The Days of Redemption

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “Pshaw. You had no reason to ever be wary of me. After all, your Regina had me wrapped around her pinky from the first moment we met.”

  Amanda grinned. “I think she felt the same way about you and Aaron. I didn’t expect Regina to become so close to you so fast . . . but I’m glad she did.”

  “Me, too. That little girl of yours has brightened our lives considerably.”

  The Lord had certainly been working through Amanda and Roman, Lovina decided. When Roman had decided to join his aunt and uncle and cousins on their annual trip to Pinecraft, Florida, he’d only wanted to enjoy some time away from all the troubles they’d been experiencing here. But soon after he arrived there, he’d met Amanda and her daughter, Regina, and a romance had blossomed.

  They’d had a few trying moments, but in the end, they’d decided to marry quickly and live in Berlin with the family.

  Now, none of them could imagine their lives without Roman’s kind wife and adorable four-year-old.

  Turning to Elsie, Lovina noticed that she was being unusually quiet. In fact, she seemed to be lost in thought. She was sitting down again, but she was no longer snapping the ends off the beans; her fingers lay flat on the table.

  Well, this was interesting. Her usually unflappable granddaughter seemed to be unable to look anywhere but at the back door where Landon had just exited. “Elsie, you’ve met Landon a time or two. What do you think of him?”

  “He seems nice.”

  “Jah . . . but it seemed like there might be something between you. Is there?”

  Elsie grabbed a handful of beans. “We’ve only spoken a few times. There isn’t anything special about that.”

  Amanda leaned forward. “I noticed that he only had eyes for you.”

  Elsie’s dark brown eyes looked like saucers behind her thick lenses. “He did?” A look of pleasure flashed across her face before she visibly tamped it down. “I mean, I doubt that.”

  “He also seemed eager to chat with you.”

  “That was only because Mommi was asking so many questions.”

  Lovina chuckled, realizing that Amanda might be on the right track. “I think Amanda is right.”

  “Why wouldn’t he be interested? You’re a lovely woman.” Amanda’s voice turned teasing. “And you’re of marriageable age.”

  Elsie suddenly smiled. “You know what? You’re right.”

  Elsie looked hopeful. Eager and excited.

  Lovina now wished she’d never needled that Landon Troyer so much about being unmarried. She knew her granddaughter was feeling the sting of being the only single sibling. Although she was only twenty-two, her twin sister, Viola, was already engaged to Edward, a missionary. And now Roman was married, and he was just a little more than a year older.

  And though she wasn’t opposed to her granddaughter flirting a bit, Lovina also didn’t want her to get her hopes up. After all, Elsie might be the same age as her twin, but she had a far different future ahead of her. “Landon Troyer must be a mighty kind and charitable man, helping us in our time of need.”

  A burst of anger, followed by a new awareness, entered Elsie’s gaze. After a moment, she nodded. “Jah, Mommi,” she murmured. “You are right, of course. He was simply being kind when he came inside and talked to us.”

  Feeling relieved, Lovina nodded. “Exactly.”

  Pushing up her glasses, Elsie pulled the bowl of beans closer; then she continued trimming them.

  “Elsie, something still could happen,” Amanda murmured. “Don’t give up on romance yet,” she teased.

  “Oh, I haven’t. At least, not yet.”

  Silence descended on them then, making Lovina wonder yet again what was really going on in her granddaughter’s head. Until now, she’d been sure she knew Elsie the best.

  Now, it was obvious she knew none of them well at all.

  chapter three

  As the din of male conversation floated around him, Landon was once again glad that he was finally in Berlin, working at his brother’s side.

  Having a goal that had been so hard to achieve had been daunting. But he’d persevered, and now he was enjoying the fruits of his labor. He had a job he enjoyed, was making some friends, and every night he could go home to a patch of land that was all his.

  Feeling like everything was finally coming together, he stared at the partially completed floor they’d spent the last four hours installing. Satisfaction rolled through him.

