by Jan Drexler
“How do I do learn to work with Andrew?”
Elisabeth picked up the bowl of berries. “I need to take these into the house before the flies bother them too much. Come in with me while I start on dinner.”
Bethany followed her into the kitchen, carrying the knives and empty pans. The pan of strawberry tops would go to the chickens.
“The first thing you and Andrew need to do,” Elisabeth said as she set the bowl of berries next to the sink, “is to realize that you are partners. You’ll be together for the rest of your lives, so the sooner you do that, the better.”
“So I just need to tell him?”
Elisabeth shook her head. “Words don’t mean anything unless they’re accompanied by action. Show him you’re ready to work with him. Don’t ask for more than he can provide, and don’t pester him about chores he hasn’t been able to do yet.”
Bethany thought of the garden she had reminded him to plow several times before he got the job done.
Elisabeth went on. “And show him that you love him. That you’re thinking of him, even when he’s out working. Make his favorite dishes for dinner and keep your conversations peaceful. No one likes to bicker all the time.”
“What if I’m not the one doing it?”
“It doesn’t matter. Your attitude can make all the difference.”
Bethany ran her finger along the edge of the kitchen shelf. It all sounded so easy when Elisabeth said it, but what would she do about Rose? Would the same plan work for her, too?
Elisabeth reached into the cupboard for an empty jar and spooned some strawberry slices into it.
“Take these with you and make a strawberry shortcake to have with your dinner. I guarantee that it will show Andrew how you feel about him.”
Bethany took the strawberries with thanks and rounded up Mari to head home.
For sure, Andrew would enjoy the strawberry shortcake, but Elisabeth was wrong when she thought they loved each other. They only needed to get along, not fall in love.
* * *
Something woke Andrew from a sound sleep. He waited, then heard it again. A noise outside the open window. A bush rustled, then a branch cracked. Someone was out there.
It could be an animal, but he had heard the rumors of tramps in the area. Men out of work and homeless, living on whatever they could find as they made their way west or south. Looking for work or a handout, either one. Some of the farmers had reported thievery. Chickens disappearing. Even clothes off the clothesline. Andrew kept still and waited.
The noises faded. Whoever, or whatever, it was had gone around the end of the house.
Next came a crackle. The noise of pebbles bouncing off a window.
Andrew sat up. There was a time when he had been the one tossing pebbles at a window, back in Iowa when he was courting Lily.
Waiting, keeping his breathing shallow and quiet, he heard low voices, but couldn’t make out any words. After several minutes, he heard the footsteps going toward the road and peered out the window. A furtive figure followed the edge of the front yard, then disappeared through the shrubs that lined the ditch by the road.
He punched his pillow and lay back down on the bed, but he only stared at the ceiling, wide-awake. Bethany was his wife, even if she didn’t think so. How could she consider a friendship with another man? Especially one who came calling during the night. And when he had asked her there was anyone else before they entered into this marriage, she had denied it.
She had lied. How could she do this to him?
To Mari?
He had trusted her.
Was this why she had been so kind after she returned from visiting Elisabeth this morning? She had even made strawberry shortcake, his favorite dessert.
A cold, bitter thought washed over him. Had she really gone to visit Elisabeth? Or had that been the excuse she used to meet the other man?
But she had taken Mari, who couldn’t stop talking about the rabbits at the Stoltzfus farm, even at bedtime.
He frowned. Maybe only Mari had spent the hour with Mandy and Rebecca while Bethany had taken the opportunity to meet someone.
Flopping over on the bed, he punched his pillow again.
If he hadn’t seen the man sneaking away, he wouldn’t believe it. Bethany wouldn’t act so treacherously. Not the Bethany he knew.
But people changed.
As the long hours passed into gray morning light, Andrew thought of a plan. He wouldn’t confront Bethany. That would only give her an excuse to lie to him again. But a dog on the place would chase away any intruders, and the rumors of tramps would be the only excuse he would need for getting one.
He couldn’t look at Bethany during breakfast, but he didn’t need to. Rose kept the conversation going.
“Do you think this is the right time to plant the corn and tomatoes?” she asked.
Andrew’s fork stopped partway to his mouth. Rose was asking his opinion?
“It’s the third week of June. We’re almost too late.”
“Jonah gave me some seeds when I was there yesterday, so I thought I’d plant them today. Mari can help me. Would you like to work in the garden today, too, Bethany?”
Bethany choked on her coffee and shot a glance his way, but Andrew ignored her.
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” Rose smiled at all three of them. “We’ll be able to get the whole garden planted this morning. Won’t that be wonderful-gut?”
Andrew dared to exchange glances with Bethany. He wasn’t sure how to respond to this new Rose.
“I’m going to start plowing the cornfield this morning.” He ate the last bite of his toast and stood up.
“Will Whiskers and the new horse be able to work together?” Bethany stood also and started clearing the table.
“They’ll have to learn,” Andrew said. Bethany didn’t look like she had lost any sleep last night. “But before I start, I’m going over to Jonah’s to see if he knows where I can find a good dog.”
