“Can I see you for a minute, Isaac?”
He looked up at the sound of his mother’s voice.
“In the kitchen,” she added.
He stood and headed toward the kitchen in the midst of hearing his brothers whispering and joking about the fact that he was probably in trouble about something. “What is it, Mamm?”
“Have a seat.” Once they were seated at the table, she began. “I’m not in the habit of listening in, but I heard what you said just now about going to the fundraiser for Hazel’s mudder.”
“I think I should go. I want to go. But it will be too hard to see her again.” After how he had treated Mary Lou, he felt he didn’t deserve any happiness. If Mary Lou returned to the community and married and settled down, then he would be able to pursue his own happiness.
“You’re not making any sense.”
“It's this way, Mamm. I feel dreadful about what I've done to Mary Lou, that I don't deserve happiness when Mary Lou has none. Anyway, who's to say that Hazel likes me? I think she sees me as some kind of tyrant.”
“There’s one way to find out about Hazel, and you can't be responsible for what happened with Mary Lou.”
“You yourself said that I wasted her time.”
“I was wrong when I said that to you, Isaac. I was hoping to force you into marrying her because I thought you were just wary of marriage. I didn’t know that you were having second thoughts about Mary Lou. That was my mistake. The relationship ending shouldn't have been the cause of her leaving the community. There are always ups and downs in life. That she reacted this way makes me glad you broke things off with her.”
“But it was the reason, it was me. You know what the scripture says about standing in someone's way.”
“You didn't do it deliberately.”
“I might not have done it deliberately, but I caused her great pain and I shouldn't have. I was too caught up in my own selfishness to even think what I was doing to Mary Lou.”
“You intended to marry her one day, didn't you?”
“I didn't think things through well enough. I liked spending time with her … but every time she mentioned marriage, I felt pressured instead of happy.”
“You can't hold yourself back thinking about things like that.”
His mother was always going to be on his side. She had the mother’s ability of seeing the best in him, not seeing his shortcomings the way they really were. “I would like to see Hazel again and tell her how I truly feel about her.”
“Ah, I was right.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
He chuckled. “It's not something that a man generally discusses with his mudder.”
“I don't see why not. Everyone needs a little help regarding love sometimes.”
“I guess I don't like asking for help.”
She chuckled. “You're stubborn just like your vadder.”
“Maybe.” He looked into his mother's eyes. “Maybe I should take that risk. I'd really love to see her again, and maybe she feels nothing for me, but at least I can go and support the fundraiser.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
Chapter 17
The very next day, Isaac arrived at the auction site in Allentown, and looked around for Hazel. He couldn't see her anywhere, but he knew he was in the right place and she would be there sometime.
“Isaac Fuller, isn’t it?”
Isaac turned around to see a man he’d met recently at a wedding. “Jah, it is.” Isaac couldn’t remember the man’s name and was surprised that the fellow had remembered his. He was around the same age, pleasantly plump, with a dark bushy beard.
“It’s Albert Troyer.”
“Jah, that’s right. Sorry, Albert. I remember you, but I just couldn't think of your name. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“What brings you to this part of the world?”
“I’ve come to support the auction, and of course Hazel and her mudder. Hazel worked for us briefly.”
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
He nodded. “Before she had to return to look after her mudder. Have you seen Hazel around anywhere?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure she’s around somewhere. Come and I’ll introduce you to some people.”
Albert steered him toward a group of men who were looking at farming equipment that was in the line of items to be auctioned.
Hazel traveled with Aunt Bee to the auction. It was hard for her to ask for or to accept help and she felt embarrassed to be placed in that position, but with her mudder needing constant attention, Mamm had become a full-time job for both Bee and herself.
“Hopefully we’ll have a good day today and the money raised will go a long way to helping your mother.”
“I hope so.”
The women had made food, and the money raised from their stalls and the refreshment stands was also going toward the bills. Hazel was learning the true meaning of family. The community was her family. Her father had failed, but the community had reached out to help and that was something she would never forget.
“I’ll let you out here because it looks like I’ll have to park the buggy some distance away. There are a lot of people here.”
Hazel looked at the row of buggies. “I’ll come with you to park it.”
“Nee you won’t. You get out here. There’ll be a lot of people who want to talk to you, and I don’t have to be around.”
Hazel swallowed her nerves and got out where Aunt Bee suggested she should. She walked toward the table where the auctioneer would stand. A crowd of people had gathered. Then she saw a familiar figure. She was sure it was Isaac. When she got closer, he turned around and she saw that it was he.
“Isaac!”
“Hello.”
Her mouth was open and she couldn’t speak. Finally, she said, “What are you doing here?”
“I came here for you—to support the auction.”
She couldn’t believe he was there. His expression was softer, somehow. “Oh, I’m glad you did.” After she’d swallowed hard, she asked, “How is everyone?”
“Pretty much the same. Nothing much changes. How’s your mudder doing?”
“She’s so much better now.”
“Gut.”
“It’s nice to see you,” she said. He was just as good-looking as she remembered him.
He gave her a big smile. “And you.”
