Parting the curtain an inch, Ron watched the relatives try the front door. When they found it locked, they went to the back of the house. If they’re smart enough to try the basement door they’ll be able to get in. If not, they’ll just have to wait on the porch. Either way, it ain’t my problem.
Chapter 25
The meal at Der Dutchman tasted good as always,” Heidi commented as she and Lyle headed toward home Saturday evening. “I’d considered cutting into the banana loaf I made earlier today when we get home, but I ate so much, I don’t believe I have enough room.” Patting her stomach, she took a deep breath and sighed.
“I hear ya. I’m so full, I think I might pop.” Lyle stuck his finger inside his mouth and made a popping noise. “Whenever we eat from their buffet, I take too much. Guess the ole saying holds true, because my eyes are certainly bigger than my stomach.”
Heidi smiled. Lyle could sure poke fun at himself. It was one of the many traits she loved about him. “Now don’t get me laughing, or I might end up with the hiccups.”
“Laughter’s good medicine. The Bible says so, right?”
“True, which is why I included that scripture on the back of one of the recipe cards I gave my students.”
He reached across the seat and clasped her hand. “Good thinking.”
“Oh, Lyle, before I forget … While you were at the auction today, Kendra stopped by for a visit.” She squeezed her husband’s fingers.
“Isn’t she the young, auburn-haired woman who attends your cooking class?”
“Jah, and during our visit she opened up to me about a few things.”
“Such as?”
“Kendra is bitter toward her father.”
“How come?” Lyle let go of Heidi’s hand and snapped the reins, signaling to the horse to pick up speed.
“After Kendra informed her parents she was expecting a baby, her dad told her to leave his house and have nothing to do with her sisters.”
“I take it she’s not married?”
“No, and the father of her child has moved on with his life and wants nothing to do with helping Kendra raise the child.” Heidi had gotten this bit of information during her last visit with Kendra.
Lyle’s brows furrowed. “Family is family, regardless of what she did. It’s too bad her daed doesn’t see it that way.”
“Hoping to offer Kendra some support, I shared scripture with her.”
“Did it help?”
“From what I could tell, she didn’t want to hear it.”
“If the Lord laid it on your heart to share a passage from the Bible, then you did the right thing.”
“I hope so. I don’t want Kendra to feel that I’m forcing my religious beliefs on her.”
Lyle shook his head. “To my knowledge, you’ve never done that with anyone. But we do need to be in tune with the hurts of others. Sometimes the best way to help them is through God’s Word.”
“True.” Heidi sighed. “I only wish I could do more to help her. From what I understand, Kendra’s only real friend is the young woman she’s staying with in Mt. Hope.”
“Don’t forget prayer. There’s power in our prayers.”
“Jah.” Heidi felt thankful for her husband’s wisdom and godly counsel. Another trait he was blessed to have. She appreciated being able to talk to him about Kendra.
As Lyle guided the horse and buggy into their yard, Heidi pointed out the front window. “Someone’s sitting on our front porch, and it looks like …” She stifled a gasp. “For goodness’ sake, it’s Aunt Emma and her husband, Lamar.”
Lyle’s forehead wrinkled. “Did you know they were coming?”
She shook her head. “I had no idea whatsoever.”
As soon as Lyle brought his horse to the rail, Heidi stepped down to secure the animal then hurried up to the house.
“Aunt Emma, what a surprise!”
“Surprise? Didn’t you get my letter about us coming for a visit?” Aunt Emma rose from her chair and gave Heidi a hug. Lamar did the same.
Heidi’s face radiated with heat as she shook her head in disbelief. “I haven’t received any letters from you, at least not recently.”
Peering at Heidi over the top of her metal-framed glasses, Aunt Emma tilted her head. “How strange. I wrote to tell you we’d be arriving today for a short visit before heading to Geauga County to see your folks.”
Heidi’s eyebrows squished together. “I bet your letter got lost in the mail. If I’d known you were coming, we would have stayed home this evening. Did you try to call?”
