Conner bobbed his head. “His name is Donnelly. He used to live here.”
The woman leaned down and shook both of their hands. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Eli’s mother, Wilma Miller.”
Loretta glanced at Mrs. Miller then looked back at Eli, still talking with his father. Should I go up and introduce myself or wait for Eli? Repositioning the box that held the pie, Loretta gave herself a pep talk. Quit being such a scaredy-cat and get on up to that porch. She drew a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and headed for the house.
Chapter 31
Mom and Dad, I’d like you to meet Loretta Donnelly and her children, Abby and Conner.” Eli motioned to Loretta after he and his dad stepped onto the porch.
His mother smiled. “I’ve already met Loretta and the children.” She leaned over to pet Donnelly’s head. “Looks like Sadie’s pup has found a good home.”
“The children love him,” Loretta interjected. “He seems to have adjusted well to his new surroundings.”
When his folks’ dog started whining from inside the house, Mom opened the screen door. “Come out Sadie and see your pup.”
Eli chuckled as Sadie, tail wagging, greeted Donnelly with slurps and yips. “It’s almost like a family reunion watching those two get reacquainted.”
“I hope your dog won’t be upset when we leave with her pup.” Loretta looked at Eli’s mother.
Mom shook her head. “Sadie might miss her at first, but she’ll be fine.”
“So, Mom, I promised Abby and Conner I’d take ’em out to see Biscuit.” Eli pointed to the barn. “Is he there?”
“Nope. He’s in the pasture,” Dad responded. “Let’s walk out to the fence. Maybe he’ll come over to greet us.” He gestured to Donnelly. “Better not take the pup along, though. Biscuit gets a bit spooky around dogs.”
“I’ll keep him with me,” Mom volunteered. “And our dog, too.” She held out her arms and the pup went willingly to her, while Sadie stood watchfully by. “I doubt Sadie will let Donnelly out of her sight.”
“Before I forget, Loretta and I brought pies.” Eli handed a box to his mom. “How ’bout a little later on we all have some?”
“Okay, let me take them inside.”
“I’ll help.” Loretta walked in behind Mrs. Miller with her pie but glanced back at Eli. “Will you please wait till I come back out?”
“Of course.” Eli remained on the porch with the children until Loretta joined them again. “Okay kids, are you ready to meet Biscuit?”
Together, Abby and Conner hollered, “Yes!”
“I’d better go along to keep an eye on the children.” Loretta eyed the field with a cautious expression.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be with them the whole time.” Eli took each child’s hand. “Loretta, why don’t you wait with Mom on the porch so you two can get better acquainted?”
Loretta seemed hesitant at first but finally smiled and said, “Okay.” She held a paper sack under one arm and handed it to Eli. “Your mother said to give you this.”
Eli tilted his head. “What’s inside?”
“Biscuits, and I don’t think they came from a tube.”
Loretta’s cute little grin charmed Eli. He was tempted to stay on the porch and visit with her and Mom but didn’t want to disappoint the children. He took hold of Abby’s and Conner’s hands. “Now don’t worry, Loretta. I won’t let these two out of my sight.”
Abby stood on the fence rail, while Eli’s father held Conner. “Watch this.” Eli opened the paper sack and held it in front of him. It wasn’t long before Biscuit the bull trotted over to the fence, tongue swiping over his big lips.
“Would you like to feed him?” Eli asked the children.
Abby eagerly nodded, while Conner answered, “I’m gonna watch.”
“Come down here with me.” Eli motioned for Abby as he took a biscuit from the bag and hunkered down on one knee. “Here ya go. Hold this treat in your hand and through the two rails.”
Abby squealed when Biscuit’s long tongue scooped up the pastry. “He’s a nice bull and a pretty color, too.” Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she watched the tan-colored animal. “The cow I saw this morning was all black.”
“Sounds like it could have been an Angus. Ole Biscuit here, he’s a Jersey,” Eli’s dad explained. “Most times he’s quite docile.”
“What’s that word mean?” Abby looked up at him inquisitively.
