“You ain’t listenin’, love,” Naomi told Abner, who’d admitted he was feeling almost too droopy to drive the carriage after all the pie and ice cream he’d enjoyed at the auction. “I daresay the fella from Ohio seemed awful nice, and a progressive Amishman at that. Did ya notice that right fancy hat brim?”
“You just wanna see Eva happily married, like you?” Abner winked at her. “Is that what you’re going to say next?”
“Oh, you!”
He reached for her hand, and she pulled away playfully.
“Come on over here, woman,” Abner teased.
“It’s still daylight, dear,” Naomi cautioned him. “We ain’t youngsters no more.”
“Well, the fire ain’t out yet.”
Submitting to her husband’s flirtation, she leaned her hand on the seat between them so no one could see as they passed other buggies.
Abner linked his big fingers around hers. “Aw, that’s my girl.”
“So, what do ya really think ’bout the Ohio fella?” she asked.
“No need to think; I’ve heard all I need to know from Jonas Byler himself.”
She held her breath.
“Seems one of Jonas’s granddaughters might be interested in him.” Abner smiled. “Some competition’s always gut, of course.”
“If I know Eva Esch, she’s not one to put herself forward.”
“She’s one sweet girl, I’ll say. But Jed’ll only be around till Monday sometime, so it may be a moot point.”
Naomi sighed. Poor Eva.
They didn’t talk much more about it. And eventually, when Naomi felt her husband’s hand go limp around hers, she looked over and saw him catching more than just flies while their reliable horse kept trotting, heading homeward.
Much later that evening, once the house was quiet and after the second night of Bible reading with Jonas and Elsie, Jed settled into his room. He’d placed the peculiar photograph next to the bed and glanced over at it occasionally, still puzzled. He was reasonably certain, if not convinced, that Eva Esch and the girl in the photo were one and the same. In which case, Eva, kind and thoughtful as she seemed, must have had a defiant side earlier in her life, defiant enough to flout the Old Order’s ban on personal photos. If so, she’d hidden it very well today.
Before meeting Eva, he’d considered privately showing Elsie Byler to see if she recognized the young woman. But he was glad now he hadn’t been so foolish. I might have jeopardized my chance to get to know Eva better. After all, Elsie would surely favor Orpha over Eva.
After a few minutes of rereading some of the notes in the margins, Jed closed the book and went to outen the gas lamp. He wondered when Eva had taken the train west. Perhaps Thursday at market, if the opportunity presented itself, he would ask her. Nothing pointed or prying, just a simple, casual question.
Lily’s done more than leave us; she’s made it clear we don’t count for much, Eva decided as she wandered out to the stable with the lantern. Max bounded over and sat near her, panting, keeping her company. The air was still, and the katydids and crickets were making a ruckus.
She took down the grooming brush and went to Prince’s stall. Poor fellow, he’d trotted ever so hard coming up the incline from the auction hours ago. She would put her angst over Lily to good work on their favorite horse. Like a pet.
“You miss Lily, too, don’t ya?” she whispered, leaning against Prince’s velvety nose.
There were times when Lily’s absence felt like a stab in her heart, though not as painful as when Dat had died so suddenly.
“Lily sure changed things by goin’ away,” Eva muttered as she worked on the thick black mane.
How different this moment would be if Lily were still living at home. They might have come to water the horses together, like many other nights. Eva dearly missed the whispering and laughing. How many times had Lily waited up for Eva after a date, and the other way around?
One night, though, when Lily had stayed out longer than usual, Eva had sat up for hours, wondering if she shouldn’t just go to bed. It was the evening Lily had finally agreed to go riding with a fellow outside their church district. The nighttime breezes had helped cool the rooms upstairs, and Eva had gone to the open window and leaned on the sill, peering out at the stars.
She’d never planned to eavesdrop or observe Lily with Manny, but there they were walking toward the house in the moonlight. At first, Eva looked away. Then, realizing something seemed amiss, she hurried downstairs and out to the screened-in porch, listening and watching. Manny was telling Lily that he wanted to see her again, and very soon—even before next weekend—in a demanding tone.
