A Perfect Amish Romance

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “We’re just going to show up with tonight’s leftovers?” Jack asked. “Oh, I’m sure that will make her feel special.”

  “Hey, it was a gut supper,” Tiny said, especially since she had made most of it.

  Just as Jack opened his mouth to spout off another comment, Aaron cut him off. “I already invited her here for supper. I said she could have my room, and I’d sleep on the couch tonight.”

  “You offered her your bed?” Tiny asked.

  “What, would you want Kayla to sleep on the couch?”

  “Nee, but—”

  Their father interrupted. “Since she’s not here, I’m guessing that she didn’t take you up on the offer.”

  “No, she didn’t.” A line formed between Aaron’s brows. “I didn’t feel like I could argue with her about that, so I dropped it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t feel bad for her.” He put his fork down. “Daed, what do you think I should do?”

  “About the test, your tutoring, your secrets, or Kayla?”

  Ouch. Tiny hated when her father made so much sense. It always made her wish she thought things through better. There was something even more striking about her brother being put into his place though. Aaron was the responsible one. The steady, kind one. Even though she’d guessed about his test taking, it still made her feel uneasy to see him having to face her parents that way.

  “How about we only focus on Kayla right now,” Aaron said in a dry tone.

  Her parents shared a look. “First of all, it’s too late to go back out there. The weather is bad, and Kayla could be asleep. Tomorrow is soon enough,” Mamm said.

  Daed nodded. “I agree. Aaron, you’re going to have to pay Kayla another visit tomorrow. But I think you should bring Tiny.”

  “Why do I have to bring my sister?”

  “Yes, why do I need to go?” she asked.

  “You can bring a casserole you made,” Mamm said with a smile. “Plus, Kayla might be more receptive to the food if it comes from Tiny and not her, ah, special friend, Aaron.”

  Tiny slowly nodded, though of course she had not made any casserole to take to Kayla. “All right.”

  Aaron blushed but nodded as well. “Okay. That’s what we’ll do, then.”

  “I am not done, son. There is more.”

  “Yes?”

  “I want you, Tiny, and Jack to pay a visit to the widow Jane tomorrow as well.”

  “Why do we need to call on her?” Jack asked. “And why me? I haven’t talked to the woman in ages.”

  Their father’s expression hardened. “Because you have been very busy sticking your nose into other people’s business, Jack. You got mad at Joel for working at her house, interfered with him calling on Tiny, and even spoke disparagingly about Jane tonight.”

  “I didn’t know she was sick,” Jack said.

  “That’s no excuse. It’s time to offer to help Jane Shultz with a couple of chores around her house.” Daed turned to Tiny. “And, Tiny, you may bring Jane a cake.”

  She was going to be cooking all morning. “Jah, Daed.”

  “Gut.” Their father folded his arms across his chest. “As far as I’m concerned, I think this test taking, gossiping, worrying about Kayla, and spying on Joel Lapp and his new dog is the Lord’s way of helping the lot of you do some growing up.” While Tiny gasped, Daed said, “Tiny, you have a fine young man who is working hard to provide for you. It’s time you worked that chip of jealousy off your shoulder and thought of someone else besides yourself.”

  She looked down into her lap. “All right.”

  Daed placed his napkin neatly on the table before eyeing Aaron over the rims of his glasses. “And you, son? Well, you have a good job, a good life, and a good heart. It’s obvious there’s more connecting you and Kayla than study skills. I’m pleased that you’ve stopped worrying about your differences and have begun focusing on what the two of you do have in common.”

  “I agree.” Looking serious, Aaron added, “Kayla is a fine woman. I love her, and I’d be blessed to have her as my wife one day.”

  Looking pleased, their father stood up. “This was a fine supper, Violet. Danke. And, now that Aaron is all done and we have tomorrow decided, I’m going to take Becca here into the other room.” He helped her out of her booster chair and grasped her hand.

