The Mockingbird's Song
Page 24
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” As Jared scraped, the paint curled against his tool. “Anyways, the owners of the other greenhouse don’t have that advantage. Even though their place is bigger and they sell a lot more things, they may not have gained a steady flow of customers yet.”
“Hmm…” Dennis drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “If it was the other greenhouse owner who did this, then he needs to be stopped. I think Belinda ought to notify the sheriff. Do you agree?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” Jared answered. “I’m not a member of this family yet.”
“But you will be soon, right?”
“Jah, Amy and I will be getting married in early October.” Jared glanced toward the house. “Here comes Belinda, Amy, and Henry, so we’d better drop this subject. Sure don’t want to say anything that’ll put me on the bad side of my future mother-in-law.”
Belinda was surprised to see how much Jared and Dennis had already accomplished. Only a few windows were left to scrape.
“If you ladies have something else you need to do, Dennis and I can finish the rest of the windows,” Jared said.
“Actually, I do have a couple of things I need to do in the greenhouse before opening it to the public this morning.” Belinda smiled. “So danki, Jared.”
“No problem at all.” He grinned at Amy. “Do you want to stay and help, or do you also have something to do in the greenhouse?”
“Nothing that can’t wait.” She looked at Belinda. “Right, Mom?”
“Right. You can stay out here and enjoy yourself, Daughter. You too, Son,” Belinda added, pointing at Henry.
He rolled his eyes. “Okay, Mom. There’s nothin’ I’d rather do than scrape off the black paint.”
She gave him a gentle poke before heading to the front door of the building.
Once inside, Belinda set to work watering all the plants, while the noise of windows being scraped by metal tools sounded in the background. I must say, more hands do make less work. At this rate, that job will be done in short order. My Vernon would be well pleased with the help we’ve received.
By the time Belinda finished watering, Amy came inside. “The windows are all clean, and Jared and Dennis are getting ready to head out,” she announced.
“What about Henry? What’s he up to right now?”
“Said he had something to do in the barn.”
Belinda’s brows furrowed. “I thought he did all his chores before we had breakfast.”
“Maybe he forgot something and decided to take care of it now.”
“Or he could be in the yard looking at birds.” Belinda shook her head. “I don’t mind that he and Sylvia have a new hobby, but he sometimes gets so caught up in watching for birds that he forgets about the things I’ve asked him to do.”
Amy laughed. “Mom, Henry did that even before he got into birding.”
“True.”
Belinda slipped behind the front counter just in time to greet their first customer of the day.
“Guder mariye, Belinda.” Herschel Fisher reached across the counter and shook her hand.
Belinda smiled. “Good morning, Herschel. What can we do for you today?”
“I came to buy a nice plant for my mamm. She’s been down with a bad cold for the last week, and I thought it might cheer her up.”
“Sorry to hear she’s not feeling well.” Belinda made a sweeping gesture. “Why don’t you have a look around? I’m sure you can find something to your liking down one of the aisles.”
“Okay, I’ll take a look, but first, I was wondering…”
Another customer came in, and it was Jared’s mother, Ava. She smiled and came over to the counter. “I saw my son leaving here as I was coming in on my scooter. He told me last evening that he’d be at your place first thing in the morning.”
“Jah, we appreciated Jared’s help.”
“Dennis was here helping too,” Amy hollered.
Ava looked at Herschel and smiled, and then she patted Belinda’s hand. “Just think, it won’t be long until the wedding.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” Belinda pushed her reading glasses in place. “We still have lots of planning and work ahead of us though.”
Ava nodded. “We’ll help in any way we can.”
Herschel leaned on the counter. “Before I go searching for a plant to give my mamm that will brighten her day…”
“Is she under the weather?” Ava questioned.
“Jah, but she’s some better this morning.” He looked back at Belinda. “I wondered if you know of anyone in the area who might want to rent my house.”
“Are you leaving Gordonville?”
