Secrets Come Home
Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Book 1
Samantha Price
Copyright © 2015 Samantha Price
All Rights Reserved
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Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.
This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Chapter 1.
“Why would you have to go to the reading of the will, Ettie?” Elsa-May stood behind her sister and dusted her shoulders.
“I don’t know, but if Bishop John says to be there, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.” Ettie pushed Elsa-May’s hand away. “Enough, there’s nothing on my dress.”
“There are tiny pieces of lint all over you. And please tie the strings of your prayer kapp together.” Elsa-May breathed out heavily. “You look untidy.”
“Then I’ll be untidy. Ever since you’ve gotten those new glasses you’ve been on a cleaning frenzy.”
Elsa-May folded her arms over her chest. “Agatha’s most likely left you something in the will. That’s what it sounds like to me.”
Ettie adjusted her prayer kapp, pushing some loose strands of her white hair underneath it. “I don’t know about that, but then again, Agatha had no family to speak of.”
“Do you want me to come along?”
Ettie pushed her lips together. “Nee, denke. I’ve got Eli collecting me.” Eli was the bishop’s eldest son.
“What am I supposed to do by myself, then?”
Ettie turned and glared at her sister. They didn’t have to go everywhere together, did they? It was bad enough that they shared the same house; they didn’t have to be joined at the hip. “Knit like you usually do. Or you could water the vegetables for me before the sun gets too hot.”
Elsa-May scoffed, sat down and picked up her knitting. “That’s your job. You know how the insects like me.”
A giggle escaped Ettie’s lips. Elsa-May was right. For some reason the mosquitos and anything else that could sting or bite found their way to Elsa-May’s ankles, while leaving Ettie well alone. “I won’t be long. I’m guessing she left me that china set of hers. She noticed me admiring it recently and asked me if I’d like it when she died. I laughed and said I’d be gone long before she would. I never had any reason to wonder why she asked me if I wanted it. Do you think she knew she was going to die soon?”
Either not hearing or not listening, Elsa-May stared at her hands and then looked up at Ettie. “I won’t be able to keep knitting very much longer. Do you see the size of the fingers on my right hand?” Elsa-May held out a hand to Ettie.
Ettie walked a few paces to get a close look. “Jah, it looks swollen or something. Did you get stung by a bee?”
Elsa-May frowned at her sister. “It’s called arthritis, Ettie, and when you’re as old as I am you’ll know what it’s like when you can’t close your hand fully.”
Ettie grabbed her coat off one of the pegs by the door. “Nonsense, I’m nearly as old as you, and I don’t intend to get arthritis or anything of the kind. Didn’t you hear that I just asked you a question and you ignored me?”
Elsa-May frowned. “What question?”
Ettie sighed. “I asked you if you thought that Agatha knew she was going to die soon.”
“How could she possibly know something like that?”
Ettie pulled on her coat. “I thought it odd that she asked me if I wanted her china set, when she’s much younger than I am – or was much younger, I should say. Or is she still younger than I?” Ettie sat down on the couch facing Elsa-May. “Do you count someone as a certain age when they’re dead?”
Elsa-May looked up from her knitting. “Have Eli stop by the store on the way back, would you? I wouldn’t mind some candy. We’ve run out again.”
Ettie sighed once more. Elsa-May hardly listened to her. Now with Agatha gone, she had one less friend to talk to, and she did like to talk. “You know that stuff’s not good for you. That’s probably what the insects are attracted to, all that sugar you eat.”
“Just have him stop, will you? It’ll save me getting a taxi out later today.”
Ettie shook her head at her sister. They didn’t have their own buggy anymore and taxis were an expense they could barely afford. They grew most of their own vegetables and lived as thriftily as they could. Elsa-May ate the candy far too quickly these days; Ettie was lucky to see one tiny piece. That was just one of the things that Ettie had to contend with when living with her sister. But still, nothing in life was perfect.
She and Elsa-May were now in their early eighties. They’d both lost their husbands many years ago, and after living on their own for years had sold their farms and moved in together.
Agatha was just one more friend in their community whom they’d lost recently. She died at home, of natural causes, the doctor had said.
Ettie hurried over to the front door, opened it and peered out; there was still no sign of Eli’s buggy. “He’s running late,” Ettie said, more to herself than her sister.
“You know the young don’t care about time like we do.”
“That’s true, but it’s not like Eli to be late, and he’s not that young anymore.” Ettie wondered why Elsa-May chose to respond to murmurs when she ignored direct questions.
“Get me some of those soft caramels, too. Nee, not the ones that are covered in chocolate, the ones that are firm. Jah, firm caramels.”
“I’ll try to remember, and I’ll stop if Eli can spare the time.” Ettie left the front door open and sat down to wait.
“Very well, but if he can’t spare the time, and if you don’t come back with them, you know I’ll have to go out myself and get them, don’t you?”
The sound of horse’s hooves was music to Ettie’s ears.
“That’ll be him now,” Elsa-May said.