Eli’s dad glanced at him and grinned. “Docile means the same thing as tame. But I never turn my back on Biscuit, because you can’t completely trust a bull. Believe me, I learned the hard way.”
“Was Biscuit bad?” Conner asked innocently, while his sister fed the bull another bun.
“Well, let’s just say I gave him an opportunity to be bad.” Dad scrubbed a hand down the side of his face. “I bent over the water trough one morning to fill it with fresh water. Ole Biscuit must have thought he was a goat, ’cause the next thing I knew, he butted me into the water.” He chuckled. “I ended up with two baths that morning.”
Abby and Conner laughed, and Eli joined in. Even though he’d heard the story a good many times, it still made him chuckle.
“Maybe the next time you and Conner come for a visit, you can help me brush Biscuit.” Eli snickered. “He likes to have his ears scratched, too.”
“Can I scratch his ears now?” Conner asked.
“Don’t see why not.” Dad picked Conner up and held him in a safe position to reach Biscuit’s ears. Biscuit leaned closer, and more giggles escaped Conner’s lips.
Loretta took a seat in the chair beside Eli’s mother. “I want to thank you for the banana whoopie pies Eli shared with my children and me a few weeks ago.”
Wilma’s eyebrows lifted. “He gave you some?”
Loretta nodded. “They were delicious.”
“Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. My son’s always had a giving nature.” She laughed. “Once, when Eli was a boy in school, he gave away his lunch to a girl who’d forgotten hers. What made it even more sacrificial was I’d put several of Eli’s favorite cookies in his lunch pail that morning.”
Loretta smiled. Although she’d only known Eli a short time, she could picture him doing something so kind. His personality was a lot like her husband’s. Rick always did good deeds and helped others.
“Eli seems to enjoy Heidi Troyer’s cooking classes,” Wilma commented. “Maybe now he can fend for himself without worrying about burning the house down or starving to death from lack of eating proper meals.” She looked pointedly at Loretta. “How come you signed up for the classes? Are you lacking in cooking skills, too?”
Heat flooded Loretta’s face as she shook her head. “I took the class for two reasons. One, to do something fun, and two, because I’m interested in the Amish way of life and their home-style cooking.”
“I see.” Wilma rocked slowly in her chair. “Eli’s wife, Mavis, was an excellent cook. He still misses her a lot.”
“I’m sure he does. I miss my husband, Rick, as well.”
“Eli took her death hard. I doubt he’ll ever recover from it.” Unsure of what to say, Loretta merely nodded. It felt as if Mrs. Miller might be throwing hints about her son not looking for another wife. Did she suspect Loretta was beginning to have feelings for her son?
A short time later, Eli, his father, and the children returned. “Biscuit’s big, but he’s nice.” Abby announced. “Do ya wanna see him, Mommy?”
“Maybe some other time, Abby. I’m visiting with Eli’s mother right now.”
“Eli said next time we come we can brush Biscuit.” Abby’s eyes gleamed.
“And scratch his ears,” Conner added.
Loretta glanced at Eli and noticed his ears had turned red. It pleased her to know he wanted to bring them here again.
“Why don’t we have some of the apple cream pie Loretta and I brought along?” Eli looked at his mother and wiggled his brows. “The children and I are hungerich.”
“That means ‘hungry.’” Abby grinned. “Mr. Eli taught us that word while we were talkin’ to Biscuit. He said the bull was hungerich.”
“Well then, if someone will take the sleeping pup from me, I’ll go inside and slice those pies.” Mom stood and handed Donnelly to Eli, as Sadie moaned from her comfortable position and got up with a doggy grunt. “Since it is so nice out today, why don’t we eat our pie on the porch?” she suggested.
“Good idea. I’ll help you, Wilma.” Loretta rose from her chair but paused to look at Eli. “Would you please keep an eye on the children?”
“Sure thing. It’s a privilege to watch your kinner.”
When Loretta held the door open for Wilma, she heard Abby say, “Mr. Eli, are you gonna teach me how to whistle today?”