Lily backed away, saying she was getting home awful late.
“It’ll be even later next time,” Manny had said as he reached for Lily, but she brushed him away.
Concerned, Eva opened the screen door and hurried out. “Everything all right over there?” she’d called gently, mindful of their sleeping mother.
Relieved, Lily had come running toward her as Manny turned back down the driveway toward his buggy, his footsteps quick on the gravel.
Upstairs, Lily had been terribly quiet as she dressed for bed. Eva prayed for wisdom all the while. And after they’d turned out the gas lamp and settled into bed, Lily confided that Manny definitely wasn’t for her. “No matter how nice he was at the Singing last week.” Even though Lily had assured Eva that nothing appalling had taken place, she refused to put herself at risk with such a fellow.
Lily was so careful then. Why was she now so willing to take a risk like running away? Eva wondered.
She finished brushing Prince, then gave him additional water and headed for the house, Max alongside her as the night sounds filled up the darkness.
———
Inside, Eva said good-night to Frona and took time to wash up, getting ready for bed. Then, sitting at the desk where she’d last seen Lily, Eva took out her journal and began to write.
Tuesday, May 20
With everything in me, I wish Lily would let us know where she is. It would help so much to know she’s safe. Frona would rest easier and so would I. Our brothers seem worried, enough so that all of them have spent time questioning various neighbors and relatives. So Lily’s whereabouts are a mystery to us all.
It wonders me if someday Lily might recognize that she belongs here and not out in the world. Oh, I do hope she will, before she marries outside the church and it’s too late.
At some point, I’m going to have to stop holding my breath. I can’t cry for her the rest of my life, even though I would if I thought it might somehow help.
O, dear Lord above, please watch over our befuddled sister. I do pray this in Thy holy name. Amen.
Then, because Eva hadn’t taken time after the auction to make any more candies for tomorrow’s customers, she set her windup alarm clock for five. Anxious for some good rest, she blew out the lamp and slipped into the soft bedcovers, reaching for the lightweight quilt Mamma had made. Her mind wandered to the fair-haired young man she’d met today.
Ah, Mamma, what would you think of Jed Stutzman?
Eva couldn’t settle down, wondering about the strange but sweet way she and Jed had simply stumbled upon each other. Thanks to little Sammy.
But more than that, she couldn’t get over the surprisingly tender way she felt about him, even now as she tucked the covers under her chin and watched the moonlight’s dance on the wall. She let her mind flit back to all that Jed had said to her, and she to him, and then felt a little ridiculous. I just met him, for goodness’ sake!
Truth be known, she cherished this day. After the trauma of Lily’s departure, such unexpected companionship was the salve her soul craved.
Then, thinking of Naomi and how frantic she had been to find Sammy—like we are to find Lily—Eva reconsidered Lily’s unreasonable behavior, running off to no one knew where. And while Eva wanted to hold the day’s memories close to heart, she began to question the wisdom of entertaining romantic no
tions about someone from so far away, no matter how kindhearted Jed Stutzman seemed.
Chapter Fifteen
WEDNESDAY MORNING BEFORE BREAKFAST, but after a stiff cup of black coffee, Jed walked with Jonas Byler out to the carriage shop on Jonas’s property. “Your shop looks bigger than Uncle Ervin’s,” Jed remarked, eager to finally get a good look around.
“I’d say it’s pretty typical for a workshop round here—two hundred feet by one hundred—but it’s divided into four sections.”
“Are ya lookin’ forward to retiring soon?” Jed slowed his pace to be respectful to the older man.
“Oh jah, I s’pose, but I’ll always be workin’ somewhere till the Lord calls me home . . . helping one farmer or another, no doubt. Just not the day-to-day business of the carriage shop.” Jonas’s chest rose and fell. “It’s a shame none of my boys wanted to learn the trade. ’Tis mighty important to pass it down through the generations.”