Ettie sprang to her feet and headed for the door.
“Don’t forget–”
“I won’t,” Ettie said before she closed the front door behind her and hurried over to Eli, who was waiting in his buggy.
“Sorry, Ettie,” said Eli. “I had a problem with the buggy wheel. I had to change buggies at the last minute.”
“What happened?” Ettie asked as she climbed into the passenger seat.
“I’m not sure – I’ll have a better look at it when I get back home.”
“Denke for driving me to town, Eli.”
“Anytime, Ettie. You know that.”
“Do you know who else is going to be there?”
Eli looked over at her. “In the lawyer’s office?”
Ettie nodded.
“Dat didn’t say. He just asked me to bring you. He’s going to be there because he is a trustee of Agatha’s estate. He couldn’t take you there himself because he had things to do before and after seeing the lawyer.”
“I understand. I could’ve got a taxi. Isn’t it unusual for a lawyer to work on a Saturday?”
“I can’t answer that, Ettie. I don’t know too many lawyers.”
Ettie pressed her lips together and wondered if she should write a will. When she sold the farm, she gave her children most of the money to help them toward buying
places of their own, so she didn’t have much left. She only had the house she shared with Elsa-May. That, she’d surely have to leave to Elsa-May because what good would it be to her children to have half a house? They wouldn’t be able to sell it and leave their aunty Elsa-May homeless.
“You’re awfully quiet today, Ettie.”
Ettie gave a low chortle. “I’m getting closer to going home to be with Gott, and all my friends are leaving before me. Agatha was only sixty.”
“Gott knows we want you to be here for a long time, Ettie.”
The buggy stopped and Ettie looked to her side. “We’re here already?”
“Jah, we are. When you get out, I’ll move the buggy and park it in the parking lot around the corner. Do you need help to get down?”
“A hand would be good.” Ettie hated needing help. Eli got out of the buggy and headed around to Ettie’s side. “I’d hate to fall. Delma fell last winter and ended up in the hospital for six months. I have an extreme dislike for hospitals after a particularly bad experience a couple of years ago when I had pneumonia.”
“I remember you were in the hospital for a time.” Eli held her arm and released her when she was solidly on two feet. “There you are. I’ll be waiting for you just around the corner there.” Eli pointed in a northerly direction.
“Jah, I do recall you said that a minute ago. I might be old but I haven’t lost my mind.” She looked at Eli, hoping he hadn’t taken offense. When she saw that he was smiling she added, “I’ll see you soon, then. And after that, on the way home, do you think we could stop by the store? Elsa-May has asked me to get a few things for her.”
“Of course.”
Chapter 2.
Ettie stood in front of the red brick building and stared up at it as a wave of heat from the pavement swept over her. She fanned her face with her hand. She could see from the signage in the window that Andrews Lawyers was one flight up. One flight of stairs would be no problem as long as there was a handrail. She was most likely the last one to arrive, so she hurried on in.
When she found the office, she pushed the glass door open and was pleased to be surrounded by cool air from the air-conditioning, a luxury she rarely enjoyed. She walked further in and stood in front of a red-haired receptionist.
“Are you Mrs. Ettie Smith?”
“I am.”
“Everyone’s in Mr. Andrews’ office now.” The receptionist rose to her feet. “Follow me.”
What Ettie had thought was a cream pullover that the woman was wearing, she now saw was a slim-fitting dress. Ettie followed the lady and studied her hair. How can she make it stand so tall on her head like that? Would hairspray alone be able to hold it? And her hair has to be colored artificially; no one has hair that color.
The woman opened a door and said, “Mrs. Ettie Smith has arrived.” She then stepped aside to allow Ettie through.
Ettie looked at the people in the room. The first person she saw was her Amish bishop who then introduced her to Mr. Andrews. Mr. Andrews was older than she’d expected, around sixty years of age, thin with large, black, heavy-framed glasses. She already knew Ava Glick, a young woman from the community.
Ettie took the spare seat next to the bishop. The lawyer’s office was as she’d thought it would be, given the exterior of the building. The furniture was dark and heavy, and dark wallpaper lined the walls behind the bookcases, which were heavily laden with books.
“We should begin,” the lawyer said.
“Sorry I’m late. There was a problem with one of Eli’s buggies.”
“It’s quite all right,” Mr. Andrews said. “We’re all here now.” He glanced at his watch. “I could read out the will, but to sum things up and for the sake of time, I’ll tell you what she left to each of you.” The lawyer looked at Ava and then Ettie. “I’m sure you’re anxious to find out.”
Ettie pushed her bottom lip out. There were only the two of them? Surely there would be more people Agatha would have left things to since she had no family. She had many friends.
“Mrs. Smith, Agatha King left you her house, all of its contents, and fifteen thousand two hundred dollars.”
Ettie’s hand flew to her mouth in shock. “There must be some mistake. Her whole house?”
“That’s right, Ettie,” the bishop said. “There’s no mistake been made; I was there and witnessed the will when she signed it.”
