by Amy Clipston
Now here she sat in a puddle as his lean, six-foot-two frame, brown hair, and powder-blue eyes that reminded her of the brilliant sky in springtime raced toward her. The sleeves on his blue button-down shirt were rolled up on his arms to just above his elbows, revealing the muscles he’d developed from working on the Blank farm.
Ellie fought the urge to cover her face with her hands as humiliation rained down on her. The boy she’d liked for years had managed to see her at her absolute worst. Could this day get any worse?
When he reached her, Lloyd’s lip twitched as if he were holding back a smile. “Are you all right?”
“Ya, I’m okay.” Ellie’s cheeks heated with embarrassment. “I didn’t see the puddle.”
“Need help?” A smile spread across Lloyd’s face as he held out his hand. At least her hands were still free of mud.
“Ya,” Ellie muttered, taking the outstretched hand. “Danki.”
He gently lifted her to her feet as if she weighed only a few pounds. She longed to find someplace to hide away from his sparkling eyes. But instead she glided her hands down her apron, making mud splatter to the ground, then craned her neck to peer past him. “Daisy is getting away!”
“I’ll get her before she reaches the road,” Lloyd said. “You stand ready at the gate.” Lloyd followed the cow and Ellie ran to the fence. Her apron and dress felt heavier with the mud weighing them down, to say nothing of her shoes.
She turned to see Lloyd had caught up with Daisy and was waving his arms wildly, yelling “Hoi! Hoi!” as he herded her back toward the pasture. Ellie silently marveled at his skill as he commanded the cow. He was an expert, just as Seth had been.
Daisy trotted into the pasture, and Lloyd helped Ellie shut the heavy gate before turning to look at her.
“You have some mud on your cheek,” he said with a grin. He looked like he was about to touch her face, but instead he pointed. “It’s right there.”
Ellie brushed her hand across her cheek. “Did I get it?”
Lloyd shook his head. “You smeared it.”
Ellie swiped her hand over her cheek again, but knew she’d probably only made it worse.
“This lock needs to be repaired,” Lloyd said, now studying the latch. “I’ll work on that today.”
“Danki.” Ellie gnawed her lower lip. She wanted to thank him for helping with Daisy, too, but she didn’t want to gush. “I’m glad you came along when you did. I clearly wasn’t going to be able to persuade her to come back. Seth was the expert when it came to herding cows.”
Lloyd looked up from the latch. “You were doing fine until the mud got the best of you.” His blue eyes sparkled with amusement. “I’m froh I could help.”
“Mamm and I appreciate all you’re doing for the farm,” she said as she rested a hand on the fence. “You’re a tremendous help.”
“I haven’t done much.” Lloyd fiddled with the latch again. “I wish I could do more, but I’m busy with my chores at home too.”
“I understand.” Ellie searched for another subject to prolong the interaction. “I heard the youth gathering is at your parents’ haus Sunday night.”
“Ya.” Lloyd leaned against the fence. “Rebecca and Marie are excited. They’ve been cleaning like crazy.”
“It will be fun.” When he responded with an unenthusiastic shrug, she was alarmed. “You’ll be there, right?” She wanted to kick herself as the words spilled from her lips. Why did she have to sound so immature and eager?
“I suppose I’ll be around somewhere since I live there.” He lifted his straw hat and raked his hand through his dark hair. “I don’t know if I’ll mingle since I’ll be the oldest person there—other than my folks, of course. Twenty-four is too old for that.”
“That’s not true,” she insisted. “You’re not too old to be a part of the youth group. You can still be an active member.”
He smiled. “I’d make a better chaperone, but thanks for the encouragement.”
“Seth used to go,” Ellie continued, hoping to change his mind. “He and Veronica would stop by sometimes.”
“That’s true. He mentioned that a few times.” He seemed to agree with her only to avoid further discussion. “So maybe I’ll see you there.”
“Okay.” Ellie hoped he would.
“I guess I’d better work on this latch.” Lloyd gestured toward the largest barn. “Are Seth’s tools still in there?”
