Starting from Scratch

by Kate Lloyd

  “Missy, come. Missy!” Stephen followed her, but he returned a few minutes later, saying she’d disappeared into the darkness.

  “I wonder if she’s following Heath’s scent,” Beatrice said as she and Mark both stepped onto the porch. “I’ve kept her in the house or on leash all day, although she tugged and tried to get away.”

  “It was my fault.” Mark raked a hand through his hair. “She slipped right by me when I opened the door.”

  “Don’t blame yourself.” Beatrice’s creased forehead betrayed her concern. “Missy was determined.”

  I was thankful she was being sympathetic with Mark, who seemed flustered, the way he ran his fingers around his shirt collar.

  “Please come in, all of you.” Beatrice had indeed been cooking. The kitchen’s warm air was ambrosial with the scents of stewing chicken, garlic, oregano, and other tasty aromas I couldn’t identify. But I still had no appetite.

  The round table was set for four. Beatrice seated me between Mark and Stephen, and she landed across from me, nearest the stove.

  Stephen led us in prayer, and then Beatrice served the meal. “What’s wrong with everyone?” she asked when she saw us picking at our food.” She put aside her fork. “I guess I’m not hungry either.”

  Stephen got to his feet. “Thanks so much, Beatrice, but I think I should check on the café for an unwelcome visitor and then zip home to fetch my sleeping bag.” He took a leash.

  “I’ll come with you.” I stood.

  “Absolutely not,” Beatrice said. “How can you possibly help if riffraff is skulking around?”

  “I should go with him to the café.” Mark ramped up his volume and directed his words at me. “I do work here, even if it’s Sunday.”

  “Yah, and so do I,” I said with a snap. “I need to check the refrigerator to make sure Ralph didn’t empty it.”

  “No one’s even tried my dessert. I think you’ll all agree my tiramisu is divine, if I do say so myself.” Beatrice shook her head as we three made our way to the door. “Eva, please come back later and help me with the dishes.”

  “I will. And I’ll try some of your tirami—your fancy dessert. I’m safer going to the café with an escort, don’t you think?”

  “I suppose. But please be careful.”

  “I’ll walk her back,” Mark said.

  As we three neared the café, barking erupted. Missy galumphed over to us, her tail wagging. Behind her, Heath woofed and frolicked toward us, followed by Ralph, who squinted under Stephen’s flashlight’s beam.

  “Heath! Good boy.” Stephen patted his thigh, and the dog came to him. “Ralph, this had better be good.”

  “I—I was just bringing him home.” Ralph slurred his words. I inhaled the bitter smell of liquor.

  “You expect me to buy that?” Stephen clipped on Heath’s leash. “You’re drunk. I should call the police.”

  “No, please don’t. I really was bringing the Yoders’ dog back. He followed me home.”

  “Oh, yeah? When was that?”

  “Uh…yesterday. Or a couple of days ago. I’ve always wanted a dog.”

  “And where exactly is home?”

  “My brother Bill’s basement, as long as I don’t cause trouble.” He wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve. “You see, his wife will kick me out. She hates me.”

  Stephen aimed his finger at Ralph. “Get out of here and don’t return. If you do, I will take out a restraining order so you will be forbidden to set foot on this property again. I should press charges for stealing our food.”

  “But I’m broke. If you gave me my job back, I’d have money.”

  “Ralph, if you’d stay off the booze and…” He stepped closer, inspecting Ralph’s eyes. “Are you on drugs too?”

  “No. I swear. Nothing like that.”

  “As if I’d believe you.” Stephen’s mouth twisted. He put out his palm. “Give me the key.”

  “I don’t have one.”

  “Give me a break. You made more than one copy.” Stephen moved in on Ralph, who fished through his pocket and then flung a metal key at Stephen. Stephen caught it midair. “Get out of here.”

  As Ralph turned to skedaddle, Stephen grasped Heath’s leash. “Apparently this dog has no sense of loyalty until Glenn and Rose return.” Stephen fluffed the animal’s coat. “Sure am glad to have you back, boy.”

