A Plain Man

by Mary Ellis

  “Coming along, yes, but I don’t know how nicely.”

  Eli frowned. “Did you run into trouble today—another section of deteriorated rafters?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Caleb sucked in a deep breath. Considering his years of commercial construction experience, perhaps his father would welcome his input. “But I have a suggestion. Today Josiah and I kept interrupting Jack and Bob. They had to climb down the ladder to make cuts for us. Instead of having three teams of two men, why don’t we make two teams of three? Bob could work with one Amish crew and Jack with the other. Then our work can proceed smoothly and more efficiently.” Caleb forced a smile, trying to reduce the confrontation factor as much as possible.

  Eli shoved his papers into a leather case. “Is Josiah unhappy with the teams or did Jack speak to you about this?” His forehead furrowed into creases.

  “No, neither. This is my idea, based on my years of experience.” He crossed his arms. “I’m no novice. I know what I’m doing.”

  “You’re a good carpenter, jah, but I prefer the teams to remain as they are.” Eli reached for his empty lunch cooler. “Are you packed up, son? Did you load your tools?”

  “Everything is stowed, but before we join the others, could you explain why you won’t take my suggestion?”

  Eli hesitated as though deciding whether or not to answer. Then he lifted his watery blue eyes to meet Caleb’s. “Because several Amish fathers were concerned about their sons working for me. They knew that I also have Englisch employees. They didn’t want their boys to jump the fence like you had done.” Eli hoisted the strap to his shoulder. “If there’s nothing else, let’s head to the van. Men are eager to get home to their families.”

  Caleb followed his father to the parking lot, utterly speechless with his mouth agape. That had to be the last reason he would have expected.

  There was something extraordinary about Saturdays in April. Maybe it was the intensity of the sun as it rose over the eastern hills. Maybe it was the breeze which no longer cut through one’s clothes to the bone. Maybe the extra hours of daylight tipped the scales in April’s favor. For whatever the reason, this particular Saturday was extra special for Sarah. First, she didn’t have to work at Country Pleasures today; Rebekah would assist Mrs. Pratt by herself. Secondly, her best friend was getting a brand new barn. The entire community would show up to lend a hand, along with their Englisch friends and neighbors. Barn raisings were hard work for menfolk. But the women enjoyed plenty of free time between meals to catch up on news while they watched the transformation of a foundation and pile of materials into a finished structure.

  Sarah washed her hands and face and dressed with care. Adam would be at the barn raising, so she wanted to look her best. They had not parted on the best of terms last week and she hadn’t seen him since. Sunday had been an off-week for preaching.

  Downstairs in the kitchen her bruder sat alone. “Where’s Mamm?” she asked.

  “In the henhouse.” Caleb filled his thermos with black coffee.

  “How about Rebekah?”

  “Taking a shower. She plans to leave the inn early.” He took three hard-boiled eggs from a bowl on the counter.

  “Is James coming to the Yoders?” Sarah grabbed a couple of eggs for herself.

  Caleb winked. “Why else would Rebekah want to arrive early to a barn raising?”

  Sarah cracked an egg on the table edge. “May I ride with you and Daed? I want to get there early to help Josie and her family.”

  He lifted his straw hat off the hook. “Daed left while it was still dark. He went down the back path with the flashlight.”

  “Whatever for? You and the other carpenters helped him yesterday. Didn’t you lay out the materials and pre-build some walls?”

  “You know how he worries, Sarah. He’s the master barn-builder, so this project rests on his shoulders.” Caleb reached for a lightweight jacket and his tool belt. “I’m leaving now, schwester, so you’ll have to ride with Mamm.”

  “Please, Cal? I’ll be ready before you finish hitching the horse.” Sarah flew up the stairs, not waiting for his answer. Ten minutes later, she ran to the buggy with her purse and two shopping bags of produce. A leafy bunch of celery peeked from the top of the tote.

  Caleb offered his hand. “What’s all that? I’m sure the Yoders have plenty of vegetables.”

  “My contribution to the buffet will be a giant tossed salad. I might as well fix it in Josie’s kitchen while we chat.” Sarah smiled sweetly as he released the brake. “How are things going at work?”

