“I’m not talking about Mark Stoltzfus. I was referring to Will’s real daed—the man who left him with Mark and Regina when he was six years old.”
“I can’t imagine how Will must have felt when his daed left him like that.” Cindy grunted. “I don’t see how any parent could do such a thing.”
“It’s not our place to judge. We don’t know all the circumstances involving Will’s daed leaving him with Regina and Mark.”
“Even so, it doesn’t make sense that the man never came back for Will.” Cindy pursed her lips. “Maybe he didn’t come back because he’s dead. What does Will think? Does he believe his real daed is dead?”
Karen shrugged. “Will rarely talks about it, so I don’t know what he believes.”
“Why don’t you ask?”
“Because every time I bring up the subject, Will closes up like a star tulip.”
“Are you sure Will’s the right man for you?” Cindy wrinkled her nose. “I mean, if he won’t talk about his past—”
“I know he loves me, and I love him. That’s enough for me.”
The distinctive clip-clop of a horse’s hooves could be heard outside. Cindy dashed over to the window and peered out. “Speaking of Will, I see his horse and buggy out there right now.”
Karen joined her sister at the window. Sure enough, Will was getting out of his buggy and heading toward the house. A sense of excitement welled in her soul as she hurried to the back door and stepped onto the porch to wait for him. She was always glad to see Will. He was the right man for her, no matter what Cindy thought.
“Wie geht’s, Will?” Karen asked when he joined her on the porch.
“I’m doing okay. How about you?”
“I’m fine. It’s good to see you.” She opened the back door. “Can you come inside and visit awhile, or did you need something from my folks’ store?”
He shook his head. “I knew today was your day off, so I came to see you—if you’re not busy, that is.”
“I’ve been cutting out my wedding dress, but I’m almost done. Then I’ll need to get lunch going, but that won’t keep me from visiting with you. Come inside, and we can visit while I finish up.”
“Okay.”
“Hello, Will,” Cindy said when Karen and Will entered the kitchen.
Will ran his fingers through his thick, wavy red hair. “Hi, Cindy.”
Karen motioned to the material on the table. “Do you still like the color we chose for my wedding dress?”
He nodded and shuffled his feet a few times, the way he always did whenever he had something on his mind. “It’s a real nice shade of green.”
Karen looked over at Cindy. “Would you mind going to check on the laundry? With the cold wind we’ve been having today, the clothes ought to be dry by now.”
Cindy’s eyebrows furrowed. “I thought you wanted my help clearing the table so we could start lunch.”
“We can do that after you get the clothes off the line. Besides, Mom’s not back from Grandma Yoder’s yet.”
Cindy shrugged, grabbed her jacket from the wall peg, and went out the door.
“If your mamm’s over at your grossmudder’s house, and you and Cindy are here, who’s minding the store?”
“My sister-in-law Mavis is helping Dad today. She started working a few days a week after her youngest son started school. I thought you knew that.”
“Guess I forgot.” Will shuffled his feet a few more times. “Does your brother Evan still like his job at the trailer factory?”
“He seems to. All four of my brothers have jobs they enjoy a lot more than working in the family dry goods store, and they’re much happier these days.” Karen motioned to the pot sitting on the stove. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Will?”
“Jah, sure, but I can get it.” He headed for the stove, calling over his shoulder, “Would you like one, too?”
“No, thanks. I’ve already had two cups this morning.”
Will poured himself a cup then took a seat at the far end of the table where there was no material. Karen appreciated his thoughtfulness in keeping the coffee away from the dress material. She picked up her scissors and began cutting again.
“I was surprised to see Cindy. Is this her day off, too?”
“Not really, but since they aren’t too busy in the store right now, Cindy came home a little early to see if I needed help getting lunch on.”
Will stared into his cup, and a muscle on the side of his neck twitched a couple of times. Something wasn’t right. He obviously had something on his mind.
“What’s wrong, Will? You look umgerennt.”
The smattering of freckles on Will’s nose scrunched together as he frowned. “I am a little upset, but I’ll get over it.” He continued to stare at his coffee.
Karen wondered if Will’s pensive mood signaled that he might be nervous about their upcoming wedding.
“Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?” she dared to ask.
Will’s pale eyebrows lifted high on his forehead. “Now where’d you get a notion like that?”
“You’re not acting like yourself, so I thought maybe—”
“I’m not having second thoughts about getting married. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Such as?”
He blew on his coffee. “Just things, that’s all.”
Karen nibbled on her bottom lip as she contemplated what to say next. If Will didn’t want to talk about whatever was bothering him, she didn’t want to push. Maybe they needed a change of subject.
