I can’t keep this hund. Delbert rolled his neck from side to side while giving an impatient huff. He wasn’t allergic to all dogs. In fact, when he was a boy, he’d had the best dog ever. But I’ll never put myself through that again. Besides, this animal is not my problem. He can stay on the porch for now. But if he’s not gone by morning, I’ll ask around. I’m sure someone must know who owns the mutt.
Topeka
Elma glanced at the clock, relieved to see it was almost time to close the store for the day. No doubt there’d be something Lizzie had forgotten to do, which wasn’t out of the ordinary on any given day. She could tell Lizzie’s back was acting up again by the way she bent or reached in an odd position to do even the simplest of tasks.
Thelma had gone home a few hours ago, and Lizzie was in the back room gathering her things. An English woman and her son were still in the store, but Elma didn’t want to rush the lady if she had more shopping to do. It wouldn’t hurt to keep the store open a few minutes past closing time.
Elma went over by the garden clogs, looking at what was left from the inventory. She’d run a half-off special on the older styles so she’d have ample floor space for the newer versions. It appeared there were only two pairs left, so Elma would need to bring out the new ones with fun colors.
As mother and son approached the candy aisle, Elma overheard the young boy ask if he could have a candy bar.
“No, son,” his mother responded. “You had candy earlier today, and too much sugar isn’t good for you.”
The boy pouted, but the mother held firm.
Elma smiled then headed to the counter to tidy up the workspace. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only person who objected to sugar-laden treats. Silently, she commended the woman for not giving in to her son. She’d witnessed too many mothers who came to the store give in to a whiny child’s wishes in order to keep the child quiet or from throwing a temper tantrum.
Elma pursed her lips. If I ever become a mother, I hope I’ll be able to practice tough love. While it would be difficult not to give in to children’s wants, it wouldn’t be good for them to have their way all the time. Up at the front, Elma took a seat on the stool. She slid the notepad over and wrote a reminder to herself to check for healthier snacks to sell in the store. I believe we need a good array of both types. I’d like to offer my customers something for on the go that is better for their health.
A short time later, the English woman, wearing an ample amount of perfume, placed her purchases on the counter.
Elma held her breath. I’ll have to open up the front door and air the place out after this woman leaves. Her nose twitched, and she glanced toward the front entrance.
As Elma rang up the items, the child darted back up the candy aisle. She was tempted to follow, but that was up to his mom. No doubt he hoped to convince his mother that he should have the candy bar he’d asked for previously.
The boy’s mother, dressed in a bright green printed dress, glanced over her shoulder, then back to Elma. “When he gets something going in his mind, it’s hard to reason with him. Do you have any children?”
“No.” Elma reached for the next item, examining it to find the price.
“My name is Corine, and we’re new to the area. Well, I’m actually not new. I lived here for a few years when I was a kid. Anyway, we’re still trying to settle down from the hectic move.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and turned around. “Ronnie, hurry up now!” She stuffed a hand, weighted with bold jewelry, into her large handbag and fumbled through to retrieve her billfold.
“Where are you from?” Elma questioned.
“Pennsylvania. I was married for a time, but now it’s just me and my son. We came back to my old stomping grounds. Ronnie will have his grandparents and me to watch him grow.” Corine smiled, showing the whitest teeth.
Once Corine’s purchases were paid for and Elma had bagged everything up, the woman looked at her and said, “Thank you. I hope you have a nice evening.”
Elma smiled. “And you as well.”
“Come on, Ronnie, it’s time to go,” Corine called as she started for the front door.
A few second later, the towheaded boy ran up to his mother and followed her out the door.
Lizzie came out of the back room then and asked if Elma needed her for anything else.
“No, and I’m ready to close up for the day.” Elma gave Lizzie’s arm a tender squeeze. “See you tomorrow morning.”
“You can count on it.” Lizzie lifted her chin and sniffed the air. “Wow, that’s some mighty strong toilet water someone splashed on today.”
