Simple Secrets (The Harmony Series 1)

by Nancy Mehl

  Almost everyone who strolled down the boardwalk stopped to watch us and ask questions. Our venture proved to be a great way to create a successful social occasion, but we didn’t get as far with our sketches as I’d hoped. We made a date to meet again on Saturday morning to finish what we’d begun. I hoped some of Harmony’s business owners and residents would be at home with their families so we could get some work done.

  Friday night when Sam walked in the front door, he informed me that they would probably be finished with the house by Saturday afternoon. I sat at the kitchen table across from him while Sweetie fixed him a late supper.

  “I want to do something special to thank everyone,” I said. “Do you think we could have some kind of dinner or something?”

  Sweetie, who overheard us talking, interrupted Sam’s attempt at a response. “How ’bout some of the women and I get together and plan a big picnic in the park Monday evening? There’s plenty of room there, and folks could bring their families.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful. Do you think the men would enjoy it?”

  Sweetie’s coarse laugh broke loose. “I think anytime them hungry men get a chance to chow down, they receive it with gusto.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea, Grace,” Sam said. He cranked his head around and looked at Sweetie who was busy making him a sandwich. “Hey, be sure to get Levi involved in the party, will you? He helped us out at the house the first day and a half, but then he dropped out. Said he’s not feeling well. I’m a little worried about him.”

  “Sure,” she said. “I’ll call him first thing in the morning. Make sure he’s okay. You know, Levi’s not as young as he used to be. Maybe he started feelin’ bad tryin’ to keep up with all you young men.”

  Sam shook his head. “Maybe, but Abel’s about his age and seems to be doing okay.” He shrugged. “Hope we didn’t do anything to offend him.”

  “Oh, pshaw,” Sweetie said with a wave of her hand. “Levi and I are two ducks in the same pond. You can’t offend us for nothin’.”

  I raised an eyebrow and smiled at Sam. Sweetie got offended at least four times a day at something or someone.

  “I’d sure like to see Gabe come to the picnic and bring Sarah,” Sam said, changing the subject. “She could use a friend.” He yawned loudly. “I almost forgot to tell you,” he said to me when he’d finished. “Gabe’s been asking about you. Something about taking some kind of lessons from Sarah? Said he told you no when you first asked, but he’s changed his mind.”

  I clapped my hands together. “Oh, how wonderful! She does the most beautiful wood-block prints. I’ve heard of the technique, but I’d never seen it done. I’d love it if she’d teach me before I leave. Of course, I’d pay her for her time.”

  He nodded. “Honestly, Gabe and Sarah could use the money. They don’t have much. But I don’t think he’s got money on his mind as much as he finally wants to reach out to people.” He yawned again. “I’ve had a really bad attitude about him for years. Turns out I really like the guy.”

  “He’s had some tough breaks,” Sweetie said. “Tends to make a body careful. That girl’s all he’s got left. I think he’s feared he might lose her, too, and have nothin’.”

  “Well, he’s sure changed.”

  Sweetie stopped what she was doing and stared hard at her nephew. “Folks don’t usually change in a couple of days, Sam. He might be a-comin’ out of his shell, but I wouldn’t take it as some kind of miracle transformation. He’s still got a lotta bitterness inside him. God help any man that tries to touch his daughter.”

  Sam shrugged. “I don’t know about that. I just know he’s talking to us and seems to really be enjoying our company.”

  “All I can say is I hope you’re right.” She turned back to her meal preparations while I thought about her mention of some man trying to approach Sarah. I had to wonder just how close John and Sarah had become. It was clear they’d been intentionally hiding their relationship. What would happen when Gabriel found out?

  “Well, it will be interesting to see if Gabe accepts the invitation for Monday night,” Sam said. “It’s a purely social invitation. If he and Sarah show up, I’d say we’ve come a long way this week.”

  I laughed. “I can hardly believe you’re calling him Gabe. Was that your idea or his?”

  “Actually, Abel started it. But Gabe seemed to like it. And honestly, it fits him.”

  “So, do I have any hope you’ll call me Gracie someday?”

  Sweetie plopped a huge ham sandwich in front of Sam with a side of homemade potato salad. His eyes widened and he sighed with pleasure. “I love the name Grace. God’s grace has always been important in my life. Does it bother you?” Without waiting for an answer, he bowed his head, said a quick prayer, and took a big bite of his sandwich.

  “I guess not. It’s just odd to be called Grace instead of Gracie.”

  Sam chewed and swallowed. “Why? It’s your real name, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “Yes, it’s my real name.” I thought about informing him that there was nothing wrong with the name Gracie, but it was obvious Sam was lost in sandwich heaven and wasn’t in a listening mood. Besides, for some reason I liked hearing him call me Grace.

  “You seem to be getting along with John, too,” I interjected.

  Sam chewed silently. I couldn’t interpret the look on his face. Finally, he said, “Turns out we have more in common than I thought.” He shook his head. “I think we’ll end up being pretty good friends.”

  I started to ask him what he meant about having something in common with John when Sweetie interrupted me.

