When Lyle pulled the horse up to the hitching rail, he handed the reins to her while he got out and secured the animal. Bobbins usually cooperated and remained at the rail, but Lyle never took chances. A few years ago, two small children in their community waited in their father’s buggy. Before he got his horse secured, it backed up, turned, and bolted. The children were lucky their dad caught up with the buggy and was able to subdue the horse before it ran into the road. What turned out to be a frightening adventure for the little ones ended well. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case. There had been many accidents due to horses bolting when they became spooked by something, or sometimes for no apparent reason at all.
Once certain Bobbins had been secured, Heidi got out of the buggy. While Lyle put the horse in the barn, she headed for the house, using a flashlight to guide the way.
Upon entering the kitchen, she turned on the gaslight over the table, which illuminated the room with a warm glow. Since her nerves were a bit frazzled, and she felt more awake now, Heidi turned on the stove to heat water in the teakettle. While getting a cup from the cupboard, she noticed several cookie crumbs on the counter. “Well, that schtinker,” she murmured. “Looks like my husband sampled some of the molasses kichlin before we left home.”
Grabbing a sponge from the kitchen sink, Heidi cleaned up the mess and put the crumbs in the garbage can. After the water heated, she fixed herself a cup of chamomile tea and took a seat at the table.
Several minutes later, Lyle came in. “How about a cup of tea?” she asked.
“Sure, and I’ve changed my mind about the kichlin. Think I’ll try a couple to go with the tea.” With a playful grin, he winked at her.
Heidi lifted her gaze toward the ceiling. “From the looks of the grimmel I found on the counter a few minutes ago, I’d say you already had a taste of my cookies.”
His forehead wrinkled. “No I didn’t, Heidi. Never went near the cookie container.”
Setting her cup down, she pursed her lips. “I suppose I could have dropped a few crumbs when I put the cookies away and just didn’t notice.”
“You know how it is. We all do things without realizing it.” Lyle’s eyes widened, and his voice lowered to a whisper. “Or maybe we have a maus in the house.”
“Oh, dear. Don’t even suggest such a thing, especially since I’m conducting cooking classes here in the kitchen. I can only imagine my students’ response if a mouse made an appearance during one of our classes.”
Lyle tickled Heidi under her chin. “I was only teasing.” He opened the plastic container and took out three cookies. After placing two on a napkin, he ate the third one. “Yum. Yum. I’m a glicklich man to be married to such a good cook.”
“Danki.” She smiled. “And I’m lucky to have a man who appreciates my efforts.” Heidi truly was thankful for her husband. Once more, she vowed to quit feeling sorry for herself because they had no children and remember to count her blessings.
After tossing and turning several hours, Eli got out bed. Think I’ll head to the kitchen and get a drink of water.
He’d only taken a few steps toward the door when he tripped over a boot and bumped into his dresser. “Ouch!” Eli leaned over to rub his knee, and when his head came up, he clipped it on the top of the dresser. “Not fun.”
Fumbling for his flashlight, he clicked it on and looked in the mirror above the dresser. The bump on the head didn’t look too bad, but boy, his knee sure hurt.
Limping his way to the kitchen, Eli gritted his teeth. If Mavis were here now she’d get me a glass of water, and put Arnica ointment on my knee. My wife always did pamper me.
After turning on the gas lamp over the table, Eli stood at the sink, looking out the window while he filled his glass with cold water. The moon, reflecting on the pond at the edge of his property, caught his attention. Little ripples formed when a slight breeze occurred, turning the moon’s image into diamond-like shapes, sparkling on the water’s surface.
His stomach rumbled as he turned back around. There were no snacks in the refrigerator, and not a single cookie filled the cookie jar. What he wouldn’t give for something sweet to munch on right now.
Sure hope Mom gives me more kichlin soon. He tilted the glass, gulping down the water. Store-bought doesn’t taste the same as homemade.
