by Beth Wiseman
“Are you ready?” Samuel offered Lydia his arm, and she looped hers through it and nodded.
Joseph cleared his throat. “Now, you kinner have a gut time.” He spoke as deeply as he could to disguise his voice, and he stretched as tall as he could. “No coming back too soon.” He turned to Beverly and winked. Then he reminded himself to not be too forward, to let her lead. Joseph still couldn’t believe he was dating someone so kind and beautiful.
A car honked outside, and as everyone went to the porch, Samuel scurried to get the roses and handed them to Lydia. “A beautiful woman deserves beautiful flowers.”
Joseph rolled his eyes. He wanted to tell Samuel that he was going a bit over the top, but when Lydia’s eyes lit up enough to light a village, Joseph stayed quiet and just smiled.
“What have you done, Samuel?” Lydia put a hand over her mouth as she stared at the black limousine in the driveway. Their boss’s brother owned a limousine service, and he’d made arrangements to have Samuel and Lydia picked up at no charge.
“Better hope Bishop Miller doesn’t get wind of this.” Joseph snickered before he looked at Beverly. “Don’t worry. I don’t need props like that to woo you. My stunning gut looks and delightful personality leave women swooning.”
Beverly laughed, then they both waved as Samuel walked Lydia to the long black car. “Have fun mei friends.” Joseph hoped after he married Beverly Schrock, they’d still treat every date like it was their first.
* * *
Lydia couldn’t stop smiling as she climbed into the luxurious car. Inside was a long bench and a shorter one in the back, and a trail of running lights lit the floor. Samuel sat beside Lydia on the longer bench, facing a bar with glasses, bottles of alcohol and soda, napkins, and a tiny refrigerator. An unopened bottle of nonalcoholic champagne sat in a bucket of ice. “Samuel, can-can we afford—”
“Ya, we can.” Smiling, her husband reached for two long-stemmed glasses, then opened the champagne and poured it. “We didn’t get to toast at our wedding.” He handed her a glass before gently clicking his against hers. “To us.”
Although their people rarely drank alcohol, it was often available at weddings. But their wedding had been thrown together so quickly that there wasn’t much fanfare. Lydia was glad Samuel had chosen something bubbly for them, but she was glad it was nonalcoholic. She wasn’t even of age to drink. But if this was any indication of how the evening would go, it might possibly be the best night of her life. Samuel was going out of his way to be romantic, and his effort touched her even more than what he’d arranged so far.
It was a short ride, and Lydia was surprised when they stopped in front of the furniture store where Samuel worked. She couldn’t imagine how this could be part of the surprise—unless he’d been working on a special piece of furniture for their house. She wasn’t sure they had room for anything else.
Dressed in a dark suit with a white bow tie, their driver extended his hand to help Lydia out of the car. Samuel stepped out behind her and took her hand, and then they followed the man to the store’s entrance. He pushed open the door with ease and led them inside.
They wound down a dimly lit aisle, maneuvering around pieces of furniture, until they turned into a narrow hallway that led to the small break room. Lydia had been back there before, where the employees often ate their midday meal. She was tempted to ask Samuel why they were there, probably having something to eat in this rather mundane place, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. The roses and the car—all his effort—had already overwhelmed her. Just being on a date with him was enough for her.
When the driver opened the door to the room and motioned Lydia inside, she couldn’t move at first. It didn’t even look like the same place. She took two careful steps across the threshold and eyed the transformation. The table was covered with a white cloth, and the extra chairs had been removed, leaving two covered in a white draping, a red ribbon encircling each one. A single, tall red candle was lit, fancy blue-and-white dinnerware had been set, and silver holders held cloth napkins. She forced her mouth closed when the driver excused himself after putting her roses in a vase already filled with water on the counter.
A man dressed similarly to the driver stood with a white napkin folded over his arm. “Good evening.” He pulled out a chair for her to sit down. Then he did the same for Samuel. Soft music played in the background, violins and piano. Two rules already broken—the fancy car and the music—but Lydia was floating too high off the ground to give it more than a brief thought.
