Plain Promise

by Beth Wiseman

  “Ya, she is doing wunderbaar gut,” Lillian said. She eased out of the hug. “Do you want to go organize the dolls for me, Jenna?”

  Jenna nodded and skipped across the store, her blonde ringlets bouncing down the middle of her back.

  Carley reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper. “Can you look at this and see if I’m missing anything?” She handed the note to Lillian. “Noah and I have a couple coming in from Florida this afternoon. It’s a man Noah went to medical school with, and they’ll be staying with us for a few days. Of course, they are intrigued by the Amish, so I told them I would cook them an Amish meal.”

  Lillian scanned the note. “Wow. This is quite an undertaking. Usually turkey roast is reserved for weddings, but they should love it.” Lillian ran her finger down the piece of paper. “Barbecued string beans, mashed potatoes, homemade bread, and shoofly pie.” She handed the piece of paper back to Carley. “Do you have chowchow, applesauce, and some jams and jellies to serve prior to the main meal?”

  Carley grinned. “No. I was hoping maybe my Amish sister-in-law could help me with that.”

  “Come by the house later, and I’ll supply you with everything you need,” Lillian said with a smile.

  “Or—” Sadie cut in, “I could prepare the meal at my house for your friends.”

  Carley’s eyes lit up. “Really? I know they would love to see the inside of an Amish home.” She paused as her face grew serious. “But that’s way too much work. I could never ask you to do that.”

  Sadie glanced at the ground, then sheepishly back at Carley. “I’d truly enjoy the company.”

  “But what about Noah? I mean, since he’s been shunned and all. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble with the bishop.”

  “I’d be glad to cook for your friends, and I’m not worried about Bishop Ebersol. You know he mostly looks the other way when it comes to Noah.” Sadie took the piece of paper from Carley. “What time?”

  “Sadie, you’re the best!” Carley gave her a quick hug. “You tell me what time is best for you. I’ll go to the grocery store right now, buy everything, and bring it here. This is so sweet of you. Noah’s friends will be so excited.”

  “I’m happy to do it.” Sadie couldn’t tell her how much she needed to have visitors in the house, someone to cook for and serve at her own table. Then she had a thought. “Carley, would you mind if I invited the Englischer and his son? The ones who are renting the cottage.”

  Lillian gave her a strange look, but Carley answered right away. “Of course not! The more the merrier.”

  Sadie glanced toward Lillian, and then back at Carley. “The young boy is special. I think he might be slow—mentally challenged I believe is the right way to say it.” She shook her head. “Ach, never mind. I think it might be best not to. I don’t know how the child will act, and it might be uncomfortable for your friends. The only reason I thought about it is that the child’s mother just dropped him off with Kade, my renter, and the man hasn’t been involved much in the child’s life. He’s clueless what to do with him. And since Noah is a doctor—”

  “Say no more,” Carley interrupted. “His friend, James, is a doctor too. There will be two doctors, and maybe they can help your friend with his son.”

  “He’s not my friend. He’s renting the cottage.” She let out a long, audible breath. “But he seems rather lost.”

  “What time do you want to have supper?” Carley asked. “At the usual supper hour, four o’clock?”

  “In the past when I’ve hosted Englischers for suppers, I have pushed back supper until seven. How would that be?”

  “Perfect.” Carley turned toward her daughter. “Jenna, let’s go, sweetie.”

  “Lillian, my table hasn’t been full in a long time. Do you, Samuel, David, and Anna want to join us, if it’s all right with Carley?” Sadie glanced back and forth between the women.

  “That would be great,” Carley said as she reached for Jenna’s hand.

  Lillian rested her hands across her protruding belly. “Ya, that would be nice. But Anna has a baremlich cold. David is watching her for me today. I didn’t want to bring her here like I usually do, for fear she’d get worse being carted outdoors. I think it best to keep her inside. Besides, I promised Lizzie I would bake her some bread. I appreciate the invitation, though.”

  “Lizzie sure eats a lot,” Sadie said. “I told her I’d bake her some bread too. And last week, I took her a meat loaf, and she sent the empty dish back the very next day, by way of Mary Ellen, who’d stopped by to see her.”

