by Amy Clipston
“Open them.” John held the bags up higher.
“Okay.” Chris set his plate on the table and took one of the bags. He pulled out a card signed by Rachel, Mike, and John. Inside he found a variety of sweet-and-sour candies. His favorite. How did they know? Emily must have done research. He looked up at Mike and then Rachel. “This is perfect. Danki.”
“Open this one now.” John thrust the other gift bag toward Chris.
He opened the card, signed by Veronica and Jason. Inside the bag were two jars of roasted peanuts. “Danki,” he told Veronica and Jason. “I love these.”
“Here’s another one.” Mattie handed him a card. “This is from Leroy and me.”
“Danki.” Chris opened the card and found money. “This is too much.”
“No, no. Don’t be gegisch.” Mattie waved it off. “Enjoy it.”
“I’ve been waiting all day to give you this.” Aenti Tillie gave him another card. “You probably thought we weren’t going to give you anything, but I wanted to wait until the party.” She glanced at Emily.
Chris opened the second card, which also contained money. “Danki.”
“And now mine.” Emily lifted a package wrapped in bright blue paper from the counter and handed it to Chris. He remembered now that Jason had carried it into the house. Emily’s smile was tentative, holding a hint of worry. Was she concerned Chris wouldn’t like her gift?
Chris removed the blue envelope taped to the front and opened it, revealing a card with a serene scene of a lake with sailboats on the front. He opened the card and under the printed words “Happy Birthday” was a note in neat handwriting.
Dear Chris,
I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to spend your birthday with you. I hope you enjoy the gift and use it in gut health. As I’ve written in the notes earlier, you are very talented, and I’m honored to be your freind.
Always & forever,
Em
He ripped open the paper to find a hard plastic case. He unlatched it and flipped it open. Inside was a complete set of leatherworking tools. He gaped. Emily had to have spent close to a hundred dollars—maybe more—on this beautiful set. He ran his fingers over the tools as his mind reeled.
“Emily.” His voice trembled with a combination of awe and admiration. “This is too much. I can’t accept this.”
“It wasn’t too much.” She stepped closer and her scent—strawberries and chocolate—sent his senses spinning. “Mei dat helped me find this set, and they’re actually gently used.” She shrugged as if it weren’t a big deal. “I thought you should have your own tools. Every talented leatherworker needs his own set, right?”
Chris swallowed as he took in her sweet face. If they weren’t standing in a room full of people, he would be tempted to pull her to him for a warm hug.
Their gazes locked, and the rest of the room faded away. It was as if they were the only two people there. Time seemed to stand still, and her closeness made it hard to breathe.
“Who else wants cake and ice cream?” Rachel suddenly asked, a little too loudly.
Could Rachel sense his thoughts? Did she know how desperately he wanted to speak to Emily alone?
Conversations buzzed around the room as Rachel and Aenti Tillie made sure everyone had cake and ice cream.
Emily broke their trance and looked down at the tool set. “The tools aren’t top of the line, but mei dat said this is a gut starter set. You can buy better tools when you’re more experienced.”
“Em,” he whispered. “They’re perfect. I’m really overwhelmed. You shouldn’t have spent so much money on me. You didn’t need to. And I—”
“Stop,” Emily said, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to get these for you. You never know how to accept a compliment, and sometimes a compliment comes in the form of a gift. When someone tells you how capable you are, you either shut down or change the subject. Chris, you have absolutely no idea how special you are. I wanted to do something nice for you because you’re mei freind, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life.”
She pointed to the tool set. “Do me a favor. Accept the tools and enjoy them. Keep creating wunderbaar items that customers will buy.” She bit her lip, and her cheeks reddened. “And maybe think of me every once in a while when you’re working. That’s all I ask.”
“That won’t be difficult.” Affection flooded through Chris. “Danki, Em.”
John tugged on his sleeve. “Chris! Can we play ball now?”
“John, that was rude,” Mike said, chastising the little boy. “Chris and Emily were talking.”
