“It certainly would have.”
“How so? Your grandfather is gone. You said you couldn’t afford to hire help.”
“You neglected to tell me you had sent the first and last months’ rent on the cabin.”
He picked up another board and settled it in the slot he had created for the correct length so he didn’t have to measure and mark each piece of wood. Bishop Schultz used a diesel generator to supply electricity inside his carpentry shop. The smell of fresh sawdust mixed with diesel fumes that drifted through the open door. Michael squeezed the trigger on the saw and lowered the blade. It sliced through the pine board in two seconds, spewing more sawdust on the growing pile beneath the table.
He tossed the cut wood on the stack and reached for another two-by-four. Bethany crossed the room and took hold of the board before he could position it. “Why didn’t you tell me you had already paid the rent?”
“I figured you would mention it if you knew about it. Since you didn’t say anything and you already had a crisis to deal with, I thought it could wait for a better time.”
“That was very considerate of you. A better time is right now. My grandfather never deposited your check. In fact, he never read your last letter. I only found it yesterday evening.”
She let go of his board and reached into a small bag she carried over her arm. “I have the check here. I’ve been unable to bring myself to clean out his workshop. For that reason, his agreement with you went undiscovered.” She held out the check. He didn’t take it.
“Do you know the rest of your grandfather’s offer?” He kept his gaze averted.
“Your letter said you agreed to work with him for six months. Was there more?”
“If he considered me skillful enough after that time he would make me a fifty-fifty partner in the business.” He looked at her. “I can show you his offer in writing if you want to see it.”
“There’s no need. I believe you. Are you still willing to do that?”
“How can I be a partner now that he is gone?”
“The business belongs to me but I can’t repair watches, so it is worthless except for his tools. I had planned to sell them unless Ivan showed an interest in learning the trade.”
“Has he?”
“Not yet.”
“How is the boy?” he asked softly.
A wry smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “I wish I knew. Right now he seems mad at the world.”
“Boys grow up. He’ll come around.”
“I pray you are right. I have a proposition for you, Mr. Shetler.”
“Call me Michael.”
She smiled and nodded once. “Michael. It’s similar to the one my grandfather offered you. Work for me for six months. You keep two-thirds of everything you earn during that time. I will keep one-third as rent on the shop, for the use of Grandfather’s client list and his tools. If at the end of that time I am satisfied with your skill I will sell you the business or we can continue as partners.”
“Who is to decide if my skills are adequate?”
“My grandfather did the majority of his work for a man named George Meyers in Philadelphia. He owns a jewelry shop and watch repair business. If Mr. Meyers is satisfied with the quality of work you do, then that is all the assurance I need.”
Michael smiled inwardly. One part of the puzzle had finally been solved. George had started this whole thing. It was certainly like George, to go out of his way for someone who didn’t deserve the kindness. Michael wondered how much, if anything, George had shared about his condition with Bethany’s grandfather. “I wondered how your grandfather got my name. Now I know.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow you.”
“I used to work for George Meyers.” Up until the night he had let two armed criminals into the business George owned.
“Why did you quit? Is that when you got hurt?”
His heart started pounding like a hammer inside his chest as the onset of a panic attack began. In another minute he would be on the ground gasping for air. He wasn’t about to recount the horrors he saw that night to Bethany. He had to get outside. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
He grabbed an armful of cut wood and pushed past Bethany. “Jesse is going to wonder what’s keeping me.”
She followed him outside. “I’m sorry if it seemed that I was prying. If you don’t want to work for me, I understand, but the cabin is still yours for two months.”
“I’ll think about the job, but I’ll take the cabin.” He kept walking. It wasn’t that he wanted to be rude but he needed her to leave. His anxiety was rising rapidly.
“The cabin is yours whenever you want.”
The yellow dog came around the side of the building and launched herself at him. He sidestepped to keep from being hit with her muddy paws. One of the boards slid out of his arms. “Down.”
She dropped to her belly and barked once, then rolled over, inviting him to scratch her muddy stomach.
“I see you still have your friend,” Bethany said, humor bubbling beneath her words.
He looked from her to the dog. “I don’t have anything to feed you, mutt, unless you eat two-by-fours.”
The dog jumped to her feet, picked up the board he had dropped and took off with it in her mouth.
“Hey, bring that back!”
The dog made a sweeping turn and raced back, splashing through puddles of melted snow. She came to a stop and sat in front of him, holding the four-foot length of wood like a prized bone.
“Goot hund.” He reached for the board but the dog took off before he touched it. She made a wild run between the sheds lined up at the edge of the property where the snow was still deep.
Bethany burst out laughing. “Good dog, indeed.”
He liked the sound of her laughter. The heaviness in his chest dissipated and he grinned. “It seems her previous owner didn’t spend much time training her.”
“I can see that. She is friendlier since she’s had a few meals. She seems to have a lot of puppy in her yet. In a way she reminds me of my brother.”
