by Amy Clipston
Ellie continued to contemplate the birds all morning. When it came time to break for lunch, she peeked into the workshop. Gene was sitting at his bench, polishing a metal treasure box.
“Gene?” she said, leaning into the room from the doorway.
“Hi, Ellie.” Gene smiled over at her. “How are things going?”
“Everything is going fine. I thought I’d take lunch in the break room now.” She pointed toward the small room next to his workshop.
“Sure thing.” He stood and wiped his hands on a red shop rag. “I’ll take care of the front while you’re gone.”
“Thank you.” Ellie started toward the break room and then stopped. She felt compelled to tell Gene about Lloyd’s carvings even though Lloyd had insisted he would never sell them. She lingered in the doorway and ran her finger over the woodwork while considering whether or not she should tell him about the birds.
“Is everything all right?” Gene asked as he tossed his shop rag onto the workbench.
“I think I found something unique,” she said, now fingering the hem of her apron. “It’s something I’ve never seen sold at the shops around here.”
“Really?” Gene raised his eyebrows with interest. “What did you find?”
“Last night I was at my friend’s house,” Ellie began, “and I found out he whittles carved birds. They aren’t just ordinary carvings. They’re incredible.” She cupped her hand. “I held a couple of them, and it was like holding real birds.”
“Interesting.” Gene rubbed his beard. “Do you think customers would buy them?”
“Ya, I do,” Ellie said. “Last week a couple of customers asked for something more unique that was Amish-made. Another one asked me today. They all said they’re tired of seeing the same gifts in every store, or at least they’ve already bought everything that appeals to them.”
Gene frowned. “I can understand that. As I mentioned when Phoebe brought this up with both of us, I have to admit that sales have been down for a while. I’m concerned that I may have to cut back somehow if the sales drop much lower.”
Worry seized Ellie’s heart. She needed this job so she could help support herself and her mother. What if Gene meant he’d have to cut her hours—or her job altogether? “I think the birds might be perfect for the store. The detail is so real. He has all different birds, some I hadn’t even heard of. He uses a bird manual as a guide and writes the species on the bottom of each carving. I think people would love to own them. As I said, they’re different from anything I’ve ever seen at another shop.”
“They sound great.” Gene’s expression brightened. “I’d love to see one of his carvings. Do you think you could get me one?”
“I can try.” Hope swelled inside of Ellie. “I’ll talk to him about it the next time I see him. Thank you so much for considering them.”
“You’re welcome.” Gene nodded toward the door. “Enjoy your break.”
Ellie spent the remainder of the day thinking about Gene’s offer to look at one of Lloyd’s carvings. Now she just had to find a way to convince Lloyd to let her show one of his precious birds to Gene. Maybe his carvings would be the key to keeping her job as it was.
Ellie scrubbed a pot later that evening as her mother wiped off the table. “Did you know Lloyd whittles beautiful carved birds as a hobby?”
“Lloyd Blank?” Mamm asked with surprise.
“Ya.” Ellie dried her hands and faced her, leaning back against the counter. “I found out last night at the youth gathering. I accidentally found his woodworking shop.” She described the carvings in detail, and her mother’s eyes widened. “He’s never told anyone about his hidden talent.”
“Oh my.” Mamm shook her head. “Lydia never mentioned it to me either. That’s really wunderbaar that he can make those.”
“Apparently he never even told Seth. He’s kept it a secret for years.” Ellie shared the story of how Lloyd’s grandfather taught him how to whittle and how he’d inherited the tools. “Remember when I told you Gene is looking for something unique that’s Amish-made to sell at the store?”
“Ya, you said some customers were looking for something different to buy.”
“Exactly,” Ellie said. “I told Gene about the birds, and he wants to see one.”
“That’s great,” Mamm said. “I’m sure Lloyd will be thankful that you shared the information about his birds with Gene. Maybe he can sell them and help his family.”