She knew her cheeks were red because she could feel them burning. Too embarrassed to look at him, she looked down at her black boots.
“How have you been?”
She glanced back up at him. She was certain they’d exchanged greetings already, but her head was swimming. “I’ve been good, and you?”
“About the same. We could do with your help back in the office. Things just don’t run the same without you. We grew used to having you there.”
“I’m glad I was able to help out.”
“You did more than that.”
A thought occurred to her; he might have come with Mary Lou. “How’s Mary Lou?”
“Mary Lou left the community some time ago.”
She was stunned at the news and searched his face, wondering if it had something to do with the Englischer she’d seen her with. “Really?”
“Jah, it’s true.”
“I hope it wasn’t anything to do with me. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned anything to you.”
“We all do what we think is best and that’s all we can do. I’ve come to believe that people are responsible for their own actions and they can’t blame other people. I blamed my actions for the longest time in regard to Mary Lou, but I’m through blaming myself.”
She had no idea what he meant. Had he meant he blamed himself for Mary Lou leaving the community? “It’s just a surprise, especially seeing you were getting married.”
“Nee, I never asked her to marry me.” He shook his head. “Is that what she said?”
Hazel recalled Mary Lou’s words and she was sure Mary Lou had told her they
were going to announce their wedding date soon. “I think so. Something like that.”
“I think that’s where things started to go wrong.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t know there was some time limit for dating a girl before you ask her to marry you.”
Hazel shook her head. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“Anyway, I’m not here to talk about Mary Lou, or myself. Today is about you and your mudder, and raising a lot of money.”
“I hope so. I’m so glad you came. It’s so nice to see you. Are you staying with someone?”
“I’m staying at a bed-and-breakfast. I don’t really know anyone from this community except a man called Albert Troyer. I met him at a wedding not long ago.”
Hazel giggled.
“What’s funny?”
“I don’t know. Everything and nothing. When this is over, would you come back to Aunt Bee’s haus where my mudder and I are living? She’d loved to meet you. I’ve told her a lot about you and your family.”
“Jah, I’d like that very much. Denke.”
“Come for the evening meal.”
“Are you sure that would be all right with your Aunt Beet?”
She giggled. “It’s Aunt Bee.”
“Oh.” He laughed. “I’m sorry. Aunt Bee.”
“You’ll come?”
“I’d like nothing more.”
“Excuse me, Hazel, can I interrupt for a moment?” They were interrupted by the community’s bishop and another man who stood to the side, waiting.
“Oh, Bishop Paul. This is Isaac Fuller. I worked with his family in Lancaster County.”
“Hello, Isaac. I know your vadder well.” They shook hands. “I’m glad you could come here.”
“Denke, it’s gut to meet you.”
The bishop turned back to Hazel and introduced her to the man who would be auctioneer for the day. Isaac backed away and gave Hazel a little wave. Hazel knew he wouldn’t be very far away.
When the auction was about to start, she found Aunt Bee and told her about Isaac having come, and her dinner invitation to him. Then she led Bee to where Isaac was standing, and introduced them to each other.
Soon Hazel stood and watched, with Aunt Bee on one side of her and Isaac on the other, as the auction started. It embarrassed Hazel when Isaac bid on things she knew he had no use for. Then he donated them back to the auction to be sold again. At the end of the day, the amount Isaac alone had spent came to over five thousand dollars.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Isaac,” she whispered, feeling both pleased and guilty that he’d given so much money. It was an unbelievably huge sum to her.
“Everyone needs a helping hand every now and again. Who knows? It might be my turn soon.” He gave her a beaming smile that melted her insides.
“Are you coming home with us?” Aunt Bee asked Isaac. “We can take you back to the bed-and-breakfast later tonight.”
“If that’s not going to be too much trouble. I don’t want to be under your feet.”
“Nonsense. We’re pleased to have you join us for dinner.”
During the buggy ride back to Bee’s house, Isaac said, “It’ll be a while before they tally up the amounts raised today, but I’d say they raised a good sum.”
“I know. That’s so good,” Hazel said. “Denke, Isaac, for everything you’ve done.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, so I can talk you into coming back to work for us.”
“I don’t think my mudder’s ready for me to leave her again. She might never be ready.”
“Bring her with you. Problem solved,” he said.
“She’s got her doctors and everything here, though. She’s not good with change anymore.”
When they pulled up at the house, Isaac tried to help Bee with the horse, but she insisted that he go on ahead into the house with Hazel.
“Hazel, I jumped at the chance of coming to the auction because I had to see you again.”
She stopped walking and looked up into his eyes. “Did you?”
“Jah.”
Excitement rippled through her body, but then she remembered her mother. She took off, walking at a brisk pace. “I must get inside to see my mudder.”
He ran after her. “Wait, Hazel. I want to talk to you in private.”
She stopped again.
“Look into my eyes.”
She didn’t want to. She didn’t want him to offer her happiness because she knew she would have to deny it. Every time she looked at her mother’s sad face she didn’t want to remember that she had a chance at happiness.
“Hazel, look at me.”
Slowly, she looked into his blue eyes.