“It’s okay,” Emily said. “You can go have fun. It’s your birthday.”
Torn, Chris looked back and forth between John and Emily. He longed to stay with Emily, but he didn’t want to disappoint John.
“We can talk later. I promise.” Could she read his thoughts?
“It’s fine,” Chris told Mike before looking down at John. “I’ll play, but you have to let me pitch first. Sound gut?”
“Oh yeah.” John clapped and then looked at Jason. “Are you going to play ball with us?”
Jason turned toward Veronica.
“Go on.” She waved toward the door. “Have fun. I’m fine.”
Chris looked at Emily. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“I’ll be here,” she promised.
As Chris followed the others out the door, his spirit soared. He’d never expected a birthday like this, and his heart was overwhelmed.
CHRIS CLIMBED HIS AUNT AND UNCLE’S BACK PORCH STEPS two hours later. The pasture and the harness shop were shrouded in darkness, and a cold breeze caused him to tremble under his coat. The scent of wood-burning fireplaces drifted over him as he beamed. It had been such a wonderful evening that he thought his soul might overflow with happiness.
After spending an hour playing ball with John, Mike, and Jason, he sat on the porch and talked with all the men before having a second piece of cake.
When Jason and Mike announced it was time for them to leave, Chris walked to the Fishers’ house with everyone while Emily stayed behind to help his aunt clean up.
As Mike went into the house to pick up some cupcakes Emily wanted them to take home, Veronica waved Chris over to their buggy.
“Danki again for the roasted peanuts, Veronica. And the party was fantastic.”
“Gern gschehne.” Veronica paused before she continued. “I wanted to talk to you for a moment.” Her blue eyes were serious. “Emily worked hard to plan that party. I just want you to know she cares deeply for you. She pours herself completely into everything that’s most important to her. Please be careful with her heart.”
Chris swallowed as the sentiment of her words flowed through him. “I will.”
“Danki,” Veronica said. “I’m sure we’ll see you soon.”
After saying good-bye to everyone, he headed back to his uncle’s house. Veronica’s words rang through him as he went into the kitchen once again. Aenti Tillie was washing dishes and Emily was drying them. He smiled, and for the first time since he’d come to Bird-in-Hand a few weeks ago, he completely relaxed. This is home. It’s truly home. Just like my aunt and uncle, I’m a member of Emily’s family, and I belong here.
Contentment stole over him, and he grinned. He owed it all to Emily and her generous spirit. Something unfamiliar took root in his soul. What was that feeling?
Emily spun and gasped, facing him. She clutched a hand to her black apron. “I didn’t hear you come in. How long have you been standing there?”
“Only a few minutes.” He crossed the kitchen to her.
“I asked Veronica and Mike to take a few of the leftover cupcakes I had at the haus. Did they take them?” Emily dried a dish.
“Ya, they did.” He retrieved a dish towel from the counter. “Do you need help cleaning up?”
“No, no.” Aenti Tillie waved them off. “You can both go. I can handle this.”
Emily gave her a pointed look
. “I don’t expect you to clean all this up. The party was my idea.”
“And I’m froh to help.” Aenti Tillie pointed toward the cake saver. “Do you want to take the rest of the cake home?”
Emily shook her head. “Oh no. That’s for Chris.”
“Danki,” he said. “I will enjoy it.”
“You can go,” Aenti Tillie said again. “Hank will be back in a minute, and he can dry for me.”
“Danki, Tillie.” Emily hesitated and peered up at Chris, her eyes expectant.
“May I walk you home?” he asked, and her face relaxed. He’d read her thoughts for once.
“That would be nice.” Emily turned toward his aunt. “Danki again for everything.”
“I enjoyed it. Gut nacht.” Aenti Tillie waved.
Chris grabbed a lantern from the mudroom and headed out to the porch, propping the door open for Emily.
She shivered as her shoes hit the porch. “The temperature has dropped in the past few hours.”