  “Couldn’t you give Ralph a second chance?” I asked Stephen once Ralph was gone. “God forgives us.”

  “When and if we repent. Only if Ralph attends AA, gets sober, and can prove it. For all we know, he’s on drugs too. Those cost more, causing a man to do unthinkable things to support his addiction.”

  “I hear you used to booze it up,” Mark said, and Stephen grimaced.

  “You heard right. Almost ruined my life. It cost me the only woman I ever loved.”

  I wanted to ask him who this woman was, but I would have to bide my time until we were alone.

  I moved toward the café. “Would this be a good time to inspect the kitchen?”

  “Yes.” Stephen pulled out his key ring, added the extra key, and unlocked the door. “I wonder how long Ralph has been coming in here and stuffing himself.” Stephen turned to me. “You don’t think Olivia knew about it, do you?”

  “No. She never mentioned anything.” About this man, anyway.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  I’d intended to crawl into bed, open my book, and concentrate on A Room with a View that evening, but Mark hung around as I helped clean Beatrice’s kitchen. She’d already cleared the table, but the plates and dirty flatware were stacked in the sink.

  “Everything all right at the café?” she asked me as I scrubbed.

  “Yah.”

  “You call running into an intruder okay?” Mark said. He’d told Beatrice about our encounter with Ralph as soon as we came in with Heath. I’d let her know Stephen left to pick up his sleeping bag and a few things from home before spending the night at the café.

  Beatrice frowned, causing a crease between her brows. “I wonder how long he’s been helping himself to food.”

  “My guess is ever since he was fired.” I filled the sink with sudsy water even though the dishwasher yawned open.

  “Probably since the café was built last fall,” Mark said. “This guy has a drinking problem and can’t be trusted.” He sipped his coffee. “Stephen suffered from the same affliction.”

  He was bad-mouthing Stephen behind his back. I was tempted to defend Stephen, but I pretended I hadn’t heard him. I hated gossip.

  “I know nothing about that,” Beatrice said. “But Stephen is a loyal and dependable employee. I can think of few men I trust more.”

  I rinsed the dishes and filed them in the drying rack, and Beatrice dried and put each one away. In no time the task was completed.

  “Mark, I need to talk to Beatrice about tomorrow’s soup.”

  “Go right ahead. I’ll enjoy another cup of coffee.” Apparently, he had no intentions of leaving until I did.

  Beatrice seemed to be containing a smirk as she pressed her lips together. She brought down a cookbook from a shelf and opened it. “Alora, let’s see what we can come up with.”

  Thirty minutes later, Beatrice yawned and told Mark and me she was tired. “I’ll be in first thing in the morning, Eva,” she assured me as she ushered us out the door. “Don’t worry about a thing, but be sure to lock your door tonight.”

  As Mark walked me to my cabin, he said, “It’s obvious Stephen has his eyes set on you. I certainly hope you don’t feel the same way. He’s not one of us.”

  “I realize that. But I nevertheless think very highly of him. And you’re wrong if you think he has romantic feelings for me.”

  “Like you still have for Jake? I know you went to see him.”

  I was determined to end this conversation. “I paid a visit to his father, and I don’t regret it.” Even if I’d come face-to-face with Brandy.

  “I don’t see what you find so attractive abo
ut Jake to begin with.” He ran his hands up his suspenders like a puffed-up rooster.

  “Are you trying to tell me I’m not capable of making decisions for myself?”

  “Hold on. The last thing I want to do is anger you. I’m trying to make sense of what you don’t like about me.”

  “You mean that you are too young for me, and you are being judgmental?”

  “I’m sorry if my honesty hurts your feelings, Evie, but you and I should start dating. I want to court you.”

  “What are you saying? We hardly know each other.”

  “I know that if I wait any longer, I’ll never have a chance with you. I’d regret it the rest of my life.” He drew so close I thought he was going to kiss me. “Tell me what I need to do to get your attention. Be a renegade like Jake? Is he the kind of man you want to father your children?”

