The Farmers' Market Mishap

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean;

  “Ah, you’ll do fine. I know you can’t compare the two, but look how good you take care of Ginger. You have a caring heart, and I know you’ll be a great daed.”

  “Danki for giving me the vote of confidence.”

  Squinting against the sunlight streaming through the trees, Delbert swatted a mosquito that had landed on his arm. “Doesn’t look promising for me to ever get married or have any kinner. Guess I’m too set in my ways for true romance to blossom.”

  Joseph gave Delbert’s shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t give up, my friend. The right woman’s out there for you somewhere. Who knows, it could even be someone you’ve courted before.”

  Delbert’s eyebrows rose as he cocked his head to one side. “Are you thinking of anyone in particular?”

  With a wink, Joseph shrugged. “I’ll let you figure it out.”

  Delbert pointed to the other side of the pond before reeling in his line. “Now there’s a nice sight to see a woman and a boy fishing together.”

  Joseph looked in that direction. “Isn’t that the widow Rachel Lambright and her son, Ryan?”

  “Yep, I believe you’re right.” Delbert reached into his lunch-box cooler, removed two bottles of root beer, and held one out to Joseph. “Are ya thirsty?”

  Joseph’s eyes lit up. “Sounds good.”

  The two sat sipping their sodas while three young fellows walked by with their poles. The boys went a ways up from them and wasted no time getting their lines in the water.

  Delbert watched in amazement as one of the boys reeled in a fish. “Did you see that, Joe? The boy got a big one right away.”

  Joseph cupped his hands around his mouth. “That’s a keeper. Nice work!”

  “Thanks,” the boy called back. “This is my favorite spot for catching the good ones.”

  “I think he just caught your fish, Joe,” Delbert teased.

  Joseph bobbed his head. “Maybe we oughta try that location the next time we come here to fish.”

  “Jah, if someone doesn’t beat us to it, that is.”

  Topeka

  Thelma sat on the front porch of her home, hands clasped over her stomach as the wicker rocker moved steadily back and forth. She intended to do some mending while watching the birds eat at the feeders this morning, but her sewing basket still sat on the small table beside her. She couldn’t help that her blue-skied mood had turned to gray. It was hard not to feel useless as she watched several cars, as well as horse and buggies, go up and down the driveway leading to the store up behind Elma’s house.

  Wish I could work there full-time again. Sure miss the connection with the customers. Now Lizzie gets to work there in my absence and visit with everyone who comes into the store. Thelma shifted slightly in her chair. Seems at this stage in my life I need to pray for patience and learn to be content.

  Thelma rested her head comfortably for a moment, while soft breezes tickled her face. I’m sure I won’t miss it so much once the baby is born. Joseph and Elma are probably right: it’s important for me to take it easy right now.

  Thelma smiled when she felt the baby kick. Oh, how she looked forward to becoming a mother.

  Her gaze lowered when a wet tongue slurped her ankle. Joseph’s golden retriever looked up at her with solemn brown eyes and whined.

  “I know, Ginger, you’re missing your master, too.” She combed her fingers through the dog’s silky hair. Quite often when Joseph went fishing, he took Ginger along for company. But not today. This morning he’d mentioned that he planned to make a couple of stops after he and Delbert went their separate ways and didn’t want Ginger waiting in the open buggy for him. In addition to the hot sun beating down on the animal, she might jump out and try to follow him into one of the stores, like she’d done once before.

  Thelma closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the rocker as she continued to rock.

  Yip! Yip!

  She stopped rocking, and her eyes snapped open. “Sorry, Ginger. I didn’t mean to rock on your tail.” Thelma checked the dog over to be sure she was all right.

  Ginger was a good companion. Talking to the dog was better than sitting here all alone. Maybe I’m dealing with those silly hormones other pregnant women have talked about. She patted her stomach when the baby kicked again. There’s a miracle inside me, and I need to stop feeling sorry for myself. If anyone’s to be pitied, it’s my sister. She works so hard and lives all alone in that big old house without a word of complaint. Sure hope Elma didn’t make a mistake hiring Lizzie to help out in the store. I wonder how things are going over there this afternoon.