  “Fine.”

  “Earning plenty of money for the future, maybe to build your own home some day?”

  “Jah.” Caleb turned the buggy onto the township road.

  “Are you excited that the barn raising will be at the Yoders?”

  “I’m simply jumping for joy. Why don’t you cut the small talk and get to the point? You didn’t dash out with me at the last minute just to fix your salad in someone else’s kitchen.” He clucked to the horse to pick up the pace.

  “No, I didn’t, Mr. Man-of-few-Words.” Sarah scowled. “I’m curious if you plan to pursue Josie, maybe see where you stand with her.”

  “That is not your business, little sis.”

  “I’ll take that answer as a no.” Sarah watched him bite the inside of his cheek. “Why not? True, it’s not my business, but you’re not getting any younger and neither is she. I saw sparks between you two at the pancake breakfast. Don’t try to deny it.”

  “The sparks were caused by rude Englischers, not because of my infatuation.”

  “So you don’t find Josie attractive? Or maybe she’s not nice enough?”

  Caleb stared at her. “You know that’s not it, but you of all people should realize Josie wouldn’t court someone like me.”

  She pivoted on the seat. “Me, of all people?”

  “Have you forgotten?” He dropped the reins and rolled up his sleeve, revealing the bright red heart with snakes entwined around the name “Kristen.”

  Sarah gasped. “Jah, I had forgotten.”

  “Now that I’ve reminded you, could we talk about the weather, or problems at the inn, anything other than Josie?” He rolled down his sleeve and picked up the reins.

  “That tattoo is ugly, to be sure, but Josie might be able to overlook it if you gave her the chance.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Women are capable of almost anything if they’re in love.”

  Caleb emitted a harsh, bitter sound. “Your friend is not in love with me, Sarah. Get that through your head.”

  “Not yet she isn’t, because you haven’t enthralled her yet with your stimulating, single-word conversations.”

  This time Caleb smiled and then laughed.

  “Spend a little time with her, maybe at supper. The way I see it, you’ve got nothing to lose.”

  His reply was a grunt—one step lower than his usual monosyllable replies. But he didn’t argue and for that Sarah was grateful.

  Once they arrived at the Yoders two little boys took the reins from Caleb. They would park the rig and feed and water the horse so Caleb could head straight to the barn site. Sarah jumped from the buggy and joined a throng of women entering the kitchen.

  Inside, Josie greeted her with boundless enthusiasm. “You’re early—what a miracle! Work next to me since I see your salad’s not done. Some things in life never change.” Josie dumped vegetables from the bag and lined them up on the cutting board.

  “Glad to see you too,” she said. Sarah slipped on an apron and greeted the other ladies, settling into an enjoyable morning of female companionship.

  It was almost time to carry lunch outdoors to the workers when she noticed Adam’s sister staring at her. “Hi Amanda, how’s married life?” she asked.

  Amanda Stutzman set down her wooden spoon. “Gut. Would you mind taking this jug of lemonade out to the drink table? It’s ready to go.”

  Sarah smiled over her sho
ulder. “Could you send someone else? I’m up to my elbows in flour. Josie decided we needed more pies.” She lifted her powdery hands from the bowl.

  Amanda set down the lemonade and strode across the kitchen. Halting next to Sarah, Amanda whispered into her ear. “You’ve not been out to the barn all morning to check the men’s progress. Maybe you need a break.”

  “I’ve seen barns go up all my life, but I’ll deliver the lemonade as soon as this batch goes into the oven.”

  “Adam has been heartsick since Saturday. Did you two have a spat? His neck is probably stiff from watching for you.” Unfortunately, whispering wasn’t one of Amanda’s many talents. Her voice steadily increased in volume to become audible everywhere in the room.

  “Maybe Sarah has no intention of marrying your bruder, Amanda. She might have her eye on someone she met at that fancy bed-and-breakfast.” The speaker was Doris Schmidt—Rebekah’s best friend.

  “I assure you, Doris, that isn’t the case.” Sarah tried to remain pleasant to the girl, a duplicate thorn-in-the-foot to her sister.

  “Adam is a catch, and yet you drag your feet. Won’t you be happy married to a simple furniture craftsman?”

