Loretta rose from her chair. It was time to head outside and get the mail. She’d just stepped out the door when she heard Abby scream. Looking out across the yard, she saw the child running toward her, frantically waving her hands.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Loretta broke out in a cold sweat. “Where’s Conner?”
Abby pointed to her little brother, trailing along behind her. “He’s bleedin’ real bad!”
Loretta raced toward them, but as the children drew closer, and she saw blotches of red on her son’s face, hands, and clothes, her apprehension faded. Smiling with relief, she bent down, enveloping both children in her arms. “Conner’s not bleeding, Abby. He’s splattered with berry juice.”
Conner smacked his lips and held out his hands. Opening his closed fingers, he grinned at Loretta. “Want some, Mommy?”
She stared at the smashed berries and laughed. Oh, the sweet innocence of a child. Loretta thanked God for giving her these two beautiful children and for blessing her with wonderful parents. Whether she joined the Amish church or not—and even if nothing serious developed between her and Eli—she would enjoy every moment with her precious son and daughter and always try to be honest with them.
Chapter 40
Walnut Creek
Today was Heidi’s final cooking class—at least for this group of students. She’d gotten up early this morning, to make sure everything was ready. She planned to teach her students how to make a special meat loaf her mother had taught her many years ago. Heidi also made a delicious broccoli salad. After the lesson, they would share a final meal together before everyone went home.
Today will be bittersweet. Heidi’s mouth twisted grimly. She’d miss seeing her students and felt bad Ron wouldn’t be here to join them and take the final class. They still hadn’t heard a word from him, and she couldn’t help wondering where he’d gotten to, and whether it had actually been his motor home she’d seen in Geauga County. Perhaps she’d never find out, but whenever she thought of Ron, she would say a prayer on his behalf.
“You’re up awful early this morning.”
Heidi turned at the sound of her husband’s voice. “Today’s my final cooking class. I wanted to make sure everything is ready before everyone arrives.”
Lyle stepped up to Heidi and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Speaking of your students … there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you, but things have been so busy this week, we haven’t had much chance to talk.”
“What is it?” Heidi reached up and curled her fingers through his full beard. After eight years of marriage, it had gotten quite long. She’d almost forgotten what Lyle looked like without it.
“Kendra stopped by here last Saturday to see you.”
“Oh? Did you tell her where I was?”
“Jah.” Lyle motioned to the table. “Let’s sit down, and I’ll tell you what else Kendra and I talked about.”
Curious, Heidi pulled out a chair and sat. Her husband looked so serious, she worried. She hoped he hadn’t said anything hurtful to Kendra about the request she’d made for them to adopt her child. The poor girl had gone through enough without receiving a lecture from Lyle.
He took the seat beside Heidi and clasped her hand. “I told Kendra we would adopt her baby.”
Heidi’s eyes widened. “What?”
“It’s not easy to admit, but I’ve been selfish and was wrong not to consider your feelings about wanting to adopt.”
“Oh, Lyle.” Heidi touched her chest, acutely aware of her heart’s rhythmic beating beneath her fingers. “Are you positive about this? Please don’t do it just for me.”
“I’m certain.” Lyle looked at her tenderly then pulled her into his arms.
Tears coursed down Heidi’s cheeks as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “Danki, Lyle. Thank you so much.” Heidi feared her heart might burst with the joy overflowing. Sometime in October, she would finally become a mother.
When Kendra arrived at Heidi’s, her heartbeat quickened. Had anything changed since last Saturday, when Lyle agreed to adopt her child? She hoped he felt the same and was still willing. Despite the worry, Kendra had a good feeling. The day’s weather couldn’t be better, with clear skies so blue it almost hurt her eyes. A slight breeze blew in the fresh, comfortable air. Kendra breathed deeply, and with outstretched arms, she shouted, “It’s good to be alive!”
No sooner had Kendra stepped onto the porch than Heidi came out and greeted her with a hug. “Lyle told me he spoke to you last week and agreed we should raise your baby.”
“I’m so relieved.” Kendra smiled through her tears as they walked inside together. “I still haven’t found another job, and since my friend Dorie will be getting married soon, I’ll have to move out of her place by the end of June.” She sniffed. “But at least I don’t have to worry about what will happen to my baby.”
Lyle, who had been sitting on the sofa in the living room, got up and came over to them. “Maybe you can stay here with us until you’re able to make it on your own.” He looked at Heidi. “Would this arrangement be all right with you?”
With no hesitation, Heidi nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “We have an extra guest room, so it shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
“Would you really do that for me?” Kendra could barely speak around the lump in her throat.
“Yes, we would,” Lyle responded. “Having you here will give us a chance to get better acquainted and make plans for the baby’s future.”
For the first time in a long while, Kendra sent up a silent prayer. Thank You, Lord, for these special people. I’m even more sure now that they’ll make the best parents for my little girl or boy.