The older man, presumably a waiter, cleared his throat, then held up a bottle of the same type of champagne they’d had in the car. “May I?”
Lydia nodded, but her eyes were fused with Samuel’s as the man filled two flutes with the bubbly drink. Her husband had never looked more handsome. Not only was he dressed in clothes he must have ironed himself when she wasn’t around, but his eyes shone with a kindness that made Lydia swell with happiness.
An unfamiliar but wonderful aroma hung in the air, yet she wouldn’t care if the man served them hot dogs or pizza. The evening was already perfect.
The waiter left the room but returned in less than a minute with two small bowls, which he placed on top of the plates in front of them.
“Morel mushroom soup to get you started, Madam.” He left and returned with a basket of bread. “Enjoy,” he said before he exited the room again.
They bowed their heads, and when she lifted hers, Samuel was smiling ear to ear.
“Danki for this,” she said softly.
The look in his eyes made Lydia almost want to get up and leave, to go and be with her husband in the intimate way she thought they both wanted. But then she tasted the soup, and not even her love or desire for Samuel would be able to drag her from this meal.
“This is the best soup I’ve ever had in mei life.” She dipped the spoon for more.
“Ach, I don’t know.” Samuel grinned. “Your chicken soup could compete with this.”
Lydia swallowed, then laughed. “Nee, I think not.” She reached for one of the rolls in the basket, which were warm and smelled of herbs. One bite, and she was sure she never wanted to leave this room. She’d always thought her mother made the best bread ever, but apparently someone else could bake a roll better than Lydia could have imagined.
“How did you do all this?” Lydia tipped her head slightly to one side, knowing she couldn’t stop smiling if she tried.
“I had a little help from the fellows at work.” He smiled. “And from Mr. Bargas.”
Mr. Bargas owned the furniture store, and he’d always been good to Samuel. Lydia was sure it was because her husband was a hard worker and nice to everyone he met.
Samuel had finished his soup, and Lydia was nearly done. She wondered if they could ask for seconds just as the waiter returned with two small plates. Lydia’s eyes widened. She’d never seen anything quite like the offering in front of her. A large tomato had been sliced into thick wedges with mozzarella cheese in between them. Lydia could smell basil, and something else was drizzled on top.
“Caprese salad, Madam.” The man nodded before he put the other plate in front of Samuel and left. Lydia breathed in the basil as a hint of garlic wafted up her nose.
“I might want to stay here forever.” She quietly giggled. “Danki,” she said again to her husband.
“I should have done this a long time ago, taken you on a proper date.” Samuel’s eyes twinkled as the flame from the candle danced in the middle of the table.
As they cut into their salads, Lydia thanked God for Samuel and for this wonderful meal, uninterrupted and heavenly.
“This exceeds a proper date.” She gazed into Samuel’s eyes. “I didn’t know they made food like this.” She laughed. “I wonder if that man would share these recipes. I like how the mozzarella cheese is stuffed into the tomato, and I can taste basil and garlic, but something else makes this so gut, and I can’t figure it out.”
“We still have
the main course coming.” Samuel raised and lowered his eyebrows several times as he grinned. “And dessert.”
Lydia felt like a princess. As she stared into her husband’s eyes, she tried to identify the emotion she was experiencing right at this moment. After only a couple of seconds, she knew what it was. She felt loved. It overwhelmed her that Samuel would do this, and even if his intentions might hold hopes of something more intimate between them when they returned home, that was okay. Lydia smiled on the inside. His efforts were working.
When they finished, the man took their salad plates as well as the large plates that were already on the table when they arrived.
“Where do you think he’s getting all this food?” Lydia leaned forward a little and spoke in a whisper.
“He must have prepared it ahead of time and kept it in a warmer in another room.” Samuel reached for another roll. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this.”