  Their mother looked mystified. “All right… but what are you going to do with Becca?”

  “We are going to play blocks.”

  “Blocks?” Jack grinned.

  “I do know how to play blocks, son. It wasn’t all that long ago that I sat on the floor, doing the same thing with Tim.”

  Aaron barely stopped himself from gasping. He couldn’t remember the last time his father had mentioned Tim without one of them bringing up his name first.

  Maybe Daed, too, was changing a bit.

  After he and Becca walked into the living room, Tiny and her brothers turned to their mother. She was wearing a small smile. “Now, the three of you may work on the dishes.”

  Then she stood up, too, and went into the living room.

  “What just happened?” Jack asked.

  “I think we just got put in our places,” Tiny murmured.

  “I didn’t even know I was so out of place,” Jack said. “Did you, Aaron?”

  “Right now I don’t know what I know… and what I don’t,” Aaron said.

  All Tiny knew was that she was going to be cooking a whole lot in less than twelve hours. “I do. Well, come on, boys, start helping me bring everything into the kitchen. I’d like to get this over with as soon as possible since I’ll be working in the early morning, making cakes and casseroles.”

  Jack and Aaron both stood up and each picked up a serving dish. Tiny was grateful for that as she led the way into the kitchen.

  thirty-two

  • RULE #32 •

  Keep a step stool on hand. You never know when someone is going to need a little boost.

  Aaron was sitting on his bed in a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt when there was a light tap on his door. He almost ignored it, but figured he would simply tell Jack or Tiny to go away in person. The last thing he wanted to do was hear more of their opinions about how to run his life.

  Seeing his mother on the other side of the door drew him up short. “Mamm?”

  She walked right in. “Aaron, I know it’s late, but we need to talk.”

  “About what?”

  “About a few things,” she said crisply as she sat down on the chair at his desk. “Close the door, please. The last thing we need is for Jack and Tiny to wander in, too.”

  He closed it and sat on the edge of his bed. “Mamm, what is going on?”

  She took a deep breath. “You need to take that test, Aaron.”

  “I promise, Mr. Zeiset said he doesn’t think it’s necessary.”

  “I’m not talking about work, son. I think you need to do this for you.” Gazing at him intently, she added, “I fear if you don’t follow through and take the GED, you’re going to always wonder what would have happened.”

  “I never expected you to support my taking it.” No, he wasn’t going to tiptoe around Tim anymore. “I thought you would worry I was going to leave, too.”

  “I know you’re not your brother.” A shadow entered her eyes, but she continued, “But even if you did want to leave, that would be your choice, not ours. Your father and I have a lot of regrets about the way we handled things with Tim.”

  “You do?”

  “Oh, jah. How could we not? He was always independent. He always wanted to do things his way, even when he was a little boy.” She looked down at her clenched hands. “But I never gave him the support he needed, Aaron. I never actually followed through on the things I said were important. I told Tim over and over that our Lord was in charge and that He was there to help each of us… but then, I went right back and acted as if I knew better.” Her bottom lip trembled. “And then he left, and your father and I made it so that he could never come ba
ck.”

  “Tim knew what would happen if he left.”

  She nodded. “He probably did… And we might have even done the right thing. But that doesn’t change the fact that I miss him every day.”

  “I miss him, too.” Tim’s departure had left a hole in his life. He was always going to miss him, would always wonder what happened to him and if he was all right. When he spoke again, he knew his voice was thick with emotion. “There’s a good chance I won’t pass the test.”

  “But it seems to me if there’s a chance you won’t pass, there’s also a chance you might.” She smiled suddenly. “All that is certain is that you will never know what happens if you don’t take it.”

  She was right. “What about Daed? Does he feel the same way?”

  She nodded as she got to her feet. “We’ve both learned the hard way that fear for what might happen isn’t a very good companion. Just like in love, we reckon it’s better to take a chance.”

