Ellen glanced at her father, sitting at the head of the table with a smug-looking smile on his bearded face. I hope Dad’s not trying to play matchmaker. If so, he’s barking up the wrong tree, for Ezra and I have nothing in common.
CHAPTER 10
Monday morning Ellen awoke with a headache. The pain in her forehead was almost intolerable—like the car horn she’d heard blaring the other day across the street from the Blue Gate Restaurant. Even so, she wouldn’t let it stop her from applying for a job at the hardware store or going to Elkhart to greet her sisters’ train.
When Ellen stepped into the kitchen, Dad handed her a slip of paper. “When I went to the phone shack to check for messages, I found one for you. Wrote it down to make sure I got it right.”
Ellen grimaced as she silently read the note.
“What’s wrong?” Mom moved across the room and placed her hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “You look umgerennt.”
“The message is from Sadie. It seems the part-time position she told me about has been filled.” Using the tips of her fingers, Ellen made tiny circles across her forehead. “Guess I’ll have to keep on looking.”
Dad poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Ellen. “If we had more work at the shoe store right now you could help out there, but for the past few weeks there’s only been enough to keep Ezra and me busy.”
Ellen shook her head. “It’s okay, Dad. I’m sure something will open up for me soon.” She handed the cup back to him. “Did you forget that I don’t care much for kaffi? I usually drink tee.”
“Oh, you’re right.” Dad reached under his hat and scratched his head. “Ich bin allfatt am eppes vergesse.”
“You’re not always forgetting something, Nathan.” Mom chuckled, giving his arm a tap. “Only certain things you can’t remember.”
He nodded. “It’s what happens when a person gets old. Sometimes I feel like en aldi schachdel.”
Lenore poked her head into the kitchen. “You’re not an old and worn-out cow, Daadi.”
“Jah, I am. See here—I have the runsele to prove it.” With a deep laugh, he touched the wrinkles on his forehead.
Ellen couldn’t help smiling. Dad could be such a character at times. She felt fortunate to have good parents. They both tried to keep a positive attitude, even during difficult times.
I should try to be more cheerful. As Ellen reached for the aspirin bottle and took some pills for her headache, she reflected on Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” If she didn’t find a job soon, she would need to quote the verse often to remind herself to think positively and look for things to laugh about.
Elkhart, Indiana
A wisp of Darla’s dark hair blew in the breeze as she and Ruby stepped off the train with their satchels in hand.
Ellen let Mom, Dad, and Lenore greet the girls before she gave them big hugs. “Welcome home, Sisters. You’re both so tan. How was your trip?”
“It was good. I enjoyed riding on the train more than the bus.” Ruby’s blue eyes twinkled. “Think I might travel the same way when I return to Sarasota this winter.”
“Same here.” Darla pushed a few hairs hanging loose back under her kapp. “I’m glad we’ll have a few days off before we start working at the restaurant in Middlebury again. I want to spend a little time with some of my friends and get caught up on my rest.”
Ruby slipped her arm around Ellen’s waist. “You look mied. Have you been working too hard at the bed-and-breakfast?”
Ellen shook her head. “I’m not managing the place anymore. When you and Mom talked on the phone the last time, didn’t she tell you the B&B sold?”
“Jah, but I figured you’d keep working there with the new owners.”
“No, they have two teenage daughters who’ll be helping them, so I’m currently unemployed.”
“Oh, Ellen, I’m sorry.” Darla’s sympathetic tone conveyed how much she cared.
“I’ll check at the restaurant and see if they might be hiring.” Ruby gave Ellen’s shoulder a pat. “It would be nice if you could work there too.”
Ellen shrugged. “We’ll have to see how it goes.” Truthfully, she didn’t want to work as a waitress, but then she shouldn’t be picky—especially now.
“Come on, girls, let’s get your luggage,” Dad said. “You can continue your conversation on the way home.”
They moved over to the section of the train where their luggage had been stowed, and watched as it was removed and placed on the ground. Dad waited for some folks ahead of him to get their suitcases.
