Ben shook his head. “He seems nice enough, but I don’t want another dog.” He placed his lunch box on the counter and got a drink of water. “Since you like the hund so much, he can be yours.”
Her lips compressed. “But I got him for you, Ben.”
He gripped his glass of water. Didn’t his mother get it? Why was it so hard for her to understand?
“Any thoughts on what name the dog should have?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want to call him is fine by me. He’ll be with you most of the time anyway, so you ought to choose the name.”
Rocking from side to side in her chair, almost as if she were keeping time to some unheard music, Mom smiled and said, “How about Partner? A good hunting dog should be the hunter’s partner, don’t you think?” With that, the puppy barked and licked Mom’s nose. “Ah, you are such a cute little baby. He likes his new name.” Mom cooed and continued to cuddle the puppy.
“I suppose.” It was all Ben could do to keep from rolling his eyes. Mom was already stuck on this dog, and to make matters worse, she expected him to be, too. Well, she could keep the mutt if she wanted, and if it made her feel better, Ben would let her think he’d accepted the animal, too. It was better to go along with things than stir up a problem.
“What time’s supper?” Ben asked, setting his empty glass in the sink.
“Not for another half hour or so.”
“Good. It gives me time to go out and replace my horse’s lost shoe. When I come back I can eat, take a shower, and change into clean clothes.”
“Sorry to hear your gaul lost his shoe, but at least you can remedy the problem.” Mom smiled, nuzzling the pup’s head.
“It’s true, but it only lengthens my workday. I didn’t check the phone messages coming home today. Did I have any calls?” Ben crossed his arms.
“Only one. It was from a customer, confirming their eight o’clock appointment tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, thanks.” Out of respect for Mom, Ben leaned down and gave the dog a pat on the head. He had to admit, the pup was sweet. And who could resist a puppy? The animal responded by licking Ben’s hand as he started to move it away.
Mom smiled up at him. “See there…Already, Partner likes you.”
“Jah, I suppose.” Ben shuffled back outside and headed for the barn. Shaking his head, he couldn’t help thinking, If I don’t watch out, that dog is gonna grab at my heartstrings.
Speaking of heartstrings… As he approached the barn door, a vision of Elma popped into Ben’s head. Since she still hasn’t returned any of my calls, if I don’t hear something from her by tomorrow, I’m gonna hire Dave to take me to Topeka so I can find out for myself if anything is wrong.
Topeka
“Such a siess little maedel. Oh, and I love the name you chose for your daughter,” Mom said when Thelma handed Miriam to her.
Tears gathered in Mom’s eyes as she stroked the top of her granddaughter’s head. “I can’t get over all her pretty auburn hair.”
Joseph grinned. “Yep. She takes after her daed.” He gestured to little Charles, being held by Thelma’s father. “Can’t tell for sure yet, ’cause it’s kinda sparse, but it looks like he may have his mamm’s brown hair.”
Thelma smiled. It was good to have her folks here, making a fuss over the twins and offering their help, but she couldn’t help noticing the look of longing on her sister’s face. If only Elma were married and had a baby. Thelma was certain Elma had felt left out when she and Joseph got married. Now, becoming a parent was one more thing she and Elma couldn’t share. It didn’t seem fair that her twin had no husband. Up until Thelma fell in love with Joseph and they decided to get married, she and Elma had done everything together. Truth was, they’d made a promise to each other many years ago that neither of them would marry unless the other one did. Of course, Elma had relinquished Thelma from her promise, saying she wanted her sister’s happiness and wouldn’t hold her back. Thelma was so deliriously happy on her wedding day, she hadn’t stopped to truly consider her twin’s feelings.
“Have many visitors come to see the new bopplin so far?” Mom looked at Thelma.
“Jah, we’ve had some from church, and a couple of neighbors stopped in.” Thelma sat back in her seat. “It’s been a busy week since we brought the babies home.”
“Have you had anyone from any distance come, or have they all been local?”