  Elma was relieved when things slowed down at the store after Thelma went home, because Lizzie wasn’t working out quite as well as she’d hoped. In addition to moving about the store like a turtle carrying a load of bricks, the chatterbox spent too much time visiting with customers.

  And I thought my sister was talkative. Lizzie could talk circles around Thelma. Elma sat on the stool behind the counter, pressing her fingers to her temples. Maybe things will get better after she’s worked here awhile. I can’t expect her to do everything right on the first day. Sure hope that’s how it goes, because Lizzie needs a job, and I certainly need help.

  Elma glanced at the clock on the wall across from her. One more hour and she’d be closing the store for the day. She looked forward to going to church tomorrow, and except for feeding the animals, it would be a day of rest. Most assuredly, she needed some time to let down. More than likely she’d spend Sunday afternoon with Thelma and Joseph. One more thing to look forward to.

  “Yeow! Iem schtachel!”

  Bee sting? Elma jumped off the stool and raced to the back of the store, where she found poor Lizzie wincing while holding her thumb. “When I picked up a bolt of material, I didn’t notice the bee on it, until the pest stung me.” She gave a slow, disbelieving shake of her head. “This has not been a good day for me. First, I dropped a box on my foot. Then I bruised my knee when I bumped into the step stool in the back room. And now this.” Lizzie’s face contorted. “I hope you don’t think I’m accident prone.”

  “No, of course not.” Elma moved closer to Lizzie. “Are you okay? You’re not allergic to bee stings, I hope.”

  Lizzie shook her head. “Never have been before, and I’ve been stung plenty of times over the years. It hurts like crazy, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  “Let’s go in the back room, and I’ll get out the first-aid kit. I have a homeopathic remedy specifically for bee stings.”

  “Okay.” Lizzie offered Elma a weak smile. “I hope there aren’t any more ieme in the store. One nasty sting is enough for this old lady.”

  Elma’s lip curled, remembering the bees she’d seen here a few weeks ago. She didn’t want to risk having any customers getting stung and would need to find a way to keep the bees out of the store. It probably wouldn’t hurt to take a look outside around the perimeter of the store to see if there were any bee nests. She wouldn’t do it without bug spray, though. There might be a can in the back of the store, or for sure, underneath the kitchen sink at the house.

  Maybe Delbert could take care of the problem by putting in new screens on the windows, and possibly adding a screen door at the front of the store. Elma tapped her chin. He’d been by earlier this week and put new flooring down in the bathroom. Before Delbert left, he’d told Elma to let him know if she needed anything else. Think I’ll give him a call this evening and see when he’d be free to come by again.

  Elma stepped into the back room behind Lizzie. “If you’ll take a seat, I’ll have a look at your thumb.”

  Grabill

  “I hope you don’t mind cold sandwiches tonight, Ben.” Dorothy set a platter of lunch meat and cheese on the table. “I got back from Topeka later than expected and felt too mied to fix a big meal.”

  “It’s fine, Mom. I’m tired myself, so a lighter meal is okay by me.” Ben took a seat at the head of the table, and when he bowed his head, Dorothy did the same.

/>   After they finished praying, she passed him the bread. “How’d your day go?”

  “It was busy. After I got all my customers’ horses shoed, I worked in the fields awhile and watered your garden.”

  Her cheekbones grew warm as she clasped his arm. “Danki. I meant to do it this morning, but my driver showed up, so I figured I’d have to do it when I got home.”

  “Now you don’t have to worry about it at all.” Ben helped himself to the meat and cheese then slathered his bread with mayonnaise.

  “You’re such a considerate son. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  A flush crept across his face. “Now don’t get all sentimental, Mom. I’m only doing what any good sohn would do for his mamm.”

