[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Los Angeles, California

  Phoebe’s stomach growled as she hurried down the street toward the ice-cream shop. She’d forgotten to set her alarm and had woken up late, so she hadn’t taken the time to eat breakfast. Not that there was much in her apartment to eat, anyway. She had cereal but no milk, bread but no butter, and coffee but no sugar to sweeten it. If she didn’t get more hours at her evening job soon, she didn’t know what she would do. Between Phoebe’s two part-time jobs, she was barely making enough to pay the rent and buy a few groceries. In order to save money, she’d started riding an old bike she’d bought at a pawn shop. It was cheaper than taking the bus to and from work and whenever she went shopping. It didn’t matter that the basket on the bike didn’t hold a lot, because she couldn’t afford to buy much, anyway.

  When Phoebe entered the ice-cream shop she knew immediately that she was in trouble because her boss, Toby, stood behind the counter with his arms folded, glaring at her. “You’re late,” he growled, nodding at the clock on the far wall. “What’s your excuse this time, Phoebe?”

  “I … uh … forgot to set my alarm, and—”

  “You’ve used that line before, and it’s gettin’ kind of old.” Toby pointed to the freezer where the ice cream was kept. “As if your tardiness isn’t bad enough, the container of strawberry ice cream was nearly full at the beginning of your shift yesterday, and now it’s almost empty. What have you got to say about that?”

  She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I … uh … sold a lot of ice cream yesterday.”

  “Did everyone buy strawberry?”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “You think I don’t know what’s been going on behind my back, or when I’m not here in the shop?”

  She gave no reply.

  “You’ve been helping yourself to the ice cream whenever you want, haven’t you?”

  A lump formed in Phoebe’s throat as she nodded slowly. “I … I was hungry.”

  “What’s the matter? Have you been forgetting to pack a lunch, just like you’ve forgotten to set your alarm?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t have much money, and I—”

  “So you think it’s okay to steal from me?” His steely blue eyes seemed to bore right through her. “I thought you Amish folks were honest and upright.”

  A feeling of shame washed over Phoebe. While she no longer dressed in Amish clothes, she’d told Toby when he’d first hired her that she’d grown up in an Amish home in Pennsylvania. She guessed he thought that meant she would set a good example. He was probably right—she should have—but he wasn’t the one doing without for lack of money. He didn’t have to work two jobs to make ends meet, either.

  “I know I just got paid yesterday, but that money’s gone already, so I’ll pay you back for the ice cream I ate when I get my next paycheck.”

  Toby shook his head. “There won’t be a next paycheck for you, young lady. I’ve had enough of your deceitful ways.” He pointed to the door. “You’d better turn around and head out now, because as of this minute, you’re fired!”

  Phoebe stood a few seconds, letting his words sink in; then she whirled around and dashed out the door. With only one part-time job, she wouldn’t have enough money to pay the rent, much less get food. “What am I going to do now?” she wailed.

  CHAPTER 47

  Pembroke, Kentucky

  When Titus woke up Saturday morning two weeks later, he looked around in amazement. He’d moved into his new house two days ago, and liked it a lot. No more squeaky drawers in the kitchen, bumping into the wall when he got out of bed, or dealing with leaky faucets or a toilet that overflowed. The manufactured home had been well cared for by its previous owners and had plenty of room. It had three bedrooms, one and a half baths, a full-sized kitchen, living room, dining room, and even a utility room where Titus’s new gas-powered wringer washer sat. It was nice not to have to haul his clothes to the Laundromat anymore.

  Guess I should call my folks and let them know I’m settled into my new home, Titus thought after he’d gone to the kitchen and poured himself some coffee. Come to think of it, I haven’t been out to the phone shanty to check messages since I moved in here. Guess I may as well do that now.

  He added a spoonful of sugar to his coffee, picked up the mug, and headed out the door.

  When he entered the dimly lit shanty, he turned on the battery-operated lantern, making it easier to see. The light on the phone was blinking, so he knew he had at least one message.

  Titus took a seat at the table, punched the button to listen to the messages, and leaned back in his chair.

  The first message was from Allen, reminding Titus that he’d be coming by later this afternoon to check things over on the house. He said he wanted to make sure everything was working right and that he’d picked up a used bedroom set he thought Titus could use if he had any overnight guests. Allen also said he’d be bringing the paperwork for Titus to sign in order to purchase the house and land.

  He smiled. Now that’s good news. Sure wish I’d had the manufactured home with an extra bedroom when Mom and Dad were here. Maybe Mom would have felt better about me living here if she’d seen this place instead of the old trailer.

  Titus listened to the next message. It was from Mom, saying she’d spoken to Arie Stoltzfus and that she’d gotten Phoebe’s address for him.

  He picked up the pen lying beside the phone and started to jot down the information on his arm, but changed his mind and used the tablet instead. It was time to grow up and act more mature.

