Is it God’s will that I should marry again someday? Sara wondered. How will I know if the right man comes along? One thing’s for sure. He’d have to love Mark as if he were his own son.
Elaine stood at the kitchen sink washing the breakfast dishes. The room was quite warm, so she’d opened the window, hoping for a breeze, but there was none. From what she’d read in yesterday’s newspaper, a round of thunderstorms was predicted for later today that would push the humid air eastward, bringing in more comfortable temperatures like they’d had earlier in the week.
Yesterday had been a stifling day, and even with the battery-operated fans, the dining room, where they’d hosted their dinner last night, had been much too warm. Most of the tourists didn’t complain, except for one of the teenagers in the group. The girl acted rather spoiled, fanning her face with a napkin and making rude remarks about the lack of air-conditioning, asking how the Amish could stand the heat. Sometimes, Elaine had actually wondered that, too, but just like the pioneer women from long ago, the Amish were used to it, and better acclimated to the heat than those having the comfort of an air conditioner at the touch of a button.
Elaine had been pleased at how well Grandma had done throughout most of the evening, until someone asked her what kind of pie they’d been served. With a blank expression, Grandma looked at Elaine and said, “What kind of pies did we make?”
Elaine could still picture Grandma’s red face when she’d replied, “Sour-cream peach and coconut cream.”
How many times had Grandma made those pies and served them to their guests, without ever forgetting their names?
This morning when Elaine had looked for some honey to put on her toast, she’d finally discovered it under the sink where all their kitchen cleaning supplies were kept. Grandma must have put it there, since she was the last one to use the honey. There was no doubt Grandma’s memory was failing, and it seemed to be happening fast.
Think I’ll go to the health food store and look for something that might help Grandma’s memory. Surely there has to be a remedy that would at least slow the progression of her illness, Elaine decided.
She glanced to her right, noticing the calendar on the wall. It was then that she was struck with the realization that today was Jonah’s birthday. Last year, when he’d turned twenty-four, Elaine had invited Jonah over for supper and baked him a birthday cake. She had been full of dreams for the future—dreams for her and Jonah that she’d thought by now would be coming true. But those dreams had dissolved like ice cubes on a hot summer day. This year Elaine wouldn’t even see Jonah on his birthday. As much as that hurt, she had to sever all ties with him. She needed to keep her focus on Grandma’s care; that was the only way.
After Jonah sent Timothy on an errand to pick up a few supplies, he stood in front of the window of his shop, watching for his folks to arrive. Mom had said they were hiring a driver to bring them to Arthur and should arrive sometime this afternoon. They would stay at Jonah’s house for the week they’d be here, since he had more room than Jean. Tonight, Jean had made plans for them all to go to Yoder’s restaurant to celebrate her and Jonah’s birthday. It would be great to have their parents here for the occasion, although Jonah had mixed emotions. Last year Elaine fixed him a nice birthday supper and even baked him a cake. But much to his disappointment, she wouldn’t be helping him celebrate his birthday this year.
It’s not fair, he fumed inwardly. Some men meet the woman of their dreams, get married, and raise a family, but not me. Seems like the women I fall in love with are always out of reach. Maybe I’m just unlucky at love. It took me a long time to get over Meredith, and now I have to do it all over again with Elaine.
Jonah’s thoughts halted when he saw a silver van coming up his driveway. It must be his folks. He hurried outside as his parents stepped down from the van.
“It’s just wonderful to see you,” Mom said, giving Jonah a big hug. Her hair was the same light brown color as when Jonah had left home, only now he noticed a few gray hairs mixed in, too. Jonah’s mother was a tiny woman, with a narrow waist and flat stomach. Even at the age of fifty-seven, she almost looked like a teenage girl.
Jonah hugged Dad. “It’s sure good to see you both. How was your trip?”
“It went well; no problems at all.” Dad smiled and lifted the straw hat from his head, revealing dark, curly hair with a few streaks of gray. “We stopped by Jean’s place for a few minutes before coming here, and we’re sure glad to be able to spend some time with both of you. Happy birthday, Son.” He gave Jonah’s back a few thumps.
