Promise at Pebble Creek
Page 8
Four workhorses trotted in the nearby pasture. Milking cows grazed. Clumps of green leaves on the tall, old oak trees provided shade. A long rope dropped from a large limb of one of the trees. In the center of the backyard, her daed’s large garden looked like a plant oasis in a picture frame of black dirt.
From where she stood, Hannah glimpsed six red bell peppers ready to be picked. Cucumbers were more difficult to see amid the mélange of green vines that covered them. The same with the red tomatoes, most of which were enclosed snugly within leaves and vines.
Easy to detect were orange pumpkin blossoms that were fully opened. Hannah’s mouth watered as she imagined dipping them in egg, then crushed cracker, and then transferring them to a skillet of hot oil until they were browned on both sides.
Hannah’s favorite produce from Daed’s garden were sweet cherry tomatoes. She also loved the peppers in the winter when they went into her homemade chili.
Suddenly, Hannah became aware of the morning catching up with her, rushed to dry the eggs, and carefully put each into a holder on the inside of the fridge so she could make her way to the garden to collect the ready-for-picking produce.
Before leaving the house, she rounded up the goats and put the hook over the fence to lock them back inside their pen. She took one last glance at the barn and hoped there’d be enough time to clean the animal stalls before she hitched her horse to the buggy for the three-mile ride to Amish Edibles.
Happiness warmed Hannah’s heart until a smile pulled up the corners of her lips. She loved working at the store, and even the thought of the robbery at King’s Bakery didn’t deter her. The thief or thieves still hadn’t been caught, and the police had no suspicions about who’d done it. But she wasn’t afraid. Because Maemm had always taught her that something gut came from something bad. Like sponge cakes from dirty eggs. In this case, the robbery had propelled her vivid imagination into high gear. The past couple of days, Hannah had thought so much about what had happened at King’s Bakery, and what could still happen.
The kind man who’d welded her horse and buggy back together floated into her thoughts. And all the while, she pictured herself and Marcus in the fiction she’d started. But not all of it is fiction. It doesn’t really matter, though. No one will ever read it but me.
Between the robbery and her new friend, Hannah’s imagination had been working overtime. Her heart pumped to an excited pace as she contemplated where she and Marcus were in her story. I can’t wait to continue my adventure story with Marcus.
* * *
That evening, Hannah gave Ben’s wife, Ruth, a tight hug as she stepped inside the house where Ruth and Ben now lived with their four children. Maemm and Daed followed her in the kitchen entrance.
Immediately, the homey ambience forced a sense of familiar comfort up Hannah’s arms that landed in her shoulders. For a moment, she savored the wonderful sensation. The aroma of meats and sweets floated throughout the kitchen. Kids seemed to be everywhere.
Hannah’s gaze immediately landed on the tiled countertop, where an array of desserts were displayed. Ruth was lifting a foil-covered baking dish out of the oven. As she peeled off part of the foil, the delicious smell of pork roast and cabbage escaped and blended in with the other smells.
At the same time, Hannah and Maemm offered to help. “What can we do?”
They were careful to stay out of Ruth’s way as she carried the large dish to some pot holders that had been placed in a square on the countertop. The moment she set down the pot, Ruth turned to them and sighed a combination of relief and excitement.
“I’m so happy to have you for dinner at our new home!” She corrected, “At least, it’s new to us!”
After a half smile and a brief wave, Daed made his way to the living room, where Ben and a couple of his brothers appeared engrossed in a farming magazine. Ruth raised the pitch of her voice a couple of notches to be heard over the men.
“I’ll take you up on your offer, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Point us in the direction you need us!”
Ruth pressed her finger to her lips before motioning outside. “Hannah, would you check on the boys?”
Hannah nodded toward the yard. “They’re out back.”
Ruth squinted, then voiced her concern. “I haven’t heard them for a while, and I’m a little concerned. Would you find them and tell them it’s time to come in and wash up for dinner?”
