“Thank you everyone; this is very lovely and a very kind gesture.” When she realized that was the second time she’d thanked them in five minutes, she hoped she didn’t sound too false. “I might sound ungrateful, or a little strange, it’s just the suddenness of it all. I'm overwhelmed.” She looked down at the card again and then picked it up. “Has anyone been to this place?”
“Derek’s been there and he says it's wonderful,” Karen, one of the secretaries, said.
“You’ve been there?” Jane asked Derek.
“I have; it’s a very special place. You'll see what I mean when you get there. You'll be ringing me up thanking me.” Derek leaned forward and seeming almost genuine, said, “You’ll be able to relax, regroup, and recuperate. There are things to do or you can choose to do nothing.”
Jane nodded, knowing it was already too late; nothing she could do or say would make a difference. “That was nice of you, Derek.” He seemed sincere; maybe she’d misjudged him. Time away from everything might do her good. Home was never the same since Sean’s death—amongst all his things, all of them reminders of him. Maybe getting away and finding the ‘old Jane’ was what she really needed to do. She’d spent so much time trying to juggle her career demands and make Sean happy, that she’d lost ‘herself’ in the process. Perhaps in these four weeks, I could try to become the person I once was, before I married Sean.
Chapter 3
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,
not only to believe on him,
but also to suffer for his sake.
Philippians 1:29
* * *
It was a long bus ride from New York to Lancaster County. Why couldn't they have sent her somewhere she could have flown? Or perhaps there were flights between New York and somewhere close to Lancaster County—she didn’t know, hadn't thought to check during the rush to get ready. Lancaster County was never a vacation destination that she would've chosen.
Once she arrived, she stepped off the bus, collected her suitcase and headed to the taxi rank to wait in the short queue. When she got into a taxi, she handed the driver the address.
As the taxi ventured further into the countryside, she had to admit that she felt better. Perhaps it was leaving all her problems behind her, but then again, sooner or later, she’d have to face reality again.
“There you go, Ma’am,” the taxi driver said as he drove up a long driveway.
Jane had been lost in her own world. “Is this it?” she asked looking at a large house, which was undergoing some building work, going by the scaffolding up one side.
“This is one of the best Amish bed and breakfasts around here.”
“Amish?” Her stomach lurched and she hoped she wouldn’t be sick. “Stop the car!”
He slammed on the brakes fifty yards from the house. He turned around and looked at her. “This is the address you gave me.”
“No… no one told me it was Amish.”
“You're slap bang in the middle of Amish country here.”
Jane put a hand over her stomach, as she grew angry. “Derek!” she said in a controlled voice despite wanting to scream. There was no doubt in her mind anymore that Derek had done this deliberately after having learned of her issue with the Amish.
“Do you want to go somewhere else, Ma’am? I could take you to a hotel back in town.”
“Um…” She was too tired to travel all the way back. And if she went home, that would make her boss unhappy, which would immediately give Derek the upper hand. The whole thing was a cruel slap in the face.
She certainly couldn't tell Tyrone that Derek had done this deliberately. Besides sounding unprofessional, she didn't want Tyrone to know that she saw Derek as a threat. And where Derek was concerned, she preferred not to let him know that she was on to him. She’d have to pretend she liked it here and, above all, that she was having a nice time. That was the only way to beat Derek at his own game.
“Well, Miss?” the taxi driver asked.
She snapped back to reality and looked at the driver. “I’ll stay!”
“Don’t get out here. I’ll take you closer to the house.” He drove the remaining few yards to the entrance.
She paid the driver, and he took her suitcase right to the door. Once he'd driven away, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
“Hello! We've been waiting for you; that is, if your name is Jane Walker.”
Jane looked at the friendly woman dressed in full Amish clothing and forced a smile. The woman was wearing a starched white cap, a white apron over a dark blue long dress that ended mid-calf, and on her black stockinged feet were black lace-up boots. She appeared to be in her late fifties to mid-sixties, but perhaps Amish women looked older than they really were, as they didn't have the benefit of using makeup or hair dyes, or wearing fashionable clothes. Her ruddy face was full and free of lines except at the corners of her eyes.
This woman can't be held responsible for what happened, Jane reminded herself. “Yes, I’m Jane.”
“I’m Mrs. Yoder, the owner of the B&B.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Your luggage is outside?” Mrs. Yoder asked.
“Yes, I’ve only got the one bag, but it’s rather heavy.”
The woman yelled loudly, “Tobias.”
Jane had jumped at the sudden outburst. Then she waited for someone to appear. It didn’t take long for an old man to walk into the room.
He looked at her and nodded. “Hello.”
“Hello. I’m Jane.”
“This is Tobias Yoder, my husband. He’ll get your suitcase. The suitcase is outside Tobias.”
“I’m Tobias as you’ve already heard,” he said with a lopsided boyish grin before he walked past her.
“Nice to meet you,” Jane said as he headed out the door. If Mrs. Yoder hadn’t introduced him as her husband, Jane would’ve thought he was her father. He had to be many years her senior.