Mamm returned to wiping the table and guilt nipped at Ellie. She had to tell her mother the whole truth.
“Actually, Lloyd already told me he doesn’t want to sell the birds,” Ellie admitted as she gripped her dish towel. “When I told him about the possibility of selling the birds at the store, he said it’s just a hobby and refused to talk about it further.”
Mamm tilted her head. “Are you saying Lloyd told you no, but you talked to Gene about the birds anyway, against Lloyd’s wishes?”
Ellie sighed. “Ya, I did. Gene said sales are down and he may have to make some cutbacks. I was hoping maybe Lloyd’s birds could help.”
Mamm’s expression was one of disapproval. “You really need to respect his wishes. There may be some special reason why he doesn’t want to sell them. If you push the issue, you could lose Lloyd’s friendship.”
The thought worried Ellie, but she held on to her belief that the birds needed to be shared with others, whether or not their sale made a difference in her job. “I don’t think he realizes how special those carvings are, Mamm. He probably could make a lot of money for his family as well as make tourists froh.”
Mamm’s expression softened as she moved to stand beside Ellie. “Your intentions are pure, but it’s Lloyd’s decision. They’re his carvings. The best thing you can do is respect his feelings about his work.”
“Ya, Mamm.” Ellie nodded as she returned to the dishes in the sink. But deep in her soul, she was certain she could convince Lloyd to sell the carvings. She just had to find the right words.
She also knew the fear of losing her job made her intentions a little less pure than her mother thought, but she was going to try to think only of Lloyd’s best interests.
Chapter Five
Ellie pulled a weed from the garden and dropped it into the bucket at her feet. The afternoon sun warmed her neck and her back as she squatted down and tugged at a robust, green weed that seemed to have a root system as healthy as a hundred-year-old oak tree.
“Need some help?” a voice behind her asked.
As Ellie looked up, her sweaty hands slipped from the weed, and she fell backward, landing on her bottom at Lloyd’s feet. Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Why did she have to fall like a klutz in front of him again?
“I seem to keep finding you in the dirt.” Lloyd held out his hand and chuckled. “Let me help you up.”
Ellie reluctantly took his hand, and he again lifted her to her feet as if she were nearly weightless. “I’m really not a clumsy oaf.” She wiped her hands down her apron.
“I know that.” Lloyd continued to smile, and her heart thumped despite her humiliation. “It was that pesky weed. Let me help.” He gave the weed a couple of yanks before it exploded from the ground in a tangled mess of roots and dirt. He dropped it into the bucket and then swiped his hands together.
“Danki.” She glanced down at her apron, thankful she wasn’t covered in mud this time. “I didn’t realize you were here. Have you been working in the barn?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I just got here. I’ve been trying to get over here to help since Monday, but unexpected projects kept coming up at the farm. I guess Thursday is better than never, right? I wanted to say hello before I got started on the stalls.”
A smile spread across her lips and she forgot her embarrassment. He came to see me before he started on his work?
“How’s your week going?” he asked.
“Fine.” She recalled her conversation with Gene on Monday, and despite her mother’s warning,
she decided it was the perfect opportunity to ask him again about his carved birds. She took a deep breath and plowed forward. “I told my boss Gene about your carvings on Monday. I explained how amazing they are.”
Lloyd’s smile faded. “Why did you do that?”
“I really believe they would be a great addition to the store,” she continued. “Gene is interested in seeing one. I’m working all day tomorrow. You should stop by and bring that yellow warbler.”
“Wait, Ellie. Slow down.” Lloyd held his hands up to stop her from speaking. “Why did you tell him about the birds? I already said I don’t want to sell them.”
“I truly believe your birds will bring joy and happiness into the lives of the people who buy them, Lloyd.” She folded her hands to plead with him. “Please reconsider.”
He shook his head, and his frown deflated all her hope like a punctured balloon. “No, I can’t sell them.” He gestured toward the barn. “I need to get to work. I’ll see you later.”
