CHAPTER 20
When Ben’s driver dropped him off at Elma’s house, he was pleased and yet a bit disappointed to see her waiting for him on the front porch. He’d sort of hoped he might get to see the inside of her house, since he was curious if she kept it as neat as she did the store. Well, maybe some other time. Right now, he looked forward to spending the evening with Elma and getting to know her sister and brother-in-law better.
“Guder owed.” Ben stepped onto the porch and offered her what he hoped was his best smile.
“Good evening.” Elma’s lips parted slightly as he took her hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. What Ben really wanted to do was hug her, but he didn’t want to appear too forward. Besides, Elma’s sister might be watching from across the street.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Jah. I just need to get the dessert I’m taking.” She gestured to the cardboard box sitting on the small table near the porch swing.
“I’ll carry it for you.” Ben picked up the box and stepped off the porch.
“Danki.”
As Ben walked beside Elma, his thoughts ran wild. It was too soon to be thinking such things, but he couldn’t help picturing her as his bride. If we got married, would she be willing to move to Grabill? If we had children, would they resemble her or take after me?
As they paused at the end of the driveway to look for oncoming cars, Ben looked at Elma and smiled. “How was your day?”
“It went well. Not quite so busy at the store, so it gave me a chance to do some organizing.” She laughed. “Of course, that kind of work can be tiring, too.”
“You’re right. From what I’ve seen of your store, it looks pretty well organized.” While holding the dessert box in one hand, it felt right resting his other hand on the small of Elma’s back as he escorted her across the road.
Elma waited until they’d crossed the street to reply. “I try to keep things put in their proper place, but with people coming and going and handling various items, the shelves can get a bit messy at times.” She paused when they reached her sister’s driveway. “Running the store is a full-time job, and with Thelma only working part-time, I couldn’t do it all without Lizzie’s help.”
He nodded. “I don’t have anyone helping me shoe horses, but there are several good neighbors I can call on when it’s time to harvest our fields.”
“You must keep quite busy. I’m surprised you’ve been able to take the time to come here for visits.”
“To see you, I’m more than happy to take some time off.” An empty feeling came over Ben when he dropped his hand from her back.
A blotch of red erupted on Elma’s cheeks. “That’s nice to hear, but I hope you’re not setting your work aside on my account.”
“Nope. I’ve planned my schedule around trips up here.”
She slackened her pace and looked up at him. “Thelma and I took some time out to paint the nursery for the up-and-coming arrival.”
“I’ll bet it looks nice.” He slowed his steps to match hers.
“Jah. The nursery will be cute with all the baby’s things in it.”
“I’ve always wanted kinner.”
“Same here.” Elma’s cheeks reddened further.
As they continued their leisurely walk toward the house, a beautiful golden retriever pranced down the driveway to greet them, barking and wagging its tail.
“This is Joseph’s dog, Ginger.” Elma bent down to pat the dog’s head.
“She’s a good-looking hund. Do you have any pets, Elma?”
“Jah. I have a cat named Tiger, and a dog I call Freckles.”
He tipped his head. “I’m surprised I haven’t seen either one whenever I’ve dropped by the store or come to pick you up.”
“Tiger often hangs out in the barn during the day, and I keep Freckles in the basement when I’m going somewhere or at work in the store. I haven’t had him very long, and don’t want to chance him running off.”
Ben shifted the box in his hands. “I understand. My dog, Hunter, ran off when I was delivering some of my mamm’s flowers to a lady who lives in—”
“Welcome, Ben.” Thelma joined them on the lawn and shook Ben’s hand. “I see you’ve met my husband’s hund.”
He gave a nod. “She’s a real beauty.”
“She can also be a pescht.” Thelma nudged the dog with her knee. “They’ve had enough greeting, Ginger. Now go lie down.”
The dog slunk off with its tail between its legs and found a spot to lie down on the back porch.
“I brought some dessert.” Elma took the box from Ben. “Should I take it to the kitchen, Thelma?”
“Please do, and I’ll go with you, since I still have a few more things to bring out to the picnic table.” Thelma smiled at Ben. “Joseph’s grilling steaks on the barbecue.” She pointed in that direction. “Why don’t you join him while Elma and I are in the kitchen? I realize you met my husband some time ago at the farmers’ market, but it’ll give you two a chance to get better acquainted.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.” As the women headed into the house, Ben ambled across the yard to where Joseph stood in front of the barbecue grill.
“Your cheeks are flushed,” Thelma commented when Elma placed her dessert on the counter.
Elma touched her face. “I suppose they would be since it’s so hot outside. Seems like summer is going to carry right into fall this year.”
“Jah, I expect it will.” Thelma placed her hands on her well-rounded belly. “Sure hope things are cooler when the boppli comes toward the middle of October.”
Elma clasped her sister’s hands. “It’s hard to believe you only have one month to go.”
“I know.” Thelma sighed. “I hope Mom and Dad can come for a visit soon after the boppli is born.”
“I’m sure they will. After all, this is their first kinskind, so they’ll be anxious to greet the little one.” Elma opened the refrigerator door and took out a jug of iced tea. “Should I take this outside, along with a bucket of ice?” Her sister almost always served iced tea when they had a cookout.