  Titus stared at Phoebe’s address, and his thoughts took him on a journey to the past, remembering how things used to be between him and Phoebe….

  “Sure wish I didn’t have to sneak over here like this in order to see you,” Titus said as he and Phoebe hid in the shadows behind her father’s barn. “It’s not fair that our folks won’t let us court until you turn sixteen.”

  Phoebe moved closer until her arm was brushing his. “We can court without them knowing, just like we’re doing now.”

  “Puh! This ain’t courtin’,” he mumbled. “I want to take you out for rides in my buggy, bring you home from singings, take you on picnics and to volleyball games, and come calling at your house.”

  “We only have another year to wait, and then we can begin officially courting,” she whispered. “In the meantime, we can keep meeting each other like this, and our folks will never have to know.”

  “I’d wait forever for you, Phoebe.” He lowered his head and kissed her.

  Titus blinked a couple of times as his mind snapped back to the present. The past was in the past, and he must look to the future now—a future that would perhaps include Suzanne as his wife someday living here in his new Kentucky home.

  Titus clicked off the lantern, tore the sheet of paper with Phoebe’s address from the notepad, and stepped out of the shanty. He’d go back to the house, fix himself something for breakfast, and write Phoebe a letter. Then, knowing he’d done the right thing, he could put his focus fully on the future.

  When a sandpapery tongue swiped Suzanne’s arm, her eyes popped open. “Samson, what are you doing on my bed, you big, bad cat?”

  Samson nuzzled her hand with his nose and purred. Suzanne snuggled him close, enjoying the feel of the cat’s soft, sleek fur.

  She turned her head toward the window, remembering that she’d left it partially open last night—apparently wide enough for the cat to get in. “You need to go back outside now,” she said.

  Pushing the covers aside, she slid out of bed, opened the window fully, and set Samson on the branch of the maple tree growing outside her bedroom window. He’d used the tree as a way into the house a few times before, so she knew he’d have no problem finding his way to the ground.

  Suzanne hurried to get dressed, and when she stepped into the kitchen a short time later, the pleasant aroma of hickory-smoked bacon greeted her, making her mouth water in anticipation.

  “Guder mariye,” M
om said, turning from her job at the stove long enough to smile at Suzanne. “You look tired. Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

  “I slept okay once I fell asleep,” Suzanne replied. “Just had a hard time turning off my thoughts.”

  “Thoughts about what?”

  Suzanne’s face heated. She wasn’t about to admit that she’d been thinking about Titus. “Just things, that’s all.”

  “You sure it was ‘things’ and not someone special?”

  Suzanne shrugged in reply.

  The bacon sizzled and spattered as Mom flipped it over in the pan. “You don’t have to hide it from me, Suzanne. I fell in love once, and I know the signs.”

  “I do care for Titus,” she whispered, hoping no one else in the family could hear their conversation. “I’m just not certain he cares for me.”

  Mom swatted the air with her spatula. “You’re kidding, right?”

  Suzanne shook her head.

  “During the time he was staying with us, I saw the expression on his face whenever the two of you were in the same room.” Mom smiled. “It was the same look your daed had on his face when we were courting.”

  “What look was that?” Nelson asked when he and Grandpa entered the room.

  “The look of love.” Mom smiled and pointed the spatula in Nelson’s direction. “The same look I’ve seen on your face whenever you’re with your aldi.”

  Nelson shrugged. “I won’t deny it. I do care for Lucy, but I’m not sure it’s love I actually feel. Right now, I only see her as a good friend.”

  “If you’re not in love with the girl, you shouldn’t be leading her on.” Grandpa ambled across the room and took a seat at the table. “You’ve been courting Lucy for some time now, and she’s likely thinkin’ she’ll be gettin’ a marriage proposal soon.”

  Nelson’s eyes widened. “You really think so?”

  Grandpa gave a nod. “Would you like my advice, son?”

  “Sure.”

  “If you’re not in love with Lucy and don’t see her as a potential wife, then you ought to break things off with her now, before she gets hurt.”

  “I’ll give it some thought,” Nelson mumbled, his face turning red.

  Suzanne was glad the focus of the conversation wasn’t on her anymore, but she felt sorry for Nelson, who looked awfully befuddled. Suzanne had thought he and Lucy were getting serious. She couldn’t believe how wrong she’d been.

  Suzanne glanced at the chair Titus had occupied while he’d been staying with them and winced. Maybe him courting me doesn’t mean anything, either. Maybe he’s just spending time with me because he needs a friend. A lump formed in her throat, and she swallowed hard in an effort to push it down. Maybe he’ll never say he loves me or that he wants me to be his wife.

  Los Angeles, California

  Phoebe had been sitting at the table going over the want ads for the last half hour when she heard a loud knock. She tiptoed from the kitchen and looked out the peephole in her apartment door.

