The Innkeeper's Bride

by Kathleen Fuller

  “Hello, Selah,” he said, taking off his hat as he approached the front counter. He stared at her. “Goodness, what have you been up to?”

  “Cleaning the woodstove.” She gestured to it with her hand and saw the big spot of dark soot on her sleeve. She thrust her arm behind her back.

  “Well, if stoves could sparkle, I’d say you’re on your way to making that happen.” He grinned. “Is Levi or Loren around? I’d like to ask one of them something.”

  As if on cue, Levi walked out of the office. He looked at Selah for a brief second, his left eyebrow lifting, but he didn’t say anything as he walked around the counter. “Hello, Richard. What brings you by?”

  Richard set his hat on the counter. “I have a question for you, young man. Do you ever open for supper?”

  Levi adjusted his glasses. “No, we don’t. We just serve breakfast.”

  “I see.” He stroked his clean-shaven chin. “Would it be possible for you to be open for the evening meal just one time, for a special occasion? As a favor to me?”

  Levi paused. “I don’t know. This is the first time we’ve had that request.”

  “I’d understand if you couldn’t, but I want to do something nice for Cevilla. She’s been a little down in the dumps lately.” He smiled. “I was thinking of a romantic supper. Nothing fancy, of course. Simple fare, but with some flowers on the table and her favorite dessert. I thought having it someplace other than home would be a welcome change.” Richard paused. “I’d rent the inn, of course.”

  Levi’s mouth dropped open. “The whole inn?”

  “Yes. Plus pay for supper and staff to serve it. I want this to be an occasion Cevilla will never forget. And I want it to be a surprise.”

  Selah took a step back, stunned. She also caught a flash of surprise in Levi’s expression, but he quickly hid it behind a professional demeanor.

  “I think it can be done,” he said in an even tone.

  Richard lifted one gnarled index finger. “Oh, I should have asked this first. Do you have any reservations for rooms on Valentine’s Day? I believe it’s on a Friday this year, if I’m not mistaken, and I’d like to have the dinner then.”

  “It is on a Friday. And no, we don’t happen to have any reservations for that night.”

  “Then if you think we can arrange this, I’d like to go ahead and pay in full now.”

  “Of course.”

  Selah watched as Levi moved behind the counter. How could he be so calm about this? Even she had been praying that business would pick up, and now they had a guaranteed sellout for Valentine’s Day—not to mention the chance to take part in a sweet and romantic idea. If someone rented an entire inn just for a romantic dinner with her, she’d be over the moon.

  She halted her thoughts. Remember yer “forever single” plan?

  Levi looked at Selah again with a blank expression and then turned to Richard. “We can go into the office and work out the details.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Selah figured Loren must not be in there since the office was big enough for only two people. When she finished cleaning the woodstove, Levi and Richard were still inside. She surprised herself by being so curious about their conversation. Did Levi even know how to put on a romantic dinner for two? Delilah would no doubt manage, but she wasn’t the one who’d just made a promise to Richard.

  The business side of the inn wasn’t her concern, though. She picked up her large pail of ashes, her broom, and the dustpan and went to the mudroom. After emptying the ashes outside and putting everything away, she went to the public restroom on the main floor of the inn to wash up.

  She looked in the mirror, horrified. Her sleeve wasn’t the only thing dirty. Her face and neck were covered in soot, and so was her kapp. No wonder Richard had been surprised when he walked into the inn and Levi had looked at her so strangely. She scrubbed off the dirt the best she could and then went outside and brushed the soot from her dress. She also attempted to neaten up her kapp without taking it off. She had a clean one at home, and she would scrub this dirty one later.

  When she went back to the lobby, Richard’s car was gone and the door to the office was closed. She was tempted to knock on it and find out what ideas Levi had for Richard and Cevilla. But instead, she started washing the stone tile hearth and the walls around the stove.

