Their True Home

by Amy Clipston

  Marlene turned toward her aunt sitting at the head of the table. “I was only going to work Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, Aenti Feenie. I promise I’ll do my chores on the other days.”

  Aenti Feenie’s smile seemed hesitant. “I think it’s your dat’s choice if you can accept a part-time job or not.”

  Anna touched Marlene’s arm. “I’ll cover Marlene on the days she works. I can make sure all of her chores are done, Dat.”

  Marlene felt her body relax, and she smiled at her younger sister. Praise God for you, Anna.

  Dat pursed his lips, dividing a look between Marlene and Anna. Then he turned to Aenti Feenie. “What do you think, Feenie?”

  Marlene held her breath as her aunt sat silently for a moment.

  “If you support it, Elias, then we do too,” Aenti Feenie said. “Right, Leonard?” When Onkel Leonard nodded, she added, “I’m certain Betsy, Anna, and I can handle the chores.”

  Marlene blew out a puff of air as Dat nodded. “Fine,” he muttered before looking down at his plate once again.

  “So, Betsy.” Anna turned to her cousin. “These rolls are fantastic. You need to make them again.”

  “Danki.” Betsy’s smile was as bright as Anna’s. “You can help me make them next time.”

  Marlene felt some of the tension draining out of her as she took a bite of fried chicken. When she glanced over at Dat, he was still studying his plate. Was he angry with her? If only he’d look at her, then she could know for certain that she was forgiven. The thought lingered in the back of her mind, pestering her throughout the remainder of supper.

  Later that evening, the bed shifted beside Marlene when Anna crawled into the double bed they shared. Rolling to her side, Marlene faced the wall and glimpsed a sliver of light between the green shade and the window casing.

  “Are you awake?” Anna whispered.

  “Ya.” Marlene pushed a lock of her thick, waist-length hair away from her face.

  “Do you think we’re going to be okay here?”

  “Of course.” Marlene nodded as if her sister could see her through the darkness that shrouded their small bedroom.

  “It’s just so strange to be back here in this haus. The last time we were here . . .”

  “I know.” Marlene reached over and touched her sister’s arm. “She was with us.”

  Anna sighed, and a heaviness seemed to fill the air between them. “I miss home.”

  “I do too.” Marlene’s lip trembled as visions of the little house they had rented in Shipshewana filled her mind. Her thoughts moved to her friends and her job at the market. And yet, though she would miss her friends in Indiana, she wanted to be back here in Bird-in-Hand. This is where she was born. This was where she’d last seen her mother. This was where the memories of her mother had been made and where they lived in her heart and mind. This was her home—where she, Anna, and Dat belonged. If only Dat could see that.

  “I think it’s great that you got a job.”

  Marlene shifted to face Anna in the dark. “You do?”

  “Ya.”

  “Danki for helping me convince Dat to let me keep it. I’m going to save all of the money I make and give it to him so we can find our own haus here in Bird-in-Hand to rent.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Marlene thought she heard a trace of uncertainty in her younger sister’s voice. It was Marlene’s job to tell Anna that everything would be all right, even when she wasn’t certain that it would be.

  “I promise we’ll be fine,” Marlene said. “I’ll make sure of it, okay?”

  “If you say so.” Anna rolled onto her side facing away from Marlene. “Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht.” Marlene turned back toward the wall and sighed. She waited for sleep to find her, but her mind spun even as she heard Anna’s breathing become steadier. Soon soft snores sounded from her side of the bed, and Marlene pressed her lips together. If only she could fall asleep as fast as her younger sister could.

  A yawn escaped her, and she adjusted her head on her pillow. Her thoughts moved back to Indiana as she settled under the sheet. An image of Colin, her ex-boyfriend, filled her mind, and she stifled another yawn. She and Colin had dated for nearly four years, and he had proposed to her only a month ago.

  Although she had enjoyed his company, she turned down his proposal. Regret filled her as she recalled the pained expression that had clouded his handsome face. But how could she marry him when she wasn’t certain how she felt about him? Her feelings at the time were a jumbled mess since Colin had proposed just after Dat lost his job.

  But now confusion settled over her as she lay in the darkness of her aunt’s guest bedroom, her sister snoring softly beside her. Had she agreed to marry Colin, she would have been preparing to live with him on his father’s dairy farm. They might’ve spoken about starting a family soon after the wedding. Had she said yes to him, she could have enjoyed a more certain future.

  And she would not have been here in Bird-in-Hand to help her dat and sister.

  Guilt nearly suffocated her. How could she even consider enjoying an easier life while her sister and father struggled? She had to stop thinking about the past. Instead, she had to dig deep inside of herself to find the strength to move forward.

  But how could she when she felt so confused and lost?

  CHAPTER 2

  Gude mariye, Rudy!”

  Rudy looked up from the counter and smiled as Marlene walked toward him. “Gude mariye to you.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and then back at her. “You’re early. It’s only seven forty-five.”

  She shrugged as she approached the counter. “I wanted to make sure I was on time.” Her lips turned up, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m ready to work.”

  Was something bothering her? He dismissed the thought. It was none of his business. She was here to work, not be his friend.

