“Tulip made them.”
“The bread was so tasty. Did you bake the bread?”
Rose giggled. “I can’t take credit for that either. I don’t do much of the cooking now that I work full time at the farmers market. It’s my mudder and sisters who do that now. I help cook the evening meal when I get home and do a few chores in the morning before I leave for work, and that’s it.”
“Seems like it’s been good for you to have a lot of sisters.”
“I guess so, otherwise, I’d have to do more chores.” Rose had to get the conversation off her and onto him. “Are you hoping your onkel might give you a full time job? I mean, is that the only thing that brought you here?” Rose asked.
He smiled at her and then looked down at his feet as he walked. “I’m thinking the time has come for me to find a girl. My parents are always telling me that’s something I need to do before too long.”
Rose laughed. “They sound like my parents. Well, my Mamm, at least.”
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s being influenced by their parents.”
“That’s probably true. I guess our folks are older and have more experience in things.” Rose suddenly felt bold, and wanted to let him know how she felt. “So, is that what you’re doing here—looking for a wife?”
He glanced down, and then looked in the distance as he answered, “To be honest, that’s one of the main reasons I’m here. There are many lovely women back home, but there’s not been one that I feel a connection with.”
“That’s sad.”
“It’s not sad, it’s merely so. Anyway, I got to thinking I should do something about it.” He flashed her a smile.
Rose liked a man of action. She was getting to like him more as they spoke. “I hope you’ll find your trip is going to be worthwhile.”
He slightly raised one eyebrow. “Maybe I already have.”
Rose giggled at the way he smiled at her.
“Tell me, Rose, what is your relationship with my cousin?”
“You mean with Mark?”
“Jah, with Mark.”
“He’s just a friend.”
“Does he know that?”
Rose swallowed hard. “Of course, he knows that. We’ve been good friends for such a long time.”
“I think he likes you as more than someone to pass the time with.”
“Nee, he’s always just joking around and we get along well. That’s just how he is.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Well, to be totally truthful, we had this dumb idea that he and I would pretend to be in a relationship so my mother would stop nagging at me.”
He stopped walking and looked at her. “That sounds kind of dishonest.”
“Oh, we never meant it to be like that. I can see how it sounds that way.”
“I’d reckon it was Mark’s idea.”
Rose couldn’t let Mark take the blame. “It was mine. It was a dumb idea and we never carried it through completely.”
“I’m glad. Things like that have a way of backfiring on people. Dishonesty never pays.”
“I agree with that. It was just a moment of silliness, nothing else.”
They walked the next few steps in silence and then Jacob stopped in his tracks and Rose stopped along with him. “Rose, would you care to go on a buggy ride with me tomorrow?”
Rose hadn’t expected this so soon. “I’d love to, but I can’t because I work tomorrow.”
“Perhaps I could collect you from work when you finish?”
“Jah, that might be a good idea. I’ll let Mrs. Walker know that I have a ride home. It’s the Walkers’ stall and Mrs. Walker brings me to work and takes me home. She’ll be glad she doesn’t have to do it.”
“Shall I collect you from there at five?”
Rose nodded. “Five sounds good to me.” She could see from Jacob’s face that he was pleased she’d accepted his offer. Her plan with Tulip had worked brilliantly.
“Come on, we’d better get back to the others,” he said. They turned around and as they headed back, Jacob started talking again. “I’ve got the idea that Mark likes you, as I said, but I think he’s dating another girl. I find that confusing and a little odd. I never really understood Mark. He seems the odd one out in his family.”
“Nee, that’s not possible. He would’ve told me if he had a girlfriend. We talk about everything.”
“Everything?”
“Jah.” Rose nodded.
“Are you going to talk about me to my cousin?”
“Ach nee. I would never do that! I would never talk about personal things.”
“Well, maybe Mark isn’t telling you about things that are personal to him either.”
Rose screwed up her face at the thought of Mark keeping something from her. It didn’t seem likely. “I haven’t heard that he is seeing anybody …” Her voice trailed off. The thought of Mark dating someone and not telling her about it didn’t sit well. And if Mark was dating someone, where was this mystery woman today?
Rose had grown used to the constant attention Mark had always given her and it was a little unsettling to think of that being taken away. Her mother always told Rose that she was the kind of person who wanted to have her cake and eat it too—and now she wanted to date Jacob, but she still wanted her special relationship with Mark. She had to admit that Mark’s focused attention on her was kind of flattering. Suddenly she realized that she wouldn’t be able to have that kind of relationship with Mark if she were dating his cousin, but it wasn’t fair on Mark the way she occupied his attention.
“What are you thinking about right now, Rose?” Jacob asked.
She gave a little giggle. “You’ve got me thinking now. I’m thinking who Mark could have dated without me knowing. I normally get to find out about everything in the community. And I never thought Mark would have kept anything like that from me.”
Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe I’m wrong. It’s just the impression I got from a few things that Mark said. It’s not unusual. A lot of couples keep relationships quiet until they’re ready to go public. Everyone thought one of my cousins was single and then we found out he’d been dating a girl for two years. They announced their wedding and weeks later they were married.” He snapped his fingers in the air. “As quick as that.”
