Todd stuck a finger inside his shirt collar to loosen it a bit. Looking at all the people with their holier-than-thou expressions made his stomach tighten. He’d gone to church a few times with his previous girlfriend, and where had that gotten him? A kick in the teeth—that’s what. Felicia, with the sweet smile and pearly white teeth, may have pretended to be a Christian, but her actions proved louder than her words. Would Lisa do the same?
Todd glanced over at her, sitting beside him with a pleasant smile, while reading the church bulletin they’d received from an elderly greeter when they first entered the church. Was she a true Christian in every sense of the word?
I need to quit thinking about this, and let Lisa prove herself. Todd didn’t know why it bothered him so much, because he was far from being a Christian, but anyone who professed to be one should act like it.
Turning his attention to the front of the room, Todd forced his thoughts aside and tried to concentrate on the announcements being made. According to what was written in the bulletin, they still had singing, scriptures, offering, and a sermon to get through. He gave his shirt collar a tug. Sure hope I can sit here that long.
As they drove toward the restaurant of Lisa’s choice after church, Lisa watched him, wondering what was going through his mind. He hadn’t joined in when the songs were sung during the service today. Todd seemed distracted, glancing at his cell phone several times throughout much of the pastor’s message. Was he bored, preoccupied, or just didn’t enjoy the kind of worship service she was used to? Lisa wrapped her fingers around her purse straps, squeezing tightly. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited him to join me today.
Looking out the window as they drove outside of town, she was finally able to relax as she gazed at the countryside. It was the end of October, and winter would soon be creeping in. Today’s weather reminded her of that. It had dipped into the twenties overnight, and so far, she realized, glancing at the thermometer reading on the car’s dashboard, it was barely in the thirties.
Todd’s vehicle had tight quarters and no backseat, but it was nice and cozy in his little car, since it heated up faster than her minivan.
Continuing to watch out the passenger window, Lisa admired the huge farm they were passing. Cows stood bunched together around a feeding trough, and vapor coming from their nostrils resembled smoke drifting into the air. The good news was, according to the local weather channel, this cold spell would be short lived. Even though she loved the holidays, Lisa wasn’t sure she was ready for winter.
She reached across the seat and gently tapped Todd’s arm. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Did you enjoy being in church with me today?”
A muscle on the side of Todd’s neck quivered. “I enjoyed being with you. Just not in church.”
She pulled her hand back. “How come?”
He sucked in his bottom lip. “I should have been straight with you before, Lisa. I’m not a religious man.”
“Are … are you an atheist?”
“No, but I don’t believe in prayer and all that sort of thing. I think religion is for people who can’t stand on their own.” He lifted his chin. “I’m a self-made man, and I don’t need any help from God in order to make it through life.”
“I see.” A shiver ran up the back of Lisa’s neck as the words of 2 Corinthians 6:14 came to mind: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” She should have suspected Todd wasn’t a Christian because he’d shown no evidence of it. He was good looking, charming, intelligent, and said all the right things to turn a woman’s head, but that wasn’t enough—not for Lisa, anyway. She needed a man who loved God as much as she did and wanted to serve Him with his whole heart.
Lisa drew in a deep breath. “So if you feel this way, why’d you agree to go to church with me this morning?”
“I wanted to be with you, and I didn’t want you to think—”
“Todd, I don’t think we should see each other socially anymore.”
He looked at her, then turned his head back to the road ahead. “You’re shutting me out because I can’t buy into religion?”
“I’m not shutting you out. I just don’t want to continue in a relationship that can never go anywhere.”
“That’s stupid. I like you, Lisa—a lot, in fact, and I’m pretty sure you feel the same about me.”
She couldn’t deny the feelings she’d begun to have for Todd, but a clean break was the best, for both of them. “Sorry, but I won’t be going out with you again.” Lisa was glad now that her mother had discouraged her from inviting Todd to Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder if Mom suspects the guy I’ve been dating is not a Christian.
Chapter 31
Walnut Creek
With arms folded, Heidi looked at the calendar on the kitchen wall. Today was the first Saturday of November, and she would soon be teaching the fourth cooking class in this series. With her fluctuating emotions during the first three classes, she hoped she’d made herself clear enough and that everyone had understood the directions she’d given them for the recipes they’d made so far. More than that, Heidi hoped the verses she’d written on the back of each person’s card had been meaningful to one or more of them. She hadn’t done much actual mentoring during the classes—at least not the way her Aunt Emma did during her quilting classes. But if the scriptures Heidi had shared helped anyone at all, she would be satisfied.
Heidi tapped her chin. Of course, how will I know whether anyone’s been helped, unless they say something to me? I certainly can’t come right out and ask. That would be like fishing for a compliment, and it would be prideful.
“I’m ready to head for Millersburg now, Heidi. Is there anything you need me to get while I’m there?”
Lyle’s question pulled Heidi out of her musings. “No, I can’t think of anything.” She snickered. “Something will probably come to mind after you’ve gone, though. Isn’t that the way it usually goes?”
