The Innkeeper's Bride

by Kathleen Fuller

  Chapter 18

  “Where are we going?” Cevilla asked as Richard pulled out of the driveway.

  She and Richard still had a steady relationship. They still ate their meals together. He still read in the evenings while she crocheted before he went home for the night. But he had also attended the Mennonite church again, and they hadn’t talked about the future since the blizzard. Yet for once Cevilla’s unease didn’t have to do with her impatience. She couldn’t get the letter that had fallen out of Richard’s coat pocket off her mind. He was considering giving up so much for her, and she’d chastised herself more than once for not fully realizing that sooner. She was becoming selfish and self-absorbed in her old age, the exact opposite of Amish values. All because of romance. No, not romance. Love.

  She still loved Richard, more than ever. And because she loved him, she had to let him go. She’d planned to do that tonight, but he’d put a kink in that plan by insisting they were going out.

  “It’s a surprise,” he said now, his grin noticeable even in the dim light of the car.

  She managed only a halfhearted smile in return.

  They drove in silence until he pulled into the parking lot of the Stoll Inn.

  “What are we doing here?” she asked, completely befuddled as he parked near the entrance.

  “Like I said, it’s a surprise.” He reached for his cane in the backseat and then opened his car door before coming around the other side of the vehicle to open her door. When she started to get out, he held out his hand. She took it, feeling warm and secure. Her heart started to crumble.

  “I don’t like surprises,” she muttered as she followed him to the inn.

  “Trust me, you’ll like this one.” He held her hand as they made their way slowly up the steps, ignoring the accessible ramp on the other side of the porch. She hadn’t been here since she’d visited Delilah to satisfy her nosiness about the completed renovations. She’d been impressed. But she couldn’t see the exterior very well in the dark, despite the automatic lights that lit their path. That wasn’t anything new—she’d had trouble seeing in the dark for a few years now. When they reached the top of the steps, Richard let go of her hand and opened the door.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day!”

  Cevilla’s jaw dropped at the sight of Selah Ropp standing in the lobby, grinning with delight. She was such a pretty girl, especially when she smiled. Wait, did she say Valentine’s Day? “Richard,” she said, turning to him, “what is going on?”

  “Come in, both of you.” Selah gestured for them to enter.

  When Cevilla walked into the lobby, she halted, stunned. She had almost forgotten all about Valentine’s Day over the years. It wasn’t a holiday the Amish necessarily celebrated, although she had when she was a child and still English. But right now she couldn’t be in a less romantic mood. Her nerves twisted and tangled. The lobby was decorated for a romantic supper, with a fire in the woodstove, candlelight everywhere, and a lovely set table in the middle. Delicious smells wafted through the air. Was somebody grilling? “I . . . I . . .”

  “She’s speechless,” Richard said, beaming as if he’d just discovered how to achieve world peace.

  After taking their wraps, Selah moved to stand by Levi, who was looking handsome tonight. They made a lovely couple, and even though they weren’t interacting with each other, something about them being together was natural. Her sixth sense tingled. No wonder Delilah was so frustrated with the two of them.

  “So far so good,” Richard said.

  Cevilla’s sixth sense deflated like a child’s balloon after a bully popped it. What had this man gone and done?

  “Please sit down.” Selah guided them to the table, which was covered with a white tablecloth and had a vase holding a lovely red rose in the center.

  Cevilla looked at Richard. “What did you do?” she said, finally finding her words.

  Levi pulled out a chair for her. “Just a little something special.”

  “For my special lady,” Richard added as she sat down, and then he took the chair across from her.

  She would have groaned at his corny line if she wasn’t so overwhelmed. She stared at him. Never in a million years would she have thought he’d do something like this.

  The next few minutes were a blur as Selah brought their drinks, followed by a basket of rolls. Richard took one, spread it with butter, and then handed it to Cevilla, the grin still on his face, his eyes gleaming in the candlelight.

  “Uh, thank you.” She took the roll and put it on her plate. “Richard, you didn’t have to do this.”

  “I know, but it’s Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want to make too much of a fuss, but I couldn’t let it go by without making it special.”

  I wish you had. He’d ruined her plan. They couldn’t talk now. Not only were Levi and Selah here, but a guest could come down the stairs at any moment. Which made her wonder. Where were the rest of the diners? “I didn’t realize the Stolls served an evening meal here. I thought they only served breakfast.”

  “Usually they do.”

  When he explained how he had rented the inn and persuaded Levi to prepare a one-off dinner, Cevilla gripped her napkin. Who knew what else he had up his sleeve? I have to tell him before this goes too far. Her mouth felt like cotton, but she had to go through with it. She put her napkin on the table and said, “Richard . . . we need to talk.”

  * * *

  Selah peeked through the cracked door of the kitchen to check on Cevilla and Richard. She couldn’t believe how giddy she felt over this elderly couple’s romantic dinner. It was nice to be happy and excited about something for once. When Nina said she felt nervous about serving the supper, Selah had jumped at the chance to do it instead. For the first time in a long time, she felt normal—and pleased that she had contributed to this special occasion.

