The Farmers' Market Mishap

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean;

  “How would you two like to go out in the yard and play?” Thelma moved toward the door.

  Both dogs’ ears perked up, and Ginger raced to the door. Freckles followed.

  Thelma opened the door a crack and checked to see that the fence gate was closed before letting the dogs out. It was, so she opened it wider and was nearly knocked off her feet when Freckles and Ginger dashed outside.

  Those silly critters. Shaking her head, she closed the door behind them and went to take care of the twins.

  Sometime later, after the babies were fed and changed, Thelma heard scratching at the back door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see only Ginger on the porch.

  She glanced around but saw no sign of Freckles.

  “Here, Freckles! Come here, boy!” She clapped her hands.

  No response.

  “That’s strange. I wonder if he found his way into the barn.” Thelma stepped off the porch and was about to head in that direction when she noticed the fence gate hung open. “Oh, great! It must not have been securely latched.”

  She ran up to the fence and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Freckles! Where are you, boy?”

  Not a sound and no sign of the dog.

  Her heart pounded. Oh, dear. That hund had better be back before Elma gets home.

  Elma had become attached to the dog and would be upset if she lost him. Even Delbert seemed to like Freckles. The last time they’d had him over for supper, he’d asked about the dog.

  Thelma called for Freckles several more times but finally gave up and went inside. Hopefully by the time Elma returned, Freckles would be here waiting. If not, Thelma would have some explaining to do, and she didn’t look forward to that.

  CHAPTER 31

  LaGrange

  Elma took a break from the food table where she’d been helping ever since arriving a few hours ago. She pulled her shawl tightly around her shoulders, her heart heavy from all the devastation she saw. Despite the shawl’s heaviness, Elma’s body felt cold. But it wasn’t the chilly March air causing her to tremble. It was the sight of so many somber-faced people who had lost their homes. Her heart ached for them.

  It was surprising how the storm hit only certain houses but skipped others. For some, it was a miracle, but for the unfortunate ones like Delbert, not only had their homes been flattened, but bits and pieces of furniture and personal belongings were scattered everywhere.

  One scene made Elma’s eyes spill over with tears when she stopped to watch a little girl who’d found one of her dolls. Like a loving mother, the child rocked back and forth, comforting and whispering to her doll, holding it as gently as if it were a real baby.

  Elma tore her gaze away as she took in more of the destruction. She noticed missing shingles and blown-out windows in several houses and barns. Tree branches lay scattered about, while some trees had been sheared off into stumps. Yet despite the rubble and mess, no lives had been lost, and only a few people were slightly injured. Temporary shelters had been set up in some of the buildings in town, and as Elma suspected, many people had opened their homes. Upon hearing of the disaster, Amish and English folks started working together to help those whose lives had been upended. Some brought in food, the way Elma did, while others offered supplies and began clearing debris and helping people put their homes back together.

  “Thank You, God,” she murmured, watching two Amish men working side by side with an English man who’d lost his barn.

  She spotted Delbert talking to Joseph and hurried over to them. Elma could hardly believe the sight before her. Delbert’s house was gone, as well as part of his woodworking shop. As horrible as it seemed, at least Delbert was alive and unhurt.

  As Elma stepped up to Delbert, she was overcome with the need to give him a hug. Unsure of how he might take it, she placed her hand on his arm and gave it a tender squeeze. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Her words seemed so insignificant, for she could not imagine the emotions going through him right now.

  He dropped his gaze to the ground. “My home and material things can be replaced; I’m dankbaar to be alive.”

  “I am thankful, too.” When Elma glanced to the right, her breath caught in her throat. Ben Wagler had come, and he was heading her way.

  “Excuse me, Delbert, I see someone I know and should go say hello.”

  “Of course. Go right ahead.”

  She moved slowly toward Ben. “Wh–what are you doing here?” Elma could barely find her voice, and her gaze fixed on him. The sight of Ben coming toward her caused Elma to shiver even more. She noticed that he walked a bit slower than normal.

  “Came to help out, like all the others.” He motioned to a crew of men picking up debris. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Elma.”

  She lifted her chin. “I came for the same reason you did. To help wherever I can.” Elma pointed to the rubble that used to be Delbert’s house. “My friend Delbert’s home was one of the many places that were totally destroyed.”

  “Is he the man you were talking to?”

  “Jah. Delbert and my brother-in-law have been friends a good many years.”

  “I see.” He took a few steps toward her and winced.

  “Are you okay?”

  “My back’s been acting up lately, but it’s some better after seeing my chiropractor.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have come.” Elma bit the inside of her lip. “What if you injure your back even more?”

  “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done here, and I can help in many ways. Just have to watch myself.” He stared at her, his eyes never moving. “It’s good to see you, Elma. I’ve been wondering how you were doing.” He reached out and touched her arm.

