself since she was a baby and obviously feels threatened by me dating for the first time in ten years.
Ellen took a step away from the table, contemplating things further. Should I tell Darren I’ve changed my mind about going out with him and end this relationship now, before it goes any further?
Ellen felt trapped between wanting to please Becky and fulfilling her own needs. She could see herself perhaps having a future with Darren, but not if Becky wouldn’t accept him. I’m thinking ahead too far, she berated herself. It’s too soon to know if there’s even a possibility of a future with Darren. She tipped her head. I wonder how Jeremy feels about his dad going out with me. If I give this relationship a try, maybe Becky will come around and be okay with it. I certainly hope so, because the more I get to know Darren, the more I like him.
“As you can see, everything you will need to make the shortcake is on the table.” Heidi gestured to the dry ingredients, as well as the milk, vanilla, softened butter, and one egg for each child. “Now, the first thing you’ll need to do is cream the sugar and butter in your mixing bowl.”
Peggy Ann’s pale eyebrows squished together. “How are we supposed to make the sugar and butter turn into cream?”
Heidi smiled at the child’s innocent question. “It won’t turn into cream, Peggy Ann. When I said ‘cream the sugar and butter,’ I meant, stir the ingredients in the bowl until they are creamy.”
Peggy Ann’s cheeks puffed out as she huffed. “Why didn’t ya just say that then?”
Heidi lifted her hands and let them fall to her sides. “You’re right. I should have explained it better. So now, let’s all get our butter and sugar mixed.” Heidi stood next to Marsha and helped her put the ingredients in the bowl and stir them around.
Marsha looked up at Heidi and grinned. “This is fun, Mammi.”
Heidi smiled in return. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, and I hope everyone else is too.”
“Not me. I think this is boring, and if you ask me—”
Denise poked her daughter’s arm. “Kassidy,
I’m warning you.”
Kassidy’s mouth clamped shut, and she picked up her wooden spoon.
While Heidi couldn’t say she noticed much improvement in the young girl’s belligerent attitude, she did see a change in Kassidy’s mother’s behavior. Denise seemed more determined to make her daughter behave. Kassidy was one of the oldest children taking this class, but so far, she wasn’t setting a good example for the others. Heidi could only hope that in time things would improve, but she wished there was something specific she could say or do to make it happen quickly.
Once the children had finished the first step, Heidi asked them to add the milk, egg, and vanilla, and then mix well. She was impressed with Randy and the younger children in their determination to do a good job and keep up with the older students.
“This smells good. I can’t wait to eat the cake when it’s done.” Kevin smacked his lips. “Bet my daddy would like it, and I think he’d be proud of me for learnin’ how to cook.”
Heidi smiled. “I’m sure he would, and I’m pleased that you followed directions.”
“What do we do next?” Debbie wanted to know.
“You’ll add the dry ingredients.” Heidi was pleased that none of the parents here today stepped in and took over for the children—although it was nice to have their assistance when needed.
Once everyone had mixed their dry ingredients, Heidi showed them how to pour the batter into their baking dish. “We can bake four at a time, and when those are done, the other three can go in. Who would like to be first?”
Peggy Ann’s hand shot up, and so did Randy’s. “Okay, why don’t we let the younger children bake their cake first? That would be Peggy Ann, Randy, Marsha, and Kevin.”
“How come they get to go first?” Kassidy’s eyes narrowed. “I shouldn’t have to bake mine last just because I’m older than them.”
Amish Cooking Class--The Celebration Page 16
