by Amy Clipston
“I daresay you looked like a crime scene,” J.B., her second-oldest brother, joked.
Wendy giggled. “It wasn’t quite that bad, but thank you for the description. Now I feel just a bit more exciting.”
“I am sorry that Miriam’s mother got mad at you, though,” her mamm said. “If I had been there, I would’ve told her that new dresses weren’t for school.”
“It’s probably good that you weren’t there, then,” Wendy said.
“How are all your students otherwise?” Daed asked.
“They’re all right.”
“It doesn’t sound like that is true,” Henry said. “What’s wrong with them now?”
Tears pricked her eyes. That was her eldest brother. No matter how old she got, he would always be her protector. And ever since she’d shared that her students weren’t as accepting as she’d hoped, Henry had worried. “Nothing is wrong. It’s just that they miss their old teacher.”
“And?”
She sighed. “Henry—”
“Tell us, Win,” J.B. added. “Remember that part of our agreement with you? Everyone would let you go if you promised to tell us the truth?”
She’d had a lot to say about her family’s group decision to “allow” her to go. No matter how many times she’d told them that she didn’t need six parents—that two were more than enough, thank you—they’d overruled her.
“Fine,” Wendy said at last. “The truth is I don’t know if everyone trusts or respects me. Not all the parents and not all the kinner.” When nobody said a word, she added in a small voice, “I think some of the older kids also don’t think I’m old enough to listen to.”
“But you are the teacher,” Mamm pointed out.
“I’m also only five years older than some of the eighth graders.” When she heard some of them scoff, Wendy added, “Come now. I’m sure all of you remember what that was like, being full of yourself in eighth grade.”
“Perhaps you should come home. There’s no need for you to be treated with disrespect,” Daed said. “Even though you might be a bit on the young side to be in charge of a whole classroom.”
“I am not too young,” she said forcibly. Okay, she might have shouted it.
“Wendy, there’s no need for that,” Mamm chided.
“I’m sorry, everyone. I just don’t want to defend my age anymore. I’m doing the best I can.”
“Let’s talk about something else,” Chrissy interrupted. “How is being a boarder at the Weaver house?”
“It’s gut.” She smiled. “Mrs. Weaver does the funniest thing. She devises topics for conversations on Friday evenings. Everyone has to participate.”
“And do you?”
“Oh, jah. We don’t have a choice. What’s funny is the older boarders, Mervin and Fern, always act like they don’t want to say anything, but they seem to like it most of all. Last night’s topic was our highs and lows for the day.”
“Maybe we should try that from time to time,” Mamm said.
“No way,” said Lena. “I’ve been enjoying our suppers the same way for twenty years. There’s no need to change things now.”
That was her sister to a T. She was as steady as a contented buggy horse. Lena was loyal and didn’t make impulsive choices or decisions.
“Of course you’re going to want things to stay the same, Lena,” J.B. said. “You never have done well with change.”
“Hey,” Lena pouted.
“Oh, leave her alone,” Mamm said. “Her loyalty is a good thing. I’m sure Eli is pleased about it.”
“What?” Wendy asked. “Lena, is Eli finally courting you?”
“Finally is the key word, Win,” said J.B.
“Come now. You must admit that it was likely hard for him to come calling when you boys always seem to be around.”
“Hannah is one of seven children. All of them were watching when I called on her,” Henry said. “It was about time for Eli to get a bit bolder. Our family is what it is—we’re always going to be in each other’s business. Besides, Lena isn’t getting any younger, you know.”
“You see what I have to put up with, Wendy?” Lena complained.
Wendy giggled. “Brothers can be a pain. That’s true. Lena, write me all about what happened to make Eli start calling on you.”
“I will.”
“Now, I want to hear about everyone else.”
Showing just why they were the best brothers and sisters, each sibling took a turn and filled in Wendy about their jobs and, in J.B.’s case, his new baby. As she listened, the rain turned to sleet. But inside the little phone shanty her heart felt as warm and cozy as if she were sitting on a comfy chair in front of the fire.
“Wendy, what is that racket?”
“Oh, it’s started to sleet.”
“You have to walk back in that?”
“Of course, Mamm.” Peeking out the window of the shanty, she frowned. It was going to be a rather miserable trip back to her room.
“Do you have a coat?”
“Jah, Mamm. I’ve got an umbrella too. I’ll be fine.”
“I suppose we should let you go, then, so you can get home.”
Knowing they’d been on the phone for almost an hour, Wendy murmured, “I suppose so.”
“Would you like one of us to come out there for a few days?” Henry asked. “I could ask Hannah if she’d mind taking some time off.”
As much as she knew Henry’s steady presence would make her feel better, Wendy also knew she needed to do this herself. If she started leaning on her family too much, she’d have to admit she wasn’t ready for a teaching job. And she really wanted to prove to them and herself that she was ready. “Danke, but I will be fine, Henry.”
“Are you sure? It’s no problem.”
“Or we could come,” Daed said. “Mamm and I could hire a driver and make a vacation of it.”
“That’s mighty nice of you, Daed. But I’m sure.”
“We’re proud of you, Wendy. Now go get home before you catch your death,” Mamm said. “And don’t forget to get some sleep.”
