* * *
Ethan woke up smiling. It took him a moment to remember why he was so pleased and excited. Then, it all rolled over him in a beautiful rush. This was the day. He was moving today. Granted, he hardly had a thing to move, but still…
And his dear cousin Andrew had arranged for a work party. Ethan had purchased paint the other day at the Feed & Supply. He’d chosen mainly white, as he had no idea what color to paint the walls of each room. Not that too much variety was used, but he had seen rooms painted shades of brown and pale harvest orange before. He wondered what colors Beulah would have chosen. Something a bit outlandish, no doubt. He grinned and then stopped himself.
Why in the world was he considering Beulah’s opinion? As if it mattered one lick what she would choose.
She’d probably not even be there that day to help. But he hoped she would be. He hadn’t shown her around yet. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. But he wasn’t of a mind to show her everything when the place was full of people. For some reason, he had a hankering to show her alone. He really wanted her thoughts on the place.
No. That wasn’t true. He wanted to hear her go on and on about how wonderful it was. He gave a snort of disgust. Honestly, what was the matter with him? Fishing for compliments… It wasn’t seemly.
He changed clothes quickly, used the bathroom, and went downstairs. He heard pans clattering in the kitchen. He stuck his head in and smiled at Amy.
“You beat me up.”
She smiled in return. “It’s a big day. I wanted to get a head start.”
“You feeling all right to help? You don’t have to, you know.” He suspected that Amy was in the family way, even though she hadn’t directly mentioned it.
“I’m feeling fine. I need to stop over at Mamm’s for a bit with Susie, and then I’ll head right to your shop.”
“I appreciate it. Thank you. For everything, Amy. Truly.”
“It’s been right nice to have you, Ethan. And I’m pleased we’ll have more kin in Hollybrook now. Andrew is pleased.”
Ethan nodded, quite happy about it himself. He hesitated, debating whether he should ask about Beulah. Would he give away his interest in her if he did? Before he could ponder it, he blurted out, “Is Beulah coming to the frolic?”
Amy’s brow raised, and she got a strange look on her face. In truth, she wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I don’t know,” she said, and he wondered what was wrong. He studied her for a minute and didn’t say anything further. Something was going on, and Amy clearly didn’t want to share it.
“I’ll be going out now. Andrew already up?”
“Jah. He went out about twenty minutes ago. He’ll be glad for your help. Tell him I’ll have breakfast ready early today.”
“Will do,” he said, and left the house.
* * *
Beulah picked up the hand mirror from her dresser and looked at herself. “Get used to it,” she muttered. “Get used to living without Uriah in your life. Get used to the fact that he isn’t who you thought he was. Get used to being alone.”
Her face was a bit pale that morning, and she didn’t want her mother questioning her about it. She pinched her cheeks and the quick rush of color made her look much better. Healthier. Almost robust. She shook her head. What was she planning to do? Pinch her cheeks every five minutes throughout the day?
“Beulah?” Her mother’s voice came up the stairs.
Beulah set the mirror down and left her room. “Coming.”
“Remember we have the work frolic today,” her mother said when she entered the kitchen. “You planning on joining your father? You know he would never disappoint Andrew by not going.”
“Jah, I’m going,” Beulah said. She was glad to go. In fact, when Andrew stopped by and announced that it was going to take place so soon, she nearly clapped. Anything to distract herself was welcome. In fact, she’d worn her oldest dress and stained apron that day in preparation. She had painted other things in this apron and there were smears of white paint over it, although they weren’t all that visible.
Fiona glanced at her outfit. “I see you’re dressed for it.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I’ll be over later with some food. And isn’t Amy swinging by today?”
“I’m sure she’ll come, if only for a short visit,” Beulah assured her mother. Amy was eager to tell her news, and Beulah didn’t think she’d put it off any longer.
“I hope she does. Then she can help me prepare the food I’m taking over to Ethan’s shop.”
“I’ll go with Dat right off, it that’s all right,” Beulah said.
“That’s fine. I can manage this. Here, would you take the platter of eggs to the table?”
Beulah took the steaming platter into the dining area and then went back for the fried potatoes.
Chapter Fourteen
Beulah was standing on the porch waiting for her dad to bring the buggy around when Amy drove in with Susie. She’d fashioned a box-like seat for the little girl which she had at her feet. It was silly-looking but did the job of containing Susie. Amy waved.
“So, you’re going to the frolic?” she asked.
“Jah. Dat’s bringing the buggy around right now. Mamm will be excited you’re here.”
“You haven’t told her, have you?”
“Of course not. She’s going to be thrilled.”
Amy flushed with pleasure. “I hope so.” She frowned slightly. “Ethan is so happy today.”
“Why are you frowning then?”
“He asked about you.”
Beulah went still. “He did?”
“I’m worried, Beulah. I think he’s sweet on you.”
Beulah bristled. “And what’s so wrong with that? I’m not a horrible person, Amy.”
Amy grimaced. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”
“Maybe.” Beulah drew in a long breath. “Anyway, I’m sure you’re mistaken.”
Amy tilted her head. “How are you today?”
“I’m all right.” Beulah drew herself to her full height. “Nee. I’m gut.”