  Aaron hugged her. “Danke, Mamm. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you knew that perfection is overrated. No one needs you to score perfectly or even to always be happy. Only that you give life a try.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  Placing one cool palm on his cheek, she looked up into his eyes and nodded, then walked out without another word.

  Aaron reckoned that nothing else needed to be said.

  * * *

  After much discussion, Jack, Tiny, and Aaron made a plan for the day ahead. First, they walked to Kayla’s house to drop off a picnic basket filled with fresh scones, fried chicken, a jar of apple butter, and about a dozen other small items.

  Standing to one side with Jack, Tiny watched Aaron knock on Kayla’s door. When Kayla answered, she smiled warmly at Aaron. “What brings you here so early?”

  Aaron gestured to Tiny and Jack. “We wanted to bring this by to you.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s a big basket.”

  “It’s just filled with some odds and ends,” Jack called out. Tiny felt like rolling her eyes, since of course Jack had nothing to do with it.

  Ignoring them both, Aaron stepped closer to Kayla. “I hate the thought of you going hungry,” he murmured softly.

  “Oh, Aaron.” Looking tentative, Kayla glanced at Tiny and Jack again. “Would all of you like to come in?”

  “I’m sorry, we can’t. We have another errand to run,” Aaron said as he lifted the heavy basket and placed it inside her door. “I’ll be thinking of you, though.”

  And then right there, in front of the whole world, Aaron kissed Kayla on the lips. “Eat now,” he said before turning away.

  “Danke!” Kayla called out.

  “Anytime, Kayla!” Jack called out.

  After Kayla shut her door, Aaron threw an arm around Jack. “You can never keep your mouth closed, can you?”

  “Not where you’re concerned, brother. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone that you’ve taken to kissing Kayla in broad daylight.”

  Aaron groaned, but Tiny couldn’t help but giggle as the three of them headed over to see Jane Shultz.

  Since none of them knew Jane well, they figured it would be awkward at best, but like bad-tasting medicine, over relatively quickly. They walked together with Tiny in between her older brothers and holding her Mississippi Mud Cake. Easy to make and always appreciated.

  Unless, of course, one didn’t like chocolate, marshmallows, or pecans.

  “Do you think she’ll like the cake?”

  “Of course. It’s a mud cake,” Jack said.

  “Yes, but some people don’t like chocolate. Or, she may count her calories.” Low-sugar and low-fat, it was not.

  “We’re bringing her a gift. She’ll be pleased about it,” Jack said.

  “What do you think, Aaron?”

  “I think she’s shy and self-conscious about the toll this disease has taken on her body. I don’t think she’s even going to want us to come inside.”

  “But we’ll sure try, won’t we?” Jack asked.

  “I guess. I’m twenty-one years old, and it still doesn’t occur to me to tell our parents I don’t agree with their ‘good’ idea.”

  “You’re not alone in that.”

  “All this complaining and neither of you even helped me make this cake this morning,” Tiny said. “I had to get up at four-thirty to get the casserole, this cake, and all my chores done.”

  “You know I was in the barn,” Jack said.

  Tiny turned to Aaron. “What about you? What’s your excuse?”

  He shrugged. “I couldn’t make that cake if you handed me all the ingredients.” They stopped at the foot of the path leading to the front door. “Are we ready to get this over with?”

  “Jah,” Tiny said. “This cake is getting heavy.”

  With Jack leading the way, they walked up the path, then Tiny and Aaron stood to one side while their brother knocked on the door.

  The three of them gaped when Joel opened it.

  “Tiny!” he blurted before visibly composing himself. “I mean, hello, Aaron, Jack, and Tiny. What are you doing here?”

  Eager to prove that she really had changed, she smiled at him. “I baked Jane a cake.”

  Joel’s eyes widened. “Why?”

  “Because it’s time I stopped just listening and actually did something. Don’t you agree?”

  “I… I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then, how about this… May we come in? It’s cold out here, and my cake is heavy.”