“Actually, our friend Delbert Gingerich came by yesterday. He used to court Elma and lives in LaGrange, although it isn’t that far from here.”
“Dell’s been coming to Topeka to do some work for Elma. And he’s been over here to our place for a few barbecues,” Joseph added.
Thelma thought about Delbert, and once more, she wondered if there was a chance he and Elma might get together. Delbert had dropped by last night to see the babies and visit with Joseph, but it was after Elma had gone home. If Elma had witnessed Delbert holding little Charles, she may have seen him in a different light. Thelma was almost certain she’d seen a look of longing on his face. Even if he and Elma didn’t get together, Thelma hoped Delbert would find a good wife and start a family of his own. Maybe if things worked out like she hoped, his role as a husband and father would be with Elma.
Elma watched while her parents fussed and cooed over the babies, as Thelma and Joseph stole glances at each other with pure love in their eyes. All their faces beamed, and Elma felt nothing but happiness here in her sister’s living room.
Baby Charles and Miriam were her parents’ first grandchildren. Elma wondered if she would ever be able to give them more. She’d never been the jealous type, but oh, how it hurt not to be in Thelma’s shoes right now as a new mother. If Elma had a husband, at least children could be in her future.
Does Thelma realize the sacrifice I’ve made giving up my relationship with Ben? Maybe I should confide in her and explain how much Ben means to me. After all, didn’t I take a chance that Thelma might move away when I told her she and Joseph belonged together?
Elma forced a smile, which really wasn’t hard to do when her father stood and put the baby boy in her arms. She placed her little finger in the infant’s grasp, amazed at how tiny his hand was. Her heart melted when Charles yawned and clutched her finger tighter before he fell asleep. All she could do was pray once more, that someday her own baby would be cooing and gripping her finger.
CHAPTER 24
Elma stepped into the phone shack and called Ben. Fully expecting his answering machine to pick up, she was surprised when he answered the phone.
“Hello, Ben, this is Elma.” Her fingers grew moist with perspiration, and she wiped them across her brows. “I–I didn’t expect you to pick up.” Just hearing his voice caused her to stammer.
He chuckled. “You caught me a few minutes after I entered my phone shack to check for messages. It’s good to hear from you, Elma. How have you been?”
“I’m fine, and I apologize for not responding to any of your messages.” She shifted on her seat. “There’s been a lot going on in my life these past weeks, and I’ve been extra busy.”
“What’s going on?”
“In addition to running the store, my sister gave birth to twins a week ago. She had a boy and a girl.”
“Wow, that’s really something! Is everyone doing well?”
“Jah, Thelma and the bopplin are fine. And Joseph…” Elma paused to swallow. “Well, he hasn’t stopped smiling since they were born.”
“No wonder you’ve been busy. I bet you go over to your sister’s place whenever you’re not working at the store to help out.”
“I did at first, but now my mamm and daed are here, so Mom’s taking charge of things. Dad will be heading back to Illinois tomorrow to make sure things are running smoothly at his and Mom’s general store, but Mom plans to stay a few more weeks.”
Ben didn’t say anything for several seconds. Then he cleared his throat loudly. “I’d like to see you again, Elma. Maybe you could come to Grabill on
your next day off and stay for supper. I’m sure my mamm would like to show off her new puppy, too.”
Elma pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. “That sounds nice, but—”
“I won’t take no for an answer. I know you’re busy, but since your mamm is there to help Thelma, and you’ve been working hard at the store, you deserve some time off. Don’t you agree?”
Elma’s tongue darted out to lick her lips. Would it hurt if I went to Grabill and had supper with Ben and his mother? I should be able to see him once in a while without letting our relationship become serious.
“Jah, visiting your place would be nice.” Elma paused a second. Her throat felt so dry she could barely swallow. “My next day off is this coming Saturday. I’m having some work done inside the store, so it will be closed that day. Would that work for you?”
“Saturday’s good. I’ll have my driver bring me to your place around three. Maybe we can stop at your sister’s before we head for Grabill. I’d like to see the twins and offer congratulations.”