  The only hiccup had been Levi, and that wasn’t his fault. Trying to keep her feelings for him under wraps was exhausting, and it seemed that the harder she ignored them, the stronger they were. Planning the supper had been a good diversion, even though they had worked on it together. Nina was a good buffer, plus Selah was focused on making sure everything was perfect, which made it easier to set her emotions aside. But when she saw Levi right before Cevilla and Richard arrived, her equilibrium flew out of whack. He had showered and changed clothes, and when he stood by her, she caught the scent of soap and freshly laundered clothes, plus something that was uniquely him. Her emotions went into overdrive, and she was thankful when their guests arrived.

  Soon she would bring out the first course—a simple salad with oil and vinegar dressing. She had read about fancy suppers, and some of them were so overboard. She couldn’t believe people ate things like fish eggs and twenty-four-karat-gold-covered chocolate. That was far too excessive. Just splitting a normal Amish meal into different courses made things different but not too extreme.

  She saw Richard lean forward and smile as he talked to Cevilla, who still looked as shocked as she had when they arrived. That surprised Selah. She thought Cevilla would have relaxed by now. Then again, maybe it took longer for such a big surprise to wear off for someone elderly. Richard seemed pleased, which was good.

  “Aren’t you being sneaky.”

  She turned to see Levi walk up behind her. He had come through the mudroom, where just outside the back door he’d set up the grill to cook the steaks. “I’m checking on our guests without being obvious,” she said, carefully letting the door close.

  “Oh. That’s what it’s called.” His green eyes twinkled behind his glasses. “He really managed to surprise Cevilla.”

  “That he did. I just hope she’s happy about it. She still looks stunned.” She went to the other side of the kitchen and placed several cherry tomatoes, cut in half, on top of the salads. Then she drizzled oil and vinegar over the lettuce leaves before adding three homemade croutons on top of each one.

  “Need any help with those?”

  “Nee.” She placed the
salads on a serving tray. When she turned, she brushed his side with her arm. “Sorry,” she said, moving past him to get a set of the salt and pepper shakers on the opposite counter.

  “Mei fault. I was in the way.”

  She tried to keep her eyes down and focused on the seasonings, because if she looked up at him while they were this close, she didn’t know what she would do. The kitchen was barely big enough for her and Nina or Delilah, but Levi was larger and taller than them both, and his presence seemed to fill the room.

  “I better check on the steaks.” He slipped out through the mudroom.

  She blew out a breath, glad he was gone but wishing he was there just the same. She’d have to talk to Tera about how to handle her intense feelings at her next therapy session. Last time she’d seen her new counselor, she thought she could handle them herself. But lately they had become so all-consuming that she didn’t know what to do. She put the salt and pepper shakers on the tray and returned her focus to their guests. She wasn’t going to spoil their evening.

  When she brought out the salads, her heart squeezed a little at the sight of Cevilla and Richard. She could see how they were meant to be, not only because of his grand gesture but because of how he looked at her and listened to her. They really were a sweet, loving couple . . . who were suddenly arguing.

  “You what!” Richard sat up straight in his chair, his eyes wide. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m very serious.” Cevilla’s chin lifted, her look imperious. In contrast to Richard’s angry expression, she was the picture of calm. “You can drive me home now.”

  “I will not drive you home!”

  Selah froze halfway between the kitchen and their table. Now was not the time for the salad course.

  “You will explain yourself, woman.” Richard threw his napkin on the table.

  “How dare you call me woman!”

  “How dare you tell me it’s over!”

  “What in the world?” Levi said, appearing beside her.

  “I don’t know,” Selah said, backing away. “They were fine a second ago.”

  “It’s over because it needs to be.” Cevilla’s chin fell slightly. “I’m asking too much of you, Richard. I know your daughter doesn’t approve of me.”

  “Sharon has nothing to do with this.”

  “I read her letter.”

  Richard froze, his bushy gray eyebrows narrowing. “You what?”

  “We should geh back into the kitchen,” Levi said.

  Selah felt his hand tug on her elbow, and she followed him. Once in the kitchen, she set the tray on the counter. “What went wrong?” she said, staring at the salads she’d so carefully prepared. “Did I overdo the decorations? Would another kind of bread have been better?” Her hands started to shake, and she clasped them together.

  “Selah, we both heard Cevilla say something about reading a letter and Richard’s dochder.” Levi put his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her to face him. “Everything you planned is perfect.” He glanced over his shoulder at the closed door. “But Cevilla and Richard clearly aren’t.”

  “I wanted this to be wonderful for them,” she said, feeling the warmth from his hands calming her.

  “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding,” he said, but he looked uncharacteristically somber. “They need to work it out, and then they can get back to the festivities of the evening.”

  “I hope so.” Despite her better judgment, she again cracked open the door and peeked out. Her heart sank as they continued to argue. I guess Richard wasn’t the only one with a surprise.

  * * *

  I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry. Richard’s outburst had startled Cevilla, but it hadn’t completely surprised her. He had a right to be angry. She should have kept her mouth shut and tried to get through the evening. But she never would have been able to without speaking her heart.