  “I need to drive into Council Grove in the morning.” She pointed a finger at Sam. “I’ll drop you off at Benny’s before I head out. What time do you figger you’ll be done?”

  He shrugged and swallowed. “Like I said, sometime in the afternoon. But don’t worry about me. I’ll walk.”

  “Okay. I’ll check on you when I get back. I’m gettin’ some groceries for Ida, too. I’ll run them to her place and then swing by to see how you all are doin’ before I come home. And on the way home, I thought I might stop by Bernie’s in Sunrise and pick up some of them chocolate milkshakes you like so much. How many men do you think will be a-workin’ tomorrow?”

  Sam chuckled. “If word gets out about those milkshakes, we’ll have all the help we can use—and more. How many milkshakes can you carry?”

  She grinned at him. “I’ll have ’em put the shakes in them big carryout boxes. It’ll keep ’em from fallin’ over on the way home. You figger twenty will be enough?”

  “I think that would be perfect. Between Mary and you, I’m liable to actually gain weight working on Grace’s house.”

  There it was again. Grace’s house. Seemed like everyone was beginning to see Benjamin’s house as mine. Even me. I could have corrected Sam’s choice of words, but since he’d been working so hard to save the house, it didn’t seem important. The effort being made to repair the fire damage meant the world to me. In fact, every time I drove past the house and saw the men laboring in the afternoon heat, tears sprang to my eyes.

  “I take it these chocolate milkshakes are something special?”

  Sam snorted. “I’ll bet you don’t have anything like them in Wichita.”

  “I don’t know. Wichita has lots of places with great shakes.”

  Sam pointed his fork at his aunt. “Pick up one for Grace, will you? She needs to experience a Bernie’s milkshake for herself.”

  Sweetie brought us both a slice of apple pie and ice cream. “I’ll do it. You got a treat a-comin’, girlie.”

  I winced at hearing “girlie” again. I kept hoping that particular moniker would eventually fade away, but it appeared it was going to follow me around, much like “Snicklefritz.” However, with a mouthful of Sweetie’s warm, delicious pie, I had to admit it didn’t sting quite as much. As soon as we finished eating, Sam headed to bed.

  When Buddy and I woke up Saturday morning, Sam a
nd Sweetie had already gone. I made some toast, took a shower, and headed downtown to meet Hannah. All the way into town, that odd sense that I’d forgotten something persisted. I hadn’t mentioned it to Sam, because at this point it was nothing more than a feeling. But I couldn’t shake it. When I pulled up in front of the meat market, I found Emily and Hannah waiting for me.

  “Good morning,” I called out as I got out of the car and grabbed the sketch pads. “Wonderful weather, isn’t it?”

  They both agreed. I’d just begun to tell them about the picnic when I heard the sound of hoofbeats coming toward us. I turned to see Ida’s buggy racing down the street. She came from the direction of the church.

  “Whoa, Zebediah,” she hollered as she pulled up next to us. Ida pointed at me. “Gracie, I need your help.”

  I put the sketch pads down on the bench and hurried over to the elderly woman whose face was red with emotion. “What in the world is going on? Are you okay?”

  She shook her head. “It is not me. It is Levi. Something is wrong. You have got to find him.”

  Emily came up behind us. “What are you talking about, Ida? What’s wrong with Levi?”

  Ida shook her head. “I do not know, but I am afraid for him.” She took a deep breath and tried to calm her trembling voice. “I was at the cemetery—putting flowers on Herman’s grave. I saw Levi there—which is not unusual because his folks are buried there. But he was wild-eyed and talking out of his head. Something about God’s judgment and how he had to find forgiveness. I tried to talk to him, but he just stared at me like I was not there at all.”

  “Where is he now, Ida?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. But he said something about washing away his troubles. Could he be talking about Trouble Lake?”

  “That lake is huge,” Emily said, her eyes wide with fear. “He could be anywhere.”

  “He asked me if the men were working at Benjamin’s today,” Ida said. “I told him yes. Then he asked if Sweetie was home.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I told him Sweetie was in Council Grove. I should not have done that. I—I just was not thinking. He must be there.”

  “I’d be glad to check on him,” I said hesitantly. “But I don’t think he’s actually in any danger.”

  “Levi can’t swim,” Emily said quietly. “Never learned how. The water around the end of Sam’s dock is very deep. If he jumps into the lake from there...”

  “And there is something else, Gracie,” Ida said. “Remember when I told you Sam was the only person at Benjamin’s last Saturday?”

  I nodded.

  “Well, I did not know Levi was driving Sam’s other car. It was not the truck I saw at Benjamin’s in the early afternoon. It was that other car. The big one. The one Levi drove today.”

  I turned to Emily. “I’m going to Sam’s. Will you find someone to drive over to my house and get him? Maybe Abel should come, too. We might need his help.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Emily said, her face set with determination. She ran up to Ida’s buggy. “Ida, please get Mary. Tell her to go to Benjamin’s house and get the men over to Sam’s as quickly as possible.” She ran toward my car while she called out to her daughter. “Hannah, you stay with Ida until we get back. Do you understand?”