Hearing Ben’s excited tone caused Elma to wonder if she’d done the right thing accepting his invitation. Going to his house for supper might give the impression she wanted their relationship to become serious. Which I do, Elma admitted to herself. If only I could.
When Delbert entered Elma and Thelma’s store, he found Lizzie sitting on a stool behind the counter, reading a book. “Where’s Elma?” he asked. “She told me she wanted some new shelves built. Since I’ll be installing them this Saturday, I came by to see what size she wants.”
Without looking up from her book, Lizzie popped a piece of caramel candy into her mouth and chewed on it for what seemed like forever. “Elma’s not here right now,” she mumbled.
Delbert frowned. Couldn’t Lizzie even put the book down and look at him when she spoke? To add to his annoyance, she didn’t offer him any candy, even though several pieces lay on the counter. Jelly beans were Delbert’s favorite, but he would never pass up a good caramel, either. Some people could be so rude. He’d never understood why Elma hired the woman. In all the times he’d been here, he’d never seen Lizzie doing much except gabbing with the customers.
With mounting irritation, Delbert tapped the toe of his boot against the wooden floor. “Where’d Elma go, and when’s she coming back?”
“She ran out to the phone shack to make a few calls and check for messages, so it could be a while.”
Still no eye contact from Dizzy Lizzie. It might be wrong to think of her that way, but from all the things Delbert had heard and seen about Elma’s helper, it seemed like a fitting name. Of course, he would never call Lizzie “Dizzy” to her face.
The door opened, and Delbert looked in that direction, hoping it was Elma. Instead, two Amish women he’d never met entered the store. He glanced back at Lizzie to see what she would do and was surprised when she set her book aside and greeted the women. Sure didn’t do that when I came in.
Delbert moved toward the front of the store, where the men’s straw hats were sold. He picked one up and looked it over. All his hats were in fairly good condition, so he didn’t need a new one, but at least it gave him something to do while he waited for Elma.
He didn’t have to wait long, for a few seconds later the door opened again, and she stepped in.
Elma looked in his direction. “Oh hello, Delbert. I wasn’t expecting you until Saturday.”
He couldn’t help noticing her flushed cheeks. “Came by to get the measurements for the shelves you want me to put up.”
She lifted both hands and touched her face. “Of course. How silly of me. You’ll need to know that before you can do the work. Oh, and when you arrive on Saturday, I’ll probably be here long enough to let you in, but the store will be closed the rest of the day.”
Blinking rapidly, Delbert crossed his arms. “Isn’t it normally open all day on Saturdays?”
She nodded. “Since you’ll be working on the new shelves, I thought it would be best to close the store.”
“But you’ll still be here, watching me do the task, right?” Almost every time Delbert had done work for Elma, here or at her house, she’d been there, often giving suggestions as to how he should or shouldn’t do certain things.
“No, I won’t be here in the afternoon.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Grabill.”
His brows drew together. “What’s in Grabill?”
Elma glanced at the counter where Lizzie sat then looked back at Delbert. “I’m going to Grabill with a friend. He wants me to see where he lives.”
Delbert tipped his head. “Are you and this fellow courting? Is that what you’re saying?”
Elma’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Well, sort of.”
“How can you sort of be courting? You either are, or you’re not.” Delbert was sure if Elma was being courted by someone, Joseph would have known about it. And if his friend knew, why hadn’t he mentioned it?
“Well, actually, Ben and I have been courting for the past couple of months.” Elma spoke in a near whisper.
Delbert’s toes curled inside his boots as he bit the inside of his cheek. “Oh, I see. Well, this is the first I’ve heard of it, but I hope it all works out.” Delbert was tempted to say more on the subject but thought better of it. His one big concern was if things got serious between Elma and her suitor who lived in Grabill, would she end up moving there?
Grabill
When Ben hung up the phone, he sat for several minutes, grinning and tapping his fingers on his leg. He felt like singing or shouting. Not only would Elma get to see where he lived, but it was an opportunity for her to become acquainted with his mother.