  “She’s a dear woman,” Lillian said. “Frail little thing. But I agree with you. She eats like a horse. It’s a shame she doesn’t have children of her own. She does have several nieces and nephews who check on her, but they travel almost an hour to do so, by car from the Beachy Amish community.” Lillian frowned. “I don’t think they check on her enough.”

  “She has us to tend to her. Lizzie is easy to love,” Sadie said. “I know she gets lonely.”

  Sometimes Sadie would offer to stay and keep her company, but Lizzie always declined the offer. Maybe Lizzie would accept Sadie’s invitation to sit with her if she knew how much Sadie herself wanted the company. One thing Sadie knew about—loneliness. However, she wouldn’t be lonely tonight. That is, not until she climbed into bed after her supper guests were gone.

  “I’ll be back with the groceries.” Carley waved, and she and Jenna left.

  Sadie began to wonder how she was going to approach Kade about joining them for supper. It seemed a bit forward. But it’s in Tyler’s best interest, she reminded herself.

  Kade shifted his position on the couch and blinked his eyes into focus. Tyler was standing beside him, clad in blue-and-white pajamas, a yellow toothbrush dangling from one hand. Kade sat up, placed his feet on the floor, and tried to make eye contact with his son. But Tyler looked past him, although with a hint of happiness on his small face.

  “Good morning,” Kade said. He glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel. Seven thirty. Kade reached for the black binder. They were already starting the day late. “Up at seven,” he mumbled to himself. “Breakfast at seven thirty. Brush teeth and get dressed at eight o’clock.” Then came the huge gap in time from eight thirty to three thirty when Tyler would have been in school.

  How could Monica have done this? Kade could have prepared for this, with some warning. And he would have been at his own home in Los Angeles, not in a tiny, one-bedroom cottage in Pennsylvania Dutch country.

  He thought about yesterday. There hadn’t been any more fits or head banging, and Tyler went to bed right at eight o’clock in the bedroom. Kade left the light on as Monica’s instructions suggested. Expecting problems, Kade was up until about one o’clock in the morning, fearful Tyler would get up during the night. But no incidents. And after Kade read every page in the black binder, sleep finally won out.

  “Are you hungry?” Kade put the black binder back on the coffee table. Tyler didn’t say anything, but he gently touched Kade’s knee. Kade wanted to scoop Tyler into his arms, cuddle him, and somehow make up for the kind of man he knew himself to be—the kind of man who would’ve hired a nanny to do all this if he was home in Los Angeles. For a split second, he considered taking Tyler and going home. Then Tyler smiled. The familiar warmth Kade felt when Tyler arrived yesterday took the fear from his heart, even if only momentarily.

  “Let’s get some breakfast.” Kade stood up and walked toward the kitchen. He glanced back at Tyler to see him following, still toting the toothbrush.

  “Cereal,” Tyler said.

  “Okay.” Kade smiled, glad that Tyler was able to communicate what he wanted. He opened the cabinet where he stored the groceries Sadie brought the day before. Kade’s preferred cereal had nuts and raisins, and he wondered if Tyler was going to eat it or not. He pulled a bowl from the shelf and filled it halfway.

  Tyler walked over to the small, round table in the corner of the kitchen while Kade poured m
ilk into the bowl. He took a seat at one of the four chairs and kicked his feet back and forth. Kade watched him out of the corner of his eye and allowed himself to fantasize that Tyler was perfect, a normal child.

  Kade placed the bowl in front of Tyler and offered him a spoon. “Here’s your cereal, Tyler.”

  “Cereal.”

  But Tyler didn’t take the spoon. Instead, Tyler began tapping his toothbrush on the table, softly at first, then louder.

  Kade tried to remember what Monica’s notes said concerning ways to handle Tyler’s unpredictable behavior, but with all the banging he couldn’t think straight. “Tyler, let’s don’t do that.” He reached for the toothbrush and attempted to pull it from Tyler’s hand.

  Tyler rolled his body from the chair, hit the floor hard, and rocked back and forth on his side, moaning loudly.

