“You might as well go today. I can see how excited you are. The sooner you get the material, the sooner we can get started on sewing the dresses.”
“Are you sure, Mamm?” Tulip asked.
“Jah, you and Lily can choose it and Daisy and I will stay here.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind at all,” Daisy said, putting her arm around her mother. “I’ll look after Mamm.”
Hezekiah was still in bed. It would be a long time before he’d be able to go back to work helping his brother on his farm—if ever. The girls made Nancy sit down on the couch while they made her breakfast.
It was rare that the twins did things separately and Nancy was glad to have the chance to speak to Daisy alone. They hadn’t talked since Daisy had gone through the awful experience with Nathanial, and Nancy hoped that the scare she’d had wasn’t going to affect her finding a husband. It was important for Daisy to know that what had happened to her was a very rare thing to happen in their community and totally not something that should be accepted. As soon as Hezekiah gained strength he’d let the bishop know what had happened and then Nathanial’s bishop would certainly be informed of the event.
When Lily and Tulip headed off in the buggy after breakfast, Daisy sat down next to her mother. “Can I get you anything, Mamm? Some more tea?”
“Nee, I’m fine. I’m glad you stayed here with me. We haven’t had much of a chance to talk lately.”
“Is there something on your mind that you want to say?” Daisy asked.
“I hoped we might have a conversation about what happened with Nathanial.”
Daisy scowled. “I don’t want to talk about that. Anyway, I already told you what happened that night.”
“Well, not really. What you said was quite vague and then he left so no one heard his side.”
“What do you mean by ‘his side?’” Daisy sprang to her feet. “Don’t you believe me?”
Nancy closed her eyes for a moment. She was too tired for this. “Sit down! Of course I believe you. I just want to talk about it. I am your mudder, so you should be able to talk with me about everything, jah?”
Daisy obeyed her mother and sat back down. “Except that. I don’t want to talk about him and how horrible he is. It just brings back awful memories. He’s gone now anyway and I’m glad. He’s back where he belongs, back where he came from, and far away from me.”
Nancy stared at her daughter and she was sure that Daisy was keeping something from her, but now was not the time to find out what it was. She’d find out soon enough because she always managed to find out the secrets that her children kept from her.
Nancy’s mind drifted back to her estranged sister. Her coming there to see how Hezekiah was showed her that they’d always be there for one another when it counted. Even when they didn’t like each other, their bond as sisters would never be broken. Being the younger two in the family, and the only girls, they’d been so close years ago. It didn’t feel right with her not being around. The feud had lasted years, each waiting for the other to be the first to make amends. Nancy sighed deeply.
She had to do something to show Nerida that she wanted her back in her life. That most likely meant she would have to forego that apology and that was something that didn’t sit well with her.
“Is everything okay, Mamm?”
“Jah, it is.”
“You look like you’re worried about something. If it’s me you’re worried about, you don’t need to be. Everything is perfectly fine. Nathanial has gone so everything is okay.”
Nancy was slightly amused at her daughter’s words. It was typical of her to think that everything was about her.
“That’s better. You’re smiling now.”
“Maybe I’ll have that hot tea now denke, Daisy.”
“Sure, coming up.” She leaned over and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
* * *
When Tulip and Lily had finished selecting the fabric for the new dresses, Lily suggested, “Why don’t we visit Rose now?”
“At the markets?”
“Jah. She’d be working today, wouldn’t she?”
“I think so. That’s a good idea. We’re not that far away. We can leave this parcel in the buggy so we don’t lose it somewhere.”
The girls stopped at their buggy and then continued to the farmers market where Rose worked at the flower stall. It was lunchtime when they arrived there and they walked through until they saw Rose’s stall.
“She’s got customers,” Lily said.
“We’ll just wait nearby to speak with her in between customers.”
While they waited, they caught sight of Matthew Schumacher who was working at the stall next to Rose.
Seeing he had no customers, he walked the six strides over to them to say hello. “Hi, Tulip, and Lily.”
Lily frowned at him. “How do you know I’m Lily?”
Tulip hadn’t picked up on that, but now that Lily had mentioned it, Tulip found it odd. No one had ever been able to pick the identical twins apart—no one outside of the family, that was.
Matthew chuckled. “I know you’re Lily because Daisy just looks different.”
Lily pouted. “How so?”
Tulip noticed, by Matthew shifting his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other, that he was uncomfortable with the question.
“Just different.”
“We look the same. Many people say exactly the same and no one but our family can tell us apart. How can you tell us apart?”
“Well, Daisy has got three tiny freckles on each cheek. They’re like small pinpoints and to me, her eyebrows look a little darker.”
Lily frowned and stared at Tulip. “That’s quite unbelievable. She does have those freckles.”
“I know.” Matthew excused himself when people walked up to his stall.
“What do you think about that, Tulip?” Lily asked in amazement.
“Weird.”
“He’s in love with Daisy.”
Tulip couldn’t resist saying, “How do you know he’s not in love with you?”
