The Stranger

by Linda Maran

  “Ach, that’s not true, niece. John tells me that you were a big help around here with figuring out the best way to arrange things. Didn’t you set out these tables for the soaps, handkerchiefs, and candles?”

  Kristen nodded.

  “And you went out and got us the paper plates, kaffee cups and doilies. Seems like you brought more than you know.” Aunt Elizabeth patted her on the shoulder. “And if you didn’t do a single thing except pray for Gott’s blessing on our store, that would be more than enough, jah?”

  “Jah.” Kristen smiled, grateful for such a kind and doting aunt.

  Minutes later, the hands of the clock settled on the eight and the eleven. Five minutes to opening time.

  Kristen felt Anna’s excitement when she watched her run from the candy counter to the back for Uncle Jonas and her brothers.

  “Come, it’s almost time to open.” Anna had Uncle Jonas by the hand, pulling him along to the door with Daniel and John close behind.

  When they’d all gathered by the door, they paused for a silent prayer.

  Then Uncle Jonas lifted Anna so she could hang the OPEN sign on the suction hook at the upper part of the glass door.

  “Wagler’s is open for business,” Uncle Jonas announced.

  Anna clapped.

  A minute later the door jangled open.

  Jacob and Katie stood there with Aunt Miriam.

  Katie held out a covered basket to Aunt Elizabeth.

  “I better get the water urn going.” Aunt Miriam rushed over to the counter with her cookies.

  “Sorry we made Miriam late,” Jacob said. “Yesterday I suggested we pick her up so we could all come together. No sense in bringing another buggy if the three of us fit in Katie’s.”

  “Jah, but my biscuits took longer than I’d planned. So sorry.” Katie avoided looking at anyone in the face.

  Kristen could imagine Katie’s awkwardness well, and her anger toward her aunt softened.

  “Here, I’ll take those.” Kristen took Katie’s basket of biscuits from Aunt Elizabeth. “Let’s set some of these out.” Kristen led the way to the counter and handed Katie a paper plate lined with a doilie. Her Aunt Katie.

  While they set biscuits onto a paper plate, Katie’s gray blue eyes met Kristen’s and she gave her a small smile. “Denki, Kristen Mast.” Before Kristen could respond, Katie hurried away.

  The store’s door jangled again and when Kristen turned to see who it was, she did a double take.

  What was she doing here? There stood Sadie Krantz and her mother, Lucy.

  Aunt Elizabeth rushed over to greet them.

  Kristen decided to forego a greeting as long as she could. She walked away from the water urn, cookies, and biscuits, in case they headed there next. She needed to get herself together. This was, after all, the woman that John had almost married.

  Sure enough, Aunt Elizabeth and the two women walked over to get some coffee and chat.

  Kristen went to see how Anna was doing at the candy counter while she tried to keep one eye on Sadie. She breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe John would miss Sadie’s visit. Her relief was short lived.

  There he was, walking tall toward Sadie and her mother.

  Unable to fully hear what was being said, Kristen could only hope that Sadie was talking about her new life in Pennsylvania. Was she engaged? Or did she move back to Stone Arabia?

  “Kristen. Want a sample of fudge?”

  Kristen could barely take her eyes off of Sadie and John. “Uh, sure, Anna. Which should I try? The vanilla or maple walnut?”

  “Try both!”

  Kristen took a sample of each onto a small napkin. When she looked back at John and Sadie they were walking out the door. Together.

  Panic mounted on top of panic, and Kristen’s throat closed up. She nearly gagged on the fudge. A fit of coughing overtook her.

  “Kristen. Are you OK? Did you choke on a piece of walnut?” Anna’s voice pealed through the store.

  Jacob was the first to run to her. He began to pat her on the back. “Katie, come. Do whatever it is you do when someone is choking.” Jacob waved his sister over.

  Katie was about to intervene when Kristen swallowed the piece of fudge lodged in her throat. She held up her hand. “I’m OK. I had a piece of fudge stuck in my throat.”

  Anna stared with scared eyes.

  “I ate so fast, I hardly chewed,” Kristen was quick to add. She didn’t want Anna to think it’d been her fault in any way. “Now, I better try a piece again, and chew it this time.”