Snip. Snip. She cut the last piece of her dress and set the scissors aside. “Evan mentioned the other day that they’ve begun hiring at the trailer factory again.”
“So I heard. Abe Miller started working there a few weeks ago. He says he likes the work, and they pay pretty well.”
“Have you ever thought about working in one of the trailer factories?”
Will shook his head. “Papa Mark needs my help with the dairy cows, and when I’m not helping there, I’m either busy with other chores or helping out in Mama Regina’s health food store.”
“Maybe after we’re married, I can help in your mamm’s store. I think it would be interesting.”
“I’m sure Mama Regina wouldn’t turn down such an offer. She won’t be able to work there forever.” Will lifted his mug to his lips and took another drink. “She’s probably hoping the two of us will take over someday.”
The back door creaked open, and Cindy stepped into the room. “Some of the clothes on the line aren’t quite dry, so should we start lunch now?”
Will pushed his chair aside and stood. “Guess I’d best be on my way home.”
“We have plenty of leftover soup from last night, so you’re welcome to stay and have lunch with us,” Karen was quick to say.
“Okay, maybe I will.” Will sat back down.
A knock sounded on the back door, and Cindy scurried out of the room. A few seconds later, she was back with Karen’s old boyfriend, Leroy Eash. “Leroy just came from the store,” she announced.
Leroy nodded enthusiastically. “Jah, and when your daed said you were over here, I decided to stop by and say hello.” He smiled at Karen. “I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”
“Will and I were visiting, and I just invited him to stay for lunch.” Karen scooped the material and scissors off the table and placed them in the cabinet.
Leroy sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anything. What are you having for lunch?”
“We haven’t started it yet,” Karen replied.
“But we will soon.” Cindy gave Leroy a wide smile. “Say, why don’t you stay and eat with us, too? We’ll be having leftover chicken-corn soup, and there’s plenty to go around.”
“Chicken-corn soup sounds real good.” Leroy’s gaze remained fixed on Karen. “You made that soup a time or two when I joined you and your folks for supper during our courting days.” He winked at her. “I’d be a fool to turn down that offer.”
Karen hurried after him. “Aren’t you staying for lunch?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think there’ll be room enough for two guests around your table.” Before Karen could think of a response, Will rushed out the door.
Karen’s forehead puckered as she stood in the doorway, watching him head for his buggy. What had made him seem so moody today, and why had he changed his mind about staying for lunch? Was Will jealous of her old boyfriend?
Karen ran down the stairs and dashed into the yard. “Will, wait up! We need to talk!”
He whirled around, and when she caught up to him, a blank expression crossed his face. “What’s there to talk about?”
“I’d like to know why you changed your mind about staying for lunch.”
“Do you really have to ask?” Will grunted. “What gives Leroy the right to come over here and practically invite himself for lunch?”
“It wasn’t that way. He just said—”
“Couldn’t he see that you already had company? I mean, you’d just told him I was staying for lunch.” Deep wrinkles marred Will’s forehead. “Doesn’t Leroy know that you’re going to be my wife in a couple of months?”
“Of course he knows. I’m sure he only—”
“What’s he trying to do—come between us?”
A gust of wind tossed a stray curl across Karen’s forehead, and she pushed it under her kapp. “I’d appreciate it if you’d stop asking questions and listen to what I have to say.”
He folded his arms. “Okay, I’m listening.”
Karen held up one finger. “Number one: Leroy didn’t invite himself to stay for lunch; Cindy invited him.” A second finger came up. “Number two: Just because Leroy showed up and you were already here doesn’t mean he should turn right around and head out the door.” She extended a third finger. “And number three: Leroy knows I’m going to marry you, and I don’t think he’s trying to come between us.”
Will shrugged. “Think whatever you like, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He wishes you were still his girl. Probably wishes it was him you were marrying, not me.”
“You’re wrong, Will. Leroy’s just a friend.” Karen clasped his arm. “Please come back inside and join us for lunch.”
“No thanks, I’d rather not.” Will turned and started walking toward his buggy again.
Karen debated about going after Will but decided it wouldn’t do any good for her to say more. Maybe once he had calmed down and thought things through, he would be willing to listen.
CHAPTER 3
Will sure took off in a hurry,” Leroy said when Karen stepped back into the kitchen. “Talk about unpredictable. I thought he was planning to stay for lunch.”
“He changed his mind.” Karen headed for the refrigerator to get the soup.
“He seemed like he was in kind of a weird mood,” Cindy said.
Leroy followed Karen across the room. “Will’s always been kind of hard to figure out. How do you think things will go being married to someone so moody and unpredictable?”