“I meant to yesterday, but things got busy and I plumb forgot.” Aunt Emma thumped her forehead. “Must be old age setting in. Things come to mind—then they flit right out again.”
“You don’t have to be old for it to happen, either,” Lamar interjected with a chuckle. “Just busy.”
Heidi laughed. “I can certainly relate to that.” She gestured to the porch chairs. “How long have you been sitting out here waiting for us?”
Lamar pulled out his pocket watch. “Oh, a couple of hours.”
“I apologize. You should have gone in and made yourselves at home.”
“We tried the front and back doors, but they were both locked.” Aunt Emma yawned. “So we sat out here and took a little nap.”
“Sometimes we leave the basement door unlocked.”
“Guess we should have checked there, but it’s okay.” Lamar stretched his arms over his head. “It’s such a warm evening, and it felt relaxing to sit on your porch, listening to the evening sounds. Guess that’s the reason we snoozed a little.”
“Ach, listen. Isn’t that the sound of a whip-poor-will calling?” Aunt Emma pointed to the closest maple tree.
“Jah, I believe so. They arrive every year about this time. Some nights they come in close and ‘whip and will’ for minutes on end. It almost sounds like those silly birds are singing their name.” Heidi giggled. “One evening a whip-poor-will became so annoying Lyle threatened to open our bedroom window and throw his pillow at the winged creature. But I told him, ‘You’ll do no such thing. How many people get to hear a whip-poor-will serenading them by their window?’”
“So true,” Aunt Emma and Lamar said in unison.
It amazed Heidi how alike these two were. Lamar was her aunt’s second husband, and the two of them seemed to be soul mates. After Uncle Ivan passed away, Aunt Emma had been lonely. But then ever-cheerful Lamar came into her life and changed all that. It helped, too, that the couple had quilting in common. Lamar designed beautiful quilt patterns, and Aunt Emma made equally lovely quilts. They worked well together, and Lamar often helped teach his wife’s quilting students.
“Well, enough talk about the birds.” Heidi moved toward the front door. “I’ll bet you two haven’t had supper yet.”
Heidi’s aunt shook her head. “We thought you’d be here, and I figured on helping you make supper.”
“I’m so sorry. Lyle and I ate supper at Der Dutchman, but there’s leftover chicken from last night’s meal in the refrigerator. I’ll heat some up for you.”
“Don’t go to any trouble on our account.” Aunt Emma gave a quick shake of her head. “A sandwich would suit us just fine.”
“We’ll see about that.” Heidi clasped her aunt’s hand. “How long can you stay?”
“Until tomorrow. We’ll go to church with you in the morning, and then our driver will be back in the afternoon to take us up to your folks’ place.” A wide smile stretched across Aunt Emma’s face. “It’ll be good to see my sister again. It’s been too long since our last visit.”
After taking care of the horse and buggy, Lyle stepped onto the porch. “This is certainly a pleasant surprise.” He shook Lamar’s hand then gave Aunt Emma a hug. “We didn’t realize you were coming.”
“Aunt Emma sent me a letter, but it must have gotten lost in the mail.” Heidi pointed to their suitcases. “We really ought to go inside. After I’ve fed these dear people some supper, we can spend
the rest of the evening catching up with each other’s lives.”
“I’m anxious to hear about your cooking classes.” Aunt Emma slipped her arm around Heidi’s waist.
“And I’m eager to hear if you’ve taught any more quilting classes.”
“Heidi, I heard the whip-poor-will when I came out of the barn. Sounded like it was back by the fields along the tree line somewhere,” Lyle mentioned.
“We heard one, too, only it was out front in the maple tree.” Heidi pointed.
“Guess they’ve returned for the spring and summer months—in time to entertain us in the wee hours of the night.”
“Oh, Lyle, just admit it.” Heidi poked his arm. “You enjoy hearing them as much as I do.”
“You got me there.” Lyle poked her back before winking at Aunt Emma.
