Isaac didn’t like that idea. “They’ll slow me up.”
“Only at first, and then they'll be able to help out. And you don’t have to rush through things anymore because Hazel will be entering the numbers.”
He glanced over at Hazel. There was a good view of her through his father’s glass-walled office. “Did you tell her this could be a permanent job?”
“What other kind of job is there?”
“What I mean to say is, did you give her a trial period so we can see how she works out?”
His father leaned over, put a hand on his shoulder, and patted him. “Don’t worry so much. She’ll work out fine. She’s done this kind of thing before.”
There was nothing else Isaac could say. His father was right. It was his business and Isaac knew he couldn’t complain, whatever his father did. “Well, where am I going to sit to call back these people?” From his father’s desk, he picked up the printouts of the emails that had come in over the weekend. “The only phone was at my desk, and now it’s on Hazel’s desk.”
“You could use that cell phone you use to call back into the office when you’re out.”
“I don’t like using that.”
“It’s fine. The bishop’s given us permission to use it as long as it’s for work purposes. Most of our Amish businesses have been given permission to have computers and cells in their offices. We need them to—”
“I know that, Dat, but it doesn’t get a good signal in this area—that’s what I meant. And it’s more costly than using the other phone.”
“Just pull up a chair to her desk. She won’t mind you being there. It’ll only take half an hour to call those people back and make appointments.”
Isaac’s father was talking to him as though he was strange, but didn’t his father realize he’d just given Hazel not only a good chunk of his duties but also his office, desk, chair, computer, and phone? And why would she mind him using the phone for half an hour? His father was talking as though Hazel was more important than he was.
“Fine!” Isaac turned abruptly and walked out of his father’s office. His first call would be to the phone company to get another phone line installed. Later he'd think about where to fit another workstation.
It was hard for Isaac, having ninety percent of the responsibility of the business and only ten percent of the say in what happened. Isaac had no idea why his father suddenly thought they required a full-time bookkeeper. He walked into his old office, grabbed a chair from the other side of the room, and pulled it up to his desk. His former desk … Still she didn’t look up. “Excuse me, Hazel.”
“Jah?”
“Do you mind if I make some phone calls?”
Chapter 3
Hazel stopped what she was doing and looked across at the man who’d gone from being annoyed by her presence to being borderline hostile. She could sense his rage. “I’m sorry, but have I done something to upset you?”
“I don’t have time for a conversation. I’ve got appointments booked all day and I’ll be out on the road soon. I need to make calls now, so I can book more appointments for later in the week.”
“Go ahead, don’t let me stop you.”
He picked up the phone and started making the calls. His demeanor changed as soon as he started talking to the customers. That gave her the impression he was just a typical salesman. As handsome as he was, with a man like that, a woman would never know where she stood.
She jolted herself out of her daydreams about men. With everything that had gone on in her life lately, men should’ve been the last thing on her mind, but … there was no harm in looking. The Fuller boys were all handsome, she had to admit that. They were all tall and dark-haired, nice enough looking and solidly built, just the way she liked men to be. Maybe her someday-husband would be like that, and maybe he wouldn’t. Looks weren’t important to her. All she wanted was someone who would put her needs above his own. In return, she’d do the same. They’d fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. That was her romantic ideal.
She was sure that the man making the phone calls at her desk didn’t find her attractive in the least. He was clearly annoyed that she was even there, but the rest of Mr. Fuller’s boys had seemed pleased to meet her.
After he’d made his half-dozen calls, he hung up the phone’s receiver. “That’s all my calls done.”
“Oh, are you talking to me?” she asked him.
“Nee, I was just saying it out aloud. You can listen if you want.”
“Denke.” She kept working, determined not to let him bother her. She'd kept things together the last few months, and an angry man was not going to bother her in the least.
“Are you going to answer the phone today?” he asked, peering at her.
“If it rings, I’ll answer it.” She wondered if that’s what he wanted to hear. Mr. Fuller had said nothing about answering the phone. When she considered that she might have sounded rude, she said, “Would you like me to answer the phone?”
“Actually, it might be a good idea. My vadder usually answers the phone, but he’s not so good with messages. He tends to write things on random slips of paper, and every now and again he loses one with an important phone number.”
“I can take messages if that’s what you want.”
“That would be perfect, denke.”
Finally, he looked pleased.
“I’ve looked at your website, so I know the kinds of things you do.”
“I’m glad you’ve looked at the website. There’s nothing like being prepared, but I don’t want you to answer any questions in case you give the wrong answers. I’m not being rude, it’s just that there’s a lot to know.”
“That’s okay, I don’t take offense easily. You want me to just take messages, then, and tell them I’ll get someone to call them back?”
“That’s correct. And I’ll be back around lunchtime.”
“If someone calls, when will you return their call?”
“If it’s important, I’ve got a cell and you can call me on that. I’ll write the number down for you.”
“Better than that, I can set the computer up so I can send you text messages. I can message any of the urgent things to you.”
“You can do that?”
