The Christmas Cat

by Amy Clipston

  Henry stepped into the kitchen and her heart warmed at the sight of his handsome face, now sporting a full, light-brown beard. They’d been married a year, and she still relished seeing him when he first returned from work in the evening. But today his blue eyes were dull and his attractive face was clouded with a deep frown.

  Her happy mood deflated as she crossed the room and touched his arm. “Was iss letz?”

  He blew out a deep breath and moved past her to the sink. “I’m exhausted.” He washed his hands and glanced toward the table as he dried them on a hand towel. “What’s for supper?”

  “Chicken, rice, and green beans.”

  He nodded and then took his usual seat at the head of the table.

  Emma sat down next to him. After their silent prayer, she held her breath as he filled his plate and began to eat. His brow was furrowed and his lips formed a thin line. She longed to pull his worries out of him. During the more than two years she’d known him, he’d never been so reticent and despondent. She racked her brain for how to start a conversation that would break down the wall that seemed to separate them.

  He looked over at her and raised an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you eating?”

  “Oh. I was just lost in thought.” She shrugged and began filling her plate. “Does everything taste all right?”

  He nodded while chewing, then said, “Ya. Danki.” He took a sip of water from his glass.

  “What kept you at the store so late?”

  Henry wiped his beard with a paper napkin. “A customer came in with a big order right at five. Urie couldn’t stay late, so I had to help the man load up his truck. Then I decided I needed to work on the books.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I should have called you to say I’d be late. But if things don’t get better soon, I may have to close the store.”

  The disappointment and frustration in Henry’s eyes pierced Emma’s soul. Her chest constricted as she took a deep breath.

  “We might lose the store?”

  “Ya.” He rubbed the back of his neck as if massaging stiff muscles. “I suppose we could put this property on the market and go live with my parents. I could work on mei dat’s dairy farm.”

  “But that’s not your dream.” Leaning forward, she took his hand in hers. “Your dream is to run a successful feed store, and you’re working toward that.”

  He withdrew his hand and gestured toward her. “It’s my responsibility to take care of you. And I have to take care of any kinner we bring into this world. I can’t keep a store that doesn’t even earn enough to cover my business expenses, let alone our household expenses.”

  “You can’t give up yet.” She sat up straight, and her words came out in a rush. “The store has only been open a year, and you’re still working on gaining loyal customers. Give it more time.”

  “How much time can I give it?” he barked, and she winced as if he’d smacked her. “I’m sorry, Emma. That was uncalled for.” His expression softened. “I don’t mean to take it out on you. I’m just frustrated.”

  “Give it more time,” she said again. She was careful to keep her words measured. “I can feel in my heart that it will get better.”

  He gestured with his hands. “The bank will give us only so much time before they’ll foreclose on this haus. Our parents can’t help us, so we’re on our own.”

  “We can do it, Henry.” Her voice shook as tears threatened to spill. “I believe in you.”

  “I’m still trying to discover how to best promote the store too. Make my advertising dollars count.”

  She patted his hand. “You’ll get there. And I’m doing what I can to help. I baked nearly all day today, and I’m going to take all the baked goods over to Sally’s tomorrow to sell from her stand. I have some potholders and other crafts to sell too. And remember? I’m hosting a big dinner for tourists tomorrow night with my mother.” Tears finally trickled down her cheeks, and she wiped her eyes.

  “Please don’t cry.” A tender expression overtook his face. “I won’t give up on the store yet, but if business doesn’t pick up soon, our lives might have to change.”

  “I can adjust, but I don’t think you’ve given the store enough time yet. Maybe we can get more tourists interested in the store.”

  “What do you mean?” His brow furrowed.

  “We know tourists love coming to Lancaster County and buying authentic Amish items. Maybe you need to advertise the store as an authentic tourist stop and sell a few souvenirs.” She pointed toward the sewing room. “I can make some crafts to sell. It might help.”

  He nodded slowly. “That is a wunderbaar idea. Danki.” He pointed his fork toward her plate. “Your supper is getting cold. You should eat.”

