by Mindy Steele
Just as he started to speak, something inside crashed. Marcy’s face immediately creased into a scowl. “Please come in,” she urged, stepping back inside the shop. “If you could just give me a moment—I need to check on something.” Adam followed her inside and was suddenly overwhelmed with the floral scents that flooded the shop. Marcy disappeared around a corner, and after a few moments reappeared with the same welcoming smile as before.
“So, where were we?” She brushed her hands together, as if something sticky had covered them.
Adam needed to get this embarrassment over with before he was late for work. He wanted to do his best for Belinda, but he still felt that selling flowers was too silly for words.
“My friend owns a flower business.” Adam cleared his throat, wincing as the words left his lips. He never had a problem selling honey. Everyone liked honey. But more importantly, he knew what he was talking about when it came to honey. Could this woman tell how out of place he felt here?
“How wonderful. It just so happens I’m on the lookout for a new supplier. Does your friend have a name?” Marcy was sensing his unease, but that did little to lift it.
“Belinda Graber,” he replied.
“Graber? Like in the market stand Graber’s Greenhouse?” Adam nodded and grinned. Marcy was impressed by the flowers, admitted needing a supplier, and now recognized the family name. They were all good signs. “I buy all my fresh produce from Ms. Graber. I didn’t know she grew flowers too. She is always sewing pieces of material together when her stand isn’t busy.”
“That would be Tabitha, her sister.” Adam relaxed.
“May I?” Marcy reached out and took the flowers from him. She inhaled and walked casually to the counter. “What other flowers does Belinda have?”
Adam perked up and quickly fumbled in his pocket for the list Belinda had given him this morning.
“I have done business with the Amish in the past when I found myself in a pinch, but would it be all right if I visited, so I could see her selections?” Marcy accepted the list and began studying it.
“Meaning?”
“Her gardens.” Marcy chuckled again. Her wildly colored blouse was distracting, especially when paired with her mismatched pants. Adam imagined this was what a hippie looked like, all colorful and disheveled. Her deep throaty laugh sounded more manly than feminine. He dug for a reply, but she wasn’t done speaking. “Yours as well, I suppose, even if she does the actual gardening. I assume you are her husband.” Adam didn’t blink.
“She’s my neighbor,” he corrected. “I’m simply helping her out.”
“Hmmm.” Adam couldn’t decipher the meaning behind that, but the smile on her face made him start to get all uncomfortable again.
“And what is your name?”
“Adam Hostetler, ma’am.” He finally had the common sense to remove his hat.
“Well, Adam.” Marcy shifted behind the counter, her eyes skimming the list in her hands another time. “I take it Belinda knows her stuff, by the looks of this list. Dusty Miller, dahlias, salvia, and eucalyptus. Not common garden variety things like pansies and petunias.”
“She’s very knowledgeable. She has been growing flowers for a good many years.” And she wants to own a flower farm, he withheld. It wasn’t his secret to share.
“Could you possibly come back later today? I’m about to open and still need to get Jackson—my son and the source of the racket in the back—settled. I will work up some numbers that you can show her.”
“I get off work at five. I can stop by then.” Adam could barely manage to keep his excitement contained. This was easier than he’d thought.
“Perfect. I have been disappointed lately with my regular two suppliers. I’m so glad you stopped in today.” She closed the space between them, offered a hand. “I have a feeling your Belinda is an answer to my prayers.” Adam smiled at her words and shook her proffered hand.
He walked out of the florist shop feeling happier than he had walking in. He’d barely had to say or do a thing. Belinda’s flowers practically sold themselves. He couldn’t wait to tell her the news.
“Not every day you see a man walking into a flower shop carrying flowers,” Tobias announced, as Adam walked into the pallet room where five other men worked.
“Funny,” Adam scoffed, waving them off before they even started.
“Two weeks ago you swore off maedels and courting. Your recovery time is impressive. Got a secret you want to share with us?” Tobias spread out his arms, indicating the men around them, all red-faced, ready to burst into laughter.
