Rebekah smiled up at him. “Jah, that’s what I was thinking, too.”
Soon after they returned to the main entrance, Aunt Mim leaned over Rebekah’s wheelchair and gave her a hug. “It looks like you’ve thought of everything, dear girl.”
“Actually, it was Dad and Daniel who thought of most of the things I would need in the greenhouse.” She extended her hand to her father. “And I’m ever so grateful.”
He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’ll bet you’ll settle into this greenhouse like it’s always been your home.”
Rebekah nodded, feeling as if her miracle might be just round the corner. Now all she needed was some paying customers.
CHAPTER 10
The first official customer to visit Grandma’s Place was Johnny Yoder. It was Tuesday morning, and Rebekah had just hung the OPEN sign on the front door of the greenhouse.
When Johnny rang the bell, which hung on a rope outside the door, Rebekah called, “Come on in!”
The door swung open, and Johnny sauntered into the room, holding his straw hat in one hand, while his white shirttail hung out of his dark trousers as if he hadn’t even bothered to check his appearance. “Guder mariye. Are you to home?”
Rebekah wheeled her chair toward him, laughing. “Of course I’m here. I just told you to come in, didn’t I?”
“Jah, you sure did.” Johnny grinned and tipped his hat in her direction.
“Can I help you with something?” Rebekah asked, ignoring his immature antics.
He moved slowly about the room as though he might be checking everything out. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to have any cut flowers, would ya?”
“This is a greenhouse, Johnny, so of course I have flowers.” Johnny had always been such a kidder. Rebekah figured all his joking around might be why Mary Ellen enjoyed his company so much. It probably made her feel good to be around someone so lighthearted and spirited.
He chuckled as he jiggled his eyebrows up and down. “Jah, I reckon that’s true enough. Don’t know what I was thinkin’, askin’ such a silly question as that.”
“Are you needing some flowers for any particular reason?”
Johnny nodded, and his face turned the color of ripe cherries. It was a surprise to see him blush that way since he never seemed to let things bother him much. “Uh, they’re for your cousin Mary Ellen. I’ve been courtin’ her here of late.”
“So I’ve heard.” Rebekah motioned him to follow as she wheeled into the part of the greenhouse where the flowers and plants were kept. “Did you have anything special in mind?”
He shrugged. “Not really. I thought you might have a suggestion, seeing as to how you’re in the business of sellin’ flowers and whatnot.”
If Rebekah had known exactly how much Johnny planned to spend, it might have helped in her selection of a bouquet. However, she didn’t feel it would be proper to come right out and ask such a question. Instead, she discreetly said, “I have several bunches of miniature roses. They sell for ten dollars apiece. I also have some less expensive gladiolas—or maybe some pink carnations would be more to your liking.”
“I think roses would be best,” Johnny said, his green eyes twinkling like fireflies doing their summer dance. “I want the gift to be really special—somethin’ that will let Mary Ellen know how much I care.”
“I think a bouquet of pink and white roses will do the trick.” Rebekah moved over to select the flowers and then proceeded to wrap the stems tightly together with a rubber band. A bit of tissue paper gathered around the bottom completed the arrangement. “If you’re not going to give these to her right away, maybe you should put them in some water,” she said, handing Johnny the flowers.
Johnny grinned, looking as excited as a first-grade scholar. “We’re goin’ on a picnic today, so I’ll see her real soon, I expect.” He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a ten-dollar bill, then handed it to Rebekah.
“Danki,” she replied. “I hope you enjoy your picnic, and I hope Mary Ellen likes the flowers.”
Johnny started toward the door, but before his hand touched the knob, he swiveled back around. “You know, it looks mighty nice around here. I hope your new business is a huge success.” He left the building, tossing his hat in the air and whistling like a songbird on the first day of spring.
Rebekah smiled to herself as she placed the money from her first sale into the drawer of the cash register. Had it not been for the fact that she was so excited about her new business venture, she might have felt a twinge of jealousy hearing that her best friend had a picnic date. While running the greenhouse gave her a feeling of satisfaction, it didn’t take the place of love or romance. Maybe if the business made a go and she could fully support herself, she wouldn’t miss courting so much.
