A few seconds later he returned, having left his boots on the back porch. “I came in to see if there’s any coffee brewing,” he said.
She gave a curt nod toward the stove. “Help yourself.”
Herman tiptoed around the spot she was mopping and removed a mug from the cupboard. Then he poured himself some coffee, added a teaspoon of sugar, and took a drink. “Ugh! This coffee is way too strong! How many scoops did you put in?”
“If you don’t like the way I brew coffee, then you ought to start making it yourself!”
He poured the rest of the coffee down the sink. “Guess maybe I’ll do that from now on.”
Catherine kept mopping. He could tell from the determined set of her jaw that she had no more to say on the subject.
“I thought after Allison left that there’d be less work for me to do, but I find instead that there’s more,” Catherine grumbled.
“Why would there be more?”
“Because you and Peter never wipe your feet or pick up after yourselves.”
“I forget sometimes, but I’ll try to do better.”
“I shouldn’t be expected to do all this work by myself, you know.”
“Do you want me to ask Allison to come home?”
She shook her head. “She wasn’t a lot of help anyway.”
“Maybe that’s because you didn’t let her do much of anything.”
Catherine opened her mouth to reply, but only a groan came out, and she doubled over.
Herman dashed across the room. “What’s wrong? Have you got a crick in your back?”
She gritted her teeth and placed both hands against her stomach. “It’s not my back; the pain’s in my stomach.”
He pulled out a chair and helped her over to the table. “I think it’s time you see the doctor, don’t you?”
She nodded slowly, as a deep frown marred her forehead. “I was planning to anyway. Sally’s mamm came over the other day, and she talked me into making an appointment.”
“Have you done that?”
“Not yet.”
“How come?”
“Just haven’t gotten around to it.”
“Do you want me to make the appointment for you?”
“No, I’ll do it today.”
Herman breathed a sigh of relief. If Catherine got in to see the doctor, they would soon know the cause of her pain. He just prayed it was nothing serious.
Chapter 17
Allison had just placed her faceless dolls on the table she and Aunt Mary had set up at the farmers’ market when she caught sight of Aaron heading her way. Her heart lurched. Would he be as happy to see her as she was to see him?
“I didn’t know you were going to be here today,” he said, stopping in front of the table and leaning on the edge of it.
“I didn’t expect to see you, either. I figured you’d be working at the harness shop.”
“I usually do work on Saturdays, but Paul said I could have the day off.” Aaron grinned. “I can’t figure out why, but lately he’s been nicer to me.”
“Maybe he appreciates all the hard work you did at the shop while he and your mamm were in Springfield during your sister’s hospital stay.”
“That could be.” He glanced around. “Are you here alone?”
She shook her head. “Aunt Mary and Sarah are getting some produce and baked goods from the buggy. I’ll be sharing this table with them.”
Aaron picked up one of Allison’s dolls. “Looks like you’ve been hard at work. This is real nice.”
“It took me awhile, but I think I’m finally getting a feel for the treadle machine.”
He nodded and placed the doll back on the table. “I would say so.”
“Are you planning to sell anything today, or did you just come to look around?”
“Actually, I came to see Gabe. He’s supposed to be selling some of his wooden items here today. Melinda will probably sell her drawings and maybe some of her grandpa’s homemade jam.”
“I didn’t know Melinda was an artist,” Allison said with interest. “With all her animals to care for, plus keeping house and cooking for a husband, I wonder how she finds the time to draw.”
“Melinda makes time to do whatever she feels is important.”
“Maybe she won’t be able to do so much once the boppli is born.”
Aaron chuckled. “Knowing Melinda, she’ll try to do everything she’s doing now, and then some.”
“Aunt Mary’s like that,” Allison said. “She keeps busy all the time and is good at everything she does.”
Aaron motioned to the faceless dolls. “Looks to me like you’re able to do lots of things, too.”
Allison shook her head. “I’m good at baseball, fishing, and most outdoor chores; but my sewing skills are just average, and I still can’t cook very well.” She grimaced. “You should have tasted the buttermilk biscuits I made the other night. They were chewy like leather.”
He snickered. “I doubt they were that bad.”
“Let’s just say nobody had seconds.”
“Speaking of food, how would you like to go across the street with me at noon and have a juicy burger at the fast-food restaurant?”
“I’d like that.” Allison couldn’t get over how relaxed Aaron seemed to be. All the times she’d been with him before, he’d seemed kind of nervous and hesitant, like he might be holding back from something. The way he looked at her now made her feel like he really wanted to be with her.
“Guess I’ll head over to Gabe’s table now,” he said. “I’ll be back to pick you up for lunch a little before noon.”
“I’ll be right here.”
As Aaron headed across the parking lot, he thought about his conversation with Allison. He couldn’t get over how contented she looked this morning. He wondered if something had happened since he’d last seen her. Maybe she was just excited about being at the farmers’ market and trying to sell some of her dolls.
Aaron spotted Gabe and Melinda’s table on the other side of the open field. He jogged over to it and tapped his friend on the shoulder. “How’s it going?”