Elma rolled her eyes. “I agree. Lizzie, would you please do me a favor and prop the door open on your way out? I don’t need the strong perfume odor clinging to everything in the room.”
“No problem.”
As soon as her helper went out the door, Elma moved from the counter and stepped up to the window, watching Lizzie disappear around the corner. She flipped over the CLOSED sign and turned off the battery-operated fans, shut off most of the gas lamps, and made sure Tiger wasn’t in the store. She’d been letting him inside every morning, and it seemed to help keep the mice population down. However, she didn’t want the cat to remain in the store overnight. Elma needed him in the house with her, if for nothing else but companionship.
While Elma aired out the store, she walked down the toy aisle to turn off the overhead lamp. There, she discovered a crumpled-up candy wrapper behind a wooden truck. She frowned. I’ll bet that little English boy took a candy bar and ate it, despite what his mother said. If they return to the store, I’ll have to keep a closer watch on the little schtinker.
CHAPTER 14
LaGrange
When Delbert got up Saturday morning, he made a decision. The dog, after three days, was still on the front porch, always looking up at him as if to say, “Please take me in.”
“Guess that’s what I get for feeding the mutt and letting him sleep on the porch.” Delbert grimaced. Despite having asked around the area, no one knew who owned the German shorthair.
“Sorry, buddy, but I’m not a bird hunter, so I don’t need a hunting dog.” Delbert pulled out his hankie and blew his nose, trying not to think of the past. “In addition to that, I’m allergic to cats as well as some dogs. Maybe I’m not sensitive to you, but the last thing I need is a pet.”
Delbert had vowed many years ago that he’d never own another dog. The pain he went through when he was a boy stuck with him even after all these years. How other people could go right out and get another pet after losing the one they loved was beyond him. Delbert realized it was normal for a person to outlive a pet, but he was not one of those people willing to go through such anguish again. That solemn day, as his dog of nine years lay lifeless in his arms, Delbert’s heart felt as if it were torn in two. Even his dad said Sadie was the best rabbit dog he’d ever seen, but unfortunately, her zealousness was what got her killed. Delbert could still see Sadie chasing a bunny around the yard, and when it ran across the road, the dog followed. After that, it was like watching in slow motion as Sadie’s life was snuffed out by an oncoming car. It was an image that to this day, Delbert would never forget.
Woof! Woof! The German shorthair wagged his tail and pawed at Delbert’s pant leg, pulling his thoughts aside.
Looking upward, he groaned. “Why me?”
Unable to resist, Delbert went down on his knees to pet the friendly animal. Its hair was short, and after scratching behind the pointer’s ears for a while, Delbert was surprised he hadn’t started sneezing. In fact, his nose didn’t even tickle anymore.
Already this dog was worming his way into Delbert’s heart as he shared a dish of leftovers from his ham and egg breakfast. “Well, it’s not going to happen again.” Delbert shook his head. “Since I don’t know who your owner is, and I’m not gonna keep ya, it’s time for me to find you a new home.”
Grabill
Ben sat at the breakfast table with his head in his
hands.
Dorothy tapped his shoulder. “Are you missing your hund?”
He lifted his head and gave a slow nod.
“I miss Hunter, too. He was a good watchdog and kept me company when you were at work.”
“Jah.” Ben reached for his cup of coffee and took a drink. “I was hoping by now he’d have the good sense to find his way home, but it doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen.”
“Maybe you should go back to LaGrange and look around some more.” Dorothy handed Ben a plate of blueberry muffins.
He shook his head. “No thanks, Mom, I’ve had enough to eat, and I should get busy and finish the rest of my chores that I didn’t get done earlier this morning.”
“What about Hunter? Are you going to go looking for him?”
“I don’t think so. I mean, what would be the point? He got out of Dave’s truck while we were in LaGrange, but he could be anywhere by now.”