***
By the end of August, news of Rebekah’s greenhouse had spread throughout much of Lancaster County. She averaged at least twenty customers a day, sometimes even more. Her inventory was quickly receding, and she knew she would either have to restock soon or put a CLOSED sign on the door.
Dad and Simon had been busy harvesting the cornfields, so Rebekah asked Mom if she would schedule a ride with Vera to take her to town in order to buy some more plants.
The following morning, they set out right after breakfast. This time, Nadine was allowed to accompany them. She seemed excited about the trip, and as she sat behind Rebekah’s seat in Vera’s van, she giggled and talked nonstop about all sorts of silly stuff. Rebekah tried to be patient with her sister’s prattling, but her mind was on other things—things more important than how cute Eddy Shemly was or who had recently gotten a new pair of rollerblades.
Rebekah was mentally trying to add up the estimated cost of what she might be able to purchase during this trip. Cut flowers weren’t a problem since they still had several varieties in their garden at home. What she needed most were more plants and some seeds.
When Nadine finally took a breath between sentences, Rebekah seized the opportunity and leaned over to her mother, who sat beside her. “Say, Mom, you know I’ve made a fairly good profit during the last few weeks.”
“That’s wunderbaar.”
“Well, I’m wondering how much of that profit to put back into the business and how much I should save.”
“Never borrow, for borrowing leads to sorrowing. Spend less than you earn, and you’ll never be in debt. That’s the true motto of every good businessman—or woman, in your case,” Mom said with a wide smile.
Rebekah bobbed her head up and down. “That’s good advice, and I’ll try to remember it.” She paused but not for long, because she knew if she didn’t speak quickly, she would probably be interrupted by Nadine’s small talk again. “I’ve been wondering about something else, too.”
“What might that be?”
“Do you think I really can make enough money to support myself? I mean, will things work out all right if I work extra hard in the greenhouse?”
“‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,’” Mom quoted from Romans 8:28. “I know you love God, Rebekah, so you must learn to trust Him more.”
Rebekah fell silent. Trust. That was the hard part. When things were going along fine and dandy, it was easy to put one’s trust in God. But when things became difficult, it was hard not to waver in one’s faith. She would need to keep Grandma’s Bible handy in the days to come for she needed to bathe herself in God’s Word every day in order not to give in to self-pity or start fretting about the future.
A short time later, they pulled into Lancaster and had soon parked in front of the garden center. Once inside, it didn’t take Rebekah long to select a good supply of plants as well as numerous packets of seeds. She concentrated on indoor plant varieties since winter would be coming soon and people would most likely want something to bring a bit of color and cheer into those dreary days.
The back of Vera’s van was nearly full when they
left the nursery, but Rebekah still had some money left over. She felt good about the purchases she had made and smiled, thinking that she had Daniel to thank for all the good suggestions he’d given her before the greenhouse had been built.
When they left Lancaster, Vera drove them to the farmers’ market in Bird-in-Hand, where Mom planned to buy some whole grains and dried beans that one of her friends was selling there. As soon as they were inside the building, Nadine asked if she could wander around by herself for a while. Much to Rebekah’s surprise, and probably Nadine’s, Mom agreed. So Rebekah wheeled off by herself, as well, leaving Mom and Vera to visit with Ellie Mast and purchase some of her dried goods.
Rebekah hadn’t eaten anything since their early morning breakfast, and she felt kind of hungry. She knew they would be going to lunch soon after they left the market, but she decided that a little snack right now might not be such a bad idea.
She wheeled over to a table where they were selling everything from homemade candy to fresh salads. She wasn’t in the mood for anything as sweet as candy, but a small fruit salad sure looked refreshing. She bought one and had begun to maneuver her wheelchair to the corner of the room where she could be out of the way when a teenage English boy bumped into the front of her chair.