  “Great.” He clapped his hands together, then moved around to her side of the sales counter. “I’ll give you a tour, and then I have some items you can price and put out on the displays. But first I have to explain how the store is organized.” He motioned for her to follow him.

  He led her down each aisle, pointing out how the items were arranged and drawing attention to their most popular sellers. She chewed her lower lip and nodded as he talked, appearing to concentrate on everything he said.

  When they entered the last aisle of the store, he pointed toward a variety of ladders. “And this is where we keep the heavier equipment.”

  “Got it.” She fingered her black apron and stared down the aisle. A wisp of her light blond hair escaped from under her prayer covering, and he squelched the urge to push it back from her cheek.

  What are you thinking, Rudy? He and Marlene were barely acquaintances. He’d hardly even spoken to her when they were in school and youth group together, so what would give him the right to even consider touching her?

  “Do you have a place where I can put my lunch?” Her question broke through his contemplation.

  “Of course. I should have shown you the break room first.” Rudy had noticed the tote bag slung over her arm when she’d walked into the store, but it hadn’t occurred to him it might have contained her lunch. “Follow me.”

  He steered her into the stockroom to show her where certain items were stored. Then he led her into the small break room that included a table with four chairs, a counter, a small refrigerator, and cabinets.

  He gestured toward the refrigerator. “You can put your lunch in there.”

  “Danki.” She opened her tote, pulled out a purple lunch bag, and set it on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

  “The bottles of water on the bottom shelf are for employees,” he offered. “You can help yourself anytime.”

  “Thank you.” When she looked up at him, he couldn’t help but notice that her emerald-colored dress brought out the beautiful green hue of her eyes, reminding him of a lush pasture in springtime. Had her eyes always be
en that bright?

  He shook away the thought and headed toward the doorway. “I was thinking that you could get started marking boxes of nails. We had a shipment come in late yesterday.”

  “Okay.” She followed him over to the crate.

  “I’ll carry this out to the nail aisle for you,” Rudy continued. “Let me get the pricing tool, then I can show you how to price items.”

  “I know how to use a pricer,” she insisted.

  “All right.” He grabbed the tool and the price list, then got her started on the task.

  Marlene was busy pricing a box of nails when Dat walked out of his office.

  “Gude mariye.” Dat shook her hand. “It’s gut to see you this morning.”

  “It’s nice to see you too.” She smiled, but unconvincingly.

  “I see Rudy is already putting you to work.” Dat pointed to the pricer and boxes of nails.

  She lifted her chin. “Ya. I’m ready for the challenge.”

  “Wunderbaar.” Dat pointed to his office. “I’m going to finish some paperwork, but afterward I’ll be out front to help with customers.”

  “Thanks.” Rudy lifted a crate. “I’ll carry this to the nail aisle for you, Marlene.” He set the crate of nails in the aisle and then brought her a stool. He stood beside her as she continued pricing the boxes of nails and setting them on the shelves.

  He took in her serious expression and determined eyes while she worked. Once again he wondered what was on her mind. If something troubled her, would she want to talk about it? He opened his mouth to ask her but then closed it again. It wasn’t his place to intrude.

  Then again, what if she needed a friend? It had to be difficult to move back to Bird-in-Hand after ten years.

  After pricing several more boxes, she looked up at him, her brow furrowed. “Did you need something?”

  “No.” He shifted his weight on his feet and jammed his thumb toward the front of the store. “I’ll be up front, okay?”

  She watched him for a moment. “You can trust me. I’ve priced items and put them in the display before. In fact, I’m kind of an expert.”

  “Right.” He chuckled and held up his hands. “Call me if you need me.”

  “I will.”

  Rudy shook his head as he made his way to the front of the store. Marlene seemed to have a handle on things, but he couldn’t stop his curiosity from taunting him.

  When the bell rang announcing the arrival of customers, he turned his attention to the Amish man entering the store.

  “Gude mariye,” Rudy called. “Welcome to Lancaster Hardware and Supply.”

  The morning flew by at lightning speed. After Marlene finished pricing and shelving the boxes of nails, she tried to help some customers find other items. She was tidying the display of birdhouses at the front of the store when she felt that someone was watching her.

  She turned and gasped as Rudy stood at the end of the aisle, his dark eyes focused on her.

  “You startled me.” She placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath.

  “I’m sorry.” His lips twitched. “I was wondering if you wanted to take your lunch break.”

  “Is it noon already?” She craned her neck to read the clock on the wall and was surprised to find it was only a few minutes before twelve.

  He pointed toward the back of the store. “Ya, it is. You can go now, if you like. I’ll eat in a little bit.”

  “Danki.” Marlene weaved through the aisles and found her way to the break room, where she washed her hands before carrying her lunch bag to the table. She sat down and, after a silent prayer, began to build a turkey and cheese sandwich. As she took bites of the sandwich, she flipped through a tool catalog she’d found on the table.

  She was perusing different kinds of hammers when Rudy came through the door and moved toward the refrigerator.

  She glanced at the clock and found it was only ten minutes after twelve. Was her lunch break already over? “Is it time for me to go back out on the floor?”