“That’d be great, but could you wait a minute? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.” Thelma took a seat at the kitchen table and motioned for Elma to do the same.
“What is it?” Elma asked after she’d pulled out a chair and sat down.
“It’s about you and Ben.” Thelma blew out a series of short breaths.
“What about us?”
“Are you two getting serious?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe…I think so. Why do you ask?”
Thelma’s eyebrows rose as she touched the back of her neck. “I’ve seen the way Ben looks at you, and I am frightened.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want you to move away from me, Sister. I would be lost without you, and now, with the boppli coming, I’m going to need you even more.”
Elma got up and went to stand beside Thelma’s chair. “You needn’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.” She placed her hands on Thelma’s shoulders. For the first time since Ben had been courting Elma, she realized their relationship couldn’t go any further. If he were to propose marriage someday, she would have to say no, because she couldn’t move to Grabill and leave her twin.
As Thelma watched her sister go out the door with the jug of iced tea, a lump formed in her throat. She hoped she hadn’t said too much. Elma’s heavy sigh and the downward tilt of her chin gave evidence of suppressed disappointment. She was clearly infatuated with Ben and perhaps even thought she was in love with him.
But Ben isn’t the right man for Elma. He lives too far away and would most likely expect her to move to Grabill if they got married. It might be selfish, but I need Elma here with me—especially with the baby coming soon.
Thelma cupped her hand under her chin. And who would run the store if my sister moved from Topeka? I certainly can’t run it by myself, and it would be a shame to sell it.
Thelma stared at
the table, unsure of what to do. All the unknowns caused many questions to run through her head. She wanted her sister’s happiness, but surely Elma could find contentment with some other man. Is it wrong for me to depend on my sister because I’m having a baby?
She glanced at the refrigerator, remembering that Joseph had gone fishing with Delbert last Saturday, and they still hadn’t eaten the trout they’d caught that morning and later froze. Maybe what she ought to do was invite Elma and Delbert for a fish fry next week. Perhaps a bit more time spent with Joseph’s good friend would open her sister’s eyes.
Ben’s excitement over being with Elma and her family fizzled a bit as the evening progressed. For some reason, Elma, who’d been friendly and talkative earlier, had become quiet, responding only when Ben asked a question, but no longer initiating a conversation of her own. Plus, she no longer looked at him—not even when he spoke to her. Ben was perplexed by this. He hoped he hadn’t said or done something to embarrass or upset her.
But if so, what did I say? I’ve tried to be polite and friendly to Elma and her family. He shifted on the picnic bench. Maybe Elma’s tired from working at the store all day and it’s caught up to her.
Ben pulled out his pocket watch, noting the time. His driver would be back in an hour or so, picking him up over at Elma’s place, where he’d dropped him off.
“Now that we’re done eating, should we play a game of horseshoes while the women get dessert ready?” Joseph nudged Ben’s arm.
Startled, Ben jumped. “Jah, sure, that’d be great. I can only play thirty minutes or so, though. My driver will pick me up in an hour, and I’ll need a little time to walk Elma home.”
Joseph’s shoulders drooped; then he straightened them again. “Okay, guess thirty minutes is better than nothing.” He got up from the bench and went to get out the horseshoes.
Ben and Joseph played, with Ginger yapping every time each of them took a turn, until Thelma called them back to the picnic table to eat Elma’s dessert.
“You’re a good cook, Elma.” Ben wiped the crumbs off his face from the blueberry crisp. “This is sure tasty.”
Elma smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I got the recipe from a harvest cookbook and altered it a bit so it doesn’t have cane sugar in it. It’s also gluten-free.”
Joseph smacked his lips. “Well, you did real good because I’d never know it was a healthy dessert if you hadn’t just said so.”
“Elma has always tried to get me, as well as others, to eat a healthier diet.” Thelma passed around some napkins. “But I have to say, I appreciate it—especially after trying this appenditlich dessert.”
Ben looked at Elma to see her response. She merely smiled at her sister and quietly said, “Danki.”
By the time they finished dessert, Ben spotted his driver pulling his truck up Elma’s driveway. Dave was either early, or Ben had lost track of time.
Ben threw his legs over the bench and stood. “I hate for the evening to end, but Elma, if you’re ready to go, I’ll walk you home now.”
She glanced at her sister, and when Thelma nodded, Elma stood, too. “You can keep the dessert, Thelma.” She gave her sister a hug, shook Joseph’s hand, and headed down the driveway with Ben.
After crossing the street, and before approaching Dave’s truck, Ben stopped walking and reached for Elma’s hand. He was surprised at how cold it felt. Although the sun had begun to set, the air was still quite warm and humid. Compared to Elma’s, Ben’s hand seemed hot.
“I enjoyed being with you tonight,” he whispered, bending close to her ear. “How would you like to come for supper at my house next Saturday? I can either have my driver pick you up, or if you prefer to have one of your drivers bring you to Grabill, I’ll pay them for bringing you to my house.”
Elma lowered her head a bit while clearing her throat. “Sorry, Ben, but I have plans for next Saturday.”