“How so?”
“A lot of potential, but very little focus.”
“I’d like to meet this kid.”
“I’m sure you will since you’ll be living just out our back door.”
He frowned. “The cabin is close to your house?”
“Fifty yards, maybe less.”
“I assumed it was more secluded.”
“It is set back in the woods. We won’t bother you if that’s what you are worried about.”
“I like my privacy.” He couldn’t very well explain he was worried she’d hear him yelling in the middle of the night.
The dog came trotting back and sat down between them, still holding her trophy. Michael bent to grab the board as Bethany did the same. They smacked heads. His hat flipped off and landed in the snow. The dog dropped the wood, snatched up the hat and took off with it.
Michael held his head and glanced at Bethany. “Are you okay?”
* * *
Bethany rubbed her smarting forehead. Maybe it was a sign that she needed some sense knocked into her. She had come to give Michael his money back and had ended up offering him a job instead. The thump on her skull had come too late. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Do you want some ice?”
“Nee, it won’t leave a mark. Will it?” She pulled her hand away.
He bent closer. “I think you’re going to have a bump.”
“Great.”
“I am sorry.” He looked down at the dog, now standing a few feet away, still holding his hat. “See what you did to Bethany.”
The dog whined and lay down, the picture of dejection. Bethany crouched and offered her hand to the animal. “Don’t scold the poor thing. It wasn’t her fault. Are you going to keep her?”
“I can’t walk away and leave her to fend for herself. Besides, her goofy behavior leaves me smiling more often than not. Ja, I will keep her. She seems to have decided she belongs with me.”
Bethany knew she should leave but found herself reluctant to go. There was something intriguing about the man. One minute they were discussing his job and the next second he went pale as a sheet and couldn’t get away from her fast enough. A few minutes later they were both laughing at the antics of a stray dog. The truth was she liked him. A lot. But she had to find a way to keep her family together. She couldn’t allow a distraction to interfere with that.
She took the hat from the dog and handed it to Michael. “I should get going.”
“Right.” He nodded but didn’t move.
She took a few steps toward her buggy but something made her turn around. He was still watching her. “Michael, do you play chess?”
“I enjoy the game. Why?”
“Would you do me a favor?”
“If I can.”
“I have a friend of my grandfather coming to supper on Sunday evening. He and Daadi used to play chess every week. I know he misses Daadi and their games. I don’t play. If you aren’t doing anything, would you like to join us for supper and give Pastor Frank a game or two?”
Hadn’t she just decided she didn’t need a distraction? Maybe he would say no. “Don’t feel obligated just because I asked.”
“I need to get moved in. I’m not sure I’ll find the time.”
“You have to eat.”
“Another time maybe.”
“Of course.” She turned away, more disappointed than she cared to admit.
“Bethany?”
“Ja?” She spun around hopefully.
“I appreciate the job offer. I’ll give it some serious thought. Do I get the key to the cabin from you?”
“It isn’t locked. You’ll find the key hanging on a nail just inside the door. When you come to my place you’ll see a wooded ridge behind the house. The cabin is up there. Just follow the lane. Do you have transportation? I can send Ivan to pick you up.”
“Jesse has offered me the loan of a pony and cart until I can send for my horses. Is there someone locally who sells buggies?”
“There’s a carriage maker in Unity. I’ve heard he is reasonable.”
“I’ll look into it.”
“If you change your mind about having supper with us tomorrow night, just show up. There will be plenty to eat.”
“Are you a goot cook?”
She grinned. “Do you expect a modest Amish woman to brag on herself?”
“I expect a modest Amish woman to tell the truth.”
She bobbed her head once. “I could tell you that I’m a very good cook, but I suggest you come to supper and decide for yourself.”
After stepping up into her buggy, she looked back and saw he was still watching her. A tingle of pleasure at his interest lifted her spirits. Just as quickly, she dismissed her feeling as foolishness. Her mother’s unhappy life spent loving the wrong kind of man had driven home to Bethany just how cruel romantic love could be. She was determined not to suffer the same way. If she married it would be a beneficial arrangement based on sound judgment. Not love. She waved and then drove away. Would Michael come or wouldn’t he? She would have to wait an entire day to find out.
* * *
Jesse walked past Michael with a load of boards in his arms. “Have you decided to hang on to her or are you going to ignore her and hope she goes away?”
Michael scowled at him. “What does that mean?”
Jesse stopped and gave Michael a funny look. “I was just wondering if you are planning to keep the dog. What did you think I meant?”
Relieved that he wasn’t referring to Bethany, Michael decided to share the joke. “Bethany Martin was just here.”
Jesse chuckled. “I wouldn’t tell a fella to ignore Bethany and hope she goes away, but the same can’t be said for some other single women in this community.”
Although Jesse hadn’t made Bethany’s wish list when she had been talking to the cow about walking out with someone, Michael liked the man and thought he would make a decent husband. “Do you have your eye on one maid in particular?”
