Tiny lines formed across Cindy’s forehead. “You make him sound like he’s an old mann.”
“He’s not an old man—he’s just too old for you.”
“Mind if I ask you a personal question?”
Karen shrugged.
“I think Leroy’s more fun and easygoing than Will, and he’s sure a lot cuter, so I’m wondering how come you broke up with Leroy and started going out with Will.”
Karen turned the gas burner down on the stove. “Good looks, humor, and big muscles aren’t everything, Cindy. Leroy can be overbearing and too much of a jokester at times. He can also be a bit pushy.”
“But you liked him once. Isn’t that right?”
“Jah, but now I’m in love with Will, and we have a lot more in common than Leroy and I ever did. That’s why Will and I are getting married in two months. Now can we drop this silly discussion?”
When Cindy nodded, Karen breathed a sigh of relief.
As Will guided his horse and buggy down the road, all he could think about was seeing Leroy standing in the Yoders’ kitchen, grinning at Karen and making comments about the soup she’d fixed during their courting days. Despite what Karen had said, Will was sure Leroy still had an interest in her.
Will flicked the reins, giving his horse the freedom to trot. Leroy probably wishes Karen was going to marry him. He might think he’d make a better husband for her than me.
He snapped his teeth together with a click. Maybe Leroy would make a better husband for Karen. After all, he does have part ownership in a busy blacksmith business, and he doesn’t have a past that haunts him and makes him feel moody at the most unexpected times. I wonder if Karen regrets breaking up with Leroy and agreeing to marry me.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Startled by the horn of a passing car, Will realized his horse had drifted over the center line. He pulled on the reins, guiding Ben back into his own lane of traffic. Some roads in this area had a lane for horse and buggies, but not this one. He had been careless to let his thoughts wander.
Beep! Beep! Another horn honked from behind. Why was everyone so impatient?
The car whipped around Will’s buggy, going too fast and coming too close. Apparently Will’s horse thought so, too, because he reared up and tore down the road.
“Whoa, Ben! Steady, boy!” Will pulled back on the reins, but Ben kept running. As the horse picked up speed, the buggy began to vibrate and rock from side to side. Will’s hands shook as he struggled to gain control. “Slow down, Ben! You’ve got to stop running!”
CHAPTER 4
Will gripped the reins and continued his struggle to gain control. Finally his horse slowed to a steady trot, and the buggy quit rocking. Will breathed a sigh of relief.
Feeling the need to steady his nerves, he guided the horse to the side of the road and brought the buggy to a full stop. He drew in a couple of deep breaths and sat very still, hoping to calm his racing heart.
It took several minutes until he felt relaxed enough to head back down the road. He was about to get the horse moving again when another horse and buggy pulled up behind him. A few seconds later, someone tapped on the driver’s side of his buggy.
Oh no, it’s Leroy! Will opened his door. “What’s up?”
“I was behind you a ways and saw your buggy weaving back and forth. When you pulled off the road, I figured I’d better stop and see if you were okay.”
“My horse got spooked when a car sped past blowing its horn, but I’ve got everything under control.”
Leroy squinted. “Are you sure? Your face is awfully red, and you’re breathing real heavy.”
“I’m fine.”
“How’s your horse? You want me to check him over?”
Will’s fingers dug into the palms of his hands. “Don’t trouble yourself; Ben’s fine, too.”
“Okay. Guess I’d better get home with the supplies I bought from the Yoders’ store.”
“I’m surprised you’re heading home already. I figured you’d still be with Karen and Cindy having lunch.”
Leroy shook his head. “Decided I’d better get back to the blacksmith shop and help my daed and bruder get some work done. They’ll be on their own again this afternoon while I make a trip to Shipshewana to pick up some supplies and get a gift for my mamm’s birthday.”
The mention of Lovina Eash’s birthday caused Will to remember that his own birthday was coming up. He’d be turning twenty-two. When he’d stopped over at Karen’s, he’d planned to ask if she would go to supper with him to help celebrate, but after Leroy had shown up, Will had forgotten to extend the invitation.
Leroy tapped on the side of Will’s buggy. “Before I go, there’s something else I’d like to say.”
“What’s that?”
“We both know I used to court Karen, and I was wondering if the reason you left Karen’s without staying for lunch is because the idea of sharing the same table with me would make you feel uncomfortable.” Leroy tipped his head. “Was that why you hightailed it out of there so fast?”
“It would take a lot more than sitting at the same table with you to make me feel uncomfortable.”
Leroy shrugged. “Okay. Just wondered, is all.”
“Jah, well, danki for stopping.”
“Sure, no problem. Glad to see you’re all right.” Leroy sauntered back to his buggy.