  They ate in silence for several minutes. Although Henry had promised not to give up on the store yet, worry still nipped at her.

  “Henry,” she said, and he looked up at her. “Promise me, nee matter what happens, you won’t give up on us.”

  His eyes showed a fierce emotion. “I’d never give up on us, Emma. You are my life.”

  She smiled as relief enveloped her like a tender hug. “You’re mine too.”

  Chapter 4

  So what happened with the store?” Katie Ann’s question interrupted Emma’s thoughts.

  “I had some ideas that worked.” Emma fetched a chocolate-chip cookie from the tin. “Henry advertised the store as authentically Amish, and more tourists came. We started selling souvenirs, and the people loved it. He also ran weekly sales for certain items, and that drove more locals to the store. Soon business was booming, and we were able to get ahead on our bills and even start a savings account.”

  Ephraim picked up a brownie. “That’s fantastic. The store is really nice. Mei dat shops there all the time.”

  “Danki.” Emma lifted her coffee mug. “Henry loved that store. It was a tough decision for him to sell it, to retire.”

  “I’m so froh you persuaded him to keep trying to make the store successful. It would have been a shame if he’d given up,” Katie Ann said.

  The timer buzzed and Emma got up. She opened the oven door, flooding the kitchen with the perfume of butter and cherries. She set the pan on the stove and turned toward her young friends.

  “Looks like they’re done,” Emma said.

  “Oh, I can’t wait to try one!” Ephraim rubbed his hands together.

  Mandy laughed. “Do you have a tapeworm?”

  “I think he does.” Katie Ann rolled her eyes, and Emma chuckled.

  “They have to cool before I can cut them,” Emma said.

  Ephraim groaned and folded his arms over his middle.

  “You’re such a boppli,” Katie Ann muttered. “We should probably go soon. It’s getting late.”

  “But what about eating the cherry bars?” Ephraim asked.

  “You can take some with you. I can’t possibly eat them all by myself.” Emma searched the cabinet for three containers, ones she rarely used. “As soon as they cool down, I’ll divide them among your three households and you can have them tomorrow as a snack.” She found the containers she needed on the top shelf and tried to reach for them.

  “Let me help you.” Wayne appeared behind her.

  “Danki.” Emma took a step back, glad she didn’t have to get out her step-stool. Wayne reached up, grabbed the containers, and handed them to her, then stepped aside. “Do you need help with anything else?”

  “Nee, I’ve got it. Danki.” She turned back to the cherry bars. “It really will take a while for these to cool down.”

  “We should have more kaffi then,” Ephraim quipped as he crossed the kitchen to the stove. “Would you like me to fill the percolator?”

  Katie Ann faced her brother, jamming her hands on her hips. “If you have more kaffi, you won’t sleep tonight. Besides, you should ask Emma if it’s all right to drink more of her kaffi, not tell her you’re going to!”

  “I’m sorry, Emma,” he said as he turned to her. She nodded her forgiveness, and h
e started making the coffee as he replied to his sister. “It’s Christmas Eve, Katie Ann. I don’t need to sleep.”

  Ephraim suddenly grinned. “Look at the table. Hank is still sitting there like he’s part of the family.”

  Emma craned her head over her shoulder and found the cat sitting in Henry’s chair this time, as if he were expecting something special. She clicked her tongue. “He acts like he belongs here, all right.”

  The young folks all laughed.

  “Should we go sit in the schtupp while we wait for the cherry bars to cool?” Mandy suggested.

  “That sounds gut.” Emma pointed to the percolator. “Go on in there, and I’ll wait here for the kaffi to finish.”

  “Don’t be gegisch.” Katie Ann touched Emma’s arm. “You go sit. I’ll bring in the kaffi.”

  Emma raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure?”

  Katie Ann gestured toward the doorway. “Go on.”

  “Just call me when it’s done, and I’ll help you carry everything we need.” Mandy gestured toward the doorway. “Let’s go, Emma.”

  Emma followed her guests into the family room, where she sat in her favorite armchair beside the blue wing chair. Hank suddenly appeared in the doorway. He trotted across the room and jumped up onto Henry’s chair, curled into a ball, and closed his eyes.

