Amish Sweethearts

by Amy Clipston

  Mamm nodded. “That makes sense.”

  “Ya, it does.” Ellie considered some of the customers. “A few people asked for more Amish-made crafts. Gene’s niece thinks we need to add more unique items to the Amish section, and I think she’s right. I just need to figure out what we can sell. Can you think of something unique that we don’t see in many tourist shops?”

  Mamm shook her head. “No, I can’t. I’ll have to think about that. So you liked the job?”

  “Oh, ya. By the afternoon, I was running the showroom by myself, and I loved it.” Ellie grinned as she snapped another bean and placed the snapped-off end and extra fibers into the discard bowl. She put the trimmed bean into the larger bowl with the others. “It’s a lot of fun, and Gene said he’ll pay me every other week. Do you need me to do anything now that you didn’t get to finish today? Do I need to weed the garden again?”

  “It’s fine, Ellie.” Mamm touched her shoulder. “I handled the garden today. You’re helping me plenty now. I’m froh that you like the job.”

  Ellie glanced toward the pasture. “Have any animals tried to escape today?”

  Mamm chuckled. “No, Daisy has been safely nestled in the pasture today. And Seth’s friend Jason Huyard from work came by and took care of the animals earlier.”

  “Has Lloyd been by today?” Her stomach trembled a little when she said his name. She longed to keep her feelings for him tucked away, but her emotions always got the best of her. Why did she bother thinking about him? He’d never be more than a friend to her. The age difference would always come between them.

  “Lloyd?” Mamm asked, shaking her head. “No, I haven’t seen him, but I think he did a great job fixing the latch on the gate.”

  “That’s gut.” As Ellie snapped more beans, she wondered when she’d see Lloyd again. She hoped he’d decide to mingle during the youth gathering at his parents’ farm Sunday night. In fact, hadn’t he promised he would?

  Ellie sat between Rebecca and Marie Blank at the youth gathering Sunday evening. Although the sisters were three years apart, they could nearly pass for twins since they were the same five-foot-five and had matching brown hair and eyes. Lloyd was the only child who had inherited their mother’s blue eyes.

  Three volleyball nets were assembled in the grassy lot adjacent to the Blank family’s large white, two-story clapboard house. Teams of young people played at each homemade court, leaping, jumping, and laughing as the volleyballs sailed through the air. Small groups of young people sat nearby, some cheering on the teams and others oblivious of the games while they talked among themselves.

  Ellie ripped out blades of grass while the sisters talked and the noisy games continued. Memories of playing volleyball with Seth and his friends took over Ellie’s mind. She recalled the day Seth patiently taught her how to serve the ball. He showed her over and over again until she served it correctly, and his girlfriend, Veronica, returned it to her, bumping it gracefully over the net.

  Why had Ellie thought coming to the youth gathering would be fun when the memories dampened her mood? She knew the answer to that question. She’d hoped to see Lloyd, but she hadn’t caught a glimpse of him all afternoon.

  “Ellie?” Rebecca’s voice broke through Ellie’s thoughts. “Are you all right?”

  “Ya.” Ellie swiped her hands together to brush away the blades of grass and then leaned back on her palms.

  Rebecca and Marie exchanged skeptical looks.

  “Do you want to play volleyball?” Marie jammed her thumb toward the nets. “They’re getting ready to change up the teams.”

  Rebecca’s brown eyes brightened. “We could play together on the same team.”

  “Ya!” Marie agreed with excitement.

  “No, but thank you.” Ellie tried to force a smile, but she was sure it looked like a grimace instead.

  “Was iss letz?” Rebecca’s expression clouded with concern.

  “You seem upset,” Marie chimed in.

  “I’m fine.” Ellie feigned a yawn. “Just tired.” She pointed toward the volleyball courts. “You can go play if you’d like. I’ll be happy to root for you.”

  Another expression passed between the sisters, this time one of suspicion. Did they think Ellie wouldn’t notice?

  “Really, it’s okay,” Ellie insisted. “I know you both love to play. Don’t let me hold you back.”