“No secret. Let’s get to work. That is why we are here, is it not?” Seeing Adam was tight-lipped on the matter, the men began their day. Within minutes, hammers were driving nails in a chorus of production.
“You aren’t the romantic type, so give it up. Why were you walking down the street this morning carrying flowers? You got a new interest you’re keeping hid or something?” Tobias started again.
Adam lowered another armload of precut boards and wiped his forehead. “I was seeing if the florist wanted to buy them. There’s no new love interest. I have no time or want for such. You, on the other hand, seem to have plenty time to waste.”
Tobias’s gaped at him, hammer suspended in air, clearly trying to read between the words. “Did it work, though? Did they buy your flowers?”
Adam chuckled. Tobias was his best friend, but he wasn’t the only one who liked teasing. For the rest of the morning, the two talked about Adam’s partnership with Belinda Graber. Adam left out the part about Belinda smelling like a fresh spring garden, nor did he mention that her eyes had a way of dancing like chicory blooms in an autumn breeze.
“Well, I’m glad you got help with your honey. So, does she have much to say to you?” Tobias probed. Adam couldn’t fault him for his curiosity. Most any single man in the district would jump at a chance to have a full conversation with Belinda Graber.
“When you pick the right topic, jah.” Adam trod lightly. Tobias had already tried convincing Adam to get back out there, start dating again, instead of letting one rejection turn him into a lonely being. He didn’t want his friend fixating on the idea of Adam becoming interested in Belinda. His grandmother was already bad enough.
“And what topic is that?” Tobias wiggled his brows.
“I’m not telling you,” Adam chuckled. “Don’t you have your hands full enough?”
“I do, and it would seem now you do too.” Tobias was going to make a big deal out of this, as sure as anything.
“It’s not like that. She’s helping me and I’m helping her. That’s it,” Adam made it clear. No way would he risk his heart again.
“I’m not convinced. You still like her, don’t you?” Tobias asked.
“I don’t dislike her, but nee, we are just partners.” And that was all they would be. Innocent smiles and piercing blue eyes would have no effect on him ever again. Ever.
Chapter Ten
Belinda chewed a fingernail in nervousness as Mammi, positioned behind her, chattered on about bacon grease and greens. Today, Belinda didn’t care about food. All she could do was wonder if Adam found at least one person willing to buy her flowers.
“You should get changed and get going if you’re going to meet that bee inspector today,” Mammi said, as if Belinda could forget she had to speak to a stranger. It was a small price to pay, considering the people Adam would speak to on her behalf, but still her stomach rolled with a tremendous quiver.
“Mammi, do you think anyone will want to buy my flowers?”
“I do. Who doesn’t love flowers?” Mammi was never one to exaggerate. “I think Adam will see to finding the right person. Now stop biting yer nails.”
Belinda dropped her hand and shrugged. “He doesn’t think a flower business is a real thing. Maybe it isn’t.” She added salt and pepper to
a roast Mammi planned to cook for supper this evening. Taking up a small paring knife, she began peeling garlic and onions to add to the roast.
“Our bishop thought it a good one, as did the ministers. Did that bu say otherwise to you?” Mammi growled.
“Nee, not in so many words, but the look on his face said it for him,” Belinda replied. She remembered that look well enough, something between a scowl and shock.
“So yer a mind reader, are ya?” Belinda tossed her a frown. “You best concentrate on your side of it and let him do his. The Lord will see you both find what you’re looking for in the end.” She turned back to the stove, adding flour to the oily skillet. Mammi insisted on gravy as a side dish to every meal.
“Looking for?” Belinda paused in her dicing of garden vegetables.
“Oh, nothing, dear.” Mammi took up a worn-out whisk and began working the flour in. “I’m just an old woman rattling off a head full of thoughts. Get along with ya. I can finish up here before tackling Mica’s laundry. That one still rolls around in the mud just as much as he did as a bu. You would think he would outgrow that. How will we ever get him married off?” Mammi sputtered those last words heavenward.
“I think you would have better luck with a tree,” Belinda jested. “He doesn’t even care that every single maedel in the community has tried gaining his interest. Salina used to beg me to invite her for supper, hoping to catch his eye.”