“Danki. Jean and I are getting the best present ever, having you and Mom here to celebrate our special day with us. We’ve both been lookin’ forward to your visit.” Jonah motioned to the van. “Does your driver need a place to stay? I’ve got plenty of room in my house if he’d like to stay here.”
Mom shook her head. “Al has a cousin in Arcola, so he’ll be at his place till we’re ready to go home. Before we got out of the van, he said he wanted to get going, since he heard there’s supposed to be a storm moving in later this afternoon or evening.”
“He’s right about that, but after the storm blows over, the weather’s supposed to be more comfortable.” Jonah moved toward the back of the van and opened the hatch. “Now, let’s get your suitcases hauled into the house. Once you two are settled, we can sit and visit awhile.”
“Don’t feel that you have to entertain us if you’re busy in the buggy shop,” Mom said. “We can unpack our suitcases and fend for ourselves until it’s time to meet Jean and her family for supper.”
Jonah pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. “I’m just about done with the work I planned to do today, so as soon as my helper gets back, I’ll close up the shop.”
“I’m anxious to see your new place of business,” Dad commented as their driver pulled out and they began walking toward the house.
“It’s not as big as the shop you have in Lancaster County,” Jonah said, “but it’s working out okay.”
“How about your helper?” Mom asked as they entered the house. “Is he working out for you, too?”
Jonah nodded. “Timothy still has a ways to go, but he’s a hard worker and eager to learn. How’s your helper doing, Dad?”
“Aaron already knew the buggy business when he came to me, and we work well together, so I’m sure things will be fine there while I’m gone.” Dad thumped Jonah’s back. “I still miss working with you, though.”
“I miss that, too,” Jonah said, “but it would have been too hard for me to stay in Pennsylvania after Luke returned to Meredith and their son.”
“We understand.” Mom slipped her hand through the crook of Jonah’s arm. “I’m glad you’ve found someone else, and your daed and I are anxious to meet her.”
“That’s right,” Dad agreed. “Will Elaine be joining us for supper this evening?”
“Elaine won’t be there, Dad. We aren’t seeing each other anymore,” Jonah muttered.
“What?” Mom’s eyebrows lifted as she removed her hand from the inside of Jonah’s arm. “But I thought you were on the verge of marrying her.”
Jonah’s shoulders slumped, and he held his elbows tightly against his sides. “I thought so, too, but I was wrong. Elaine broke things off with me.”
“Why would she do that?” Mom asked. “I thought you two were in love.”
“I do love Elaine, but I guess the feeling was never mutual.” Jonah touched the base of his neck, where a muscle had knotted. “Elaine’s grandma was diagnosed with dementia, and Elaine has to care for her now.”
“Aren’t you willing to help her with that?” Mom questioned.
“Of course I am, but Elaine seems determined to do it all on her own.”
“Maybe she’ll change her mind when she sees how hard it’s going to be,” Dad put in.
Jonah shrugged. “I was hoping for that, but the truth is, Elaine said she never really loved me, so as hard as it is, I’ve come to the conc
lusion that I may need to accept her decision.”
“Maybe there’s some other available woman in this area who might be better suited to you,” Dad said.
Jonah shook his head. “I doubt it, but even if there was, it’s too soon for me to be thinking about that.”
Jonah had just begun showing his dad around the buggy shop when Timothy showed up. “Did you get all the supplies I needed?” Jonah asked.
Timothy shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “Jah, they’re in the trailer behind your buggy. Should I bring everything inside?”
“That’d be good, but first I want you to meet my daed.”
After Jonah made the introductions, Dad smiled at Timothy and said, “So how do you like the buggy-making business?”
“Like it just fine.” Timothy grinned at Dad. “I was glad when Jonah offered me the job.”
“And I’ll bet Jonah’s happy to have you.” Dad looked at Jonah and winked.