Eli limped across the room and lowered himself into his favorite chair at the table. Staring into space, he reflected once again on the wonderful years he and Mavis shared, and some of the silly things they used to do. He laughed out loud, recalling the night neither of them could sleep. They had no dessert or snacks that evening, and both craved something sweet. After tossing and turning to no avail, Mavis came up with a crazy idea. “Let’s make a batch of kichlin.” Of course, Eli didn’t disagree. Later, as they sat at the kitchen table sharing milk and peanut butter cookies, he announced, “These are the best tasting cookies I’ve ever eaten. Think they taste better when they’re right out of the oven.”
Mavis smiled and poked his belly. “Now, don’t get used to the idea. I’m not planning to get out of bed in the wee hours and bake cookies often.”
Eli looked at his empty cookie jar as his mind snapped back to the present. Think I’ll drop by my folks’ place later this week and see if Mom’s made any cookies recently. If not, I’ll stop at one of the bakeries on my way home. It’s not good to have an empty cookie jar in the house.
Chapter 18
Thursday afternoon, while Heidi was taking a pie from the oven, Lyle came into the kitchen. “What smells so good?” He breathed deeply. “Yum.”
“I made a pie using some of the peaches I canned last year.” Heidi noticed Lyle held the vase from the dining-room hutch.
“Did you take any money from this?” His forehead creased as he lifted it up.
She shook her head. “Since the money we put in there is for things we’re saving up for, I’d never take anything without checking with you first.”
He tipped his head. “Hmm … Could have sworn I put $200 in here the other day, but now there’s only $140. Maybe I had less than I thought.” He scratched the side of his head. “Am I getting forgetful all of a sudden? I’m only thirty. Could old age be creeping in already?”
Heidi touched his arm. “Don’t be silly. We all forget things.”
“True, but I’m almost sure …” His voice trailed off as he leaned against the counter. “You don’t suppose one of your students took it?”
She shook her head briskly. “I don’t see how. We were all here in the dining room at the same time, so there was no chance anyone could have taken it without the others seeing.”
“Guess you’re right. Even so, I’d better put this in a less conspicuous place.” Lyle opened the cupboard door where their dishes were kept and placed the vase on the top shelf next to some empty canning jars. Then he turned to face Heidi again. “If you haven’t started supper yet, why don’t we go out for a bite to eat?”
“Well …” She tapped her chin. “I’d planned to fix a meat loaf, but if I don’t have to cook this evening, it’ll keep the kitchen cooler. And when we get home, I can work on my lesson plan for the upcoming cooking class.”
“Then it’s settled.” He pulled her into his arms for a sweet kiss. “Besides, you work hard around here and deserve a break from cooking once in a while.”
“I got a break the other night, when we went to the Rabers’ for supper, remember?”
The skin around Lyle’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. “You’re right, but we spent the whole evening visiting, which didn’t give you any time to prepare for your next class, as you’d hoped to do then. Speaking of which, what dish will you be teaching them how to make this time?”
“I thought of sweet-and-sour meatballs at first but changed my mind. Think I’ll teach them how to make German pizza instead.”
His eyes gleamed as he wiggled his brows. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Giggling, Heidi gave his stomach a gentle poke. “You have a g
ood many favorites, dear husband.”
Sugarcreek
“It’s good to see you, son.” Mom gave Eli such a tight squeeze it nearly took his breath away. For a woman of small stature, she had great power in her hugs.
“It’s good to see you, too.” Eli sniffed the air. “Whatcha been bakin’, Mom?”
She took a plastic container from the cupboard and opened it.
Eli’s mouth watered. “Banana whoopie pies. You’re a good mamm. You always remember those are one of my favorite cookies.”
She chuckled and squeezed his arm tenderly. “Don’t worry. I’ll send plenty of them home with you.”
“How about now? Do I get to eat one before I go?”
“Certainly, and you’re welcome to stay for supper.”
Eli shook his head. “As hard as it is to turn down the offer, I have a few errands to run in Berlin. Then I’m heading right home. There’s work waiting for me in the shop.”