“Oh.” He couldn’t hide his disappointment. “How about the Saturday after that?”
She stared down at her feet. “I’m not sure, Ben. Thelma’s due to have her boppli sometime in October, and I need to be close so I’m available when it happens.” She let go of his hand.
Already missing the feel of her soft skin, Ben slowly nodded. “Guess that makes sense. Well, I’ll give you a call soon and see if we can work something out. Maybe I’ll just come up this way again.”
“All right, but please call before you come, okay?” Elma spoke so softly Ben could barely hear the words.
“I won’t show up unless I’ve talked to you first.” On impulse, Ben leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Gut nacht, Elma.”
“Good night, Ben.”
As Ben got into Dave’s truck a strange feeling came over him—a premonition of sorts. He couldn’t be sure, but he was almost convinced something had happened tonight to make Elma pull away from him. He wished now he’d had the nerve to ask.
CHAPTER 21
Grabill
Shoulders slouched and head down, Ben stepped out of the phone shack. He’d left another message for Elma but didn’t know why. He’d made several calls in the last three weeks, and she’d never called him back.
Jerking his hat off, he felt like throwing it on the ground. Instead, Ben ran his fingers through his hair. I don’t get it. Is there something wrong that she hasn’t responded? Could Thelma have had her baby? If so, I would think Elma might have at least let me know. Ben’s jaw clenched as he leaned against the small building. Maybe Elma doesn’t want to see me anymore. She did act a bit strange when I walked her home after the cookout at her sister and brother-in-law’s place. Sure hope I didn’t do anything to mess things up between us. I can’t picture myself with anyone else but Elma.
Ben’s boots felt like they were full of lead. Every step took great effort as he made his way back to the house.
He found his mother in the kitchen, sitting at the table, reading her Bible. As he approached, she looked up and pointed to the coffeepot on the stove. “There’s still plenty of kaffi left, if you’d like a second cup.”
“Okay, it does sound good. Maybe it’ll help me perk up.”
“Are you feeling down this morning or just tired?”
“A little of both.” Ben poured himself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the table across from her.
“Want to talk about it?”
He shook his head. A few days ago he’d mentioned not hearing from Elma, and Mom had said it might be for the best, since long-distance relationships were difficult. Ben hadn’t wanted to hear that, so he decided not to mention it again—at least not to his mother.
“Do you have a full work schedule today?” Mom asked while fiddling with the pleats of her dark green dress.
“No, not really.”
Ben’s spoon clicked against the inside of his mug as he stirred his coffee. The last thing on his mind was work. Elma is such a nice person. Maybe ignoring my phone messages is her way of telling me it’s over—sort of softening the blow. They’d had so little time together. A solid relationship had never really gotten off the ground. But how could it with so many miles between them? Despite it all, though, this was the first time Ben had ever felt serious about a woman. Like a wildfire, it happened so fast.
Pushing his thoughts aside, Ben glanced out the window. It was a beautiful morning and still quite warm, as it had been the last couple of weeks. He noticed droplets of dew on the grass, sparkling like diamonds as the sun cast light on the blades. Looking farther out in the fields, he noticed the patchy ground fog slowly ascending into the blue sky. Ben figured by midmorning the fog clouds would disperse and temperatures would rise with the heat of the glaring sun. It was unusual having such hot weather carry into fall. Sure would be fun sitting on a porch swing with Elma, watching the morning unfold. He drew in a breath and let out a heavy sigh.
“So what are your plans for the day?” Mom cleared her throat a couple of times. “Son, did you hear me?”
“Uh,
sorry, guess my mind was wandering.”
“I asked what your plans are for today.”
“I have a horse to shoe, and there are a few things I probably should do around here before it gets too hot, but I think I’m gonna let ’em wait till tomorrow.”
Mom’s eyes narrowed. “You know what your daed would say about that.”
“Jah. He’d say, ‘Benjamin, you should never put off what you’d planned to do today till tomorrow, ’cause tomorrow might never come.’” Ben blew on his coffee and took a sip. “It’s good advice, but sometimes plans change and things have to wait.”
Mom lifted the bottom of her apron to fan her face. “Are you thinking of anything in particular?”
Ben shrugged as his mind drifted in another direction. He had to see Elma. Needed to know what was going on.
Setting his cup on the table, he got up, said good-bye to his mother, and hurried out the back door. Sure hope one of our drivers is available to take me to Topeka this afternoon.
Topeka
“Joseph, it’s time to go.” Thelma nudged her husband’s arm as he sat beside her at the breakfast table.
He looked at the clock on the kitchen wall and shook his head. “I don’t have to head to the harness shop for at least another half hour.”
“No, I mean it’s time for us to go to the birthing center.”
His eyes widened. “The b–boppli’s coming?”
“Jah. I started having contractions during the night.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Because they weren’t strong enough.” Thelma grimaced as a sharp pain shot through her middle and around her back. “But they’ve gotten closer now.”
Joseph leaped out of his chair, nearly knocking it to the floor. “I’d better call a driver. Can’t take the chance of making the trip by horse and buggy.” He paused and wiped his sweaty forehead. “We might not make it in time.”
The Farmers' Market Mishap Page 14