“Ya, they are.”
“I’ll fix this so Daisy doesn’t try to escape again.” His eyes moved to her dress. “You probably want to get cleaned up.”
“Oh, right.” She’d almost forgotten about the mud while they were talking, and she found herself feeling self-conscious once again.
“I’ll see you later, Squirt.” Lloyd grinned at her.
Ellie pursed her lips. Why did he have to ruin the moment?
“My name is Ellie. I’m too grown up to be called Squirt.” She squared her shoulders and started toward the house as tears threatened her eyes. She was still just a child in his eyes. Why couldn’t Lloyd see her as one of his peers? After washing some of the mud off at the outdoor pump, she rushed up the back steps and into the mudroom with renewed humiliation.
She blew out a deep sigh as she sat on a bench to take off her shoes. She was being silly. After all, Squirt was the nickname Seth liked to call her. Lloyd knew that.
Mamm came into the mudroom. “Ellie! You’re a mess! What happened?”
“I fell in a puddle,” Ellie said, her voice quaking. “But Lloyd was able to stop Daisy. She’s back in the pasture, and he’s going to fix the latch on the gate.”
“Oh, good.” Mamm clicked her tongue. “I suppose we’ll need to get the wringer washer going again for your clothes.”
“Ya, you’re right.” Ellie pulled off her apron as her mother disappeared into the kitchen. She looked out the window to the pasture fence where Lloyd was already working on the gate. Disappointment stole over her. She’d managed to look immature in front of Lloyd, the only boy she’d ever cared about.
“Why aren’t you going to get changed?” Mamm called from the kitchen.
“I am. I’ll be right back.”
Ellie walked to the stairs and climbed to the second floor. As she reached the landing, her glance fell on the closed door leading to Seth’s room, and she stopped. She took a shaky breath as she stared at the door, her hands trembling.
The familiar sadness crept in. She hadn’t seen the inside of her brother’s room since the day of the accident, and the door called to her, inviting her to step inside and see the only tangible things he’d left behind.
She turned the knob and slowly opened the door. Both the stale air and her grief nearly overcame her as she stepped into the room. Her eyes filled with tears as she imagined Seth grinning at her as he stood near the window. His smile always lit up a room. Six years her senior, Seth had been tall and lean, towering over her by four inches. He’d become her protector and surrogate father after their father had died from a massive heart attack.
But now Seth, with the same seafoam-green eyes and sandy blond hair their mother had passed on to Ellie, was gone too. Her lower lip trembled and tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Ellie scanned the room, taking in all of Seth’s things. Nothing had been disturbed since the accident. Her mother had avoided this room too. Seth’s dresser stood in the corner with his favorite trinkets lined up on top of it, including the wooden sign that said Love. Veronica, his fiancée, had given it to him on Valentine’s Day. The pegs on the wall held his jackets, and with the closet door cracked open, she spotted his trousers hanging there.
Her thoughts turned to Veronica, and a lump filled her throat as the events of the day of the accident assaulted her mind. Ellie had been baking when she’d heard a knock on the door and left the kitchen to see who it was. The bishop was on the front porch, telling her mother there had been a terrible accident. Her blood ran cold as he explained that Seth’s boss had called him. Set
h had fallen from the rafters of a shed. Ellie moved closer to her mother as the bishop explained that EMTs had come to the shop, but there was nothing they could do for Seth; he was already gone. They called the coroner, and Seth’s body was going to be brought to their house. Her mother had dissolved into tears in Ellie’s arms, and all Ellie could think about was how to tell Veronica.
Ellie called Veronica and managed to tell her to come to their house as soon as she could, but when Veronica and her father had arrived, and she asked Ellie what had happened, the reality of the situation flooded Ellie’s soul. Her voice broke on a sob as she told Seth’s fiancée he was dead.
In an instant, all their lives had been changed forever because their precious Seth was gone.