She removed the soup and some cheese. “We’re all moody at times.”
“Will’s probably nervous about your wedding. I’ll bet his moodiness will improve once you’re married.” Cindy spoke to Karen but looked at Leroy as she leaned against the cupboard with a silly grin.
Karen didn’t understand what had brought on this change in her sister. Just a short time ago, she’d asked if Karen thought Will was the right man for her. It made no sense.
“What if Will’s moods don’t improve?” Leroy asked.
Karen placed the soup and cheese on the counter and turned to face him. “Why are you making such an issue of Will’s mood? Doesn’t he have the right to be moody once in a while?”
Leroy grunted. “Ever since that fellow moved to Middlebury with his folks, he’s been kind of strange.”
“Will is not strange. He’s hardworking, dependable, and—”
“My horse is hardworking and dependable, but that doesn’t mean any mares would find him appealing.”
Cindy snickered, but Karen, not the least bit entertained, stared at Leroy and said, “If you’d have let me finish, I was going to say that Will is also a kind and generous man, and I enjoy being with him.”
Leroy folded his arms. “I can’t imagine what’s so enjoyable about being with someone who’s moody and unpredictable.”
“He’s not unpredictable!” Karen’s hands shook as she poured the soup into a kettle. She didn’t know why this conversation was upsetting her so much or why Leroy kept going on about Will. Usually she enjoyed talking to him. Maybe the things he’d said upset her so much because she had concerns about Will and didn’t want to admit them. She didn’t like the fact that Will had come here with something on his mind but hadn’t told her what it was. It made her feel left out—like he was afraid to take her into his confidence.
“Are you okay?” Leroy asked. “You’re shaking.”
“My sister always trembles whenever she’s been with Will.” Cindy rolled her eyes as she placed both hands against her chest. “That’s because she’s so much in love.”
Leroy shook his head. “She didn’t start to tremble until after Will left. I think there’s something more going on than her being jittery because she’s in love.” He nudged Karen’s arm. “If something’s bothering you, just say what it is; maybe I can help.”
“I’m fine. There’s no need for you to worry.”
“Okay, whatever.” Leroy’s forehead crinkled as he moved toward the door.
“Where are you going? I thought you were gonna stay for lunch,” Cindy called out to him.
“I’ve changed my mind. My mamm’s probably getting anxious for me to get home with the stuff I bought at your folks’ store, so I’d better head out before she sends my little bruder lookin’ for me.” Leroy turned and smiled at Karen. “If you ever need to talk about anything, just remember that I’ve got good ears for listening.”
“Danki, I appreciate that, and I’ll keep your offer in mind.”
When Leroy went out the door, Cindy dropped into a chair at the table and sighed. “I think Leroy still likes you, Karen.”
Karen grabbed a wooden spoon and started stirring the soup. “He does not. We’re just good friends.”
“Did you notice how muscular Leroy’s arms are?”
“He’s muscular because he’s a blacksmith.”
“I think his dark hair and green eyes make him look so gutguckich, don’t you?”
“He is good-looking, but he’s not right for me.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course I’m sure. Things have been over between me and Leroy for a long time, and I was never really serious about him.”
“You think Leroy believes that?”
“I’m sure he does. He knows we’re just friends, and I don’t think he expects anything more.” Karen opened the cupboard door and removed a stack of bowls. “Do you want to set the table, or would you rather make some sandwiches?”
“I’ll set the table.” Cindy took the bowls. When she returned for the silverware, she paused in front of Karen. “Do you think I’m pretty?”
Karen tipped her head and studied her sister. “Well, let’s see now. Your blond hair is nice and shiny.”
“Your blond hair is shiny, too.”
“You also have nice-shaped eyes.”
Cindy nodded. “Same as yours, only my eyes are brown and yours are blue.”
Karen touched Cindy’s cheeks. “And your cute little dimples look like they’re winking whenever you smile.”
“Danki.” Cindy’s cheeks turned pink. “Do you think there’s a chance that Leroy thinks I’m pretty?”
Karen’s mouth dropped open. “Do you have your eye on Leroy? Is that what you’re saying?”
Cindy’s cheeks darkened further as her gaze dropped to
the floor. “Maybe.”
“Need I remind you that you’re only sixteen? Leroy’s almost twenty-four, for goodness’ sake!”
Cindy lifted her gaze. “Mom was only eighteen when she and Dad got married, and they’re seven years apart.”
“But you’re not eighteen, Cindy. You’re too young to be thinking about marriage or being courted by a man Leroy’s age.”
Amish White Christmas Pie Page 2