“Things never worked out with Mary Lou and me because—”
“Nee, don’t say anything else. Please.”
She walked to the door and opened it, and then she turned around and stopped in the doorway. It would be hard for him to talk privately knowing her mother was just inside the house. “Come inside, Isaac, and meet my mudder.”
At that moment, Isaac figured that Hazel probably didn’t feel the same. She had just saved him from an embarrassing moment. Why was life so complicated? Why couldn’t Hazel have been devoted to him like Mary Lou had been? Perhaps she had a man. He thought back to those letters he’d seen on the desk, the ones that she’d tried to cover up.
Chapter 18
Isaac stepped onto Aunt Bee’s porch, took off his hat, and walked inside. Hazel pointed him toward a living room where a small woman sat with her knees covered by a knitted blanket of many colors.
“Mamm, this is Isaac Fuller. Remember I told you about all the Fuller boys and working for Mr. Fuller at the kitchen cabinetry place?”
“Jah, that’s right, when you left me.” She looked over at Isaac and smiled. “Denke for giving my dochder a job.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Bauer.”
Mrs. Bauer visibly cringed when he said her name. He figured it had something to do with her husband leaving her and still having to be called by his name.
“And it’s nice to meet you. Please, call me Judy.” She turned to her daughter. “How did the auction go?”
“There was a huge crowd there.” Hazel looked over at Isaac as she sat down beside her mudder. “Please take a seat.”
He sat opposite the two women on the other couch. Mrs. Bauer looked similar to Hazel, only much older, so much so that she looked more like Hazel’s grandmother than her mother.
“Isaac bought a lot at the auction.”
Isaac was embarrassed that Hazel had mention such a thing. “It was nothing, Hazel.”
“Denke, Isaac. We appreciate all your help. I’ve been a burden on my Hazel for a long time.”
“You’re not a burden,” Hazel insisted a little too loudly.
“I’ve just caused a lot of people problems.”
Hazel patted her mother’s hand. “Isaac’s staying for dinner. He’s staying at a bed-and-breakfast place close by.”
“You could’ve stayed here, Isaac,” Mrs. Bauer said.
“Nee, I wouldn’t want to put anybody out.”
“When do you leave?” Mrs. Bauer asked.
“I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon on the two o’clock bus.”
It saddened Hazel to hear that he was leaving. Of course, she already knew it, but now there was no pretending he could stay. She’d have to make the most of having him there. “You’ll be at the meeting tomorrow then?” Hazel asked.
“Jah, and I’ve heard that the meeting is being held at the bishop’s haus?”
Bee walked into the house at that moment. “That’s right. Can we collect you from the bed-and-breakfast?”
“That would be wunderbaar if you could.”
“Jah, we can do that.”
When they heard a horse and buggy, Bee looked out the open doorway behind her. “That’s Luke now.” She turned back to face them. “Hazel, why don’t you take Isaac outside to meet your On
kel Luke?”
“Sure.”
When they got outside, Luke had taken the buggy and his horse around the other side of the barn where the stables were.
“I’m sorry if I said something to upset you before, Hazel.”
“Nee, you didn’t upset me. It’s just that things are complicated right now.”
“I can see that. I can see what kind of situation you’re in. It can’t be easy for you to feel stuck.”
“That’s exactly how I feel, and I sometimes feel torn. I want to have my own life and spread my wings, but I can’t because my mother needs me. I hope you understand.”
“I do, as much as I can without being in the situation myself. I’m glad I came here.”
“I am too. It's so good to see you.”
He wanted to say more, but a man was walking toward them.
“Here’s Onkel Luke now.” Hazel introduced Luke and Isaac, and then they all went into the house.
Hazel wanted to tell Isaac that she liked him too. She’d wait for another opportunity so she could let him know. If he was prepared to wait, then something good might finally come her way.
They sat in the living room sipping hot chocolate that Aunt Bee had prepared for them. It was just the thing for a late autumn afternoon. Aunt Bee’s hot chocolate was like no one else’s. They were drinking silken-smooth chocolate. Hazel had watched how her aunt made it, but hadn’t had the chance to make it by herself.
While Isaac complimented Bee on the unique taste of the hot chocolate, Hazel watched him. His deep blue eyes were filled with kindness along with compassion.
“How did that audit problem go?” Hazel asked Isaac.
“We had to pay another five hundred dollars and that was it. We got no fine.”
“Ah, gut.”
“Dat said to thank you for sorting things out for us.”
“It sounds like you did a good job for the Fuller family,” Hazel’s mother said.
“She did. She fitted in so well.”
Hazel giggled and when everyone looked at her, she told them how awkward things were when Isaac first saw her sitting in his chair.
Isaac laughed along with her, and explained to the others, “You see, my vadder didn’t tell me he’d employed anyone. I walked in thinking we’d been robbed and I’d be faced with a masked robber wielding a weapon, and then I saw Hazel in my office sitting at my desk tapping away at my computer. Dat had given her my office.”
The Amish Bachelor: Amish Romance (Seven Amish Bachelors Book 1) Page 10