“You’re right.” Dorothy helped herself to another muffin, grateful that her cold was better and her taste buds had returned. During the worst of her illness, not much appealed, and what she had eaten had no taste at all. To make matters worse, Dorothy’s nose had been so stuffed up she’d been unable to smell any tantalizing aromas. Now, as she ate the blueberry treat, slathered with creamy butter, Dorothy enjoyed every morsel.
“Wish I’d left him home with you. It’s my fault the hund is missing.” Ben pushed his chair away from the table with a noisy scrape across the floor. “I’m headin’ outside now, Mom. As soon as I’m done with the chores I’ll be working out in the fields.”
“Okay, I’ll see you at lunchtime, then.”
Dorothy watched her son go out the door, head down and shoulders slumped. She closed her eyes and prayed for Ben—for his dog to come home, and also that he’d find the perfect helpmate soon, because every man deserved a good wife.
Opening her eyes, Dorothy remembered she hadn’t planned anything yet to include Martha Graber for a meal. I’ll call her later today and see if she’d be free to join us for supper one night next week. Maybe having Martha over will lift my son’s spirits and put his mind on matters of the heart.
Topeka
“How’d things go at the store this afternoon?” Thelma asked as she and Elma sat on her front porch, drinking ice-cold lemonade.
Elma sighed. “Busy as usual. It was hard for me and Lizzie to keep up.”
“You should have let me stay and help you.”
Elma shook her head. “You needed to come home and rest. Besides, we managed okay.”
“You always seem to manage, but not always so easily.” Thelma shifted in her chair when the baby kicked. She placed both hands against her stomach. “This little one has been quite active all day.”
Elma moved her chair closer to Thelma’s. “Can I feel it?”
“Of course.” Thelma placed Elma’s hand on the spot where the baby had been moving. “Feel that?”
Elma’s eyes lit up. “I sure do. It must be wunderbaar knowing you’re gonna become a mudder in a few months.”
“It truly is.” Thelma placed her hand over Elma’s and gave it a pat. “Your turn will come. You’ll see.”
Elma crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “As much as I would like to be married, I’m not holding out hope. I am past my prime, Thelma, and the truth is, I may never find the right man.”
Thelma tapped her fingernails on the arm of her chair. Should I tell my sister about Delbert calling this morning to say he’d be coming by later in the day? Would Elma decline my offer to stay for supper if she knew I’d invited Delbert to join us? Thelma didn’t want her sister to think she was playing matchmaker, but it was only last month when she’d invited Delbert for a cookout without Elma knowing.
Thelma cleared her throat. “When Joe gets home, he’s going to cook some chicken on the grill. You will stay and join us, I hope.”
Elma smiled. “That’d be nice. I made some gluten-free, dark chocolate brownies that are also sugar-free before going to work this morning. I’m enjoying the recipes from the all-natural cookbook I picked up in town.” Her voice grew louder. “I’ve even gone through the book and dog-eared several of the pages. I can bring the brownies over, and we’ll have them for dessert.”
Thelma licked her lips. “That sounds good, and before I forget, how is Pearl’s leg? It’s been a little over a month now since she cut it on the nail. Just wondered how much longer until you can start using her again.”
“Well, she is still under the vet’s care, but the antibiotics and salve must be working because he says she’s healing pretty well. The nail seems to be staying in place, too, after I hammered it back in. I sure don’t want it to happen again.” Elma paused. “I felt bad I didn’t see that nail before.”
“But everything is okay now, and that’s what matters.” Thelma licked her lips again. “Now, about those brownies…I have vanilla ice cream we can serve with them.”
“Think I’ll run over to my house and get them right now.” Elma stood, smoothing the wrinkles in her long blue dress.
“Okay. I’ll go inside and set things out to make a tossed green salad. Joseph should be here soon, and we’ll eat after he grills the meat.”
Elma smiled as she put the brownies in a plastic container. It would be nice to eat supper with family this evening. It had been a few weeks since they’d cooked out together, and this time Delbert wouldn’t be there. Surely Thelma would have said something if she’d planned to invite him. I need time to relax with my family. It’ll be a lot better than sitting at the kitchen table by myself with Tiger staring up at me, meowing.
