“Sorry?”
She smiled and repeated it. “What’s your favorite ice cream?”
“Chocolate.”
“Mine too,” she replied. “And I say dark chocolate’s best.”
“Well, it’s certainly much richer tasting than milk chocolate.”
“For sure.” She added that she also liked to make chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate-covered cherries. “And have you ever eaten chocolate bread custard?”
“Did I hear something ’bout chocolate back there?” Levi asked, turning his head toward them.
“It’s chocolate everything,” Marilyn answered, laughing softly.
“Since we’re talkin’ food, are we ready for sundaes?”
“Whenever you’re hungry,” Jed said, ready for a break from the confines of the buggy. I shouldn’t even be here. . . .
Levi directed the horse to a trot, and as they drew closer to the ice cream shop, Jed knew without a doubt he must try to get in touch with Eva. And as far as he could see, there was only one way she might be willing to give him another chance. Only one.
Chapter Thirty
THAT TUESDAY, EVA ironed all the pillowcases and top sheets, too, like Mamma had always done. Eva mentioned to Frona that she had gone out to the old playhouse to reminisce on Sunday evening. “I think maybe we’re both tryin’ to hang on to what’s left of Lily,” Eva said.
Frona looked up from her embroidery, eyes soft. “Sometimes I do that with Mamma.” She sighed and laid the hoop on the table. “After the washing was out on the line yesterday, I went into the big bedroom while you were sellin’ candy next door. I felt downright blue, so I headed upstairs and opened the door to our parents’ bedroom and just stood there.”
“I haven’t looked in there for months.”
“Prob’ly schmaert, really.”
Eva folded the pillowcases on the warm ironing board. “I’d actually thought you should move in up there and make that room your own, but that was before Menno told us his plans.”
“I’d feel out of place havin’ Mamm and Dat’s room.”
“Well, since you’re the oldest of us girls,” Eva replied.
Frona’s face broke into a sweet smile. “Awful nice of you.”
Eva had noticed that Frona seemed different lately. Gentler, in some ways; less abrupt, too. It was such a lovely change, she wanted to go over and throw her arms around her, the way Lily used to do with Eva, but she didn’t want to upset the fruit basket and scare Frona back into her grouchy shell.
———
When she’d put away the ironing, Eva walked out to the barnyard and groomed Prince, taking her time with him. She slipped him a sugar cube when she was done, then strolled out to the road to check the mail, breathing in the familiar farm smells. Across the road, back near his stable, Abner Mast took off his straw hat and waved it at her.
The day’s as perfect a June day as they come, she thought, opening the mailbox. There, along with three circle letters for Frona, and one for her, was a thick envelope from Alfred Dienner.
She drew a quick breath and held the letter tentatively, like a soiled dishrag. Just then, a middle-aged Englischer came riding down the road on his bicycle, nodding as he passed. She’d never seen him around the area before and guessed he must be fit enough to pedal quite a long way. What must it feel like to ride so fast and free? She tried to imagine it as she watched the man disappear from view.
Turning toward the house, Eva decided to read Alfred’s letter right away, instead of waiting till after chores were done. This way she could mull over whatever was on his mind.
The early robin’s robust song had awakened Naomi around four o’clock that morning, making it difficult to return to sleep.
Thankfully, she’d felt reenergized after two cups of coffee and a hearty breakfast—three eggs for Abner and two for her, plus a half grapefruit each, and a generous portion of scrapple.
Omar had stopped in an hour or so later before going to work with Abner, telling them that he’d registered to vote. Why, oh why, couldn’t Omar just settle down like the rest of their grown children?
Is this how Dottie Esch felt about Lily? she wondered.
Abner came inside looking for something to nibble on, hungry again. “Eva was out getting her mail just now,” he said, making small talk. “She didn’t seem her usual cheerful self.”
“Well, no wonder,” Naomi said. “They still haven’t heard from Lily.” She sliced two thick pieces of homemade wheat bread and slapped a good amount of peanut butter and strawberry jam on it to make a sandwich. “Maybe this will stick to your ribs till the noon meal.”