  Rebecca and Marie stood, wiped off their dresses, and headed toward the nets. Ellie watched them play for a few minutes, but she soon grew tired of sitting alone and decided to take a walk. She stood and started toward the house, nodding and greeting friends as she passed them.

  As she ambled past one of the smaller barns, she noticed the door was open. She stepped inside and the scent of earth filled her nostrils. Her shoes crunched on hay as she moved past rows of shovels, saws, racks, and other tools toward a small room at the back, where another door was open to a smaller room.

  Ellie hesitated in the doorway, but then stepped inside what looked like a small woodworking shop. She examined a workbench cluttered with whittling tools and then touched one of the knives, wondering whose shop she’d discovered. Seth had never mentioned that Lloyd liked to work with wood, so she doubted it was Lloyd’s.

  She moved to a table and found the most beautiful wooden birds she’d ever seen. She lifted one and nearly gasped as she examined the detailed work that had gone into this creation. The bird was small enough to fit into her hand, but it looked as if she were holding a real bird.

  Ellie ran her fingers over the smooth wood, taking in the wings, the beak, and the eyes. Whoever had created this bird clearly loved it.

  She placed the bird back in its original spot on the table and then examined another bird. She scanned the table and surmised there had to be at least two dozen birds there representing different species. A few she recognized as seagulls, cardinals, and bluebirds. Others were familiar, but she didn’t know the bird names.

  Ellie gingerly picked up one of the birds whose name she didn’t know and took in its intricacies. She suddenly remembered Phoebe Rider’s comment about trying to find some unique, Amish-made item for the gift shop. What if Gene sold these beautiful birds? She hadn’t seen anything like them in any of the shops in town.

  This would be perfect! She excitedly held up another bird. Yes, it would be perfect. She just needed to find out who had made these birds and ask permission to show one to Gene and Phoebe.

  “May I help you?”

  Startled, Ellie spun around, nearly dropping the bird when she found Lloyd watching her from the doorway.

  Chapter Four

  Lloyd.” Ellie righted herself as embarrassment burned the tips of her ears. She shouldn’t have barged into this shop uninvited. Where were her manners? “I didn’t hear you walk up behind me.”

  “Hi, Ellie.” He stepped inside. “What are you doing in here?”

  “Oh, well, I saw the barn door was open, and then I was curious to see what was back here.” She spoke quickly, stumbling over her words. “I didn’t mean to snoop.”

  “I didn’t realize I had left the door open.” He moved to the workbench and leaned his hip against it as he faced her.

  “This is your shop?” Her eyes widened with surprise. Why hadn’t Seth told her Lloyd did woodworking? Did Seth even know about this secret talent?

  “Ya.” Lloyd shrugged. Ellie noticed the sunbeam coming through the window made his eyes seem a lighter shade of blue and gave his hair golden highlights.

  “Where did you learn how to make these schee birds?” She held up the one in her hand and suddenly felt ashamed for touching his private things.

  “Mei daadi taught me a long time ago. We used to make little projects together for fun.” He looked down at the bench. “Mei mammi gave me his tools when he passed away, and mei dat let me set up a little shop back here. I just play around with the tools sometimes. It’s a hobby really.”

  “Seth never told me about these birds. Did he know about them?” />
  “No.” He shook his head, and he seemed self-conscious. “Only my family knows about them.”

  She took a step toward him and breathed in his scent, earth and wood mixed with soap. “This is the most schee carving I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  “Danki.” Lloyd shook his head. “But you’re just being nice.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s incredible.” She turned the bird over in her hand. “What kind of bird is this?”

  He took the bird from her hand, and she almost shivered when their fingers brushed together. He held the wooden creature up to the window and examined it in the sunlight. “It’s a yellow warbler.” He motioned for her to stand beside him. “See there?” He pointed to letters carved in the bottom of the bird. “I put the names of the species on the bottom.”

  Ellie shook her head with surprise. “How do you know so much about birds?”

  Lloyd gave her an embarrassed smile. “I’m not really that smart.” He pulled a thick book from one of the drawers in the workbench. “I use this to look up the birds. See?” He flipped to a page and pointed to a photo of a bird. “I model the carvings after the photos. I’m really not some sort of genius. I just like working with wood.”

