Unforeseeable

by Nancy Mehl

  “Noah agrees. He still talks about what he saw in college. Young people rejoicing in sin as if they were proud of it, the world trying to push God out of every nook and cranny. In Kingdom, we try to honor Him. To live for Him. Even so, sometimes I wonder if the Mendenhalls were right.” He lowered his voice. “To be honest, there are times I’ve considered leaving Kingdom. There’s a world out there that needs to know God loves them.”

  “But isn’t there a point when the world becomes so dangerous—so rebellious against God—that we have no choice but to protect ourselves? Lizzie tells me that children cannot pray in school anymore. She says men and women who don’t believe in God work hard to remove any trace of Him from public places. I know we teach that God’s kingdom and the world should be separate, but to act as if believing in God is a sin? How can a nation expect God’s protection when they push Him away? How can we avoid disaster without His help?” I frowned as I thought about Levi’s statement. “I don’t want my children to grow up in a world where they’re not allowed to pray—and where they are regularly taught things that are in direct rebellion to God’s Holy Word.”

  “For the most part, our school in Washington was fine,” Levi said. “There were a few things not in accordance with God’s Word. But it didn’t happen that often.”

  “Lizzie says it’s changing. Now evil is taught as good and good is taught as evil.”

  “But if we remove ourselves from a world that so badly needs God, how do we expect to influence them for Him?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know the answer to that, Levi. There are times I actually envy Lizzie and Noah for seeing life beyond this town. Maybe that sounds wrong, but how can we judge something we’ve never experienced? I’ve never been out of Kansas, have you?”

  “No, never.”

  Before I had a chance to say anything else, Noah brought each of us a big bowl of chili and a large piece of corn bread slathered in butter. I’d been so busy all day, I hadn’t realized how hungry I was. Levi and I abandoned our conversation while we ate.

  I kept glancing at him. He looked worn and worried. I missed his humorous side. Levi and Noah were both funny, but now Levi rarely joked with his brother.

  I could still remember the first time I began to have feelings for him. We were only children, and the church was hosting a picnic. The boys were playing baseball, and Levi was pitching. He was sixteen, and I was only eight. When Noah stepped up to bat, Levi seemed to hesitate before throwing the ball. When he finally pitched, it was almost as if he wanted Noah to get a hit. And he did. But Levi had substituted the ball for an unripe apple. When Noah smacked it, it disintegrated, spraying him with small bits of fruit. It was so unexpected that at first people froze, unsure of what had happened. But then Levi began to laugh, and before long, everyone else joined in. And no one laughed louder than Noah. It was at that moment I began to desperately want what the Houslers had. A family that loved one another. That laughed and had fun. I made a decision that summer afternoon that someday I would have a family like Levi’s. Down through the years, my desire changed as my love for Levi grew. Now I didn’t just want a family like his, I wanted him and his family as my own. His mother and stepfather had incredible love for each other. And their love for their sons was evident in the way they treated them, the positive words they spoke over them, and their undying belief and loyalty toward them and Marvin’s other sons.

  Unfortunately, even though Levi and I had known each other since childhood, he’d never paid any attention to me until about six months ago. Right after Papa died. He came to console me, and he preached at Papa’s funeral service. After only a couple of months of getting to know each other, we both wanted nothing more than to be together forever. Anyway, that’s what I’d believed until recently. Had he simply needed a wife? Maybe I was the easiest choice, since I was already smitten with him.

  “I have several appointments this afternoon,” he said abruptly. “I’ll be at the church for several hours.”

  I was so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I just stared at him.

  He smiled. “You looked so far away.”

  “Sorry. Sometimes when I’m deep in contemplation, I forget other people are around.”

  He laughed lightly. “I’ve never known anyone who can drift so far away when they’re thinking. I’ll have to learn to tread lightly when you have that look on your face.” For just a moment, the concerns that weighted him down seemed to lift. But his improved mood didn’t last long. His smile vanished as he pushed his empty bowl away.

  “I’d better get going. I can tell it’s going to be a long day.”

