The back door opened, and Timothy walked in, carrying her youngest nephew. He paused when he saw Christian. “Hello.” He gave Ruby a questioning look.
Christian nodded to Timothy. “I was just leaving.” He spun on his heel and hurried out of the kitchen. They heard the front door close.
Timothy frowned and set Luke in his chair. “Did something happen?” he asked Ruby.
She started to nod, but then slowly shook her head. How could she explain what occurred between her and Christian when she didn’t understand it herself? He said it was a mistake to propose, but when she met his eyes she felt there was something between them. And the kiss? How could he act like it was nothing? Didn’t he have any feelings? Or was she only wishing he had?
“Is something burning?” Timothy asked as Patience walked into the kitchen holding Tobias’s hand.
“Oh nee, the chicken!” Ruby ran to the oven and opened it. Smoke billowed as she pulled out the roasting pan. She looked at the chicken, now charred black. She tossed the potholders on the counter. “It’s ruined.”
“Maybe we can just peel back the skin—”
“I’m sorry.” Tears sprang to her eyes, unbidden. Great, now she was crying over burnt chicken. “Excuse me.”
Ruby ran upstairs and shut her bedroom door. She wiped her eyes. Why was she letting Christian hurt her feelings like this? Obviously, he was fickle. One minute he liked Martha and the next minute he was proposing—and kissing—her. What kind of man did that? Not a nice one. Not one who would be a good husband.
She should have never offered to help him. That was her first mistake. Her second one was taking her focus off Seth. Maybe he’d come over to ask her out on a date. Christian had ruined that too. Everything was ruined . . . and all she could do was think about that stupid kiss.
Two weeks had passed since the day Christian kissed her and then walked out, and during that time she’d kept her distance from him. She saw him at church the next day, of course, but she ignored him, which was easy to do since he was ignoring her too. That was fine by her, since that made disregarding him that much easier, except for the quick glance she’d given him right before Timothy gave the sermon. Even though she was proud of her brother as he preached for the first time, knowing he’d been preparing for this every evening for almost two weeks, she couldn’t stop herself from looking at Christian. She also couldn’t stop herself from thinking how handsome he was today. Then she shoved him out of her mind, engaged her brain, and focused on what Timothy was saying. But her mind kept wandering.
She was exactly where she’d been almost two months ago—no job, no husband prospects. She couldn’t bring herself to think about pursuing Seth. It didn’t feel right, not after she and Christian kissed. She also accepted that she didn’t have feelings for him, so there wasn’t a point in chasing him . . . or anybody else. And now that she knew how Christian felt about her—that she was a mistake—her prospects for marriage in Birch Creek had dwindled to nothing.
Still, she didn’t want to go home. She liked being in Birch Creek, and she was still helpful to Timothy and Patience. She needed time to figure out what she really wanted before she went back to Lancaster. She had to come up with another plan for her future.
The following week, she helped prepare food for a barn raising. The community was erecting two buildings—not only a barn for Solomon Troyer, who was expanding his carpentry business, but also a large workshop for him. Ruby had baked several dozen cookies the day before—chocolate chip, peanut butter, and, of course, her favorite, monster cookies, with an extra handful of coated chocolate candies thrown into the batter. She knew the kids in the community would enjoy those too.
On Saturday morning she arrived at the Troyers’. She now knew everyone. Some she was closer to—like Martha. Others she knew by name. She and Patience pitched in to set up tables and food while the men worked on the buildings. Patience’s mother was watching Tobias and Luke at her parents’ house.
As she set a platter of cookies near the rest of the desserts, Ruby paused, watching the men work. She was always amazed by how quickly many hands could put together a large barn or other outbuilding. She’d seen it often in her community back home. It was no different here. A mix of men—old, young, and teens—worked without a hitch.
Then she saw Christian. He was standing to the side holding a hammer, looking unsure what to do. She sighed.
“Is everything okay?”