“Jah.”
“On this?” He reached into a drawer of the desk, pulled the cell phone out, and showed it to her.
“Jah, that’s an iPhone. I can set it up from this computer since it’s compatible.”
“Hmm, I really don’t have any idea what you’re saying, but if you can text me urgent messages and the numbers of the people I have to call back, I’d appreciate that.”
She smiled at him. Maybe they could get along. “Is there anything else you’d like me to do?” As soon as she asked the question, she wished she hadn’t. His body immediately stiffened and any trace of a smile was immediately wiped away.
“Nee.”
She nodded toward the iPhone. “Can I have that for a moment to set it up?”
“Sure.” He handed the phone over. “So, you’ve always been Amish?”
She giggled. “Always, since I was born. And I guess you have too?”
“Jah. How is it you know so much about phones and computers? Did you learn about them on rumspringa?”
“Nee, no rumspringa for me. In my last job, we used computers and cell phones. I worked for a business somewhat similar to this one, only they made Amish furniture. It was a family business, too. My job was to answer phones, update the website, run the blog, and do the bookwork and the payroll.”
“I guess Dat’s given you the payroll too?”
“Not yet, but I can do that if you want me to.”
He shook his head as she handed the phone back to him.
“There, it’s all set up now,” she said.
“That quickly?”
“Jah, it only takes a second or two. I just enabled the settings.”
“Denke, Hazel.”
“You’re welcome.”
He turned and she watched him walk from her small office and out of the building.
Then Mr. Fuller walked out of his office and stood in her doorway. “Don’t mind him.” He nodded his head in the direction Isaac had gone. “He’s a very serious young man. I forgot to tell him you were starting here today. You see, he’s not living at home like the other boys, and I thought I had told him.”
“He doesn't live at home?”
“He moved out into a haus by himself.” Mr. Fuller chuckled. “Thought he was too old to live with his parents.”
“Oh.” Hazel gave a little giggle. “It must have been a shock for him to find me sitting here. I didn't want to get off on the wrong foot with anyone here.”
“Nee, you won’t, don’t worry about that. It’s my fault. Sometimes I think I’ve told him things when I haven’t.” He gave her a smile and walked away, past his office door and out to the back of the workshop.
Around midday, the Fuller boys filed past her office. One of the older ones said, “There’s a café down the road and we get lunch from there most days. Would you care to come for a walk with us?”
“Denke, but I brought my lunch with me, and also I need to answer the phone.”
“Isaac isn’t back yet?”
“Not yet.”
The young man gave her a smile and joined his brothers. She was sure she'd been speaking to the second oldest one, and she was certain his name was Levi. She hoped, anyway. It was going to take a little time to know all of them.
She wasn’t sure where the old Mr. Fuller had gotten to. He was possibly still in the workshop somewhere. Since everyone was taking a break, she figured she’d have her lunch break right there in the office. She leaned down and got her sandwich out of her bag. She’d just taken a big mouthful when Isaac walked back in.
“Have the boys left yet?”
Since her mouth was full, she nodded.
“We have a lunchroom,” he said as she swallowed.
“I know, I made myself coffee in there this morning.”
“That’s right, you did.”
“How did things go with the quotes?”
“So far we got the go ahead for one kitchen renovation and one small job.”
“Only one job out of the whole six emails?” she asked.
“Nee. Out of those six emails, appointments were made for later in the week, and into next week. The two jobs I just got were from appointments that had been booked earlier. Anyway, just to get the one kitchen renovation makes it a good day.”
She’d annoyed him again. “Jah, well, that’s good then.” She’d opened her big mouth again without thinking. “Would you like me to make you a cup of kaffe?”
“Would you?”
“Jah. Of course.” She stood up and he raised his hand telling her to stop.
“Nee, denke. I’ve already had my limit for the day.”
She sat back down. “I thought you meant you’d like a cup.”
He shook his head. “I was surprised you would make me one.”
“It’s not hard.” She wasn’t sure if he was being deliberately difficult or not.
“I’m fine. Denke for the kind offer.” He walked away.
Chapter 4
Isaac didn’t know what to do with himself. Normally he sat down and made notes on the customer database. I guess I’ll use the old computer in my vadder’s office.
He walked back to Hazel and stuck his head through his former office doorway. “Excuse me, Hazel. Do you know where my vadder is?”
“I haven’t seen him since just after you left this morning.”
Isaac nodded and then walked away. His father would be down back checking on the boys’ work. That’s where he normally was when he wasn’t in his office. He was constantly keeping an eye on everything, making sure they were doing everything correctly and up to his standards.
At the end of the day, Hazel put the computer into sleep mode and then looked for Mr. Fuller to say goodbye. He had told her that five o’clock was the end of the workday and that’s what time she’d arranged for Ruth to collect her. Hazel grabbed her bag from under the desk and headed into Mr. Fuller’s office. “Excuse me, Isaac, have you seen your vadder anywhere?”
“I think he’s gone home.”