Gabe nodded at his wife. “Why don’t you ask her? She’s the one who’s selling everything this morning.”
Melinda smiled. “Most people have been buying Grandpa’s rhubarb-strawberry jam, but I have sold a couple of my drawings.”
“At least you’ve got people coming over to your table,” Aaron said.
“How come you’re not working today?” Gabe asked.
“Paul gave me the day off, and since I knew you were planning to be at the market, I figured I’d come by and see you.”
“Anything in particular you wanted to see me about?”
Aaron placed his hands on the table and leaned closer to Gabe. “I was wondering if I could hire you to do a job for me.”
Gabe’s eyebrows lifted. “What kind of job?”
“I need a dog run built for Rufus. He’s not happy being tied up all the time, and if I let him run free, he chases Bessie’s kittens.”
“A dog on the loose can be a problem,” Gabe agreed.
“You’re right,” Melinda put in. “Remember when Gabe built a dog run for my brother’s dog? Jericho was chasing my animals all over the place, and he kept breaking free from his chain.”
Aaron nodded. “Gabe did a good job, which is why I want him to build a run for Rufus. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
“Sorry, but you can’t hire me,” Gabe said.
“How come? Are you too busy at your shop?”
“You’re my good friend, Aaron. I’ll gladly build the dog run as a favor, with no money involved.”
“That’s real nice of you. I’ll pay for all the supplies, of course.”
“Sounds fine. When do you want me to start?”
“Whenever you have the time. There’s no rush, but the sooner I get Rufus in his own run, the sooner Bessie will quit bugging me.”
Gabe chuckled. “I’ll come over and talk about where the run s
hould be built some evening after work. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds fine to me.” Aaron rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “Say, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you and Melinda join Allison and me for some fishing at Rabers’ pond one night next week? If you drop by my place before we go, I can show you where I was thinking the dog run could be built.”
“I think that would be fun,” Melinda said. “I love going to the pond, where there’s so much wildlife. It will give me a chance to get to know Allison better, too.”
Aaron smiled. “I still need to ask Allison, but I’m hoping she’ll say yes.”
Allison sat in a booth at the restaurant, with Aaron in the seat across from her. They both had double cheeseburgers and an order of fries. This felt like a real date, and she couldn’t seem to calm her racing heart. Was it her imagination, or did the look of admiration on Aaron’s face mean he was beginning to care for her? Maybe he didn’t mind that she was a tomboy. She hoped that was the case. And she hoped. . . . What was she hoping for—that she could stay in Webster County and be courted by Aaron? After that first young people’s gathering when James had brought her home and then stolen a kiss, she’d thought he might ask to court her. She was glad he hadn’t. She’d been so flattered by his attention, she might have said yes. After hearing all the negative things others had said about James, she knew he wasn’t the sort of fellow she would want to court her.
It’s strange, she thought. James hasn’t been around lately. The last time Allison had seen him was at their preaching service a few weeks ago, but she hadn’t had a chance to speak with him, and he’d hightailed it out of there as soon as the service was over.
Allison bit into another fry and tried to imagine what it would be like if she and Aaron were married. Would he be willing to teach me how to work in the harness shop? I’ll never find out if Aaron and I can have a future together if I go back to Pennsylvania at the end of summer. If Aaron asked me to stay, I’d write Papa a letter and see what he thought of the idea.
“There’s something about you that looks different today,” Aaron said, breaking into Allison’s thoughts.
She smiled. “Actually, I am different, and for the first time in my life, I feel carefree and happy.”
“In what way?”
“I accepted Jesus as my Savior last week.”
His forehead wrinkled. “You’ve never done that before?”
She shook her head. “I’d heard some of our ministers talk about how Jesus had been crucified on the cross, but until Aunt Mary explained things to me, I didn’t realize He had died for my sins.”
“I suppose there might be some in our community who don’t understand about having a personal relationship with Christ,” Aaron said. “But my mamm started reading the Bible to me, my brothers, and sisters as soon as we were old enough to comprehend things. I confessed my sins when I was fifteen and joined the church by the time I was eighteen.” He reached for his glass of root beer. “Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m the perfect Christian. I’ve had my share of problems along the way.”
“I doubt there’s anyone in this world who hasn’t had problems,” Allison said. “But with God’s help, I feel like I’ll be able to deal with anything that comes my way.”
He smiled. “That’s where Bible reading and prayer come in. I’m trying to remember to do both every day.”
“Me, too. As Aunt Mary says, ‘It’s the only way to stay close to God.’ ” She blotted her lips with the paper napkin. “I used to feel like the dolls I make—faceless and without a purpose. Now that I know God in a personal way, I think my purpose in life is to share His love through my actions as well as my words.”
It seemed as though Aaron wanted to say something more, but they were interrupted when Gabe and Melinda walked up to their table.
“It looks like you two are about done eating,” Gabe said, thumping Aaron on the shoulder.
“Just about.”
“Mind if we join you?”
Aaron looked over at Allison as if he was waiting for her approval. When she nodded and slid over, he said, “Sure, have a seat.”