“Me? Nee, I’m not ready to get into harness with any female. They talk too much, and they expect you to talk back to them. I don’t have that much to say. I can’t imagine a lifetime of staring at a woman who is waiting for me to utter something interesting. If you are looking to go courting, Bethany Martin is a fine woman. You wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes.”
“I’m not interested in courting, but I did wonder why she isn’t already married.”
“Her grandfather told me that she wants to get her brother and sister raised before she looks to start another family.”
“Did you know Elijah well?”
“He was a fine friend. Everyone loved him. He was always laughing, quick with a joke, always ready to lend a helping hand. It didn’t matter if you were Amish or not. There are only twenty adult members in this church, six youngees and five kinder. We know each other well.”
Youngees were unmarried teens in their running around time or rumspringa. The potential marriage pool in the community was small indeed. Bethany would have to look for a marriage partner farther afield if Jesse or Jedidiah didn’t work out.
Michael couldn’t seem to curb his curiosity about her and her family. “What’s the story with her brother?”
Jesse was silent for a long moment. “I’m not one to speak ill of another.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking for gossip. I can form my own opinion of the family. You don’t have to say anything.”
“It’s not that. We are newcomers to this area. Bethany and her family have been here the longest. Two years now. I came sixteen months ago. Jedidiah and the other families came after I did. We get along with the Englisch and for the most part they get along with us. There are a few exceptions. People who would like to see us leave. When something goes wrong, those few are quick to point to the Amish and say it must be our fault. Ivan has been a mischief maker for as long as I’ve known him, but I don’t believe all that is said against him these days.”
“You think he is getting blamed for what someone else is doing?”
Jesse stared into the distance for a long minute, and then he looked Michael in the eye. “I think he makes an easy target.”
Michael considered Jesse’s carefully worded reply. “What does the bishop think?”
“He hasn’t confided in me. I should get back to work. I don’t want him to think I slack off when he’s gone. Oh, and I meant to tell you I’ve got some extra nylon webbing if you want to fashion a collar for your mutt. What did Bethany want, anyway?”
Michael followed Jesse to the skeleton of the shed he was putting up. “She discovered her grandfather did rent a cabin to me. She found my rent check last night. She came to give me a choice of getting my money back or staying on the property.”
“So, am I losing you as a roommate already?”
“You are. I’ll leave tomorrow.”
“Goot. That makes you the best kind of houseguest.”
Michael glanced his way. “What kind is that?”
“One who leaves before he has worn out his welcome.” Jesse grinned and clapped Michael on the back then pulled his hammer from his tool belt and went to work.
Michael relaxed. He laid down the boards he’d cut and walked back to the workshop. He thought getting a few answers about Bethany would appease his curiosity but he had been mistaken. It seemed it wasn’t so easy to put her out of his mind.
Maybe he’d made a mistake telling her he still wanted to rent the cabin. How was he going to stop thinking about her if he lived fifty yards from her home? If he took the job she was going to be his boss
.
He would have to discourage her from visiting the workshop. He worked best alone and he liked it that way. That was the reason he had come to Maine. She would just have to learn to accept it.
* * *
Bethany opened the oven to check her peach pie and decided it was done. The crust was golden brown and the juices were bubbling up between the lattice strips. She pulled it out and placed it on the cooling rack at the end of the counter. She then lifted the lid on the pot of chili and sniffed the mouthwatering aroma. Using a spoon, she scooped up a sample and blew on it before tasting it. The deep, rich, spicy flavor was delicious but it needed a touch more salt. After adding two shakes, she stirred the pot and replaced the lid. All she needed now was the rest of her company.
Would Michael come? She hoped he would.
“It smells wunderbar,” Gemma said as she set the plates on the table.
“Let’s hope it tastes as good as it smells.” Bethany walked to the window that overlooked the path up to the cabin. She had invited Gemma to join them as a defense against her attraction to Michael. Gemma’s lighthearted and flirty ways were sure to liven the evening and keep Michael entertained.
“Any sign of him?”
Bethany dropped the window shade. “Any sign of who?”
“The person you’re hoping to see. You realize you’ve been to that window ten times in the last thirty minutes. I can’t imagine that you are this anxious to catch sight of Pastor Frank. Therefore, it must be someone else. I’m going to take a wild guess and say it is a man. A newcomer. Someone who walks with a cane.” She raised one eyebrow at Bethany. “Am I close?”
“If you must know, I did invite Michael Shetler. He plays chess and I know that Pastor Frank misses the games he used to have with Elijah.”
“That was very thoughtful of you. Why am I here? I don’t play chess.”
“You’re here because I didn’t want it to look like I had invited Michael for personal reasons. You know what I mean.”
“You didn’t want him to think you were angling for a return date? Or were you hoping I would catch his interest?”
“Both. When he sees I invited a single woman from our community to join us, he won’t think I have designs on him myself.”
An Amish Wife for Christmas Page 5