  Anna kept her eyes fixed on Kristen’s mouth as she chewed and slowly swallowed. “Umm, that’s really good, Anna. I’m sorry if I scared you. I have to learn not to eat so fast, OK?”

  Anna nodded, then with a new smile she asked, “Which do you like better?”

  Kristen laughed along with Jacob and Katie.

  “Ach, Kristen, you gave me a gut scare for sure.” Jacob faced her now.

  “I’m sorry. Thanks for coming to my rescue. And you too…Aunt Katie.”

  Katie smiled and nodded.

  “So, do you like the way we set things up?” Kristen didn’t know what to talk about with her new father and new aunt. She wished that Aunt Elizabeth or Aunt Miriam would come over, but they were talking with Sadie’s mother, Lucy. Which meant that Sadie and John were still outside somewhere, alone together.

  “I like it fine. Makes me realize how much I need to change some things around in my own store. My cousin doesn’t always keep things organized. Different tools end up in the same crate and the rakes with the shovels.”

  “It probably don’t matter much, Jacob. Because it’s a store mostly for men folk, and men don’t notice things like that, so long as they can get what they need,” Katie teased in a soft voice.

  “Jah, Cousin Margaret sometimes comes to mop the dirt she says we missed on the plank floors after we’ve swept up at the end of the day. We don’t know what dirt she sees that we don’t. Poor Margaret. She has her work cut out for her, jah?” Jacob laughed at his own words, and Katie shook her head with a smile.

  “Aunt Elizabeth will probably be the same way. She has the floors at the house gleaming, even with the dirt that gets dragged in from the fields, especially on rainy days.”

  “I put out a rubber runner at my store on days it makes wet. It helps with the muddy boots and all.”

  “I’ll have to tell that to Uncle Jonas,” Kristen said.

  “Tell me what, Niece?” Uncle Jonas startled her from behind.

  “Oh! About Jacob’s suggestion of putting a rubber runner by the door so customers won’t drag in mud all over the place.”

  “I think that’s a right gut idea. Denki, Jacob.”

  “I’ll bring you one from the hardware store next time I visit.” Jacob looked over at Kristen with a smile. “I’ll be comin’ more regular now.”

  “We’ll be glad to see you back here any time.” Uncle Jonas slapped Jacob on the back. Then he turned to Kristen. “Do you know where John is?”

  Why was he asking her? “Um, well, no. No, I don’t.” She wasn’t lying. She had no idea where John went. She only knew who he’d stepped out the door with. Kristen tried to sound nonchalant but her eyes began to burn as tears threatened.

  Uncle Jonas hesitated. Did he notice her eyes filling up?

  “I best go fetch him. Seems many of our church neighbors have arrived, and it would be gut if all of us were here to greet them.”

  The door jangled and Kristen recognized some of the faces from Preaching, although she didn’t know them by name.

  The women immediately gravitated toward the table displaying the Edna Lucille soaps and Mary’s handkerchiefs.

  Aunt Elizabeth rushed over to greet them.

  The men shook hands with Uncle Jonas and Daniel then they all headed toward the back to the tools and bulk items.

  No sign of John. Or Sadie.

  ~*~

  John’s anxiety mounted as Sadie went on with her litany of comp
laints about caring for her onkle in Lancaster. He had to get back to the store. Surely by now his absence was obvious. This was not the proper time or place for this, but Sadie had reasoned it was her only day in Stone Arabia and that John already knew the facts regarding her move to Pennsylvania. So, he gave her his ear.

  “If I do one thing not to his liking, Onkle Samuel holds the farm and haus over my head as a threat in his own subtle way. Ach, it’s terrible. David doesn’t want me wearin’ myself out trying to please my onkle after we’re married and ready to start a familye.”

  “I can’t really tell you what to do about your onkle’s attitude and difficult disposition, Sadie. But being that your beau feels the same about all of this, if I were him, I’d offer to buy the place and pay your onkle a little at a time once you’re married. This way, carin’ for him won’t be done as some kind of trade for his haus and farm one day.”

  “But that was my onkle’s idea right from the start.”