As he loped off toward the barn, Ellie wondered why he couldn’t see the beauty in his own work.
Lloyd moved the knife over the dove he’d been working on all evening. His thoughts had been stuck on his conversation with Ellie earlier that afternoon. He couldn’t stop his laughter when she fell backward in the dirt. Even though it wasn’t funny to see her fall, her expression was priceless. She looked both bewildered and embarrassed, and she was adorable.
Ellie never ceased to surprise him. He couldn’t fathom why she had talked to Gene when Lloyd had asked her not to. Why was she so insistent on selling his birds? Seth wasn’t as stubborn as his little sister. He had been even-tempered and patient.
Lloyd’s fingers moved over the wooden dove in his hand, and he thought of Seth. He wanted to do something special in memory of him. This dove would be a humble memorial, but it seemed to be a fitting one. He would finish the dove in memory of Seth.
As Lloyd continued to work, he couldn’t get the image of Ellie telling him about her conversation with Gene out of his mind. Although he was disappointed that Ellie had talked to her boss about the birds, he had enjoyed the sparkle in her light-green eyes as she gushed about his creations. He couldn’t explain this sudden awareness of Ellie. What was wrong with him? He’d seen her grow up. It wasn’t right for him to think of her as anything other than a friend.
A tap on the doorframe interrupted his thoughts.
He looked over his shoulder and found Rebecca standing in the doorway. “Hi, Becca.”
“It’s late,” she said, crossing her arms over her blue dress. “Mamm asked me to come and get you.”
“I was just finishing up.” He placed the knife on the table.
“What are you making now?” Rebecca closed the distance between them and took the bird from his hand. “This is schee, Lloyd.”
“Danki,” he said as she turned it over in her hand. “It’s going to be a dove.”
“This is fantastic, Lloyd.” Her eyes were wide as they met his. “You are so talented.”
“Do you really think so?” The question leapt from his lips before he could stop it. He couldn’t stand sounding so vulnerable. Why did it matter that someone liked his work? It was just something he did for relaxation.
“Ya, of course I do.” She sank onto the stool beside him.
“Ellie thinks I should sell the carvings at Bird-in-Hand Gifts and Treasures in town. I don’t think I can, though. Dat would never permit it.”
A knowing smile spread across Rebecca’s lips. “Do you like Ellie?”
He was speechless for a moment. “Why would I like Ellie?”
“You hesitated.” Rebecca’s smile transformed into a sly grin. “You do like Ellie. I had a feeling you two liked each other when I saw you talking at the youth gathering, but I didn’t want to say anything.”
“We don’t like each other,” Lloyd said quickly. “I couldn’t possibly like her.”
“Why not?” As she set the bird on the table beside her, she looked bewildered. “Ellie is schee, smart, and funny. What don’t you like about her?”
“It’s not that.” Lloyd shoved his hand through his hair. “It wouldn’t be right for me to like her that way. She’s Seth’s little schweschder.”
Rebecca chuckled. “Lloyd, in this community, we’re all someone’s bruder or schweschder.”
He blinked, speechless. He hadn’t expected that response.
She stood. “Let’s go before Dat comes looking for you.”
Lloyd flipped off one lantern, then lifted the other one and used it to guide their way back to the house. As they walked in silence, his thoughts were consumed with Ellie. Was Rebecca right when she said Ellie liked him? These feelings were brand-new and confusing. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered in the back of his mind.
Lloyd sat between two of his friends during the church service the following Sunday. Rebecca’s words from Thursday evening echoed again through his mind as the hour-long main sermon played like background noise to his deep thoughts.
His sister had simply stated that everyone in the community was someone’s sibling, but he understood the deeper meaning. Rebecca had given him permission to like Ellie as more than a friend. The idea still didn’t sit right with him, though. He still felt as if he would break an unwritten code between Seth and him. He could never imagine one of his friends dating Marie or even Rebecca, so how could he entertain the notion of asking Ellie to be his girlfriend?