“I suppose you should call me Lizzie if you’d prefer, rather than calling me Mrs. Yoder. I think the days are over where adults called adults by their last names.”
“Okay, Lizzie. Call me Jane.”
Tobias came back inside carrying the heavy suitcase effortlessly and then walked right past the two women.
“Just the one suitcase for a four week stay?”
“Yes. It holds a lot. It’s quite heavy.”
“You’ll be staying in the Rose Room. I’ve given all my rooms names of flowers.” Lizzie giggled like a young girl. “I hope Mr. Reynolds told you about the accommodation?”
Reynolds. That was Derek’s last name. “He didn’t tell me much about it. Is there something I should know?”
“I explained to Mr. Reynolds that we aren’t fully open again until we get through with the renovations. He insisted on us having you here, and we did have the Rose Room completed, so I hope that's all right? Didn't he inform you of that?”
“No. He didn’t. So I’ll be the only guest, is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s correct, and through the day, there might be construction noise and a bit of dust, but he insisted you wouldn’t mind.”
“That makes sense.” Yes, it made sense that Derek had sent her to a place she already didn’t like, and on top of that she wouldn’t be able to rest or relax! “This four week vacation is my special holiday from work. Everyone was kind enough to put in for it since they thought I needed a rest.”
A young girl came running into the room and started talking.
“Mind your manners, Gia. This is Mrs. Walker.” Lizzie looked up at Jane. “This is Gia.”
The young girl looked around six or seven years of age. She was wearing Amish clothes just like Lizzie's, but no cap.
“Hello, Gia.” Jane smiled at the young girl.
Gia smiled back to reveal a missing front tooth. “Hello, Mrs. Walker. Are you staying here?”
Her missing tooth appeared to give Gia a lisp.
“I'm staying here tonigh
t.” She wasn’t sure if she’d stay there if there were going to be constant hammering and dust. Surely that would be something that Tyrone would understand. She continued to speak to Gia. “Your mother was kind enough to make room for me even though the building is undergoing renovations.”
“I’m her grandmother,” Lizzie was quick to say.
“I’m sorry,” Jane said.
“You have pretty pink lips,” Gia said staring up at her.
“Thank you.”
“Gia lives with us here.” Lizzie went on to tell Jane what time the meals were and then handed her a booklet.
“Thank you. It certainly is a lovely place you have here.”
“Thank you. We like it. It's been in my husband's family for generations. It's got lovely gardens and a river. There are many pleasant walks to take down by the river and around the fields.”
“That's wonderful. I'll keep that in mind. And how far is it to town?” Jane knew she would go crazy not seeing another soul for weeks, apart from Amish people—that was, if she did decide to stay. She looked at Mrs. Yoder eagerly awaiting her answer.
“It's only five minutes in a taxi. And we’ve got the phone connected, so you can call out any time you like. We’ve got a lovely village and shops.”
“Oh, you’ve got electricity?” It hadn’t occurred to Jane that they might not have electricity and phone connected. Jane was pleased about that at least.
“We do. Amish businesses are mostly allowed electricity. It’s a necessity of doing business.”
“That's good. I’d like to have a look in the town I just drove through. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.”
“We have two different townships. The one you rode through is five minutes away, and the other is about ten minutes in the other direction. We’re nicely placed between the two.”
Mrs. Yoder was starting to sound like a promotional blurb.
Tobias returned. “I’ll take you to your room. Follow me.”
Jane walked with Tobias down the hallway toward the Rose Room. “This is the only room we have that didn't need renovation. We weren't going to let it out until everything was finished, but your friend was insistent.”
“Yes, I heard; he can be like that. He’s very determined.” She opened her purse and handed Tobias money.
He waved his hands. “That’s not necessary. Everything’s been paid for.”
A small voice sounded. “Excuse me.” They both turned to see Gia. “Mammi said to bring you these. It’s cake and a sandwich in case you’re hungry. And fresh milk in case you want to make a cup of tea in your room.”
Mammi must be Amish for the word Grandmother, Jane thought.
Tobias said, “That’s only if you want to have tea in your room. Otherwise, you’re welcome to use the kitchen at any time.”
“Thank you,” she said to Tobias before she looked at Gia. “You’re a big girl to carry all that in by yourself.” Gia smiled at her and then Jane asked Tobias, “Where’s the kitchen?”
“Gia, would you like to show Mrs. Walker the kitchen?”
Gia nodded. “It’s this way.”
Jane followed the girl down the wide hall until they came to the end. She went through a door that opened up into a wide kitchen with open hearth and huge fireplace.
“It’s quite cozy, but in a big way,” Jane said.
At that moment, the door at the far end of the kitchen was flung open.
“Dat!” Gia ran to greet a large-framed sweaty Amish man in a wide-brimmed black hat.
“Don’t get too close, Gia. My clothes are dusty.” He looked up at Jane. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know we had guests.”
“I’m Jane.”
He nodded. “I’m Zac, generally known around here as ‘the son.’”
“He’s my Dat,” Gia said with a beaming smile.
“You haven’t been bothering Mrs….” He looked up at Jane.
