The Hawaiian Discovery

by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean;

  Mandy scanned the luggage and spotted her bag. “There it is Ken—next to that tan suitcase.”

  He grabbed the bag and rolled it over to her. “Now we have the right one.”

  Mandy unzipped the outer pocket. “Here’s proof—my navy blue umbrella.”

  “If you hadn’t caught my mistake, we could’ve taken the wrong suitcase home.”

  “That poor man would not have been happy.” Mandy clutched Ken’s arm as they headed for the parking lot.

  “It was hard to be back in Middlebury again without you. Seeing our business for the last time and moving away from Indiana permanently was difficult too.” Mandy let go of Ken’s arm and clasped his hand.

  “I figured it would be difficult. Wish I could’ve been there with you.” He tenderly squeezed her fingers. “I appreciate all the hard work you did and that you hung in there until it was finished.” His gentle voice was soothing to her soul.

  “It would be nice to be able to be in two places at once.”

  “Yeah.” Ken’s blond hair blew in the breeze. “Sometime in the future we’ll plan a trip to Indiana.”

  “I hope so. We both work hard, and it would be fun to go there for a relaxing vacation next time.”

  “By then the B&B will belong to someone else, and maybe we’ll have our own house here. Mom’s been good about letting us stay with her, but she needs her space—and so do we.”

  “I can’t wait to pick out a permanent home together, but it can wait. There’s plenty of room at your mom’s house, so at least we aren’t crowding each other.” Mandy stepped aside while Ken opened the door of their camo rig and put her suitcase inside.

  “Are you hungry? Should we stop somewhere for a bite to eat before we go home?” Ken asked.

  Her heart skipped a beat when she looked into the depth of his eyes. “That would be nice. I didn’t have much to eat on the plane, and the few snacks I brought along didn’t fill me enough.” She gripped his hand tightly. It felt warm and comforting. “A late lunch sounds great.”

  “Okay. Let’s stop at the Lemongrass Grill in Kapaa. While we eat, you can fill me in on everything that’s been going on in Middlebury.”

  Mandy smiled. “I will. And you can catch me up on everything that’s been happening here during my absence.”

  Kapaa

  Mandy stared at the menu their hostess handed them. So many mouthwatering choices. She enjoyed coming to this Pan-Asian eatery with pagoda-inspired décor.

  Mandy had a favorite she’d ordered before, but today she might try something different. The server brought them ice water and asked what they’d like to drink. They both ordered iced tea with lemon, but since they weren’t certain what they wanted to eat yet, the middle-aged waitress said she’d return in a couple of minutes.

  “Would you like an appetizer, Mandy?” Ken asked. “We could share some lobster ravioli, if that sounds appealing.”

  Mandy licked her lips. “Sounds good.”

  When the waitress returned, she placed the iced teas by their napkins. Ken put in their appetizer order, and also the guava barbecued ribs for his entrée. Mandy ordered shrimp scampi—one of her favorite island meals.

  While they waited for their food, Mandy filled Ken in on how things went with her family, as well as at the B&B. “Someone came to look at it while I was there, but they weren’t interested in buying our business.”

  “The right buyer will come along.” Ken leaned closer to Mandy and whispered, “I said this before, but it bears repeating. I missed you so much, and I’m glad the Lord brought you safely back to me. I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  Sitting beside Ken, Mandy rested her head on his shoulder. “I feel the same way about you.”

  When their waitress brought the appetizer, Ken and Mandy bowed their heads for silent prayer. While Ken often prayed out loud, they sometimes prayed silently for their meals. Ken called it “praying Amish,” since that’s the way Mandy had grown up saying her prayers.

  After their prayer ended and they’d begun eating the lobster ravioli, Ken told Mandy how things went on the farm. “The chickens are laying well right now.” He blotted his mouth with the dinner napkin. “We’ve been keeping our regular stores supplied, as well as the Palm’s Bed-and-Breakfast.”

  Mandy paused from eating to sip her water. “How have Luana and Makaio been doing since I’ve been gone?”