  As she worked throughout the day, she couldn’t stop thinking about the dinner. Several perfect ideas went through her mind, from appetizers to décor to the main menu. All very simple of course, but memorable. And what if they made the inn available for other special occasions, especially when the weather was nicer? The more she thought about it, the more she thought the idea held promise. It would take some discussion and planning, but in her opinion, it seemed doable.

  Levi, as usual, had made himself scarce, and she hadn’t seen him again by the time she left for the day—not even at lunch. She paused at the counter before going home and looked at the closed office door, her ideas ready to spill out. Was it her place to suggest something for the inn that didn’t have anything to do with housekeeping? More importantly, would Levi listen to her? He was so distant, she wasn’t sure. Yet she was proposing ideas for the business.

  As she walked home, she continued to argue with herself. But by the time she turned into her driveway, she had decided. Tomorrow she would speak to Levi about her ideas. She’d drive herself ab im kopp if she didn’t.

  * * *

  “Cevilla, I just don’t know what to do.”

  “Make a right up here.” Cevilla pointed to the intersection a few yards away. She’d been surprised when Delilah showed up on her doorstep and invited her to go to Schrock’s Grocery. Cevilla wasn’t in the mood for company or for a trip to the store, but Delilah wouldn’t take no for an answer. Now Cevilla knew why. The woman had been chattering nonstop about Levi and Selah. Again.

  “I know mei way to the store, Cevilla. I’m talking about mei grosssohn and Selah.”

  Her tone was snippy, but Cevilla didn’t hold it against her. “Didn’t we discuss this before? That you were going to hold yer tongue and mind yer own business?”

  “You have nee idea how hard that is.”

  Oh yes, I do. Her relationship with Richard had been back on track—until last week when she’d found a letter that had fallen out of his coat pocket. Despite knowing it was wrong, she’d read it before putting it back. Those written words had changed everything, but because she’d promised Richard she would let him manage his own business, she hadn’t said anything to him. That didn’t help the guilt and despair she felt inside, though.

  “Cevilla, are you listening to me?” Delilah sighed. “Honestly, every time I’ve tried talking to you lately, you haven’t paid attention.” She paused, turned right on the black asphalt road, and then continued. “I know something is wrong. Why don’t you just admit it?”

  “I wish you’d mind yer own beeswax, Delilah.”

  Delilah sucked in a breath. “Well, that was rude.”

  “Well, I’m tired of being polite. Obviously you want me to tell you to geh ahead and interfere with Selah and Levi. Fine. Here’s me giving you permission.” She turned and looked out the window. Delilah’s buggy still had its winter screen on it, but that didn’t stop the sun from warming the inside of the vehicle. If Cevilla wasn’t so irritated, she would have enjoyed the nice winter day.

  “What kind of advice is that?” Delilah snapped.

  Cevilla sighed. “The only kind I can give. Look, if you really believe the two of them belong together—”

  “I do. Although I did have a bit of a concern at one point.”

  She had to admit her curiosity was piqued. “But you don’t anymore?”

  Delilah shook her head. “Nee. And I’m frustrated that they’re getting in their own way.”

  “That’s usually what happens in these situations.”

  “I know.” She looked at Cevilla. “But this is different from when I’ve tried to set up Levi with any othe
r woman. I can see how much he cares for her, and it’s obvious Selah feels the same way about him.”

  Cevilla could see the distress in Delilah’s eyes. “You really are upset, aren’t you?”

  “I am.” She sniffed. “I know I’m nosy and a busybody and I like to be in control. It’s been pointed out to me more than once by mei familye, and I’m working on doing better, with God’s help. But Loren, Nina, and I have also grown to care about Selah. I’m afraid . . .” She frowned. “I’m afraid they’ll both end up brokenhearted when they don’t have to be.”

  Nodding, Cevilla touched Delilah’s hand. “Do you have a plan in mind?”

  “Not yet.” She pulled into Schrock’s parking lot. “I’m open to suggestions.”

  Cevilla sat back in her seat. It was hard to come up with romantic high jinks when her own emotions were in a tailspin. “I’ll pray about it,” she said. “You pray too. God may reveal to you that you need to stay out of it.”