With a quick nod, Hannah stepped to the door and offered a definitive wave. “I’ll go round ’em up!”
As Hannah stepped back to the door through which she’d just entered, Ruth put Maemm to work setting the tables in the neighboring room.
Outside, Hannah let go of the screen door, and it quickly sprang closed. Enjoying the smell of freshly mowed grass, she hollered, “Isaiah! David! Samuel! Mervin!”
She listened for a response, and when none came, she quickened her steps, making her way back to where Pebble Creek came into view. Although it was a distance away, Hannah was able to easily glimpse the well-known hill. She also took in the barn that was in its initial stages.
That most special hill, where Old Sam had asked for Esther’s hand in marriage. That union had lasted nearly sixty years. For a moment, Hannah forgot her mission while she stood and gazed wistfully at the out-of-place hill in flat central Illinois. The very place where Levi Miller had asked Annie Mast to be his forever.
For long moments, Hannah allowed herself to imagine being a wife. A mother. She even dared to envision Marcus as an Amish man who came to her home to ask her parents’ permission to court her. Better yet, she pictured the two of them at the top of the hill that overlooked Pebble Creek.
Her heart warmed at the idyllic thought. A dream that could and would never materialize. But there’s nothing wrong with imagining, I don’t think.
The sound of boyish laughter broke her reverie, and she turned toward it, which appeared to come from the small dwelling in the distance. The very place Marcus now rented. To her surprise, she glimpsed the boys on small bicycles as Marcus raced them by foot.
Hannah planted her palms on her hips and eyed the group. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised by the scene. Of course, she’d known that her new friend lived here. But what stunned her was his fascinating interaction with the young boys.
As she continued to take in the fun-loving group, it appeared as though Marcus was one of them. So far, because of the tall, full oaks she stood behind, no one had seen her, and she was able to easily view them in full play. Stopped in her tracks, she looked on at the happy picture of Marcus racing the boys. The kids were on their wheels; he ran on foot.
What also surprised her was how fast he was. Hannah often babysat, so she knew firsthand the amount of energy required to keep up with boys her nephews’ ages. And stamina.
For a blissful moment, the scene brought a smile to her lips, and she watched in amazement as Marcus raced the four youngsters down his lane, to and from his small rental. Back and forth. In fact, she reasoned that the picture presented such happiness, she felt guilty for breaking it up.
At the same time, she was fully aware of the amount of work her sister-in-law must have gone through to make such delicious-looking dishes. And she knew from experience that when Ruth said it was time to eat, she meant it! Now, not after the kids finished their game with Marcus. Hannah lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, cupped her hands on both sides of her mouth and hollered their names, one by one. When she managed to get their attention, she motioned toward Ben and Ruth’s house and ordered the crew to come in and wash up.
At the sound of Hannah’s command, all five stopped and looked at her. Then, they began peddling down the lone dirt path of the rental to where the path widened and continued to the main house. Marcus jogged in between the small bikes.
Hannah stood very still, watching the images come closer and especially taking note of the way the boys closely and so trustingly interacted with the Chicago native. When the five of
them met Hannah, they were laughing and catching their breath. She couldn’t help but join in the contagious laughter. Excited voices competed to be heard over one another until Marcus let out a low whistle.
At that, there was a welcome silence. Hannah felt a bit guilty, stopping their fun. But she had a job to do. Hoping they’d be able to transfer their excitement from their game to the dinner that was imminent, she lifted the pitch of her voice to her most enthusiastic tone.
“Time to eat, guys.” Before the boys could get a word in, Hannah continued. “I’m sure you’ve worked up a big appetite. And your maemm’s a great cook.”
The kids were usually obedient and well-mannered, so the protests that followed surprised Hannah. David whined, “But we never get to play with Marcus.”