  “You gegisch cat,” Emma muttered, shaking her head.

  Mandy crossed the room and stood in front of Emma’s bookshelves. “Have you read all these books?”

  The shelves held her favorite gifts from Henry—the Christian novels she so loved to read. Henry often surprised her by stopping at the bookstore near his feed store and picking up one of the latest releases. She kept every book and even wrote the date he purchased it inside the front cover.

  “Ya, I have.” Emma settled back into her chair. “Henry bought them all for me.”

  “How nice.” Mandy turned toward Emma. “May I look at them?”

  “Of course.”

  As Mandy ran her fingers over the spines of the books, tears filled Emma’s eyes. She remembered Henry’s kind smile as he presented her with those gifts. If only she could see that smile again this side of heaven.

  “Did Henry make these?” Wayne asked the question as he stood in front of a shelf filled with woodcarvings, including various birds and farm animals.

  “Ya.” Emma rested her arms over her apron. “He liked to make them in his spare time. Whittling was sort of a hobby for him. It was something he’d do after a long day at the store. He had an area set up in the barn with a workbench and his tools. I bought him a new tool nearly every year for his birthday or Christmas.”

  “Wow.” Wayne turned toward the shelf again. “He was talented.”

  “Ya, he was.” Ephraim pointed to one of the carvings. “Wayne, look at the detail on that eagle. The wings really look like they have feathers on them.”

  “Ya.” A new wave of bereavement swept through Emma. “He was very talented. I once tried to convince him to sell his carvings as souvenirs. You know, people will buy anything that’s Amish-made. But he refused to do it. He said he was an amateur and nee one would pay gut money for his work. Now I’m thankful he didn’t sell them. Sometimes I come in here, stare at the carvings, and try to remember when he made them. It’s almost like having a piece of him here with me.”

  “It must be very difficult for you.” Mandy gave her a sympathetic smile.

  “Danki.” Emma cupped her hand to her mouth as a yawn overtook her.

  “Are we keeping you up too late?” Mandy asked. “We can leave.”

  “Nee, nee.” Emma waved off the notion. “I’d love to visit for a little bit, at least until the cherry bars cool.”

  “Great.” Wayne sat down on the sofa across from her and nodded toward Henry’s chair. “Hank certainly is comfortable.”

  Mandy grinned. “Ya, he is.” She sat on the footstool in front of Henry’s chair and began scratching the cat’s ear. He responded by rolling onto his side as if giving her easier access. “Are you comfortable, Hank?” She laughed and looked over at Emma. “He’s purring.”

  “He purred for me earlier too. He likes having his ears scratched.” Emma glanced over at the boys sitting on the sofa and wondered if they were dating the girls. Were Wayne and Katie Ann interested in each other in the way Ephraim and Mandy seemed to be? Her thoughts spun with memories of her youth group. “Are you all in the same youth group?”

  “Ya,” Ephraim responded as he sank back into the sofa cushions beside Wayne. “We all went to school together too.”

  “I remember mei freinden and I visiting some of the older folks in our church district when I was young. We liked to sing to them to cheer them up.” Emma leaned over and rubbed the cat’s head while Mandy continued to massage his ear. Hank looked up at her, and Emma was almost certain her furry friend smiled.

  “Did you meet Henry in youth group?” Mandy asked.

  “Ya, I did. We met at a combined youth gathering more than forty-six years ago. He was the most handsome man playing volleyball. I thought he wouldn’t even notice me, but he came over to ask me to join his team.” She told them about their first conversation and how kind and attentive Henry had been to her. “We were married in the fall the following year.”

  Mandy’s smile broadened. “That’s a great story. I bet you have a lot of wunderbaar memories.”

  Emma nodded and kept her eyes focused on Hank in hopes of not getting too emotional in front of her guests.

  Katie Ann called Mandy to come out to the kitchen for the coffee. A few moments later, the girls returned and distributed filled mugs. Mandy set a tray with a pitcher of cream and bowl of sugar on the coffee table, and they each took turns making their coffee the way they liked it.