“Oh no. I have no plans of moving. I meant the little house I own here in Strasburg. It’s the one Jesse Smucker used to rent from me before he married Lenore.”
Amy left her job of sweeping the floor and stepped up to him. “Jared and I might be interested in renting the house. We’ll be getting married in October, and we haven’t found a place to live yet. We’ve been looking, but most of the homes come with a lot of property. With his roofing business, Jared doesn’t have time to keep up a big place.”
“Sounds like my rental might be just right for you then.” There seemed to be a gleam in Herschel’s eyes as he looked at Amy. “Can we set up a time for me to show it to you and your future husband?”
“That would be great. If you’ll give me your phone number, I’ll ask Jared to call and set up an appointment.” Amy gave Herschel a wide grin. “I’m looking forward to seeing it. Can you tell me how much the rent will be?”
“We can wait and talk about that after you’ve toured the house. If you don’t like it, that’s okay too. But if it pleases you, then maybe Jared could move in right away. The previous renter moved out two weeks ago, and I’d prefer not to leave it vacant much longer.” Herschel reached into his pocket and handed her a small card. “This has my bulk food store’s number on it. It’s probably the best number to reach me, because I check messages in the shed outside the store regularly.”
Ava grinned. “Sounds like it might be something my son would be interested in.”
“Danki, Herschel.” Amy handed Belinda the card. “Would you put this on the shelf under the counter for me? I’ll get it when I go up to the house at the end of the day.”
Belinda took the card, and Amy went back to sweeping the floor. Ava went off to look at the selection of plants.
Not long after, Belinda noticed their neighbor Virginia come in.
“Well, I’d better get busy and choose a plant for my mamm,” Herschel announced before hurrying down aisle 1.
Belinda stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to Virginia. “Hello. It’s good to see you again. Is there something I can help you with today?”
Virginia nodded. “I popped in to see what kinds of flowers you have that I can plant along the side of my house.”
“Most of the plants are in the first three aisles. Just take your time looking, and if you have any questions, I shouldn’t be too hard to find. Amy is here too.”
“All righty, then. Oh, by the way—did you find out who was on your property yesterday?”
Belinda shook her head.
“That’s too bad. Well, hopefully you’ll find out soon.” Virginia lowered her voice. “I’m thinking that Maude lady might be responsible for what went on here.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, she seems suspicious enough to me. Maude wanders up and down the road quite often. In fact, I’ve been keeping an eye on her.” Virginia caught her breath. “I bet she’s the one who took your original sign that went missing.”
Feeling the need for a change of subject, Belinda rested one hand on her hip and said, “One of these days, when things slow down a bit here, we’ll have you and your husband over for a meal.”
“That’d be real nice, Mrs. King.” Virginia turned and headed toward the first row of flowering plants.
Belinda’s thoughts turn
ed to the offer Herschel had made to Amy, and her heart clenched. Although she was happy her daughter had found a wonderful man to marry, the thought of Amy moving out of the home she’d grown up in was difficult to accept. Ezekiel had already left the nest, and soon Amy would be gone too. At least she won’t be living in another state. Belinda consoled herself with that thought. But what will happen when she and Jared have a family of their own? She won’t be able to help in the greenhouse anymore. And what about Sylvia? What if she ends up marrying Dennis, or some other Amish man? Belinda’s eyes teared up. Someday Henry will be grown and ready to start a new life too. What then? Will I have to give up the greenhouse and live on this property all by myself?
Dennis had spent the better part of the morning working with an uncooperative horse, and he was exhausted. He’d brushed the animal down in its stall and then gotten things ready for the next client’s horse.
Tired and frustrated, Dennis came into the house to take a lunch break before going back out to continue with his schedule. He wouldn’t let his fatigue, however, interfere with his plans to have supper at the Kings’ house this evening. Dennis found himself thinking about Sylvia more and more, and he looked forward to spending time with her this evening. Hopefully he’d have an opportunity to be alone with her, even if only for a short time.
