“Will do. See you later, Elma.”
Elma smiled and lifted her hand in a brief wave. Delbert seemed a lot nicer than when they’d been courting. Maybe he’d learned a few things about how to treat a woman.
As the day wore on, exhaustion set in. Yesterday had been busy, but today it seemed like even more customers had come in. Everyone was looking for a bargain, and their supply of material had diminished to less than half.
Elma sighed. Hopefully there’s another box of material in the back of the store. I should have been more prepared for our sale, but I’ll make note of this for the future. She picked up a pen and slid the notepad in front of her. She jotted down a list of supplies and noted an estimate of how much material had been sold. Her eyelids felt heavy as she released a noisy yawn. On Monday, when the store was usually closed, Elma would place an order for more fabric, as well as several other items she’d run low on.
Elma waved her hand at a pesky bee flying around her head. She noticed a few on the windows as well, buzzing and trying to get out. “With all the customers coming and going, is it any wonder there are ieme inside?” She opened the front door and shooed some of them out.
“Are you as mied as I am?” Elma asked when her helper joined her at the counter.
“Jah. It’s been a busy, tiring day, that’s for sure.” Anna tugged at her apron band and cleared her throat. “Umm…there’s something I have to tell you, Elma.”
“You look so serious, Anna. What is it?”
The young woman dropped her gaze to the floor and stood silently several seconds. When she lifted her head again, Elma saw tears in Anna’s blue eyes. “I find no pleasure in telling you this, but unfortunately, I can only work for you another two weeks.”
Elma’s posture stiffened. “How come?”
“My daed sold his business and my folks are relocating to Arthur, Illinois, where my grandparents live.” Anna’s arms hung loose at her sides, and her chin trembled slightly. “I don’t really want to move, but my place is with my parents and siblings. Besides, my grossmudder is not well, and my mamm‘s going to need my help to take care of Grandma.”
Elma reached across the counter and clasped Anna’s hand. “You’ll be missed, of course, but I understand.” Elma had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was no way she could expect Thelma to work more than a few days a week, so she’d have to hire someone else.
Trouble was, she had no idea who it could be.
CHAPTER 5
Grabill, Indiana
Dorothy Wagler glanced at the clock above the refrigerator and frowned. If Ben didn’t come in from doing his chores soon she might have to eat breakfast without him, because her driver would be here in thirty minutes.
She peered out the kitchen window but saw no sign of her son. Dorothy tapped her fingers on the edge of the sink then opened a drawer and took out two pot holders. Sure wish he would hurry. I’m getting hungry, and smelling the buttery, browning casserole is making my mouth water.
Dorothy went to the refrigerator, took out a pitcher of apple juice, and poured some into two glasses. She picked up her glass and brought it to her lips, savoring the cool, tangy-sweet liquid. “Ahh…this hits the spot.”
Next, she removed the steaming breakfast casserole from the oven and placed it on the table, glancing at the clock one more time. Five more minutes, Ben, and then I’m eating without you.
After placing the silverware and napkins at each plate, Dorothy slid out her chair. She was about to take a seat at the table when her son rushed into the room. Tilting his head to one side, he pushed a piece of thick brown hair out of his eyes. “What were ya gonna do, Mom, eat friehschtick without me?”
Dorothy pointed to the clock. “Reba will be here soon, and if I don’t eat breakfast now I won’t be ready when she arrives.”
“What’s she’s coming for? Do you have another chiropractic appointment?” He rubbed his clean-shaven chin.
“I hired Reba to drive me to Topeka to see my friend Eileen Lehman.” Dorothy’s mouth slackened. “Don’t you remember me telling you this during supper last night?”
Ben shrugged his broad shoulders. “Guess I must’ve forgot.”
Dorothy lifted her gaze toward the ceiling. “Goodness gracious, son, you’re only thirty-five years old. Your memory shouldn’t be giving out on you already.”