“And wear socks!” Chrissy teased.
“I won’t forget,” Wendy said. “Bye, everyone.”
After a chorus of goodbyes, she hung up the phone. Then she looked outside. The weather had turned fierce. The wind had picked up and now pelted tiny particles of snow and hail. Her skin was already sporting chill bumps at the thought of heading out into the storm.
After positioning her cloak more securely around her shoulders, she stepped out of the phone shanty and popped open her umbrella. With the way the wind was blowing, she wasn’t sure if it would do much good. And indeed, as she walked home, the cold seeped into her clothes and skin and the rain made her mood sink. She felt all alone again and a little more unsure about her path forward.
At least she had the memory of a happy conversation to keep her warm.
Chapter 6
“You attending the singing next Sunday night?” Chris asked as he unpacked his cooler.
Lewis always enjoyed watching his best friend at work pull out his dinner bounty. While most men made do with either a simple sandwich or leftovers from the previous night’s supper, Chris Borntrager always took great care in what he packed. About two years ago he’d taken up cooking, saying that he saw no reason a bachelor like himself couldn’t conquer a few simple recipes.
That first step eventually turned into what he was now—one of the best cooks in the area. He was so gifted, most everyone wondered why he hadn’t decided to start working in one of the big restaurants in the area instead of in the lumberyard. But every time one of the men at the mill mentioned the idea, Chris shook his head at the suggestions. Cooking—and eating—were his hobbies, not his vocation.
Personally, Lewis was glad that his buddy intended to keep his position as a master carpenter at Kinsinger Lumber. The man was gifted at trim and in high demand for some of their bigger accounts.
He also brought more than enough food to sh
are every day.
“What is that?” he asked as Chris poured some kind of stew out of his thermos.
“It’s chicken-and-andouille-sausage gumbo.” Pulling out a plastic container filled to the brim with cornbread, Chris added, “I’m not sharing my gumbo today, but you’re welcome to have a piece of cornbread. It has fresh corn, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese baked into it.”
Lewis didn’t need to be asked twice. “Danke.”
Chris shrugged like the offer was nothing. But he did raise his eyebrows. “So . . . the singing? Are you going?”
“I wasn’t planning on it. What about you?”
“I might.” He flashed a smile. “It all depends on if our new teacher is going. Do you know?”
The delicious, moist cornbread suddenly tasted like sawdust. He set it on his plate and took a gulp of Mountain Dew, his vice. After he pulled himself together, he answered Christopher at last. “Are you speaking of Wendy?”
“She’s the only new schoolteacher I know of,” Chris said as he took another spoonful of gumbo. “Do you know another?”
“Nee.”
“And she does live with you. Ain’t so?”
“She doesn’t live with me. She lives in her furnished apartment on my family’s farm.”
Chris put his spoon down. “Settle down, Lewis. I realize that. I’m not questioning Wendy’s virtue or anything.” He smiled. “Just the opposite. I want to get to know her.”
“You want to court her?” And yes, he sounded incredulous.
“Maybe, though since I haven’t talked to her yet, I thought maybe we’d start off slow. You know, first have a conversation?”
Even though he was fighting off a wave of jealousy, Lewis couldn’t help his smile. “That’s usually a good first step.”
“So, what’s she like? She’s adorable to look at.”
“Wendy is a nice girl.”
“She’s hardly a girl, Lewis. She’s in charge of a whole classroom of squirrelly students.”
“She’s only nineteen.” He mentally cringed, since her young age hadn’t done much to cool his own interest in her.
But instead of looking chagrinned, Chris just looked more interested. “That’s it? Boy, she must be a mighty gut teacher if the school board hired her on.”
A little dismayed that Wendy’s age didn’t seem to deter Chris’s interest, he said, “I think she must be a good one. I don’t know, though.”
“I’ll have to ask my aunt about what the board is thinking.”
“I didn’t know you had a connection with the school-board parents. Who is your aunt?”
“Beth Petersheim.”
“I don’t know her.”
“Can’t think why you would. She spends most of her time managing my cousins.” He grunted. “They’re a handful, Marti especially.”
Seeing that their lunch hour was almost over, Lewis began cleaning up his area. But he couldn’t leave without saying another word about Wendy—and his feelings for her. “Chris, I’m just gonna be honest. I’m interested in Wendy. I’d rather you didn’t pursue her.”
“Does she return your feelings?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t broached the subject.”
Chris slowly smiled. “I reckon Wendy’s feelings are up to her, then.” Standing up, he added, “Encourage her to come to the singing, wouldja? She’ll have an opportunity to meet a lot of folks. It will be good for her to make some new friends.”
Watching him walk away, Lewis was struck dumb. Though he and Chris were close work friends, they didn’t usually do a whole lot together socially. Lewis had thought it was simply because they hadn’t had the opportunity, but now he was starting to wonder if it was more because they treated women so differently.
Honestly, he’d never imagined that Chris would ignore his warning like that. It made him a little angry too. His friend was basing a relationship with Wendy solely on her pretty appearance. He really didn’t know a thing about her.