I wasn’t about to tell Leroy the reason I didn’t stay for lunch. Will gathered up the reins and turned his horse in the direction of the Yoders’. Since Leroy won’t be sitting at Karen’s table, I think I’ll go back and talk to Karen about my birthday. If it’s not too late, maybe I can get in on some of that tasty chicken-corn soup!
Regina pursed her lips as she stood in front of the kitchen counter cutting ham to make sandwiches for their noon meal. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get Will off her mind.
She bowed her head and prayed, Dear Lord, please comfort Will. He’s a good man with a kind heart, but it’s obvious he’s still quite troubled by his past.
“You look like you’re in deep thought,” Mark said, stepping up to Regina.
She turned to face him. “I was praying for Will.”
“Mind if I ask why you were praying for him?”
“I was thinking about how moody and despondent he acted this morning, and I was asking God to comfort him.”
“Will’s been a bit moody ever since he came to live with us.” Mark pulled his fingers through the ends of his full, nearly gray beard. “Never know what’s going to set him off.”
Regina nodded. “Normally he does pretty well, though. It’s just when something happens to remind Will of his past that he gets out of sorts.”
“What brought it on this time?” Mark asked as he washed his hands.
“An article about a little girl who was abandoned by her parents and left on a park bench in a small Michigan town.” Regina reached for the loaf of bread and pulled out four slices. “The article brought back unpleasant memories for Will about his daed leaving him with us.”
Mark glanced around the room. “Speaking of Will, where is he?”
“He went over to see Karen.”
“If anyone can put Will in a good mood again, it’s Karen.” Mark pulled out a chair and sat down. “He always seems happy when he’s with her. Maybe after they’re married, Will’s bouts of moodiness and depression will be over for good.”
“I hope that’s the case.” Regina glanced at the battery-operated clock on the far wall. “Since it’s lunchtime and Will’s not back yet, he must have been asked to stay and eat with the Yoders.”
“Probably so.”
Regina worked in silence until the sandwiches were made; then she placed them on the table, along with two glasses of milk, and took a seat. After their silent prayer, she said, “Since Will’s birthday is next week, I was thinking maybe we should have some of Will’s friends over for supper.”
“I thought we’d talked about taking Will and Karen out for supper.”
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“We did, but when I spoke with Karen after church last Sunday, she mentioned the idea of a surprise party. I’d be willing to host it here.”
Mark reached for his glass of milk and took a drink. “A surprise party for Will is fine with me. If time spent with Karen doesn’t brighten our son’s spirits, then the party will do the trick.”
When Karen heard a horse and buggy roll into the yard, she glanced out the kitchen window. “Mom’s home,” she announced. “I’m sure she’ll be hungry, so let’s get things set out on the table.”
Cindy touched Karen’s arm. “You won’t mention anything to Mom about what I said about Leroy, will you?”
“I won’t if you promise to stop thinking about him.”
Cindy’s lips turned down. “Since he’s so good-looking and comes around here a lot, it’s kind of hard for me not to think about him.”
“I mean it, Cindy; Leroy’s too old for you. You need to get any romantic notions you might have of him right out of your mind.”
The back door opened, and their mother stepped into the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late.” Mom patted her flushed cheeks. “Your grossmudder was especially chatty today, and it was hard to get away.”
“It’s not a problem,” Karen was quick to say. “I got my wedding dress cut out, and then Cindy helped me get lunch going.”
“Has your daed come in from the store yet?” Mom asked as she hung her heavy shawl and dark outer bonnet on a wall peg.
“Not yet. Should I run out and get him?” Cindy asked.
“Jah, please do.” Mom flicked at the wisps of grayish blond hair on her forehead as she moved toward the bathroom door. “I’ll be back as soon as I wash up and fix my hair.”
“No problem. Take your time,” Karen called after her.
Cindy grabbed her shawl and scurried out the door. A few seconds later, Karen heard another buggy rumble into the yard. She figured it might be a store customer. As she lifted the lid on the kettle of soup, a curl of steam wafted toward the ceiling. The delicious aroma made her stomach rumble in anticipation.
The clump, clump, clump of boots on the back porch, followed by a rap-rap on the door, let Karen know that whoever had driven the buggy in wasn’t a customer. She replaced the lid on the kettle and hurried across the room. When she opened the door, Will stood on the porch.
“This is a surprise! I thought you had gone home.”
“I was halfway there when I decided to come back.” The warmth of his dimpled smile helped calm her anxieties. Maybe he wasn’t mad at her after all.
“I’m glad you did.” Karen opened the door wider. “Come on into the kitchen. I’m just about ready to serve up some soup.”
“That soup does smell good. Is it too late to change my mind and stay for lunch?”