“That one talks far too much for Mica. The right one is out there, though. I just haven’t found the right maedel willing to put up with his big appetite yet. Tabitha will be a chore when it comes to finding her match as well,” Mammi murmured, deep in thought. “Some divine intervention may be needed on that one.” It seemed Mammi was taking seriously her promise to Mamm before she left for Kentucky. Belinda had no worries. Mammi wouldn’t dare play matchmaker with her.
“He would have to be perfect for Tabitha to notice him, and no one is. If you think to marry them off before Mudder returns, you are certainly going to need intervention,” Belinda chuckled, and Mammi agreed with a laugh.
“Oh, I’m not a woman who rushes in when it comes to matters of the heart. A marriage for just one of you will do fine for now.” Belinda could see her grandmother organizing a surprise visit from one of the community’s fair maidens soon. Mica didn’t stand a chance. Belinda could warn her brother, but decided against it. It would be entertaining to watch him sweat after he’d put her in such a position with Adam.
“Mammi?” Belinda pushed the chopped onions aside with her knife before they brought out tears. “How did you know Dawdi was ‘the one’?”
“I didn’t. I was courting another;.” The smile that covered her face, deepening lines and wrinkles into folds and creases, caught Belinda off guard.
“Mammi!” Belinda let out a surprised chuckle.
“It happens.” Mammi waved her off. “Gott knew best for me, and for that I am thankful,” she said, matter of fact. “Anyhow, your dawdi was helping his onkel who had fallen into troubles. I was also asked to help the family, being as there were few who could spare the time. They had nine kinner and nee mamm,” she said in a sadder tone.
“That’s awful.”
“It was indeed, but weeks and weeks of tending to the family, serving meals to your dawdi and his family, we got to know each other. He made me feel...”
“Schee?” Belinda quickly put in.
Mammi’s forehead wrinkled into a disappointed V. “Appreciated.” Belinda imagined her grandmother as a beautiful woman in her prime, her pale grey eyes highlighting her lighter hair. “Looks aren’t everything, dear. We are to be drawn to what is on the inside, not the out,” Mammi reminded her. Belinda knew she was right, but looks sparked first impressions, and first impressions often set the stage for friendships or interest. Could she not see the logic in that?
“I know,” Belinda muttered.
“Does Adam appreciate you?” Mammi asked next.
Belinda hiccupped, the question catching her off guard. “He has a girlfriend,” she replied.
“I’m not sure that’s true. Seems to me that Zook girl spends more time over at the Petersheim house these days.”
Belinda’s mouth fell open.
“Why would she prefer spending her time with Jerimiah Petersheim?” Her words came out so quick she had no time to wrangle them back.
Mammi shook her head in annoyance. “Lord, help these kinner know how to do the simplest task.” She turned to face Belinda again. “Please answer the question I asked you and stop getting distracted. Does he appreciate you?”
“I don’t know, but I can tell he wishes he had someone else helping him.” Like Mica, who wasn’t afraid of May and her shotgun, or any number of others.
“Why would you think that?”
Belinda sighed heavily at the simple question. “Well, sometimes he says things like, ‘I can do that so you don’t have to be here too much,’ and sometimes he looks at me like he is trying to find something, or maybe to figure out if I’m normal. It’s quite disturbing.” And quite nerve-tingling, she wanted to add.
Mammi’s face shifted into a sly grin. “He probably wonders how he got so lucky to have such a sweet, schee maedel working alongside him.”
“I don’t think so. Susanne is schee and well-liked.” Belinda was not pretty nor well-liked. Susanne’s company was always in demand, but few wanted to spark up a conversation with Belinda.
“Don’t ever compare yourself to others. There is only one you, and you were made special by Gott. I have a feeling your handsome neighbor is discovering that.”
“You shouldn’t say things like that, Mammi.” Belinda felt her cheeks flush, but quickly gained control. “Besides, Gott’s plan for me has nothing to do with Adam Hostetler.” Belinda tapped her cheek, the ugliness there, to punctuate her point.