Jed agreed.
“That’s why I’m seriously thinkin’ of selling.”
His sons must already be established in their chosen work, Jed assumed.
At Jonas’s shop, Jed stepped inside and felt right at home, thanks to a layout similar to Uncle Ervin’s. “Real nice and tidy,” he said.
“It’s fairly well organized today,” Jonas said, wiping his beard. “Shoulda seen it last week.” He let out a chuckle. “Then again, it’s a gut thing ya didn’t!”
“There are just some days, jah?”
Jonas led the way to the impressively orderly back area, where workbenches were set up for building a buggy’s wooden base. All across the wall hung hand tools like those Jed was accustomed to using.
Another large room was set aside for storing materials for manufacturing the buggy, including the bench seat in surreys and parts for the hacks or buckboards. The latter were similar to an Englischer’s pickup truck, the area behind the seat providing a flat bed for hauling.
“Now, here’s something. Ever see a dashboard like this?” Jonas pointed to a panel of inlaid wood with holes drilled for switches for inside and outside buggy lights, as well as turn signals.
Jed ran his hand over its smoothness. “Real fancy compared to some.”
Jonas shook his head, amused. “Makes me wonder what the owner’s thinkin’—some of the nonsense we put in. Ach, the carpet colors, several years back, were downright loud. Just depends on what’s allowed in a particular church district . . . how strict the bishop is.” Jonas motioned toward the next area. “Say, do your Swartzentruber neighbors still use kerosene lanterns for their buggy lights?”
“They do.” Jed was surprised Jonas knew this.
The older man went on to say that the brakes, wheels, and spokes were all made less than ten miles from his shop. “I ’spect it’s similar out there, ain’t?”
“Probably closer to fifteen miles.”
“That far?”
Nodding, Jed found the shoptalk stimulating and was glad Uncle Ervin had suggested the visit with the great buggy maker. And matchmaker, too.
Blackbirds pecked at one another in the field near the roadside as Eva and Frona set out for market Thursday morning. The skies were overcast and rain was predicted for later that afternoon.
“Hope we get home before a downpour,” Frona said, her attention on the road.
“I guess I don’t care one way or the other,” Eva said.
“Well, ain’t you somethin’?”
“Just glad for any chance of moisture. My garden could really use it.”
“Your garden?” Frona gave her a look.
Eva wasn’t going to remind her that she had done the tilling and planting during her days in between working at The Sweet Tooth. How could Frona forget? Of course, Frona had single-handedly done all the weeding here lately, so doubtless that’s what she meant.
Striving to think pleasant thoughts, Eva peered out at the silvery windmill just ahead as the carriage rumbled along.
“Just because a fella promises something, doesn’t mean it’ll happen,” she remembered Mamma saying, and she wondered if Jed would show up today.
“You sure are deep in thought,” Frona said, interrupting her daydream. “Thinking ’bout your young man, maybe?”
Eva sighed. “He’s not mine, Schweschder.”
“Oh, well, it’s just a matter of time.” Frona didn’t wait for a response. “I saw how he looked at you at the auction—’tis a gut thing, too, what with Menno’s plans. There’s really only room for one of us when they move in, remember.”
Eva squelched a smile. Not only did Frona have Eva nearly hitched up with Jed, but poor Frona was still fretting about Menno’s move.
The good Lord will see to the future. And that’s that, she thought.
The warmth of the morning sun and the strong scent of mown grass heightened Jed’s anticipation for the day. He’d slept restlessly, caught up in the hope of seeing Eva Esch again. Truthfully, he hadn’t felt such anticipation since Lydiann.
He caught a ride with Mose Byler, who was on his way to the east side of Quarryville to make a delivery for his father—ideal for Jed to get to market around opening time.
“You’ll return on foot, then?” Mose asked, sitting tall in the driver’s seat.
Jed nodded. “Mighty grateful for the lift.”
“Be sure an’ take the umbrella,” offered Mose, pointing to the back of the buggy. “S’posed to pour cats and dogs later.”
