Ben’s tiredness didn’t stop him from pausing to listen to the cicadas singing, however. “Sure can tell it’s almost August.” He reached up to rub a knot in his shoulder. Where had this year gone? Summer would soon be over.
While he listened to the insects’ rhythmic chorus, he meandered toward the house. Surprised to see Martha holding a bouquet as she stood beside Mom near her flower garden, Ben halted. Assuming she must have come by to purchase the daisies, he said a quick hello and headed for the house.
“I invited Martha to join us for supper,” Mom called as Ben stepped onto the porch.
Hoping to conceal his frustration, he halted and forced a smile before turning around. “I didn’t realize we had company coming tonight. I was planning to muck out the barn after we eat, so I wasn’t gonna take a shower till it was done.”
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Mom’s hands fluttered like she’d lost track of what she was doing. Ben recognized his mother’s way of covering up her disappointment. He had a hunch she’d set this meal up so he could spend time with Martha.
“Never mind. It’s no big deal.” Ben waved a hand. “I’ll clean out the barn after work tomorrow.”
Feet shuffling as she kicked at the ground with her shoe, Martha mumbled, “Maybe I should go. I don’t want to interrupt your plans.”
Ben shook his head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll go take a shower and change clothes. Then I’ll be ready for supper.” He stepped into the house and closed the door. Poor Martha. She keeps being dragged into my mother’s plan to make us a couple. I doubt Martha has any more interest in me than I do her. Mom could use a new hobby to keep herself busy. He reached up to rub his shoulder again. Sure wish she would stop meddling. If it’s meant for me to have a wife, I’d like to pick my own.
Ben couldn’t wait to eat. He’d worked up a good appetite and taken his spot at the head of the table. They bowed their heads for silent prayer, and when finished, Ben’s mother passed the food to him. Ben took what he wanted and passed the plates to Martha in awkward silence, unsure of what to say. Mom appeared to be compensating for his lack of conversation, as she chatted away to their guest.
Meanwhile, Ben couldn’t help wondering what Elma might be doing. He nudged the potatoes on the plate with his fork, allowing his attention to keep on its detour. I wonder what she’s having for supper tonight. Can’t wait to get up to Topeka to see her again.
“Did you have many horses to shoe today?”
Ben’s head jerked at Martha’s question. “Uh…jah, I did.”
“Do you enjoy shoeing horses?”
He nodded.
Mom passed him the platter of meat. “Would you like some more beef, Ben?”
“Jah, sure.” He forked two pieces then handed the platter to Martha. The distraction of eating and having one’s mouth full of food made it easier not to talk.
“This roast beef is so delicious and tender.” Martha smiled at Mom from across the table.
“Danki. I’m glad you like it.” Mom glanced at Ben, sitting at the head of the table, silently poking at his mashed potatoes. “How’s your new job at Country Sales going, Martha?” Mom asked.
“It’s going well. I enjoy working there.” Martha blotted her lips with a napkin. Looking over at Ben, she smiled.
Mom gestured to the platter of meat. “Would you like another piece of beef?”
He stabbed one with his fork and passed the plate to Martha without making eye contact with her.
When the meal was over, he excused himself and headed for the comfort of the recliner in the living room. After Ben took a seat, he adjusted the footrest and put up his feet. “Ah, this feels good. Now I can relax and allow Mom’s good meal to digest.”
Ben heard his mom and Martha chatting in the other room, but he couldn’t make out their words. He figured they were busy clearing away the dishes and putting the leftovers in the refrigerator.
Martha was all right, but she didn’t seem mature enough for him. She was nice looking, too, but in his judgment, Elma was prettier. Ben couldn’t help comparing the young women.
Redirecting his thoughts, Ben remembered a customer he needed to call for a time adjustment, since he’d forgotten about his dental appointment next week. Trying to let his mind go blank, he closed his eyes. It took no time for his thoughts to return to Elma. If she isn’t being courted by anyone, I’d like to ask her to have supper with me. Ben laced his fingers together and rested them under his head. His eyelids became heavy while he thought of the pretty young woman who lived in Topeka.