  John hadn’t felt comfortable with her onkle’s offer when she’d first proposed it to him while they were courting. Hearing how it was turning out made him all the more sure he’d made the right choice to part ways and stay in Stone Arabia.

  “Maybe he felt he had no other choice, Sadie. ’Tis a sad thing to trade care for things. Especially in the Plain life. Just doesn’t seem right, ain’t so?”

  Sadie glared at him. Her lips formed into the thin line he’d always hated whenever she got angry.

  “Denki, John. We best be going now. My mamm must be wonderin’ what became of me.” She turned and quickly walked back to the store.

  John picked up his pace behind her. How long had they been gone? Maybe Daed hadn’t missed him much with all the folks comin’ and going.

  Kristen! Did she see him step outside with Sadie? What must she be thinking?

  ~*~

  John didn’t have long to wait for the ramifications of his absence. He spotted the bishop right off, standing with Daed by the counter where the kaffee and tea were served.

  Madeline, the bishop’s frau, stood with Mamm by the shelves where her homemade preserves were displayed.

  He hadn’t been there to greet them alongside the rest of the familye. John wondered what excuse Daed made for him.

  He paused to summon his courage.

  Kristen and Mary stood by the table of soaps and womenfolk items, talking with an Englisch lady who held a bar of soap in her hand.

  Other neighbors wandered around the store taking a look at this and that.

  But it was Anna who spotted him first.

  “John! Come see how much fudge I sold already.” Her excited voice rang through the store.

  With that, all heads turned.

  John walked to the candy counter as calm as he could. He knew that Daed’s and Kristen’s gazes were on him now and could only hope that Kristen didn’t notice that he and Sadie were back at the same time. He’d explain it all to her later. For the time being he had better get himself over to where Daed, Daniel, and the bishop stood.

  “Anna, your fudge is very popular. Save me a piece of the maple walnut for after supper tonacht, jah?”

  Anna nodded enthusiastically to John.

  He headed toward the kaffee and tea counter.

  “Goede Mariye, Bishop. I’m sorry I was out back when you arrived.” John reached out to shake the bishop’s hand.

  Daed took a sip of his kaffee at the same time Daniel did.

  Fact is, he was out back; he just left out the part that he’d been there talking with Sadie.

  “Vell, I’m glad you came when you did so I could extend my gut wishes to you with the store. I need to get back. I have another stop to make.” The bishop took a cookie and walked off toward his frau.

  Daed held his tongue ’til the door jangled behind the two of them as they left. “What were you doing out back for so long? You knew people would come to wish us vell. Of all times not to be here. The bishop is a busy man, and I’m sure he stayed longer than he’d intended waitin’ on you. I told him you were around somewhere.” Daed’s eyes were fixed on John’s face.

  “Sadie wanted to talk with me about some trouble she’s having in Lancaster. Said today was the only day she’d be here. I didn’t intend to be gone for more than a few minutes.”

  “It was a half hour or more,” Daed said as he refilled his cup with hot water.

  “Jah, I know. Sorry.”

  “Ach, it’s all right. At least you came in time to greet the bishop. Best you walk around and greet a few others who came while you were gone.”

  “OK, Daed.” John turned to go when Daed put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Is Sadie thinking of comin’ back here, sohn?” His eyes had a twinkle in them.

  “Nee. She’s to be married soon to a farmer there. Just some trouble living with her onkle.”

  Was it his imagination or did Daed’s face fall?

  Sadie was a fine woman, and even though they’d known each other as kinner, they just didn’t think alike. More than that, John didn’t love her. He loved Kristen. And he had to explain his and Sadie’s absence to her. Now.

  ~*~

  John was back. And so was Sadie Krantz. Why did they go off together? Did he still feel something for her that he hadn’t realized ’til he saw her today?

  Sadie was the perfect example of a good Amish woman. Born into the community, raised here all of her life, and baptized into the faith. Everyone knew her family, and she could do all the things that many Amish women did so well: sew, cook, can, and of course, speak their Pennsylvania Dutch language. Sadie would be the perfect wife for any Amish man.