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she gazed at him. “This is a perfect surprise. I’ve never had a meal like this.” She glanced at the red roses on the counter before looking back at Samuel. “Danki.”
Samuel laughed. “You can stop thanking me.”
Lydia lowered her head as her cheeks warmed.
“You look beautiful, Lydia, today and every day.” Samuel stared into her eyes. “I know I don’t tell you that enough.” He paused. “I also don’t tell you what a gut mudder you are often enough.” Stopping again, he took a deep breath. “I know our life together didn’t start out the way we might have planned, but I love you, Lydia.”
Certain this night couldn’t get any better, she brought a hand to her chest. “I love you too.” She’d wondered if Samuel heard her when she’d whispered that she loved him in his ear, but it felt good to tell him now. So many times, she’d wanted him to know how she felt, and just now the words had slid off her tongue as naturally as breathing.
The waiter returned with two more plates. “Pork chops with fig and grape agrodolce, Madam.”
“With what?” Lydia cringed. She hadn’t meant to blurt what she was thinking.
The man smiled. “Agrodolce is Italian, Madam. It’s a sweet and sour sauce. The figs and grapes are cooked in honey and a balsamic vinegar reduction sauce.”
Lydia had no idea what that meant, but the moment the first bite met with her palate, she was in love. “I would do anything to cook like this.”
“Our cook insists it’s not hard.” The waiter folded his hands in front of him as he nodded. “Enjoy, and I’ll return with dessert when you’re ready.”
“This is the best night I’ve ever had.” Lydia took another bite of the pork chop, then looked at her husband. “I really would love to know how to make this.”
Samuel just smiled. Lydia couldn’t wait to see what was for dessert. She hoped Beverly and Joseph were having a good night, but she doubted it could compare to hers.
* * *
Beverly sat next to Joseph on the couch. The babies had fallen asleep, and Joseph had just placed two lit lanterns on the fireplace mantel next to a lavender candle Lydia put on the mantel before she left. It was lit, too, and the mood was set.
“You’re so gut with the bopplis.”
Beverly turned to face him and laughed softly. “Even when Mattie spit up all over your shirt?” Joseph glanced down at the wet spot where Beverly had helped him clean up. “Sorry I laughed, but the look on your face was so funny.” She giggled again just thinking about his expression.
“I’ve got younger siblings, but none of them ever puked on me.” He grinned as he scratched his head. “But I’m not sure I ever gave any of them a bottle.”
“She probably didn’t burp gut.” Beverly’s leg brushed against Joseph’s. “I hope Samuel and Lydia are having fun. What you told me he planned sounds so romantic.”
Joseph rolled his eyes, still grinning. “Ach, I’m sure they are. I ain’t never seen a man go to so much trouble for a date, especially with his fraa.” He shrugged before he leaned back into the couch. “I mean, he’s already won her over, so why go overboard?”
Beverly rolled her lip under. “I hope whoever I marry will still want to do romantic things like that after the wedding.”
Joseph rolled his eyes again and sighed. “I thought we’d already established the fact that I’m going to marry you and bless you with ten kinner.”
Beverly gave him what she hoped was a teasing look. “Do you always say exactly what’s on your mind?”
“Ya, way more than I should.” He straightened and twisted to face her. “And I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the moment I arrived.” He scratched his cheek. “I botched it up pretty gut in that dark tunnel. I promise I can do better.”
She tapped a finger to her chin. “Hmm. Is that so?”
“Ya, I’m a gut kisser. I’m sure of it.” He didn’t even crack a smile when he said it, but Beverly laughed.
“Guess there’s only one way to find out, Joseph.” Beverly batted her eyes at him. She was being way too flirty, but she’d fallen hard for this man. A life with him would be filled with laughter.
But he wasn’t laughing when he gently cupped her cheeks in his hands and eased her face closer to him. He kissed her with his eyes before his lips ever met hers, and by the time they did, she was already floating on a wispy cloud of euphoria.
