by Amy Clipston
Sadie appeared in the doorway. “It’s time to settle down.” Crossing the room, she kissed them all on their foreheads.
Caleb wished them each a good night and then followed Sadie down the stairs to the family room.
“Would you like some cocoa?” she asked.
“Ya. Danki,” Caleb said.
“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
Caleb sat in a chair in front of the fire, which crackled, popped, and hissed.
Across the room, Robert sat in his favorite chair, reading the paper. Fingering his beard, Caleb wondered what to say to his brother-in-law. Although he’d known Robert since he was a teenager, Caleb never felt much of a connection to him. Not like he did with Timothy and Daniel, anyway. Robert was the least friendly of the Kauffman men. Caleb used to wonder why Robert was so different from his brothers, but he’d finally decided Robert was just stoic. He was more focused on work and running a smooth household and farm than on fun and games.
“I was thinking about going to see that house and workshop that are for sale,” Caleb blurted out. “Daniel and Timothy mentioned it was near the furniture store.”
Robert peeked at Caleb over the paper. “Really?”
Caleb nodded. “Timothy mentioned that the owner wanted a fair price, and I have some money I’ve been saving up to rebuild my barn.”
Looking intrigued, Robert folded his paper and placed it on the table beside him. “You’re considering moving back here, ya?”
“I think so.” Caleb shifted in the chair. “I mentioned it to Susie, and she’s very excited. I think it would be good for her to be with her cousins.”
Robert was silent for a moment, fingering his beard and considering Caleb’s words. “That makes a lot of sense. It would be gut for you and Susie to have a new start, and we would love for you to join our church district.”
“Danki.” Caleb glanced around the room as memories of his childhood cluttered his mind.
It seemed as if only yesterday he was sitting in this same wing chair and looking at the mantle. The same old, plain cherry clock sat in the center and ticked over the crackle of the fire. The Christmas decorations consisted of a large poinsettia and some greenery, just as when he was a child. For a moment, he expected his father to flop into the armchair across from him, open his Bible, and begin to read aloud while his mother knitted in the love seat next to him.
“Did you have a nice time at the flea market?” Sadie asked, returning from the kitchen holding a tray with three mugs of hot cocoa.
“Ya, I did.” Caleb lifted a mug from the tray. “Danki.”
“Gern gschehne.” She handed a mug and napkin to Robert and then sat across from Caleb in their daed’s favorite chair.
Caleb sipped the mug and felt the whipped cream in his beard. “Appeditlich.” He swiped the napkin across his whiskers.
Sadie cradled a mug in her hands. “Susie seemed like she had fun today.”
Caleb nodded, sipping more cocoa. “I think she has a wunderbaar gut time with her cousin and friends.”
“And Naomi.” Sadie tapped the side of her mug, a frown turning the corners of her mouth downward.
“Ya,” he said, ignoring her tone and her expression. “Susie loves spending time with Naomi.”
She wagged a finger at him. “You remember what I told you about her.”
“Sadie,” Robert snapped. “Gossiping is a sin.”
Caleb drank from his mug in an effort to suppress the grin threatening to curl his lips. This was one instance in which he appreciated his gruff brother-in-law.
With an indignant frown, Sadie sipped her cocoa.
An awkward silence fell among them as they enjoyed their drinks. Caleb searched for something to say, but found himself only thinking of Naomi and wondering if she’d enjoyed their day together.
After a few sips of cocoa, Robert cleared his throat and glanced at his wife. “Caleb was telling me he wants to go look at the shop that’s for sale near my father’s store.”
“What?” Sadie gasped and grinned. “You’re going to consider buying a shop here?”
“Maybe.” Caleb held up a hand as if to calm her from across the room. “Don’t get your hopes up yet. I’m thinking about moving back, and Timothy and Daniel told me about the shop. Apparently it has a house on the property as well.”
