by Amy Clipston
“Ya.” She gave him a shy smile, and his spirit soared.
“So you played another dirty little trick on me, huh?” he teased.
“What do you mean?” Her brow creased as she glanced over her shoulder at him.
“On Monday you said you wanted to know more about me and you started out by asking me what my favorite color is.” He pointed toward the table. “What you really needed to know was what my favorite food is. That was a dirty little trick.”
Emily’s eyes sparkled with teasing. “I did what I had to do to get the information I needed.” She gestured toward the stools. “Are we going to sit and enjoy your birthday lunch?” She hopped up on a stool and patted the one beside her.
“Ya.” He sat down beside her and inhaled the delicious smell. “This is too much.”
“Don’t be gegisch. It’s your birthday.”
“Danki.” Chris’s body surged with a rush of confusing emotions. He hadn’t expected Emily to remember it was his birthday. He was grateful when his aunt and uncle wished him a happy birthday at breakfast this morning, and he hadn’t expected anything beyond their kind words. Yet here was sweet Emily sitting beside him with a special lunch made just for him. Her thoughtfulness was overwhelming.
“Shall we pray?”
“Ya,” he agreed, and she bowed her head. Chris followed her lead, closing his eyes. He was certain Mamm had remembered his birthday, but had Dat thought of him today? Did Paul remember the significance of the date?
A pang of longing crashed through Chris. He missed his family.
Emily shifted on the stool, and Chris opened his eyes. He moved a spoon through the bowl of chili as sadness and regret clawed at his shoulders, clenching his muscles.
“I hope you like the chili. I used mei mammi’s recipe. Veronica has all mei mammi’s recipe cards, but I copied this one before she moved out. Did I tell you the story about how Veronica found recipe cards in mei mamm’s hope chest in the attic, and she—” Emily stopped speaking, and he could feel her gaze boring into him. “Are you okay?”
“Ya.” He forced a smile before shoveling a heaping spoonful of chili into his mouth. He relished the spiciness on his lips. “It’s appeditlich. Danki.”
Emily placed her spoon in her bowl. “Was iss letz, Chris?” When he didn’t respond, she furrowed her brow. “Did you want to spend your birthday alone? Am I intruding?”
“No, no, no.” He touched her arm. “That’s not it at all.”
“So then what is it?”
Chris rested his arms on the table and then shrugged. “I was just thinking about my family.”
“You’re wondering if they remembered how special today is.” She finished his thought for him.
Why was he so transparent? He looked up at her tender eyes. “Exactly.”
Emily angled her head to the side. “I’m certain they’re thinking of you and missing you today. I’m sorry I’m your only guest for your lunch party.” She lifted a cupcake. “Would you rather eat dessert first?” She raised her eyebrows.
Chris couldn’t stop a chuckle. “Danki, Em. You’re exactly what I need today.”
Something flashed across her face, and her eyes warmed. His pulse thumped and then raced through his veins at near breakneck speed.
“We can eat our chili first,” he finally said. “It’s fantastic. Tell me the story about your mammi’s recipes.”
“Oh, okay. So I mentioned to you that Veronica’s first fiancé, Seth, died in an accident. A couple of months later, Veronica was cleaning the attic and came across a box of recipes in mei mamm’s hope chest.”
Chris grinned as Emily launched into a story of how her oldest sister found a raspberry pie recipe and then opened a bake stand. He enjoyed the excitement in her eyes and the charming lilt of her voice.
After they finished the chili, Emily sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and then they enjoyed dessert. Chris relished the moist sweetness of the cupcake.
“This was the best party ever,” Chris told her. “Danki.” The word wasn’t enough to tell her how much her friendship meant to him. Her kindness had helped relieve some of the sadness that had settled in the pit of his stomach when his thoughts turned to his family.
“Gern gschehne.” She began packing up the empty bowls and used utensils. “I have to get home. Rachel wants to start on the table decorations today. I’m hoping I can come see you later.”
“It’s all right. I know you’re busy.”