  “Danki for your help,” Emma said to Katie Ann and Mandy as she settled back in her chair.

  “Gern gschehne.” Katie Ann sat down in the rocking chair next to the sofa and looked at the boys. “And before you ask, the cherry bars are still too warm.”

  Ephraim blew out a frustrated sigh. “We’ll check them again in a little bit, right?”

  “Ya. Just let me drink mei kaffi first.” Mandy grinned at him as she sat down on the footstool in front of the cat.

  “You know you can make Hank get down,” Emma told her. “Just shoo him away.”

  “I’m fine.” Mandy rubbed his ear. “He’s so comfortable, I don’t want to bother him.”

  “He’s a cat,” Wayne ground out. “Move him.”

  “Nee.” Mandy stayed the course. “Let him rest.”

  Katie Ann sipped from her mug and then turned toward the mantel. “The decorations are lovely.”

  “Ya.” Emma placed her mug on the table beside her. “They are.”

  “What was your first Christmas like in this haus?” Katie Ann asked.

  “Oh.” Emma rubbed the bridge of her nose as she thought back to the early years of their marriage. “We spent our first Christmas together as man and fraa at my parents’ haus since this haus wasn’t ready yet. Our first Christmas in this haus was the year after we married.”

  “Do you remember what you gave each other as gifts?” Ephraim asked.

  Emma nodded. “Ya, I do. I still have the quilt I made for Henry. I’ll show it to you if you’d like.”

  Mandy’s smile was wide as she glanced over her shoulder at Emma. “I’d love to see it. Mei mamm is a wunderbaar quilter, but I don’t seem to have inherited that talent from her. I can’t even sew a straight line.”

  Ephraim snickered. “Nee, you can’t. I saw that lap quilt you were working on for your dat.”

  Mandy gasped. “That’s not very nice.” Then she chuckled. “But it’s true.”

  Emma chimed in as they all laughed, and her eyes filled with happy tears. Oh, it felt so good to laugh again. “I can show you some helpful techniques if you’d like.”

  “Oh, you’d be wasting your time.” Mandy wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Mei mamm has tried to tea
ch me, and I’m a lost cause. I’m much better at baking than I am at sewing and quilting.”

  “Don’t sell yourself so short.” Ephraim grinned. “You’re a fantastic baker.”

  Mandy turned toward Emma. “I’d love to see that quilt if you want to share it with us.”

  “I’ll go get it.” Emma stood and Hank jumped off his chair to trot behind her through the hallway. Perhaps he didn’t want her to make the journey to her bedroom alone.

  As she opened her hope chest and pulled out the quilt she’d made forty-four years ago, another memory surged through Emma’s mind. That first Christmas in their own home came into clear focus.

  Emma’s heart raced as she placed Henry’s gifts on the kitchen table. She couldn’t wait for him to open them, and she was curious about what he would give her. She stared at the two boxes—one large and one small—and an unexpected pang of disappointment shot through her. Neither gift was much since the store was only now starting to turn around, but worse, neither was the one gift she’d most wanted to give him this year.

  Closing her eyes, she heaved a deep, cleansing breath as she reminded herself of how blessed she and Henry were. They had a lovely home and a good, solid marriage. The store was starting to show a little profit. She consistently sold a good number of lap quilts, and she hosted dinners with her mother nearly every week to help with the bills. Their parents were healthy, and loving, supportive friends like Urie and Ella surrounded them. Emma and Henry had a good life together. They would have a child when God saw fit.

  Emma refocused on the excitement of Christmas as she placed a platter of pancakes on the table next to the bacon, then filled their mugs with coffee. She had returned to the counter to fetch the sugar and creamer when arms encircled her from behind. Startled, she gasped.

  “Frehlicher Grischtdaag.” Henry’s voice whispered against her ear, sending shivers cascading down her spine.

  “Henry!” She spun, smacking him on the chest as his warm laugh filled the kitchen. “You startled me.”

  “I know.” He touched the tip of her nose. “But I startle you when I’m wearing work boots. You never hear me.” He pulled her into his strong arms and kissed the top of her head.