Placing her mug on the table beside her, Sadie clapped her hands together. “Ach, that’s wunderbaar. We would love to have you and Susie here.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Caleb repeated. “I discussed it with Susie tonight, and she likes the idea. But I need to do some research and some careful consideration. I have a little bit of money I’ve been saving to refurbish my barn, but it’s only enough for a small down payment. I can’t do anything until I get a buyer for my farm. And with today’s economy —”
She waved off the thought as she interrupted him. “Your farm would sell easily, Caleb. From what you’ve told me, you have prime land that an investor would love.”
“I’d be glad to take you over to see the shop tomorrow,” Robert said. “The owner is Riley Parker, an Englisher who grew up here. He’s a gut man, and he’ll give you a fair price.”
Caleb nodded and studied the plain white mug while mulling over the notion of buying a place and setting up business after being gone from Lancaster County for so long. It seemed like such a hasty decision to look at a shop. Would it be prudent to put in an offer? But he wasn’t necessarily going to buy it. He was only going to research it and weigh options.
“You know, Caleb,” Sadie began, “you don’t need to invest in a business quite yet. You could simply take a job working at Wagler’s Buggies.”
Meeting her probing gaze, Caleb swallowed a sigh, hoping his sister wasn’t trying to play matchmaker again. Would she ever listen and respect his decisions? “It’s a thought, but I’m not sure I want to be an apprentice anymore. I think I’m ready to open my own shop.” His words surprised himself. He hadn’t realized he’d wanted to branch out on his own until he said it out loud.
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Caleb nodded. “I’ve been working for Jonas since I moved to Middlefield, and as much as I admire him, I think I’m ready to run my own business. As a bonus, he taught me how to make Lancaster-style buggies, in addition to our Ohio ones. So I’d be well prepared to take on business here.”
Sadie glanced at Robert, who looked equally shocked.
Robert stood. “I’ll take you by there tomorrow. I think I’m going to head up to bed. It’s getting late.”
Sadie glanced at the clock and popped out of her chair. “Oh my. It’s after nine. I best head to bed too.” She stepped over to Caleb and glanced at his mug. “Are you finished?”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve been savoring it.” He smiled up at her. “I think I’ll sit here for a few minutes and enjoy the fire. I’ll clean up after myself.”
She patted his shoulder. “Gut nacht, bruder. I do hope you decide to stay.”
“Danki.” He frowned. “Don’t start any rumors about my moving here, Sadie. Right now I’m trying to figure out God’s plan for Susie and me.”
She gasped. “I’ll do no such thing, Caleb. I’ll keep it to myself.”
He raised an eyebrow with suspicion.
She made a motion as if to zip her lips and then headed into the kitchen.
Sighing, Caleb leaned his head back on the chair and closed his eyes. Opening his heart to God, Caleb silently asked Him to reveal the right path for him and his precious daughter.
CHAPTER 10
Caleb steered the horse toward the For Sale sign sitting at the edge of the property. Since Robert had to tend to business at the farm, Caleb had borrowed the horse and buggy and ventured out to find the place on his own.
Guiding the horse into a rock driveway, Caleb spotted a large cinderblock building containing three bay doors and an office off to the right. He stopped the horse by the of
fice door, and his boots crunched across the snow as he walked around to the front of the building. Caleb climbed the stairs, and the door opened with a loud squeak, revealing a stocky middle-aged English man with dark hair and eyes.
“Good morning,” the man said. “May I help you?”
“Yes,” Caleb said. “My name is Caleb Schmucker, and I wanted to speak with the owner regarding the price of this property.”
“I’m the owner, and it’s nice to meet you.” The man shook Caleb’s hand. “I’m Riley Parker. Please come in.” He gestured for Caleb to enter the shop. “I’m glad you came by. Do you live around here?”
“No. I’m visiting from Ohio. My sister lives in Bird-in-Hand.” Caleb glanced around the office, which was a small room that led to the large work bays. “My daughter and I are here for the holidays, and I’m considering moving back.”
“Oh.” Riley rubbed the stubble on his chin. “You’re from around here originally?”
Caleb nodded. “That’s right. I moved to Ohio about ten years ago after I got married. My wife passed away two years ago, and I don’t have any family there, except for a few of her cousins.”
Riley frowned. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Danki.” Caleb smiled. “I’m thinking that I want to come back here so that my daughter has some family around her while she grows up.”
