The Courtship Basket

by Amy Clipston

  “Oh.” Rachel grimaced. Pizza was a bad idea. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve brought something he could eat. I didn’t realize pizza wasn’t gut for your dat.” She’d managed to mess up this visit already. At least she’d decided to bring brownies instead of ice cream.

  “Please don’t worry about it,” Mike said, his expression kind. He placed three glasses on the table. “Mei dat is resting right now. He doesn’t eat much lately. His dialysis treatments take a lot out of him.”

  “Oh.” She frowned while worrying about Mike’s father. “Maybe he can join us for dessert.”

  Mike gave a noncommittal shrug. “Maybe. I’ll check on him after we finish the pizza.”

  “All right,” she said. “I hope he feels better soon.”

  “Danki.” Mike gave her a quick nod before pointing toward the chairs. “Let’s have lunch.”

  Rachel sat across from Mike and John, and after a silent prayer, they each took a slice of pizza.

  John took a bite and grinned. “It’s so appeditlich. Danki, Teacher Rachel.”

  “I’m so froh you like it. And you can call me Rachel outside the school if it’s okay with Mike.” She felt Mike watching her. When she met his expression, her cheeks heated again. Why did he make her feel so self-conscious?

  “Ya, it’s okay with me if he calls you Rachel. And I agree the pizza is appeditlich,” Mike agreed. “It’s been years since I’ve had pizza.”

  “Did Rachel tell you how gut I’m doing in school?” John asked between bites of pizza.

  Mike nodded. “She told me you’ve been doing great.”

  “I brought a couple of books if you want to work on your math and reading today,” Rachel said. “You can even show Mike how well you’re doing.” She took a bite of pizza, savoring the delicious flavor.

  John shrugged. “Okay. I finished my chores already, so we can do some schoolwork.”

  Rachel saw her basket on the counter, and Mike noticed.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t return the basket yesterday. I just forgot to put it in the van with John. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “Oh, that’s okay. I can take it with me when I go home today.”

  They ate in silence for a few moments, and Rachel tried to think of something else to say. She wanted to know more about Mike’s life, but she didn’t want to pry.

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” John asked before reaching for a second slice.

  Rachel pushed the box of pizza toward John, and he chose the largest slice, which made her smile. He certainly was enjoying this special lunch.

  She wiped a napkin across her mouth and then cleaned her greasy fingers with it. “I have two schweschdere. Mei schweschder Veronica is a year older than I am, and Emily is three years younger than I am.” She took a sip of water.

  John bit into the large slice. “Are you married?” he asked while chewing.

  “John,” Mike warned through gritted teeth. “That’s rude. You shouldn’t pry into other people’s lives—or talk with your mouth full.”

  “I don’t mind answering,” Rachel said with a smile. “No, John, I’m not married.”

  “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “John,” Mike said, warning him with another growl.

  “It’s all right.” Rachel averted her eyes by glancing down at her half-eaten piece of pizza. “No, I don’t.”

  “Do you live alone?” John asked between bites of pizza.

  “I live with my parents and mei schweschder Emily. Mei older schweschder, Veronica, got married in February, and she lives in a haus her husband built on his parents’ farm. She made the chocolate pie I sent over Thursday. Her husband is going to build her a bake stand where she’ll sell those pies.”

  “Really?” John’s eyes widened as he turned toward Mike. “Maybe you can get us more pies from your schweschder.”

  Rachel chuckled. “I can get you more pies.” She turned toward Mike. “That’s as long as it’s okay with you.”

  Mike nodded. “I enjoyed the pie also. I’ll have to give you some money for them.”

  “No, no.” Rachel shook her head. “Veronica frequently brings us several pies, and I’m froh to share them with you.”

  Mike nodded slowly and looked at her as if she were an intricate math problem. “Danki.”

  They ate in silence again for a few minutes, and John grabbed a third slice of pizza.

  “I think you should slow down,” Mike said, placing his hand on John’s arm. “You might get a stomachache if you eat too much.”