  Dorothy handed him a bowl of strawberry gelatin. “You’ve made a lot of sacrifices for me since your daed’s passing. A man your age ought to be married and starting his own family, instead of taking care of his old mother.”

  “First of all, you’re not old.” Ben’s glass dripped with condensation as he took a drink. “And even if I had a fraa and kinner, I’d still see to your needs.”

  “I believe you would.” Dorothy fiddled with her napkin, wondering how best to tell Ben the plans she’d made for tomorrow. He wouldn’t like it if he thought she was trying to play matchmaker, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

  “How come you’re staring at your plate? Aren’t you gonna eat, Mom?”

  “Umm, jah. I was thinking, is all.” She picked up a piece of bread.

  “About what?” His voice muffled as he bit into his sandwich.

  “About what I should fix for Sunday evening supper. Is there anything special you’d like to have?”

  He lifted his broad shoulders. “Don’t go to any trouble on my account. We hardly ever have a big meal on Sundays, unless we’re having company.”

  “Well, actually…” Dorothy paused to make her sandwich.

  “Actually, what, Mom?”

  “I invited the Grabers to spend Sunday evening with us. Since they moved a few miles south, and are no longer in our church district, I thought it would be nice if we had some time to visit. I’m not sure what to fix for supper, though. What do you think about a roast with potatoes and carrots?”

  Ben shrugged, popped the last of his sandwich into his mouth, and chewed. “I didn’t realize you missed seeing them so much. As I recall, you and Paul’s Ada were never that close.”

  “Maybe we’re not close, but we do know each other, and…”

  He slapped the table with his open hand, looking directly at her. “Oh, wait a minute. Think I’m beginning to understand. You invited the Grabers, hoping they’ll bring their unmarried daughter along. Am I right?”

  “Well…”

  “Forget it, Mom. If it’s meant for me to find a fraa, I’ll do my own looking. So please don’t try to match me up with Martha Graber.” His forehead wrinkled. “Besides, she’s ten years younger than me, not to mention we have nothing in common.”

  “Okay, but you need to keep an open mind.”

  Ben lifted his cup and sipped. “My mind is open, and I know you worry about me, Mom, but there’s no need. I’m perfectly happy being single.”

  Dorothy wasn’t sure about that, but if things didn’t work out between Ben and Martha, she would keep looking. There had to be a young woman here in Grabill good enough for her son. Of course, it would have to be someone who was content to remain in Allen County, because this was Ben’s home, and hers, too. If he should ever decide to move, Dorothy didn’t know what she would do.

  CHAPTER 7

  Topeka

  You’ve been quiet all evening, Thelma. Is something bothering you?” Joseph asked after opening their bedroom window.

  “No, not really.” Thelma pulled the bedcovers aside, breathing in the moist night air. “I’ve been thinking about Elma.”

  “Is it about her being lonely or working too hard at the store?”

  Thelma took a seat on the end of the bed and removed the pins holding her bun in place. “I’m concerned about both of those things, but just now I was thinking about Elma and Delbert.”

  Joseph took a seat beside her and combed his fingers through her long hair as it cascaded down her back. “What about her and Delbert?”

  “He’s been over at her place a lot lately.” She smiled, leaning back and enjoying her husband’s attention. “Wouldn’t it be something if he and Elma got together after all?”

  “I don’t think it’s likely to happen. Remember how things went between them when they courted before? Like when Delbert and I met you both at the pond to fish for the first time. Do you recall how Dell chose to sit in his favorite fishing chair and left your sister alone on the blanket she’d brought along to share?”

  Thelma gave a slow nod.

  “I remember the tension during that moment.” Joseph raised his eyebrows. “It was awkward for me, and I’m certain it was for you, too.”

  “Jah, I admit, it was a little trying. Nonetheless, in the beginning of their relationship there was a definite attraction, and I’m sure my sister and Delbert were simply having a difficult time reading one another. Anyway, with the months that have passed since then, things could change.”

  Thelma sighed when Joseph picked up the brush she’d placed on the bed and began brushing her hair.