  “Please, Mark. Leave him out of this conversation.” But my mind was writing its own narrative. Jake always loomed in my brain, forever out of reach.

  “Fine, if you insist. But would you please come to the singing with me right now?”

  He was beginning to annoy me with his persistence. How many times did I have to say no?

  “Has no woman ever turned you down, Mark?”

  “Not that I can think of. But no matter. You’re the only one I want.”

  “As some sort of revenge against Jake?”

  “Nee, I couldn’t care less about him. I thought we weren’t going to bring up his name again.”

  “Mark, please let me say good night to you, and we’ll remain friends.” Before I said something I couldn’t take back.

  “You’ll regret this,” were his parting words. Was he threatening me? No, this was just an inappropriate way to woo a woman that I chalked up to his youth. Once inside, I leaned against the door and let out a deep breath.

  Ten minutes later a gentle rapping on my door made me jump. Mark had come back already? I swung the door open prepared for a verbal tussle and nearly walked into Jake, still dressed Englisch.

  He pushed the door open wider and strode past me before I could say anything.

  I peeked outside, and then I closed the door behind him. Fortunately, all the dogs were in the big house. I couldn’t imagine Beatrice would let them out again tonight unless she accompanied them.

  “How did you get here?” I asked him, recalling seeing him driving his dat’s buggy. But his mother also said he had an automobile.

  “A car I borrowed from an Englisch friend in New York. Brandy’s older bruder.”

  “Then why were you driving your dat’s buggy the other day?”

  “I told you. Brandy said she’d always wanted to ride in a buggy.”

  Hearing Jake speak her name made me feel prickly inside, but I couldn’t help being happy to see him. And both he and Brandy had assured me he wasn’t the father of her baby. Yet I had to wonder if they were painting a facade for his mamm’s sake. And mine.

  I tried to rid my mind of Brandy’s image. “I didn’t hear a car. How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough.” He widened his stance and tilted his head. “Long enough to see you have suitors coming out your ears. And here you were trying to make me feel guilty because I’m helping out one young woman in trouble.”

  “Nee, I wasn’t. I was just surprised to meet her.” My hands clamped on my hips. “I feel sorry for her, but shouldn’t she be home with her parents?”

  “She told you. They booted her out. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is that I’m not the father. Do you believe me?”

  “I want to.”

  I drifted into the kitchen area, and I leaned back on the lip of the sink. He placed a hand on either side, pinning me against it. “Are you ever going to forgive me, Evie?”

  “You haven’t asked for forgiveness.”

  “I thought—Well, I thought you’d given up on me.” Light from the main house illuminated his face enough to see his manly features.

  “I thought you’d completely forgotten me.” I folded my arms across my chest. “And I see no evidence to the contrary or that you care about anyone but yourself, unless it’s Brandy.”

  Outside, Millie yapped. I froze and put one hand to Jake’s lips to hush him. He nibbled my fingers, but I turned away and stepped out of his reach. “Don’t you dare,” I whispered.

  Minutes later, I heard Beatrice’s voice fade as she closed her back door.

  Jake said, “Come on. Let me take you to my folks’ house for a little bit. My mamm begged me to fetch you.”

  “Pay a visit twice in one day? But it’s so late.”

  “Mamm doesn’t care. Anything to get Dat back.”

  “I’m not a doctor. What could I possibly accomplish?”

  “So far no one has accomplished more than you have.”

  TWENTY-SIX

  Denki for coming, Eva.” Ruth fluttered toward me to bestow a hug. Never had I expected Jake’s mother to show such affection.

  “It wasn’t easy.” Jake removed his baseball cap and hung it on a peg in the kitchen next to Amos’s straw hat. Jake and I both stepped out of our shoes. “But I finally convinced her to come.”

  If anyone had seen me get into his borrowed car, I was doomed. It was a beater in need of paint, but nonetheless, I was in a motorized vehicle alone with him.

  “Amos is still in the hospital bed, but his head is propped up.” Ruth’s face glowed with childlike expectancy.