“Now, did I lie? Was that not the best kiss you’ve ever had?” he whispered as he slowly pulled away.
Beverly thought she might fall down if she tried to stand up. “Ya, it was,” she managed to say as she breathlessly wondered if he would kiss her again.
“I guess it’s no secret that I like you very much.” Joseph still wasn’t smiling. His expression was so serious, and Beverly liked seeing this more somber side of him too. He balanced his qualities well.
“I like you too.” She smiled. “Do you want to come over to mei haus next weekend for supper? Or am I being too forward?”
“I would love to go to your haus next weekend for supper.” Grinning, he added, “Are you a gut cook?”
She playfully slapped him on the arm, but before she could say anything, he kissed her again with the same passion.
She’d made up her mind. Next weekend, she’d tell Joseph the truth. It was time.
Chapter 14
Samuel helped Lydia into the fancy car, knowing this would be the last time they would travel in such luxury. He hoped God would forgive this overindulgence.
The waiter had emptied most of the water from the vase so Lydia could take her flowers home in the limousine, and Samuel found a spot where they wouldn’t get jostled. He pointed to the bar and raised an eyebrow, but Lydia shook her head.
“I can’t put one more thing in mei mouth.” She looked down at the folded papers in her lap. “It was so nice of that man to share these recipes with me.” As she gazed into Samuel’s eyes, she’d never looked more beautiful. “Every time I make one of these dishes, I’ll be reminded of this perfect evening.” She paused but kept her eyes on him. “This was the best night of mei life,” she told him for the second time.
A noise clicked from the front of the car, and Samuel looked that way just in time to see the driver closing the small window between him and his passengers.
When Samuel gently trailed a finger down his wife’s cheek, she didn’t jump or move away as she’d done in the past. She stared at him with a longing Samuel understood. When she parted her lips and initiated a kiss, her touch was like a whisper of what was to come, and it sent Samuel’s insides swirling.
They stayed in each other’s arms during the short drive home, but not more than a few seconds went by before their lips found each other again. Samuel could feel his wife’s desire building the way he’d longed for it to since the early days of their marriage. Love was erasing those memories and making room for better ones they could carry in their hearts forever.
They were almost home when Samuel saw something out of the corner of his eye, and h
e eased Lydia away to have a better look. Peering out the dark window, he could see what it was once they got closer.
“That’s the old lady’s truck.” He turned to Lydia. “Why would Margaret be parked at the end of our driveway?”
His wife looked past him, then said, “She’s really more on the side of the road.” She began to twirl one string of her prayer covering and avoided his eyes.
As they drove past the truck, the woman waved. Samuel’s stomach twisted into a knot. “I don’t like that, her parked there.” He looked at Lydia again. “Doesn’t that make you feel unsettled?”
His wife shrugged as she chewed on her bottom lip.
Something is up.
The driver stopped in the driveway and then opened their door. Samuel followed Lydia out of the car, then pulled a ten-dollar bill from his pocket to give to the man. But the fellow shook his head as he waved him off.
“It’s already been taken care of, Mr. Bontrager.” He nodded. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Lydia started toward the house, but Samuel caught up to her and grabbed her arm. “Wait.” He gently coaxed her farther into the yard, away from the open windows. “Why are you acting like this?”
She shrugged, then finally looked at him. Samuel thought he saw fear in her eyes, which made him press her even more. “Do you have any idea why Margaret is parked out there?”
Lydia raised her shoulders again, dropping them slowly as she kicked at the grass and kept her eyes cast downward.
“Lydia.” He gently lifted her chin until her eyes met his. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Huffing, she walked away from him. Then she turned around, her arms folded across her chest, and sighed. Samuel stepped closer to her.
“What’s going on?” He looped his fingers beneath his suspenders and took a deep breath. He didn’t want to mess up this evening. “Whatever it is, you can tell me,” he said softly so maybe Lydia would talk to him.