  “Tyler, are you hurt?” Kade extended his arm downward, remembered the bite, and pulled back. Tyler’s groans took on a high-pitched tone, and Kade squatted down beside him, unsure what his next move should be. “Think,” he said aloud as he tried to recall the information he’d read the night before. During a fit, ignore it, and refocus on something else.

  Kade walked to the middle of the floor in the den, scooped the plastic letters into the lunch box, and headed back to Tyler, who hadn’t let up. He placed the lunch box beside his son, opened it, and began to randomly line up letters in no particular order. The wailing stopped.

  Tyler sat up, as if he was cured of whatever ailed him. He began to sort through the letters, lining them up in what appeared to be a precalculated order, but there were no word formations that Kade could see.

  Kade sat down on the floor beside his son and ran his hand through his tousled hair. How was he ever going to do this?

  Sadie and Lillian had just finished a cup of chicken noodle soup when Sadie decided she would walk to the cottage to invite Kade and Tyler for supper.

  “Go ahead.” Lillian reached into a plastic bag beside her chair on the floor. “I need to hem these pants for Samuel anyway.”

  Sadie pulled her cape and bonnet from the rack. “Maybe it’s not a gut idea to invite them for supper, but perhaps Noah and his doctor friend can help Kade with the boy.”

  Lillian glanced up at Sadie, then focused on the needle she was attempting to thread. “He is handsome, the Englischer.”

  “He is odd,” Sadie said in a firm tone. “A rich man who needs many gadgets.”

  “Being rich doesn’t necessarily make him odd.” Lillian looked up at her and waited for a response.

  Sadie moved toward Lillian as she tied the strings on her cape. “It is not normal to be separated from your spouse for three years or to not have a relationship with your child. It’s also not gut to need so many material possessions, and—”

  “But he’s Englisch,” Lillian interrupted. “The Englisch collect possessions.”

  “So many of them? I reckon his home is filled with unnecessary items, like his automobile.” Sadie raised her eyebrows. “I’ve never seen such a car. Lights, knobs, and switches everywhere.”

  “Sadie . . .” Lillian took a deep breath.

  “Ya?”

  “Only God can pass judgment. Sounds to me like you’re judging this man before you really know him.”

  “Why would I want to know him? I’m just trying to help the boy, maybe get some doctors’ advice about how that man should tend to the child. That’s all.” Sadie tied her bonnet and pondered Lillian’s words. “You’re right,” she mumbled. “It is not my place to judge.”

  Sadie moved toward the door. “I’ll be back.”

  Once outside, Sadie rigidly held her thoughts in check. She didn’t understand why she was picking up unbecoming traits. She’d never been a judgmental person before. It was as wrong as anything she’d been taught. Judging, questioning God’s plan for her life—all wrong. She’d need to pray for strength to keep her thoughts pure and righteous. Maybe even speak with Bishop Ebersol about the matters.

  She neared the cottage, and a vision of Kade wearing only his pajama bottoms flashed before her. Surely not. The man would have all his clothes on this time of day. But she slowed her pace anyway. She leaned an ear inward as she walked. Nothing.

  The curtains were closed. She looked toward the barn, and the fancy car was still parked inside.

  The porch steps creaked beneath her feet, and she considered turning around. But she knocked, not wanting to get caught loitering on the porch again.

  Kade opened the door. Thankfully, he was fully clothed in jeans and a pullover blue sweater. Sadie could see past him to Tyler, who was sitting on the couch, reading a book. Interesting.

  “The boy can read, no?” Sadie asked. She stretched her neck to peer past Kade.

  Kade looked over his shoulder and then turned back to face her. “Yes, but according to my ex, he can’t understand anything he reads. In her notes, she says he has hyperlexia. It’s a syndrome observed in children who are autistic.”

  Sadie knew the confusion registered on her face, but she just nodded.

  “It’s a precocious ability to read words far above what would be expected of a five-year-old.” He glanced at Tyler again. “There’s a whole bag of books in his suitcase, but he seems fond of the book you had on your coffee table.”

  “The only book in here is—”

  “Come in out of the cold.” Kade swung the door wide and waited for her to enter.

  “No, I just came to invite you to supper. You and Tyler.”

  Kade smiled his crooked smile in a way that made Sadie immediately wish she hadn’t asked him. “We’d love to,” he said in a tone that furthered her regret. She’d need to clarify her invitation.

