Anna had never seen him so happy.
Ah, the wonder of young love.
Fern’s smile suddenly wilted. “Ach, Anna. Do you think you could find a match for Johnny Raber? He’s been sitting at the far table all by himself for half an hour, and I feel like I’m partially responsible.”
Reuben lost his smile too. “It’s not your fault Johnny just happened to be there to catch you when you fainted. If anybody’s to blame, it’s me for being such a dumkoff. ”
“I hurt his feelings when I left Bonduel so suddenly.”
Reuben grunted. “You hurt my feelings too.”
Anna raised her eyebrows and fastened a scold onto her lips. “Now, don’t either of you worry. Johnny Raber is going to be just fine. I’ve already invited him to Huckleberry Hill to learn how to knit. He was so excited, I could have knocked him over with a ball of yarn.”
“Mammi, you know how fond I am of knitting,” Reuben said, “but how will that help mend his broken heart?”
Anna’s sigh came from deep within her throat. These young people certainly had a hard time understanding the ways of love. “Well, dear, I’m inviting Lorene, Esther, and a couple of other girls to come up and knit at the same time. Esther is as cheerful as ever, and Lorene has such a delightful laugh. Johnny is sure to fall for one of them.”
One side of Reuben’s mouth curled slightly. “I don’t know, Mammi. Johnny knows Fern. No other girl will ever be quite as appealing.”
Fern’s smile came back full force. “Reuben Helmuth, you are such a tease.”
Mammi shrugged. “Johnny will have to settle. That’s all there is to it.”
Fern sucked in her breath and nudged Reuben with her elbow. “There’s Sadie. We’ve got to go talk to her.”
“Why?” Reuben said, frowning as if she’d asked him to take out the garbage. “She doesn’t like me. I don’t like her. Why stir the pot?”
Fern got to her feet and pulled Reuben with her. “We’re going over there. She used to be in love with you, and you need to apologize for hurting her feelings. I know how it feels to have Reuben Helmuth break my heart, and I feel sorry for her.”
He cringed. “Don’t remind me.”
Reuben might not have wanted to talk to Sadie, but he’d do anything for Fern. He didn’t even put up a fight as Fern dragged him to Sadie’s side. Sadie certainly was a pretty girl, but Anna didn’t think she’d try to match Sadie with any of her grandchildren. She wasn’t a diligent enough knitter. You could tell a lot about a person by their knitting.
Felty put down his fork and wiped cake crumbs out of his beard. “Reuben is a gute boy. I don’t wonder that they’ll be very happy.”
“Of course they will, Felty dear. Reuben has a bit of a temper, but he also has your goodness. Fern will always find reason to rejoice. Just like I have.”
Felty smiled, and his eyes got misty like fog on a spring morning. “Me too, Annie-banannie. Me too.”
Anna patted Felty on the arm and looked at him sweetly, but one moment of tenderness was all she could spare. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of notebook paper. “Now we’ve got bigger fish to fry, Felty. No resting on our laurels.”
“I didn’t even know we had laurels.”
Anna unfolded her paper. “Reuben interrupted my original plans, and I can’t regret it because we found him a gute match. But now it’s time to focus on our granddaughter Elsie. She must come to Bonduel if she wants to get a husband. The boy I’ve chosen for her is not going to wait much longer.”
“You want her to come and teach at the school.”
“The school year is closer than ever and we’ve got to hurry before they hire someone else.” Anna smoothed the paper in her hand. “I’ve written another letter, but I’ve given up on the big words. Short, simple, and to the point is what will persuade her to come. Dear Elsie, Your future husband is waiting in Bonduel. Come and get him. Love, Mammi Helmuth. What do you think?”
Felty raised an eyebrow as his lips twitched into a lopsided grin. “She’ll come running.”
For sure and certain.
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