  “As far as I know they’re getting along well. My mom went over the other day with some eggs, and when she came back she said Luana’s daughter, Aliana, is expecting another baby.”

  “I’m sure the Palus must be excited about having a second grandchild.” Mandy smiled. She hoped it didn’t seem forced. It was difficult not to be envious, when she wanted a baby so bad. But maybe there was a reason she hadn’t gotten pregnant yet. With all the things at the organic farm keeping her busy, it was probably best that she wasn’t expecting a baby right now. Someday, though, when the time was right, Mandy hoped she and Ken would become parents.

  Middlebury

  It was almost eight thirty in the evening when the doorbell rang. Ellen went to answer it, figuring the guests who had reserved two rooms were probably on the porch. Gwen Adams had called over an hour ago, saying their plane had gotten in late and they were waiting to pick up a rental car.

  Ellen opened the door. A woman and a man with two teenage girls waited, each holding a suitcase.

  “Hello. I’m Lew Adams.” The man reached out his hand. “Glad we finally made it.”

  Ellen shook hands with the family. “Welcome to the Pleasant View Bed-and-Breakfast. Please, come in and I’ll show you to your rooms.”

  When the family entered the living room, Mr. Adams looked around, as though studying every detail. “I noticed a FOR SALE sign out front,” he said. “Would you mind telling me the reason you’re selling the place?”

  His wife nudged his arm. “I can’t believe you asked that question, Lew. It’s none of our business why this home is being sold.”

  His lips quivered slightly as his nose creased. “I want to know a few details. Figured you would too, since …” He stopped talking and turned to face Ellen. “How much are you asking for the business?”

  “Actually, this home is not mine. I’m managing it for the owners who have moved to Kauai, Hawaii. You would need to contact their Realtor for details on the price.” Ellen opened the drawer of the end table near the couch and took out one of Polly’s business cards. “Here’s her contact information.”

  “Hmm …” Mr. Adams studied the business card. “We’re thinking of relocating to this area, and Gwen has often talked about owning a bed-and-breakfast.” He looked at his wife. “What do you think, dear? Wouldn’t it be nice to own a place like this?”

  Before Gwen could respond, one of the girls spoke up. “I don’t wanna live in a B&B, Dad. We’d have no privacy. Besides, what kind of cute guys live in this small town anyway?”

  “Really, Susan, you’re only concerned about your love life? Dad’s idea sounds like fun to me,” her sister commented. “In fact, it’d be a new adventure.”

  Susan rolled her eyes. “You would say that, Jill. You’re eager to move out of Chicago and start over somewhere else.” She sighed, then took her cell phone from her purse. “I’d miss all of my friends, school, and all the cool places to shop for the trendiest styles. Oh, and you have no idea how much work would be involved if Mom and Dad bought a bed-and-breakfast.”

  Jill folded her arms, squinting as she stood almost nose-to-nose with her sister. “How do you know about B&Bs and how much work is involved in running one? And why do you have to throw cold water on everything, Susan?”

  “I don’t, but you—”

  Their father stepped between them. “We don’t need to talk about this tonight. In the morning, though, I would appreciate the opportunity to walk through the whole house. If I like what I see, I may get in touch with the real estate agent for more details.”

  Ellen sucked in her bre
ath. If these people should decide to buy Ken and Mandy’s B&B, I could be out of a job, because with two teenage girls, I doubt they’d need me to work here anymore.

  CHAPTER 9

  By the middle of May, Lew and Gwen Adams had moved into the bed-and-breakfast as its new owners, and Ellen was out of a job. The couple’s daughters would be helping their parents during the hours they weren’t in school. Ellen had graciously offered to explain how she’d been running things in Mandy and Ken’s absence, but Mrs. Adams stated she had her own way of doing things and would figure it out.

  A week ago, Ellen had moved back to her parents’ house, but she still hadn’t found another job. She’d driven by the bed-and-breakfast yesterday on her way to the grocery store in Shipshewana. The spacious home looked pretty much the same on the outside, but she had a hunch the inside may have changed.

  Ellen saw new potted plants near the front flower bed, and more along the driveway. She wondered how much other vegetation the owners would add.