“Why do we need a dog?”
Andrew watched Bethany’s face closely as he said, “I thought I heard a prowler last night.”
Rose gave a nervous laugh. “A prowler?” she asked.
“You don’t have to worry. A dog will scare anyone off who doesn’t belong here.”
Bethany’s face hadn’t changed. It was as if she didn’t feel any guilt at all.
Jonah was washing the breakfast dishes with John and James when he arrived. His father-in-law waved him in.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“I just finished breakfast.” Andrew sat with Jonah at the table while the boys finished their chore. “I was wondering if you knew of anyone who has a dog they want to give away.”
“My cousin Levi’s dog had a litter of puppies a couple months ago. You could see if he’s still looking for homes for them.”
“I was hoping to find an adult dog.”
“Are you having problems over there? Is there a fox after your chickens?”
Andrew nodded. It was a fox, for sure. “I just want to keep any varmints away, human or animal.”
“So you’ve heard the rumors, too.” Jonah combed his beard with his fingers.
“The Smiths have a dog they want to give away,” John said. “Joe told me that they have two, but they only want one.”
“Where do they live?” Andrew asked.
“Their farm is east a mile,” said Jonah. “It’s an Englisch farm with a big red barn. You can’t miss the place.”
“Thanks for the help. I’ll head over there right away.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jonah said. “I borrowed a fence-post puller from Eugene last week and this is a good time to return it and introduce you to him.”
Jonah hitched up his buggy and they were soon approaching the Smith farm. The Englisch
family hadn’t lived here when Andrew had moved to Iowa. As they turned into the farm lane, two large brown dogs came rushing from the barn, barking.
Jonah chuckled. “They do this every time. But as soon as they see who it is, they’ll stop.”
Jonah was right. The dogs soon stopped their barking and followed the buggy to the hitching rail by the barn, their tails wagging. Jonah jumped down from the buggy and rubbed both dogs behind the ears, but they didn’t approach Andrew. They sat near Jonah, watching the stranger with distrustful eyes.
“What do you think?” asked Jonah.
“They’re suspicious of me, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. One of these will keep the place safe at night.”
He held out a hand to the nearest dog, who sniffed it, but didn’t step closer. This was the dog for him.
Chapter Nine
On Tuesday morning when Daed stopped by for a cup of coffee, Bethany was no longer surprised.
“You’re making this a habit,” she said as she poured a second cup for him.
Daed leaned back in his chair. “I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t think I’d miss you so much when you got married.”
Bethany sat down across from him with her own cup. “Do you miss me? Or do you miss someone taking care of the cooking and cleaning?”
“Ja, for sure, that might be it.” Daed smiled at her.
“Aaron should marry soon, and then his wife can take over.”
Daed blew across the steaming surface of his coffee. “Or maybe I should marry again.”
Bethany laughed until she realized he wasn’t joking. “You’re serious?”
“Why not? Men my age remarry. And you know your younger brothers could use the guidance of a loving mother.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Bethany tried to imagine someone else working in Mamm’s kitchen. “Do you have anyone in mind?”
Shrugging, Daed set his cup on the table. “Where are Rose and Mari this morning?”
“They went out to the garden to see how the early vegetables are doing. I hope they find some radishes that are ready.”
“I saw Andrew out plowing. The new horse seems to have settled in.”
“It took a few days. Andrew had to work with them for hours before they would let themselves be harnessed next to each other. Yesterday evening he said they finally started pulling together.”
“It takes some time to get used to someone new.”
Bethany took a sip of her coffee. Was Daed talking about the horses, or marriage?
“What do the boys think of the idea of you marrying again?”
“It depends. On the days when Rose comes over to cook for us, they’re all for it. But when evening comes I think they’d rather not face another change in their lives.” Daed watched his coffee. “There’s something to be said for being a group of bachelors.”
“No one to tell you to clean up after yourselves?”
Chuckling, Daed nodded. “Or complaining about animals in the house.”
“Did John adopt one of the lambs? He tries that every year.”
“He has a bum lamb that he’s bottle-feeding, and somehow that thing ends up in his bed every night.”
“Why don’t you hire someone to cook and clean for you instead of getting married?”
Daed ran his fingers through his beard, his gaze set on something past Bethany’s shoulder, somewhere out the kitchen door. “Now that you’re married, you know how a husband and wife form a bond that’s different than any other. Your mamm’s been gone for a few years now, and sometimes...” He looked at Bethany. “Sometimes I just get lonely. I start wondering if there is anyone else I might love like I loved her.”
Bethany couldn’t meet Daed’s eyes. She and Andrew didn’t have this bond he spoke of, and she doubted if they ever would. But she remembered the way Mamm would rest one hand on Daed’s shoulder while she leaned over him to put food on the table, or the way Daed would take her hand while they talked in the evenings. Their affection for each other showed every day. Affection didn’t have to be based on love, though. She liked Andrew, most of the time. Perhaps a small show of affection was what Elisabeth meant when she said to show Andrew that she was willing to be by his side as a team.
Just then, Mari and Rose came in.