Still, Rebecca’s words lingered in his mind, overshadowing his other thoughts.
As the minister continued to talk, Lloyd’s eyes moved to the unmarried women sitting on a section of benches across from the unmarried men. Ellie was sitting between Rebecca and another friend. She was dressed in a light-green dress that complemented her eyes, and her golden hair peeked out from under her white prayer covering. She was beautiful, and he watched her as she leaned over to Rebecca and whispered something. Both of the young women grinned and then looked down toward the barn floor as if trying to hide their amusement at whatever Ellie had whispered.
Lloyd glanced down at the hymnal in his hand and tried to make sense of the confusing feelings swirling inside of him. Ellie was sweet and beautiful, but no, she was too young.
After the service was over, Lloyd helped the other men convert the benches into tables for the noon meal, then sat with his friends while they waited for lunch. They were all discussing the rising price of diesel needed to run milking machines when he felt a gentle bump on his shoulder. He turned and found Ellie smiling at him.
“Kaffi?” She lifted her coffeepot.
“Oh, ya. Danki.” Lloyd handed her his cup. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. You?” Ellie smiled. Oh, how he loved that beautiful smile.
The thought caught him off guard for a moment. “I’m fine too,” he said quickly.
“Gut. I’ll see you later.” She moved on to the next person at the table, and he realized he didn’t want her to go.
Lloyd tried to think of a reason to see her again and an idea struck him when she reached the end of the table. As she exited the barn to return to the kitchen, he stood and followed her outside.
“Ellie,” he called. “Wait a minute.”
She spun to face him and raised an eyebrow with concern. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no.” He closed the distance between them. “I want to ask you a question.”
“Oh?” She held the coffeepot close to her chest. “What did you want to ask me?”
“Are you going to the youth gathering tonight?” Suddenly self-conscious, Lloyd stuffed his hands in the pockets of his trousers.
“Ya, I am.” Ellie nodded.
“I am too,” he said. “Would it be all right if I picked you up?” he asked.
Her eyes widened with shock. “That would be fine.”
“Great,” Lloyd said. “Rebecca, Marie, and I will get you on our way out there.” He turned to head back to the barn.
�
�Lloyd,” she called after him, and he whirled around. “I thought you said you were too old for the youth gathering.” Amusement twinkled in her eyes.
He shrugged with a grin. “I guess one of my freinden changed my mind. She said people of all ages go to the gatherings.”
Ellie grinned. “You have a very schmaert friend.” With that she turned to go.
Lloyd chuckled as she walked toward the house. He couldn’t wait to see her later.
As her pulse pounded with excitement, Ellie rushed from her room and down the stairs. She was still flying high with anticipation after Lloyd had offered to pick her up for the youth gathering this evening. Did the invitation mean he planned to ask her to be his girlfriend? The notion caused her insides to warm. She’d dreamt of being his girlfriend since she was twelve, and now she was almost certain it could actually happen.
She walked into the family room, where her mother was reading a Christian novel. “I’m ready to go.” She crossed to her mother’s chair and kissed her on the cheek.
With suspicious eyes, Mamm peered at her over her half glasses. “Why are you so eager, Ellie?”
“I’m just looking forward to seeing my freinden.” Ellie grinned. “Lloyd, Rebecca, and Marie are picking me up in a few minutes.” She started for the door. “See you later.”
“Be safe,” Mamm called.
As Ellie stepped outside, she heard the clip-clop of Lloyd’s horse making its way up the rock driveway to her house. Her stomach fluttered as the buggy drew near. She found his sisters were in the back, so she climbed into the front. She greeted Rebecca and Marie as she settled into the seat beside Lloyd.
“Danki for picking me up,” Ellie said.
“We’re glad you could join us,” Lloyd said. When he smiled at her, her pulse quickened again.