Chris shucked his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “Here.”
“No, no,” she protested, pushing it off her shoulders. “You need it.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You don’t ever think of yourself, do you?”
Emily blinked, her face full of surprise.
“Keep it. I don’t need it.”
“Okay.” She pushed her slim arms through the sleeves and hugged the coat to her middle.
Chris grinned, imagining the coat would smell like her when she returned it. He reached over and took her hand in his. To his surprise, she laced her fingers with his and smiled up at him. Her skin was warm and soft, despite the cold evening air.
“The party was wunderbaar,” he said as they walked side by side toward her house. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I was worried you’d be upset with me.”
“Why would I be upset?”
Emily glanced at the path ahead of them. “I meant what I said earlier about how you have trouble with compliments, and you don’t seem comfortable being the center of attention. I was worried you might prefer to spend your birthday alone.”
“Who would want to spend their birthday alone?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Well, that’s not what I wanted, so danki very much.”
“Gern gschehne.”
“And the gift you gave me. You spent way too much, Em.”
“You deserve your own tool set.” She squeezed his hand. “You’ve earned it, Chris.”
“Danki.”
When they reached her house, Chris set the lantern on the edge of the porch. He looked down at her, and her eyes were warm blue pools in the light of the lantern. He longed for another mile to walk beside her.
“I told you blue was my favorite color, right?”
Her brow creased. “Ya, you did.”
“Do you know why it’s my favorite color?”
She shook her head.
“It’s because of your eyes. I could never get tired of looking into your eyes. In fact, I lose myself in them.”
An almost inaudible gasp escaped her pink lips as she stared up at him.
Chris didn’t want to leave her. He wanted to sit on the porch with her all night long. He missed her when they were apart, and he cherished every moment they were together. He looked forward to hearing her voice and staring into her eyes. He awoke in the morning thinking of her, and she filled his thoughts during the day. She was also his last thought before he fell asleep at night. Since Chris met Emily, his nightmares had become sporadic, and he’d dreamed of her more than once.
Exhilaration roared through him like a summer storm as he stared down at her. The air around them seemed to spark with their attraction.
“Chris?” Her eyes gleamed with tenderness. “Are you okay?”
“Ya.” His response was thin and reedy. “I’m better than okay.”
Chris placed his hands on her arms and leaned in close. Her body shivered at the contact, and her warm breath danced along his cheek. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of it. Dipping his chin, he brushed his lips over her cheek.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered against her ear. “Danki for everything, Em.” I love you.
When he released her, she started to pull off his coat, but he held up his hand to stop her. “Just keep it until tomorrow.”
“All right.” Emily smiled up at him, her eyes glimmering. “Gut nacht. Happy birthday.”
“It was the happiest.” He said a silent prayer, asking God to help him keep Emily in his life so he could cherish her forever.
CHAPTER 18
EMILY WAVED AT CHRIS BEFORE DISAPPEARING INTO THE house. Chris was walking on clouds as he made his way back to Onkel Hank’s place. He was approaching the steps when he heard the phone in the shanty ringing. His shoulders clenched with apprehension. Phone calls late at night usually meant bad news. Had something happened to his parents?
He rushed into the shanty and snatched the receiver from the cradle. “Hello?”
“Christopher?” Mamm’s voice was soft and unsure in his ear.
Fear shot through his body, freezing him in place. “Mamm? Is everything all right?”
“Ya, I want to wish you a happy birthday. I didn’t want to bother you earlier, so I thought I’d give you a call before heading to bed.”
“Oh.” Chris blew out a sigh of relief as he sat down on the bench inside the shanty. “Danki.”
“Did you have a nice birthday?” Her words were hesitant.
“Ya, I did.” Chris leaned his elbows on the small desk where the phone sat. “Mei freind planned a surprise party for me, and I wasn’t expecting it. I just walked her home.”
“Her? What’s her name?”
“Emily Fisher. She lives next door.”