Dorothy closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Had Ben still been a little boy, she would have scolded him. Martha was their guest, and he should have known better than to treat her that way. She wasn’t about to give up, but she couldn’t force Ben to talk to Martha, either. Maybe he’d be more cordial if the two of them were alone.
After Ben retired to the living room, Martha started clearing the table, beginning with the bowl of mashed potatoes.
“Oh, never mind about that.” Dorothy came around the table and took the bowl from their guest. “There aren’t many dishes, and I can manage fine on my own. Why don’t you join Ben in the living room? It’ll give you two a better chance to visit.”
Martha drew her mouth into a straight line while biting down on her bottom lip. “Are—are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” Dorothy gestured toward the archway leading to the other room, shooing her in that direction. “Go on now. I’ll be fine.”
Martha offered a quick smile and left the room. A few seconds later, she was back. “Umm…Ben is asleep in his chair.” Before Dorothy could comment, the young woman said she would finish clearing the table.
Heaving a sigh, Dorothy ran warm water in the kitchen sink and added liquid detergent. “As soon as we finish the dishes I’ll wake him up.”
Martha shook her head. “Oh, no, please don’t. He’s obviously tired and needs his sleep. I guess he worked too hard today.”
Or else he’s not interested in a relationship with you. Dorothy gripped the sponge and picked up a plate. Should I give up on this or keep trying to get Ben and Martha together?
Topeka
Thelma sat beside Joseph on the couch, writing a letter to her parents. Even though she could easily make a phone call and leave a message asking to set up a time so they could talk, she liked keeping in touch through the mail. Thelma enjoyed making her own cards and stationery, too. She’d made some spring-themed cards a while back, with friends and family in mind, to replenish her supply. The card she’d chosen to send her parents was detailed with flowers, like some Mom grew in her yard.
Sitting here in shared silence as their day wound down gave Thelma an opportunity to jot down her thoughts and make sure she was giving Mom and Dad all the details of what was going on in her and Joseph’s life, as well as Elma’s.
While Thelma wrote the letter, her husband read the latest edition of The Budget newspaper. He’d been quiet this evening, and Thelma wondered if something might be bothering him. A couple of times, she heard him sigh. If it was anything major, she was sure Joseph would talk about it in his own good time.
Thelma felt a flutter in her stomach, followed by a powerful kick. The baby was quite active these days. It was a good thing, though. It meant everything with her pregnancy was going as it should.
She set her card aside and clasped Joseph’s arm. “I think our boppli is playing a game of shuffleboard tonight.”
Squinting, he set the paper on his lap. “What do you mean?”
“He or she kicks on one side and then the other.” Thelma took hold of his hand, placing it against her belly—first on the right side, then on the left. “See what I mean?”
Joseph’s eyes widened, and his mouth opened slightly. “You’re right. Doesn’t that bother you? I mean, is it painful?”
She laughed. “No, it’s not painful, and it doesn’t bother me much when I’m up and about. Sometimes, though, when I’m in bed tryi
ng to sleep, all that movement can keep me awake.”
He clasped her hand. “That’s why it’s important for you to rest during the day—to make up for lost sleep at night.”
“I know. My sister reminds me to take it easy all the time.”
“Speaking of Elma, how’s she gettin’ along with the hund Dell gave her?”
“Okay, I guess.” Thelma shrugged. “I sure never expected she would want a dog—especially when she brings the katz in the house at night.”
Tucking her feet under a throw pillow, Elma curled up on the couch, exhausted after another busy day at the store. Tonight, however, she didn’t feel as lonely as before. Along with Tiger, she now had the companionship of a dog, and he seemed to like her as much as she did him. In fact, the German shorthair lay curled on the throw rug in front of the couch. Every once in a while, he would lift his head, look up at Elma, and whimper. In response to his bid for attention, she reached out and stroked the dog’s head.
Tiger, on the other hand, wasn’t fond of the new stranger and avoided the dog. The striped cat took fresh pathways lending him cover behind or under the furniture. In most cases, if the dog saw the cat, he’d do his bird dog stance before the chasing started. Much to Elma’s chagrin, Tiger would leap for the countertops in the kitchen or other high places, making loud hissing noises in disapproval.
