Lena grinned. “Uh-huh. We’re gonna have a lot of food.”
“Maybe too much?” Though Lena didn’t answer, Emma knew it was.
Then she looked down at her dress. It was dark purple; her girls were wearing matching shades of violet. All three were freshly washed and spotless.
And she’d put flowers in a glass milk jug, displayed on the table.
Ack! It was becoming obvious that she’d put a whole lot of time and effort and planning into this little impromptu meal. And it seemed she’d gone a bit overboard in her preparations. She hoped Jay wouldn’t get the wrong impression. Though, who even knew what impression she was wanting to make!
Lena kicked the legs of her wooden chair. “Our haus is sure gonna be crowded.”
“It is, for sure and for certain. It’s a good thing that it’s a pretty day. That way everyone can sit outside at our picnic table.”
“I like sitting outside!”
“Me too, dear.”
“Did Grandmommi get mad about us not going to her house today?”
“Of course not.” But that was a lie. Her mother had been very upset with her. She loved having her granddaughters over on Sunday afternoons. Foolishly, Emma had at first tried to not give any particular reason for canceling their usual plans, but that hadn’t gone over well. Her mother had asked so many questions that Emma had had no choice but to be completely honest. Yet the only thing her honesty had done was bring about an uncomfortable conversation.
“I fear you are making a mighty big mistake, Emma,” her mother had said. “You are jumping into a new relationship and putting the needs of your girls second.”
Oh, that had hurt. “I always put my daughters’ needs first. And they’re happy about me seeing Jay.”
She’d blinked. “So, you are seeing him. It’s serious, and you haven’t even introduced me to him and his family?”
She’d never thought of her mother as being manipulative, but after that, it had certainly felt that way. Her temper—a temper she hadn’t known she possessed—appeared and she’d let it fly. “Muder, enough.” When her mother stared at her in shock, Emma said, “You are twisting things around on purpose. I don’t appreciate it. I don’t deserve it, either.”
That was when the tears had begun to flow.
She’d felt awful for making her mother cry. However, she couldn’t deny that she’d been excited to try something new. And, yes, she was now seeing Jay. After years of simply getting through each day, she was finally looking at another man. She was actually imagining that she could one day have another deep and meaningful relationship.
It might not happen anytime soon, or it might happen at lightning speed—only time would tell.
Until that time, she was going to take baby steps. And that first step for her was to host a gathering. It was only a taco casserole and tuna- and chicken-salad sandwiches, of course. But still, it was more than she’d done in a very long time.
“Lena, dear, let’s get your sisters and go to church. We don’t want to be late.”
Luckily, all three girls were ready and, after giving Frankie a good-bye pat, they were on their way. As they passed the houses on one block, then another, several other men and women joined them. Emma knew everyone well enough to let go of Annie’s and Mandy’s hands. The girls appreciated the freedom and skipped ahead, chatting with some of their neighbors as they all made their way to the beautiful Pinecraft Amish Church.
Though most Amish never stepped foot in a church, often choosing to worship in each other’s houses and barns instead, necessity had led to the building of the gray stone church with the metal roof in Pinecraft. Local Amish residents enjoyed not having to worry about hosting church and instead helped with the church’s upkeep and landscaping.
Emma enjoyed the opportunity to worship among other people of her faith from around the country. Everyone was friendly, and it was a rare Sunday when she didn’t return home with a new friend in her heart.
When they entered the building, she gathered her girls around her and sat down with the other women while the men sat on the other side of the aisle. As she spied Tricia and Leona Kaufmann just down the row, she smiled and settled in. It was time to cast aside her troubles and give thanks for the Lord’s many blessings.
TWO HOURS LATER, EMMA was walking out of the service when she caught sight of her parents with Sanford’s family. All of them stopped and waited for her on the front lawn. As always, the whole family greeted Annie, Mandy, and Lena with loving care. As Lena told them all about her week at school, Annie showed off her loose tooth, and Mandy told them about her skinned knee, her mother pulled Emma to one side.