  “You have a real special talent.” She smiled while imagining the birds in Bird- in-Hand Gifts and Treasures. “You need to sell these.”

  “No.” He waved off the suggestion. “This is just something I do to relax after a long day.”

  “I’m serious, Lloyd.” Ellie held up the carved bird again. “I just started working at Bird- in-Hand Gifts and Treasures in town. The owner is Gene Rider, and he makes beautiful metal items as gifts.”

  Lloyd folded his arms over his chest and nodded. “I’ve heard about that store, looked in the front window a time or two.”

  “Well, he’s looking for something unique made by a local Amish person to sell there. He thinks it will help boost his sales because that’s what customers have been requesting lately.” She spoke quickly, hoping to use the right words to convince him. “Your birds are just what he’s looking for. He could sell these birds for you, and you would make some extra money.”

  “No.” Lloyd took the bird from her and placed it back on the table. “I already told you that it’s just a hobby.”

  “You are so talented, Lloyd,” she insisted.

  “No one would want to buy them.”

  “You’re wrong,” she said, pleading with him. “I’m certain they will sell.”

  Lloyd’s expression softened and he gestured toward the door. “Would you like to go for a walk?”

  She blinked, stunned by his suggestion. Did he want to spend time with her or was he simply trying to distract her from talking about selling his carved birds? “Ya, I would.”

  “Gut.” Lloyd gestured toward the door, and they made their way out of the barn by the light still coming through the windows.

  They started toward the pasture, but then Lloyd stopped and turned to her.

  “Wait. Did you want to play volleyball?”

  “No, not really.” She gave him a shy smile.

  “I thought you liked volleyball,” he said, looking surprised. The volleyball games were still going strong on the other side of the house.

  “I used to.” Ellie ran her fingers along the pasture fence as they walked. “It’s not the same anymore.”

  “It reminds you of Seth.” His words were gentle.

  Her eyes met his and she found sympathy there. “That’s exactly right. Rebecca and Marie invited me to play with them, but I couldn’t do it. I kept thinking about the day Seth and Veronica taught me how to serve and bump the ball. It was too painful.”

  Lloyd stopped walking. “I know what you mean. A lot of things remind me of Seth too.”

  “Some days are worse than others.” She kept one hand on the fence. “I can’t stand it when my mamm cries. It tears me apart inside.”

  “I imagine it does.” Lloyd looked past her toward the youth group, and she wondered if she was holding him back from having fun.

  “Am I stopping you from playing volleyball?” she asked.

  “Who, me?” He smiled and shook his head. She enjoyed seeing his handsome smile. “No, I don’t belong out there with those young people.”

  “You’re not old, Lloyd.” She wagged a finger at him. “You were going to hide in your woodshop until I found you. You weren’t going to keep your promise to mingle at the youth gathering.”

  He rubbed his chin. “I never promised you I would do that.”

  “Ya, you did.”

  “I said I would be around since I live here, but I never said I’d take part.” He turned toward the house. “Are you thirsty? Mamm made her famous iced tea. Let’s get a glass. We can sit on the porch and watch everyone play volleyball.”

  “That sounds perfect.” A smile spread across her lips as Ellie followed Lloyd to the house. She’d never dreamt of spending so much time with Lloyd. She prayed he’d soon see her as more than a friend.

  Lloyd stepped into the mudroom later that night and set his lantern down on the bench. He’d spent the entire evening with Ellie, and he was surprised that he’d had a good time with her. After they gathered glasses of iced tea and a plate of snacks, they sat on the porch together. They ate and talked until it was time for Ellie to head back home. They discussed everything from the weather to her brother and some of their mutual friends. She’d been sweet and funny, and for some inexplicable reason, he felt himself growing attached to her.

  He mentally shook himself. But how could that be possible? Ellie was the same age as his sister Rebecca. Any feelings for her would be inappropriate. In fact, he’d be furious if one of his friends wanted to date Rebecca. He pushed the thoughts away as he sat on the bench and shucked his work boots. This was just craziness. Ellie was his friend, and that was all she’d ever be to him—a special friend.