Mom’s forehead wrinkled. “Okay, but you have to promise to come over for a meal soon. I always fix more than your daed and I can eat.” She put a whoopie pie on a plate and handed it to Eli. “Would you like some milk to go with it?”
“Sure, but I can get it.”
“That’s okay. Please take a seat at the table and let your old mamm wait on you. I don’t get the chance to do it often.”
Eli pulled out a chair and sat down. “One of these days I’m gonna invite you and Dad to my house for a meal.”
She peered at him over the top of her glasses. “Oh? Have you found a woman friend? Are you courting again?”
His body stiffened. “Course not. No one could ever replace Mavis.”
“Starting over with a new fraa would not mean you are replacing your first wife.” She poured him a glass of milk and placed it on the table.
His mother meant well, but insinuating he find a new wife did not sit well with Eli. She ought to realize how much he’d loved Mavis and still did. Did Mom think he could forget what they’d once had and move on with his life as though Mavis never existed?
Eli took a breath and blew it out. The best thing to do was change the subject. “So where’s Dad this afternoon? Figured he’d be off work by now.”
“He went to the dentist’s. They’ll be seating his new crown, so it could be a while before he gets home.”
Eli glanced at the clock above the refrigerator. “Guess I won’t get to see him then, ’cause as soon as I finish this treat I need to go.”
Mom’s lower lip protruded. “But Eli, you only got here a few minutes ago. We don’t get to see you as often as we’d like. For that matter, we even hoped you might sell your place and move closer to us.”
“I’m not sellin’ my place.” Eli’s shoulders tensed. “It’s been my home since Mavis and I got married, and it’ll be my home till the day I die. I won’t change my mind, neither.”
Mom winced. “Calm down, son. You don’t need to be so testy. I meant no harm.”
A sense of guilt came over Eli, and he quickly apologized. “Sorry, I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to the idea of leaving my home. Mavis was everything to me, and I miss her something awful. I could never leave the place that holds so many special memories.”
Mom rested her hand on his shoulder. “I don’t understand exactly how you feel because I haven’t lost my mate, but a mother’s heart hurts to see her child, grown or otherwise, brokenhearted.” She paused, clearing her throat. “I won’t bring up the topic again, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here for you, Eli.”
“Danki.” He bit into the whoopie pie. “This is appeditlich.”
She took a seat beside him. “I’m not one to brag on my baking abilities, but I must agree—these cookies turned out delicious.”
A short time later, as Eli headed down the road with his horse and buggy, he glanced at the container on the seat beside him. As much he liked Mom’s banana whoopie pies, even over a period of a few days, he could not eat all twelve of them. Mom means well, though. She only wants the best for me, even with her insinuating I should get married again.
He clicked his tongue and snapped the reins to get Blossom moving a little quicker. He’d brought Mavis’s horse out today, thinking she needed a workout. Trouble was, the lazy animal wanted to poke along. Time was dwindling, and if he didn’t get to Berlin soon, he’d have to take care of his errands quickly in order to get home at a reasonable time to finish some work.
To save precious minutes, Eli took a shortcut. As his rig crested a hill, he caught sight of a woman by her mailbox, near the edge of the road. “Ach, it’s Loretta.” Eli pulled back on the reins. Then he waved and called out to her.
With her mouth open slightly, she waved in response.
On impulse, he directed Blossom up Loretta’s driveway, even though he was pressed for time. For the moment, it didn’t seem to matter. “So, is this where you live?”
Smiling, she nodded. “What brings you out my way?”
“I was at my folks’ place. I believe I mentioned they live here in Sugarcreek. Funny thing is, I’ve been past this place many times but didn’t know until today that you lived here.”
“Most likely it’s because our first meeting was at Heidi’s cooking class. So even if you’d seen me, it would have meant nothing. You’d have probably thought I was just another English woman working out in her yard.”
“Maybe so.” Eli couldn’t put a finger on it, but he felt relaxed talking to Loretta right now. Something about her mannerisms reminded him of Mavis. Her looks were different, of course, but Loretta’s soft-spoken voice and quiet demeanor were similar to his wife’s.