“Why don’t you watch where you’re going?” he grumbled, giving the chair a quick shove.
Another English boy, about the same age, grabbed the handle and swung the wheelchair completely around.
Rebekah’s head spun dizzily, and she gripped the armrests, hanging on for all she was worth. “Please, stop it,” she pleaded. “You’re making me dizzy.”
“Hey, Joe, we’ve got ourselves one of those Plain little gals, and she’s in a wheelchair!” the first boy hollered. “She bumps right into my leg and then has the nerve to tell me to stop it. Can you believe the gall some folks have these days?”
The one named Joe let out a hoot and gave Rebekah’s chair another hefty shove. She was close to tears for in all the time she’d been crippled, nothing like this had ever happened before, and she didn’t have a clue what to do about it.
“How about a ride in your wheelchair?” the first boy asked, wiggling his dark eyebrows up and down. “You wouldn’t mind scooting over and letting me sit next to you, now would you, honey?”
Rebekah shook her head, and he pushed the wheelchair in the direction of his friend again. It rolled with such force that the bowl of fruit salad flew out of Rebekah’s lap and landed upside down on the floor with a splat.
“Now look what you’ve gone and done, Ray,” Joe hollered, shaking his finger in his friend’s face. “The poor little gal has lost her lunch.” He leaned close to Rebekah, and when he squinted his eyes, it reminded her of a newborn pig. “Say, tell me somethin’, honey—why do you Amish women wear such plain-looking clothes?”
Before Rebekah could find her voice, Ray wrinkled his freckled nose and said, “Yeah, and how come you eat all that healthy food?” He poked his friend on the arm. “You know, Joe, I hear tell that many Amish folk still grow a lot of their own food, just like the pioneers used to do.” He stared right at Rebekah. “Is that true, little missy? Is it, huh?”
Rebekah swallowed around the bitter taste of bile rising in her throat, fearing she might be about to get sick. She looked around helplessly, knowing she was completely out of her element and hoping someone would see what was happening and come to her aid. However, the closest table was several feet away, and the people who ran it were busy with customers and never even looked her way.
“I–I’ve got to find my mom,” she squeaked. Her shaky voice was laced with fear—the gripping kind that finds its way to the surface, then bubbles over like boiling water left unattended on the stove.
“Now isn’t that sweet,” Joe taunted. “The little lady wants her mama.” He gave the wheelchair a good yank toward his friend. It wasn’t Ray who caught it by the handles this time. It was someone much bigger than either one of the boys. Someone who wore a stern look on his face.
Rebekah felt as though all the air had been squeezed clean out of her lungs. Daniel Beachy’s serious brown eyes stared down at her. Since the Amish were pacifists, she knew he wouldn’t be apt to fight the young men who had been taunting her, but he sure looked like he might. Daniel’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits, and he pursed his lips. Rebekah drew in a deep breath and waited expectantly to see what would happen next.
“I think you fellows owe this woman an apology, and also some money to buy another salad.” Daniel motioned to the mess on the floor. As his gaze went back to the boys, Rebekah noticed that his face had turned bright red and a muscle on the side of his neck twitched like a cow’s tail when a fly had buzzed it.
“Aw, we were just having a little fun. We didn’t hurt her none,” Ray mumbled.
Joe shuffled his feet a few times. “Come on, Ray. She’s probably his girlfriend, so we’d better leave ’em alone to do their lovebird crooning.”
Daniel moved his body to block the boys. “What about that apology and some money for the salad?”
“It’s all right, Daniel,” Rebekah said in a pleading voice. “Just let them go, okay?”
Daniel planted his hands firmly on his hips and stared hard at the boys. “Jah, well, I don’t want to see you two around here again. Is that clear?”
Rebekah had never seen this side of Daniel before, and his response surprised her almost as much as seeing Joe and Ray tear out of there as fast as their long legs could take them.