  “Some things may have changed, but not necessarily them. Delbert’s the same person he was two years ago, and so is your sister,” Joseph reminded her.

  “True, but I don’t believe he’d go over there so often if he wasn’t interested in her.”

  “Delbert’s not paying social calls, Thelma. He’s been doing work for Elma. A few days ago he put new screens in all the store windows, added a screen door, and took care of the bee problem.”

  “I realize that, but the more time they spend together, the better the chance for some little spark to be rekindled.” Thelma tapped her chin while clicking her tongue. “Tomorrow’s Saturday, and with the weather being so nice, I think we ought to have an evening barbecue.”

  “Sounds good to me. What kind of meat do you want me to cook?”

  “I was thinking burgers, and we can invite Elma and Delbert to join us.”

  Joseph set the hairbrush down and reached over to clasp her hand. “Now don’t get any ideas about playing matchmaker. If Dell and Elma are meant to be together, they don’t need any help from either of us.”

  “I won’t push, but they might need a little nudge.”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Let’s forget about your twin sister and my best friend for now and concentrate on us.”

  Thelma slipped her hands around Joseph’s neck and gave him a hug. “I love you, husband.”

  “I love you, too, my dear sweet wife.”

  When Elma opened the store Saturday morning, she was hit with a blast of warm air. For the latter part of June the weather had gotten quite hot, with high humidity making it hard to sleep even with the windows open at night. Last night, there’d been only a little breeze. If Elma didn’t get the store cooled off, any customers who came in would be miserable.

  She hurried to open all the windows, thankful for the new screens Delbert had installed earlier in the week. She also made sure the front door was left open so whatever breeze might come up could blow through the new screen door, too. If it got too hot, Elma would turn on a few of the battery-operated fans she had for sale in the store. Stirring up the air would help a bit more. Elma was also relieved that she no longer had bees sneaking into the store and possibly stinging someone else.

  She glanced out the window. No sign of Lizzie yet. I hope she gets here before too many customers show up. She was late yesterday, too. Oh, dear, those potted flowers out there on the front porch are drooping. I’d better give them a drink of water.

  She pushed the screen door open and let it slap shut. There weren’t any customers yet, so Elma got under way with the job at hand. She grabbed the coiled-up hose
against the side of the store and added the nozzle to the end. Then Elma hauled the hose up the stairs, yanking on it when it became caught on one of the rungs. After twisting and yanking some more, she was able to free the hose. The tired old stairs creaked and moaned under her feet. There was quite a bit of rough wood showing that needed repair.

  She frowned. I’m not happy with these treads. I wish they were new and sturdy like the front porch of my house. Guess I’ll need to add that to my list of things for Delbert to do.

  Elma began watering the flowers, when suddenly the water stopped. “Now what?” She twisted and turned the nozzle. Fearing something happened to the well pump, her gaze followed the hose’s length down the steps. It was then she realized there was a crimp in the hose. “Well, at least it’s not the pump.” Elma breathed a sigh of relief as she unkinked the section that kept the water from flowing.

  After the watering was done, Elma went back inside and gave herself a quick check. Looking down at her dark brown dress, she noticed a white cobweb clinging to the skirt. After brushing it away, she spotted a small spider crawling on her hand. “Yikes!” Elma slapped the bug off and stomped on it. “I hate schpinne!” she grumbled under her breath.

  Elma moved about the store, making sure everything was in place, until she spotted a pile of debris near the back room, next to the broom and dustpan. Before leaving for home yesterday, Lizzie said she would sweep up the mess and dispose of it properly. She’d obviously forgotten.

  Elma gritted her teeth. She either forgot or got busy talking to someone, like she’s done several times since I hired her to work here. I probably should speak to Lizzie about it, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings. Besides, it’s good to have a friendly relationship with our customers.

  Elma grabbed the dustpan and swept up the mess. If you want something done, you may as well do it yourself. It’s the quickest way to accomplish the task. She groaned. But then if I do all the work, what was the point in hiring Lizzie to help out in the store?