Ellie and her mother moved in a fog during the next couple of weeks. Before Ellie knew it, Seth was buried, and she and her mother were going through the motions of each day, doing their best to keep their little farm running without Seth to help with the animals. She was thankful for his friends and their family members who came by to assist with the chores, and for all the meals their community provided as they grieved. But how would they continue to pay for their household expenses without Seth’s paycheck from the shed company? Her mother hadn’t talked about that yet, but it wouldn’t be long before they’d have to. Ellie knew her mother was downplaying their financial need when people asked if they needed help. Her mother didn’t want to burden anyone, but Ellie suspected the time would come soon when they would have to face reality.
She stood and crossed the room to the window. After raising the green shade, she unlocked and lifted the window, sending a stream of warm, sweet air bursting into the stagnant room. She pushed away memories of her brother and then hurried to her own room to change clothes.
“Let’s figure out what we want to have for supper.” Ellie crossed the small kitchen to the propane-powered refrigerator later that afternoon. “What sounds gut to you, Mamm? I think we still have some—”
A knock sounded on the back door.
“I’ll get that.” Ellie hurried through the mudroom and found their neighbor, Sadie Esh, standing on the back porch, holding a covered dish. “Sadie,” she said, opening the door wider to let Sadie step in. “Wie geht’s?”
Sadie was a few inches taller than Ellie, so Ellie had to look up at the plump woman with graying brown hair and brown eyes.
“Hi, Ellie.” Sadie followed Ellie into the kitchen. A delicious aroma filled the room.
“How are you, Margaret?”
“I’m doing all right.” Mamm gave her a sad smile. “How have you been?”
“Fine, fine.” Sadie placed the covered dish on the table. “I brought you supper.”
“Oh, Sadie.” Mamm lifted the lid and examined the chicken and dumplings. “It looks and smells appeditlich.”
“Danki, Sadie.” Ellie moved to the stove. “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Oh, no, thank you.” Sadie gestured toward the back door. “I can’t stay. I have to help Katie pack.”
“Pack?” Ellie asked. “Where is she going?”
“She decided to go to Ohio to spend time with my niece, Clara.” Sadie rested her hand on the back of one of the wooden dinette chairs. “Just last week, Clara had her third baby in less than four years, so she’s looking for some help. Katie is eager to get out there and spend some time with her cousins. I’m going to miss her, but she’ll have fun.”
“Oh my,” Margaret said with a smile. “It sounds like Clara has her hands full, ya?”
“Ya, that’s true.” Sadie shook her head. “So now her boss, Gene Rider, is scrambling to find a replacement for Katie at his gift shop in town. Katie was working there part-time up until yesterday. If you know anyone who is looking for a part-time job, let me know. He asked me to check around.”
“What shop is that?” Ellie asked as she leaned against the kitchen counter beside her.
“The Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures shop up on Old Philadelphia Pike, across from the Farmers’ Market,” Sadie said.
“That’s the shop that has the schee ornaments made out of metal, right?” Ellie asked.
“Ya, that’s right.” Sadie nodded.
“That’s a busy place,” Mamm chimed in. “Whenever I’m in town, I see lots of tourists going in and out of there.”
“Katie really liked working there,” Sadie continued. “She said Gene is very nice, and he has always been flexible with her schedule.”
An idea ignited in Ellie’s mind. She needed to find a place to work as a way to contribute at least a fraction of what Seth used to earn. Maybe Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures would give her the flexibility to work while still helping out at home.
“That sounds wunderbaar,” Ellie said, contemplating the opportunity. Would Mamm permit her to take the job?
“Well, I have to get going,” Sadie said, starting back through the mudroom. “I’ll stop by to visit again soon.”
Ellie and Mamm followed Sadie to the door and thanked her again as she left.
“Wasn’t that nice of Sadie to bring us a meal? Our neighbors have been so kind.” Mamm opened the cabinets and fetched two plates. “It smells fantastic.”
“Ya.” Ellie lifted utensils from a drawer and brought them to the table. “I can’t wait to try it.”
They sat at the table and, after silent prayer, scooped the chicken and dumplings onto their plates.