  I nodded. “I’ll see you tonight. I love you, Levi.”

  He frowned at me for several seconds. “Thank you, Callie.” With that, he left.

  I stared down at the table, trying to gather my emotions. Levi rarely said he loved me. Today he’d just thanked me after I expressed my own feelings. Was I being overly sensitive? Or was it time for me to face some hurtful facts? Lizzie was convinced he cared for me, but Lizzie wasn’t marrying Levi. I was.

  I picked up our dishes and was heading toward the kitchen when the front door opened and Bud Gruber came in. He was bundled up against the cold, and his thick parka strained against his bulk. One button had already popped off. His wife, Thelma, had passed away with cancer a few months ago, and Bud didn’t seem to be taking very good care of himself. Thelma’s cooking had been replaced by fast-food meals and offerings at a local diner in Washington where Bud lived. Lizzie and I both felt sorry for him. Although he wasn’t Mennonite, he’d been a friend to Kingdom for many years.

  “Hi, Bud,” I called out.

  “Why hello, Callie,” he said with a smile. “I’m here to fix that outlet you been havin’ problems with.”

  I motioned for him to follow me. “Lizzie will be thrilled to see you. I’m glad you didn’t have any trouble with the roads.”

  “They’re not too bad, but there’s a big storm on its way. Did you all hear about it?”

  “I haven’t, but Lizzie stays pretty close to the radio in the winter. It’s a long drive back to their house, so she likes to leave early when there’s a promise of bad weather.”

  Bud frowned. “Saw some official-lookin’ cars out on the road on my way in. Know anything about that?”

  “Yes.” There were only about a half dozen people left in the dining room, but rehashing yesterday’s events wasn’t something I felt like doing in front of them. “Follow me to the kitchen, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  He nodded and trailed behind me, carrying his heavy toolbox. I could hear the tools rattle as he walked. When we reached the kitchen, Lizzie was cleaning the counters.

  “Bud!” she said. “So glad to see you. How about something to eat before you get started?”

  “Why, I’d never turn down somethin’ from your kitchen, Miss Lizzie,” he said with a grin. “My mama didn’t raise no dummy.”

  She laughed. “Why don’t you put your toolbox down and go back out into the dining room? What are you in the mood for?”

  A wide smile spilt his face. “You know what I like.”

  Lizzie chuckled. “A plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and my country green beans coming up!”

  “I’ll bring it to you when it’s ready, Bud,” I said. “Looks like you have a button missing on your jacket. Do you still have it?”

  He took off his black wool cap and shoved it into his pocket. His shaggy salt-and-pepper hair stood on end. “Nah, I don’t know where it popped off.” He put his thick fingers on another button and wiggled it. “Couple other buttons are barely hangin’ on by a thread.” He shook his head, looking slightly embarrassed. “Thelma used to keep my buttons sewed on tight, but I just can’t seem to figure out how to do it myself. I can fix anything electrical, but I can’t seem to thread a blasted needle.” He colored. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to say nothin’ rude. Thelma used to keep my mouth in check too.”

  Lizzie chuckled. �
�You’re not the least bit rude. Don’t worry about it.”

  He looked over at me. “You was gonna tell me about them cars out on the road. What’s goin’ on?”

  I quickly filled him in on the gruesome discovery, leaving out the worst details and the things Noah had warned us to keep private.

  “So they think it might be some guy who did this before?” he asked. He shook his head. “What is this world comin’ to?” His forehead wrinkled with concern. “Are you folks safe?”

  “We’ll be fine, Bud,” Lizzie said. “Don’t worry about us.”

  “Well, I think I’ll worry anyway, if you don’t mind. You all are so isolated.”

  “The sheriff and the KBI are looking out for us. And no one can get into town without us knowing about it. Besides, I’m sure it’s just a fluke that the body showed up so close to Kingdom. The killer’s probably long gone by now.”