“Oh, that’s so nice. I was praying you would find some happiness in Bird-in-Hand.”
Chris was almost certain he heard a hitch in her voice. Was Mamm crying? “Mamm?” He sat up straight as alarm swept through him. “Are you all right?”
“Ya, ya.” She sniffed. “I’ve been so worried about you. It’s so gut to actually speak to you and have a conversation. Tell me about Emily.”
“Ah, well.” Heat drenched his cheeks. “She’s schee, and she’s schmaert. She makes quilts and cooks, and she also works in the harness shop.”
“Are you in love?”
Chris cringed, unsure how to respond to the question.
“I had a feeling God sent you to Bird-in-Hand for a purpose. I suppose it was to fall in love. I’m so froh for you.”
Chris gnawed his lower lip. Was Mamm right? “How is everyone?”
“Gut, gut. Paul and Rosanna visited today and brought the kinner over. Betsy is trying to talk more, and Mamie wanted to help me cook.” Mamm chuckled a bit. “They are so sweet. Everyone asked about you, and they told me to tell you happy birthday.”
“Even Dat?” He immediately regretted the question. Why did he have to ruin this good conversation?
Mamm hedged. “We all miss you. It’s not the same without you.”
She was avoiding the question, and his temper flared. “Did Dat say he misses me, or are you assuming he does?”
Mamm sighed, and he could picture her face in his mind. “Christopher,” she began, her words measured, “you are our son, and we both miss you very much.”
“If Dat misses me, then why hasn’t he called me?” He longed to curb his emotions, but his voice shook as he asked the question.
“I could ask you the same question. Why haven’t you called your dat and tried to talk to him?”
Chris was stumped.
“You both are very stubborn. The only way you can work out your problems is to sit down in a room together and take turns talking. That would mean keeping quiet while your dat talked and then he would have to do the same for you. Is there any chance this could happen?”
“I doubt it.” Chris shook his he
ad as if she could see the motion through the phone line. “He never listened to me.” He was defensive, but it was the truth.
“That’s what you both say.” She clicked her tongue. “Let’s not argue, all right?” She sounded drained, as if the conversation was physically exhausting, and guilt swamped his frustration. “So how is mei bruder doing?”
Chris was grateful for the subject change. “He’s doing great.” His mood brightened. “I really enjoy working in his shop. In fact, I’ve designed products that are selling well.” He launched into telling her about his work and thirty minutes passed quickly.
“I suppose I should let you get to bed,” Mamm said. “It’s getting late.”
“Ya, I guess so.” Disappointment and regret washed over him. He longed to talk to her some more. “Danki for calling.”
“Gern gschehne. It’s so gut to talk to you.”
“You too, Mamm. Please give everyone my love.”
“I will.” She paused, and he could almost feel her contemplating something. “Christopher, would you consider coming home?”
He sucked in a breath.
“I’d love to see you,” she added quickly. “We all would like to see you even if you only came for a short visit. You left so quickly, and I feel as if there is so much to be resolved. If you came home to talk to your dat, I know you two could work things out.”
Chris swallowed and silence stretched between them like a great chasm. He didn’t want to hurt his mother’s feelings after the pleasant conversation they’d shared, but he also didn’t believe a simple discussion in the barn or over coffee would erase the pain his father’s accusations had caused.
“I don’t know,” he said finally. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“All right. Will you at least promise to call me again soon?”
“Of course I will. Take care, Mamm.”
“You too, Christopher.” Mamm sniffed. “Ich liebe dich.”
Chris’s eyes squeezed shut as homesickness wafted over him. “I love you too, Mamm.” They both said good night and disconnected the call.
He carried the lantern into the house as regret, longing, and homesickness roared through his mind. His attachment to Emily was blossoming, and he didn’t know if he should laugh or cry. He was relieved to have spoken to his mother but also frustrated with her request for him to come home and talk to Dat. He hung his hat on the peg on the wall in the mudroom and yanked off his boots.