“It’s actually Ms. Walker.” She had just decided to go by Ms. at that moment since she didn’t have a husband any longer and she didn’t feel like a ‘Miss.’ Miss seemed a term for a younger woman.
“Have you been bothering, Ms. Walker, Gia?”
“Nee, Dat. I don’t bother people.”
“She’s been a good help to me. She’s showing me around,” Jane said.
“I see. Well, good girl, Gia. Mammi is putting you to work.”
Gia smiled up at her father, and he patted her on her head in a gentle and caring fashion. The love of a father was something Jane’s child would never know—that was something beyond Jane’s control. Her child would live out the kind of life she’d had–a fatherless one.
Zac looked across at her while taking off his coat. “I remember now. You must be the mystery guest?”
“Mystery guest? I don’t know about that. Well, I suppose I am.”
He took off his hat, placed it on a peg by the door and shook out his thick dark hair. Zac was full-faced as his mother was, and although he wasn’t a handsome man, he exuded a quiet confidence that made him instantly appealing.
“I was told about you a few days ago. There was supposed to be no one staying here for the next month. I asked them—my parents to keep the calendar clear so I could get in and get some work done.”
The way his brown eyes bore through her made her feel as though she were intruding. In her defence, she said, “I didn’t book my stay. People from work thought I needed to get away. They booked it and surprised me. It would’ve been rude to say ‘no.’”
“So you didn’t want to come here?”
She shook her head. “No. I didn’t want to go anywhere. This was forced on me.” She stared at him as though to say, ‘happy now?’
“Well, here you are.” He shook his head. “I’m going to have to make the best of it.” There was no apology in his tone—his words said it all—she was unwelcome.
The son hadn’t inherited any manners from his parents, both of whom had been welcoming and friendly.
To heck with it, she was tired of being pushed around and trying not to upset people. She’d speak her mind. “It seems you don’t want me here?”
He screwed his face up and scratched his chin. “As long as you don’t complain about me hammering at six in the morning.”
“Six? How is it a holiday for me if you start making loud noises that early? I’ve come here to rest, not to be tortured.”
He shook his head again. “I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve only got a narrow timeframe to do so much work. I don’t think I’ll finish it in time.”
“Maybe you should talk to your parents about that.”
“They’re the problem.” He looked down at his daughter. “You go back to Mammi.”
When Gia left the room, Jane wondered if he might apologize for his rudeness that made her feel so unwelcome.
“I thought I’d finished for the day, but now that you’re here, I won’t be able to waste the daylight.”
Jane frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t worry. It’s not your problem. I’m just talking to myself.” He turned around, grabbing his coat and hat before he pulled open the door.
Jane opened her mouth to say something, but he was gone before she thought of a reply. Zac had closed the door a little too loudly—she was certain of that. She marched to the window and looked out to see him striding toward the barn. He rammed on his hat and then pushed his arms into his coat. The man had no manners. His one saving grace, in Jane’s book, was that he was loving to his daughter.
Chapter 4
I will go in the strength of the Lord God:
I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
Psalm 71:16
* * *
Alone in the kitchen, Jane sat down on a stool by the kitchen counter. If Gia lived there in that very house, that meant Zac and his wife did too, and that would mean she’d have to sit at the same table with Zac at dinner. Lizzie had told her that they all ate at the one table.
Jane wondered if Zac was nice to his wife and spoke tenderly as he’d spoken to Gia. If so, she would be jealous and make no excuses for it. All she’d wanted from Sean was to be loved fully and completely, and he’d failed her. Now Sean was dead; she couldn’t ask him why he’d treated her so poorly and sought comfort in another woman’s arms. Was there something about her that Sean had found awful? She was no supermodel—Jane knew that, but she wasn’t ugly either. Jane figured herself moderately attractive.
Knowing the kitchen would soon be abuzz with dinner preparations, Jane headed back to her room. Once she was there, she unpacked her clothes while thinking about vacation destinations she’d rather be at. If only the view from her window was one of golden sand and crashing waves, rather than green rolling acres that went on and on into oblivion.
The last place she would’ve chosen was anywhere near the Amish, but now she was stuck there. Too tired to do anything about it, she decided she would stay and try to make it work. If she left, Derek would get exactly what he wanted—satisfaction. She would call or email work the very next day and tell them how much she loved the place. That would take the wind out of Derek’s sails. Jane chuckled as she closed the last of her underwear into one of the dresser drawers.
She opened the cupboard door and pushed in her empty suitcase. Once she closed the door, she lay down on the bed. This bed was higher than her bed at home, and it was comfortable, neither too hard nor too soft. The room was clean and had everything except for a TV, although that didn’t matter because she’d brought books with her that she’d never had time to read at home.
Jane closed her eyes, intent on quieting her mind, but a mental list of things she had to do ran through her head. There was the life insurance company she had to call, and send them details of Sean’s death. Jane hoped the payout would be a sizeable sum, she couldn’t remember the figure, but she knew it would be more than enough to pay off the mortgage on her apartment. After a few years' work, she might be able to retire with enough to send her child to a good school.
A Pregnant Widow's Amish Vacation Page 2