  John placed the piece back in the box. “Could we have the brownies now?”

  Rachel bit the inside of her lip to stop her threatening smile. She glanced at Mike, and a smile slowly spread across his lips. She was surprised by how his handsome face lit up. She hoped to see that more. She smiled at him, and something special passed between them. She hoped it was friendship.

  Mike pushed back his chair. “I’ll get the brownies.”

  “No, I will.” Rachel popped up and retrieved the pan, then located a knife from the block on the kitchen counter. She sliced a small rectangular brownie and placed it on John’s plate.

  “Could we have ice cream too?” John asked.

  “Michael!” a weak, gravelly voice called. “Michael!”

  Mike jumped up. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared through the doorway.

  “That’s mei dat,” John said. “He’s sick. He has to have dialysis three times a week. It makes him really tired, and he can’t eat much.” He pointed toward the refrigerator. “Do you think we can add ice cream to the brownies? My cousin Janie brought some vanilla over last week.”

  “Oh.” Rachel paused. “I don’t know if Mike would approve.”

  John nodded with emphasis. “Oh, he will. Mike likes ice cream.”

  Rachel bit the side of her lip to stop another smile. Should she allow John to have ice cream? What if Mike disapproved and he asked her to leave? It seemed as if they were finally becoming friends. She looked at John, and he gave her puppy-dog eyes.

  “Please, Rachel?” He tilted his head. “I promise Mike won’t be upset with you. He lets me have ice cream on weekends.”

  “All right.” Rachel located a carton of vanilla ice cream in the freezer and brought it to the table, along with three bowls and spoons.

  As John dropped his brownie into a bowl and smothered it in vanilla ice cream, Rachel grinned. He’d apparently made a brownie sundae before.

  “Are you going to make one?” he asked with a mouthful of brownie and ice cream.

  “Ya, I will.” She cut a small brownie, put it into one of the bowls, and dropped a few small scoops of ice cream on top of it. She savored the sweet taste as she chewed the first bite, then swallowed. “It’s fantastic.”

  “I told you.” He grinned. “So what is your favorite dessert?”

  Rachel thought about the question while enjoying another bite. “I suppose it’s ice cream.”

  “Ya, that’s mine too.” John shoveled in more of the vanilla treat. “Do you eat dessert every night?”

  “I try not to,” Rachel admitted. “But it’s difficult since mei dat likes dessert. I usually give in to the temptation.”

  “Do you live on a farm?” John asked.

  “We have a small farm, but mei dat owns a harness shop. It’s called the Bird-in-Hand Harness Shop, and it’s on our property.”

  “Oh.” John was thoughtful for a moment as he stared at his half-eaten sundae. “Mei dat and onkel own Bird-in-Hand Builders, but mei dat can’t work there anymore. Mike works there.”

  “I know,” Rachel said. “Do you think you’ll want to work there someday?”

  “Oh ya.” John nodded. “I love working with wood. Mei dat was starting to show me how to make a wishing well, but then he got really sick. Hopefully he can help me finish it someday soon when he’s better. The dialysis makes him feel horrible, but he needs to have it to live.” He suddenly smiled. “But someday he’s go
ing to be better, and he’s going to work with me in the woodshop out in the barn. Mike is going to work with us too, and we’ll all finish the wishing well.”

  Rachel’s heart squeezed, and she fought back the tears threatening her eyes. She silently prayed his father would get well so they could finish the wishing well together. “I’m certain you will,” she said softly.

  The sound of wheels moving across the floor drew their eyes to the doorway, where Mike was pushing their father in a wheelchair.

  “Dat!” John leaped from the chair and rushed over to the wheelchair. “Rachel came to visit and brought pizza and brownies. Would you like a brownie?”

  “Ya,” Raymond said, his voice thin and shaky. “I would like one.”

  John rushed over to the table and pushed away the chair next to his. “You can sit by me, Dat!”

  Mike pushed the wheelchair over to the table, and Rachel nodded at the older man.