“What’ll it be today, love?”
She smiled. “Aren’t you the bottomless pit?”
“Must seem like it to you.” He grinned. “But I’m mighty blessed to be married to such a gut cook.”
Naomi eyed his snack, nearly devoured already. “Want another?”
“Better not. I have to start liftin’ hay bales with Omar and Elam right quick.”
“Well, ain’t you somethin’,” she teased, waving him back out to the barn.
Eva ran her thumbnail along the edge of Alfred’s envelope. She’d excused herself to the barn, to Dat’s former office, where Menno had set up file cabinets and altered the place to suit his needs. She closed the door and settled into the swivel desk chair.
Bracing herself, she began to read and quickly noticed that most of Alfred’s letter was comprised of his daily schedule at the woodworking shop and of learning to use various saws and other hydraulic tools. He’d also mentioned finding a candy store, but it didn’t have offerings nearly as delectable as Eva’s candies. And I sampled quite a few, he’d written.
In the final paragraph, he said he wanted to call her a week from today. Will you be able to get away to the phone shanty at three o’clock in the afternoon?
Eva knew talking had always been easier for him than writing. He’d admitted this some time ago, when he went with his family on vacation and hadn’t bothered to send her even a postcard. She sighed. If he was more comfortable by phone, then so be it.
Eva had to decide how to reply; if she didn’t hurry and do so, he’d have to postpone his anticipated phone call. Yet if she did agree, what would he say to her?
“What should my answer be, O Lord?”
She glanced at Tuesday, June 17, on the large farm seed calendar on the wall and found herself wishing Jed Stutzman had written instead.
Chapter Thirty-one
EVA HURRIED OUT TO THE STRAWBERRY PATCH to help Frona pick the fresh crop, enjoying the warm day. There seemed to be less humidity than yesterday, and the birds were chirping merrily, competing with Max, who was barking as he raced through the meadow with the pony.
“I wonder what Lily’s doin’ today,” Eva said, setting her large tin bucket down on the dirt near her bare feet.
Frona looked over at her, her blue bandanna keeping her hair bun secure. “Whatever she’s doin’ certainly doesn’t include us.”
“I’m sure she misses us as much as we miss her, though.”
Frona moved to the next plant and stopped to get out a hankie to wipe her forehead. “I seriously doubt that.”
Frona’s old mood had made a reappearance, and Eva didn’t think now was the time to share Alfred’s request to call. Sure as the sunrise, when next Tuesday afternoon came, she’d have to explain why she was leaving to head across the field.
“Gut thing we’re out here before the birds decided to make a Fescht of the strawberries,” Frona said, then muttered something about nasty creatures.
When her pail was close to overflowing, Eva carried it to the house, careful not to spill a single berry. She drew some cold water and gently took handfuls of the bright red fruit and placed them in the sink, washing each one carefully before cutting out the stem.
By the time Frona came inside with her full pail, Eva was ready for that batch. They planned to make jam right away to lock in the freshness.
>
Later, as they were washing canning jars, Bena and little Katie Ann arrived with a casserole dish of tuna and noodles. Then, not ten minutes later, Naomi showed up with some pulled pork and scalloped potatoes.
“Well, isn’t this somethin’?” said Frona, who thanked both women and invited them to stay for cold meadow tea.
“I thought you’d enjoy not having to cook with all those strawberries comin’ on fast,” Bena said, setting Katie Ann on her lap at the table. “But I had no idea Naomi was thinkin’ the selfsame way.”
This brought a round of laughter.
“It does get busy round here,” Eva said, realizing how much Lily had helped in the past. She took babbling Katie Ann from Bena and walked straight to the cookie jar to let Katie nibble on a treat.
“Not too many,” Bena warned, looking like she could use a few minutes to sit and rest.
“Ach, we got caught,” Eva whispered to her tiny niece. “Better just eat half, all right?”
Little Katie Ann frowned her disapproval, and Eva knew she was in a pickle, so she brought her niece back to Bena, who broke the cookie in half. The tot accepted the smaller portion and leaned her head on Eva’s shoulder.