  During the time the Adamses had stayed at the B&B, Gwen made it obvious that she was contemplating things she would change if she lived there. She never mentioned anything specific, but a few times Ellen caught her standing in the living room or dining room, looking around as though deep in thought.

  Everyone does things differently, Ellen reminded herself as she put her head covering in place. I need to stop pining for what obviously wasn’t meant to be and move forward with my life.

  Right now, her immediate need was to go outside and get her horse and buggy ready for the trip to the Blue Gate Restaurant, where she would meet Sadie for breakfast. Since Saturdays were Sadie’s day off, this was a good time for them to get together.

  Shipshewana

  “I’m not sure what you’re having, but the breakfast buffet is what I’m leaning toward.” Sadie looked across the table at Ellen and grinned.

  “It would probably be good, but I’m not all that hungry this morning.” Ellen glanced out the window, then back again. “I may have a bowl of oatmeal.”

  “Is that all? Don’t you want to order some toast to go with it?”

  Ellen shook her head, feeling a little put out with her friend’s mothering.

  “Are you still depressed about losing your job at the B&B?”

  “Jah. I probably shouldn’t panic, because it’s only been a week, but I haven’t found anything yet.”

  “Well, not to worry. I may have the answer for you.” Sadie leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “A part-time position at the hardware store has opened up. They’ll be interviewing people today and Monday. If you’re interested in working there, that is.”

  Ellen’s lips pressed together as she thought about her options. Working at a hardware store was not at the top of her list, but no jobs were available at any of the bed-and-breakfasts or hotels in the area.

  “I’ll give it some thought, Sadie, but I probably won’t put in my application today.”

  “How come?”

  “I promised to run several errands for my mamm, and then I need to get home and help her and my younger sister do some gardening.”

  “Okay, but I’d make sure to go first thing Monday morning. You don’t want to miss the opportunity for a job.”

  Once again, Ellen felt like Sadie was being too pushy. She most likely meant well, so Ellen made no comment.

  Their waitress came, and Sadie chose the buffet, along with her drink.

  Ellen chose a beverage, and was about to order oatmeal, but changed her mind. “Guess I’ll have the buffet too. The line has gone down some. I hope there’s still a good variety left.”

  Their waitress smiled. “It has been busy since we opened this morning, but don’t worry. There’s plenty of food waiting for you.”

  Ellen and Sadie got up and headed for the buffet. When they returned to the table, they offered silent prayers.

  “Have you heard anything from Mandy lately?” Sadie picked up a piece of bacon.

  “Not since last week when I called to inform her that the new owners had moved into the bed-and-breakfast.” Ellen took a drink of water and swallowed hard. Thinking about how difficult it had been to leave a job she’d enjoyed made her stomach knot up.

  Middlebury

  “I can’t wait to pick your sisters up at the train station in Elkhart Monday morning.”

  Ellen heard the excitement in her mother’s voice. Ruby, who was twenty, and Darla, seventeen, had been working at a restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, all winter and were finally coming home. Normally the girls returned to Indiana in April, but this year they’d chosen to stay an extra month. Ellen couldn’t blame them. The weather in Florida, similar to Hawaii, was beautiful this time of the year. If it hadn’t been for her job at the B&B, Ellen might have tried to get a job for the winter in Sarasota too. At least Darla and Ruby hadn’t had to deal with snow during the winter.

  The girls would return to their jobs as waitresses at the Amish-style restaurant in Middlebury, where they would work until late fall.

  I’m sure when I see my sisters they’ll be sporting nice tans from all that Florida sunshine. They will probably look healthy compared to my pale face. Ellen filled a pot with water, set it on the burner, and lit the propane stove. She watched her mother grab the bread-and-butter pickles from the refrigerator. Mom liked to can them in the summer, and the family ate the delicious pickles year-round.

  “I’ll need to bring up some more bickels from the basement, since this is the last jar upstairs,” Mom commented.

  “I can get you some when I’m done peeling the potatoes.” Ellen placed another peeled spud on the cutting board, quartered it, and tossed the pieces in a bowl with the others.