“You bet. How about a lesson right now?”
Abby bobbed her head.
Once more, Loretta couldn’t get over how well Eli responded to her children.
Berlin
“Oh, look, there’s your sister, Regina,” Heidi mentioned when she and Lyle entered the market.
He looked in the direction she’d pointed. “You’re right. Guess we’d better say hello before we start shopping, in case she’s getting ready to leave the store.”
Heidi followed him to the other side of the store, where Regina stood beside her three-year-old daughter, Mary.
“Hey, big sister, it’s nice to see you today.” Lyle gave Regina a hug, and Heidi did the same.
“Nice to see both of you, too. It’s been a while.” Regina smiled at Heidi. “How are things going with your cooking classes?”
“Quite well,” Heidi replied. “It’s fun teaching, and I’ve enjoyed getting acquainted with my students.”
“All but one of Heidi’s students are English,” Lyle added.
Regina tipped her head. “Interesting. Who’s the Amish person learning to cook?”
“Our friend Eli Miller.” Lyle bent down and gave little Mary a hug. “How’s my favorite niece?”
The child’s blue eyes sparkled as she looked up at him with a dimpled smile.
Regina poked Lyle’s arm. “She may not be your favorite niece much longer. I’m expecting another boppli, and it could be a maedel.”
Heidi forced a smile and gave her sister-in-law another hug, even though the news cut deeply into her heart. “Congratulations, Regina.” If only it were me announcing a pregnancy.
“Danki. Irvin’s hoping for a boy, but a little sister would be nice for Mary.”
“I’m sure.” Heidi nodded.
As though he sensed her discomfort, Lyle gently squeezed Heidi’s arm. She was certain her husband also wanted children. If only he wasn’t so against adoption.
In an effort to take her mind off the situation, Heidi changed the subject. “Did you plant a garden this year, Regina?”
“Oh, jah.” Regina gestured to her daughter. “Mary even planted some lettuce, carrots, and bean seeds in her own little garden plot.”
“She’ll enjoy watching the seeds sprout into plants,” Lyle commented. “Maybe growing her own vegetables will make her want to eat them when they mature.”
“I’m hoping.” Regina took her daughter’s hand. “We should be moving on now. I have a few more things to get, and then I need to go home and start supper.”
“Okay. Hope to see you soon. Tell Irvin I said hello.” Lyle bent down and tweaked Mary’s nose. “You’ll always be my number one niece, little one.”
As Heidi and Lyle moved on through the store, she glanced over her shoulder. Does Regina realize how fortunate she is to have Mary and now another child on the way?
Dover
“You’re kind of quiet this evening,” Len commented as Charlene sat across from him at Sammy Sue’s Barbeque, fidgeting with her napkin. Coming into their dinner date, she’d been set to ask if he’d be willing to move to some other town. Now she was beginning to lose her nerve. Charlene had hoped to discuss her situation with Heidi last Saturday but never got the chance. Now she wondered if she should bring up the topic at all.
Len reached across the table and took her hand. “Charlene, did you hear my question?”
“Umm … yes.” She took a drink of water.
“Is something wrong?”
“Not exactly, but I do have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Well, I’ve been wondering about something.” Why was this so hard?
“And?” Len flapped his hand, as though encouraging Charlene to speak.
“I was wondering if you would consider moving after we get married.”
Deep wrinkles formed across his forehead. “Move? Move where?”
She shrugged. “I … I’m not sure. Some other town, where we can start over.”
“Why would we want to start over? You have your teaching job here in Dover, and I’m working for my dad. His business is doing quite well.” Len looked at her earnestly. “The solar business is growing, and I can’t leave now. I’m in a good position—one we’ll both benefit from someday.”
“Yes, but I’m sure we could find other jobs, and—”
He held up his hand. “Wait. What brought this on all of a sudden? You’ve never mentioned wanting to move before. I thought you loved teaching the kids here. You’re getting to know their families, too.”