Amy was silent for a moment. “It’s still over?” she asked softly.
“It’s still over,” Beulah replied.
Amy secured the reins and took Susie out of her makeshift seat. “I’ll go on in.”
“Amy,” Fiona cried, pushing the screen door open. “You’re here. And Susie! Come see your mammi, little one.”
Amy handed the baby to her mother. Before following Fiona into the house, she turned to Beulah. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“I know.”
“But be careful, won’t you?” And with that, Amy went into the house, the screen door slamming behind her.
Be careful? Beulah shook her head. In her heart, she knew Amy had meant what she’d said. Maybe not completely consciously, but all the same, she meant it. Amy had always been a bit, well, judgmental about Beulah’s manner, and this was no different. Still, Amy had been sympathetic of her mess, and Beulah was grateful for that.
Amy was right again, though. Beulah couldn’t allow Ethan to think of her as anything but Amy’s sister. Otherwise, it would be wrong.
Wrong? Goodness, but she was being ridiculous and premature, and she wasn’t going to think about it anymore.
Nevertheless, she couldn’t quite wipe the image of Ethan’s smile from her mind.
“You ready, daughter?” Thomas asked, driving the buggy up to the porch.
“I’m ready, Dat.” She hurried down the steps and climbed into the buggy.
“This will be a gut day,” he said, snapping the reins. “Andrew has organized it quickly, but well. I think we’ll have a healthy handful of folks helping today. Not too many, though. It ain’t that big of a place.” He laughed.
“Have you ever been in the living quarters above the shop?”
“Once. Ezekiel took me up there to show me a new piece of furniture he’d bought. But, to be honest, I don’t remember much�
�I wasn’t paying attention. Only to his new bureau.”
“Have you met Ethan?”
“Sure. A time or two. I’m glad he’s joining our district. He seems a gut lad.”
“I know Amy has enjoyed having him stay with them.”
“He’s been a help to Andrew. I guess that’ll stop.” He laughed again.
“I imagine Ethan will find a way to help out now and again,” Beulah said. She blinked hard. Why was she so eager to sing his praises?
“I imagine,” her dad said. “I see that Amy has finally come by to visit with your mamm.”
“Jah. She’ll probably come to the buggy shop with her later.”
The buggy shop was located on the edge of Hollybrook, so it took them a while to get there. The location was good, however, as it was pretty much in the middle of their Amish district. No one would have to go far to have their buggies seen to. Beulah found herself actually getting a bit animated about the frolic. She was eager to see where Ethan was living, and she was happy to be of help.
In truth, Beulah sometimes avoided the work frolics. In the past, she’d used the opportunity to go off and have some kind of adventure with Uriah. It shamed her now. Why had she been so reticent to be useful to her district?
Selfishness. That was why.
She wondered what Uriah was doing that day. She was certain he wouldn’t be at the frolic. Andrew wouldn’t have been likely to invite the Umbles anyway. But then, news spread like racing horses through their district, so they would know about it, for sure and for certain.
“This is it,” her father announced as he pulled up in front of the buggy shop. The parking area was already full of buggies and pony carts. “Gut. There are folks already here. We’ll make quick work of this today.”
He chuckled. “Probably be done before the women show up with the food.”
Beulah climbed out of the buggy and glanced around. She wasn’t certain who was there. Sometimes she couldn’t tell one person’s buggy from the other. Most of them had taken their horses around to the back, which was what her father was fixing to do.
“I’ll meet you inside,” Thomas told her.
“All right, Dat. Maybe I can get started with the painting.” She wondered how many other women would be there. Most of them would come later with the food, but she supposed she wouldn’t be the only one there early.
Ethan met her at the door. “Beulah. You came.”
“Of course, I came,” she said, feeling her cheeks grow warm. She was touched by his obvious pleasure at seeing her. After Uriah’s rejection, it felt nice to be treated with deference.
“You can’t believe the furniture the people have brought,” Ethan said. “I… Well, I’m humbled. I won’t need to buy a thing.”
Beulah wasn’t surprised. “That’s the way of things around here.”
“That’s what I’m discovering. It’s just that I haven’t needed to be on the receiving end much.” He stepped back to let her inside. “Come on up. Want a tour?”
“Of course.”
They climbed the stairs to the living quarters, and Beulah greeted the people inside who were already spreading the plastic drop sheets for painting. The front room was surprisingly ample.
“What colors did you choose?” she asked him.
His face colored. “Mainly white.”
“Oh.”
“I know. I know. But I wasn’t sure.” He led her into the kitchen. “I should have asked for your advice.”
She gave him a quick glance. Hadn’t Amy mentioned to him that she had a beau? She couldn’t have, or he wouldn’t keep making hints that he liked her. Not that she had a boyfriend anymore… But she wanted to heed Amy’s advice, or was it her warning. She couldn’t be getting Ethan’s hopes up for something possible between them.
If he knew what she’d done, he’d run for the nearest escape route anyway. She frowned. No. He wouldn’t want to escape. From what? It wasn’t like they were courting. He’d be disappointed, though. Disgusted, likely.