He held his arms out wide, feeling as though he could hug the whole world. It’s too soon yet, but when the time is right, I’m going to ask Elma to marry me.
As the realization hit that he’d invited Elma for supper and hadn’t asked Mom, Ben jumped out of his chair. I’d better get up to the house and make the announcement.
Ben’s long strides took him quickly up the path. Midway, he stopped long enough to jump and click his heels together. Then, taking the porch steps two at a time, he stepped into the house. He found Mom in the kitchen, washing the breakfast dishes.
Mom glanced over her shoulder at Ben while the puppy stood at his feet, barking up at him. “Back already? You weren’t at the phone shack very long. Does that mean there were no messages?”
“I don’t know. Never checked.”
She dropped her sponge into the sink and turned to face him. “How come?”
“When I entered the building, the phone rang, so I answered it.” Ben’s hands tingled as he spoke rapidly. “Turned out to be Elma, and I…” He paused and took a deep breath. “I invited her to come here this Saturday, and she said yes. I’m gonna ask Dave to drive me up to Topeka to get her. Is that okay with you?”
Ben turned his attention to Partner, now tugging on his shoelace. After bending down and scooping the puppy into his arms, Ben ended up with a face full of slurpy kisses. Next, the pup licked his ear.
“Come on now, behave.” Ben repositioned the dog in his arms. He hadn’t grown much yet and still possessed his milky puppy breath. He couldn’t help but like the critter.
Mom’s eyebrows furrowed. “Since when do you need my approval to spend time with Elma?”
He scraped a hand through his hair. “Well, the thing is, I invited her for supper. Hope that’s okay with you,” he added sheepishly.
Mom’s shoulders slumped a bit as she slowly nodded. “It’s fine. What would you like me to fix?”
“I don’t know. Guess you can make anything you want. I don’t think Elma’s fussy.”
“Okay, I’m sure I can come up with something.” Mom turned back to the sink and continued to wash the dishes.
Ben looked down at Partner, who had gone limp in his arms and was now asleep. Slowly, he stroked the puppy’s head, hoping it would ease this awkward moment. W
hen Mom grew quiet, he knew it best not to say anything more. Ben had a feeling his mother wasn’t happy about Elma coming. But once Mom had a chance to spend time with Elma, he felt certain she’d give her blessing.
Dorothy had been hoping her son had lost interest in the young woman from Topeka. Some time had passed, and it appeared as if the romance might have died down. Now, out of the blue, Ben had invited Elma here for supper. She couldn’t help feeling concerned.
Dorothy scrubbed a skillet that didn’t want to come clean. She paused to let her hands go limp in the warm water and tried to relax. I wonder what I should make for Saturday’s supper. Ben likes roasted chicken with mashed potatoes. I wonder what Elma likes.
She grabbed the sponge to wash the next dish. Ben might be fascinated with Elma, but I still think Martha Graber would have been a better choice for him.
“Mom, you’d better be careful where you leave things lay.” Ben walked up to her, holding the pup. “I found Partner with your slipper in his mouth.” He held up her fuzzy blue house shoe.
Dorothy rolled her eyes. “Guess I need to give him some of those chew sticks. He’s like a baby, needing to teeth on something for his hurting gums.” She chuckled.
“I’m glad you think he’s cute.” Ben frowned. “Where do you want this wet thing?”
“Put it in my bedroom closet.” Dorothy moved from the sink and dried her hands.
“Okay.” Ben set the pup on the floor and left the room.
Dorothy’s thoughts returned to Elma. The least she could do was give the young woman a chance.
CHAPTER 25
Do you have a problem with your leg?”
Ben jerked his head to look at his driver. “Uh, no. Why do you ask, Dave?” Ever since they’d left Grabill, Ben had been in deep thought, thinking about Elma.
Dave let go of the steering wheel with one hand and pointed. “You’ve been bouncing that leg for the last ten miles. Are ya nervous about seeing your girl again?”
The Farmers' Market Mishap Page 16