Emma braced herself for another round. “Hello, Mamm.”
“Emma, I don’t want to argue again, but I would be remiss if I didn’t caution you to be careful. I spoke with your father, and he, too, fears you’re rushing into this relationship with Jay Hilty and his family.”
“I don’t want to argue, either,” Emma replied. Measuring her words carefully, she added, “I’m glad you shared with me how you feel. But I don’t happen to agree with you.”
“Still . . .” Her mother’s voice drifted off, and when she bit down on her bottom lip, Emma felt her irritation leave. Her mother was worried about their relationship changing.
“Mamm, it’s going to be okay. You raised me to be a careful woman. I still am that way.”
“But serving them all dinner sounds like a big step.” She glanced at her granddaughters worriedly. “Are you sure you know what you are doing?”
Sure seemed to be a bit too heavy-handed, but she did know that she wasn’t making a misstep. “I know I am serving lunch to some friends today. Is that what you are referring to?”
Her mother frowned. “Of course.”
“It is just lunch, Mamm. That is all.”
“Still . . .”
She hated that her mother wasn’t pleased with her decision but she wasn’t going to back out of her plans. She was glad she had invited Jay and his boys and Tricia and Beverly over. She was looking forward to entertaining her new friends. “Would you and Daed like to join us?” she asked reluctantly.
“What would I tell Sanford’s family?”
“Simply that I’ve made some new friends.” Just then, Emma saw Jay visiting with William and another family. She’d meant to rush home so she’d arrive at least a few minutes before they arrived. “I need to get home to set everything up for lunch. But there’s plenty. Why don’t you and Daed join us?”
“Nee. I don’t think that would be a gut idea. I’ll come over to see you later this week.”
“All right.” She knew what her mother’s visit would entail, too. A firm talking-to and a reminder of her place in the world as Sanford’s widow. And though she knew her mother’s advice would be given out of love, Emma was just as certain that her advice would be difficult to follow. She was growing closer to Jay and his boys every day and definitely did not want to give them up.
But despite this new resolve, little by little, all the good, warm feelings she’d gained from the service began to slowly drift away. In their place were a multitude of misgivings.
As she picked up her pace, encouraging the girls to run along in front of her, Emma felt even more flustered. Maybe hosting this meal actually had been a mistake. Maybe she should have listened to her head instead of her heart.
Oh, if only it were that easy.
AGREEING TO GO TO the Keims’ house after church was a huge mistake.
As Jay walked down Kaufmann Avenue with Mark and William on the way to lunch at Emma’s, he felt as if every person they passed was watching them with interest—and an occasional sly, knowing look. And who could blame them?
Word had spread around Pinecraft like wildfire that he and his sons were going to have lunch with the Keims.
He was a grown man with one almost-grown son, one teen in the middle of his rumspringa, and one boy who was still missing his mother. He was too old to be dressed i
n his best shirt and visiting single women.
He also knew better than to make himself a target for gossips. Hadn’t everyone’s interest in his private life been one of the reasons he’d left Ohio, anyway? He had been tired of always being viewed as Evelyn’s poor husband. Or the sad widower with his hands full of boys.
“Wait a sec, Daed,” William called out as he ran over to talk to one of his school friends.
Jay was happy to have an excuse to stop. Anything to delay what he shouldn’t be doing in the first place.
Mark shifted restlessly. “Can I go on ahead?”
“Sure. I’ll be right along in a minute.”
“Everything okay there, Jay?” Michael Knoxx called out from the sidewalk.
“Oh, jah,” Jay said as he walked over to say hello. “I’m just waiting for William.” Though the man was fifteen years younger than him, Jay couldn’t help but feel a little in awe. Until recently, Michael had traveled all over the world preaching to large groups about his experience of being trapped in a ravine several years ago. He’d lost the lower portion of his leg in the process, though one never would know it since he usually walked faster than most people.