“Jah, it’s true.” He pulled Heidi into his arms and gave her a firm kiss. “I hope everything goes well with your class today.”
“Danki. I hope so, too.”
Lyle grabbed his straw hat from the wall peg and slapped it on his head. “See you sometime this afternoon,” he called over his shoulder as he headed out the door.
Smiling, Heidi moved over to the cupboard where she kept her baking supplies. Then she took out the ingredients needed to make the apple corn bread she’d be teaching her students to make today. It was an easy recipe and quite tasty—a nice addition to any autumn supper.
After watching out the window as her husband’s buggy went down the driveway, Heidi glanced around the section of yard within her vision. So many leaves still needed to be cleaned up, especially where the wind had piled them in corners. “Guess I’ll have to get out there soon and get some raking done. Not today, though.”
She moved away from the window. The leaves in her flower beds could stay there until the first warm days of spring. It would give the flower bulbs an extra blanket until the coldest weather was done for the season.
She glanced toward the trees in their yard. The only leaves still clinging were on a white oak, which dropped its leaves in the spring. At least the weather had warmed up a bit, and the recent cold snap was over. But with winter coming, things would soon change.
Heidi set everything out on the table, and was about to pour herself a cup of tea, when a knock sounded on the back door. She glanced at the clock. It wasn’t quite time for her students to arrive, and normally they wouldn’t use the back door.
She hurried to answer it and was surprised to find Loretta Donnelly on her porch in tears. Heidi clutched her friend’s hand, leading her inside. “Loretta, what’s wrong?”
“It–it’s Eli.”
“What’s wrong with him? Is Eli sick, or has he been hurt?”
Sniffing, Loretta shook her head. “We … we had our first disagreement, and I’m afraid my response may have ruined things. Even thoug
h I joined the church last Sunday, it might be over between us.”
“Come sit down.” Heidi hoped none of her students would arrive early and interrupt their conversation, because Loretta obviously needed to talk.
After Heidi fixed a second cup of tea and handed it to her friend, she joined her at the kitchen table. “Now tell me what happened between you and Eli.”
Loretta took a sip of tea, then set her cup down. “I had him over to my house for supper last night, and he compared the meat loaf I fixed to one his wife used to make.”
Heidi leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Is that all there was to it?”
“No. I became upset when he said her meat loaf was similar to mine, but hers was juicier. Eli said his wife was a great cook and he’d never had better meat loaf.” Loretta paused long enough to take another sip from her teacup, then she resumed. “This isn’t the first time Eli’s compared me to her, either. And if he’s doing it now, I can only imagine how it would be if we got married.” She rolled her shoulders, as if to release some of her tension. “I don’t compare Eli to my first husband. Even if I did mentally, I would never say anything to Eli’s face. When he makes comparisons between me and his deceased wife, I feel as if I’m not good enough—like I don’t measure up.”
“Have you explained this to him? Told him the way you feel about things?”
Loretta shook her head. “I was afraid he wouldn’t understand my feelings or might not want to talk about it. He’s a man of few words, you know.”
Heidi placed her hand on Loretta’s arm and gave it a loving pat. “Lyle and I have come to know Eli pretty well. I’m almost certain you can share your feelings with him about this.”
Hands clasped beneath her chin, Loretta spoke in a trembling voice. “I’ll take your advice and try—as soon as I can work up the nerve.”
Heidi smiled. “I’ll be praying for both of you.”
“Thank you. Or should I say, ‘Danki?’”
Heidi nodded. “Yes, that’s the right word.” She was pleased her friend had been making an effort to learn Pennsylvania Dutch. It would certainly help since she was now part of the Amish church.
A knock sounded on the front door, and Heidi jerked her head. “Oh, I bet it’s one of my students.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize today was one of your cooking classes. I’d better be on my way.” Loretta rose from the table and gave Heidi a hug. “Once I’ve talked to Eli, I’ll let you know how things went.”
“Jah, please do.” Heidi let Loretta out the back door, then she hurried to see who was at her front door.
“Good morning, Heidi. Am I the first one here?” Lance asked when she led the way to her comfortable living room. As usual, the room was tidy—just the way Flo had kept things in their home.
“Yes, you are the first to arrive, but I’m sure the others won’t be far behind.”
He grinned. “You know, every time I come to your door I feel like I should be delivering a package or something.”
“That is how I normally find you on the front porch.” Chuckling, Heidi gestured to Lyle’s favorite chair. “Why don’t you have a seat and relax till the others get here?”
“Thanks. Don’t mind if I do.” Lance took a seat in the recliner and put the footrest up. “How have you been, Heidi?”
“Fine. How about you?” She seated herself on the couch.
He stretched his arms out wide. “Never better. I feel like I’m on top of the world.”
“Did something special happen since you were last here?”
He gave a nod. “You bet! My brother moved out, and I have the whole place to myself again.”
“Did he move to the duplex Lisa had for rent?”