Emily quickly looked away before folding up the tablecloth. Once all of the remnants of lunch were packed, she stood. “I hope you have a gut afternoon.”
Why was she in such a hurry? Onkel Hank and Leroy hadn’t returned to the store, and she never left before they returned. “All right.”
She gave him a little wave and started for the door.
“Em,” he called after her, and she stopped in the doorway, the bell chiming above her. “Is something wrong?”
“Why would you ask that?” Emily pushed the ties to her prayer covering over her shoulders. What was she hiding?
“You seem to be in a rush to get out of here.”
“What?” Her eyes shimmered with what seemed like panic for a brief moment. “Oh no. I’m not in a rush. I just promised Rachel I’d help her, and I know she’s waiting. You know how she gets. She’s the most impatient person I know.” She gave a little laugh that seemed forced.
“Oh.” He decided to let her off the hook. “Tell her hi for me.”
“I will. Bye!” Emily pushed through the door in a hurry. The door clicked closed, and Chris beamed. Emily was only trying to be the best sister she knew how, and she knew just when to come and brighten his day. She knew him so well and yet she hadn’t rejected him. She truly was an angel. A blessing.
As he returned to the task of making more wallets, Chris’s thoughts turned to making sure her birthday was just as special in January, if he was still living in Bird-in-Hand then. If he was, what would his relationship with Emily be like? Would she want to be more than his friend? His pulse accelerated.
Leroy and Onkel Hank joined Chris in the work area.
“Did you have a nice lunch?” Leroy asked.
“Ya, it was nice,” Chris said.
“Christopher.” Aenti Tillie’s voice sounded from the front of the store. “Have you thought about what you want for supper?”
Chris cringed. He’d completely forgotten Tillie had asked him this morning to choose something special for his birthday supper. When he said it didn’t matter, she said she’d give him until lunchtime to decide since she planned to go grocery shopping this afternoon.
“You forgot?” Aenti Tillie placed her hand on her hip in mock irritation. “Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean you—”
“It’s your birthday?” Leroy asked.
“Yeah,” Chris said.
“Happy birthday!” Leroy patted Chris’s shoulder. “How old are you now? Forty?” He chuckled, and Chris joined in.
“No, I’m not quite forty.” Chris touched the piece of leather he’d been working on. “Only twenty-four.”
“You’re still a child,” Leroy teased. “I hope you have a happy birthday, son.”
A strange look passed between Leroy and Onkel Hank. What did that mean?
“So what do you want for supper?” Aenti Tillie asked again.
“I don’t know.” Chris shrugged. “Surprise me.”
“How about steak?” Onkel Hank offered. “You like steak, right?”
“That’s so expensive,” Chris countered, shaking his head. “I don’t expect you to spend that much.”
“Don’t be gegisch,” Aenti Tillie said. “Steak it is.”
A memory suddenly struck Chris. He was nineteen or twenty as he sat in the kitchen enjoying a steak for his father’s birthday. Gabriel sat across from him, laughing when Paul shared a story about a confused customer who didn’t understand why Amish horses weren’t a separate breed. A renewed feeling of melancholy rush
ed through him.
“Has mei mamm called today?”
Aenti Tillie’s smile waned slightly. “No, I haven’t heard from her, but I’m certain she’ll call before the day is over.”
“Oh. Did anything come for me in the mail?” He despised the desperate edge to his words.
“No. I’m sorry.”
Mamm didn’t even send me a birthday card. Chris’s chest tightened. He’d at least hoped his mother would send him a card to let him know she hadn’t forgotten him.
What did you expect? You left your family. That inner voice sliced through his soul with a dose of reality.
“I’m heading to the store. I’ll be back soon.” Aenti Tillie looked at Chris. “We’ll have a really nice birthday supper for you.”
As Aenti Tillie headed out the door, Chris pushed away his disappointment in his family and marveled at the generosity his aunt and uncle had shown him since he’d come to live with them. His parents may have forgotten him, but he was still blessed beyond measure, thanks to his aunt and uncle.