Ellen watched a mother and her young daughter grab their matching flowered bags. As they walked away, she noticed how cute the little girl’s tiny case was.
Dad stepped forward and picked both girls’ suitcases up at the same time. Groaning, he quickly set them back down. “Oh, boy—my hernia’s bothering me again.”
“Again?” Mom’s eyes narrowed. “How long has this been going on, Nathan? And why haven’t you mentioned anything about having a hernia before?”
Scrunching his face, he placed both hands against his abdomen. “It’s been bothering me awhile but never hurt this bad before.” He looked over at Ruby. “It might be better if you girls get your own luggage to the van.”
“Of course, Dad. You need to take it easy.”
Darla and Ruby picked up their suitcases and followed Mom and Dad across the parking lot. Ellen and Lenore walked behind.
When they got to the van, Mom followed Dad around to the door and opened it for him. “Now, take your time getting in, Nathan. I’m right here to lean on.”
“Danki, Nora, but I can do this myself.” It was all Dad could do to get in the passenger’s seat up front. Roy Steffy, their driver, got out and put Darla and Ruby’s suitcases in the back of the van, while Ellen, her three sisters, and Mom took seats in the middle of the vehicle.
“Did something happen to you, Nathan?” Roy closed the driver’s door and started the van.
“It’s my hernia acting up. I shouldn’t have picked up both suitcases at the same time.”
“Yep, a hernia can sure be a nuisance, especially if it worsens over time.” Roy glanced at him, then pulled the vehicle out of the parking lot.
“I think you should see the doctor.” Mom tapped Dad’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll be fine once we get home.”
“I hope so, but if it doesn’t quit hurting, I hope you’ll—”
“Okay, Nora, whatever you say.”
Mom looked over at Ellen and rolled her eyes.
Reduced to an annoying dull ache, Ellen’s headache was almost forgotten. She was concerned about her father, who never complained and rarely got sick. From the way Mom sat, with lips compressed and hands clasped tightly together in her lap, Ellen was certain she was still worried about Dad. No doubt she’d be calling the doctor tomorrow morning, and Dad would have no choice but to go to the appointment.
Ellen bit her lip as they drove over the Elkhart River. She hadn’t seen her father in this shape before and wondered if it was serious. Perhaps the doctor would suggest surgery to repair the hernia. If so, how long would her father be out of commission?
Middlebury
Ezra brought his lunch to work and decided to eat it outside in the shade, since the store was quiet. He watched the neighbor’s little dog come over, wagging its tail. If Nathan doesn’t show up soon, and it gets busy in the store, I hope I’ll manage okay. He gave the pup some chips and patted its head. “Thanks for keeping me company during my break, little guy.”
When a buggy came by, Ezra looked to see if it was Nathan, but the rig kept going. I wonder what is keeping my boss. Usually you can set a pocket watch to his punctuality.
Ezra ate his lunch and went back to the store. He’d finished washing up when he looked out the window and saw a car pull in. An elderly English man got out and headed for the store with a pair of old boots.
“Good a
fternoon,” Ezra said when the man placed the boots on the counter.
“Hello, young man. I need these repaired. Do ya do that sort of thing here?” The man squinted through his glasses.
“Sorry, but we only sell new shoes.” Ezra reached into his pocket, pulled out a hanky, and wiped his damp forehead. “But a couple of shops in Elkhart repair shoes, as well as a few in surrounding towns. Maybe one of them can help you out.”
“Okay then, I’ll look them up.” The man turned around, and was almost out the door, when he stopped. “If I can’t get these fixed, I’ll probably be back to look at what you have here in this store.” He gave a wave and closed the door.
Ezra glanced at the battery-operated clock, across from the counter where he stood. It was one o’clock. Nathan should have been here by now, even if he’d stayed at the house to have lunch after picking Darla and Ruby up at the train station.
Fortunately, not too many customers had stopped by during the morning hours. But even with the ones who had come to shop, Ezra kept busy—either running back and forth between the store and the shed where they kept a surplus of shoes or waiting on customers. He was glad he didn’t have to work by himself at the store every day. A business like this was too much for one person to run.