  “What crawled under your kapp?” Margaret Yoder shook a spatula at Doris in warning. “Hush, if you can’t say anything nice.”

  Sarah washed her hands at the sink and then lifted her skirt six inches higher. “See my feet, Doris? They don’t drag; they don’t shuffle. Amanda, I’ll take the lemonade out if you’ll finish this pie dough. I want to ask Adam what kind of furniture he plans to build for our new home.” Sarah resisted the impulse to stick out her tongue at Rebekah’s wily friend.

  Outdoors, teenagers had set up a table of cool drinks next to where men could wash before their meal. Long tables had been moved into the shade where people could enjoy their lunch. Men would be served first and then the women would eat. Sarah scanned the dozens of men scurrying around the roof until she finally located Adam. Amanda had been correct—Adam had already spotted her and was frantically waving his arms. She waved and smiled until her face hurt. After pouring the lemonade into the drum, she busied herself wiping up spills and throwing away empty paper cups. But she didn’t have to wait long for Adam to appear at her table.

  “Can you spare a drink for me?” he asked. “I’ve been watching for you. Has Josie kept you busy?” Adam swept his hat from his head and smoothed his hair. His face looked sweaty but glowing.

  “Jah, she has. I was making pie dough when Amanda suggested I bring this out.” As she handed him a brimming cup, they locked gazes. “It gave me a chance to apologize for not inviting you to supper. I was out of sorts last Saturday and took it out on you. Mir leid.”

  Adam drank half the glass. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you in front of Michelle. Land sakes, Cal’s friends must think his family is a pack of wolves.”

  Sarah refilled his glass before stepping around the table. “Actually, Pete and Michelle said they had enjoyed their visit. And that the Beachys turned out to be friendlier than expected.”

  “No joke?” He spun his hat brim between his fingers.

  “No joke, hard as that is to believe.” Chuckling, she reached for his hand. “Can you spare another minute before heading back to work? I’d like to show you something on that tree.” Sarah nodded her head toward a massive oak.

  “Sure.” Adam downed his drink, tossed the cup in the trash, and tightened his grip on her hand. They walked as slowly as humanly possible. Once they arrived at the far side of the tree, he studied the bark for an unusual carving or strange outgrowth. “What did you want to show me?”

  “Only this.” Sarah turned his face away from the tree and planted a kiss squarely on his lips.

  “Well, doesn’t that beat all?” Adam’s face blushed brightly.

  And in Sarah’s mind, it truly did.

  Caleb, as an experienced carpenter, was in charge of a group of barn-builders. Eli had spread his employees out among the dozens of volunteers for leadership. After all, most men knew how to hammer a nail and it simply took the strength of twenty to stand up a wall that had been assembled on the ground. In the morning, Caleb’s group worked on floor joists for the first floor. Then in the afternoon, Eli assigned them to roof rafters in the main section of the barn. Both rafters and joists were two-by-twelve solid oak boards in twenty-foot lengths—heavy pieces of lumber. Caleb had chosen only strong, brawny men for his team. He was the only underweight man around.

  For lunch the various crews took shifts at the buffet. That way work never had to cease during precious daylight hours and men wouldn’t waste time standing in a long queue for food. When it was their turn for a break, Caleb climbed down the ladder with growing anticipation.

  He might get to see Josie Yoder.

  He’d been able to think of little else since Sarah’s heart-to-heart advice this morning. His sister was right—he needed to make an attempt. If Josie refused to take him seriously, or told him she favored someone else, then so be it. But he couldn’t spend the rest of his life not knowing.

  Caleb waited last in line to wash up at the stationary tub. Why hurry when the only females serving were older than his mother and long married? Finally, just as he scrubbed his arms and splashed cold water on his face, he heard a familiar voice behind him.

  “You dawdled too long, Caleb Beachy!”

  He jumped at the vehemence in Josie’s tone, cracking his head on the faucet. Straightening, he shook back his wet hair. “Why? Is lunch all gone?” Caleb reached for a towel from the hook.

  “No, if you’re only interested in something to fill an empty belly. But my secret recipe four-bean salad is gone.” Josie tilted the bowl to reveal a clean bottom.