  “Not at all.” He retrieved a blue lunch bag and two bottles of water before sitting down across from her. “I was wondering if I could join you.” He handed her one of the bottles.

  She blinked at him. “Danki.” Why would Rudy want to have lunch with her? Back when she was a teenager, she would have relished having his attention—but now it just felt forced and awkward.

  “Mei dat is taking care of the front for us.” He opened his lunch bag and pulled out a baloney sandwich and a small bag of chips. He opened the bag and held it out to her. “Would you like a chip?”

  “Danki.” She took one and popped it into her mouth.

  “What are you reading?” He raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the catalog.

  “I’m learning about hammers.” She pushed the catalog toward him.

  “Sounds exciting.” He chuckled.

  She couldn’t stop her smile as she studied his face. He was truly handsome, with milk chocolate eyes and chiseled cheekbones. Why hadn’t he settled down with one of the pretty young women in his community?

  “Is something on your mind?” he asked after swallowing a bite of sandwich.

  “Uh, not really.” She cleared her throat and prayed that the heat crawling up her neck didn’t show on her cheeks. “Was it still busy out there?”

  He shook his head as he took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. “It was actually slowing down, so Dat told me to go ahead and eat. I think he was worried you were lonely in here.”

  “He was concerned that I was lonely?”

  Rudy shrugged. “He wants to make sure you feel welcome. He doesn’t want you to quit on your first day.”

  “Oh.” She looked down at her sandwich as the conversation with her father at supper last night echoed through her mind.

  Her face crumpled as she recalled Dat’s frown when he dropped her off at the store this morning. He’d been silent during their journey to town, and his disapproval felt like another person sitting in the buggy with them. Marlene had only wanted to help her father get back on his feet, but her efforts seemed to be more of a hindrance than a support.

  And her worst fear was settling into her bones—that Dat wanted to return to Indiana. How could she convince him to stay and rebuild their lives in Bird-in-Hand? Didn’t living here make him feel closer to Mamm the way it did for her?

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “What?” Her gaze snapped to his, and the warmth in his dark eyes stole her breath for a moment.

  She absently folded a paper napkin as she considered her response. She didn’t want to dump her problems on Rudy, especially since it was her first day working at his father’s store. She peeked up again and he continued to watch her as he chewed more of his sandwich.

  When he held up his bag of chips, she took another one and smiled. A calm settled over her. It was as if Rudy could be the friend she needed today.

  “What’s it like being back after so many years?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it’s strange.”

  “What do you mean?” He took a drink of water.

  She tilted her head, considering her response. “I have always thought of Bird-in-Hand as my home since I was born here. Still, I feel like a stranger, even though I know people and grew up here. So I’m a stranger, but I’m not. Does that make sense?”

  “Ya, it does.” He set the bottle on the table. “Have you had the chance to see any old freinden?”

  She shook her head while chewing. “I haven’t, but I will at church tomorrow.” Her mind wandered through memories of her friends from school and youth group, wavering between nervousness and excitement. Would any of her old friends recognize her at church? Would they welcome her back? She took a sip of water. “Do you see Laura Riehl at all?”

  Something unreadable flashed in his expression, but then it was gone. “Ya, I see her at church.”

  “How is she?”

  “She’s gut.” He leaned back in his chair a
nd drummed his fingers on the table. “Her name is Laura Lambert now. She’s been married for about three and a half years, I think. She has a dochder.”

  “Wow.” Marlene smiled. “I’m froh for her.”

  “Ya.” He cleared his throat and met her gaze. Something flickered in his eyes. Was it sadness or possibly regret? “Her family has been through a lot. She lost her mamm five years ago, and then her best freind Savilla passed away shortly after.”

  Marlene gasped, cupping a hand to her mouth. “Laura lost her mamm and Savilla?”

  Rudy frowned. “It was a difficult time.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Tears prickled the corners of her eyes. “I know how difficult it is to lose a mamm. My heart goes out to her.”

  A heavy silence settled over them as they ate. Marlene swiped a few more potato chips from Rudy, contemplating Laura and her family. She was grateful that her old friend was married and had a dochder—surely a source of comfort for Laura during a painful time.

  “I thought I’d be married by now.” The words slipped from Marlene’s lips without forethought.

  To her surprise, Rudy snorted. “Mei mamm would be delighted if I were married. All I hear about is how she wants grandchildren.”

  “Really?” Marlene couldn’t hold back her grin.

  He rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

  As if on cue, they both laughed—and she knew the ice between them had been broken.

  Rudy wiped at his eyes with a napkin before finishing his sandwich.

  “I guess it must be difficult being an only child,” Marlene said.

  Rudy nodded. “All of mei mamm’s focus is on me.” He crunched another potato chip. “Mamm once told me that she wanted more kinner but couldn’t have them. I know I’m a blessing to her, but sometimes I wish I had a sibling to absorb some of her attention.”

  “I always wanted an older bruder.” Marlene rested her chin on her hand.

  “I can relate to that.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “If I had an older bruder, then I’d have someone else to help me with the store.” He gestured around the room. “Mei dat wants to give it all to me, and some days it’s a lot of pressure. It feels like an impossible standard to live up to, you know?”