“And how can you know His plan for you?” Mammi snapped.
“Well, He put this mark on my face, didn’t He? It puts me on a path for a different life than one with a husband and kinner. And Adam deserves better, like Susanne. They are perfect together.”
“Fiddlesticks and nonsense.” Mammi slammed down the whisk, sending gravy all over the counter and stovetop. “Appearances are nothing in matters of the heart. And he won’t find better than you, I say, someone who will work hard to help him.”
“He is helping too; that was part of the deal.” Mammi was getting this all wrong. If Adam hadn’t gotten himself into such need, they wouldn’t even be having this conversation. To her neighbor, the only thing that set her apart was that she’d said yes when everyone else he’d asked for help had said no.
“Jah, but two people who see to each other’s needs before their own, that means something. You best get those silly thoughts out of yer head. Adam would be a fool to not see you for the gift that you are.”
Belinda appreciated her grandmother’s positive thoughts and devotion, but reality was that no man wanted a wife like her. With the roast fully seasoned and loaded with vegetables, Belinda set it into the oven to cook slowly, and kissed her mammi’s cheek before heading upstairs to change into her bee outfit.
Bees did most of their foraging in the warmest parts of the day, which would make checking the hives easier at those times, considering they’d have other things on their minds and wouldn’t give her presence a second thought. Adam said the inspector planned to come today around two, and that this coming week might be a good time to start pulling frames and extracting the honey. Excitement was wearing down all her natural-born patience. She had yet to see inside the honey house, where he extracted honey from the cells and readied it in jars to sell. Surely he would make time to show her soon so she could get started.
She slipped into her jeans and one of Mica’s white shirts. Bees were easier to deal with up close and personal if you wore white, Dawdi had taught her. She removed her kapp and p
inned on a kerchief so her veil would fit properly. She slipped on her sister’s rubber boots, and eagerly headed out the door and across the road.
Belinda took a shuttering breath before knocking on the Hostetlers’ front door. She couldn’t recall Atlee Hostetler ever owning a shotgun, nor could she believe Adam’s mother, Ada, capable of using one even as a ruse, but one never knew, now did they?
Laughter inside spilled out. She bit her lip, hoping she wasn’t interrupting Ada and Atlee having a pleasant day after so many bad ones.
The door opened and Ada greeted her warmly. “Belinda. How nice to see you.” Ada was a short woman and slightly curvy, but she had a wide, open smile and a kind heart. She was a gut friend and neighbor. Mamm often traded recipes with her.
“Who is it, Ada?” Atlee called from inside, his deep voice filling each room before spilling out onto the porch. Belinda had always been fond of Atlee, a gentle giant who had often silently reminded her to smile when he grinned her way in public and lifted a playful brow. It had been a game when she was young, but on occasion, when they caught one another’s gaze, he still reminded her to smile with one of his own infectious grins.
“Belinda is here to meet the inspector.” Ada opened the door wider to invite her in.
“It’s not necessary to have me in. I won’t trouble you with an unannounced visit, I just didn’t want to go walking across your property and not tell you. The inspector should be here soon.”
“How considerate.” Ada’s blue eyes gleamed. “Adam has been working such long hours, I’m glad he has a special friend like you to help.” Friends. Were they friends? Belinda hadn’t considered friendship.
“Well, tell her to come in. I could use a chat.” Belinda couldn’t refuse, not with Atlee asking. He’d once helped her out of a tree when she was ten. She’d been brave enough to climb up, but too scared to climb down before Atlee came to her rescue—and he even promised to keep it a secret. Her parents still hadn’t a clue she’d climbed up there in the first place. Her family had hosted church that day, and she had become so overwhelmed with the eyes on her, whispers she thought carried her name, that she’d bolted. Mamm would have surely protested her hiding in her room through the whole fellowship meal. At the time, going up the tree seemed like a safe idea. Atlee had found her, brushed away her tears after helping her out of the tree, and told her to smile. “Life is sweeter when you’re smiling,” he had said. She had forgotten that part, but was glad she remembered it now. She stepped inside, and smiled.