The men picked up the luggage, Heidi linked arms with her aunt, and they all went into the house.
Mt. Hope
Kendra sat at Dorie’s kitchen table, staring at the phone book. Do I call Deacon Tom, and if so, what do I say? Should I blurt out the truth about my pregnancy and then tell him Dad kicked me out? Or would it be better if I make small talk first and lead slowly into the reason I called? Ha! Dad would probably get kicked off the board if this news got out. Well, he deserves whatever’s coming to him.
Kendra reached for her cell phone but hesitated. If I tell Deacon Tom, he’s bound to confront Dad, and then it could explode in my face. Dad might be so mad he’d kick Shelly and Chris out of the house to get even with me.
Overwhelming anger had gripped Kendra’s senses when she’d left Heidi’s house this afternoon. Talking about her situation hadn’t helped at all. Kendra’s heart fluttered and her ears rang just thinking about everything. Maybe it would be best not to contact anyone from church about this mess and wait to see how it all played out. One thing for certain: she would not pray about her situation, like Heidi had suggested. Nope. She’d done enough praying in the past, and where had it gotten her?
Kendra thought about the verse on the back of the recipe card for German pizza. “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.” She frowned. The only person I’m trusting is myself.
“I may as well face it,” Kendra muttered. “I’ve lost my family, and if I decide to give up my baby, I’ll lose him or her, too.” Truthfully, Kendra saw no hope for her future. Even if she got hired full-time at the restaurant, she wouldn’t make enough money to rent her own place and also provide for a child. The only sensible thing to do was relinquish her rights as the baby’s mother and put him or her up for adoption.
Kendra wrapped her arms tightly around her middle. Now I know how that mama duck must have felt, wanting to protect her little ones. No matter how Kendra looked at it, whatever she chose to do would be difficult. If adoption was the best answer, should her baby go to strangers or someone she knew?
Dover
“Stop fidgeting and try not to appear so nervous.” Len rubbed Charlene’s back as they stepped onto his parents’ porch. “Be nice to my mom, and she’ll be nice to you.” He lowered his arm and slipped it around Charlene’s waist then leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Remember, sweetie, I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She drew in a few deep breaths. Let’s get this over with.
Without knocking, Len opened the door and entered the house. “Mom! Dad! We’re here.”
Len’s mother, Annette, stepped out of the kitchen, wearing a white apron of all things. If Charlene wore a white apron, it’d be dirty within minutes of putting it on.
“You’re early. Supper’s not quite ready.” Annette’s pale blue eyes held no sparkle. Not even a hint of a smile on her face, either.
“It’s okay, Mom.” Len gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’d rather we be early than late.”
In order to break the ice, Charlene thought to offer Len’s mother a friendly hug, but with Annette’s cold reception, she changed her mind. Squaring her shoulders and putting on her best smile, she tried something else. “Is there anything you’d like me to help you with?”
“I suppose you could cut more vegetables to put in the tossed salad. I’m not done making it yet.”
“I’d be happy to finish the salad.” After learning to make Amish haystack, with so many ingredients, Charlene felt sure she could manage a simple tossed salad.
“I’ll visit with Dad while you ladies get supper on. Is he in the living room?” Len asked.
“Your father probably didn’t hear you arrive.” Nodding toward the other room, his mother frowned. “He’s watching some documentary on birds of prey, and he’d better turn off the TV and come to the table when I announce supper’s ready.” She turned and tromped off to the kitchen.
Charlene cringed. Obviously Len’s mother wasn’t in a good mood this evening. Sure hope I don’t make things worse.
Chapter 26
Pleased she had done well finishing the tossed salad, Charlene asked Len’s mother if she needed help with anything else.
Annette brought a kettle over to the counter and placed it on a pot holder. “You can mash the potatoes while I make some gravy.”
“Okay. Do you use a potato masher or portable mixer?”
Annette blinked rapidly, neck bending forward. “A mixer, of course. No one uses a potato masher anymore. It went out with the Dark Ages.” She opened a drawer and handed Charlene an electric hand mixer.
