Secret at Pebble Creek

by Lisa Jones Baker

  “I love riding in the buggy.”

  “You didn’t have to tell me.”

  “No?”

  Annie shook her head. “I can tell by the contentment on your face. I was just thinking about how you and your great-uncle resemble each other. Did you know that Old Sam loved taking his buggy to church?” She paused. “In fact, he looked forward to it all week. Back in the day, about twenty years ago or so, he used to have a horse named Ginger and a dog named Buddy. And before that, they even had a horse called Strawberry.”

  Jessica turned to better face Annie. “Really?”

  “Jah. And he spoiled them like they were his grandkids. Of course, Buddy also got a taste of my sponge cakes.” She laughed. “The moment he spotted me walking toward the barn, he’d wag his tail.”

  After a brief silence, Annie went on. “I’m excited to show you my hope chest, Jessica. Before you leave here, you’ll know Old Sam just by seeing what he did for others.”

  “That will be wonderful, Annie.”

  At the Miller home, Jessica looked on as Annie tied their horse to a post near the house.

  Jessica stepped closer and offered a hand. “Can I help?”

  “No, but thanks.” Annie gave her a quick grin. “We Amish girls are pretty quick at this.”

  While they talked, Jessica began stroking the horse’s nose. The horse responded by letting out a whinny.

  “That means that Flame likes you.”

  Jessica got so close to the horse’s face, their noses nearly touched. “Flame?”

  Annie offered a quick nod. “It’s really Wayne’s horse. I don’t know what it is between those two, but there’s something going on.”

  Jessica lifted a brow.

  Annie laughed. “You could say that they’re bonded. Of course, Wayne takes after his maemm. I’m an animal lover.”

  After Flame was tied, Annie and Jessica followed the winding sidewalk to the house.

  “I can’t believe how beautiful your home is, Annie.”

  Annie smiled a little. “I married a builder.”

  *

  Jessica loved the Miller home. She sat at the dining room table and watched Annie put some things together on the kitchen countertop. The surroundings were simple, yet Jessica didn’t really feel anything was missing from the gorgeous dwelling.

  With great interest, she took in the shiny hardwood floors and the sky-blue material that decorated the windows. The curtains were pulled back and attached to small hooks. Light coming in through the windows made her blink.

  Of course, there were no family pictures sitting around. Eli had told her that the Amish don’t believe in taking photos. All the same, hints of what the Miller family was like were evident throughout the house.

  Jessica noted two different daily devotional journals. One was on a small end table to the right of the couch, and the other on a slightly larger table next to a rocking chair. An oversized bookmark stuck out from what was obviously the Holy Bible next to a devotional.

  A winding circular stairway that boasted glossy oak steps wound its way up to the second story. Jessica supposed that the bedrooms were upstairs.

  On the wall above the very first step was something in a frame. Curious, Jessica stepped up to what appeared to be something from Levi and Annie Miller’s wedding.

  As if reading her thoughts, Annie stepped closer to answer Jessica’s unspoken question. “My mother and father have the same thing on their stairway wall. In fact, Maemm made that for Levi and me.”

  Jessica traced her finger over the embroidered date and names of Levi Miller and Annie Mast. Beautiful lilies decorated the four corners. And at the bottom, And the greatest of these is Love, was embroidered in a beautiful shade of blue.

  Jessica swallowed an emotional knot. The words stopped her thoughts. Love. Did she have that in her life?

  Jessica quickly dismissed the troubling question and focused on the cabinets. “They’re cherry?”

  “Uh-huh. The credit goes to William Conrad.” She waved a hand. “Gorgeous, aren’t they?”

  Jessica nodded.

  “Levi and his daed … they specialize in the actual construction of homes, but William Conrad inherited his cabinetmaking skills from his own father. Unfortunately, Daniel passed away years ago, but you might be interested to know that he was Englisch.”

  When Jessica lifted an inquisitive brow, Annie waved a hand. “That’s a story for another day, but now, let’s go upstairs.”