  “Mei Englisch friend, Carley, and her husband are bringing guests for supper. They are doctors, and I thought they might be able to help you with your son. I don’t know what this ‘autistic’ is you speak of, but you seem . . .” She paused. His smile had faded, but his eyes were fused with hers, and he was listening intently. “You seem like maybe you need some help with the boy.”

  “Come in.” He gently touched her arm and coaxed her inside. “You’re letting in cold air.”

  She inched inside. The door closed hard behind her, and Tyler looked in her direction.

  “Hello, Tyler.” She walked to where he was sitting on the couch. “You are reading the Bible, I see.”

  Tyler didn’t say anything, but refocused on the Good Book. Sadie turned around to see Kade standing uncomfortably close to her. She backed up a step. “It will not be a fancy meal, Mr. Saunders. Just a simple—”

  “Kade,” he interrupted.

  “It will not be a fancy meal, Kade. Carley and Noah’s guests would like to learn more of the Amish ways, and I’m happy to cook for all of them. And you and Tyler, if you wish. Sometimes I host Englisch families in my home for supper.” She raised her chin and shrugged dismissively. “So this is ordinary, quite common, actually.”

  Kade folded his arms across his chest. One corner of his mouth pulled into a slight smile. “Sure. Sounds great.”

  “Am I amusing you, Kade?” This was a bad idea.

  “Yes, Sadie Fisher, you amuse me.” His grin broadened. “I get the point—that you’re not asking me to supper, not as a date or anything. This is something you do for guests.”

  In all her years, Sadie was certain she’d never been as embarrassed as she was at this moment. Except perhaps when she awoke on the couch with Kade leaning over her.

  “What time?” Kade turned and headed toward the kitchen, but glanced at her over his shoulder. “I was going to make myself a cup of hot tea. Would you like some?”

  “No. I must go. Supper is at seven o’clock.” She turned to leave.

  “Wait,” he said as he walked back into the den. He stopped in front of her and put his hands in the pockets of his denim breeches. His forehead creased with worry, and then he sighed. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea for us to come.”

  “Why not?
” Sadie’s response shone with disappointment, which caught her completely off guard.

  Kade leaned toward her and whispered. “Tyler might not be ready for a social environment. I don’t know how he’ll do.” His brows drew downward in a frown. “I don’t know how I will do.”

  Sadie looked over at Tyler, who was still reading. Then she smiled at Kade. “Tyler is special. A blessed gift from God. You have to learn his ways. Although he seems happy and gut at the moment.”

  “Right now he is.” Kade ran his hand through his wavy, brown hair. “Breakfast was another story.”

  “Cereal for breakfast,” Tyler said.

  Kade turned briefly toward Tyler. “Yes, cereal,” he said. He shifted his eyes back to Sadie, his expression warm. “He didn’t really like the cereal, but we did okay.”

  “You will be fine, Kade. You will learn Tyler’s ways and he will learn yours while he’s here.”

  Sadie continued toward the door and was almost there when someone knocked. Lillian, perhaps?

  Sadie turned the knob and pulled the door open.

  Her eyes grew wide, her jaw dropped, and she fumbled for words that weren’t coming. Definitely not Lillian.

  7

  BISHOP EBERSOL TIPPED THE RIM OF HIS STRAW HAT back, drew his brows inward, and stared Sadie down the same way her father had when she misbehaved as a child.

  “Bishop Ebersol.” Her voice rose in surprise. “How gut to see you.”

  The bishop shifted his eyes and glanced over her shoulder. Sadie could hear footsteps approaching from behind. She stood, waited, and feared what Kade might say.

  “Can we help you?” Kade asked. He was so close behind Sadie that she could feel his breath against her neck. We? There’s no we, Sadie thought, hoping he’d hush.

  She stepped forward onto the porch, forcing Bishop Ebersol to take a step backward. She twisted slightly to face Kade. “Good-bye, Mr. Saunders. I’m glad to see that your son is doing well.” She smiled, then faced the bishop. “What brings you here, Bishop Ebersol?” She headed down the porch steps with hopes that the bishop would follow. He did.