“Do you think so?” Lily stared back at Matthew. “I’ve never thought of him in that way, but he doesn’t have a twin and Daisy and I always said we would marry twins.”
“It looks like Matthew misses out on both of you, then.” Seeing Rose was now free, Tulip held onto Lily’s arm and they both walked forward to say hello.
“So sorry. I’ve been busy like this all day.”
“We came into town to get some material to make dresses,” Lily said.
“Did you get any?” Rose asked.
“Oh, Tulip, we should’ve brought it with us to show Rose.”
“Jah, I didn’t even think of that.”
Rose looked around. “Where’s Daisy?”
“Home with Mamm. She didn’t feel too good so Daisy said she would stay home with her.”
“I think she’s just tired,” Tulip added so Rose wouldn’t worry. It was bad enough worrying about one parent.
“And you’ve got the day off, Tulip?”
“Jah, a rare day off. I’m enjoying it.”
“Can you come and have lunch with us, Rose?” Lily asked.
“Nee, she can’t leave the stall. She brings food, and so do I when I work here.”
“Boring!”
Rose and Tulip laughed.
“Can we bring you back something to eat, or a cup of coffee?” Lily asked.
“I’m fine, denke.”
“Okay.”
Tulip noticed Lily give Matthew a sidelong glance.
“I guess we should keep going, Lily.”
“We’re going to have lunch somewhere, aren’t we?”
“Jah, okay. We’ll have lunch then we’ll go home and sew.”
They said goodbye to Rose and waved to Matthew, who was still serving customers. Just outside the markets, they found a café where they had lunch. All the while Tulip was doing her best to stop thinking about Wilhem, wondering where he was and what he was
doing.
* * *
The next time Tulip saw Wilhem was Monday morning at the cake shop. He’d walked in, and now he was standing in front of her.
“Are you here to see me?” she asked. She had hoped to see him over the weekend. He’d certainly been on her mind every moment of the last couple of days.
“I’m here for a cup of coffee and to see you.”
“You could’ve mentioned me first, before the coffee, at least.”
He smiled and walked closer to her. A glass display cabinet that formed the counter stood between them.
“What will you have?” she asked.
“Just a black coffee today.”
“Okay.” She walked over and stood in front of the steel coffee machine, shook out a measure of freshly-ground coffee beans, and pressed it into the round container.
“How is your vadder today?” he asked.
“He’s doing well. They say he’ll be all right. He gave everyone a real scare.”
“I can imagine he did.”
After she pressed the button for the boiling water, she looked over the top of the machine. “How are you settling into the new haus?”
“It’s great and I’m glad you brought that up. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to ask you—”
“For decorating advice?” Tulip gave a little giggle at her own joke.
He laughed. “Nee, although some advice probably wouldn’t go astray. We’ve gone for the functional look rather than the …” He laughed. “I can’t think of any other look.”
Tulip was pleased that he was the only customer in the shop and the rest of the staff were working in the back.
“Tulip, have dinner with me tonight at my place?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Shall we say, around seven? I’ll come and collect you.”
“Nee, I’ll drive myself.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Jah. Otherwise, you’ve got too much driving to do, back and forward, back and forward.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Nee, it’s okay. I’ll drive myself. Would you like me to bring anything?”
He smiled again. “Just yourself.”
Tulip took the filled-to-the-brim take-out cup and fitted a lid onto it. When she handed it to him, his fingertips brushed across hers. She withdrew her hand as a tingle rippled through her body. Had he done that on purpose?
He smiled as though he had. “I’ll see you tonight, Tulip.”
She nodded and then watched him turn and walk out of the shop. When her eyes dropped to the counter, she saw that at some point he’d placed the money there to pay for the coffee. Tulip giggled to herself. She’d been so distracted by him, she hadn’t thought to ask for the money. It reminded her of their very first encounter, when she’d forgotten to pay at the café. Tulip placed the coins in the till and went into the back room to help the girls make tickets for the new cake varieties that Audrey was introducing.
* * *
After work, Tulip walked into her house. Her father was sitting on the couch.
“Hi, Dat.”
“Hello, Tulip. How was your day?”
“Good. The same as most days. I can’t complain.”
“That’s good.”
“Will it be all right with you if I go to Wilhem’s house for dinner tonight? I won’t be home late.”
“Who will be there?” he asked.
“Where do you want to go?” Her mother came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a hand towel.
“I was just asking Dat if it is all right if I go to Wilhem’s haus for dinner tonight?”
“Who else will be there?” she asked.
“No one. It’ll just be the two of us. At least, I think it will be the two of us. He didn’t mention that Jonathan would be there. Is that all right?”
She watched her mother and father exchange looks before her mother said, “That’s fine, but don’t be late home. And we’re trusting you.”
“Of course.”
“Your vadder doesn’t need any more surprises.”
“None of us do,” Tulip said.
“I must have known you were going out somewhere because I’ve just baked two batches of whoopie pies. You can take some with you.”