She turned to see Martha setting a plate of brownies next to her cookies. Ruby nodded. “Ya. Everything’s peachy.”
“Oh. I’m surprised to hear that, because that was a big sigh you just let out.”
Ruby pressed her lips together. Why couldn’t she get her mind off Christian? She hadn’t expected him to be here, much less pitching in to build the barn. As far as she knew, he was still holding himself separate from the community, and Selah had all but disappeared lately.
Ruby watched as Malachi Chupp walked over to him. Christian bent down, listening intently to what the boy was saying. Then he nodded and followed him to one of the corners of the barn. Christian hunkered down beside him and they both started nailing two boards together.
“That’s so cute,” Martha said. “Chris is really gut with kinner, ya?”
Ruby nodded, still watching him, and realizing she’d been wrong about him not knowing what to do with a hammer. In fact, he corrected Malachi’s grip on the tool. Jesse and Nelson Bontrager joined them, and Christian easily slipped into teaching mode. Something seemed to squeeze inside her heart.
“He’ll be a gut vatter someday.” Martha straightened the plate of brownies.
“Do you like him?” Ruby asked.
“Chris?” Martha laughed. “He’s a nice mann, but nee.” She leaned over and whispered, “I have mei eye on someone else.”
Ruby blew out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.
“And there he is,” Martha said.
Zeb Bontrager passed by, carrying three two-by-fours on his shoulder. Now it was Martha’s turn to sigh.
At least she wasn’t interested in Seth Yoder. Ruby searched the area until she saw him, up high and helping several men secure the trusses on the roof. But she only glanced at him and went back to looking at Christian. Should she tell him about Martha being interested in Zeb? She was sure he was back to figuring out a way to ask her out. With the exception of his impromptu proposal, Christian didn’t stray from plan. But there wouldn’t be any point in approaching Martha now. Then again, what business was it of hers?
“Have you talked to Selah lately?” Martha asked, interrupting Ruby’s thoughts.
She shook her head. “I don’t usually talk to her.” She refrained from saying that Selah didn’t like her. That was embarrassing to admit.
“She’s been acting strange lately. When she first came to Birch Creek, she was friendly and sweet. And she still tries to be, at least around me. But I can tell something’s wrong. I was hoping I would see her today. It’s been almost two weeks since we last visited.”
Ruby didn’t say anything. Again, it was none of her business. The last thing she wanted was to get between Christian and Selah. Whatever was going on with the two of them—and with Selah herself—was their problem.
“I should geh help Mamm with the sandwiches.” Martha turned to her and smiled. “Would you like to join us?”
After one last glance at Christian, Ruby nodded. “I’d love to.”
By lunchtime the tables were set and the food was prepared. The men and boys lined up to be served after everyone said a silent prayer of thanks. Ruby spooned out baked beans to each hungry worker.
“I don’t like beans,” Malachi said.
“Me neither,” Jesse said.
“I do.” Judah Yoder shoved his plate in front of Ruby. “I’ll take their share.”
Ruby chuckled and gave him one spoonful. “If there’s any extra you can have seconds later.”
Judah frowned a bit, but then he shrugged
and moved down the line. Ruby stirred the beans in the large metal pan, and when she looked up, Christian stood in front of her, holding out his plate.
“Would you like some beans?” she said. Her voice was steady, but for some reason her insides weren’t. It’s just Christian. No one special.
“Please.”
Despite her efforts to ignore him, she met his eyes. Blue and soft, and filled with . . . apology? Regret? Definitely not with interest, right?
“Ruby, you’re holding up the line.”
She looked at her brother, who was two men back. “Sorry.” She quickly shoved the spoon into the beans and the sauce splashed on her apron. Of course. She knew she wouldn’t get through the day with a clean apron. Carefully she put the beans on Christian’s plate.
“Danki.” His voice was low, and he gave her a small nod. Then he moved down the line.