  “Four beans?” He moved away from the tub to make room for other workers. “My mamm only uses green, yellow, and kidney. What is the fourth?”

  She grinned, deepening her dimples. “I won’t say. You’ll have to wait for the next potluck.”

  Caleb settled his hat on his head but kept his focus on Josie. How a woman could spend the morning in a hot kitchen and remain so cool, calm, and collected was beyond him. “Maybe some other lady brought a bowl of beans. I’ll have to study the contents carefully.” He walked toward the buffet, praying she wouldn’t abandon him for chores inside the house.

  She did not. Josie joined him at the end of the line. “Study those bowls all you want. The others have only three types of beans, no chopped celery, no black olives, and no sweet Vidalia onions.”

  “Those are your secret ingredients?” He gazed into her luminous green eyes for a brief moment.

  “It’s my secret seasoning that I refuse to divulge.” Josie arched up on tiptoes to scan the table. “Looks like there’s plenty of sandwich fixings and side dishes so you won’t starve.” She turned on her heel to leave.

  He had mere seconds to react. “Wait, what about supper?”

  She halted and glanced back. “What about it? You haven’t even eaten lunch yet.”

  “I’ll be working until almost dark to build your family a new barn, while you tease me with recipes you didn’t prepare enough of? I’m surprised at you, Miss Yoder.”

  Josie marched back to him, shaking her finger en route. “I’ve got chickens to fry this afternoon. You expect me to make another bowl of beans when there are two others on the buffet?”

  They had attracted a bit of attention. Several men waited to hear his answer. “Yes, please,” he said.

  She smiled. “I will try, but you had better like them.” Josie stalked off as though angry.

  But he knew differently. For the rest of the day, he couldn’t get her off his mind. And it had nothing to do with side dishes or secret recipes. Josie had been flirting with him. Plain women usually didn’t flirt. Flirting wasn’t a game like it was for the Englisch women he’d met in bars. An Amish gal wouldn’t purposely encourage someone she wasn’t interested in.

  Hope began to grow deep inside Caleb’s chest—hope he hadn’t f
elt in a long time. Could a person as pure and sweet as Josie find something worthy in him?

  When the sun dropped behind the western woods, men climbed down the ladders to the ground. The barn was up, roofed, and enclosed. Although much work remained on the interior, the Yoder family now had a three-story, usable structure. Caleb kept working, helping other teams until everyone was finished. He was in no hurry to leave.

  “Ready for supper?” Eli called to Caleb just as he started down the ladder.

  “You go ahead, Daed. I’ll go tend our animals and come back for supper.”

  Eli looked weary and older than his years. The responsibility of the project had taken its toll. “Danki, I intend to eat and go home. I’m ready for bed, if truth be told.” His father limped in the direction of the tables.

  Caleb didn’t hurry tending the livestock, and he changed clothes before returning to the Yoders. Although most of the workers had eaten and left, plenty of food still remained. He spotted his sister eating with Adam Troyer, his mother and Katie with a group of women in the shade, and lots of strangers milling around, perhaps too tired to go home.

  But no dark-haired beauty waited in the dark with her empty bowl magically refilled. Caleb grabbed a plate and walked to the buffet. Platters of ham and roast beef had been picked over. The roasters of fried chicken contained wings and thighs—the drumsticks and breasts all gone. But a hungry man wasn’t picky. He speared two slices of ham and three chicken wings, scooped up some sweet potatoes and coleslaw, and headed to an empty table. After his long day of constantly answering questions, he chose to dine by himself. However, Caleb didn’t remain alone for long.

  “You’d better have saved room for this.” Stepping from the shadows, Josie sat down on the opposite picnic bench. She placed a plastic wrapped bowl in the center and peeled back the covering.

  Caleb refrained from jumping up and down with glee. “Are you kidding? I’ve been unable to think about anything other than your secret recipe.” He pushed the coleslaw into the potatoes to make room.

  “Your father said you went home for chores. Considering all the hearty appetites, I got worried that we would run out again. So I scooped a small bowl and took it back inside. Good thing, the rest of the batch is gone.”