“Mamma Bethany,” Mari said, “we found pink potatoes.”
“She means radishes.” Rose laid a basket on the table with a few radishes and some fresh lettuce leaves. “We’ll be able to pick some spinach tomorrow, and the tomato plants are doing well.” She glanced at Jonah. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Daed’s expression changed to one of mock hurt. “It is Tuesday, isn’t it? I thought you would be expecting me.”
“I never know what to expect from you.” Rose took a bowl from the cupboard and started putting the radishes in it, tearing off the tops as she went. “I suppose you want me to cook dinner for you again today.”
“If you don’t have anything else to keep you busy.”
Bethany glanced at Daed. In spite of Rose’s harsh tone, he kept a smile on his face as he watched her.
“I used the last of your ham on Saturday. Do you want me to fix a chicken?”
“I’ll have one of the boys get it ready for you.” Daed leaned forward. “I do love chicken pot pie.”
“As long as I’m making pie crust, perhaps I’ll bake a rhubarb-custard pie for you to have with your supper tonight.”
“Now that hits the spot.”
Bethany dared to peek at Rose. The frown was gone, and she had replaced it with a look of pleasant satisfaction. Rose certainly enjoyed compliments on her cooking.
“Mari, do you want to come with me to fetch the milk, or do you want to stay in the house?”
Mari slid off of Bethany’s lap. “Fetch the milk. I want to see Dinah.”
“Don’t spoil my brothers too much, Rose,” Bethany said as she started toward the door with Mari. “When you’re not cooking for them, they have to make do with Daed’s meals.”
Laughter followed her out the door, from both Daed and Rose. It was good that they enjoyed each other’s company, but when Rose went back to Iowa, Daed would be even more lonely. Perhaps that was why he was considering marriage again.
The new dog met them at the door, tail wagging. Mari had named her Jenny, and Bethany supposed she was a good dog. At first, she had been afraid the dog might be too active to be around the little girl, but Jenny seemed to know that Mari was young and was always gentle with her.
“Jenny,” Mari said, slapping her thigh the way Andrew did. “Jenny, come here.”
The dog came close to her, sniffing Mari’s fingers.
“I don’t have food for you.”
Jenny wagged her tail and let her tongue hang out, looking as if she was smiling. She stepped closer to Mari and thrust her head under the little girl’s hand.
“She wants you to pet her,” Bethany said, reaching down to scratch the dog’s head.
When Mari patted her softly, Jenny’s tail wagged in circles. “Good dog,” Mari said. She rested her hand on Jenny’s back as the three of them walked the rest of the way to the barn.
Bethany was surprised to find Andrew standing at the workbench when they walked in. Mari ran over to him and wrapped her arms around his leg.
“We came to get the milk,” she said. “Is Dinah down cellar?”
Andrew kneeled so he could be on her level. “Dinah is in the pasture, but the milk is in the springhouse waiting for you.”
“The springhouse?”
“I cleaned it out yesterday afternoon. We need to use it to keep the food fresh in this hot weather.”
“The milk will cool faster there.”
Andrew met Bethany’s gaze. “I haven’t skimmed it yet.”
She smiled, hoping that would ease his wo
rried look. “It isn’t a problem for me to do it. I know you’re busy with the plowing and all the other work you do.”
Andrew gestured toward the workbench with a sigh. “I should be plowing now, except that the harness broke. I’ll be able to mend it, but I’ve lost an hour already.”
“You could ask Daed if he or Aaron could help you get the plowing done.”
“They have their own work to do, but if I have any more delays, I’ll be sure to ask. I need to get the seeds in the ground soon if we’re going to have a crop this year.”
Bethany stepped closer to him. They should be a team, Elisabeth had said.
“Is there anything I can do to make things easier for you?”
Andrew stood, picking up Mari. “You’re already doing it.” He gave Mari a hug, not meeting Bethany’s eyes. “You’re caring for Mari and making sure I have my meals on time and clean clothes to wear. What more could I ask you to do?”
“With four brothers around, I’ve never done much field work,” Bethany said. “But I know how to harness the horses and drive a plow.”
He glanced at her. “Wouldn’t you rather visit your friends?”
She laughed. “My friends are as busy as I am this time of year. We can catch up with each other on Sundays. When there is work to be done, I’d rather be at home.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “There isn’t a special friend that you’d rather see than help me?”
“What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “Forget about it. I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
Bethany went on to the springhouse with Mari. Andrew had been acting strangely for a few days now, but she couldn’t figure out what was bothering him. Perhaps he’d tell her eventually, but if there was something about the farm or anything else that he was concerned about, he should share it with her. She had to show him that they could work together as a team.
* * *
After the house was quiet on Wednesday night, Andrew opened his bedroom door, listening. Light from the full moon streamed through his window and illuminated the upstairs hall. No sounds came from Mari’s room or from Bethany’s room at the other end of the house. He crept down the narrow stairs, stepping over the one that creaked—the third one down. His bare feet made no sound in the dark stairway or as he walked through the kitchen. Even Rose’s room off the kitchen was silent, without her usual soft snoring.