  Goose bumps erupted all the way up to her neck. The mere sight of him filled Elma’s heart with regrets. “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “Other than my back, I’m doin’ okay, I guess.” He leaned on the table where the paper plates and cups had been set. “But I’d be even better if I was with you.”

  His bold statement caused her to jerk.

  “Sorry if I offended you. It’s just that—”

  She shook her head briskly. “No, no, I wasn’t offended. You took me by surprise.”

  His voice lowered as he leaned a bit closer. “Do you feel the same about me?”

  Elma felt like a mouse caught between a cat’s paws. Ben knew why they couldn’t be together. Why was he bringing this up now?

  She parted her lips, about to respond, when an exuberant German shorthair pointer showed up, out of nowhere, barking frantically and wagging his tail.

  “Freckles!”

  “Hunter!”

  Ben and Elma spoke at the same time.

  Elma looked at Ben and blinked.

  “Freckles?” Ben tipped his head to the side. “Is this your dog, Elma? The one you told me about?”

  Reaching down to pet the dog’s head, Elma nodded. “But you just called him Hunter.”

  “Jah. This is my hund, I’m sure of it.” Ben slapped his knee and called the dog. “Come here, Hunter. Come on, boy.”

  The dog darted over to Ben and pawed at his pant leg.

  Elma clapped her hands. “Come here, Freckles! Come to me.”

  Obediently, the animal ambled over to her.

  Elma’s mouth opened wide. So did Ben’s.

  Ben pointed to the dog. “Where and when did you get him?”

  “Delbert offered him to me several months ago.” Elma looked toward Joseph and Delbert, down on their knees, sorting through the rubble. “The dog showed up at his house, and when he couldn’t locate its owner, I volunteered to take him.”

  “So you named him Freckles?”

  She bobbed her head. “With all his liver spots, it seemed like a fitting name.”

  Ben reached under his straw hat and scratched the side of his head. “I lost my hund when I was delivering flowers to a woman in LaGrange. The crazy critter jumped out of the truck, and after looking for him several hours with n
o luck, I finally gave up and went home.”

  “So the dog is yours, and his name is Hunter?”

  “Jah.” Ben motioned to the dog’s collar. “I bought that for him last year.”

  Elma couldn’t deny it was Ben’s lost dog, but the idea of giving him up put an ache in her heart. “He’s obviously your dog, but I can’t figure out how he got here. I left him in Topeka with my sister this morning. Guess he must have gotten away somehow and run off—although I can’t imagine what directed him here.”

  “I’m thinkin’ he wanted to be with the two people he loves, so he sought us out.” Ben offered a thumbs-up.

  She giggled. “You really believe he could do that?”

  “Sure do. I’ve heard of other dogs traveling farther than this to find their way back to their owner. And ya know what else, Elma?”

  She shook her head.

  “We can’t make him choose between us, so as far as I can tell, there’s only one answer to the problem.”

  “What would it be?”

  “We’re gonna have to get married so Hunter/Freckles can live with both of us.”

  Elma swallowed hard. “Ben, you know that’s not possible. Your home is in Grabill, and mine’s—”

  He put his finger against her lips. “I can move to Topeka and start over.”

  She shook her head vigorously. “Oh no, Ben, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t ask. It was my suggestion.”

  “But your business is there, and so is your mamm. It wouldn’t be fair to her if you moved.”

  “Mom can move with me. And if you need more assistance in the store, maybe she can help out. Who knows? After I retire from horseshoeing, you might put me to work in your store, too. With my back issues, I may not be shoeing horses much longer.” Ben clasped Elma’s arm. “Please say you’ll at least think about it.”

  As far as Elma was concerned, there was nothing to think about. She would love it if Ben moved to Topeka and they got married. His mother, however, might not want to move—in which case, he should remain in Grabill to look after her needs.

  She fiddled with her head-covering ties, weighing her choices. As much as Elma loved Ben, she had an obligation to Thelma, so moving to Grabill would be difficult, if not impossible.

  Ben moved his hand from Elma’s arm to take hold of her hand. “I believe God brought us together today for a reason, and our meeting and little mishap at the farmers’ market in Shipshe last spring was no accident.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. Looking tenderly into Elma’s eyes, Ben grew serious. “Maybe Hunter, or Freckles, did bring us together again today. I could use that as a reason, but truthfully speaking, I’ve been miserable ever since I received your letter. You have been on my mind since I first saw you, and there hasn’t been a day since meeting you in Shipshe that I haven’t thought of you. I’ve prayed that somehow we’d find each other again.”

  Elma’s heart beat wildly when Ben took both of her hands. “Elma, I love you.”

  As if to reaffirm what he’d said, Hunter gave a loud Woof! Woof! before slurping both of their hands.

  Elma was about to respond when Ben added, “As soon as I return home, I’m going to talk to my mamm. I feel confident she’ll be willing to move. She knows how much I love you.” Ben wet his lips and looked tenderly at Elma. “Will you marry me?”