  Jessica followed Eli’s mother. As they made their way up the stairs, Jessica took note of the beautiful structure of the home. Cream-colored walls met extra-tall ceilings. Jessica hadn’t seen the interior of any Amish homes—other than Sam’s, of course—but she guessed that a lot of extra detail had gone into building this house.

  Jessica paused to take in the beautiful piece at the foot of the bed. She focused on the gorgeous chest. It was smaller than what she had visualized. But the detail was exquisite. Without a doubt, her great-uncle had been a true artist. With a combination of excitement and emotion, Jessica moved closer and squinted to better view the sponge cake recipe.

  As she did so, a bolt of guilt struck her, and she stiffened. She admired this kind, generous woman so much. In a way, Jessica hoped the businessman didn’t make an offer on Old Sam’s place. The thought of disappointing the Miller family made Jessica bite her lip.

  Annie’s soft, honest voice made Jessica’s guilt even stronger. A pain began throbbing at the back of her neck.

  “Jessica, know that you’re family. I’ll do whatever I can to make you feel extra welcome here. Your great-uncle was so special to me and played a huge role in my life, especially in how I view things.” She added in a confidential tone, “Do you know that he even gave me advice on what to do to be with Levi?”

  Jessica turned to face Annie. “Really?”

  Annie nodded. “Not only was your great-uncle a great artist, but he had a heart of gold and offered great wisdom. I always thought of him as a grandfather. Of course, I can’t speak for Rebecca and Rachel, but I’m pretty sure they feel the same. And even though he was much older than us, when we talked, it was as if he was on our level.” She lifted her palms in a helpless gesture. “He understood everything.”

  As Annie watched the girl admire her great-uncle’s work, her heart nearly melted. For some reason, the scene touched Annie in a way she’d never imagined. She reasoned her sentiment had to do with her love for Old Sam and that she still grieved the loss of her dear friend.

  Jessica knelt in front of the chest. With a soft, uncertain voice, she looked up at Annie as she continued tracing a finger over the sponge cake recipe that was meticulously etched into the wood.

  “Did you ask him to make this just for you?”

  Annie gave a quick shake of her head. She pulled up the oak rocker with a blue blanket tossed on top.

  “You can open it.” Annie nodded toward the lid.

  Jessica hesitated. “Are you sure? You must keep what’s most special to you in here, Annie.”

  “I do, but you won’t be able to see the lining if you don’t look inside. Go ahead. I want you to see the pretty velvet.”

  Slowly, Jessica opened the lid and took a small, uncertain breath. She turned to Annie and smiled. “The lining looks like it’s part of the wood. I wonder how he did this.” After a thoughtful pause, Jessica’s voice cracked with emotion. “He made everything to perfection, didn’t he?”

  Before Annie could finish her nod of agreement, Jessica went on. “Even the lining.”

  “But Jessica, this particular hope chest is much more to me than a work of art.” She hesitated. “I keep my journal in it. I’ve written every night for years. In fact, I started noting my most private thoughts as soon as your uncle gave me this.”

  Jessica’s eyes widened. A long silence ensued while the two of them seemed to bond. Jessica sensed a strong connection to Eli’s mother.

  Annie knelt next to Jessica and focused her attention on t
he chest. “You’re the only other person who’s ever looked inside of this chest.”

  “Oh …”

  “But I really want you to see it. Your great-uncle …” Annie caught her emotion before it got away from her. “I miss him dearly. He gave me advice, even till the end. Throughout my life, especially when I knew I was in love with Levi and thought I had to let him go … your uncle gave me his very best wisdom. And I’ll always be grateful.” She caught an emotional breath. “In fact, when something bothers me and I need an answer, I think of going to his barn to talk to him.” She smiled a little while offering a helpless shrug. “Of course, I can’t. But his memory … excuse me.”

  Annie stepped away for a tissue. She blew her nose and returned to Jessica. She cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. “I feel so blessed, Jessica, to have known your great-uncle. And all the love he showed me … I want to give that back to you.”