“This is wunderbaar,” Mamm said. “Sadie is a very gut cook.”
“She is.” But Ellie only moved a dumpling around on her plate as she considered asking Mamm about the job.
“Is something on your mind, mei liewe?” Mamm asked.
Ellie placed her fork on the corner of her plate and wished her expression wasn’t so transparent. “I want to ask you something.”
“What’s that?” Mamm said, then dabbed her mouth with a paper napkin.
“I was thinking about Katie’s former job at Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures. I think I may want to look into it.” When her mother’s expression clouded with confusion, Ellie pressed on. “I need to find a part-time job, and it sounds like working there would be ideal.”
“You want to get a job?” Mamm’s fork paused in midair as she studied Ellie.
“Ya.” Ellie fingered her own napkin. “I need to contribute more now that Seth is gone.”
Mamm put her fork on the table and her expression warmed. “Ellie, you know my brothers have been paying the mortgage since your dat passed away.”
“I know that, but Seth took care of everything else.” Ellie’s stomach tightened. “You don’t have to protect me from the truth. I’m an adult, and I understand the situation we’re in. I don’t know what you’ve been thinking we’d do about our other expenses, Mamm, but my getting a job only makes sense.”
Her mother’s eyes misted, and a lump swelled in Ellie’s throat. Please don’t cry, Mamm. Please don’t cry.
“I’ll just work a couple of days each week,” Ellie pressed on. “It will be enough to help with groceries, and probably anything else we need. We’ll be frugal. But now that Seth is gone, I need to take care of you.”
“But you’ve never worked in a store. And besides, it’s not your responsibility to take care of me,” Mamm said softly as she touched Ellie’s shoulder. “We will be fine, and we’ll take care of each other.”
“How? What are we going to do when people stop bringing us meals?” Ellie asked. “We won’t even have money to buy food without Seth’s income— unless we have money I don’t know about. Do we?”
Mamm shook her head. “No. At least not enough to last. You’re right. But I haven’t wanted to burden you with it. I thought God would provide somehow.”
“Please, Mamm.” Ellie’s voice quavered. “I really want to do this. I want to do this for us. Maybe this is how God is providing. If it doesn’t work out, if some other option comes up, then I’ll quit.” She held her breath as she waited for her mother’s approval.
Mamm s
ighed and then smiled. “All right. If it will make you froh to get this job, then I give you my blessing.”
Ellie smiled, excited. “Danki, Mamm. I know this will be gut for us both.”
Chapter Two
Lloyd Blank closed the barn door later that evening and started toward the large white farmhouse where he’d lived since he was born. He yawned, and every muscle in his body ached from the work he’d accomplished since he’d risen at dawn. After completing his morning chores at his father’s farm, he’d headed to the Lapp place. Although he was worn out from the extra work, he was thankful that his father allowed him the time to help Margaret Lapp.
When Seth died, Lloyd and several of Seth’s friends promised Margaret they would all help with chores, and Lloyd had kept his promise. In honor of Seth, he longed to spend more than a couple of afternoons a week helping Margaret. But he had too much responsibility at home. Since he was the only son, Lloyd was expected to keep the dairy farm running alongside his father. He would also eventually inherit it.
Lloyd climbed the back porch steps and lowered himself onto his mother’s favorite glider. As he moved the glider back and forth and looked at his father’s line of four barns and vast pastures, his thoughts stayed on Seth. It still seemed surreal that Seth was gone. Lloyd had grown up with him, both in their church district and at school. They were instant friends beginning in first grade. Although they had taken different, busy paths after school—Lloyd becoming a dairy farmer and Seth going into construction—they still kept in touch, talking at church services and other gatherings.
But now Seth was gone. Lloyd sighed and rubbed his chin as grief hit him once again. He missed his friend. They had enjoyed long discussions about everything from farming to their personal lives. While Seth had been engaged to Veronica and was preparing for marriage, Lloyd still hadn’t found the right maedel. But even though Seth talked nonstop about Veronica, Lloyd had been happy for them.