A short time later, as Heidi gave instructions to her four students on how to make sweet-and-sour meat loaf, she noticed the smile that never left Charlene’s face. It was in sharp contrast to her sullen expression during the previous cooking class.
“How are things with you, Charlene?” Heidi handed her a small baking dish.
“Absolutely wonderful.” Charlene’s smile widened. “Len and I had a disagreement, but things are better now, and it’s been working out between me and his mother.” She clasped her hand to her chest. “Guess what else? Remember the colt I took a picture of?”
Heidi nodded.
“Well, I got a call from the owner, and they decided to name the colt after me—Charlie.”
“Aw, that’s so cute.” Kendra grinned. “Bet you feel flattered.”
“I do. And get this,” Charlene added. “They want me to have little Charlie.”
Heidi sucked in her breath. “Are you going to take the little fella?”
“Well, I don’t have a place to keep him right now, since I live in a condo, but Len’s parents volunteered to keep him at their place until Len and I are married and are able to buy a home of our own—which, of course, would need to have enough property for a horse.” Charlene stopped talking long enough to take a breath. “Kitty and her husband also said they’d keep the colt until we’re ready, so I’m not sure what we’ll end up doing.”
“Goodness, a lot has happened since our last class.” Loretta patted Charlene’s arm. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m sure we all are.” Heidi nodded at Charlene then looked over at Loretta, noticing for the first time that she wore a plain, Amish-style dress and a dark-colored scarf on her head. “How have you been, Loretta?”
“Really good.” Loretta glanced at Eli then back at Heidi. “I’m taking steps to become Amish, and Eli’s helping me make the transition.”
“Now that’s a surprise. I had no idea you were considering becoming part of the Amish community.” Heidi set the ingredients for the meat loaf topping on the table.
“The Amish way feels right to me, and it’s actually part of my heritage, which I’d like to share with you sometime.” Loretta’s eyes sparkled. “I believe it will be good for my children, as well.”
“You may face some challenges,” Heidi commented, “bu
t if it’s what you truly desire, then I wish you the best.”
Eli opened his mouth, as if he might want to say something, when a knock sounded on the back door.
Heidi excused herself to see who it was. She felt surprise when she opened the door and found Ron on the porch. “Can I come in?” he asked, looking down at his shoes.
“Of course. It’s good to see you, Ron.” She stepped aside. “The others are in the kitchen, preparing to make a special meat loaf, and then we’ll share a meal together one last time before everyone goes their separate ways.” Heidi wanted so badly to ask where Ron had been all this time, but if he wanted to tell her, it should be of his own choosing. Silently, she led the way to the kitchen.
Ron stood inside the kitchen door a few seconds then walked over to the table. “I wasn’t planning to be here today, and I won’t be stayin’ for a meal,” he murmured to no one in particular. “But I had to come back because I’ve done something terrible and couldn’t face the consequences. My conscience got the best of me, though, so I’m here to confess.”
He drew a deep breath and turned to face Eli, heart thumping hard in his chest. Telling this nice man the truth would be the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he had to do it. “I owe you a heartfelt apology, but I don’t expect forgiveness, because what I did is …” He paused and tried to swallow, wishing he had something to drink because his mouth felt dry as the desert. “Well, it’s inexcusable.”
Eli tipped his head. “What are you referring to?”
“I’m talkin’ about your wife. I heard a conversation you and Lyle had a while back, and you mentioned the date and place where your wife had been hit.” Ron paused and wiped the sweat tricking down his face. “This is hard for me to admit, but I was driving on that same road the very same evening last year. Something triggered a flashback from the war in my mind during the drive, and about that time I thought I hit a deer.” One more quick pause, and another deep breath. “But I realized after what you said that it must have been your wife, on her bicycle, I hit, not a deer.”
Eli sat several seconds, looking at Ron through squinted eyes. Then, slowly, he shook his head. “You may have hit a deer, Ron, but it was someone else who killed my wife.”
The women gasped, and a shiver ran up Ron’s spine. “Wh–what?”
“The sheriff got in touch with me a few days ago, and when he gave me the details, I learned that the young man who did it turned himself in and confessed to the hit-and-run.” Eli’s voice quavered. “When he gave me a description of the teenager, I realized it was the same kid who tried to run my bike off the road last month.” Eli paused to wipe a tear that had fallen onto his cheek. “The evening I was first informed of the accident, the sheriff mentioned they’d found a dead deer at the scene. Said he thought the person responsible for the tragedy may have hit Mavis in an effort to avoid hitting the deer. I didn’t give it much thought until now.” Eli leaped to his feet and clasped Ron’s shoulder. “I’m glad you weren’t the one responsible for my wife’s death. You’re a good person for coming here to speak with me about it.”
The room got deathly quiet as everyone seemed to digest this information.