Dennis took his boots off by the back door and headed for the kitchen. He was in need of something cold to drink to help his parched throat. After filling a glass with water from the sink, he opened the refrigerator, took out two hard-boiled eggs and a slice of ham, then sat down at the table. Dennis required the extra protein to ramp up his energy. He would work until four, and then clean up and get ready to head to the Kings’ place by five. Dennis had already laid out his clean clothes to wear after he showered and shaved at the end of his workday. He’d gone shopping the other day and purchased a couple of new shirts, including two white ones he would wear for church services.
While Dennis ate with one hand, he reached for his cell phone with the other. Think I’ll check the birding hotline. Maybe there’ll be some interesting bird sighting I can tell Sylvia and Henry about this evening.
Ever since she’d finished breakfast, Sylvia had been scurrying around the house, making sure everything was clean and orderly for Dennis’s visit this evening. The kids’ toys were still out in the living room, but she could wait to pick those up until closer to Dennis’s arrival. Sylvia had made a new dress, which she would wear this evening. The color was a dark purple—one of her favorite shades.
“Is lunch ready?” Henry asked, bursting into the kitchen where Sylvia stood at the counter slicing a loaf of bread.
“It will be soon, but if you can’t wait, grab a knife and make your own sandwich.”
“No, I can wait. We’re not that busy in the greenhouse right now, so I’m in no hurry to get back.” Henry flopped into a chair at the table. “I’d rather be in the barn, looking out the hayloft window and watching for birds.”
“You’ll have time for that later, Henry.” Sylvia frowned. “Don’t you think you ought to wash your hend while you’re waiting?”
He held up his hands. “Already done. I washed ’em at the sink in the greenhouse.”
“Okay.” Sylvia went to the refrigerator and took out the chicken-salad spread she’d mixed up earlier.
She thought of Dennis, and wondered what he was having for lunch. Being a bachelor, there was no telling what he’d make—probably something quick and easy to fix.
Sylvia blinked. Why am I always thinking of him? Dennis is on my mind so much of the time.
“Will Mom and Amy be coming up to the house to eat, or do they want you to take their lunch out to them?” she asked, needing to focus on something else.
“I’ll take Mom’s lunch out to her after I eat, but Amy won’t be here for the noon meal.”
Sylvia turned to face him. “How come?”
“Jared came by a while ago to pick her up. They’re meeting Herschel Fisher at the house he owns not far from here.”
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot about that. I didn’t see his buggy pull in, but I’ve been busy with the kinner and getting some chores done.” Sylvia pulled the cutting board with the sliced bread closer and put the sandwiches together. “I hope they like the place and it works out for them to rent it.”
“Me too. If Amy lives close after they’re married, she’ll be able to keep workin’ at the greenhouse and not so much will fall on me.” Henry scrunched his face. “But I don’t know what’ll happen once Amy and Jared start havin’ bopplin. If you would help out things might go better.”
Her spine stiffened. “You know I’m needed here to take care of my kinner as well as cook, clean, and keep up with the laundry.”
“You could hire someone to watch Rachel and Allen. I think you just don’t wanna work in the greenhouse.”
“That’s right, I don’t, but it’s none of your concern.” Sylvia hurried to finish Henry’s sandwich and handed it to him. “You can eat it in here if you want, but let’s not talk about me working in the greenhouse anymore.”
Henry wrapped his sandwich in a napkin, stood up, and tromped across the room toward the back door. “I’ll tell Mom she can come eat her lunch now.”
“I thought you were going to take it out to her.” She handed him a lunch basket with food for Mom.
Henry’s face flushed. “Oh, yeah, that’s right. See you later.”