He grunted, moving to the sink to wash his hands. “My memory’s not giving out, Mom. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“I know you do, Ben, and I didn’t mean to sound condemning. Sorry if I came off that way.” Dorothy gestured to the table. “Please, have a seat so we can pray.”
Ben pulled out the chair at the head of the table—the place his father used to occupy before he’d died of a heart attack five years ago. Since that time, Ben had taken over running the farm, while trying to keep up with his own horseshoeing business. It was a lot of responsibility for a young single man, but Ben never complained and seemed content to live at home and help his mother. Dorothy wished she had more sons to share the load, or that her daughter, Lucinda, lived closer so that her husband, James, could help out. But they’d moved to Nappanee two years ago and didn’t get to visit often.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to go with me today?” Dorothy tapped Ben’s arm. “It’s been a while since you’ve gone anywhere.”
“What do you mean? Every time I get a call to shoe a horse, I have to leave the farm.”
“You’re right. What I should have said is, it’s been a while since you went anywhere just for fun.”
His brows furrowed. “A visit with your friend Eileen might be fun for you, but I wouldn’t have much to say to her. Besides, your trip sounds more like a woman’s day out.”
“I realize that, but we’ll be going out to eat lunch at one of the restaurants in Topeka.” She bumped his arm again. “You always enjoy eating out.”
“Maybe some other time. This isn’t a good day since I have four horses to shoe.” He folded his hands. “Shall we pray?”
“Of course.” When Dorothy bowed her head and began her silent prayer, she asked God to bless her son and give him the desires of his heart. He was a fine man and deserved all the happiness he could get. Perhaps someday it would include a wife, for Dorothy certainly didn’t want her son to be alone after she died.
Topeka
“I wish you hadn’t come to work this morning.” Elma pressed her lips together, watching as her sister moved toward the counter with a bolt of material. Thelma’s footsteps seemed to drag with each step she took on this warm, humid first Saturday of June.
Normally, Thelma wouldn’t be working at the store today, but since Anna’s last day was a week ago, Elma would have been on her own today, so Thelma insisted on helping out, just as she had every day this week.
Thelma planted her feet in a wide stance. “I was not about to sit on my front porch and watch customers come and go all day, knowing you were here all alone, trying to do a million things at once.”
Elma chuckled, despite her concern. “That’s a bit of an exaggeration, wouldn’t you say?”
Thelma giggled. “Well, I’m sure you got my meaning.”
“I did, and I hope you got my meaning, as well. I’m really surprised Joseph allowed you to come over here today.”
Thelma pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “My husband doesn’t order me about. Besides, he got up at the crack of dawn to meet Delbert for a little fishing.”
Elma’s eyes narrowed. “So Joseph doesn’t even know you’re here. Is that how it is?”
“No, he doesn’t, but I’m sure he wouldn’t care.” Thelma placed the material on the counter. “This is for Eileen Lehman. I believe it’s the right shade of green, since she described it as sort of a pine color. She’ll be in sometime this morning to get it.”
“Oh? When did you talk to her?” Elma brushed her hand across the counter, clearing away several strands of thread.
“Yesterday. I ran into
her at the grocery store. She said she’d be coming to the store and told me what kind of material she needed.”
“Oh, I see. Guess that’s a good enough reason for you to come to work today.”
Thelma gave no reply as she skirted around the counter and took a seat on the stool.
Elma released a long, low sigh. If my sister is determined to be here today, then I’ll make sure she doesn’t work too hard. She can sit on the stool and wait on customers like she did earlier this week.
As the morning wore on, Thelma began to wish she’d stayed home and rested. Even though there were no sales, the store had been full of customers since they first opened. The balls of Thelma’s feet ached, and her toes pushed against her leather shoes. She’d been on her feet too long, walking back and forth with bolts of material left on the counter after cutting fabric for some of their customers. How good it would feel to be barefoot right now. I’ll be good as a summer rain once I’m home relaxing with my feet up for a while.