Heidi stood quietly beside Ron, until he expelled a deep breath and sank into an empty chair. “It’s a relief to know I’m not the one responsible, but I am not a good person. I’ve done many things I’m not proud of, including …” He looked at her and winced. “I’m ashamed to admit this, but I took money from a vase in your house, as well as some old oil lamps and a few other things of value. I can’t get any of the items back because I pawned them, but here’s the money I took, plus some extra.” He reached into his pocket and handed her a wad of bills. “I’m so sorry. What I did was wrong—especially after the kindness you and Lyle showed me.”
Heidi stared at him, and then with no hesitation she placed her hand on his arm. “I’m glad you came back to tell the truth, and I forgive you, Ron. I’m certain when Lyle joins us for lunch and hears your confession, he will also forgive.”
Ron dropped his gaze to the floor. “Thanks, but I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”
“God commands us to forgive others, just as He forgives us,” Eli spoke up. “I’ve been reminded of that myself recently. Plus, the verse on the back of a recipe card Heidi gave us during one of our classes mentions forgiveness.”
Ron nodded. “I’ve made a decision to see a counselor for help with my postwar issues, and I plan to return to my hometown and try to make amends with my grown children, as well as my ex-wife.” He smiled at Heidi, pointing to the plaque on the kitchen wall. “When I thought about that verse of scripture, I realized it was time for a change.”
“Good for you, Ron.” Smiling, Kendra looked at him. “I’m right there with you and am all about change.”
“None of us is perfect, and we all need to be forgiven,” Charlene put in. “Coming here to this class has opened my eyes to a few things.” She stepped up to Heidi and gave her a hug. “Thank you for all you’ve taught us.”
“You’re welcome, and I thank all of you for being such good students.” Heidi went to her desk and took out five notebooks then handed one to each person. “This is a small recipe book I put together so you can make some other traditional Amish dishes on your own. There’s also a list of helpful kitchen tips at the back.” She pointed to the recipe card she’d given everyone today. “I also want to leave you with one final verse to reflect upon. It’s Matthew 6:33, and this is how it reads: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
“Thank you, Heidi.” Charlene grinned, her face fairly glowing. “The recipes will be helpful when I get married, and all the scriptures you have shared with us will guide me along the way.”
The others were unanimous in thanking Heidi, too.
As she stood watching her students finish making their meat loaves, Heidi felt rewarded in so many ways. She was glad she’d acted on her idea to teach cooking classes, and appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted with each of her students, as well becoming instrumental in their lives. Perhaps sometime in the future she’d have the opportunity to teach more seekers—not only how to cook but how to strengthen their faith in God, as well.
Heidi’s Cooking Class Recipes
Amish Country Breakfast
Ingredients:
14 slices whole wheat bread
2½ cups ham, cubed
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs
3 cups milk
Topping:
½ cup butter, melted
3 cups cornflakes (do not crush)
Grease 9x13 baking pan and layer half the bread, ham, and cheeses. Repeat layers. Beat eggs in a mixing bowl, add milk, and pour over layers in pan. Refrigerate overnight. Next morning, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix butter and cornflakes. Spread mixture over other ingredients in pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Amish Haystack
Ingredients:
½ pound saltine crackers or one bag corn chips, crushed
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
2 heads lettuce, chopped
6 to 8 tomatoes, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, sliced
2 cups tomatoes, diced 2 cups onions, diced
2 cups green pepper, diced
2 cups celery, diced (optional)
1 quart cooked navy or pinto beans
2 eggs, boiled and chopped (optional)
2 cups nuts, chopped (optional)
1 (14 ounce) can condensed milk
2 cans cream of cheddar soup
1 (16 ounce) jar Ragu spaghetti sauce or salsa
3 pounds ground beef, browned
Put each of first 12 ingredients into separate containers. Mix soup and milk together in a saucepan and heat. Add the Ragu sauce or salsa to browned ground beef and heat.
Each person crea
tes their own haystack by layering items in order given on their plate. Pour cheese sauce and favorite salad dressing on top and enjoy! Serves 12 to 14 people.
German Pizza
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef, browned
½ medium onion, chopped
½ green pepper, diced
1½ teaspoons salt, divided
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter
6 raw potatoes, shredded
3 eggs, beaten
⅓ cup milk
2 cups cheddar or mozzarella cheese, shredded
In 12-inch skillet, brown beef with onion, green pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper. Remove beef mixture from skillet. Drain skillet; then melt butter in it. Spread potatoes over butter and sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Top with beef mixture. Combine eggs and milk and pour over all. Cook, covered, on medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Top with cheese; cover and heat until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Cut into wedges or squares to serve.
Apple Cream Pie
Ingredients:
3 cups apples, finely chopped
1 cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 rounded tablespoon flour
1 cup cream
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix apples, brown sugar, salt, flour, and cream. Put in unbaked pastry shell. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees for an additional 30 to 40 minutes. When pie is about halfway done, take a knife and push top apples down to soften. After pie cools, store in refrigerator.
German Potato Salad
Ingredients:
4 boiled potatoes, cut into chunks
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers Page 29