“The Amish don’t use electric mixers,” Charlene commented.
Annette quirked an eyebrow. “The Amish? What do you know about them?”
“Well, I …” Charlene caught herself in time. She’d been about to say she was taking cooking classes from an Amish woman. Since Charlene hadn’t even told Len, she wasn’t about to reveal it to his mother. “I’ve read some things about the Plain People. It’s common knowledge they don’t have electricity in their homes.”
Annette lifted her shoulders and gave an undignified huff. “Sounds ludicrous to me. I can’t imagine anyone living in our modern-day age and not making use of electricity.” She placed a stick of butter and a carton of milk on the counter, along with salt and pepper. “Make sure the potatoes aren’t lumpy. Oh, and Todd likes them nice and creamy, so you’ll need to put in enough milk.”
Charlene offered no response to Annette’s comment about the Amish. She obviously thought they were old fashioned and perhaps even foolish. Charlene thought quite the opposite. Since meeting Heidi and spending time in her home, she viewed the Amish people as hardworking, responsible, and caring. They were dedicated to living a simpler life, without all the fancy things so many English people thought they needed. Charlene felt the Amish people’s desire to live life as their ancestors had done was no less than amazing, especially in this day and age. Their focus was on serving God and family, not worldly things.
“I’ll do my best with the potatoes,” she murmured, hoping they would meet with Annette and her husband’s approval. The last thing she needed was to look bad in anyone’s eyes tonight. When she and Len went out to dinner last night, they’d set a wedding date. Len planned to tell his folks the news this evening. Charlene hoped they’d be happy about it, but she wasn’t holding her breath. She’d figured out almost from the beginning of her and Len’s relationship that his mother wasn’t fond of her. Perhaps with Len being an only child, Annette wouldn’t be happy with any woman he chose. In order to make her marriage to Len peaceful around his family, Charlene would need to win his mother’s approval. But how?
“Why are the potatoes so soupy tonight?” Todd’s question was directed at Annette. “You ought to know by now the way I like them—creamy, with lots of butter.” His nose wrinkled. “I don’t enjoy spuds runny enough to eat with a spoon.”
Charlene swallowed hard as she watched Len’s father hold up his fork, while the potatoes poured through the tongs. “Sorry about that. I’m the one who whipped the potatoes. I may have added too much milk.”
Annette’s eyes narrowed when she
took a small bite. “My husband’s right; these potatoes are horrible.”
“I didn’t say they were horrible,” Todd corrected. “They’re just too runny, is all.” Charlene glanced at Len, wondering if he might say something negative about the potatoes or, better yet, come to her defense. Instead he sat silently, eating his salad. Guess the tossed salad passed the test, at least. So far, no one’s complained about that.
Charlene’s thoughts were overridden when Len’s mother poked her fork into the salad and pulled out a cucumber chunk. “My goodness, Charlene, didn’t anyone ever teach you how to cut vegetables for a salad? They need to be finely cut. This cucumber is so large it won’t even fit in my mouth.”
Len picked up his knife and waved it in the air. “Come on, Mom, give it a rest. If the cucumber’s too big, just cut it to the size you want. Charlene did the best she could.”
“Thanks,” Charlene murmured. She took pleasure in hearing Len finally stick up for her.
Annette glared at him, giving no response as she pushed the cucumber aside.
Charlene couldn’t believe the woman’s stubbornness. She behaved like a child. Is this kind of behavior what I’ll have to put up with every time I’m around her?
Len cleared his throat, while tapping his water glass with a spoon. “Charlene and I have an announcement to make.” He reached over and clasped her hand. “We’re planning to get married the last Saturday of September.”
“What?” Annette’s mouth dropped open. “Why, that’s not nearly enough time to prepare. It only gives us four months to plan things out for the wedding.”
“I’ll do most of the planning.” On this matter Charlene would not relent. “In fact, I already have my wedding dress picked out.”
Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers Page 18