Thelma yawned, twisting her neck from side to side. I wonder how Joe and Dell are doing. Wish I could have gone fishing with them. It would be a lot more relaxing than sitting on this hard stool, waiting on customers all morning. I don’t understand why my sister won’t let me help with more things.
She glanced at the bolt of material she’d set behind the counter. It was almost noon, but there’d been no sign of Eileen Lehman. I wonder if she forgot.
“Are you ready to take your lunch break now?” Elma stepped up next to Thelma.
“I guess so. Sure wish we were able to eat together so we could visit. Seems like we don’t get to talk much these days.”
Elma placed her hand on Thelma’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. With me working long hours at the store, plus having chores at home to do by myself, I don’t have much free time anymore.”
“Which is why you need to hire someone to help here at the store. There’s way too much work for one person to do, and with me only working a few hours each day, most of the responsibility falls on you.”
Elma pushed a wayward strand of hair off her face. “It’s all right. I’ll manage.”
“I’ll talk to Joseph and see if he can come over in the evenings to help with some of your outside chores.”
Elma shook her head. “No, it’s okay. He has enough to do at your place. Besides, the two of you need time alone to catch up on your day, make plans for the boppli, and enjoy being husband and wife.”
Thelma glanced toward the ceiling at a bee trying to find a way out. Their conversation was interrupted when Eileen and another Amish woman came into the store. She couldn’t help noticing the pleats in the woman’s skirt and wondered if she might be from Grabill. Although she’d never been to Grabill, Elma had heard the women there wore pleated dresses.
“I’m here for my material.” Eileen smiled, her dimples deepening in her slightly wrinkled cheeks. Then she motioned to the dark-haired woman beside her. “This is my friend, Dorothy Wagler. We grew up together in Shipshewana, but now she lives in Grabill and has for a good many years.” Eileen gestured to the twins. “Dorothy, I’d like you to meet Thelma Beechy, and her twin sister, Elma Hochstetler.”
“It’s nice to meet you both.” Dorothy offered a pleasant smile as she shook Thelma’s and Elma’s hands. “Eileen filled me in on how you both acquired this store after your grandparents died.”
“Jah.” Elma nodded. “It’s been a challenge, but things are shaping up here at the store. My grandparents’ old house, on the other hand, is still a work in progress.”
Dorothy laughed. “I understand. I’ve lived in my home for over thirty years and still don’t have everything the way I’d like it to be. My son lives with me, and his hands are full, running his own business and trying to keep the farm going. So I try not to ask him to do anything around the house unless it’s absolutely necessary or something I’m not able to do myself.”
“Dorothy’s husband, Ray, passed away a few years ago, so trying to keep up the place has become a challenge,” Eileen interjected.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Elma placed her hand on Dorothy’s arm.
“Danki. It was difficult at first, but Ben and I are managing.”
“We’d like to stay and visit awhile, but we’re meeting two other friends for lunch, so I’d best pay for my material and get going.” Eileen placed her black purse on the counter. “How much do I owe, Thelma?”
“I put your invoice next to the plastic bag.” Thelma handed it to her.
While Thelma took care of ringing up Eileen’s purchase, Elma waited on another customer who’d been at the back of the store.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you both,” Dorothy said when Eileen was ready to go and Elma rejoined them. “Perhaps the next time I get up this way, I’ll drop by your store and say hello.”
“Jah, please do.” Thelma waved, and Elma walked the two ladies to the door.
Elma was about to shut the door behind Eileen and her friend when Lizzie Yoder showed up.
Elma watched as Lizzie tied her horse to the hitching rail. “Are you needing more thread or material?” she asked when Lizzie stepped onto the porch.
Grinning, Lizzie shook her head. “Not today. I heard you were looking for part-time help at the store, and I’d like to apply for the job.”
Elma’s eyebrows lifted. “Have you had experience working in a store such as this?”