“I’ll go out and give you a hand bringing in the supplies,” Jonah said. “Dad, you can stay here and look around the rest of the shop if you like.”
“Once we get everything hauled inside, you’re free to go,” Jonah told Timothy as they walked toward the buggy trailer.
“Are ya sure?” the boy questioned. “It’s still kinda early yet.”
“That’s okay. I’ve decided to close the shop earlier today so I can visit with my folks before we head out to supper. After all, it’s Jean’s and my birthday.”
“All right, that sounds good to me. Maybe I’ll stop at your fishin’ hole on my way home. Oh, happy birthday, and I hope you have a good birthday meal tonight.”
Jonah smiled. Timothy had been bringing his fishing pole with him to work every day, and often fished in Jonah’s pond before going home.
“Better keep an eye on the sky this afternoon while you’re fishing,” Jonah cautioned the boy. “Just in case the storm they’re predicting rolls in.”
“I’ll do that,” Timothy said with a nod. “And if it starts rainin’, I’ll head straight for home.”
After Jonah and Timothy made a few trips into the shop with supplies, Timothy headed for the pond. A few minutes later, Jonah caught sight of Priscilla riding in on her bike. Was she here on business, or had she spoken to Elaine?
She pulled her bike alongside of him near the empty trailer. “I came by to tell you that I talked to Elaine,” she said, getting right to the point. Her grim expression told Jonah that it wasn’t good news. “There’s no easy way to say this, Jonah, but Elaine said she doesn’t love you.”
Jonah’s stomach twisted. “Do you believe her?”
“I don’t know, but Elaine’s never lied to me.”
“I see. Well then, I guess I have no choice but to accept her answer.” Jonah felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. It was just as he feared—what he thought he had with Elaine was over.
“I’m really sorry, Jonah,” Priscilla said sincerely. “With the way things are for her grandma right now, I think Elaine may have shut herself off from love.”
Or maybe, Jonah thought with deep regret, Elaine made her decision because she really never cared for me at all. It might be that until recently, she was just too afraid to say it.
CHAPTER 29
Are you all right, Jonah?” Jean asked as they entered Yoder’s restaurant with their family. “You look like you’re not feeling well this evening.”
“I’m okay,” Jonah said. “Guess I’m just tired, is all.” There was no way he would spoil the evening by talking about his woes. Besides, discussing the situation with Elaine wouldn’t change a single thing. He needed to move on with his life, but it wouldn’t be easy. Although Jonah was uncertain of his future, he had to trust God and wait to see what the plan was for him from here on out.
“Looks like there’s quite a crowd here tonight,” Dad commented, glancing around the restaurant. “The place must have good food.”
“They sure do,” Jonah and Jean said in unison.
Jean’s husband, Nathan, chuckled. “You two may not be identical twins, but I think it’s kind of funny the way you often speak at the same time, and sometimes even say the exact thing.”
“We’ve been doing that since we were kinner.” Jean giggled and nudged Jonah’s arm. “Haven’t we, big brother?”
Jonah chuckled. “Jah, we sure have.”
The hostess came then and led them to the back of the room where two tables had been set up for eleven people. Since only eight were in their group, Jonah didn’t know why there were three extra seats. He was about to ask when Jean spoke up.
“I invited your friend Melvin to join us this evening, and also Sara and little Mark, since Sara’s my best friend,” Jean explained. “They should all be here soon, I expect.”
“The more, the merrier.” Jonah helped Jean and Nathan situate their children on booster seats before taking a chair himself. Try as he might, he couldn’t help but wonder what Elaine was doing tonight.
“Hallich gebottsdaag,” Jonah’s four-year-old niece, Rebecca, said, grinning over at Jonah from where she sat in a booster seat.
Jonah smiled, reaching over to tweak the little girl’s nose. “Danki, Becca.” It was amazing how the simple smile of a child could lift one’s spirits.
A waitress came to take their beverage orders, and just as Jonah asked for a glass of lemonade, his friend Melvin showed up.