  “If he hasn’t said anything about it by now . . .” Delilah shook her head. “You’re right. And I’m going to listen to whatever he has to say. But he’s been quite silent lately.”

  After she pulled into one of the parking spaces with hitching posts, she stopped the horse and then looked at Cevilla. “You don’t need to worry about Richard, by the way.”

  “Who says I’m worried?”

  “It’s written all over yer face. You look like you’ve been sucking on sour grapes for a month.”

  She touched her cheeks. “I look that bad?”

  “You look fine. But I can tell.” She smiled, her eyes filled with satisfaction. “And I also have a sixth sense about these things.”

  “Oh dear, that sounds familiar,” Cevilla muttered. How many times had she said that to unsuspecting future couples?

  “And mei sixth sense says you and Richard will be fine.”

  Cevilla nodded, but she wasn’t sure. Her own sixth sense had taken a leave of absence, and she didn’t know if it was ever coming back.

  “Let’s do some shopping.” Delilah smiled, the strain at the corners of her eyes gone. “I might even treat you to some ice cream.”

  “In January?”

  “Anytime is the right time for ice cream, mei friend.”

  * * *

  The morning after Richard stopped by, Levi was tired of hiding out in the office. And that’s exactly what he was doing—hiding. Even his father, who had finished teaching him about running the inn, had pointed out that Levi was spending too much time tucked away. “Is everything all right?” he’d asked when he returned from a trip to Barton with Nina the day before.

  Richard’s visit had given him a chance to change the subject, and by the time he’d finished telling his father about the dinner and full rental of the inn, Daed was thrilled. “An answer to prayer,” he said, and he thumped his cane on the floor, which reminded Levi a little bit of Cevilla. Daed would have to use the cane for several months, and he still had to take it easy, but his leg was healing faster than the surgeon had anticipated. They were all thankful for that.

  And now here he was, back in the office, the only place he could be where no one other than Daed would question him. Speaking of questions, his grandmother had been unusually quiet lately. In fact, everything seemed off and tense with his family and Selah, but he had chalked it up to the lack of business. He still felt optimistic, though. When the weather warmed up, they’d be turning people away.

  He wished he had the same positive attitude when it came to his own feelings for Selah. Keeping his distance from her was the most difficult thing he’d ever done—which was why he was always holed up while she did her work. He couldn’t risk seeing her for more than a brief glimpse, because he was afraid of losing his resolve. He missed the way things had been between them the short time before the blizzard. He’d missed her when she was in New York, and he had missed her when she wasn’t working. He plain missed her, and he had the sinking feeling it would be a long time before he stopped.

  He slipped off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have anything else to think about. He and his father had hoped that their four prior guests, who had all seemed to enjoy their stay, would spread the word about the inn. But if they had, the result wasn’t more customers. He and Daed had been coming up with marketing ideas. Trouble was, they weren’t very good.

  Levi put on his glasses and pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil. He was tapping the pencil on the desk, trying to think of another idea, when he heard a light knock on the door. “Come in,” he said, still focusing on the blank paper and willing his mind to get creative. Only when he looked up did he remember that the only person who knocked on the office door was Selah.

  She stood there in the doorway, clasping her hands like she normally did when she was nervous. He remembered the way she looked when Richard stopped by yesterday. She’d been covered almost head to toe in soot. He hadn’t been expecting that. Even looking like she’d jumped into a pile of ashes, she was still the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. And now, standing a few feet from him, fresh and clean in a light-purple dress and stark-white kapp, she was beautiful.

  “Uh, hi.” Great. He sounded like a frog had taken up residence in his throat. He cleared it and then placed one hand on the pad of paper before shooting up from the chair. The pad slipped from under his hand, hit the wall, and fell behind the desk.

  Her lips twitched a little.

  He regained his balance, crossed his arms, and leaned against the corner of the desk, trying to act casual. And probably failing. “What can I do for you?”