  “Oh. Um, sure.”

  Standing in the entryway and looking at the assortment of tools and building materials on the ground, it was obvious to all of them what Joel had been doing. He’d been putting railing on the wall for Jane to hold on to when she walked up and down the stairs.

  “Looks like you could use some help,” Aaron said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I can handle it.”

  “Jack and I will help you.”

  “Why?” Joel asked.

  Jack had already taken off his coat and tossed it on a chair in the front sitting room. “Because it’s time we helped,” he said simply.

  “Joel?” Jane called out as she slowly walked out of one of the back rooms and into the foyer. “Is someone… oh! Well, um, hello there, Aaron.” Her smile was strained. “And, Jack and Tiny, too. I’m sorry, do you all need Joel? If so, feel free—”

  “Nee. We came here to visit you,” Aaron interrupted. “I mean, after seeing you last night, I realized that a visit is overdue.”

  “I agreed,” Jack said.

  Tiny knew she had a lot to talk to Joel about, but first she was more than ready to try to make things right between her and Jane.

  “I brought you a cake, Jane,” Tiny said. “I hope you like chocolate.”

  Jane looked at all of them. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

  “I could give you a story, but the truth is I didn’t know you had MS until I saw you last night. I feel bad that you are living here on your own and wished I would have done something earlier,” Aaron said.

  “And since we know Joel has been helping out from time to time, we thought maybe you would accept our help today as well,” Jack added.

  “I am not helpless.”

  “Of course not. But since we’re here, how about we give Joel a hand?”

  “I could use it, Jane,” Joel said. “Otherwise, it’s liable to be the most crooked bannister in town, or you’re going to get a dozen extra holes in your wall.”

  “Well, of course. Thank you.” She looked at Tiny helplessly.

  “Maybe we could have some cake and catch up?” Tiny asked hesitantly. “Or, um, maybe get to know each other?”

  “I could put on coffee.”

  “I love coffee. Lead the way.”

  Tiny followed Jane into the kitchen and saw many signs of just how hard the easiest tasks had begun to be for Jane. The counters were cluttered, and some of the upper cabinets had a
film on them. The floor had been swept, but Tiny could tell it was in need of a good mopping.

  Jane paused before carefully walking the percolator to the sink. “I want to apologize for the state of my kitchen,” she said as she rinsed out the carafe. “I’m afraid it’s gotten the best of me.”

  “Please don’t apologize. We came over without being invited. It was rude for us to show up without warning.” Pointing to the cake, she said, “My only defense is that I came bearing a gift.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had something that looks so yummy. Perhaps you would like to do the honors while the coffee sets to brew?”

  “Of course.” While Jane measured the coffee grounds and set the percolator on the stove, Tiny got out plates and silverware and cut them each a generous slice. By the time she had carried them to the table, Jane was filling up a little glass jar with milk.

  Tiny couldn’t help but reflect that their motions felt as familiar as pinning up her hair in the mornings. The comfortable silence seemed to cut through the awkwardness between them and put them on even ground.

  When the coffee was done, Jane looked at Tiny apologetically. “I’m afraid my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be. Would you mind pouring and carrying over our cups?”

  “Of course not.” She set the two cups, the jar, and the sugar bowl on a tray Jane had set out and brought it to the table. “Look at us. I can’t remember the last time I’ve spent the morning having cake and kaffi with a friend.”

  Jane wrapped a hand around her mug. “Is that what we are, Tiny?”

  No. No, they weren’t. In her world, friends spoke to each other at church. Friends reached out to each other and lent a hand during difficult times. Friends definitely didn’t believe—or repeat—malicious rumors.

  “I guess we’re not,” she said hesitantly. “But I’d like to change that.”

  “Why? Because of my disease? Is it pity?”

  Was it?

  “No, I think I just want to be a better person,” she said at last. “Jane, I used to think we had nothing in common. You were married and living in this beautiful house in town, and I was just a teenager.”