EMILY PUSHED THE ICING AROUND ON THE CAKE LATER THAT afternoon. She glanced up at the clock, and her frown deepened. “I should’ve started baking earlier. I’m running out of time.”
“Everything will be fine,” Rachel sang out as she wrapped the set of tools Emily had picked up at a store Tuesday afternoon. “Just calm down.”
Emily growled as the icing looked lopsided. She’d wanted this cake to be perfect. She wanted everything to be perfect, but she’d struggled with everything she touched all afternoon. First she ruined a seam in Veronica’s dress, and then she lost track of time and put the cake in the oven too late. Now she couldn’t get the icing to smooth out over it. She was ready to scream as frustration tightened her stomach.
“Your schweschder is right.” Mamm’s hand was gentle on her shoulder. “Everything will be fine. You have fifteen minutes, and that is plenty of time.”
Emily gritted her teeth. “This cake looks terrible.”
“It looks fantastic, but as usual, you are being too critical of yourself,” Mamm said. “Why don’t you go change your dress while I finish icing it?”
Emily couldn’t tear her eyes away from the cake she’d made for Chris. It might be a disappointment, but it was her creation and she should ice it.
“Emily,” Mamm said slowly. “You need to learn to let go. We don’t expect you to do everything for everyone else all the time. Go and get ready, and Rachel and I will finish up here. You have less than fifteen minutes to get ready, and I know you want to fix your hair and change your dress.”
Emily sighed. Mamm was right. It was time she learned to accept help from someone else. “Danki.”
She rushed upstairs and changed into her favorite blue dress. She brushed out her waist-length hair, put it into a bun, and re-pinned her prayer covering. She hurried down the stairs and was grateful to find Veronica, Jason, Mike, and John in the kitchen. Relief flooded her. They were on time!
Everything was going to be okay. She took a deep breath and silently counted to ten in an attempt to calm her anxiety.
“The gifts are wrapped.” Rachel held up the wrapped tool kit and John held up two gift bags.
“The cake is ready too.” Mamm pointed to the cake saver on the counter. “And it’s perfect. It isn’t lopsided like you thought earlier.”
“Danki. Are you ready to go?” Emily lifted the cake saver.
“It’s going to be fine, Em.” Veronica gave Emily’s shoulder a squeeze. “You need to relax.”
Emily looked up at her eldest sister, taking in her comforting blue eyes. She was grateful her family was concerned about her and knew when to tell her to calm down. She’d be lost without her sisters and mother.
“Let’s go.” As Emily led her family out the back door and down the porch steps, she hoped Chris would be happy about the party and not irritated that she’d planned it without his knowledge.
CHAPTER 17
“CHRISTOPHER!” AENTI TILLIE’S VOICE RANG FROM DOWNSTAIRS. “Would you please get the door?”
“Ya. Just a minute.” Chris pulled a fresh, mint-green work shirt over his plain white undershirt. He’d just finished taking a long, hot shower. He was full after the delicious meal of steak and potatoes, and he longed for a few minutes to sit and relax. His back and neck were sore after working in the harness shop all day and then mucking stalls.
He pushed his hand through his thick, damp hair as he headed down the stairs toward the kitchen. He didn’t mind answering the door for his aunt, but it seemed a strange request when he was on the second floor and she was on the first. Besides, who was coming to visit after supper?
Chris reached the bottom step, and his aunt and uncle stood in the doorway leading to the family room, smiling at him. Why had his aunt called him downstairs to answer the door when she was standing two rooms away from it?
He eyed them with suspicion. “What’s going on?”
“Go answer the door.” Onkel Hank smirked. “It’s for you.”
With a mental head shake, Chris crossed the kitchen and walked toward the mudroom. Why was everyone acting so strangely today? Emily had rushed back home after lunch. Leroy seemed a little odd when he acted as if he didn’t know it was Chris’s birthday, which was improbable since Emily had baked cupcakes in his house. Now his aunt and uncle were grinning at him as he answered the back door. Had they all lost their minds today?
Chris wrenched the door open. Emily stood on the porch, flanked by her family.