“It was a nice service today.”
“I enjoyed it.” Looking for something to say, Jay said, “I heard you are writing a book.”
“I am. I thought it was going to be easy, but I’m stuck at the moment.”
That surprised Jay. “What’s wrong?”
Michael sighed. “Have you ever had to do something that you know should be fairly easy but you keep thinking of reasons to doubt your progress?”
Since that was happening to him at that very moment, Jay nodded.
Looking down the sidewalk, Michael said, “See, I know what I want to say and what I want to write about, but I’m feeling afraid.”
“What would you be afraid about?” He couldn’t imagine Michael being afraid of anything.
“I’m worried my words are going to sound too simple. Or that my reasons for wanting to share my story might be misconstrued.” Shaking his head in a self-deprecating way, he said, “What is striking me as odd is that I never had these doubts or worries when I toured with my family. I simply got up on stage, looked into everyone’s faces, and spoke from my heart.”
“You should simply write the words from your heart then.”
“I wish it was that easy.” Grimacing, he said, “For some reason, a white sheet of paper isn’t giving me the same kind of feedback.”
Jay laughed. “I’m no writer, but I can only suggest that you keep trying.”
“You think it’s that easy?”
“Jah,” Jay said, realizing that he was speaking to himself as much as to Michael. “After all, the only other option is to go backward, and you don’t want that.”
“You’re right. I really don’t want that.”
Jay couldn’t bear to slide back to that vacant place where his emotions were on hold and he didn’t dare to feel too much. Living day to day, hoping to simply get through it while spending half the night unable to sleep was no way to live. Even worse, his boys had known he was living like that and they’d been worried about him.
Michael clasped Jay on the shoulder. “Danke. I knew asking you for help was a gut idea.” He smiled at William who was returning from speaking with his friend, then went on his way.
“Daed, you ready?”
“I am, indeed,” Jay murmured. He was suddenly ready for anything to happen. More than ready.
Chapter 13
Emma started setting up a buffet in the kitchen practically the moment she walked in her front door. Though she usually asked the girls to help her, she knew they were excited about having company over and restless after having to sit quietly during the service at church. Therefore, she’d simply asked them to play outside with Frankie.
As Frankie, whose favorite game was playing tag with the girls, barked and howled while Annie laughed and squealed, Emma finally relaxed. Her youngest could make even the cloudiest days seem brighter. She had certainly lifted Emma’s mood after that upsetting conversation with her mother. Feeling back on track once again, Emma got to work with a new sense of peace.
Out from the refrigerator came the salads and two Mason jars filled with pickles that she’d jarred a few months back. Next came a tall pitcher of lemonade. She was just reaching into her small pantry for the bags of potato chips when Mandy wandered into the kitchen, leaned against one of the counters, and sighed.
“Mandy, why aren’t you outside playing with Frankie?”
“’Cause I’ve got something to ask you.”
Impatience warred with curiosity. Then, seeing as how Mandy had that look on her face that said she was settling in for a good long while, Emma stopped and faced her daughter across the counter. “What is it, dear?”
“Mommy, I don’t see why the boys have to come over,” Mandy said, pouting.
Emma was surprised—and curious as to what had brought this on. But she couldn’t resist teasing her middle girl a little bit before she got her answers. “That wasn’t a question . . .”
“I know.” Mandy plopped both elbows on the counter and rested her head in her hands, as if she were an old lady.
“What is wrong with the boys?”
“Boys are gross.”
Well, this was certainly a new opinion for her six-year-old.
“Boys are not gross, and you like William, Mark, and Ben,” Emma said. “Plus they have all been mighty nice to you. You shouldn’t speak about them that way.”
“I’m only telling you the truth.”