When her brother left, Sylvia blew out an exasperated breath. She felt guilty enough for not helping in the greenhouse without having a reminder from her brother of the fact. I wish Mom could afford to hire another pair of hands to work in there. Especially with my sister soon to be married and eventually having children of her own. The pressure of me being next in line to work in the greenhouse is stifling. Sylvia tapped her foot. And then there would be the expense of getting someone to watch Rachel and Allen. If that should be expected of me, then why not Amy? When the time comes, she could get a sitter for her kinner too.
“My children come first,” she mumbled. “They’re better off having me take care of them than they would be with a sitter.”
Another thought popped in Sylvia’s head. If it doesn’t work out for me or Amy to work in the greenhouse after she’s married, then what will Mom do?
Amy’s skin prickled with excitement as Jared pulled his horse and buggy onto the driveway at the address Herschel had given them. From the outside, the small white house looked cozy and inviting. She could hardly wait to see the inside. This just made it more real to her. Here they were, about to look at a place in hopes of setting up their new lives together as the future Mr. and Mrs. Jared Riehl.
Herschel’s horse had been secured at the hitching rail, and Jared pulled his horse alongside it and got out, while Amy held onto the reins. Once his horse was secured, she climbed down from the buggy, and the two of them headed for the house.
They’d no more than stepped onto the porch when Herschel came out the front door and greeted them. “Did ya have any trouble finding the place?”
Jared shook his head. “Not a bit. I’ve been by this house many times. Just never been invited to see the inside till now.” He glanced at Amy and smiled. “We’re excited to see it.”
Herschel opened the door wide. “Come on in. As you can see, the front door leads right into the living room.”
When they stepped inside, Amy tried to take it all in at once. A comfy-looking recliner sat near an upholstered sofa. Both appeared to be in fairly good condition. Built-in bookshelves graced either side of the fireplace, and two end tables were positioned on both sides of the couch, as well as another one alongside the recliner. A battery-operated lamp sat on each of them.
“Nothing fancy, but it should serve your needs,” Herschel said. “Of course, you’d be free to buy furniture of your own if you don’t care for what’s here.”
“It’s adequate for me.” Amy looked at Jared and was pleased when he nodded.
“S
hould we move on to the bedrooms and bathroom?” Herschel asked.
Amy and Jared both nodded and followed Herschel through a narrow hallway, where the two bedrooms and bathroom were located.
Each of the rooms was furnished with a wooden-framed bed, dresser to match, and a closet with a door. In one of the rooms there was also a small desk. No doubt that would be the room Amy and Jared would claim for themselves.
The bathroom had a tub-shower combination, as well as a toilet and sink, with a mirror above the vanity.
“Are you ready to see the kitchen?” Herschel asked.
“Jah.” Amy was the first to respond, and Jared nodded.
Back down the hall they went, and they soon entered a spacious kitchen. It was nearly the size of the two bedrooms put together. The layout reminded Amy of Sylvia’s kitchen. The cupboards were different and the color was lighter than her sister’s place, but it gave off a comfortable feeling that she liked.
Amy smiled. She enjoyed cooking, and this kitchen with a propane-operated stove and refrigerator would be perfect for fixing meals. The table was quite large, so even though the house had no dining room, they could easily eat in the kitchen and serve several guests at one time.
Amy leaned close to Jared and whispered, “I like the house. Do you?”
He nodded. “We’d be pleased to rent this from you, Herschel, and I’d like to move in as soon as possible.”
“Don’t you want to know the price I’m asking for the rent?”
“You told me when we talked on the phone to set up this meeting.”
Herschel’s cheeks flushed pink above his beard. “So I did.” He moved toward the back door. “Maybe you should take a look at the yard and also the washhouse for doing laundry. There’s an older model ringer-washer in there, but it could be replaced with a newer one if you choose.”
“We’ll take a look, but I don’t think we’re going to change our mind about renting the place.” Jared grinned at Amy. “Right?”
She bobbed her head.
As they stepped into the backyard, Amy spotted a wooden table with benches on either side, situated near a fire-pit. “Oh, this would be perfect to use year-round. What a nice place for entertaining our friends and family.”