“Sorry I’m late.” Melvin seated himself in the chair on the other side of Jonah. “There seems to be a lot of traffic on the road this evening.”
“Not a problem,” Jonah replied. “We’re still waiting for Sara and her son, Mark, so we wouldn’t have ordered our food without you.”
“I appreciate that, and oh, by the way, Hallich gebottsdaag, Jonah. You, too, Jean.” Melvin handed Jonah a paper sack. “Here’s a little something for your birthday, my friend.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I know, but I wanted to.” Melvin bumped Jonah’s arm. “Go ahead, open it. I’m hopin’ you’ll like what’s inside.”
“Okay, but first let me introduce you to my mom and dad, Raymond and Sarah Miller.”
After Melvin shook hands with Jonah’s folks and had told them a little about himself, they got to talking as if they’d known each other for a good many years. Then Melvin looked over at Jonah and said, “I think your little niece is anxious for you to open the gift I brought ya.”
Jean laughed. “That’s right. Rebecca’s been sitting there quietly, staring at it, since you first arrived.”
“Do you want to see what’s in the sack?” Jonah asked Rebecca after seeing the anxious look on her face.
“Jah, open it, please.” With an eager expression, she clapped her hands.
“Naw. Think I’ll wait till after we eat.” Jonah winked at Rebecca. “Just kidding.” When he opened the sack and withdrew an ornate pen with a buggy carved on the wooden base, he grinned. “Wow, this is sure nice. Danki, Melvin.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Where’d ya find something like this?” Jonah asked.
“Had it special-ordered. If you turn the pen over, you’ll see that the name of your buggy shop is engraved there. Thought if you liked it well enough, you might want to order more of the pens to give out to your customers.”
“That’s a good idea.” Jonah bobbed his head. “I never thought of doing something like that.”
“Can I take a look at that?” Dad asked, peering over at Jonah.
Jonah handed the pen to his dad, and after Dad studied it for a bit, he passed it around the table so the rest of the family could see.
“Think I might have to get some of those made up to hand out to my buggy-shop customers, too,” Dad said. “I really haven’t done much advertising in that way; just mostly through word of mouth.”
“Sometimes word of mouth is the best form of advertising,” Nathan put in. “But then, handing out the pens to customers could also be beneficial. It�
��s useful to them and good advertising.”
“Oh good. Sara and Mark made it,” Jean said, motioning toward the front of the restaurant. “Now we can all order our meals.”
When Sara entered the restaurant, holding tightly to Mark’s hand, she struggled with her balance. Pausing to take in a deep breath, Sara started walking again toward the tables where Jean and her family sat. She didn’t know why, but she felt out of place tonight. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend time with Jean. She just would rather have gotten together with Jean on her own—maybe gone out to lunch or had Jean over to her house for a meal. They would have had a better chance to visit that way.
A few days ago, Sara and Jean had gotten together, but Sara couldn’t count that as much of a visit. She hadn’t been feeling well, and Jean had ended up entertaining Mark, along with her own children, while Sara rested. She hoped she and Jean could get together again, maybe sometime next week, after Jean’s parents went home.
“I’m glad you and Mark could join us,” Jean said as Sara and Mark neared the table. She quickly introduced Sara to her and Jonah’s parents, noting her mother had the same first name as Sara, only spelled differently.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Sara shook hands with them both and placed Mark in a booster seat. She sat in the chair between him and Jonah.
“Have you met Jonah’s friend Melvin?” Jean asked.
Sara nodded and smiled at Melvin. “I heard you and Sharon are getting married this fall.”
Melvin grinned. “Jah, and we’re gettin’ pretty excited about it.”
“Are you okay, Sara?” Jean touched Sara’s arm. “Your face is pasty white and you appear to be shaken.”
“I had a little problem with my horse on the way to the restaurant,” Sara replied, “but it was nothing serious, and I’ll be okay once my nerves settle down.”
“Was it due to all the traffic?” Melvin questioned. “It was pretty bad for me tonight.”
The Decision Page 19