Some days when lots of customers came in, Ezra wished Nathan would hire another employee. With three people working in the store, it would take some pressure off Ezra so he’d feel free to ask for a day off. As it was, he had to run all his errands in the late afternoon or every other Saturday, when the shoe store was closed. If he had to schedule a doctor or dentist appointment, that was even more difficult. None of the doctors in the area were open on Saturday, and some didn’t even work on Fridays. So Ezra’s only alternative was to ask for time off when he had a medical appointment.
The front door opened, and an Amish family with six children entered the store. Ezra had seen them before, but they didn’t live nearby, and he didn’t know their names.
Oh, boy. His cheeks felt a flush of heat. What I could use right now is a helper. Ezra rubbed his forehead. If they all want shoes, I’m in big trouble.
“May I help you?” he asked, stepping out from behind the counter.
The man nodded. “I need a new pair of work boots.” He gestured to the woman standing close to his side. “And my fraa and most of our kinner need shoes to wear for chores and gardening.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can find.”
Ezra was busy helping the man’s wife choose a pair of shoes, when Ellen entered the store. “When you have a minute, I need to talk to you.” Her pinched expression portrayed worry as she moved closer to Ezra.
“Sure, I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” Ezra finished up and then excused himself, saying he’d be back to fit the woman’s children for shoes.
He motioned for Ellen to join him behind the counter. “What is it?”
Tugging on the strings of her head covering, Ellen spoke quietly. “My daed hurt himself when he tried to pick up my sister’s suitcases at the train station this morning. He admitted to Mom that he has a hernia, and when we got home he hurt so bad he had to lie down.
Ezra’s forehead wrinkled. “Sorry to hear it.”
“Needless to say, he won’t be able to work this afternoon, so he wants you to be in charge.” Taking a deep breath, Ellen continued. “Mom will be calling the doctor to see how soon we can get him in.”
“Oh, boy. Sure hope I can manage things on my own.” Ezra’s head filled with fuzzy thoughts.
Ellen touched his arm briefly, before pulling her hand aside. “I can see business is heavy right now. Would you like me to stay and help out till closing time?”
He nodded, feeling a sudden release of tension. “Danki, Ellen. You showed up at just the right time.”
CHAPTER 11
How are you feeling?” Ellen asked when her father came into the kitchen Tuesday morning.
“I’m doin’ all right.” Holding his hand against his stomach, he moved slowly across the room and took the coffee pot from the stove.
“Are you still in pain?” Ellen sat at the table, sipping a cup of hot tea.
“Some. But it doesn’t hurt too much, as long as I don’t pick up anything heavy or move the wrong way.” With a groan he couldn’t conceal, he lowered himself into a chair at the table.
“Where’s Mom? Is she still in bed?”
He shook his head. “She got up before me, dressed, and headed outside. Said something about checking for phone messages.”
“I bet she went to the phone shack to make you a doctor’s appointment,” Ruby spoke up from across the room, where she was thumbing through the calendar pages.
“Actually, Mom called the doctor’s office yesterday to see about getting an appointment,” Ellen said. Annoyance flitted across Dad’s face. “Since they didn’t call back yesterday, she’s hoping to hear something this morning.”
Dad’s brows furrowed. “Don’t need a doctor to tell me what’s wrong. I don’t have time to go either. Ezra can’t run the store by himself.” He lifted his gaze toward the clock. “That young man is used to me being there to run things and answer any questions he might have.”
“Ezra will have to get through the day without you, because your health comes first,” Ellen was quick to respond.
“Better not put the buggy before the horse, Dad.” Ruby shook her head. “Maybe what you’re dealing with isn’t a hernia at all.”
His lips compressed. “Jah, it is. I had a hernia once, before you were born, and I’m almost 100 percent sure it’s happened again. But this time it involves another place on my bauch.”
“Where on your stomach, Daadi?” Lenore asked when she came into the kitchen.