  As I walked toward him, Amos lifted his chin the tiniest bit, and his eyes focused on me. “Eva…”

  “Hello, Amos. How are you doing?” I had no idea what to do or say. The sheet and blanket covered him to his beard.

  His lips moved, but he remained silent.

  “He’s trying to speak!” Excitement filled Ruth’s voice. “Please, Eva, sit on the side of the bed.”

  I felt uncomfortable as I neared this man I barely knew. He’d never liked me as far as I could tell. Or maybe he never noticed me. I perched on the corner of the bed, near his feet. His gaze followed me. Hoping for encouragement or direction, I looked to Ruth. “What should I do?”

  “How about seeing if he’ll eat a couple of teaspoons of this?” She lifted a bowl of tomato soup and a spoon from a nearby table and handed them to me.

  I stood and dipped the teaspoon into the soup for a small portion and then brought it to Amos’s lips as Ruth tucked a towel under his chin. Fortunately, I had experience feeding my nieces.

  When Amos noticed the spoon, he parted his lips and allowed me to serve him a mouthful, and then another. Ruth was nearly beside herself with excitement. “You have a way with him, Eva,” she said, her voice giddy. “I couldn’t get Amos to take even a taste before you got here.”

  Amos’s hand jiggled. Ruth swooped to his side. “Look, the doctor said he might start moving on his own.”

  I wondered how she knew what Amos did or did not want. Mamm said she could always tell what my dat was thinking, but I had no clue as to what Jake thought about anything.

  “You told me a therapist is coming tomorrow,” I said. “In the meantime, I don’t see how I can help Amos.”

  “I know my husband better than anyone does. He wants to see you, and your being here helps him. I’m sure of it.”

  My heart went out to her, but she was asking for the impossible.

  Brandy descended the stairs wearing a smock over black tights. Ruth glanced at me. “She’s really a very sweet girl. And she’s been helping me out immensely. Doing the wash, helping me clean.” She smiled as Brandy entered the room. “But I still think she should return to her parents. They must be worried sick, no matter what they said before.”

  Brandy’s expression soured. “They don’t love me, and they want me to put the baby up for adoption the moment it’s born.”

  “Perhaps that’s a good idea if you can’t take care of it properly.” Ruth’s gray eyes were filled with compassion. “Mennonites in this area adopt. Occasionally, Amish do too.”

  Bran
dy’s hands moved across her belly. “I could never have a stranger raise my baby.”

  “But how will you support it?” I asked. “Where will you live?”

  “Maybe I could stay here as long as Ruth lets me. I’m a hard worker.”

  “But once you give birth, how can you do housekeeping, help with Amos, and take care of your baby all at the same time?”

  “I’ll have to find a way.” Her long flaxen hair covered half her face like a veil.

  Amos swallowed, drawing our attention to him.

  “What is it, Amos?” Ruth sailed to his side.

  I imagined Amos was frustrated, stuck in a lifeless body. Other than to pray for him, what could I do for this invalid?

  Brandy disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water with a straw. She put the straw to his mouth, and he sucked.

  “Thank you,” Ruth said to her.

  “No problem.” Brandy turned to Jake. “Hey, can I use the car?”

  “Sure.” He dug out the key.

  “No, wait a minute.” I shot to my feet. “How will I get home?”

  “Jake could use our buggy,” Ruth said.

  “That would take too long.” I had to put an end to this craziness. “I should leave in five minutes.”

  “So soon?” Ruth said. “You just got here.”

  “But I have work early tomorrow.”

  “Evie, is it all right if we take Brandy with us?” Jake stepped closer to Brandy, as if they were best buddies.

  “Hey, whatever works,” Brandy said before I could answer.

  “What’s open this time of night that you want to go there so badly?” Jake asked Brandy. “Please don’t say you’re going to start smoking again.”

  “Smoking is bad for the baby,” Ruth said.

  “No, I’ll be good. I have an outrageous craving for ice cream. Is that so terrible?”

  “And how about homemade dill pickles?” The corners of Ruth’s mouth curved up.

  “Now that you mention it, dill pickles sound fantabulous.” She combed her fingers through her sumptuous tresses.