Remembering the container of cookies, he picked it up. “Do you or your children like whoopie pies?”
“What child doesn’t like whoopie pies?” Loretta giggled. “Call me a kid, but I love ’em, too.”
“Well, good, ’cause my mother gave me several banana-flavored whoopies, and I’d like to share ’em with you.”
“How nice.” Deep dimples showed in Loretta’s cheeks when she smiled. “I’ll run up to the house and get another container so you can keep yours.” Before heading up the driveway, she added, “I’d invite you in, but Abby and Conner are napping. They’d most likely wake up if they heard us talking. Then I’d never get them back to sleep.”
“It’s okay, I understand.” Eli handed her the container. “I’m actually heading to Berlin to get a few things, and afterward I need to go right home. There’s plenty of work waiting for me there.”
“Okay, I won’t be long. How many should I take?”
“Leave me two and you can have the rest.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to cut you short.”
“Not a problem.” He thumped his stomach. “I don’t need the extra pounds, and I’m most happy to share.”
While Eli waited for Loretta to return, he glanced around her place. It looked like the house and garage sat on half an acre or so. The lawn appeared to have been recently mowed, and he noticed a weedfree garden on one side of the yard. Did Loretta take care of it herself, or might a friend or relative help out? Another home sat next door. Eli saw a man walking around a berry patch.
Mavis’s horse grew restless and stomped her front hooves. “Settle down, Blossom. We’ll be on our way soon.”
Loretta returned a short time later and handed him the container. “The children will be happy when they wake up to such a nice snack. Please tell your mother thank you.”
“I will.”
“Oh, and feel free to stop by anytime you’re in the area. I’d like you to meet my kinner.”
Eli grinned. There she goes again, using a Pennsylvania Dutch word. “I’ll take you up on the offer, ’cause I’d enjoy meeting them, too.” He gave a small wave. “See you at the cooking class a week from Saturday.”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”
Eli paused long enough to watch Loretta wave at her neighbor then walk over to his yard. I wonder if the man she’s chattin
g with is the “Sam” she’s mentioned a few times during class. He looks old enough to be Loretta’s dad.
Eli shrugged his shoulders and whistled a tune as he backed the horse and buggy onto the road. For some reason, after seeing Loretta, he felt carefree and was glad he’d given her some of Mom’s whoopie pies. It felt good to do something nice for someone. Paying it forward—that’s what it’s called. Eli thought of the scripture on the back of the haystack recipe card he’d received from Heidi. This was what it meant to have a merry heart.
Mt. Hope
When Kendra left Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen and headed back to Dorie’s, her spirits lifted a bit. She’d been hired to wash dishes. Even though it wasn’t her first choice, at least some money would be coming in soon, which meant she could help her friend with expenses. Kendra felt grateful she’d be working afternoons and some evenings, because mornings were still the worst for her when it came to dealing with the nausea. The best part of all was that she wouldn’t have to work Saturdays and miss any of the cooking classes. Tomorrow would be her first day on the job, and then she wouldn’t work again until Monday. She’d have a day to get oriented to her duties, and then two days off.
Sure wish there was something fun to do this weekend. It’s boring to sit around while Dorie goes out with Gene. When he comes to her house, it’s even worse, ’cause I have to hide out in my bedroom to give them private time together.
Kendra stopped walking and bent to pick up an aluminum can someone had carelessly thrown on the sidewalk. Some people have no respect. Littering to them is no big deal. She tossed the can in the nearest trash container and continued on.
Kendra looked at her shadow, which, like her profile, revealed a small baby bump. Instinctively, she rubbed her hand over the swell on her stomach. Then she glanced up as she rounded the corner. Approaching Dorie’s house, she came to a halt. “It can’t be.” Seeing a familiar car parked in the driveway, Kendra groaned. Her body tensed as her hand went from her stomach to her forehead. Oh no, it’s Dad. What does he want?
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