“Yep.” Lance rubbed his hands together. “Dan and I went over to her place and helped with several repairs while she cleaned the place. He moved in the following day, and even bought a few new pieces of furniture to replace the ones the previous renters had ruined.” His smile widened. “Never knew my brother could be so generous. Guess he took a liking to Lisa. She is a pretty sweet gal.”
“That’s wonderful, but what about your brother’s townhouse you’d previously mentioned?” Heidi tipped her head. “Won’t it be completed soon?”
“Nope, it doesn’t look like it. Things are still going slow with the remodel. I’m guessing my brother will stay in the duplex at least a month—maybe longer.”
“I see. Then Lisa will have to look for another renter.” Heidi’s brows pulled in.
“Yeah, I suppose.” Fidgeting in his chair, and feeling a bit guilty for putting Lisa out, Lance looked down at his feet. Maybe I was too hasty asking Dan to move out. Guess I could have put up with him for another month or so, but our relationship was at stake. Well, it was too late now. His brother was already moved and temporarily settled. He hoped when Dan moved out of Lisa’s duplex, she wouldn’t have any trouble finding another renter.
“What are we making today?” Bill asked when everyone gathered around Heidi’s kitchen table.
Heidi pointed to the ingredients she’d set out. “Apple corn bread.”
“Sounds good.” Grinning widely, Bill thumped his belly. “I love apples and most always eat the whole apple—core and all, just not the stem. Some of my buddies tease me about being related to a horse.”
Everyone but Lisa and Todd laughed. They’d both been quiet since they’d arrived and had barely glanced at each other. Bill wondered if some sort of issue had developed between them. Well, it was none of his business. He came here to learn how to make something new, not worry about the problems others might be having.
He glanced across the table at Nicole. She seemed more relaxed than usual. With lips slightly parted, and eyes shining brightly, her attention was focused on Heidi’s instructions.
“How are things going at school, Nicole?” Bill ventured to ask.
She turned her head in his direction. “Better than before. Think I passed the math test I took yesterday. Course it helped that I had more time to study for it.”
“Good for you.” Bill was well aware of the reason Nicole had more time to study. He was glad he’d eased things for her by paying for a cleaning lady to come in once a week. He saw it as a blessing to help Nicole and her family out but wondered how she would feel if she knew the gift had come from him.
“Does anyone have a question about this bread before I go on?” Heidi broke into Bill’s thoughts.
Allie raised her hand. “Does it matter what kind of apples we use?”
“Not really. The type we are using today is Fuji, but most any apple will do.” Heidi handed them each a recipe card. “If you’d like a sweeter-tasting corn bread, then you might want to use a sweeter variety of apple. But if you’d prefer something tarter, I’d suggest Granny Smith apples.”
Bill turned over his card. As he expected, Heidi had written another Bible verse on the back. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The scriptures their teacher had included on the cards peaked his interest. Especially the one for today. What exactly did it mean to have the “light of life”?
While Todd waited for his corn bread to bake, he alternated between taking notes about Heidi’s style of cooking and watching Lisa. His frustration mounted, because Lisa would barely look at him today. He’d said hello when she arrived shortly after he did, but all he’d gotten from her was a brief nod and a mumbled, “Hi.” Why’s she so picky about me not being religious, anyway? Can’t she just appreciate me for who I am? I’m willing to ignore her religious ways; she should overlook my nonreligious views.
“What are you writing there?” Lance pointed to Todd’s notebook.
“Umm …” Todd’s face heated. “Just taking some notes.”
“You took notes during our last two classes.” Lance peered over Todd’s shoulder. “What are you up to? Are you writing a book?”
Breathing heavil
y through his nose and ignoring the man’s question, Todd decided to change the subject. “So what’s everyone doing for Thanksgiving this year?”
“I’ve invited my parents, as well as my husband’s mom and dad, to our house for the holiday,” Allie spoke up. “I just hope Steve doesn’t decide to work that day, because most of the work will fall on me if he’s not there to help out.”
“Won’t your parents and in-laws help out?” Lisa questioned.
“I’m sure they would, but Nola and Derek don’t get to see their grandparents often enough, so I want our folks to spend as much time with the kids as possible.” She tilted her chin down. “Last year we went to my folks’ in New York, and because it had snowed the day before, we ended up having a white Thanksgiving. The kids enjoyed being able to play in the snow. My dad even helped them build a snow fort.”
“New York usually does get snow early on. Especially if the storms are coming off Lake Erie,” Lance chimed in.
Allie got a faraway look in her eyes. “When I was a young girl, I always loved the first snowfall of the year. In fact, I still do.”
“Me, too.” Bill gave a nod. “Especially when I go up to my cabin to hunt. With snow on the ground, the cabin, the woods—everything looks like a picture postcard.”
Todd hadn’t expected all this conversation about snow, and he quickly got back on track. “How about you, kid?” He looked at Nicole. “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”
Her slim shoulders slumped. “We’re not having any company, and I’ll probably help my dad cook the meal.”
“It’s good you’re taking cooking classes then. Maybe you can fix the bread we’re learning to make today to go with your Thanksgiving meal.”
Amish Cooking Class--The Blessing Page 21