  I frowned at Lizzie. I wasn’t the least bit convinced of that, but I could tell she was trying to reassure Bud. If he thought we were in danger, he was the kind of man who would camp out on the road until the murderer was behind bars.

  “Why don’t you give me your coat?” I said, trying to change the subject. “I’ll bet Hope has some buttons at the quilt shop that would work just right. While you eat and fix our outlet problem, I’ll get your buttons sewed on tight.”

  Bud looked down at the floor. “I . . . I can’t thank you enough,” he said quietly. “You folks are so good to me. Sometimes this town feels more like home than Washington.”

  Lizzie reached over and patted his arm. “I think that’s fine, Bud. You’ve done a lot for us, and we appreciate it.”

  He slipped off his large coat and handed it to me. “Don’t know who’s done more for who, but I thank you for sayin’ that.”

  “You go on and sit down,” Lizzie said. “How about some coffee and rolls to get you started?”

  Bud smiled. “Sounds like the perfect medicine for a cold day.” He placed his toolbox against the wall, out of the way, and then went out to the dining room.

  “If you’ll get his coffee and some rolls, I’ll make up his plate,” Lizzie said. “But I’m going to give him only a couple of pieces of chicken and a small serving of potatoes and gravy. He needs more vegetables than fried foods. Good thing he likes my green beans.”

  “He’s sure put on weight since Thelma got sick and died,” I said. “I’m concerned about him.”

  “Me too. I wish he lived here so we could keep a better eye on him.”

  “You heard him say this place felt like home?”

  She nodded. “I wonder if the church would let him move to Kingdom?”

  I picked up a carafe of coffee and a basket of rolls and butter. “He’s not Mennonite. I’ve never heard of anyone outside the church getting approval to live here.” I shrugged. “Anyway, Bud didn’t say he wanted to move. Maybe he’s happy in Washington. He and Thelma lived there a long time.”

  Lizzie sighed. “I know. I just hope someone is looking out for him. Maybe he’ll meet a good woman and get married again.” She took the coffee and rolls from me. “You go on over to Hope’s. I’ll serve his food.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take the coat with me so we can match the buttons.”

  I left the kitchen and went upstairs to my apartment, carrying the large coat. As I put on my cloak, I looked out the window toward the church. I could see the steeple, although the actual building was hidden from view behind the businesses that lined Main Street. Dark clouds moved in from the west and provided an almost black backdrop to the gleaming white steeple. Black and white. Good and evil. A chill ran through me as I tied the string of my cloak. I felt a storm coming. One from the heavens and one from the hearts of men. At that moment, I wasn’t sure which one was the most dangerous.

  Chapter / 7

  It didn’t take long for Hope to find buttons the right size for Bud’s coat. We ended up removing all of them and sewing on new ones. We also sewed up a few torn places in the lining. It was almost three o’clock by the time I got back. Bud was just finishing his work on the outlet when I returned.

  “Perfect timing,” Lizzie said when I handed Bud his coat. She pointed at him. “Now get going. That storm is almost here.”

  “Thank you so much, Callie,” he said as he pulled his coat on. “You ladies sure take good care of me.”

  With that he grabbed his toolbox and headed toward the front door. Before leaving he turned around to look at us, concern written on his face. “You both gonna be safe? Radio says this storm could be a bad one.”

  Lizzie nodded. “I’m closing up, and Callie only has to go upstairs to her apartment. We’ll be fine.”

  “Okay.” He seemed to hesitate a bit.

  “Bud, we’ll be okay. Don’t worry about us.”

  He sighed. “All right. But you call me if you need anything.”

  Lizzie laughed at him. “We will. Now go.”

  He tossed us a quick smile and headed out the door.

  “Just goes to prove that there are really good people who live outside Kingdom,” Lizzie said. “In fact, most of the people I deal with in Washington are wonderful. You’ve met some of them when you’ve gone to town with me.”

  “I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier, and you’re right,” I said. “Papa’s doctor was a very kind man. And the people at the funeral home couldn’t have been nicer. I was wrong to judge everyone outside of Kingdom as if they were all the same.”