Jed went around and opened the back. “Denki!”
“Gem gschehne!” Mose lifted the reins and clicked his tongue before heading out of the parking lot.
Inside the market, the place was already busy with folding tables being moved about and set up amidst vendors greeting each other. Jed didn’t want to be in the way if he showed up too soon to Eva’s table, so he wandered about, heading up the first long aisle. A large glass display case featuring homemade fudge caught his attention, and perusing the options, he considered a purchase. He thought of buying something for Eva but didn’t want her to feel awkward.
Even so, he continued searching the fudge counter for a gift, recalling Lydiann’s cravings for chocolate.
“Ach, you spoil me, Jed.” Lydiann had smiled sweetly that day. “But, of course, if you really want to buy that chunk of chocolate, I won’t refuse.”
He’d whipped out his wallet before she could change her mind. “It’s yours, then.”
And she’d laughed so merrily the sound lingered in his mind for the rest of the week, till he saw her again that Saturday evening.
What if Eva doesn’t care much for chocolate? he thought, although he had a hard time imagining it. He recalled what she’d said about her confectionary shop. Was it possible to create sweets and not enjoy them?
“What’s your fancy?” asked the large woman behind the counter. Her shoulders slouched as she leaned heavily on the display case.
Jed pointed to the smallest package, covered in a pretty red wrapping. He didn’t want to seem stingy, yet a token might actually be better than something too big for a first gift.
“It’s buy one, get the second one half off,” the smiling clerk told him. “How can ya pass it up?”
He took his time, looking at several other options.
“If ya pick something bigger, well, same deal for that, too,” she said.
In the end he stuck with his original order, glad to have the treat for Eva in the little sack the clerk handed to him.
“I think changing the arrangement sometimes is wise,” Eva was telling Mary Riehl, another market vendor.
Mary had taken it upon herself to stride across the aisle and rearrange Frona’s and Eva’s wares without their say-so. The middle-aged woman had a mind of her own, but prior to this she’d never demonstrated it in such a radical manner. “Just thought I’d offer a bit of help, is all.” Mary gave a flamboyant wave and headed back to her own table.
Frona had cause to frown for sure. And later, when Mary was out of earshot, she told Eva
she felt like changing it all back to the way it was. “What do ya say to that?”
“Just let it be. Sometimes it’s gut to vary things.”
Frona stared at their goodies, including her jams and preserves. “Well, if it’s already workin’ one way, why bother?”
“Honestly, customers don’t care ’bout the arrangement, do they?”
“If they’re repeat customers, maybe not. But I still like things the way we had them.”
Eva could sense there was no compromising with Frona today. “If you put it all back, you can be the one to explain to Mary . . . if she comes marchin’ back over here.”
“Puh!” Frona shook her head. “The woman’s got some nerve!”
The whole thing seemed petty to Eva. Why’s Frona so tetchy?
———
A half hour or more later, while she was making change and answering questions, Eva noticed Jed standing back near the periphery of a dozen or more customers. He’s here, she thought, trying not to smile too broadly. But he’d seen her spot him. Oh, goodness! And to think there was no way to greet him the way she wanted to, with so many folks there for her candies and Frona’s jars of jam and whatnot.
Will he wait around?
Eva disliked feeling so unnerved and torn.
To her great surprise, Jed came around to the side and over to her. “Hullo, Eva. Looks like you’re mighty busy.”
“It’s been this way ever since we opened.”
“Ya know what? I’ll walk around a bit and come back later.” His smile warmed her heart. Once again there was a glint of recognition in his eyes, like he knew her from somewhere.
“All right” was all she could manage, uncomfortable at being observed so, particularly by Frona, who was glancing their way.
Jed left as quickly as he’d come into view.
In a few minutes, Naomi Mast and her daughter Ida Mae arrived carrying shopping baskets. “Wie bischt?” Eva asked.
“Just fine . . . you?” Naomi replied.
The Photograph Page 9