“You’re right, Len, and that would be the hard part.” Charlene drank more water and set the glass down. “It’s your mother. She does not like me, Len. If we stay here in Dover, we’ll see your folks more often, and she’ll always find fault with everything I say or do, like she already does.”
Len shook his head briskly. “First of all, my mother doesn’t find fault with everything you say or do.”
“Yes, she does. You heard her curt remarks the last time we were at your parents’ place for supper.”
“I’ll admit, sometimes Mom tends to speak when she should be silent, but I’ll have a serious talk with her if you want.”
Charlene’s spine stiffened. “If I want? If you truly love me, Len, then you should have already put your mother in her place and stood up for me.”
Len’s face flamed. “I have stood up for you, and you’re making too much of this. Once we’re married, I’m sure Mom’s attitude will change and you two will learn to get along.”
“Learn to get along?” Charlene’s voice rose. “I’ve tried to get along with her, Len. She doesn’t want to get along with me, and I can’t believe you’re defending her.”
Glancing around at the other tables, when the room grew quiet, Len leaned forward, putting his fingers to his lips. “Keep it down, Charlene. Everyone’s looking at us.”
Charlene drew a frustrated breath. Seconds later, when the restaurant’s chatter began again, she took a quick look around. All seemed normal.
“Now listen, Charlene,” Len spoke in a low voice. “I’m not defending my mother. I only meant …”
“Are you willing to move once we’re married or not?” Now that she’d found the courage to bring up this topic, Charlene was determined to make him understand.
“No. My job is here, and if you ask me, you’re overreacting to my mom. Anyway, how are you going to get close to her if we move away?”
“First of all, I am not overreacting. As I said before, your mother doesn’t like me. If she has her way, she’ll turn you against me.” Charlene spoke through gritted teeth. Why didn’t Len seem to get it? Was he blind where his mother was concerned?
“No, she won’t turn me against you.” Len looked around again. “And please, can we drop this? People are staring.”
“You know what?” Charlene dropped her napkin over her half-eaten plate of food. “I’ve lost my appetite. Would you please take me home?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m not.”
“Come on, Charlene, you’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion.”
“You think so? Well, I’m beginning to wonder whether you love me or not.”<
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“Of course I love you. I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me if I didn’t.”
“But you don’t love me enough to move out of Dover, right?”
Len lowered his gaze. “I don’t see any reason to move, and it’s unfair of you to expect me to. Especially now, when the business is booming.”
Charlene folded her arms. “This discussion is getting us nowhere, and if you won’t take me home, I’ll call a cab.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll get the waitress to bring our bill, and then we can leave without finishing our meal. Will that make you happy?”
Charlene gave no reply. Her hands trembled and tears stung her eyes as she reached for her glass of water once more. It was hard to believe Len didn’t love her enough to move. Well, if that’s how he felt, there would be no marriage. If Len cared more about his job than honoring her request, he wasn’t the man for Charlene.
Chapter 32
The next Wednesday afternoon, Charlene sat at the kitchen table, staring at her cell phone. She was off work for the summer, and school would not resume until early September. “What to do? What to do? What to do?” Charlene drummed her fingers on the table. She’d already vacuumed her condo and washed the breakfast dishes. She had plenty of time now to pursue her photography hobby. Trouble was, she didn’t feel like doing anything.
Charlene hadn’t heard from Len since their dinner date last Saturday evening. Their conversation went round and round in her mind. He’d been upset when she asked him to move, but she’d hoped by now he would have thought it over and called to discuss things with her.
Should I call him? She shook her head and stubbornly pounded her fist on the table. No. If Len wants to talk, he ought to call me.
Charlene got up and poured herself a cup of coffee. She blew on it and took a tentative sip, trying to calm down as she reevaluated things. Len’s right, I enjoy my teaching job here. If we moved, I’d have to find another position at a new school. I wouldn’t get to see my former students, either.
Len had also been right in what he’d said about her students’ families. Charlene had gotten to know the parents quite well. Whenever she saw one of them at the store, she always made it a point to say hello. Charlene felt a part of the community. She got along well with the other teachers at the school.
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