Melinda slipped in beside Allison, and Gabe plunked down next to Aaron. “What’d Allison say about going fishing?” he asked, reaching over and grabbing one of Aaron’s fries.
Aaron’s ears turned red. “I. . .uh. . .haven’t asked her yet.”
“The fellows want to take us fishing some evening this week,” Melinda said before either Aaron or Gabe could explain. “I hope you can go, because I’d like the chance to get better acquainted with you.”
“I plan to take my canoe along,” Aaron said quickly. “Haven’t had the chance to use it yet this summer.”
Allison smiled. “That sounds like fun. Jah, I’d like to go.”
“Mama, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” Katie said as she and her mother stood at their kitchen counter, rolling out pie dough.
“What’s that, daughter?”
Katie moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, wondering how best she could say what was on her mind. “Well, uh—”
“Raus mitt,” her mother said. “If there’s something on your mind, then just out with it.”
Katie drew in a quick breath to steady her nerves and plunged ahead. “The other night, when Joseph brought me home from the young people’s gathering. . .”
“Joseph Zook?”
“Jah.”
“I didn’t realize he’d brought you home.”
Katie nodded. “It’s not the first time, either.”
Mama’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s not?”
“No. We’ve. . .uh. . .been kind of courting here of late, and—”
“I see.”
“And the thing is. . .” Katie paused for another quick breath. “The other night Joseph asked if I would marry him, and I said—”
“I hope you said no!”
Katie swallowed a couple of times. “I love him, Mama, and he loves me.”
Mama dropped the rolling pin and placed both hands on her hips. “Joseph Zook is a nice enough boy, and I have no problem with him courting you, but you’re both too young to be thinking about marriage right now.”
“But, Mama, I know several others who’ve gotten married when they were eighteen, and—”
Mama shook her head forcibly. “Besides the fact that you’re both too young, Joseph only has a part-time job working at the Osborns’ tree farm. How does he expect to support a wife and kinner when he’s not working full-time?”
The tears Katie had been trying to hold back stung like wildfire. She knew her mother was right about Joseph needing a full-time job, but she didn’t know what could be done about it. “Maybe I could speak to Joseph about finding a better job,” she murmured. “If he did find one, then would you give us your blessing?”
“We’ll have to see about that.” Mama grabbed the rolling pin and pushed the pie dough back and forth really hard. She was obviously upset. Katie wondered if she should have brought up the subject of marrying Joseph at all.
She gripped her rolling pin tightly. The next time Joseph and I are alone together, I’ll see if he’s willing to look for a better job.
Chapter 18
Excitement welled in Allison’s soul as Aaron and Gabe lifted the canoe from the back of the larger market wagon he’d driven to the pond. It would be fun to sit in the boat and fish in the deepest part of the pond rather than trying to do it from shore.
“Sure is a beautiful evening,” Melinda commented.
Allison nodded.
Melinda spread a quilt on the ground and motioned Allison to come over. “Let’s have a seat so we can visit while the men put the canoe in the water and get our fishing gear ready to use.”
Allison dropped to the quilt, and Melinda did the same.
“Oh, look, there’s a little squirrel over by that tree,” Melinda said excitedly.
“You really like animals, don’t you?”
“Jah, almost as much as
I think Aaron likes you.” Melinda winked at Allison.
“What?”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Gabe told me that Aaron’s decided to give up the nasty habit of biting his nails.” Melinda grinned. “A change like that could only come about for one reason. He wants to impress someone. I’m guessing it’s you.”
The back of Allison’s neck radiated with heat, and she knew it wasn’t from the warmth of the evening sun. “Has Aaron told Gabe he has an interest in me?”
Melinda shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but I do know Aaron has never shown much interest in any woman until you came along.”
Allison shifted on the quilt, tucking her legs under her long blue dress. “Even if Aaron does care for me, I’ll be leaving at the end of summer.”
“You can always write to each other.”
“I suppose, but it would be hard to develop a lasting relationship with me living in Pennsylvania and him living here.”
“I guess that depends on how you feel about Aaron,” Melinda said.
Allison felt the warmth on her neck spread quickly to her face. “I’d like to come by your place sometime and see all those animals you care for,” she said, quickly changing the subject.
“I’d like that.” Melinda grinned. “How about next Monday morning? Would you be free to come over then?”
Allison nodded. “Sounds good to me.”
“Who’s ready for the first canoe ride?” Gabe called, interrupting their conversation.
Allison shielded her eyes from the sun filtering through the trees and realized that the canoe was already in the water.
“Why don’t you go ahead?” Melinda suggested. “I’d like to draw awhile, and Gabe can fish from shore while he keeps me company.”
Since Allison had come to realize that Aaron didn’t think it was unladylike for her to fish, she didn’t need any coaxing. She scrambled to her feet and started for the pond.
“Wait a minute!” Melinda called. She rushed over to Allison and handed her a couple of large safety pins.
“What are these for?”
“To pin your skirt between your legs.”
Allison tipped her head in question. “Why would I want to do that?”
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