Since Elma didn’t know the dog’s name, she decided to call him Freckles because of all the liver-and-white spots on his body. He was a well-behaved animal and responded eagerly to most anything she told him to do. Elma hadn’t been sure how things would go the first night she’d brought Freckles into her house. It hadn’t taken him long to spot Tiger and start a merry chase around the house. But when Elma clapped her hands and hollered, “Stop! Leave the poor cat alone!” Freckles dropped to the floor and put his nose between his paws. From that moment on, all Elma had to do when she wanted the dog to obey was clap her hands and say, “Stop!” Apparently his previous owner had done a good job teaching him to mind.
Elma’s foot tingled when it began to fall asleep, and Freckles didn’t even lift his head as she sat up to stretch her leg. After a few twirls of her ankle, the circulation returned.
She looked down at the dog and smiled when he shifted his position, never opening his eyes. “Crazy mutt.” Two years ago, she’d have had a conniption if a dog or cat had come into her house, and she certainly would never have invited them in. But she’d become used to Tiger being in the house, and now here was another animal invading her domain.
I’m surprised Delbert didn’t want to keep the hund, especially since Joseph has Ginger. Elma remembered how when they’d all gone fishing and Joseph brought Ginger along, Delbert seemed to like the dog. Maybe because of his work, he didn’t want to be tied down with a pet. Elma had to admit she was glad he’d given the German shorthair to her.
Freckles lay contentedly as she ran her bare foot down the middle of his back, enjoying the feel of the animal’s smooth, shiny coat. He thumped his tail on the floor and gave a contented grunt before going back to sleep.
I wonder where Freckles came from and who his master is. Elma yawned and lay back down, closing her eyes. Could the person who used to own this beautiful animal be missing him tonight?
CHAPTER 16
I can hardly believe it’s the first Monday of August already,” Lizzie announced when she entered the store.
“I know,” Elma agreed. “Seems like just the other day we turned over the calendar to the month of July. Now, here we are beginning a brand-new month.” She pointed to the stand-up perpetual calendar on one end of the counter.
“Sometimes I wish I could slow the hands of time.” Pursing her lips, Lizzie gave a slight shake of her head. “Then there are other times when I’m waiting for something and I wish I could speed things up.” She moved closer to Elma.
“I understand.” Elma left the stool where she’d been sitting. “Lizzie, why don’t you sit here and take care of customers as they check out? When it’s time for lunch we’ll trade off.”
Lizzie’s eyes shone as she nodded her head. “It’s fine with me.”
Elma figured her helper would probably do a lot of visiting when people brought their purchases to her, but what other choice did she have? Thelma had a doctor’s appointment this morning and wouldn’t be available to work in the store until tomorrow, and then only for half a day. Elma had almost gotten used to Lizzie’s continual chatter and sometimes eccentric ways. The customers didn’t seem to mind, as they chatted with Lizzie about various things.
Elma smiled. There was no doubt about it—the elderly woman kept things interesting here in the store. There was never a dull moment with Lizzie around.
“Oh, before I forget…” Lizzie put her canvas tote on the counter. “My friend Miriam, from Kendallville, came to visit me on Saturday and brought a bag of peaches. There’s a farm near her where you can pick your own.”
“Fresh peaches. They are so good this time of year.” Elma’s mouth watered, thinking about their sweet, juicy taste. “I can’t remember the last time I had a good peach.”
“Well, think no more.” Lizzie opened the bag. “I sure can’t eat all of them, so I brought you some. You can share with Thelma and her husband, too.”
Elma watched while Lizzie laid all the peaches out on the counter. “They’re beautiful.” She picked one up. “I may have to wash this off right now and eat it.”
Then Elma’s eyes widened as Lizzie put a plastic container on the counter.
“I also made a peach pie.” Lizzie beamed when she held up the pie dish. “Thought we could have some for dessert after our lunch today.”
“Goodness, now I hope the morning goes fast. I’m already looking forward to lunch.” Elma gave Lizzie a hug. “Danki for being so thoughtful.”