  Jessica’s jaw dropped; she wasn’t sure how to react to such kindness. All her life, no one had ever made her feel so important. So loved. She wondered what to say to reciprocate.

  She wasn’t sure, so she didn’t respond. Instead, she enjoyed the wonderful sensation that swept through her chest. As she contemplated how generous Annie Miller was, the thought of selling the house entered her thoughts until her head began to ache. Jessica’s close connection to the Miller family certainly muddied her desire to sell Sam’s property and then leave. They had welcomed her with open arms and had made her feel like she was one of them.

  The happiness Jessica had just experienced was quickly replaced with guilt. It was easy to see that this small town meant much more to its people than just a dwelling place. The folks appeared emotionally connected, as if this town was part of them.

  “Jessica?” Annie’s soft voice interrupted Jessica’s chaotic thoughts. “Something’s bothering you. You’re frowning. And your hands are shaking.”

  Jessica glanced at Annie before shamefully looking down at the floor. When Jessica looked up again, she struggled to find her voice. She felt she owed Annie Miller some sort of explanation for selling.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  After offering a light shrug of her shoulders, Jessica swallowed and nodded her head and stood.

  Annie followed suit and motioned to the bed. Jessica sat at the edge and Annie claimed the spot next to her. They turned to each other so that their knees nearly touched.

  “Whatever you do, please don’t let anything bother you, Jessica.” Annie remembered something and sat up straighter. “Old Sam always used to tell us girls to never let anything steal our joy. That today is a gift only God can give to us. And we can’t ever take back the moment.”

  “Annie, right now, I’m torn.”

  Annie lifted a curious brow and continued to study the concern on this young girl’s face.

  “I know how much Pebble Creek means to you. To your family. Eli was the first to mention it when we met. And here I am, doing everything I can to sell what’s so dear to your hearts.”

  Annie took Jessica’s hand in hers and locked gazes with the young girl. “Jessica, Old Sam left the land to you.” A slight smile lifted the corners of her lips as she raised her palms in a helpless gesture. “There’s a reason for everything. Of course, we don’t know what it is. But Jessica …” She reached out and squeezed Jessica’s fingers with affection. “God’s plan for us is way beyond our knowledge. He’s the only one who knows the end result. And what I’m sure of is that family was more important than anything to Old Sam. And he’d want a family to live in his home, enjoy Pebble Creek, and continue making memories. Of that, I have no doubt. And you’ll make that happen. Some wonderful family will carry on the happiness that was born at Pebble Creek.”

  Jessica let out a sigh and seemed to relax a little. “From what I know about my great-uncle, he was all about family. But the sale of the property …” She looked away a moment before refocusing her attention to Annie. “With the money, I’ll be able to buy a place close to my job. Right now, I live on the other side of the city, and it takes me over an hour to get to work. I can’t imagine how less stressful my life will be when I’m close. And what makes this more difficult is that we are close to getting an offer …” Her voice cracked with emotion.

  As Annie became unusually still, a nervous laugh escaped Jessica’s throat, and she shook her head in disbelief. “Annie, I know we’ve all got problems, but I have trouble dealing with stress. In fact, I’ve had issues I didn’t think I could cope with.”

  Annie pressed her lips together thoughtfully.

  “But knowing that soon that stress will be gone, I feel so much relief.”

  Several thoughtful heartbeats later, Annie nodded. “I understand, Jessica. I can’t imagine what it would be like living in the city, let alone having to get to work every morning in traffic. Sometimes I take for granted what I have here.”

  Jessica looked at her to continue.

  “I have everything I need. Every once in a while, something comes up that requires prayer. But I feel fortunate that God has given me my wonderful family and the best life I could ever imagine out here in the country. Jessica, when you go to bed at night, say your prayers. Ask God to help you make decisions. And if you trust in Him, nothing will worry you. Because He created you.”

  Jessica contemplated Annie’s words.

  “Look at it this way. Remember the delicious chocolate cake that Rebecca made for the fish fry?”

  Jessica nodded.