Marcus looked down at the five-year-old and lifted a comforting brow as he lowered his voice to an understanding pitch. “Ah, but I think that if you do as Auntie Hannah says and go wash up for dinner, I might just get to sit by you.” He eyed Hannah and winked. “That is, if Ruth doesn’t mind.”
There was a unanimous “Gut!” before the four jumped back on their bikes and peddled to the side door of Ben’s home, which was a good distance away.
After their departure, Hannah looked up at Marcus and smiled with amusement. “The kids like you.”
He offered her a wide smile. “If what you said is true, that Ruth’s a great cook, we’d better take fast strides to follow them. I don’t know ’bout you, but my lunch was a long time ago.”
“Mine too.” She paused. “You’re joining us?”
“Yeah. Ben invited me. And knowing you Amish women are such good cooks, I wasn’t about to decline the invitation.”
With a wave of his hand, he motioned for her to go in front of him before finally joining her at her side. As the warm evening breeze fanned Hannah’s lashes, they followed the path to the dinner smells that had floated out through the open windows.
They stepped quickly, and Hannah’s heart pumped with excitement as she enjoyed her unexpected time with Marcus. As he talked, his voice bounced a bit with his strides. “Kids. They’re really special. Being with them is a breath of fresh air.”
He extended his hands in front of them as they glanced at each other. “You surely remember what being young was like.”
Hannah drew her palms to her heart as memories floated back to her. “Jah. There are so many gut memories. How ’bout you? What is your favorite childhood recollection?”
After a slight pause, his voice cracking with emotion, he said, “There are so many.” He glanced at her; at the same time, she looked at him. “But if I had to choose, I’d say my favorite times were when my family got together with our relatives for holidays. My dad always made homemade ice cream. And Mom?”
She glanced at him to go on as they followed the curve in the blacktop.
“She made her famous Special K bars. Have you ever tasted one?”
“No, but now you’ve piqued my curiosity. What are they?”
“I’m not sure of the exact ingredients, but I remember they were made with cereal, white syrup, sugar, tons of peanut butter, and lots of Hershey’s chocolate.”
Hannah’s heart warmed at the expression on his face and the soft tone of his voice. “Sounds delicious! You think there’s any way you could find her recipe?” Before he could respond, she quickly added, “I’d love to make them.”
“Oh . . .” He cupped his head with his palms and glanced up at the sky. “No promises, but once I’m more settled in here, I’ll call my aunt to ask for the recipe.”
“Gut.” Several heartbeats later, she softened her tone. “I want to make sure you have those Special K bars again.”
Surprise edged his voice. “Really?”
Hannah offered a shy “jah.” She liked Marcus so much, she was a bit stunned that he seemed to be surprised that she wanted to make him what was obviously his favorite treat.
Ben’s dwelling was closer now. “Hannah, if you could travel back in time, say . . . just for an hour or so, would you do it?”
The question prompted her to press her lips into a line as she contemplated the serious question. Finally, she nodded. “Jah . . . If I could choose the moment in time.”
Together, they laughed before Marcus’s tone became more somber. “I’d give anything to have any moment back with my parents. And I hope God tells me how to get my brothers to believe in Him.”
After a long silence, their steps slowed as they approached the side entrance. From where they stood, the air smelled of a mélange of dishes. Hannah’s mouth watered.
At the door, they stopped. As he pulled open the screen, he looked down at Hannah. When she met his gaze, the wistful expression in his eyes nearly stopped her breath. Finally, he responded in a soft voice. “Here we are.”
Hannah’s heart nearly stopped at the sincerity in his voice. In his eyes. She sensed that he needed something from her. A sense of reassurance, maybe.
She softened her voice with a combination of sympathy and reassurance. “Pray, Marcus. Eventually, you’ll be with your parents again. In heaven. And as far as your brothers?” She expelled a sigh. “I’ll pray for Gott to fill their hearts with His love.” A thought struck her, and she immediately voiced it before giving it more serious attention. “Marcus, won’t you come to church with us? I’d really like that.”