“Oh. He told me that five o’clock is my finish time. Is it okay for me to go home now?”
“Of course, if that’s what he told you.”
She didn’t want to go through another day of being tense with Isaac. “I hope we’ll get along better tomorrow. I know it must’ve been a shock for you and I’m sorry if I’ve taken over your office.”
“Hazel, it’s me who needs to apologize to you. You’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve let my irritation with some other things get the better of me. So, I’m sorry.”
She smiled and nodded. “Perhaps we should start off with a new day tomorrow?”
“Very good.” He gave her a little nod and then looked back at the computer.
“Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Hazel.”
She was pleased she’d had that talk with him. It made her feel better. They were probably never going to get along very well together, but as long as they could be civil to each other that was fine.
When Hazel walked outside, she saw Ruth’s buggy and hurried to it. She climbed onto the seat next to Ruth.
“Denke, Ruth. It’s very nice of you to do this for me.”
“It’s no bother. As I said, I’m always out and about doing one thing or another for John. If ever I can’t collect you, I’ll have John or one of the boys fetch you.”
Bishop John and his wife Ruth had a large family, but their children had grown up and left home. Hazel had met one of the older sons the previous night; he’d helped her bring her bags into the house.
“How was your first day?”
“I think it went really well. Mr. Fuller seemed pleased with me.”
“That’s good. I hope it all works out well for you.”
“It’s looking like it so far.”
Ruth gave her a sidelong glance. “The Fuller boys didn’t give you any trouble, did they?”
Hazel giggled. “They were all very friendly. Just like their vadder.” She wasn't about to mention the friction with Isaac, and especially not to the bishop's wife.
Dinner that night at Bishop John’s house was interrupted by two different sets of visitors. Ruth told her that it was always like that. People were constantly dropping by unexpectedly. Hazel kept herself busy by helping Ruth wherever she could, and after the visitors left, Hazel went to bed exhausted. She wasn’t just physically tired, she was also mentally tired. She’d been tense and on edge all day, hoping she would get along with everyone at work.
When Hazel finally put her head on the soft pillow, she thanked God for the opportunity that had been given to her. Like she did every night, she also prayed for her mother to recover. It would take a while before she could pray for her father after what he’d done. She knew the scriptures said to pray for people who had wronged you, but she still couldn’t do it. He’d never been a real father to her or a decent husband to her mother. He hadn’t cared about either of them.
Now, after he’d left them again, and this time for an Englisch woman, the shock of it was too much for her mother and Mamm had ended up having a breakdown. Now her mother was in a treatment facility. If it weren’t for Aunt Bee, her mother's sister, organizing everything, Hazel wouldn’t have gotten the job and a place to live, and her mother wouldn’t be getting the help she needed. Beatrice, always known as Bee with no A, was helping with the medical bills too, but there was only so far that their money could stretch.
It’d been another stressful day working in the family business. With all of the responsibility, the limited decision-making, and someone always looking over his shoulder, Isaac felt under constant pressure.
Monday and Thursday nights were his times with Mary Lou, his girlfriend. Mary Lou had insisted on seeing him two nights a
week as well as during the weekends. To save time on those nights, he collected her from the bakery where she worked part time. Their routine was simply that they’d have dinner together somewhere in town, and then he’d take her home.
It was just after five thirty when he arrived to collect her. She was sitting on the seat at the bus stop across the road from the bakery. He stopped the buggy just after the bus stop. It was always a pleasure to see Mary Lou’s bright smiling face. She was a small girl with dark hair and blue eyes, coloring that was very similar to his own.
They’d been together for two years. The first year was enjoyable, but for the last year Mary Lou had talked constantly of marriage. Isaac couldn’t blame her, not really. It was only a normal thing for a woman to want to be married after she became a certain age, but since he’d moved into the house by himself, he found he delighted in his own company. Coming from a rowdy houseful of boys, the silence was something he now craved. He wasn’t ready to give that up, not for Mary Lou, not for anybody.
Mary Lou jumped into the front seat. “Did you see her?” Her blue eyes sparkled and her cheeks were flushed rosy pink.
“See who?” Hearing a bus coming, he moved his horse forward, so it would be well out of the way.
“The girl who’s living at the bishop’s haus. I heard she’s working for you.”
“Hazel?”
“Jah. Hazel Bauer, they said her name was. So, it’s true?”
“I wasn’t aware she was living at the bishop’s haus. If I’d been told that, I’d forgotten it. Maybe I did know.”
She gave him a playful shove. “You’re so forgetful, Isaac.”
“She’s actually living there permanently, then, or is she just staying there until she finds another place?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d know. Penny came into the bakery today and she was at the bishop’s haus last night and Hazel was there. No one seems to know anything about her and Penny said that Ruth was funny about answering questions about her. It seems she’s a real mystery.”
He didn’t like the way Mary Lou had to know everything about everybody. But he knew that’s what some women were like. Nobody’s perfect, he told himself. He had to admit he was curious, too.
The Amish Bachelor: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 1) Page 2