  Oh no, it’s Mr. Higgins. I’ll bet he’s here to collect the rent I owe for this month. She held her breath when he knocked again.

  “Phoebe Stoltzfus, are you in there?”

  Go away. Go away. If I wanted to talk to you, I’d open the door.

  Three more knocks, then all was quiet. Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t answer the door, because she didn’t have enough money to pay the rent, and without another parttime job, she would never have enough.

  Satisfied that she’d escaped a confrontation with her landlord, Phoebe returned to the kitchen. As she moved toward the sink to get a glass of water, her gaze came to rest on the unopened letter lying on the counter. It had arrived two days ago—another letter from Mom, no doubt pleading with Phoebe to come home and join the church.

  “Well, I won’t do it,” Phoebe muttered with a determined set of her jaw. “I’m not going back there. No, never!”

  CHAPTER 48

  Hopkinsville, Kentucky

  As Suzanne sat across from Titus at a table in Ryan’s Steak House, she couldn’t help but smile. They’d both needed some things at Walmart, so after the woodshop had closed for the day, they’d hired a driver to take them to Hopkinsville. Since they were hungry by the time they got there, they decided to eat supper before they went shopping. Their driver had told them he had a few errands to run and would pick them up in an hour.

  Suzanne never tired of spending time with Titus. In fact, the more time she spent with him, the more her heart ached to be his wife. She just wished he’d give some indication as to how he felt about her.

  “I can’t believe it’s November already,” Titus said, halting her thoughts. “Seems like just yesterday that I moved into my new place.”

  “Time has passed quickly,” she agreed. “Thanksgiving’s only a few weeks away, and then Christmas will be upon us.”

  He cut another piece of his juicy steak. “Any idea what you might like for Christmas?”

  A proposal from you … or a declaration of love, she told herself.

  “I … uh … don’t really know.”

  “I’d thought about making you something in the woodshop—something you could put in your hope chest, but with you workin’ there part-time now, it’s hard to make anything without you knowing about it.”

  Hope welled in Suzanne’s soul. He wanted to make her a gift for Christmas, and he’d mentioned it being for her hope chest. Did that mean he had marriage on his mind, or was it just wishful thinking?

  “To tell you the truth, I don’t even have a hope chest,” she said, reaching for the salt shaker and adding some to her mixed green salad.

  His eyebrows lifted. “How come?”

  “I’ve never had a serious boyfriend and figured I’d probably never get married, so I didn’t see a need to store up things for a hope chest.”

  “What about me? Don’t you consider me your boyfriend? After all, we’ve gone several places together, and I’m always over at your house it seems.”

  A wave of heat washed over her face as she slowly nodded. “Jah, that’s true.”

  He grinned and gave her a wink. “I’m glad we got that settled.”

  Suzanne’s hopes for the future soared. While Titus still hadn’t said he loved her, and there’d been no mention of marriage, the fact that he’d affirmed that he was her boyfriend, made her think it was just a matter of time until he said the three words she longed to hear most: I love you.

  Paradise, Pennsylvania

  “It was nice of you to invite us for supper this evening,” Elsie told Hannah.

  Samuel bobbed his head. “The fried chicken tastes real good.”

  Hannah smiled. “I’m glad you like it. My mamm gave me the recipe.”

  Timothy swiped his napkin across his face. “My fraa’s a good cook. There’s no doubt about it.”

  “Is that why you married me?” Hannah asked with raised eyebrows. “Because I can cook?”

  “ ‘Course not.” He winked at her and reached over to pat their daughter’s head. “I knew you’d give me beautiful kinner, like this little maedel.”

  Hannah wrinkled her nose. “You’re just like your twin bruder … a big bloge.”

  Timothy chuckled. “And that’s why you married me—because you like to be teased.”

  She rolled her eyes and forked another piece of chicken onto his plate. “I think you’d better eat. It’ll keep you out of trouble.”

  Samuel, being the more serious type, wasn’t sure how to take the banter between Timothy and Hannah. Could there be an underlying power struggle going on, or were they just teasing each other?

  “Have you heard anything from Titus lately?” Samuel asked.

  Timothy nodded. “Last time we talked, he said he’s all settled into his new home and liking it a lot. Fact is, he seems to like pretty much everything about living in Kentucky … including his new aldi, Suzanne.”

  “Uncle Titus has a girlfriend?” Samuel’s eight-year-old daughter, Mar
la, questioned.

  “So it would seem,” Timothy replied.

  “I’ll bet Phoebe Stoltzfus wouldn’t like that if she knew,” Marla said.

  “Well, she doesn’t know, because she’s living in California.” Hannah frowned. “That girl was never anything but trouble for Titus. I don’t see what he ever saw in her.”

  Samuel didn’t think this was an appropriate conversation for his children, so he quickly changed the subject again. “I’ve been thinking about making a trip to Kentucky to see Titus.” He looked over at Elsie and smiled. “Don’t you think that would be fun?”