  “How are you?” she asked as she cut a brownie for him.

  “Tired.” Raymond smiled, and for a moment Rachel felt as if she were looking into Mike’s face. The Lantz boys had inherited their father’s kind features and smile.

  “It’s gut to see you,” Rachel said as she pushed the brownie over to Raymond. “I’m sorry you can’t eat the pizza I brought, but I’m thankful that you can enjoy the brownies.” She felt someone staring at her, and she looked up to find Mike watching her with a curious expression.

  “Danki for the wunderbaar meals you sent over this week,” Raymond said. “We’ve enjoyed them.”

  “Gern gschehne.” She smiled and then looked at Mike again. “Do you want a brownie sundae?”

  “That sounds gut.” Mike took a seat beside his father.

  As Mike seemed to be watching his father’s every move, Rachel made his sundae and passed it across the table to him.

  “Danki.” Mike pushed his spoon through the dessert and took a bite. “This is wunderbaar.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Rachel said.

  As they all continued to eat, John entertained them with stories about the animals on the farm. Rachel found herself smiling and laughing, and she frequently noticed Mike looking at her. She wondered what he thought of her. Had he forgiven her for arguing with him or did he still resent her? She longed to know if he considered her a friend.

  When their bowls were empty, Rachel stood, gathered up the dishes, and went to the sink.

  “You don’t need to do the dishes,” Mike said, carrying the pizza box to the counter. “I’ll do them later.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind.” She began to fill the sink with hot water.

  “It’s really not necessary,” Mike insisted. He sidled up to her and gestured toward his brother, who was talking to their dat. “I’m certain you have to go home soon. Why don’t you read with John? I need to get mei dat settled.”

  “Oh. That’s a gut idea.” So he wanted her to leave soon. She couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, but she understood. This visit was John’s idea, and Mike was most likely eager for her to leave so they could spend the rest of their Saturday as a family. “I’ll get started on the schoolwork now.”

  As Mike wheeled his father out of the kitchen, Rachel went to the table, retrieved the reading and math books from her tote bag, and then sat next to John. “What would you like to work on first?” she asked him.

  John tapped his lips with his finger and then pointed at the math book. “How about math?”

  “Sounds gut.” Rachel opened the book to the most recent lesson. As she began asking John about the math problem, Rachel hoped Mike would be happy with her work with John and would realize how sorry she was for the horrible things she’d said to him.

  CHAPTER 10

  “MICHAEL,” DAT BEGAN, “WOULD YOU PLEASE PUSH ME INTO the schtupp? I’d like to read for a while.”

  “Ya, of course.” Mike pushed Dat into the family room, lifted him from the wheelchair into his favorite recliner, and handed him the latest copy of the Budget.

  Once his father was settled, he moved back to the doorway leading to the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe for a moment and watched Rachel work with his brother. Sitting beside John, she spoke softly while encouraging him to solve a math problem. When John said the correct answer, she cheered and clapped her hands. Then she leaned in close to him and squeezed his shoulder while he worked on another math problem.

  The tenderness in Rachel’s expression caused Mike’s heart to feel as though it were turning over in his chest. He was still surprised to see her so eager to help John and so focused on him after the way she’d behaved that day at his work. He stood quietly and watched them for a moment, silently marveling at her expertise and tenderness.

  When Mike finally stepped into the kitchen, one of the floorboards squeaked under his weight, and Rachel lifted her eyes to meet his. She sat up straight and gave him a nervous smile as her porcelain cheeks flushed, nearly matching her rose-colored dress. Her eyes were a deep brown, matching the dark hair peeking out from under her prayer covering. She was pretty. Very pretty.

  Whoa.

  Mike mentally pushed away the thought. Rachel was John’s teacher, and he didn’t have time to even consider liking a maedel, let alone dating one. His focus was on his father and his brother. He couldn’t afford the distraction of a maedel right now.

  “Mike,” she said quickly. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you.” Mike crossed the kitchen. “I’ll be outside finishing my chores.”