Before he could answer, the door opened, and David and Samuel motioned the two of them in.
Right now, Hannah needed time to figure out why she sensed that they belonged together, when the truth was, the man from Chicago represented everything she could never, ever have.
Chapter Eight
Inside Ben and Ruth’s home, Marcus breathed in all sorts of delicious foods. He offered a quick, friendly wave as he stepped into the roomy kitchen.
“This is one great-smelling house.”
Ruth immediately laid her dish cloth on the countertop, left the stove, and made her way toward him, where she smiled up at him. “Marcus, we’re so glad you could join us this evening.”
Marcus already felt indebted to Ben’s wife. Since Marcus moved into the house that belonged to the friendly couple, she’d made sure he was well taken care of. She’d brought plenty of homemade meals over to him. And the moment she’d learned that he’d come here with so little, she and Ben had provided him a bed frame from the family furniture store, a comfy mattress, and oh-so-soft bedding that she’d sewn herself.
Marcus stepped into the next room, where he greeted the men, who were discussing this year’s crops. He’d already met them at the barn raising, of course. After he said a few words, the boys ran up to him, nearly knocking him over. Each vied for his attention.
Isaiah, the smallest of the four, pulled at his arm and begged, “Let’s go back outside and play!”
David yanked on his free hand. “Can you race us again?”
The other two jumped up and down in anxious anticipation. Automatically, Marcus laughed as he gazed down at the small bodies of energy. “Dinner’s ready. Besides, you’ve already washed up, right?”
There was a unanimous “jah.”
Ben’s low voice ordered the kids to calm down. As he pulled them away, he gave each a fatherly nudge in the direction of the kitchen. “Now, go offer to help your maemm.”
Ruth’s voice floated through the air in a tone that commanded everyone’s attention. Marcus took in the two dining room tables that were neatly covered with sky-blue tablecloths in the room next to the kitchen. Beautiful oak chairs circled the tables, and there were napkins and silverware settings for twenty-two: Hannah’s parents, Ben and Ruth, Marcus, Hannah, David, Isaiah, Samuel, and Mervin, and two of the other brothers, who all co-owned the family furniture store, their wives, and their children.
As everyone stepped toward the chairs, Marcus pulled out Hannah’s mother’s chair for her, and she offered him a half smile and a soft, grateful “denki.” Hannah took her seat and pulled her chair closer to the table.
While Marcus watched Ruth begin sending the dishes around the table, Marcus considered the heartfelt prayer and swallowed an emotional knot. Without a doubt, this is one special family. My brothers and sisters in Christ. God has already started my journey to live for Him by bringing me to them.
In the middle of the meal, talk turned to the robbery and that the police had no leads. As Marcus bit into a piece of baked chicken, he listened to Ben, Ruth, and Ben’s brothers talk about the family furniture store in town. Lapp Furniture was owned equally between all the brothers and, apparently, each filled his own role, even Ben, who worked outside the family business.
As Marcus took a drink of iced tea, Hannah’s mother turned her attention to him and spoke in a polite tone. “I hear that you and Hannah met your first day here.”
Marcus smiled appreciatively at Hannah, who sat across from him and offered a quick nod. “When I saw the store sign, my mouth watered,” he joked. “Amish Edibles. Just by those two words, I guessed I could buy jelly for my lunch sandwiches.”
Laughter filled the room as Marcus continued. “And once inside, not only did I get raspberry spread, but also the most delicious wheat bread I’ve ever tasted.”
Hannah chimed in. “I recommended the raspberry jelly over the strawberry. And that very morning, I’d just loaded the shelves with fresh-baked bread.”
“What did you think of our little shop?” Mrs. Lapp asked while reaching for homemade preserves and a hot roll.
Marcus scooped up a bite of sweet corn before answering. “It’s absolutely charming,” Marcus responded with an appreciative smile.