“Think nothing of it. It’s my pleasure.” Lizzie waved her hand. “If I had kinner, I’d be baking for them all the time. Except for my brother, you and your sister are the closest thing I have to family.”
“Thelma and I think a lot of you, too.” Elma felt fortunate to have this wonderful lady helping in the store. Not because Lizzie gave her peaches and a pie, but because Elma had begun to see Lizzie as more than an employee. She hadn’t thought about it much before, but this dear woman spent extra time with customers because she was lonely and enjoyed being with people. Not that she hadn’t liked Lizzie before, but from here on out, Elma would consider this caring woman a friend.
Elma couldn’t imagine not having her family nearby. It was bad enough her parents lived several hours away; thank goodness Thelma was close.
“I’m going in the back to straighten a few things and unload the rest of the material that was delivered last week.” Elma gathered up the peaches and pie to put with their lunches in the back. “At lunchtime, we can divvy up some of the peaches for Thelma and Joe.”
Lizzie nodded. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Elma started walking, but Lizzie called out to her again. “I forgot to ask. How’s that new hund of yours doing?”
Elma turned to face her. “Freckles is getting along fine. I’m keeping him in the basement when I’m here at the store, until I can hire someone to build a kennel for him. I’m not about to let the dog have free run of the house when I’m not there.” Elma shook her head. “There’d be too many temptations.”
“Maybe your brother-in-law could do it.” Lizzie rested her dimpled hands in her lap.
“He’d probably be willing, but I may ask Delbert, since he has carpentry skills.”
“You’ve had him do a lot of things for you, jah?” Lizzie peered over the top of her glasses with a curious expression.
Elma nodded. “Both here and in my home.”
“Is there something going on between you two?” Lizzie leaned forward, rubbing her hands together.
A rush of heat covered Elma’s cheeks. “Now don’t get any ideas about me and Delbert. We’re just friends.”
Lizz
ie’s brows jiggled up and down. “Doesn’t love begin with friendship?”
“Ach, Lizzie! Now who said anything about love?”
The older woman chuckled, putting her hand over her heart. “Guess I’m an old romantic.” Her brows gathered in, and she looked downward. “Although I’ll never really known what it’s like to fall in love.”
“Now don’t you fret, Lizzie. Thelma and I love you, and your family does, too.” It was all Elma could think to say. After all, she was in the same boat and had never known what true romantic love felt like.
Lizzie reached for a tissue and blew her nose. “Well, I mustn’t keep you from what you’d planned to do. Besides, I heard a vehicle pulling in, which means we have a prospective customer.”
“Right, and I’ll let you take care of that while I do my thing.”
“Okie-dokie.”
“If you don’t mind waiting for me, I shouldn’t be too long,” Ben told his driver when he pulled his truck up to E&T’s General Store.
“No problem. Take your time.” Dave picked up a paperback book. “I’ll get a bit of reading done.”
Ben opened the door and hopped out of the truck. After all these weeks of waiting, he looked forward to seeing Elma again. Now that he was within a short distance of her, his palms grew sweaty.
When he entered the store, he saw an older woman sitting behind the counter on a wooden stool. It certainly wasn’t Elma or her twin. This had to be the right store, but maybe Elma and her sister weren’t working today.
“Excuse me.” Ben stepped up to the counter. “Is Elma Hochstetler here?”
The Amish woman stared at him, her eyelids blinking rapidly behind her metal-framed glasses. “Yes, she is. Would you like me to get her?”
He gave a quick nod. “If you don’t mind.”
“Since I have no other customers at the moment, I don’t mind a’tall.” She stepped off the stool and ambled toward the back of the store.
Ben rubbed a damp hand down his pant leg, taking a couple of quick breaths. He hoped he wasn’t being too forward coming here. But ever since he’d met Elma at the farmers’ market he had looked forward to seeing her again. Thoughts of her had come to mind each day since he’d met her. Now, as he stood leaning against the counter, he had a sudden desire to flee. What if she wasn’t happy to see him? What if she thought he was being too forward coming here?
The Farmers' Market Mishap Page 11