“I know it happens like that sometimes. My bruder just got married and they kept their relationship a secret for nearly a year before they told my parents they were getting married.”
“Do you see? He could be secretly dating Tulip and you wouldn’t know.”
“What? Mark?” The thought of Mark and Tulip together was incomprehensible.
“Look at them over there now.”
Rose looked to where Jacob was pointing. Mark and Tulip were sitting close together on the picnic rug, talking and laughing. She felt a pang in the pit of her stomach.
“Definitely not! Tulip is my schweschder and I know for a fact she’s not dating Mark or anyone else.”
Jacob laughed. “It’s just an example. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“I’m not worried. I’m not worried at all. It’s just that Tulip tells me everything and so does Mark.”
“People must trust you.”
“I guess people who know me do.”
When they’d walked two steps on, Jacob grabbed hold of Rose’s arm and suddenly pulled her behind a tree. Now they were out of the sight of Mark and Tulip.
Chapter 13
Rose giggled. “What are you doing, Jacob?”
“Before we go back and sit down to talk about nothing, I want to be honest with you.”
“About what?”
“About how I feel about you. I never dreamed that I’d meet a woman like you. I prayed to meet someone and since the first time I saw you, I knew you were the one—the one I’ve been waiting for.”
Jacob’s words were exactly what Rose wanted to hear. This was everything Rose had ever imagined and dreamed of. It had to
have been love at first sight for him, too. He had exactly the same feelings for her that she had for him. The image of him walking toward her that first day jumped into her mind.
“That’s the same as I feel, too,” Rose said.
“If I hadn’t come here, I’d have never met you. I need to spend as much time with you as possible. Would your parents think it odd if I saw you again tomorrow night like we planned, or like we talked about?”
Rose giggled. “Nee. They want me to get married, but I don’t want to do anything that would upset them, so I’ll have to ask their permission.”
“I meant for you to ask them. I would never go behind your parents’ back with anything—not like Mark would.”
Rose jolted her head back. “You’re wrong about Mark. It wasn’t like that. Anyway, it was my fault.”
“Enough about him. I hope your folks like me.”
“Dat likes you already, he said so, but they wouldn’t like it if things moved too quickly. I’ve heard them talk about couples who get married fast. They talk about it as though they don’t like it.” Rose knew she had blushed when she mentioned marriage. “I mean, I didn’t mean to say that we were getting married or anything like that.”
“I think I know what you mean. Your parents are conservative and want things to take their proper time.”
“That’s it exactly. They want things to take their own time. You’re very good with words, Jacob.”
“That’s only because I’m a little older than you.”
Rose nodded.
“I’ve only got a few weeks, Rose, and then I have to head back. That’s why I want to spend every moment together with you. Can you sneak out of the house tomorrow night after our buggy ride so we can spend some more time with each other?”
She tried to work him out. He said he didn’t want to mislead her parents, but then again, sneaking out of the house was fine? “Nee. I wouldn’t feel right about that. They would find out, and then I’d be in real trouble. Then they’d punish me by making me stay in the house for a month.”
“Wednesday night, then. Can I come and collect you on Wednesday night too as well as tomorrow night?”
“Maybe it would be better to go out Wednesday instead of both nights. And knowing my parents, they’ll want you to come for dinner, so they can get to know you. How would you feel about that?”
“I can do that. I can come for dinner. Don’t worry, I’ll create a good impression.”
Rose giggled. “I know you will. Dat already said he likes you from when he met you at the bishop’s haus.”
“Gut! You mentioned that already.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to say it again. It’s just that I want you to feel comfortable that my parents like you.”
“Your mudder does too?”
“She hasn’t mentioned you specifically because she doesn’t know you.”
“Well since your vadder likes me, my job is half done already.”
Rose glanced out from behind the tree and saw that Mark was now looking around for them. “We should join them now. It wouldn’t look good if we stayed away any longer.”
“You’re right. I wish we were here by ourselves. Mark is really getting on my nerves even though he’s my cousin.”
“Just get along with him. You’ll like him once you get to know him better. He’s quite funny.”
“I know him well enough. I’ve seen him at least once a year even though we live far apart. Once a year is more than enough.” He put his hand on the small of Rose’s back. “After you, my lady.”
Rose walked forward and the two of them joined Tulip and Mark.
“I’m glad you’ve come back,” Mark said as they sat down.
“Yeah, well, we got hungry again,” Jacob said. “Are there any sandwiches left, or did you finish them all off, Mark?”
Mark glared at Jacob and then looked at Rose. “Picnics are about eating, not walking.”
Jacob started to say something, but Rose gently touched him on his arm and he stopped. When Jacob grunted, he looked away from Mark and looked from Tulip to Rose. “The sandwiches were tasty. Denke to you two girls for preparing them,” Jacob said.
“Jah, denke,” Mark said.