Daniel dropped to his knees beside Rebekah’s wheelchair, obvious concern etched on his face. “Are you okay? They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
Rebekah trembled, closer to tears now than ever. “I—I appreciate you stepping in like that, Daniel. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t come along when you did.” Her eyes stung, and she blinked rapidly to hold back the tide of threatening tears.
Daniel’s fingers brushed hers, and their gazes locked. “I couldn’t let ’em hurt you, Rebekah. You’re a special girl, and you sure as anything don’t deserve to be taunted that way.”
Rebekah looked away, hoping to hide the blush she knew must have come to her cheeks. “Danki, Daniel. Danki, so much.”
“You’re welcome.” Daniel remained on his knees for several more seconds. Then he finally stood.
“Oh, there you are, Rebekah. Do you know where Nadine is?”
Rebekah lifted her gaze and saw Mom heading in their direction, waving her hand.
“Please don’t say anything about my encounter with those English boys,” she whispered to Daniel. “Sometimes my mamm can be a bit overprotective. If she thought letting me go off by myself had put me in any kind of danger, she might have second thoughts about letting me be alone in my greenhouse so much of the time.”
Daniel nodded. “I won’t say a word.”
“Hello, Daniel,” Mom said, as she approached. “How’s your family these days?”
He smiled. “Oh, fair to middlin’. I’m in town picking up a new harness for one of my daed’s plow mules. I thought I’d stop by the market to see what’s doin’, and I was just figuring on going somewhere to get a bite of lunch pretty soon.”
Mom’s face seemed to brighten. “Would you like to join me and the girls at the Plain and Fancy Restaurant? If we can ever find Nadine, that is.”
“I haven’t seen her, Mom,” Rebekah said. “Not since we separated earlier.”
Daniel motioned across the room. “I saw her over at Kauffmeirs’ root-beer stand. She was talkin’ to a couple of fellows about her age.” He gave Rebekah a crooked grin. “I’d be happy to join you for lunch. The Plain and Fancy is one of my favorite eating spots.”
“Well then, let’s see if we can round up that stray daughter of mine, and we’ll go eat ourselves full,” Mom said with a nod.
CHAPTER 11
As Nadine followed the others to a table at the Plain and Fancy, she wondered why she had been scolded by Mom for talking to Luke and Sa
m Troyer over at the root-beer stand and yet Rebekah had been allowed to bring Daniel Beachy to the restaurant with them. As usual, everything went her sister’s way, and it didn’t seem fair that Rebekah was so spoiled. Luke and Sam must think I’m still a little girl who has to check in with her mamm every few seconds, she fumed.
She looked over at Daniel, who had taken a seat beside Rebekah’s wheelchair. He likes her. I don’t care what Rebekah says. And I’m sure she likes him, too, even though she’s too stubborn to admit it. Nadine glanced at Rebekah, who wore a smile on her face, and she was sure the satisfied look wasn’t just because they were about to eat lunch at her favorite restaurant.
“Is everyone as hungry as I am?” Vera asked, as she took a seat between Mom and Nadine. “I didn’t take time to eat much breakfast this morning, and I think it’s finally caught up with me.”
“I know I’m hungry,” Daniel said, giving his stomach a couple of thumps. “’Course my mamm says I’ve been hungry since the day I was born.”
“What’s wrong, sister?” Rebekah asked, glancing across the table at Nadine. “You look like you might not be feeling so well.”
“It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
“Probably drank too much root beer at the farmers’ market,” Mom put in. “That is where I found her, after all.”
“I didn’t drink any root beer at all,” Nadine said with a frown. “I never got the chance because you dragged me away from there, saying it was time for lunch.”
“I didn’t drag you anywhere, Nadine.” Mom clicked her tongue. “How you do exaggerate sometimes.”
Vera cleared her throat. “If I might change the subject...”
“Certainly,” Mom said, giving their driver a pleasant smile. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Well, I subscribe to The Budget, and when I was reading it the other day, I noticed that there’s going to be a barbecue next week for the volunteer firemen in our area and their families. I know that two of Andrew’s brothers are volunteers, so I was wondering if you would all be going to that.”
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