  “That cake didn’t just come about. Rebecca had to add the right ingredients and mix them together. It’s the same way with people.”

  “You think?”

  “Of course. Just like the cake, we couldn’t come about by chance. There’s no way.” The corners of Annie’s lips lifted into a gentle smile. “Think about it, Jessica. God made us all. And we live for Him.”

  *

  That evening, rain beat against Old Sam’s roof. A bright bolt of lightning prompted Jessica to make her way to the bedroom window and look out.

  For sure, Old Sam’s flowers were getting plenty of water. Loud thunder crackled. She startled, but knew that she was safe inside Old Sam’s home and that the Millers weren’t far away, if she needed them. But tonight, her heart pumped at an uneasy speed. Her hands shook.

  She went to the kitchen and swallowed a pill that she pulled from a container in her makeup bag. She frowned. She didn’t like relying on medicine. But as she drifted back to the afternoon, her chest ached until she thought she would be sick.

  She thought of her time with Annie. When Jessica had confessed her guilt about selling, she hadn’t gathered enough courage to actually say that the interested party didn’t even have a family. Or that he didn’t plan to live at Pebble Creek.

  She considered the kindness the Miller family showed her. At the same time, she recalled the big offer that was about to materialize. That the man who wanted her place for a vacation getaway was a far cry from the family that the Millers wanted.

  Breathing in relief that the pill wouldn’t take long to work, she went to bed and propped her feet up. Taking deep breaths, she closed her eyes and tried to relax.

  As she lay on the simple but comfortable bedding, she thought of Old Sam and yearned to know him. She opened her eyes and frowned, pressing a finger against her chin.

  As the pleasant scent of oak filled her nostrils, she smiled a little. She closed her eyes again and began to relax, but the moment she thought about selling to someone who wouldn’t even live here, the ache worsened.

  The next thought that came along was Annie’s theory that people couldn’t have happened without a Creator. The analogy of the cake made sense.

  Jessica wanted to believe in God. She hadn’t been a bad person, not by her standards anyway. But she still wasn’t convinced He existed.

  She sat up and paced while her thoughts wandered to her younger years, a time she’d rather forget. But the moment her gaze landed on her great-uncle’s
key on the near-by desk, she forgot everything that was driving her crazy and started imagining what the key unlocked.

  Old Sam, what did you make for your wife? She stood to retrieve the key, studied it, and held it between her fingers.

  Old Sam, I love you even though I’ve never met you. You stunned me by leaving me Pebble Creek. I don’t deserve your kindness and generosity. But as I learn about you, I have a hunch that you want me to find your gift for Esther. And my curiosity won’t let it go.

  She held the unique-looking metal in front of her and wondered. Where is it?

  *

  The following afternoon, Jessica waved good-bye as Eli, Wayne, and Chuck stepped out of the front entrance and closed the door. When the lock clicked, she hugged her hands to her hips and focused on the kitchen.

  She let out a sigh and quick steps took her to the side porch where she grabbed a broom and a dustpan. She adjusted the fan to hit her and began sweeping the floor.

  She whistled while she did so. To her amazement, she’d been thinking much less about her job and her horrendous commute to work. Instead, the conversation she’d had with Eli’s kind mother continued to absorb her thoughts, prompting a smile. At the same time, Mary’s theory that each flower couldn’t have happened without a Designer flitted through her head.

  She admired both women. According to Annie, everything good came from God, and there was no problem too small or too large for Him.

  Since their conversation, Jessica had thought about asking the Lord for guidance. Obviously, it worked for Mary. For Eli. And Annie.

  As she breathed in the pleasant scent of fresh cut wood, she considered Annie Miller and her strong faith.

  I would love to be half as satisfied with my life as she is with hers. How wonderful it would be to just hand my problems over to someone and trust that I’m taken care of. But how realistic is it?

  There must be something to it if the Miller family believes it. She thought of Old Sam’s Bible as she glanced down at the large pile of dust and knelt. She swept the debris into the dustpan and made her way to the trash can, where she emptied the dirt.