  “How did you find the letter?”

  She stared at the uneaten roll on her plate. “It fell out of your coat pocket.”

  “And you believed you had the right to read it?”

  “I know I shouldn’t have read it. But I’m glad I did.” She regained her composure. “I know how Sharon really feels about me.”

  Richard sighed. “She has . . . issues.”

  “With me.”

  “With everyone. No matter who I date, she has something negative to say.”

  This was the first time she’d heard him mention past girlfriends. “How many women did you date before me?”

  His head shot up. “Are we really going to do this now?” He reached for her hand. “Let’s just enjoy tonight, okay?”

  “No, it’s not okay.” She pushed back from the table, and she would have popped up from the chair if her popping days hadn’t been over. Her joints creaked as she moved to stand. “You always do this.”

  “Do what?” he ground out.

  “Change the subject. Avoid the topic. Pretend everything is all right.”

  “It was,” he said, his voice growling with anger, “until you read my personal correspondence.”

  He was deflecting again, even though he was right. “Take me home, Richard.”

  His mouth dropped open. “Cevilla, I—”

  “Now.”

  He didn’t say anything else as he stood. “I need to thank Levi and Selah.”

  “I’ll go to the car.”

  As he walked toward the kitchen, she grabbed her coat. Then she stepped outside, stopping on the porch, her chest aching. Oh Lord, what have I done?

  * * *

  “Don’t worry, Richard,” Levi said after the man explained that they would have to cut supper short for the evening.

  Selah gripped the counter behind her. This was awful. Not only had the two of them not made up, but they were leaving.

  “I appreciate everything you young people have done for us tonight, but Cevilla . . . Well, she’s not feeling well.”

  Levi nodded. “We can do a rain check. Or a refund.”

  “You keep the money. And you two,” he said, pointing at Selah and Levi, “enjoy those steaks.” He turned and, on unsteady legs, walked back into the lobby.

  “I’m going to see them out,” Levi said to Selah. “I want to be sure they get to their car safely.”

  She nodded, and her heart went out to the two of them. She said a quick prayer, asking God to help them work out their problems.

  There was a knock on the back door, and Selah slipped through the mudroom to open it. Delilah came in, huffing, carrying the side dishes. Nina was behind her with the dessert. “I can’t believe Levi made me come through the back way,” Delilah said, as though the family didn’t always come in the back way. “In mei own establishment.”

  “He didn’t want you to interrupt Cevilla and Richard’s meal.” Nina set the cake on the counter.

  “Humph.” Delilah shoved the containers at Selah.

  “You’re just irritated because you can’t spy on them.”

  She whirled around. “Me?” She placed a hand on her chest. “Spy?”

  “Ya. You.” Nina laughed.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Selah said softly. “They left.”

  “Who left?” Delilah asked.

  “Cevilla and Richard.”

  Delilah’s brown eyes flamed, and she bit her bottom lip. “How dare they? What? Our food isn’t gut enough?”

  She shook her head. “They had a fight.”

  Delilah paused, her bluster disintegrating. “They did?”

  “Oh nee,” Nina said. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know. One minute they were fine, the next they were fighting.” She looked at the salads. Maybe it was her imagination, but the lettuce looked like it was already wilting. “Then they left.”

  “I see.” Delilah grew quiet.

  “What are we going to do with all this food?” Nina asked.

  Selah averted her gaze. “Richard said for me and Levi to enjoy it,” she whispered.

  �
�What? You’re not talking loud enough, Selah.”

  She looked at Nina. “He told me and Levi to eat it.”

  “Oh.” Nina’s expression turned sly. “Oh.”

  “Nina,” Delilah said, taking her granddaughter by the arm, “let’s geh back to the haus.”

  “Can’t I have a slice of cake first?”

  “Nee.”

  “Selah and Levi aren’t going to eat all that.”

  “I said nee. Now let’s geh.”

  Nina turned and gave Selah a thumbs-up before Delilah dragged her out of the kitchen.

  This couldn’t be happening. Selah stood there for a minute, trying to comprehend what had occurred. She looked at the salads, the containers of beans, beets, and mashed potatoes . . . the cake. She couldn’t eat Cevilla and Richard’s romantic supper. That wouldn’t be right.

  When Levi returned to the kitchen, Selah looked at him. “How are they?”

  “Giving each other the silent treatment.” He looked at the food on the counter. Then his brow shot up. “The steaks!”

  “What?”

  Levi flew out the back door. A few minutes later he brought back a plate with what looked like two pieces of charred leather. “I turned the gas off a little while ago, just to keep them warm.” He stared at the ruined meat. “Gut thing, or they would have caught fire.” He set them on the counter, thin tendrils of smoke rising from each one. Then he looked at Selah. “What do we do now?”

  “Take the food back to the haus and throw away the steaks. I’ll call Christian to come pick me up.”

  “You’re not going to eat?”

  She gaped at him. “Nee. I’m not going to eat someone else’s romantic dinner.” Unwittingly she lightly slapped his arm. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I don’t waste gut food.”

  Selah looked at the steaks, her lips twitching. “So you’re going to eat those?”