“There are conditions,” the lawyer continued. “She has requested that you allow Ava Glick to continue to lease the apartment adjoining your house for the same sum she’s paying now.” He took his glasses off and looked directly at Ettie. “Legally, it’s not a ‘condition’; no one can enforce that on you. What she meant was that she would like you to do that. She’d like you to allow Ava Glick to continue living there as long as she wishes.”
“Yes, of course.” Ettie smiled at Ava and Ava’s blue eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled back. Agatha had mentioned finding someone to lease the grossdaddi haus, but who had leased it had never come up in their conversations.
“And Ava, Agatha King left you the sum of five thousand two hundred dollars and fifty six cents.”
The young woman gasped. “Oh, that was so kind of her. I don’t know what to say. I can’t even thank her.”
“I can’t believe it at all.” Ettie sat there stunned with her hand covering her mouth. The next thing she knew was that everyone was looking at her.
“That’s it then, Ettie. You have a house, another house,” the bishop said.
Ettie saw the bishop stand and realized it was time to go.
“I don’t know what to say.” She pushed herself to her feet.
“One more thing,” the lawyer said as he rose from behind his desk. He opened a drawer and picked up a set of keys. “You might as well take these now. The papers will take some weeks to process, but the place is as good as yours. I’ll try and push it all through quickly for you. There are going to be some charges for the transfers. Would you like me to take that out of the money she left you?”
“Yes, please do that.” Ettie put her hand out for the keys. “Thank you.” She stared down at the bunch. There must have been twenty keys tied together on a rope. It was just like her thrifty friend to buy a quality china tea set and save money on something trifling like a keychain.
“We’re neighbors now, Mrs. Smith. You’re my new landlord.”
Ettie smiled at the young woman who she guessed was in her mid twenties. “Call me Ettie, everyone does.” Quite surprised by her friend leaving her so much, the next thing she was aware of was walking down the stairs. When Ettie reached the front of the building, Ava was nowhere to be seen. Ettie made her way to Eli’s buggy and told him what had happened.
Before they got too far away from the lawyer’s office, Eli said, “You had to stop by the store, Ettie?”
“Jah, the store. Denke for reminding me. I need to get some important things for Elsa-May.”
An hour later, Ettie burst through the front door of the house she shared with her sister. Elsa-May was right where she’d left her. “Elsa-May, you’ll never guess–”
“Wait! Did you get my candy?” Elsa-May lowered her knitting into her lap.
Ettie handed her the bag of candy and waited until Elsa-May had a piece in her mouth before she continued. “Agatha left me her haus, everything in it, and some money.”
“Really? She left everything to you?”
Ettie nodded. “Mostly – she left some money to Ava Glick. “
Elsa-May screwed up her nose as she unwrapped another sweet. “Who?”
“You know, Ava – Joel and Karen’s eldest dochder.”
“Ach, I know.”
“Agatha requested that I let her live there as long as she wants in the grossdaddi haus.”
Elsa-May stared into the bag of candy. “Well, that sounds good.”
“Did you hear me?”
“Jah, let Ava stay in the grossdaddi haus.” Elsa-May looked up at Ettie and the bag of candy
fell into her lap. “Wait! You’re not going to move into Agatha’s haus, are you?”
Ettie sat on the couch. “I don’t see why not. With the money she left me, and the rent coming in from Ava, I’d be able to afford the upkeep of it.”
Elsa-May’s shoulders drooped. “Would you leave me here all alone?”
Ettie hadn’t thought the whole thing through. Was she supposed to invite Elsa-May to live with her? The two of them under the same roof in the small house had been fine for a time, but as the years wore on they were getting on each other’s nerves more and more. Ettie longed for some peace and quiet without her sister’s constant jibes and niggles. “I don’t know what I’ll be doing yet.” Ettie looked down at the keys in her hand.
“Those the keys?” Elsa-May asked.
“Jah.”
“Let’s go and have a look at the place.”
“What, now?”
“Jah.”
Ettie frowned. “We’d have to get a taxi and that would eat into our weekly budget.”
“Didn’t you just say you inherited money?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Ettie’s lips. They’d no longer have to be careful of every dime. “I’ll call the taxi.”
Ettie hurried outside and called the taxi from the phone in the shanty outside the Millers’ house a few doors down. The Millers let everyone in the street use it, and the money for the calls was placed in a jar and was collected by Mr. Miller every few days.
Chapter 3.
A waft of warm, stale air flowed over Elsa-May and Ettie as they pushed open the front door of Agatha’s old house. The place smelled of dust and mold.
“Open some windows, Ettie.”
Ettie made her way around to the windows in the living room. “It’s surprising how musty it can get in such a short time. Agatha’s funeral was a week ago, and the haus couldn’t have been closed up for more than a fortnight.” After she opened the windows, Ettie placed her hands on her hips. “Just as she left it.”
“I wouldn’t know; I haven’t been here in a while,” Elsa-May said as she too looked around the living room.
Secrets Come Home Page 1