Maybe I should get a dog to keep me company. Elma thought about Joseph’s dog, Ginger, and how she seemed almost human sometimes. Of course a dog couldn’t carry on a conversation, or help with one’s chores. But at least it wouldn’t disagree with her if she said something it didn’t like, and the best part was, most dogs were eager to please.
“Well, I don’t have a dog, and I’m not going out of my way to look for one, so I’d better be satisfied with Tiger for now.” Elma picked up the brownie container and went out the door. She’d fed and watered the chickens earlier and also checked on Pearl, so the only thing she’d need to do when she got home later this evening was let Tiger in the house and give him some food and fresh water.
Walking through the grass, Elma stopped when she stepped on something hard. Bending down to see what it was, she moved the blades about with her hands. “Ach, my keys!” After all these weeks, Elma could hardly believe her missing keys had been found. Of course, they were useless now, since Delbert had already replaced the locks. At least she had the consolation of knowing no one else had found them.
Glancing both ways before crossing the street, Elma headed up the driveway leading to Thelma and Joseph’s house. As she drew closer, she saw a horse and buggy at the hitching rail near the barn. At first, she thought it belonged to Joseph, but after approaching the gelding, she recognized it as Delbert’s horse, Chip. Oh, no! Not again. I wonder what he’s doing here. Is Delbert staying for supper? If so, why didn’t my sister tell me? Even though Thelma hadn’t admitted it, Elma suspected her twin was hoping she and Delbert would get back together.
When Elma rounded the corner of the house, she spotted Delbert standing near the picnic table with a beautiful spotted dog at his side. As she approached cautiously, the dog’s ears perked up, and he left Delbert to rub against her leg. Elma reached out to let the dog smell her hand, and right away, he licked her fingers.
“He’s a friendly one.” Delbert joined Elma.
“What a beautiful hund.” She bent down to pet the dog’s silky head. “Is he yours, Delbert?”
“No, not really. When I got home Wednesday afternoon, the critter was lying on my porch, lookin’ like he was half-dead. I haven’t found his owner, and I was hoping maybe Joe might take him.”
Joseph stepped up to them and pointed under the picnic table, where Ginger lay sleeping. “O
ne hund is enough for me. Besides, if I had another, Ginger would probably be jealous.”
The shorthair moved his head from side to side and slurped Elma’s hand with his long, wet tongue.
Elma didn’t know what she was thinking, but with one hand on the dog’s head, she turned to Delbert and said, “I’ll take the hund. I think he likes me.”
He gave a nod. “I believe you’re right.”
Elma turned to Thelma when she joined them on the lawn. “Oh, guess what I found before coming over here?”
Thelma shrugged and turned both hands upward.
“Found my missing keys to the store and house.”
“That’s good.” Thelma moved closer. “Too bad you didn’t find them sooner, though.”
“Hopefully you won’t lose your new set of keys,” Delbert put in.
Ignoring his comment, Elma lifted the container she held. “Here’s the dessert I brought. Should I take it inside?”
“Jah. I’ll go with you. I’m not quite done with the salad.”
Elma followed her sister into the house. Nearing the open window, she tipped her head back and sniffed the air. “Smells like Joe has the meat grilling already. I can hardly wait to eat.”
Thelma nodded. “I’m getting hungerich myself.” She giggled, rubbing her stomach. “Or should I say we are getting hungry?”
Elma laughed. It was good to see her sister in a joyful mood. Being married to Joseph and now expecting her first baby—what more could she ask for to fulfill her life?
For a few seconds, Elma’s jealousy took over. She and Thelma had always done everything together. It didn’t seem right that Elma had no one.
CHAPTER 15
Grabill
When Ben came home from shoeing a horse the following Wednesday evening, he was exhausted and ready to relax. He only had a few things that needed to be done, and then he planned to put up his feet and unwind the rest of the evening.
The Farmers' Market Mishap Page 10