  “Yes Mama.” Hannah may have understood her mother’s instructions, but her confused look matched the jumbled thoughts careening around inside me.

  I jumped into my car as Emily slid into the passenger seat, pulling her long skirt in after her. Although I was trying to understand Ida’s revelation about Levi being at my house on the day the vase was planted there, I was also struck by the sudden forcefulness of Emily’s attitude. The timid woman I knew was gone, and someone else had taken her place.

  As I pulled out onto Main Street, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw Hannah helping Ida from her buggy. A second glance revealed the young girl patiently guiding the older woman toward the café.

  As we sped down the street, I didn’t say anything to Emily, but she saw me glance sideways at her.

  “Gracie,” she said finally, “do you remember me telling you about a man I cared about when I was young? The one who asked me to marry him?”

  “Yes. Was Levi that man?”

  She nodded. “When I turned him down, after Jacob disappeared, Levi changed. He quit going to church. He was friendly to people, but ... I don’t know. It was like something in him died. He never acted quite the same. Around me, he was especially reserved. And when I married Abel, he almost stopped acknowledging me at all.” She sighed. “It wasn’t so noticeable that anyone else would see it. But I did.”

  “You never talked to him about it?”

  “No. I couldn’t tell him what had happened to me.” She stared out the car window, silent for a few moments. When she turned toward me, her eyes were wet. “If Jacob Glick hadn’t attacked me, I would have married Levi. I turned him away because I cared for him, not because I didn’t. In my mind, I couldn’t be the kind of wife he deserved. It wasn’t until I met Abel that I had the courage to give love a chance.” She smiled sadly. “Abel’s the first man I ever trusted completely, but Levi was the first man I ever loved.”

  Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, I reached over and touched her shoulder with the other. “Emily, if you trust Abel so much, why won’t you tell him the truth? You’ve spent too many years bound by the past. God wants you to be free. Please talk to your husband.”

  She patted my hand. “Let’s take care of Levi first. Then we’ll tackle my marriage.”

  “Fair enough.” I put my hand back on the steering wheel and concentrated on driving as fast as I safely could. When we reached the intersection of Main and Faith, I almost turned toward Benjamin’s. I really wanted Sam’s help. But not knowing what kind of situation we faced with Levi, I drove on to Sam’s. I’d been looking in my rearview mirror ever since we’d left downtown Harmony. There was no sign of Mary’s truck behind us. I prayed she’d reach the men soon.

  As we approached the big red house, I felt relief that Levi’s car was parked in the driveway. If we hadn’t found him here, it would have been almost impossible to locate him since the lake was so large and surrounded by thick clusters of trees.

  Emily and I jumped out of the car and ran around the side of the house toward the tree line. Buddy came running up behind us, barking wildly. We must have been a sight. Me in my jeans and T-shirt, Emily in her prayer cap and long dress, and Buddy frantically bringing up the rear. As we cleared the trees we saw Levi standing at the end of the dock, staring down into the water. A quiet approach was out of the question, thanks to Buddy. Levi swung around and saw us coming toward him. As we got nearer, he held his hand up.

  “Stop right there,” he yelled. “Don’t come any closer. I don’t want your help. Just go away.” His eyes were locked on Emily. It was as if I weren’t there at all.

  “Levi,” Emily called back. “What are you doing? Tell me what’s wrong.”

  He glared at her, his face pale and twisted. “What’s wrong? I guess that’s the big question, isn’t it? What’s wrong?” He laughed bitterly. “Perhaps you could answer that question better than I.” Tears streamed down his round cheeks. “I loved you. I—I still love you, Emily. You’re the only woman I ever wanted. In all these years. But you rejected me. And after everything I did for you...”

  Emily took a small step closer to him. I had no idea what she thought she could do. If Levi jumped into the water, there was no way we could get him out. He was too big for us.

  “I didn’t reject you, Levi. I loved you. I—I just couldn’t marry anyone then. It wasn’t you at all. It was...” Her voice trailed off.

  “It was because of Jacob Glick,” Levi said angrily. “Because of what he did to you.”

  Emily’s whole body shuddered. “You—you knew? How...?”

  “Because Jacob told me. In fact, he boasted of it.” Levi spit the words out as if they were bitter. “I was at the church one afternoon, painting one of
the classrooms because the bishop had asked for my help. When Jacob came in and found me there, he became angry. He didn’t like anyone, even Angstadt, working in that building. He acted like he owned the place. He started taunting me, calling me names. I tried to ignore him, but then he asked if I was the boy who was sweet on Emily Kruger. I—I said yes. That’s when he said ... it.” Levi made his hands into fists and shook them several times in the air. “I—I can’t even repeat what he said. It was vicious and disgusting. I ran out of the church, but I couldn’t forget his words. I had to know what he meant. That night I followed him down to the lake. I saw Daniel Temple and his girlfriend, Beverly, running away from the clearing behind the Temple’s house like the devil was chasing them. I hid in the trees. Jacob was there all right. Rubbing his jaw. Mad and yelling at no one.”