  Their hard work and attention to detail was paying off. It was a fine-looking floor—the seams were straight and even; the boards were smooth and buttery looking.

  “It looks gut,” Daniel stated as he straightened his back and pulled off one of his worn leather gloves. “Almost perfect. The Russells are going to be right pleased with our work, I’m sure of it.” Turning to the other two men on their team, Zip and Craig, he said. “I think we can call it a day.”

  After the four of them spent the next few minutes putting their tools neatly into the lockbox, Craig stretched. “Okay if me and Zip get on out of here? It is Friday.”

  Daniel nodded. “Yep. You’ve earned your weekend. See you on Monday morning.”

  “Will do.”

  After gathering up the rest of their supplies, Zip and Craig left through the garage. Seconds later, the roar of their powerful truck’s engine echoed down the street.

  “Hey, have you ever asked why Zip is called ‘Zip’?” Landon asked as they, too, headed for the door.

  “I never thought to ask.”

  “Why not?”

  Daniel shrugged. “Didn’t think it mattered. A man shouldn’t have to go around answering for his name. It is what it is, don’t you think?”

  Landon mentally rolled his eyes. His older brother always did step around anything he thought was touchy. “It’s just a name, not a closely guarded secret. You know what? I’ll ask him myself. And then I’m going to keep that information to myself until you’re so curious you want to pry it out of me.” He smiled slowly. “That’s going to be great.”

  “Don’t hold your breath for that day.” Picking up his lunch pail, Daniel asked, “Hey, want to come over tonight? Edith and I are going to cook out on the barbecue.”

  Daniel’s wife, Edith, was a mighty fine cook. But there was something else that Landon was looking forward to seeing and it had nothing to do with food. “Danke, but nee.”

  “Sure? We’d be happy to have you join us. You know how the boys love when you come over.”

  Daniel and Edith’s twins, Bo and Ben, were three and extremely cute. But even the thought of watching their antics couldn’t detract him from his plan.

  “I’m going to go over to the Keims’. I promised my neighbor that I’d stop by to see if he needed any more help.”

  “You’re going over there yet again?” Daniel scowled.

  “Don’t sound like that. I’m being neighborly. That’s all.”

  “I’m starting to think it’s far more than that. They’re taking advantage of you, Landon.” Throwing a hand in the air, he added, “Why, I bet every night they give thanks that you moved in next door. You’re spending more time over at their farm than at your own place. And you’ve barely moved in.”

  “Listen, the wife is in the hospital with some kind of pneumonia. That’s a difficult thing, for sure. I feel blessed that I have two good arms and two good legs. Helping them out so they can visit her at the hospital is a small thing.”

  Daniel sobered. “I didn’t know she was in the hospital. I hear ya. I would be beside myself if my Edith was that sick.”

  “I know you would. You’re a blessed man, brother. Edith is a wonderful-gut frau.”

  “She’s the best,” he said softly.

  With effort, Landon shoved aside the twinge of envy he felt whenever his brother talked about Edith. He didn’t begrudge Daniel’s happiness, but he did wonder how the Lord had seen fit to match Daniel so early in life . . . and him so late.

  Shrugging off those feelings, he walked toward
the door and pulled out his key ring from a pocket. “So, see you on Monday?” With no church that weekend, they usually took some time apart. There was no reason for them to be living in each other’s back pocket seven days a week.

  “I guess so, since you don’t want to stop by for supper.”

  Just before turning away, Daniel said, “Hey, Landon?”

  “Jah?”

  “Be careful now, will ya? You don’t want to get too sidetracked by your neighbor’s needs. Not when you have plenty of your own problems to solve. And we have a business to run.”

  “I won’t get sidetracked.”

  They went their separate ways then, Daniel walking back toward Market Street. Landon, on the other hand, grabbed his bike resting on the side of the house and got ready to pedal his way to his new, very small farm with its broken-down barn and dilapidated house.

  And his new neighbors.

  As he pushed off and started pedaling down the almost-empty street, Landon smiled slightly. Well, perhaps he had a secret, too. His reasons for visiting the Keims’ farm weren’t completely unselfish.