“Surprise!” they yelled in unison.
“Happy birthday!” Emily held up a cake saver. “We’re here for your party.”
“My party?” Chris asked, shocked. “I didn’t know I was having a party.”
“That’s what makes it a surprise party.” Emily winked at him and then stepped past him, heading into the kitchen.
“Happy birthday.” Veronica walked into the house behind Emily.
Jason echoed the wishes as he followed her.
“Happy birthday, Chris.” Leroy patted him on the shoulder on his way through the door. “I knew it was your birthday, but I was warned not to give away any of the surprise. I didn’t want Emily upset with me.”
“Happy birthday.” Mattie followed Leroy.
“You look really surprised.” Rachel grinned. “Happy birthday.”
“It’s gut to see you.” Mike came in behind Rachel. He stayed in the mudroom as Rachel went into the kitchen. “Happy birthday.”
“Danki,” Chris said, finding his voice. He’d never expected this. “I’m a little overwhelmed right now.”
“You look it,” Mike said. “Emily has been planning this for a couple of weeks.”
“She has?” Chris asked with more surprise. “I had no idea.”
“Well, that was the idea.” Mike chuckled. “She was really stressed earlier, hoping everything would come together the way she planned.”
“Oh.” Chris suddenly understood why she was acting unusual earlier. Renewed admiration for Emily flowed through him. She was such an amazing maedel.
Why would she go to all this trouble for me?
“Will you play ball with me after we have cake and ice cream?” John asked. “It’s been too long since our last game.”
“We’ll see, buddy,” Mike told him. “Let’s wait and find out what Emily has planned, okay? We don’t want to upset her. She worked hard to coordinate this party.”
“All right.” John frowned.
“I’m sure we can make some time,” Chris promised. “It’s my birthday, so I get to pick what I want to do.”
“Yes!” John said.
“Chris?” Emily called. “Are you ready for us to sing to you?”
Mike pointed toward the kitchen. “You better go.”
“Ya, you’re right.” When he entered the kitchen, the smell of coffee washed over him. The family was gathered around the kitchen table, and a large, beautiful cake with chocolate frosting sat in the middle of the table.
He stood in a puddle of mixed emotions as everyone in the room looked at him.
“Are we ready to sing?” Emily asked.
The family began a loud and wonderfully off-key version of “Happy Birthday,” and Chris beamed as sentiment churned inside of him. He’d never imagined Emily and her family would throw a surprise party for him. He wasn’t a member of their family, but they treated him as if he were. What had he done to deserve their generosity?
As they sang, Chris’s eyes locked with Emily’s. She was glowing with her bright smile and her blue dress that complemented her gorgeous eyes. He was spellbound with his focus frozen on her.
When the song ended, Emily began cutting the cake. Tillie scooped ice cream and Rachel filled coffee cups.
“So how does it feel to be twenty-four?” Onkel Hank sidled up to Chris.
“Well,” Chris began with a shrug, “I think it’s pretty much the same as twenty-three.”
“Wait until you hit fifty,” Leroy teased. “You’ll feel a difference between forty-nine and fifty.”
“Ya, that is true,” Onkel Hank agreed, and the two men laughed.
“Chris, were you really surprised?” Veronica shoved a plate with a large hunk of cake and a scoop of cookies and cream ice cream into his hand. After he took it, she gave him a spoon. He was pleased to see the cake under the frosting was chocolate too.
“Danki. Ya, I was completely surprised.” He pushed the spoon through the moist cake and took a bite. It was beyond delicious. It was positively delectable!
“I told you he’d be surprised, Em,” Veronica said over her shoulder. “You were so worried, and it was perfect.”
Chris looked over at Emily. “This cake is amazing, Em. I think it’s even better than the cupcakes.”
“Danki.”
As soon as Chris had taken the last bite of cake and ice cream, John pushed two gift bags toward him. “You need to open your presents.”
“Presents?” This was just too much.
Veronica laughed as she handed Hank a piece of cake. “It’s your birthday, Chris. How could we not bring you presents?”