After putting his cooler back in his locker, Lewis walked back to his station. However, try as he might, he couldn’t ignore that he now had competition for Wendy’s interest—and that Chris could well have the upper hand, since his aunt was probably already close to Wendy.
He was going to have to do some thinking and praying about what to do next.
Chapter 7
As she walked beside Judith Rose and Lewis on the way to the Lapps’ barn, where the evening’s singing was taking place, Wendy had the vague sense that Lewis was upset about her going.
So far, every time she’d asked him about the people who were supposed to be there or what some of the activities they usually did were, he’d responded with short, terse answers. It was getting annoying, especially considering the fact that she hadn’t exactly wanted to go in the first place.
After her third attempt at conversation with him failed, she turned her attention to Judith Rose. At least she had no problems carrying a conversation.
“Tell me again about Marcus, Judith Rose. Did you like each other when you were still in school?”
“Not at all! Marcus wasn’t interested in girls back then. Usually, the only time he ever talked to me was to see if I had an extra pencil.”
Wendy giggled. “I’m guessing that you wished he had more to say?”
“I certainly did. I’ve liked him for ages now.”
Ignoring Lewis’s grunt, Wendy said, “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What changed?”
“I can’t really point to one certain moment. All I remember is that one day Marcus only cared about school supplies, and then the next, he smiled at me and said gut matin.”
“That’s so sweet.”
Judith Rose nodded. “After we graduated eighth grade, we both got jobs. He started working for his father at the blacksmith shop. I started helping my parents with our boarders and the cooking.”
“And now he comes calling?” Wendy didn’t recall seeing this mystery man, but that didn’t mean much. There had been many days when she’d been in her rooms almost the entire evening.
“He doesn’t come calling,” Lewis interjected.
For the first time in the conversation, Judith Rose looked unsure. “Marcus hasn’t come calling in a while. That’s true. But at our last church meeting, he told me that he was looking forward to seeing me this evening.”
There seemed to be something off about Judith Rose’s story, but Wendy figured she was the last person to judge. Back in her hometown, she’d been so focused on becoming a teacher she hadn’t given any of the men who had shown interest the time of day.
“What my sister is trying to say is that Marcus has been something of a fair-weather suitor.”
“That’s not true, Lewis,” Judith Rose said.
“Well, if he truly liked you, I think he would have shown more interest by now.”
Seeing Judith Rose’s expression falter, Wendy glared at him. “Lewis, that’s rather rude to say, don’t you think?”
“I’m her brother. Obviously, I’m going to be watching Marcus carefully. So far, he hasn’t done much to lead me to think that she should settle for him.”
“You don’t know what Marcus thinks or wants,” Judith Rose declared.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think you do either.” Lifting his chin a bit, Lewis added, “And, before you get upset with me, I feel I should point out that I’m not being mean if I’m stating my opinion.”
“Well, I should point out that it was an unasked for opinion.”
Wendy covered her mouth to stifle the giggle that was escaping. Which, of course, earned dark looks from both siblings. “Sorry,” she muttered. “It’s just that you two bickering reminds me so much of me and my brothers and sisters.”
Judith Rose looked appalled. “Truly? You all talk to each other like this?”
“Not exactly. We are much blunter.”
“Lewis, at last!” a voice cried out. “We’ve been wondering when you all were going to get here.”
Wend
y craned her neck then saw a handsome, curly-haired man approaching. It was impossible to not stare at him in appreciation for a few seconds. His hair was dark, his eyes looked to be a light blue, and he was full of muscles. He was also smiling at her like there was no one else in the area.
“Hiya,” he said as he stopped right in front of her. “I’m Chris Borntrager.”
“Hi. I’m Wendy Schwartz.”
“I was hoping you’d be here. I’m guessing Lewis told you that I asked about you at work.”
“No. He didn’t mention a thing.” She glanced at Lewis in confusion.
“I figured it would be best if I didn’t so you could come to your own conclusions,” Lewis said.
“I see,” Wendy said, though she didn’t really.
Chris grinned. “That sounds about like Lewis. He’s not one for conversation.” He waved to the large barn in the distance. “Most everyone is there, and Ben Lapp is working on a bonfire. Will you let me show you around and introduce you to everyone?”
Just hours before, Wendy would have sworn she’d likely never leave Lewis’s or Judith Rose’s sides. But now she was thinking it might be a good idea to meet some other people. “I’d like that. Danke.”
“I’ll make sure we check in with you often, Lewis,” Chris said as he started to lead Wendy away. “I won’t let you leave without her.”
Lewis might have grumbled something behind them, but Wendy had no idea what it could have been. All she did know was that if Lewis had been excited to introduce her to other people, he would’ve.
Instead, he was simply standing in the middle of the lane and watching her walk away.
* * *
“Boy, you sure messed that up,” Judith Rose said to Lewis after Wendy and Chris had walked out of sight.
Though Lewis reckoned his sister was exactly right, he didn’t dare utter that out loud. “I didn’t mess anything up. I had to let her go with him.”
“Why?”
“Because Chris was anxious to meet her, and Wendy deserves to meet some other people in the community.” He wasn’t just saying those words either. He meant them. He wanted Wendy to be happy in Charm.