  The door opened and Noah came in. “Where’s Levi?”

  “He said he had some appointments at the church,” I answered.

  “I’ve got to clean up,” Lizzie said. “I’m closing early so we can get home before the storm moves in.”

  Noah nodded. “Good idea. It’s looking pretty bad out there.”

  “Callie, you’re welcome to come home with us,” Lizzie said. “You don’t have to ride out this storm alone.”

  “I really appreciate that,” I said with a smile. “But I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  “I am. Thanks.”

  Lizzie and Noah stayed in the kitchen while I went to check out our last customer. Samuel Kauffman, Hope’s father, had finished a late lunch and stood waiting at the front counter.

  “Everything okay, Samuel?” I asked as I joined him.

  He smiled. “Never had a bad meal here,” he said. “Decided to eat now so I can just snack on fruit and bread this evening. Not sure now if I’ll even need that. Lizzie’s portions are plenty big enough.”

  “How are things at the store? You’ve been running it awhile now, haven’t you?”

  Samuel had taken over Menninger’s Saddle and Tack Store after Avery Menninger’s death. He and Hope used to run the quilt store together, but now Hope handled it alone. It did my heart good to see another woman manage a business in Kingdom. The first woman to step out was Cora Menlo, who started the restaurant. Now there were two women handling their own establishments. Lizzie and Hope would soon be joined by Priscilla and Belle Martin, who were getting ready to open a bakery in the spring.

  “The store is doing very well,” Samuel said. “And even though I miss working with my daughter, she is right across the street. I can see her whenever I wish. God is good.”

  “Yes, He is.” I handed him his change. “Are you heading home soon?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I think all of our businesses are closing early today.”

  We heard a noise from outside. The sound of children’s voices told us that school was out. I said good-bye to Samuel just as Charity came in, lugging her book bag.

  “Where’s Mama?” she asked. “Miss Leah said there’s a storm on its way. We need to go home.”

  I came from behind the corner. “Your mama and papa are in the kitchen. They’re cleaning up so you can get on the road before it gets too bad.”

  Before Charity had a chance to fetch her parents, they came out.

  “Mama!” Charity cried.

/>   Lizzie wrapped her up in a big hug. “Keep your coat on, Cherry Bear. We’re headed home.”

  “I know,” she said, her voice muffled by her mother’s shoulder. She pushed away, her little-girl face scrunched up with concern. “Teacher says this storm might be a big one.”

  “It might,” Lizzie said, “but we’ll be fine.”

  “She also said to tell you that Brother Wittenbauer picked up Ruby and was taking her home so you didn’t need to worry about her.”

  Lizzie and I exchanged smiles. Elmer was certainly being careful.

  “Thank you for telling us,” Lizzie said.

  “Callie, you said Levi had some appointments?” Noah asked. “What kind of appointments?”

  “Counseling. I’m not sure how long he’ll be.”

  “Levi sure does a lot of counseling,” Lizzie said. She was taking her coat down from the coatrack. “I think that’s his favorite thing to do.”

  Noah sighed. “Most people would like some time off after everything he’s been through, but not my brother.”

  “Is the truck still running?” Lizzie asked.

  Noah nodded. “Yes. I wanted to keep it warm for the ride home.”

  “I certainly don’t want to detain you,” I said hesitantly, “but I wonder if I could talk to the two of you for just a minute before you leave.”

  “Charity, why don’t you go wait in the truck?” Lizzie said, smiling at her daughter. “We’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”

  Charity crossed her arms and frowned. “You guys are gonna talk about something you don’t want me to know about, aren’t you?”

  Lizzie raised an eyebrow and studied her daughter. “I’m not actually asking you to get in the truck, Charity.”

  “I know, I know. You’re tellin’ me. I get it.” She put her arms down and gazed at me with a forlorn expression. “Bye, Callie. I gotta go now. Sorry to rush off.”

  “Bye, Charity. I’ll see you soon,” I said, trying not to laugh. Charity was nothing if not dramatic.