“She’s such a dear,” Eva said.
“What do ya expect? You offered her a sweet,” Bena teased.
Eva asked Naomi, “Would ya like some more cold tea?”
“Ach, maybe so.” Naomi fanned herself with the hem of her apron.
Eva gave Katie Ann back to her mother. “I’ll pour some milk for her,” Eva said, going to the fridge.
“As you can see, we’re about to put up some strawberry jam,” Frona was saying while Eva poured the milk. “Can hardly keep up with that berry patch!”
Bena mentioned they were trying to eat at least some of their fresh pickings. “We’ve plenty of little mouths to feed.”
Katie Ann babbled in Deitsch, telling Bena she was ready for the other half of her cookie, and they all laughed about it.
“Sounds like she’s got herself a mighty sweet tooth,” Naomi said.
“Like her Mamma,” Bena said, squeezing Katie Ann. “Ain’t so, Bobbli?”
Katie Ann reached up a chubby hand, and Bena kissed it.
They talked of other things—an upcoming work frolic at the deacon’s house, and another auction, too, this one a farm sale.
After a while, Bena said, as though she had been waiting for the right moment, “I have some news. Menno received another letter from Cousin Jeptha.”
Eva swung around, all ears.
“He’s heard rumors ’bout a runaway Amish teenager livin’ somewhere outside of Kidron,” Bena told them. “We’re still lookin’ into it. Not much to go on, really.”
Eva took a seat next to Naomi. “Jah, not very reliable at all. But hopeful.”
Bena nodded. “Jeptha assured Menno he’s keepin’ his eyes and ears open.” She held the milk glass up to her little daughter’s mouth, and Katie Ann put her dimpled hands on top of Bena’s.
“Makes ya wonder how many Youngie run off lookin’ for greener pastures,” Frona said.
Or pastures that aren’t so green, Eva thought.
Naomi’s eyes welled up. “Perhaps this is the beginning of the miracle we’ve all been hopin’ for.”
Eva stared at Bena, not sure what to make of this news. Oh, she hoped Naomi was right.
It was unbearably warm and sticky in the buggy shop; the battery-powered fans hardly made a dent in the oppressiveness. Jed had been working all morning on the wooden dashboard for the two-seater surrey he was constructing.
His mind was occupied with several futile attempts to explore various leads about Lily Esch via the Amish grapevine, which could sometimes be so undependable. And he’d also placed phone calls from the carriage shop to Mennonite churches in the area, as well as to relatives. He even found the number for a halfway house for Amish runaways in Sugarcreek, and planned to call there, too.
Wouldn’t someone, somewhere, have heard of a former Amish girl trying to go fancy? Perhaps one of the many scribes for The Budget might write about it this coming week. The thought spurred him on.
Needing something cold to drink, Jed walked the length of the shop to Uncle Ervin’s office area, where there was a small refrigerator with chilled drinks. He reached for an orange soda and saw his uncle heading this way. “Say, I’m glad I caught ya.” Jed stepped aside at the doorway.
“Something on your mind?”
Jed waited for him to lower himself into his comfortable chair near the handcrafted credenza. “I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about joining church come September.”
“Well, I’ll be turkey feathers,” his uncle declared, crossing his arms. “That-a boy. Mighty glad to hear it.”
Jed smiled and nodded. “Ain’t something I wanted to rush into, considering everything.”
“You’re wise to take your time—to know for certain this is the life you want. The baptismal vow is the most serious promise you’ll ever make.”
To God and to the church. “Later this summer, I’ll begin my instruction with the deacon.”
Uncle Ervin leaned back, his gnarled hands gripping the arms of the chair, and closed his eyes. He was silent for some time; then suddenly his eyelids fluttered open. “Such gut news . . . truly ’tis.”
Due to the high humidity, the office room seemed cramped with the two of them, despite its being a decent-sized space. Jed took another long swig of his soda and said, “I’ll get back to work now.”