  “There you are, Lloyd.” Rebecca appeared in the doorway. “I was wondering where you’d gone.”

  “I made sure the last of your friends got off safely and then checked on the animals.” He set his boots under the bench and noticed she was lingering. “Do you need something?”

  “No. I want to ask you something, though.”

  “What is it?” He leaned back on the bench, waiting for her response.

  “I saw you talking to Ellie earlier. How was she?” Her expression was filled with concern.

  Lloyd shrugged. “She seemed okay. Why are you asking about her?”

  “She seemed really bedauerlich earlier.” Rebecca rested one hand on the back of a chair as she talked. “Marie and I tried to convince her to play volleyball with us, but she didn’t want to. I had a feeling it reminded her of Seth.”

  “Yeah, she told me that.” Lloyd rested his ankle on his opposite knee. “We talked about Seth a little bit, but we also talked about other things. She was fine. I think it helped her to get away from the volleyball nets and think about something else.”

  “Oh.” Rebecca grimaced and rubbed her forehead. “I’m such a bad friend. I didn’t even think about that.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Lloyd shook his head. “Don’t blame yourself. I think grief is unpredictable sometimes.”

  “Ya.” Rebecca’s expression softened. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll try to be more attentive the next time I see her.”

  “She wasn’t upset with you,” Lloyd insisted. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “Oh good. I’m glad you could cheer her up. You two looked like you were enjoying each other’s company.” Rebecca tapped the back of the chair. “I’m going to head upstairs.”

  Lloyd nodded as she left. He stood, went into the kitchen, and crossed to the sink. As he filled a glass with water, his thoughts turned back to Ellie and their conversation in the woodshop. She’d seemed determined to convince him to sell his carved birds, and the excitement in her eyes surprised him. He’d never imagined anyone would show such an interest in his work.

/>   For a split second, he had considered taking her up on her offer, but he couldn’t allow himself to entertain the idea of selling his creations, especially after his father called his hobby prideful. He wouldn’t dare disrespect his father, and besides, who would want his silly birds? Just because Ellie thought they would sell well at Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures didn’t mean anyone would actually buy them. It was a ridiculous notion, but he was still amused by her interest. Ellie was a sweet maedel.

  He drank the water and set the glass in the sink before heading toward the stairs. He tried to push away thoughts of Ellie, but her pretty smile filled his mind. What was wrong with him? She was only nineteen.

  Lloyd climbed the stairs to his bedroom and tried to shake off all his thoughts of Ellie. He’d enjoyed spending time with her tonight, but they were just two friends sharing conversation and pretzels and iced tea on the porch, and nothing more.

  Ellie was still smiling when she arrived at Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures Monday morning. She hadn’t stopped smiling since she’d left the youth gathering last night. She had never in her wildest dreams imagined that she’d have the opportunity to spend an evening talking to Lloyd. It had been wonderful. She’d felt a strong connection with him while they talked. It was as if they really understood each other. Could he possibly like her as more than a friend? The possibility sent a shiver of excitement through her as she stepped into the showroom and set to work.

  Ellie’s thoughts lingered on Lloyd throughout the morning as she helped customers and kept the showroom tidy. When she wasn’t busy with customers, her eyes frequently drifted to the back of the store where Phoebe suggested they add unique Amish-made goods. Maybe she’d been right when she’d told Lloyd the birds were an example of what those customers said they wanted in the Amish section of the store. Ellie found herself mentally designing a display for Lloyd’s beautifully carved work. She would set up special shelves and arrange the birds by size, giving each one a good amount of space on the shelf so customers could appreciate the intricate detail.

  She recalled the feel of the carved birds she’d held in her hands. She’d been overwhelmed by Lloyd’s craftsmanship. How could he not appreciate his own talent? Why had he kept his creations a secret? Those birds deserved to be shared and loved by others. Why didn’t he want to sell them? After all, God had blessed Lloyd with that talent, and they were called to share their talents with the world.