“I don’t know much about choosing paint colors,” she said.
He hesitated and studied her, his eyes narrowing slightly “Nee. I think you’re wrong. I think you have a very clear opinion on the matter.”
She laughed outright at that. “I s’pose you’re right. I seem to have a clear opinion on most matters.”
“I know that, Beulah.”
How in the world did he know that? They hadn’t spoken more than a handful of times. And if he did know that, why was he still so interested in her? Her experience clearly showed that most boys weren’t interested in an opinionated girl.
There seemed to be more to this Ethan Miller than she’d originally thought.
“I did choose an off-white, well a sort of beige color, for the bedrooms.”
She raised a brow. “A real daring move,” she said, teasing.
He laughed. “That’s right. A real daring move.”
He showed her both of the bedrooms. The first one was quite large, and it overlooked a lovely group of trees in the back yard. The front bedroom was smaller, but nevertheless quite spacious. The bathroom was right at the beginning of the hallway. It was small but did have a bathtub and not just a shower.
“There’s a gas water heater in that closet,” Ethan told her, pointing to a door beside the bathroom. He looked around. “That’s it,” he said. “Not real big, but plenty big enough for me.”
“Ezekiel lived alone most of his years here,” Beulah told him. “But I think at one time, there were four or five people living here.”
Ethan smiled at her. “Someday…”
His voice faded, and she swallowed. “Um, where do you want me to paint? With the others in the front room?”
He blinked and then cleared his throat. “Jah. That’d be great,” he said. He led the way back to the front room, and she knew that she’d been too abrupt. But it had been necessary, hadn’t it?
She hurried after him, and joined the Zook brothers, who were already starting with the trim. “I can do the trim,” she offered. “And then you boys can start the rolling.”
“Gut,” Amos Zook said. “I hate painting trim.”
She took the small brush from him. “Don’t say I never did you any favors,” she quipped, laughing.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ethan watching her. But he stopped soon enough and went back downstairs. He hadn’t shown her his shop, yet. Had he planned to do that after giving her a tour of the living quarters? Probably. But she’d put a stop to that soon enough, hadn’t she?
Yet, she’d wanted a tour of the shop. She wanted to give him a reason to brag a bit. She shook her head. Bragging was vanity, and she knew well enough what that led to.
Her father came into the room. He greeted everyone and gazed around. “Guess I’ll go in the kitchen and help Joshua. You seem to have this room in hand.”
Ethan had followed her dad back upstairs now with some more plastic. “I’m going to cover the furniture that was brought in,” he said. “Most of it’s in the kitchen right now. This is looking gut. I can’t thank you to all of you enough.”
“Glad to do it,” Amos said.
Beulah didn’t respond. She continued with the trim along the floor. She scooted herself along as she made progress, becoming almost mesmerized by the rhythm of the work. She was growing sleepy when she heard something that jolted her awake.
“How are you doing?” came the voice up the stairs.
Chapter Fifteen
Beulah froze. Uriah? What in the world was he doing there? Her hand jerked, and she gazed in dismay where she’d slopped paint on the floor.
“Rag!” she cried. “Do we have a wet rag?”
Jonah Zook tossed her a rag, and she frantically rubbed it on the floor until the paint came up. She heard the stairs creak and cringed. Was Uriah coming up? And since when did he ever take part in a work frolic? She bent closer to the mop board she was painting.
“Beulah?”
She
sucked in her breath, and then she put on the widest of smiles and looked up. “Hello, Uriah.”
His eyes bore into hers. “Gut to see you.”
She didn’t respond, simply bent back over her work.
But he didn’t move. “You’re doing right fine there,” he said, and the words sounded ridiculous. He was baiting her, and she knew it. She knew him so well, it hurt.
“Aren’t I though?” she said flippantly and then felt her face grow warm. Not because of Uriah, but because she usually didn’t speak that way in public. She knew the Zook brothers were staring at her.
She forced a laugh. “It’s Amos and Jonah who are doing the hard work,” she said.
Jonah chuckled. “This ain’t hard, Beulah. Now putting in fence posts, raising a barn, that’s much harder.”
“And helping a calf makes its way into the world, now that ain’t work for the weak,” Amos added with a guffaw.
Uriah laughed with them. “You got that right,” he said.
Beulah nearly scoffed out loud. She knew for a fact Uriah had never assisted in the birthing of a calf. He was too consumed with being out and about to busy himself with such tasks. Another reason for harsh words between him and his dad.
“Beulah, I’m wondering if you could help me downstairs with something,” Uriah said.
She was ready to say no when she realized that turning him down would cause more attention than if she just went with him. But she didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.
“Help with what?” she asked.
His face reddened, and she felt a momentary gladness surge through her—she’d made him angry.
“Some stuff my mamm sent over,” he went on.
Reluctantly, she rose and followed him downstairs and outside. When they emerged from the shop out onto the lot, she faced him.
“What stuff?” she asked. “Your mamm didn’t send over a thing, did she?”
He grinned; although, he didn’t look as sure of himself as he usually did. “Nee, she didn’t. I just wanted to see you.”
The Buggy Shop (Hollybrook Amish Romance) Page 8