“That’s not necessary denke, Mamm.”
“You can’t show up there empty-handed. It’s rude.” She looked her daughter up and down. “You go and clean yourself up and I’ll find a basket for the whoopie pies.”
“Denke.” Tulip headed to the shower before her parents changed their minds. They both liked Wilhem, that was clear, or they wouldn’t have let her go to his house for dinner.
* * *
Just as Tulip approached Wilhem’s place, she noticed smoke coming out of the half opened windows. There wasn’t enough smoke for the house to be on fire; it seemed to Tulip that someone might have lit a fire in the fireplace and the chimney was blocked or needed cleaning.
After she got out of the buggy, she tied her horse to the post and walked in the already open door. “Hello?” she called out.
Wilhem appeared, coming out from the kitchen with a white tea towel in his hand and looking flustered.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“I burned the dinner.”
“What?”
“I burned the dinner.”
“I heard you. I’m just surprised that you could do that.”
He shook his head. “I planned a nice dinner and now it’s ruined.”
“I thought the smoke was coming from the fireplace. Is all this smoke coming from what’s left of our dinner?”
“I’m afraid so, and now we have nothing to eat. Unless you’d like some stale bread? Or we could get take-out?”
Tulip giggled. “We do have whoopie pies thanks to my mudder.”
“We do?” His face brightened.
“She insisted I bring them. I’ll get them out of the buggy.” After she pulled the basket of pies out of the buggy, she moved back the lid of the basket and showed him the pies.
“That’ll do me. Would it be bad if we had dessert and nothing else?”
“I wouldn’t mind. I’ve always wanted to do that. Surely it wouldn’t hurt us to do that just the once.”
“Okay. I’m game.” He looked back at the house. “It’s too smoky to go inside. We could eat on the porch.”
“That’ll be fine as long as the fire’s out and everything.”
“No cause for alarm—literally—and no need for the fire department.”
“I’m happy to hear it. As long as everything is under control.”
“You sit down.” He took the basket from her and then disappeared inside while she sat on one of the two chairs on the porch. Moments later, he returned with two blankets and the whoopie pies on a plate.
He placed the pies down on the table between the two chairs and then spread a blanket over her knees.
“Great, denke. It’s a bit chilly.”
Once he was seated, he pulled his blanket over his lap and leaned closer to her. “I’ll make this up to you. I owe you a proper cooked dinner. As soon as I learn how to cook properly, that’s what you’ll get.”
She giggled and picked up a whoopie pie. “Instead of waiting for something that’ll never happen, why don’t you come for dinner one night at my haus?”
“With your familye?”
“Jah, why not?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
She took a bite of pie and when she’d swallowed her mouthful, she said, “I’m glad my mudder forced me to bring these.”
“‘Mother knows best’—isn’t that what they say?”
“I haven’t heard that, but maybe they do.” She munched on her whoopie pie and then wondered where Jonathon was. “Where’s your housemate tonight?”
Wilhem’s brown eyes widened. “He’s out with a girl.”
“Really?”
He nodded with a hint of a smirk touching his lips.
>
“Who?”
He chuckled and shook his head at her. “You can’t ask me things like that.”
“It doesn’t matter. I know who it is.”
“Do you?”
“Jah, I do. It’s obvious. How are you going to get all that smoke out of the haus?”
“I’ve opened all the doors and windows and with this breeze, I’m hoping all the smoke will be blown out.”
“Everything will probably smell like smoke for a while.”
He took a bite of pie and they ate in silence for the next few moments. “There’s something I want to say to you, Tulip.”
She frowned at him. “Good or bad?”
“Good—I think. Well, it’s possibly good.” He looked out across the fields and then back to her. “I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding between the two of us. I would like it very much if you and I only saw each other and no one else.”
“You mean like boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Exactly like that.”
“I would like that, too.”
“You would?” When she nodded, he made a motion like wiping sweat off his forehead, causing her to giggle at him. “Phew. I was hoping you would agree. I thought you might have felt the same way as I do, but I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding just in case.”
“I’m glad you said that; it’s easy to have misunderstandings.” Tulip was so happy she felt she would burst. Although it was too cold to be sitting outside and the dinner had been burned, it truly was the company that made the difference—nothing else mattered. “I do have to tell you that a long time ago Nathanial kind of made out to me that you had to leave your old community, or something. I think he was hinting to me that you had a girlfriend.”
“He would’ve been saying that because he wanted you for himself mostly, but there was an element of truth in what he said.”
Tulip stared at him, waiting for him to continue.
“I was nearly married to a girl and then changed my mind a few weeks before we married.” He looked sad as his gaze fell to the boards of the porch underneath their feet. “It was a terrible thing to do and I felt really bad about it, but I just couldn’t go through with it.”
Although it wasn’t the worst news Tulip could’ve heard, she still wasn’t happy about it. Was he a man who didn’t know his own mind? Shouldn’t he have been sure about the girl before he asked for her to marry him?
Amish Tulip Page 12