Ruby was still looking at him when she heard, “Hi.” She blinked and then turned. Seth stood in front of her, holding out his plate.
“Oh. Hi.”
“Beans, please.”
She glanced at Christian again, who was getting a spoonful of broccoli salad from Martha. They started to talk, and Ruby strained to hear what they were saying.
“Uh, Ruby?”
She turned in time to see her miss Seth’s plate completely. The spoonful of beans plopped onto the white plastic tablecloth. “Great!” she said, louder than intended. “Here.” She scooped up another serving and slapped it onto his plate, annoyed with herself not only for spilling the beans but also for paying so much attention to Christian and Martha.
“Danki?” Seth looked at the beans, which were dripping off the side of the plate.
Ruby was about to apologize when she heard Martha laugh. She looked to see Christian smile at her before he moved away.
Something twisted inside her as she continued serving the men. If Martha didn’t like Christian, what was she doing laughing and flirting with him?
“Ruby,” Timothy said.
“What?” she snapped, looking at him.
“You’re making a mess.”
She glanced down and saw that in addition to the beans she’d spilled before, two more small piles sat around the pan. “I wanted to serve potato salad,” she muttered as she gave her brother a spoonful.
“Pay attention to what you’re doing.” He gave her a hard look before moving on.
He was right, and she focused on being careful until all the men were served.
After the men finished eating, the women filled their plates and sat down. Ruby looked for Martha. She saw her near a table, talking to Christian again.
Ruby walked over to them and set down her plate. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Nee,” Martha said. “Chris was telling me about the new ice cream shop on Clarendon Road, just outside Birch Creek.”
“Oh really.” Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. “Ice cream, huh?”
Christian looked at her. “Ya. Ice cream.”
“I didn’t know you liked ice cream,” Ruby said.
“I do.”
They looked at each other for a long moment. Again, something was there in his eyes, and she couldn’t figure out what it was. She only knew she didn’t want Martha going with him to get ice cream.
“Maybe you two should geh sometime,” Martha said.
They both looked at her. “What?” they said at the same time.
“You should both try out the new ice cream place.” She smiled. “I would geh with you, but I’m lactose intolerant.” She turned to Ruby. “What day are you free?”
“Uh, next Saturday?” she said. That was the first day that came to mind. She never did well when being put on the spot like this.
“And you, Chris? Are you free on Saturday?”
He leveled his gaze at her. “Saturday is fine,” he said without hesitation.
Ruby gaped. Did they just agree to go out on a date?
Martha’s smile grew. “I’ll expect a full report about the ice cream shop. Mei parents really enjoy their banana splits.”
Christian nodded slowly, and then he looked at Martha. “I better get back to work.” He gave Ruby one last look, and then he left.
Martha giggled and turned to Ruby. “You’re welcome.”
“For what?”
“Fixing you up with Chris.”
Ruby’s jaw dropped. “You did that on purpose?”
“Of course.” She gave her a sly grin. “You two look cute together.”
Nothing could be further from the truth, but Ruby just nodded. It didn’t matter, because she and Christian wouldn’t be going to the ice cream shop or anywhere else together. She and Martha sat down and ate their lunch. Ruby avoided the subject of Christian.
The barn and workshop were completed by evening. Everyone was tired yet pleased with the results. Ruby was loading pans in Timothy’s buggy when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned to see Christian standing there.
When he didn’t say anything, she started talking despite her better judgment. Nothing went well when she talked because of nerves. “That Martha,” Ruby said with a laugh that sounded like a horse being strangled. “Always joking around.”
“I never got that impression of Martha.”
Ruby leaned against the buggy. “She was joking this afternoon about the ice cream shop.”
He lifted a brow. “She said that?”
“Uh, nee. Not exactly.”
“Then exactly what did she say?”
She opened her mouth, but then she closed it. How was she supposed to admit they’d been fixed up by the woman Christian truly liked? Who didn’t like him back. How did all this get so unmanageable?