  Her mind racing as she thought of the possibility, all Elma could do was nod. If Dorothy Wagler agrees to Ben’s plan, I’ll be forever grateful.

  EPILOGUE

  One year later

  Sitting beside her groom at their corner table, all Elma could think about was how fortunate she was to have met a man as wonderful as Ben. She smiled at him, as he looked so handsome in his wedding suit. He smiled in return and squeezed her fingers under the table. Elma’s heart was filled with gratitude over his mother’s willingness to move to Topeka. Everything had fallen into place, as though it was meant to be. An Amish couple with five children bought the Waglers’ farm in Grabill, and Ben retired from horseshoeing. He would now be helping Elma run the store, and Dorothy would work part-time there, too, as well as Lizzie. This would allow Ben and Elma time off in order to go on trips or do other fun things together.

  Elma glanced across the room to where her sister and brother-in-law sat eating their meal. Charlie sat on Joseph’s lap, and Miriam was seated on Thelma’s lap. Mom and Dad sat across from them, all smiles. Ben’s mother was seated at another table, along with Ben’s sister and her family. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, which only added to Elma’s pleasure.

  Her gaze went to Delbert, sitting at the same table with the widow Rachel Lambright and her seven-year-old son, Ryan. He’d begun courting her six months ago, and if things continued on the same path, Elma suspected before the year was out, they might be celebrating another wedding. She could tell Ryan was warming up to Delbert by the boy’s big grin as the two interacted. Elma also noticed warm smiles being exchanged between Dell and Rachel. She was glad things were working out for her friend. After the tornado, with the help of those in the community and even outside the area, Delbert’s house had been rebuilt in only a few weeks.

  Despite the chilly March winds blowing outside Joseph’s barn where the afternoon wedding meal was taking place, blue skies and puffy white clouds made the day perfect.

  While Elma enjoyed the delicious meal with her new husband, Thelma got up from her seat and handed Miriam to her grandmother. Then she picked up a large wicker basket sitting on the floor and made her way to the wedding couple’s table. Thelma placed it in front of them, and then, one by one, guests started filing up and putting pieces of fresh fruit inside.

  Elma looked at Ben with her mouth gaping open as apples, oranges, bananas, and a few pears quickly had the basket full of colorful produce. After the last person came up to put fruit in the basket, Thelma topped it off with some deep purple grapes then gave Elma a big grin.

  Elma smiled as her husband stood, cleared his throat, and started to thank everyone. His little speech no sooner got started when he gestured to the overflowing basket and accidentally bumped it with his hand. The basket toppled over, and all the vibrant fruit spilled out, bouncing and rolling off in different directions.

  A hush went among the guests, but Ben was quick to say, “It’s okay.” He chuckled, bending down to pick up an apple then handing it to Elma. “This little mishap is a pleasant reminder of how we met at the farmers’ market in Shipshewana two years ago.” He smiled at Elma. “You were so kind to me that day when I made my little blunder. I could not be more fortunate to have found a woman who cares about others and goes around doing good. I feel truly blessed.”

  “And I’ve never grown weary of following the Lord’s example, for in due season, I truly have reaped a blessed reward.” Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her groom. “And I, too, feel doubly blessed.”

  ELMA’S HEALTHY BLUEBERRY CRISP

  Ingredients:

  5 cups fresh or frozen ½ cup water

  blueberries 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  1¼ cups coconut sugar, ½ cup melted butter

  divided 1 cup gluten-free flour

  2 tablespoons instant tapioca 1 cup gluten-free quick oats

  Combine berries, ¾ cup coconut sugar, tapioca, water, and lemon juice. Pour into greased 9x13 baking dish. In bowl, mix butter, ½ cup coconut sugar, flour, and oats. Sprinkle over blueberry mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve plain or with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

  THELMA’S TASTY POTATO SALAD

  Ingredients:

  12 cups potatoes, boiled 3 tablespoons vinegar

  12 eggs, boiled 3 tablespoons mustard

  2 cups celery, chopped 4 teaspoons salt

  1½ cups onion, chopped 1½ cups sugar

  3 cups mayonnaise ½ cup milk

  Shred cooked potatoes and eggs into bowl. Add celery and onion. In separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and milk.
Pour over potato mixture and combine gently. Best when made up the day before or several hours before serving.

  New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs. When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To learn more about Wanda, visit her website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.

  Jean Brunstetter became fascinated with the Amish when she first went to Pennsylvania to visit her father-in-law’s family. Since that time, Jean has become friends with several Amish families and enjoys writing about their way of life. She also likes to put some of the simple practices followed by the Amish into her daily routine. Jean lives in Washington State with her husband, Richard Jr., and their three children, but she takes every opportunity to visit Amish communities in several states. In addition to writing, Jean enjoys boating, gardening, and spending time on the beach.