  “I wonder if I could talk to you for a minute. It’s about Richard’s visit yesterday.”

  Levi couldn’t turn her away when she was the one who approached him, especially about inn business. “Sure. What about it?”

  “Do you mind if I sit down?”

  He gestured to the empty chair near the desk and then carefully sat down before he did something else stupid. She was here to talk business, and he would be professional. “I have to admit I was surprised by his request.”

  “Me too, but I think it’s so sweet.” A dreamy look appeared in her eyes. “Very romantic.”

  Levi’s breath caught. Her expression was relaxed, her eyes sparkling. Keep it professional. He grabbed another pencil off the desk and started tapping it against his knee.

  “I was thinking,” she continued, looking at him again, “and I realize that I don’t have a right to give an opinion about how the inn should be run—”

  “Selah,” he said, stilling the pencil. “You work here, just like the rest of us. Yer opinion does matter. What do you have in mind?”

  He listened as she explained her idea of booking the inn for special occasions, and not just for Valentine’s Day. “Engagements, graduations, familye reunions, maybe even weddings,” she said. “Small parties, of course. I think we could fill a need for English people who are looking for a place to have a simple celebration at an affordable price. We’d have to set guidelines, of course. But most people who’d consider an Amish inn a venue would be looking for an unpretentious, wholesome experience.”

  She sounded like a seasoned marketer, and he liked her idea. But they couldn’t afford to do anything too risky right now. “First let’s see how it goes with Richard and Cevilla.”

  “Oh. All right.”

  He could tell he’d burst her bubble, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. “I don’t mean that we can’t do what you’re suggesting,” he said. “But I have to discuss it with Daed, and of course Grossmutter. I’m sure Nina would be on board.”

  “Are you on board?” Her eyes locked on his.

  His heartbeat sped up a notch. This was the side of Selah he was really attracted to—forthright and confident. A little challenging too. “Ya,” he said, unable to pull away his gaze. “One hundred percent.”

  Selah grinned. “That’s gut to know.”

  Oh, he was in trouble when she smiled at him like th
at. He tapped the pencil on his knee again with lightning speed as he averted his eyes. “Uh, do you want to discuss anything else?”

  “Actually, ya. Did Richard want anything specific for his special evening?”

  “He left it up to me. Said I know Amish customs better than him and that he would geh overboard if he had to plan it.”

  “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  He laughed and finally looked at her. “What do you think?”

  “I’m more than happy to help . . . if you want me to.”

  “Ya,” he said, faster than he intended. He gripped the pencil. “Grossmutter and Nina seemed a bit taken aback when I told them I’d agreed to Richard’s request. I’m sure they’d appreciate hearing yer ideas. You can get together with them to discuss the details.”

  “I’ll do that.” Then she looked at her lap again, her hands clasping. For some reason the confident Selah seemed to disappear. “Danki for letting me help.”

  “You don’t have to thank me.”

  “But you’re mei boss. I think I do.” She stood and headed for the door. Then she turned around, the spark of determination back in her eyes. “Let’s give Richard and Cevilla a special supper they’ll never forget.” She opened the door and walked out.

  Levi tossed the pencil onto the desk. He couldn’t even have a business conference with Selah without his emotions getting the best of him.

  Chapter 17

  The buzz of the alarm woke Jackson, and he groaned as he grabbed his cell phone from the bedside table and switched it off. Through bleary eyes, he glanced at the time and date. Six thirty a.m, February 13. He put the phone back on the table and let his head drop against the pillow. Why did he even bother setting an alarm on weekdays? His father didn’t care what time he showed up for work. But he’d made a New Year’s resolution to stick to regular work hours, and except for a few instances, he had. But he’d never been an early bird, even scheduling all his college classes for after ten. Coffee. I need coffee.

  He stumbled into the kitchen, awake enough to notice his father had already left the apartment. Dad had started going to the gym after his breakup with Ashley. Jackson didn’t know what had happened there, since he and his father weren’t talking after Jackson refused to tell him anything useful about the inn.