“No, you’re being mean,” Emma retorted, deciding to nip her six-year-old’s sudden, contrary mood in the bud. “I don’t know what brought this on, but you have picked a bad time to start being unneighborly.” Before Mandy could begin another outburst, Emma pointed to the stack of paper goods on the kitchen table. “Now help me put all the paper plates, napkins, and cups out.”
“Mamm, you said we didn’t have to help.”
“I also said I wanted you to go out and play with your sisters and Frankie and Mark, who just arrived. You chose not to do that. Therefore, you can do this.”
“I’m gonna go right now.” Then, before Emma could chastise Mandy for ignoring her directions, Mandy darted out the door, just as Tricia, Ben, and Beverly came in the same way.
“Whoops!” said Beverly with a grin. “Someone is in a hurry.”
That “someone” also knew how to behave far better than she was. If she’d been alone, Emma would have marched outside and told Mandy what she thought about her behavior. But if she’d been alone, Mandy would have likely not been causing so much trouble. Which, of course, was part of the problem, Emma realized. This situation was just as new and nerve-wracking for Mandy as it was for her mother. She should have thought about that and prepared the girls better.
Suddenly Emma felt exhausted by the weight of all of her responsibilities. Sometimes she was just so tired of trying to do everything. It was impossible. That knowledge, of course, brought back all of her worries and doubts. She was pretty good at pretending she was fine, though. And that was definitely what she needed to do now.
She smiled brightly. “Hello! Wilcom!”
“Hiya, Emma,” Ben said as he led the way to the kitchen. “We saw the girls in your yard so we came on in. My daed and William are out there now, too.”
“I’m glad you all could come over.” Then, noticing that all three of them had full hands, she said, “What did you bring?”
“Berries,” Ben said. “Blackberries and strawberries, too. My brothers and I picked them just this morning.”
The fruit was in a medium-sized white stoneware bowl. As soon as he pulled the white dishcloth off the top of it, the delectable scent of fresh fruit floated across the kitchen.
She closed her eyes and sniffed deeply in appreciation. “They look wunderbaar. Danke.”
“It was nothing. We already washed them, too.”
; “Perfect! Would you mind setting the bowl over there with the other food?”
While Ben went to do that, Beverly stepped to her side. “That is quite a spread, Emma. Were you cooking all night?”
“Nee. Just a little bit.”
Tricia chuckled. “That’s not what Lena said. At church she whispered that you were cooking most of yesterday and this morning, too.”
“Lena does like to talk. Let me see what you ladies brought.”
“I baked banana bread. I think it turned out well, but Beverly’s cake is what I can’t wait to try,” Tricia said.
Because truly, Beverly’s cake was a thing of beauty. Three layers, covered with a thick, homemade chocolate frosting . . . it looked delicious. “Oh, Beverly. You honor us.”
Beverly shrugged off the comment, acting as if she baked three-layer cakes from scratch all the time. Which, of course, she probably did. “It was nothing. You know how I like to bake.”
“Tell me how the inn is going,” Emma said as she waved Tricia and Ben back outside.
“It’s going,” Beverly said as she turned to watch Tricia and Ben go back out through the sliding glass door. “We’re busy, which is a blessing.”
“Sadie’s shared that she often visits your inn for teatime.”
“She does come over for tea almost every day.” Smiling softly, she added, “She’s so friendly and welcoming to my guests, I’m grateful that she joins us.”
“I think she also enjoys your baking.”
“I always bake too much, so I’m glad she does.”
“I’m jealous. I’m going to stop by one day, too,” she teased.
“I hope you will. My guests love to visit with locals.”
Emma noticed that she said the last while gazing out into the backyard but Beverly was frowning, too. “Is everything all right?”
Beverly nodded. “Oh, sure. Fine. I’m just a little worried about Tricia and Ben.”
That took Emma by surprise. “Why is that? I think they seem mighty happy together.”
“Oh, they’re happy. But I’m a little worried that they might be forgetting to be cautious.”
A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn Page 10