  Unlike herself. She was like a quilt with mismatched patches. Maybe John’s attraction to Kristen was just that. An attraction. She was all wrong for him. Probably all wrong for this life, too. If only God would give her a sign to keep going. To keep trying.

  Jacob’s voice broke through her thoughts. Her biological father. Her daed. Shouldn’t that be enough of a sign? She was Amish. But the blood in her veins did not control the state of her heart and thoughts, and all that she was. Could that really be changed?

  “Kristen, Katie and I will be going now. I hope to be seein’ you again soon. Meantime, Katie would velkum a visit from you if you’d like every now and again. She lives only a mile off from here.”

  “Um, sure. I’ll come visit when I can,” Kristen said, her eyes going from Jacob to Katie, who stood beside him. Then she remembered her idea about going to the Shore with Jacob for a weekend. “I was wondering if you’d want to come with me to New Jersey for a weekend to the house that I grew up in. Angela would be glad to drive us to the train.”

  Aunt Katie put her head down.

  “Oh, and you can come too, Aunt Katie.”

  Katie smiled and shook her head.

  “Nee, if Jacob can go, it would be gut for the two of you to get to know one another. As father and dochter, jah?”

  Kristen nodded.

  Aunt Katie was trying hard to make amends.

  “Jah. I would like that very much, Kristen. This weekend?”

  “Yes, if you don’t have church on Sunday. We don’t here.”

  “It’s an off Sunday for us in Lowville, too. We can leave first thing Saturday morgen for whatever time you arrange with Angela. I’ll come from Loweville to Katie’s on Friday night so we’ll be ready as early as you like.”

  “That’s great. I’ll see if there’s a train around 9:00 AM. Then I’ll call Riley. He’s the attorney in charge of the estate. He has the keys to the house. We’ll stop at his office on the way to pick them up. He’s only ten minutes from the house. Well, actually, from my house. It’s legally mine now.”

  Kristen realized that no one else knew this just yet, except for John. She’d only found out the night before, and with the rush this morning to get to the store on time, she’d had no chance at breakfast to tell the whole family.

  “Vell, then. You must be happy about that.” Jacob showed no feelings ab
out it one way or another. His smile remained intact, and his eyes held her gaze with the same steady warmth and kindness.

  Kristen nodded. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it either. All she could think of was John with Sadie.

  “Katie, we best be seein’ if Miriam wants a ride back with us or if she plans on stayin’.” Jacob placed a hand under his sister’s elbow.

  “OK, then. I’ll see you soon…Daed. Bye, Aunt Katie.”

  Jacob and Katie headed for the door as John walked toward her.

  23

  By the look on Kristen’s face, John had to be careful how he worded his explanation of why he’d been with Sadie. Maybe he should just act as if nothing was wrong. Because, in truth, nothing was. He hadn’t gone looking to spend time alone with Sadie. She’d sought him out and there wasn’t a warm moment between them.

  “John.”

  John stopped short at the familiar voice that called his name. There stood Sadie.

  “I just want to say gut-bye. I’ll be passing along your words to David about Onkle Samuel.” Sadie smiled at him, and then turned to Kristen. “Sorry I didn’t get a chance to visit with you, but I needed a friend’s opinion about my onkle’s stiff-fisted attitude and bent John’s ear about it. Now I’ll be off to bend the ear of David, my beau. I have a feeling that men think alike. John’s suggestion might very vell give David a way to tame Onkle Samuel’s stubbornness a bit.”

  “Oh, I hope so. Thanks for coming to see the store.” Kristen’s face brightened considerably.

  John breathed a sigh of relief. In hindsight, Sadie probably realized that their chat together alone might have caused some uneasiness.

  But what made her think she had to explain anything to Kristen? He’d never even been in Sadie’s presence while with Kristen. Well, not since he’d been courting Sadie and the three of them had pizza together a few times. Were his feelings for Kristen apparent even then? Either way, he and Sadie wouldn’t have lasted as a couple. He was glad that she had a new beau now.

  “I bought my mamm a bar of the Edna Lucille soap in lavender.” Sadie held the bar up to show them. “It’s hard to find around here.”

  “What is it about that Edna Lucille soap you ladies love so much?” John shook his head and laughed, glad for the change of topic.