Dad touched a spot above his waist. “It not only hurts, but if I pulled up my shirt, you’d see the protrusion.”
“No need for that.” Ruby held up her hand and made a face. “Stuff like that makes me squeamish.”
Dad snickered. “I was only kidding. Wouldn’t wanna scare you girls.”
Mom entered the kitchen through the back door and slipped off her shoes. “Good news! Dr. McGrath can see you at eleven o’clock this morning. The office left a message, so I called to confirm the appointment.”
Dad frowned, shuffling his feet under the table. “That won’t work, Nora. Did ya forget I’ll be working at the store?”
“It’s the only time he can see you today, and we’re lucky you got an appointment so soon.” Mom moved across the room and placed her hands on his shoulders. “They had a cancellation, and I told them we’d take it.”
“Okay, okay.” Dad looked at Ellen. “Would you mind filling in for me today? Ezra will be expecting me to show up.” He released a heavy sigh. “He’ll need to know what’s going on.”
“Well, I …”
“Ezra will be in charge, so you shouldn’t have a lot to do.”
Ellen gave a nod. “Okay, Dad. I’ll head over to the store as soon as I’ve had breakfast.”
Ezra looked at the clock on the wall near the counter. Nathan should have been here thirty minutes ago. I wonder what’s keeping him this morning. It wasn’t like his boss to be late for work. Could Nathan still be hurting?
Another fifteen minutes went by, and Ezra began to pace. So far no customers had shown up, which was good. Things could be hectic if several people showed up and he was the only one here.
What am I thinking? Ezra smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. I should be worried about my boss, not about being here by myself.
He glanced out the front window and saw Ellen pedaling in on her bike. Oh, boy. I bet her being here means he’s not coming again today. Ezra hoped Ellen would listen to his requests and not try to do things her own way. She’s a little stubborn but one of the prettiest young women in Middlebury. Ellen’s golden blond hair and sparkling blue eyes bring out the beauty on her heart-shaped face.
Ezra waited at the counter, tapping his boot against the wooden floor. May
be I have a chance to win her since we’ll be working together again.
When Ellen entered the shop, she walked up to Ezra with furrowed brows. “My daed’s seeing the doctor today, so you’re in charge again, and I’m here to take his place.”
Ezra turned and looked at the clock again. “Then how come you’re late? This is your daed’s shop. Don’t ya know what time it opens for business?” The thought of having Ellen here to help out again made his stomach tighten. And with her standing so close, Ezra felt like his knees might buckle.
“When I got up this morning I didn’t know Dad wouldn’t be working today, or that he would ask me to fill in for him again.” Her forehead creased. “It took a while to get here.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here’s a list Dad made out for you. Want me to read it?”
Ezra clenched his teeth. “No, thanks. I can read it myself.” He stepped behind the counter and took a seat on the wooden stool. He and Ellen were off to a bad start. At this rate, he’d never get her to like him.
Ellen’s face tightened. Why is Ezra so testy with me? I’d better find something to do. If nothing else, I can sweep the floors and do some cleaning.
Ellen started in the direction of the back room, where cleaning supplies were kept, but stopped walking and turned around when Ezra called out to her.
“Say, where ya goin’?”
“To get the broom so I can sweep the floors.”
He shook his head. “That’s not necessary. I’d rather you put some of the new shoes we got in last week on the shelves.”
“Okay, I’ll do it after I’m done sweeping.”
Ezra stepped out from behind the counter, planting his feet in a wide stance. “Thought I was supposed to be in charge today. Isn’t that what you said before?”
“Jah, he did, but …”
“Then I’d appreciate it if you do as I say.”
A rush of adrenaline tingled through Ellen’s body. She couldn’t believe Ezra’s bossy attitude. Who did he think he was, talking to her that way? After all, this was Dad’s store, not his. Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d never worked here before. During her early teens, Ellen had spent the summer months helping Dad in the shoe store, so she understood a thing or two about the business. By rights she should be the one in charge. But then, she wasn’t a full-time employee, and Ezra had worked here for the past few years.
The Hawaiian Discovery Page 7