  There was a very pretty brown-haired lady there who he’d like to get to know a bit better. And if luck was on his side?

  Roman would ask him if he’d like another glass of water . . . and Elsie Keim would just happen to be back in that kitchen and in a chatty mood.

  He’s out there again, Viola exclaimed as she bounded into their bedroom just an hour before dinner.

  Elsie blearily opened her eyes, which had been bothering her all day. When her head had started to pound, too, she’d escaped to their bedroom for a few minutes’ rest.

  But, by the sound of things, she’d slept far longer. As she struggled to get her bearings, she sat up and scooted off the bed. “Who is out where?”

  “Landon Troyer is out in our barn.”

  “Landon?” Though a spark of interest flared in her, she did her best to act nonchalant. “Is he helping Roman with chores again?”

  “I don’t think so; it’s a little late in the day for that.”

  Elsie rubbed her eyes again. “Hmm. I wonder why he stopped by.”

  “It looks like he merely came over to visit with Roman.”

  “I guess they’ve become gut friends.”

  “Perhaps.” Glancing out the window, Viola softly chuckled. “Elsie, it was so funny. When our new neighbor first saw me, he did a double take.”

  “I wonder why.”

  “One reason, of course. He thought I was you.” Turning back to Elsie, she still looked amused. “I had to explain to him that, though we might look a whole lot alike, we aren’t identical twins.”

  Despite that fact, Viola and Elsie shared the same coloring, height, and build. When they were little, only the smallest differences could be found: Viola freckled easily; Elsie did not. Elsie had inherited her mother’s long, slim hands, while Viola had shorter fingers and wider palms.

  As the years continued, their differences became more pronounced. Viola was outgoing and possessed a bossy nature. She was restless and had always been a favorite for impromptu kickball or volleyball games. Elsie had been quieter, more apt to be found in the kitchen helping their grandmother than playing with the other children in their neighborhood.

  Then, of course, came her diagnosis and glasses. Afterward, no one confused her and Viola.

  Now, however, Elsie was surprised even a brief acquaintance like Landon Troyer could mistake her for her vibrant sister. After all, her thick glasses were hard to overlook.

  After studying her for a long moment, Viola sat on her twin bed across from Elsie. “So, you fell asleep. Even though it’s almost suppertime.”

  “I don’t know what happened,” she fibbed. “I guess the day just caught up to me. The house was so noisy last night, I couldn’t get to sleep.”

  “It was noisy last night,” Viola allowed after a pause. “It’s been fun having Onkle Aden, Aunt Rachel, and cousin Beth here. When you add in Beth’s kinner, it’s mighty crowded.”

  “I’m just glad they’ve been spending time with Onkle Sam and Aunt Lorene, too. I’m verra glad everyone is here to see Mamm and Daed, but all this company can be overwhelming.”

  Actually, Elsie was finding it harder and harder to keep her bearings with so much noise and comings and goings in the house, which made her realize just how much she’d been relying on her other senses to get through each day.

  Her sister’s voice turned soft. “Are you having a tough time, Elsie?”

  “Jah.” Elsie wouldn’t have admitted that to anyone else. “My . . . my eyes have been bothering me a bit more than usual.”

  “You should call your doktah.”

  “There’s no need. Dr. Palmer told me years ago that stress can sometimes make my vision weak. I bet things will get better when Mamm comes home.” Having the family here was a blessing. But that didn’t mean they didn’t bring more work and more stress.

  Viola nodded. “We need for Mamm to get better.”

  After getting to her feet, Elsie was dismayed to see that her dress was wrinkled and that some of the pins had come loose. With a sigh, she unpinned the majority of them and prepared to painstakingly pin the dress back together.

  After a moment of watching her struggle, Viola crossed the room and helped her. Usually Elsie brushed off her twin’s offers of help but today she felt too sluggish to refuse.

  “I think you need to go back to the eye doctor as soon as you can, Elsie. More might be wrong than just stress.”