Lizzie’s gray head moved quickly up and down. “I worked in a fabric store in LaGrange for a few months, and since I enjoy sewing, I think I’d be perfect for the job.” Her voice lowered. “Besides, I’m living alone right now, and could certainly use some money coming in.”
“You did say your brother was moving, but I thought a friend would be living with you and sharing expenses.”
Lizzie’s shoulders pulled inward as she released a heavy sigh. “It didn’t work out. I’m on my own.”
Elma slipped her arm around the older woman’s ample waist, pulling her into a side hug. “Well, then, since you need a job, and I need an extra pair of hands around here, I have only two words to say: you’re hired.”
Lizzie’s eyes brightened. “Can I begin today?”
“I don’t see why not. Thelma’s worked all morning, but it would be good if she could go home and rest. So you can take over for her the rest of the afternoon.”
“Danki, Elma. Okay, then, if you’ll show me what to do, I’ll get right on it.”
“Why don’t you head to the room at the back of the store? I’ll meet you there as soon as I tell Thelma she’s free to go home.”
“Okay. No problem.” Lizzie’s arms swung as she ambled off toward the back of the store.
“I just hired Lizzie to work here part-time.” Elma grinned, joining Thelma at the counter again.
Thelma’s chin jutted out. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Sister.”
“Why not?” Elma’s smile faded.
“You know as well as I do that Lizzie tends to be forgetful.” Thelma spoke quietly with one hand cupped around her mouth. “She also talks too much, and at her age, I doubt she’ll be able to keep up with all the work needing to be done here.”
“She says she’s had experience working in a fabric shop in LaGrange, so I’m sure she’ll do fine.” Elma placed her hands on Thelma’s shoulders. “Lizzie is starting work right now, actually. So you’re free to go home now and take it easy the rest of the day.”
Thelma blinked. “Are you kidding me?”
“Course not. I can see the fatigue on your face, and do I need to remind you what the doctor said about making sure you get plenty of rest?”
Thelma leaned forward, elbows on the counter. “I may as well do as you say, because I’m sure I will not win this argument.” She glanced toward the back of the store and whispered, “I only hope you didn’t make a mistake hiring Lizzie.”
Elma bit down on her bottom lip. I hope not, either, because if I did, it will be difficult to tell poor Lizzie I don’t
need her help anymore.
CHAPTER 6
LaGrange, Indiana
The fisch aren’t bitin’ so good today, are they?” Delbert set his pole aside and leaned back, clasping his hands behind his head. Joseph grunted. “I wouldn’t complain if I were you.” He pointed at the cooler near Delbert’s feet. “You’ve caught two more fish than I have.”
“True, but you know what, Joe? Even if I didn’t catch a single fish all day, I’d enjoy being here at the pond with my best friend, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. There ain’t nothing better, as the old saying goes.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” Joseph gestured to a line of beetles trundling along a rotten log. “Nature at its finest, jah?”
Delbert reached over and poked his friend’s arm. “You enjoy watchin’ a bunch of keffer?”
Joseph snickered. “Sure do. All kinds of bugs are interesting to watch.”
“Personally, I’d rather look at a butterfly or dragonfly.”
“Now you sound like my fraa and her zwilling. Just the other day when we had a picnic in our yard, the twins were having fun watching all the butterflies.”
“I doubt they saw any big ones this early yet. The monarchs aren’t usually seen till the later summer months.”
“You sound like an expert on the subject.” Joseph grinned. “Now I’ve learned something about you I didn’t know before.”
Delbert rolled his eyes. “Don’t you remember when we were boys and I used to catch butterflies with a net so I could study them awhile before letting ’em go?”
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that.” Joseph removed his straw hat and fanned his face with the brim. “Seems so long ago. The biggest thing on my mind these days is making sure Thelma takes good care of herself as we anxiously await the arrival of our boppli.”
“Are you naerfich about becoming a daed?”
“Jah, a little nervous. Never expected to get married, much less father any children.” His forehead wrinkled. “Sure hope I’ll be a good daed.”
The Farmers' Market Mishap Page 4