  “Can Rachel stay for supper?” John asked, throwing an eager expression over his shoulder at Mike.

  Mike was speechless for a moment as he pondered his brother’s admiration for Rachel. He didn’t want to disappoint John, but he also didn’t want to lead Rachel on by inviting her for supper too. He had to draw the line somewhere with his brother’s attachment to her, but how could he say no without hurting John’s feelings or offending Rachel?

  “Oh, danki, John, but I can’t stay tonight,” Rachel began while looking embarrassed. “I appreciate the offer, but I have to get home in a little bit. Mei schweschder Emily is doing all my chores today, and I need to get home to help her. I promised her I’d be home in time to make supper.”

  “Oh.” John’s smile crumbled for a moment, but then his expression brightened again. “Maybe you can stay another time.” He turned toward Mike for his approval.

  “Sure,” Mike said as relief coursed through him. He was thankful Rachel said no and didn’t make him look mean in his brother’s eyes.

  “That would be nice,” Rachel said to him and then gave his brother an adoring expression.

  Admiration spread through Mike once again. The warmth that passed between Rachel and John astounded him. Rachel instructed John to look at the next math problem, and Mike quickly exited the kitchen and went out the back door, pulling on his jacket as he walked down the back steps.

  He ambled up the rock pathway toward the large barn. When he entered the barn, the aroma of animals wafted over him. He passed the stalls and went to the small shop in the back of the barn. During the past several months, the shop had become his escape from the stress of his father’s illness. It was the one place where he could be alone with his thoughts and prayers.

  It was also his solace after a long day of working at Bird-in-Hand Builders and then coming home to fulfill the role of his father’s caregiver and his brother’s guardian. Sometimes he snuck out to the shop to tinker for a few minutes after John and Dat were both tucked into their beds for the night. Working with wood, especially when it wasn’t to fulfill customer orders, always relaxed Mike and helped him release some of the worry and stress that burdened him daily.

  The smell of wood dust was overpowering as he stepped into the small shop. He flipped on the Coleman lanterns, splashing the soft yellow light into the room. An array of tools cluttered his long workbench. A pile of wood sat in the corner, beckoning him to transform it into someth
ing useful.

  Mike sat down on the stool in front of the workbench and examined the three-tiered shelf he’d been working on for the past week. He wasn’t certain what he would do with the shelf when it was complete, but creating it had been cathartic.

  He took a piece of sandpaper from the drawer under the bench and began to sand the shelf as he reflected on Rachel. He was overwhelmed by the way John had taken to her. He’d gone from hating school to inviting his teacher over to visit, and he owed the transformation entirely to Rachel. What had caused her to change her mind about John? Was her change of heart genuine or just a means of survival?

  As he sanded the shelf for the next hour, his thoughts turned again and again to John and how much he’d improved in his schoolwork. It was a miracle, a blessing for certain.

  A knock drew his attention to the doorway. Rachel gave him a little wave, and her expression was tentative, possibly even a little nervous.

  “I was wondering if I could use your phone,” she finally said, hugging her black sweater to her middle. “I need to call my driver and see if he can pick me up soon. John and I were working on his reading, and then I happened to look at the clock in your kitchen and saw how late it’s getting.”

  “Oh, of course.” Mike dropped the sandpaper onto the desk beside the shelf. “The phone is by the entrance to the barn.”

  “Danki. What are you making?” She stepped over to the bench and examined the shelf. “That’s lovely.” She smiled at him, and he could smell the hint of her flowery shampoo. “Are you going to hang it in the schtupp?”

  He shrugged. “I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with it yet.”

  “You could put books on it,” Rachel suggested, running a thin finger over the dusty wood. “Or maybe even candles and special little trinkets.” She looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tell you what to do with your shelf.”

  He nodded slowly. “I think it’s a gut idea.”

  Rachel started for the door, then stopped in the doorway and faced him. “John is reading a chapter in the book I brought, so I thought I’d call my driver and then finish up with him. He’s done really well today. I see a big improvement in his reading skills.”