  “No hurry, I’ll get them after we eat dinner.” Mom arranged the pickle slices on a glass tray. “Will you be free to go with us to pick up your sisters?”

  Ellen was on the verge of saying she couldn’t go because she’d be applying for a job at the hardware store Monday morning. But the interview could wait until Monday afternoon. Darla and Ruby would expect everyone in the family to greet them when they stepped off the train, and Ellen wouldn’t let her sisters down.

  Usually, the girls went to and from Florida on the Pioneer Trails bus. But they wanted to try something different and come home on the train this time.

  Perhaps my sisters would like to go to Hawaii with me sometime, Ellen thought as she grabbed another potato. If they like Sarasota, I’m sure they’d fall in love with the Hawaiian Islands. Maybe by the time we’re all ready to go, Lenore will be old enough to join us.

  Ellen figured returning to Hawaii was a silly dream, but it was fun to have a goal, even if it never came about.

  Mom put the jar of pickles away and checked on the meat simmering in a pan on the stove.

  “Something smells good in here, ladies. What’s for supper?” Ellen’s father sniffed the air as he entered the kitchen.

  “Lemon chicken and mashed potatoes.” Mom pointed to some glass jars on the counter. “And canned green beans from last year.”

  “I got the recipe for the chicken when I was on Kauai with Mandy,” Ellen interjected.

  “Sounds real tasty.” He jiggled his bushy eyebrows. “How soon till we eat?”

  “The chicken’s almost done, and Ellen has the potatoes boiling on the stove. All I need to do yet is open two jars of beans and get them heated.” Mom smiled. “Lenore’s in the dining room setting the table, so by the time you get washed up we should be ready to eat.”

  “All right then. I’ll see you at the table.” Grinning widely, Dad sashayed out of the room. He was in an exceptionally good mood this evening. Perhaps it had been a profitable day at the store.

  “The table is set. What else can I help with?” Lenore came in and stood next to Mom.

  “You can put the lemon chicken on a platter and cover it with foil to keep warm.” Mom pointed to the spare tongs on the counter.

  A short time later, supper was on the table. Every
one was about to sit down when someone knocked on the front door.

  “I’ll get it.” Lenore hurried out of the room. When she returned, Ezra was with her.

  “Sorry for the interruption.” Tugging the brim of his hat, Ezra handed Dad his lunchbox. “You left the store without this.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Figured you might want to have it come Monday morning.”

  “Danki, Ezra.” Dad pointed to an empty chair at the table. “If you haven’t eaten yet, why don’t you join us?”

  Ezra gave his shirt collar a tug. “Well, I …”

  “Come on, son. I bet you’re hungerich.”

  “I can’t deny my hunger, but I don’t wanna barge in.”

  “There’s always room for one more at our table,” Mom spoke up. “If your mamm’s not expecting you for supper, we’d be happy to have you join us.”

  “My folks went out to eat this evening, so I’m on my own. Figured I’d make a sandwich when I got home, but what your havin’ smells a lot better than a hunk of bologna between two slices of bread.”

  “Come on, then, you can take the seat over there beside Ellen.”

  Ezra rubbed the back of his neck. “Jah, okay.” A splotch of pink erupted on his cheeks as he made his way over and sat down awkwardly. For some reason, Ezra seemed a bit nervous this evening.

  Lenore looked over at Ellen and rolled her brown eyes, but at least she didn’t say anything. Ellen could almost imagine what her little sister might be thinking.

  After everyone prayed, Mom picked up the first plate of food to pass around the table.

  Ezra looked at Dad. “Your fraa … Sie is en gudi Koch.”

  “You’re right, Ezra. My wife’s a real good cook.” Dad motioned to Ellen. “And so is my oldest dochder, who cooked the chicken. Ellen will make a fine fraa for some lucky fellow someday.”

  Ellen’s face heated. She wished she could make herself disappear. What was her outspoken father trying to do—get Ezra to become interested in her?

  She squirmed in her chair as Ezra’s dark eyes darted from side to side. How embarrassing. I’ll bet poor Ezra wishes he’d gone home and fixed a cold sandwich.