“Of course not. We’d be glad to have you join us.”
Will glanced around the kitchen. “Where is everyone?”
“Cindy went to get Dad, and Mom’s down the hall washing up.” Karen motioned to the table. “If you’d like to have a seat, I’m sure everyone will be here soon.”
Will turned to face her. “I…uh…wanted to say I’m sorry for acting so moody when I was here earlier. I had a lot on my mind, and—”
Karen held up her hand. “It’s all right. There’s no need to explain.”
“But I want to explain.” He grimaced. “This morning’s newspaper carried an article about a little girl who was abandoned—left on a park bench with no identification or clue as to who her parents might be.”
“Oh, how terrible. I wonder what will become of the little girl if her folks don’t come back.”
“She’ll probably be put in a foster home.” Will leaned on the back of the nearest chair. “The article got me to thinking about how I was abandoned, and I guess it put me in a sour mood.”
“At least your daed didn’t drop you off in some park. He had the decency to find you a good home with Mark and Regina.”
“I realize that, and I appreciate them taking me in, but that doesn’t excuse my daed for leaving without telling me…or for not coming back.”
Karen touched Will’s arm. “I feel sad that I never got to meet your real daed. It would be nice if he could be here to see us get married.”
Will shrugged. “Mama Regina and Papa Mark are my parents. They’ll be at the wedding, so that’s all that counts.”
“I know they’ve been like parents to you, but it might be nice if—”
“Can we please change the subject? There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“I was wondering if you’d go out with me for supper next week.”
“What night next week?”
“Tuesday evening—on my birthday. I thought maybe the two of us could go to Das Dutchman in Middlebury for supper, and then afterwards we can go over to my place and have cake and ice cream with my folks.”
Karen shifted uneasily as she tried to formulate the best response. She couldn’t go out for supper with Will if she and Regina held a surprise party for him.
“Well, what do you say? Would you like to go out for supper on Tuesday?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be free that night, Will.”
“What do you mean you’re not sure? You’re either free or you’ve made other plans. Which is it?”
“Well, I—” Karen moistened her lips. “I’m going to be busy that night.”
“Doing what?”
“I…uh…really can’t say.”
Will frowned. “What do you mean you can’t say?”
“I can’t say what I’ll be busy doing.”
“Fine, then! If you don’t want to help celebrate my birthday, I’ll celebrate alone.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to help celebrate your birthday. I just—”
“Never mind; it’s not important.” He started for the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“But I thought you were staying for lunch.”
He turned to face her. “I’ve changed my mind.”
Karen frowned. “You’re unpredictable, Will. One minute you say you’re going to do something, and then you change your mind for no good reason.”
“I do have a reason. You won’t be honest with me, so it’s time for me to go.”
She fixed him with a wordless stare.
He shrugged, blinked a couple of times, and tromped out the door.
Karen leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. I couldn’t tell Will the truth. It would have ruined the surprise. I’ll need to speak to Regina as soon as possible. I can’t have Will upset with me because he thinks I don’t want to go out with him on his birthday.
CHAPTER 5
Karen stepped outside and drew in a deep breath. The mist rolling over the farmlands surrounding Middlebury lifted the curtain on another day. She leaned her head back and looked at the sky. A small patch of sun peeked through the clouds, offering a promise to chase away the chill on this frosty Sunday morning. It was an off-Sunday in their district, so she and her family would be attending her aunt Jean’s church.
As Karen headed to the chicken coop to feed the chickens, she thought about Will and how strange he’d acted the day before. She felt bad about the way things had gone when he’d invited her to join him for supper.
I wish I felt free to tell Will about the party, but if I do, it won’t be a surprise. Maybe after we get home from church, I’ll go over to the Stoltzfuses’ and see if I can get Regina alone for a few minutes to discuss this problem.
Karen opened the chicken coop door and stepped inside. She bent to pick up one of the watering dishes and was startled by Herman, their biggest and meanest rooster. He flapped his wings, stretched his neck, and charged across the coop.
Karen jumped back and waved her hands, but the ornery rooster pointed his beak right at her ankle and—peck, peck, peck!
“Ouch! Absatz—stop that!” The water dish slipped from Karen’s han
ds, splashing water all over her dress.
The rooster backed up a few steps, ruffled his feathers, and charged again. Quickly Karen bent down, lifted the lid off the chicken feed container, and threw some on the floor. Herman rushed for it, as did the other chickens. While they clucked around the coop, fighting for food, Karen hurried through the watering process. The job done, she headed back to the house.
Stepping onto the porch, she tripped on a loose board and fell on her knees. Gritting her teeth, she limped into the house, mumbling, “I think I should have stayed in bed this morning.”
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