  “I know.” She couldn’t hide her problems from her twin easily, and for the most part, didn’t even like trying. “I’ll call when Mamm gets better.”

  “You know Mamm would want you to call Dr. Palmer and hire a driver to take you to Ashland.” She snapped her fingers. “I know, you could ask the driver to take you to Ashland from the hospital in Dover after you see Mamm tomorrow.”

  Elsie shrugged. It was going to be hard enough to go to the doctor with the immediate family asking her question after question about it. The last thing she wanted was for all her aunts and uncles to get involved, too.

  It was her mother who needed everyone’s prayers and concern, not her.

  “I’ll go when the time is right. That isn’t now. And besides, tomorrow is Saturday. The doctor’s office is closed on Saturdays,” she said as she carefully brushed her hair, then pinned it back.

  “Elsie, please—”

  When her kapp was on, Elsie walked to the door, hoping to dash into the bathroom. “Thank you for worrying about me, Vi.”

  “You do understand that my worry is because I love you, right? I’m not nagging for any other reason.”

  That sparked a burst of laughter. Her sister loved to nag! “I’ll try to remember that.”

  She was still chuckling about Viola’s explanation a few minutes later when she made her way downstairs. Her twin was as bossy as a mother goose with a barn full of goslings. Viola couldn’t help managing things.

  “You seem especially happy,” Roman commented. “Anything new?”

  She looked at him in surprise. She’d been sure he was still in the barn with Landon. “Oh, it’s nothing, just something Viola said.” Curious about their neighbor, she said, “Viola said we had company?”

  “You mean beyond all the family here?”

  “Yes. Do we have a guest?” she asked almost nonchalantly, just as Landon walked in from the mudroom.

  “Only me,” Landon said.

  Feeling her cheeks heat, she thanked the Lord she hadn’t had time to finish her questions. She would have been so embarrassed if Landon had heard her ask about him. “Hello, again,” she said.

  “Good to see you.” After a beat, he added, “I met your twin earlier.”

  “Yes, ah, Viola mentioned that she met you.”

  “For a moment I thought she was you, but now I realize you two look very different.”

  Fingering her glasses self-consciously, she nodded. “Yes, I suppose we do.”

/>   Immediately, Landon looked embarrassed. “I wasn’t talking about your glasses. I was talking about—”

  “Roman?” Regina called out. “Roman?”

  “That’s my daughter,” Roman interrupted, already turning toward the hallway. “I better go see what she needs.” Glancing at Elsie, he seemed to be asking her to stay with his friend. “Sorry about this, I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t worry about me,” Landon said. “I’m fine right here.”

  When they were alone, Landon gestured to the table.

  Elsie realized that he wasn’t going to sit down without her sitting first. She also was starting to realize that he wanted to sit with her.

  Yes, he definitely wanted to be with her.

  Carefully, she pulled out a chair and took a seat.

  Immediately, he sat down, too.

  Though her vision was flawed, she noticed that his gaze was as direct as ever, and that she was still drawn to his rugged good looks, with his dark hair and matching eyes. But there was something else about him that had captured her fancy.

  He seemed to have a bottled-up power inside him. An energy, almost a glow. Charisma. She couldn’t help but be drawn to that.

  He leaned forward on his elbows that were resting on the table. “So . . . can you keep a secret?”

  He looked so focused, so intent, she felt a quiver of tension roll through her body. “Of course.”

  “I didn’t come over to see Roman. I stopped by because I was hoping to see you again.”

  As his words sank in, Elsie was glad she was sitting down. Perhaps, after all this time, she really had been wrong.

  Perhaps the Lord actually did listen . . . and could actually make her dreams come true.

  chapter four

  I stopped by because I was hoping to see you again.

  Elsie gulped as Landon’s words sank in. And as they did, she came to a startling conclusion: Though she’d always wanted a man to pay attention to her, had always hoped a man would one day look at her like she was special . . . she was utterly unprepared to deal with it.