Uncle Ervin eyed him solemnly before Jed turned to exit. Over in Perry’s work area, Jed strode past the partially built buggy and nodded cordially, then made his way to his own space.
As he worked, Jed recalled the latter part of his date with Marilyn Halverston. In all truth, Marilyn was just as pleasant as he’d expected, and things might have gone differently had Eva not been so heavily on his mind. He had felt so distracted that he wondered why he’d ever agreed to Levi’s suggestion to double-date. Of course, the sundaes had been exceptionally tasty, given there were more than a dozen choices of toppings—various sliced nuts, miniature marshmallows, and chopped hard candies. Jed had chosen chocolate crumbles and walnut pieces, and Bettina had giggled as she pointed out the instability of the high mound atop his double dips, insisting it was all going to come rolling off.
Later that night, after returning home, he’d wandered out to the large pond overlooking the old ice house on his father’s land, juggling his conflicted thoughts. He relived the long Sunday walk with Eva, when they’d fed the ducks. When I held her hand . . .
One thing was readily apparent: Not once since leaving Lancaster County had Jed longed for Lydiann, the woman he’d mourned a full year.
Chapter Thirty-two
EVA WORKED SIDE BY SIDE with Frona at Thursday market, where they’d put out dozens of pint jars of strawberry jam for sale, along with a selection of nut brittles, almond bark, and other candy—taffy, caramels, and toffee. She had written the labels with her best printing, something Lily had always enjoyed doing for Mamma, and then Frona. Presently, Eva cordially engaged their customers, all the while holding her breath for Cousin Jeptha’s contact to discover more so that a trail might begin to open and lead them to Lily. This was Eva’s constant hope and prayer. Since hearing from Bena two days ago, she had awakened in the night several times after dreaming about her sister.
Jed Stutzman had also shown up in one of her dreams. It was strangely vivid, and Jed and Lily had been walking through a large milking parlor in an Amish barn, smiling as they strolled along. Eva had awakened with a start, feeling dreadfully annoyed, as if they’d both abandoned their affections for her. How odd, thought Eva, wondering how her longing for Jed had become tangled up in thoughts of Lily.
Later, when there were fewer customers gathered about their table, Eva walked to the fudge display where Jed had purchased her surprise gift. She stared down at the colorful wrappings and remembered how her heart had fluttered at the sight of the box.<
br />
Jed felt something for me, she soothed herself.
“Can I help ya make your choice?” asked the clerk.
“Just lookin’.”
“Ach, well, lookin’s not tasting.”
“Believe me, I know.” She moved along the display case and admired how these candies were arranged, thinking of her own display.
She remembered again the last time she’d seen Jed. The tour she’d given him of her shop, his eyes so earnest, his smile infectious. “I’ll have one of those,” she said suddenly, pointing to the same type of fudge Jed had given her.
To relive that happy memory, she told herself as she reached for her purse.
It was Frona who noticed the flag down on the mailbox when they neared the turnoff to their driveway. “Looks like the mail’s come.”
“Are you expecting something?” Eva asked.
Frona shook her head and guided the horse to make the right-hand turn. “We’re all caught up on circle letters, ain’t?”
Eva said she was. “Your idea to spread the word to our Ohio cousins might be partly why Cousin Jeptha found out what he did. Have ya thought of that?”
“Like you, I’m leavin’ it up to the Good Lord. Worryin’ causes me an upset stomach anymore.”
Frona said it so seriously, Eva’s heart went out to her. “Aw, sister.”
Then, halting Prince, Frona suggested Eva go and check the mail while Frona started to unhitch.
Eva hurried to the mailbox, since Frona could certainly use her help. It was no easy chore unhitching alone, and besides, it was beginning to rain.
She looked over at Masts’ to see if either Abner or Naomi was in view. Abner was surely around someplace, given the work dairymen were required to do—sterilizing the milk house equipment, including scrubbing the bulk tank, and cleaning out the barn. All of it needed to pass muster with the milk inspector.
Eva opened the mailbox and pulled out a single letter with her name on the envelope. “Lily’s handwriting,” she whispered.
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