“What time should I pick you up on Saturday?” he asked, as if he were inquiring about the weather instead of confirming a date.
Her eyes grew wide. “Pick me up?”
“To take you to the ice cream shop.”
“We’re actually going?”
He nodded. “I agreed to take you to the ice cream shop. I’m a man of my word.”
“Except when it comes to marriage proposals.” Uh-oh. She shouldn’t have said that out loud.
His gaze cooled. “I already explained that.”
“Not really.”
He blew out a breath. “Are you going with me or not?”
She did like ice cream. And they had agreed to go in front of a witness. Those were the only reasons she was going along with this nonsense. “Ya. But it’s not a date.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Fine. Just wanted to make that clear.”
“Crystal clear.” Without another word he turned and started to walk away.
“Six o’clock,” she called out after him.
He nodded without looking back.
She watched him leave. At least she’d get some ice cream out of the deal. But a part of her—a tiny part she tried to ignore but couldn’t—was looking forward to Saturday night, and not because she loved Rocky Road.
CHAPTER 15
The next Saturday, Ruby waited for Christian to show up.
She stood by the front window and peeked out. Anytime his buggy would be coming up the driveway to get her. Anytime now.
She turned and looked at the battery-operated clock on the wall. Five minutes late. That wasn’t a big deal, was it? Even for a man who always kept a tight schedule and valued punctuality. She frowned and then looked out the window again.
“See anything interesting out there?”
She turned as Patience walked into the living room. Ruby let the curtain fall. “Nee.” She walked to the couch and plopped down. If any other person was late, she wouldn’t be concerned. But this was Christian. Mr. Punctuality. Also Mr. Can’t Make Up His Mind.
“Is something wrong?” Patience sat down in the chair across from her.
“Where are the buwe?” Ruby asked.
“Outside playing with Timothy. It won’t be long before it will be too cold and dar
k in the evenings for them to play outside.” She gave Ruby a sly look. “Nice change of subject, by the way.”
Ruby sighed and put her elbow on the arm of the couch. She cradled her chin in her hand. “I was waiting for someone. But he’s not coming.”
“He?” Patience sat back in the chair and folded her hands in her lap.
“Chris Ropp. He was going to pick me up and take me out for ice cream tonight.”
“At that new place on Clarendon?”
Was she the last person to know about the ice cream shop? She nodded. “Ya.”
“I hear they have great hot fudge sundaes.”
“Apparently, I won’t find out tonight,” she muttered.
Patience crossed her legs. “He’s probably running a little behind.”
“Maybe.” Ruby glanced at the clock again. It was almost ten past now. He wasn’t coming.
“I didn’t realize there was something going on between you two—”
“There isn’t!” Goodness, she sounded like a screech owl. “There isn’t,” she repeated, tempering her volume.
Patience nodded. “I see. Why don’t we work on a puzzle while you’re waiting?”
Glad for the distraction, Ruby nodded. Patience went to the cabinet on the other side of the room where she and Timothy kept their games and puzzles, along with a few of the kids’ smaller toys. She pulled out a box and then closed the cabinet door. “This one won’t take long to do,” she said as she placed it on the coffee table.
Ruby sat down on the floor and opened the box. The picture on the front was of a lovely farm scene, with a bright-red barn in the distance and bales of hay dotting the landscape. She dumped the puzzle pieces on the table, and soon she and Patience were fitting them together.
They were partway through when the boys and Timothy came inside. “We’re a little dirty,” he said, looking sheepish.
Ruby looked up and Patience gasped. “A little?”
The boys were covered in mud, their tiny white teeth showing through the dark dirt on their faces as they grinned. “Did you guys roll in the mud with the pigs?” Ruby asked, getting up from the floor.
“They might be cleaner if they had.” Patience rolled her eyes at Timothy, who was none too clean himself. “Buwe,” she said, taking Luke from his father and shooing Tobias toward the stairs.
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