“There’s more here.” Tulip reached into the basket and pulled out more sandwiches. These ones were filled with pickles and roast meat. The first ones were a selection of chicken and ham. Each man took a sandwich and Rose handed everyone a paper napkin.
With more food and drink to occupy the two men, they each weren’t focused on being irritated by the other.
While they ate, Rose knew she was smiling way too much, and hoped that Mark wouldn’t ask what she was so happy about. Rose was thankful that Mark hadn’t asked about the glow she knew must have been apparent on her face. He noticed though, she was certain of that.
When it was time to go home, Mark and Tulip carried the basket and blanket to the buggy ahead of Jacob and Rose, who dawdled behind.
Jacob moved himself closer to Rose. “I really want you to come out with me somewhere on Monday night as well as Wednesday night.”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you, Rose. I can’t stop thinking about you all the time. I can’t wait until Wednesday to see you again. It’s far too long a time away. Please see me tomorrow night?”
Rose giggled. That was exactly what she wanted to hear. He felt the same as she.
“The only thing is that if I go out with you on both nights, my parents will want you to come for dinner soon. What do you think about that?”
“I’ve already said I’d be happy to do that. I’d be delighted to do that any time your parents would like to invite me, or you’d like to invite me.”
“Really?” She looked up into Jacob’s soft brown eyes.
His lips drew upward at the corners. “Why are you so surprised?”
Now she knew he was serious about her. She couldn’t tell him she was surprised because it would show how insecure she was. “I’m not sure.”
“What is your answer then, about tomorrow night? Quick, tell me before we get to the buggy. I don’t want Mark to know what we’re talking about.”
“It’s not a secret, is it?”
“Nee, of course not, but he has a habit of ruining things for me. It’s not a secret if you say yes.” He stopped still and she stopped walking too. Then he looked down into her eyes. “What do you say, Rose?”
“Come on you two. It’ll be dark by the time you get to the buggy,” Mark called out as he waited by the buggy with Tulip.
“See what I mean? Come on, Rose. It’ll make me really happy.”
“Okay.”
“Wunderbaar. I’ll collect you at eight tomorrow night.”
Before Rose could say another thing, Jacob was striding toward the buggy and Rose hurried to catch up to him.
* * *
When Rose and Tulip arrived home, their mother and father were back from their visiting, and the twins were still at the singing. Rose whispered to Tulip that she wanted to tell her parents about going out with Jacob the next night and on Wednesday night. She desperately hoped they wouldn’t have a problem with that. Tulip offered to make herself scarce in her bedroom.
Her father was on the couch, reading the newspaper, and her mother sat next to him, knitting. When Rose sat down in front of them, they both looked up expectantly. “I just wanted to tell you that I’m going out with Jacob tomorrow night and Wednesday night, if that’s okay.”
Her mother got in quickly before her father could say anything, “That’s fine. I’m pleased to see you’re getting out more. That’s all I wanted.”
When Rose looked over at her father for a sign of approval, he smiled and nodded, which was his way of saying he had no problem with it. That had gone a lot easier than she thought it would. “Okay then. I might have an early night. Oh, unless you want me to pick up the girls from the singing, Dat?”
“Nee, I’ll get them. I’ll give them a couple more h
ours.”
She rose to her feet. “Gut nacht.”
“Gut nacht, Rose,” her mother said.
“Night, Rose,” her father said as she hurried up the stairs.
Rose burst into Tulip’s room and told her the good news that she was allowed to see Jacob on both Monday and Wednesday nights.
When everyone was home for dinner the next night, Nancy was worried that Rose was too interested in Jacob and they didn’t really know him as they’d know a man from their own community. She left the girls to finish cooking the evening meal in the kitchen while she sat beside her husband on the couch.
“Rose is going out with Jacob after dinner,” she said to Hezekiah as he read the paper.
“I know.” He put the paper down in his lap and looked up at her. “You were fine with that last night when she asked us.”
“I know, but since then I’ve got to thinking about things, that’s all. Do you think she’ll invite him for dinner soon?”
“Ask her to, if that’s what you want.”
“Don’t you?”
“Jah. I’d like to get to know him better if Rose likes him as much as she seems to.”
Nancy rubbed her neck. “Nee, I’ll wait for her to ask me if he can come to dinner.”
“As you wish.”
“Well, what do you really think should happen?”
“I think I want to read the paper.” When she sighed, he added, “You worry too much about things, Nancy. You were worried that she was never going to get married and now she’s interested in a man, you worry about that too.”
“Only because we don’t know him that well.”
“We know the Schumachers.”
“Jah, we know them, but not their extended family.”
“If you’re worried about it, ask her to invite him to dinner. Simple! And that will stop you worrying so much.”
“It’s not as though I’m worried. It’s not unreasonable to be concerned.”
Hezekiah gave a low chuckle. “No matter what you call it, it’s still the same thing.”
“You’re probably right. Over dinner, I’ll suggest she invite him one night this week, or perhaps next week. Given her history of short relationships, it could be over by next week, or even tomorrow.”
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