“Yes, family is important.” Riley leaned on the counter behind him. “I know quite a few Amish families around here. Who is your sister?”
“Sadie Kauffman.” He jammed his thumb toward the door as if in the direction of the road. “Her husband’s family owns the furniture store a few blocks down.”
“Oh!” Riley nodded. “I know Eli Kauffman quite well. Nice family.”
“Yes.” Caleb stepped over to the door and looked toward the bays, imagining his toolboxes and supplies lining the walls while he built buggies. He could see himself coming here every day and working to make a living. “This is a nice place you have here. Have you owned it long?”
“Oh yeah.” Riley limped toward the bays and motioned for Caleb to follow. “This land has been in my family for years. My father built this shop about fifty years ago, and I added on twenty years ago. I ran a towing company and did some minor car repairs on the side.” He patted his thigh. “I’ve got a bum leg, so I can’t work much anymore. My kids have all married and moved away, and my wife and I decided it was time to retire and move to Florida. But we need to unload this place before I can buy my condo.”
Riley gestured toward the row of toolboxes and workbenches. “I’ll have all of this cleared out soon. My youngest son is supposed to come and get the tools at some point. I don’t want to take any of them to Florida.” He smiled. “Well, just a little box with the basics for the honey-do lists my wife likes to make to keep me off the sofa.”
Caleb walked the length of the shop, imagining how he would set it up if it were his. The building was bigger than the shop he worked in back in Ohio. “This is quite spacious.”
Riley moved the curtain and pointed toward a brick home behind the shop. “The house is out back if you’d like to see that too.”
“Danki.” Caleb followed Riley out a side door and down the driveway.
“We have a barn out back too,” Riley said, pointing toward a small fenced pasture. “It’s not big, but it’s functional if you have a few animals.”
“How many acres are here?”
“Six,” Riley said as they approached the brick ranch house. “The house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The rooms are fairly big. We raised four boys without any problems. Would you like to come in? My wife is at the market right now, but I would be happy to show you around.”
“That would be great,” Caleb said.
While Riley led him around the house, Caleb imagined making a home for him and Susie. The bedrooms were a good size, and the woodwork on the trim in the little house was also nice. The house was nothing fancy, but Caleb didn’t need fancy.
Before he could move in, he would have to have the electricity removed from the house in order to keep with his Amish traditions. He would also need to convert to gas appliances, but that wouldn’t be a problem.
Caleb glanced around the kitchen, trying to imagine his table and chairs in the center of the room. His heart warmed at the idea of being home in Lancaster County, celebrating holidays and milestones with his sister and her family, worshipping with her church district and his old friends. He would also make new friends, and he would possibly get to know a very special friend better: Naomi King.
His last thought caused him to smile to himself. He would definitely enjoy spending time with Naomi, as would Susie.
Caleb turned to Riley, standing in the doorway to the family room. “May I see the barn?”
“Sure.” Riley led him out through the small one-car garage toward the pasture.
Stepping into the barn, an overwhelming calmness enveloped Caleb. He glanced around at the horse stalls, and he knew —this was the house. This was meant to be for him and Susie.
This was the sign from God he’d been waiting for.
Smiling, Caleb faced Riley in the doorway. “What’s your final price, Mr. Parker?”
Later that afternoon, Caleb steered the buggy into Sadie’s driveway. After putting up the horse and buggy, he grabbed his armload of bags from his shopping trip and headed up the back steps. Entering the kitchen, he found Susie sitting at the table eating cookies with her cousins.
“Dat!” she called when she spotted him. “Look at the cookies we made at Naomi’s today.” She held up a plate with assorted Christmas cookies. “Levina and Sylvia invited us over after school. We had fun.”
“Oh my.” Dropping his bags on the floor, Caleb swiped a chocolate chip cookie from the plate and took a bite. “Appeditlich!” He finished the cookie in two big bites and then hung his coat on the peg by the door before kicking off his boots.
Susie leaned over and examined the pile of bags. “What’s in there?”
He picked up the bags and held them close to his body. “Nothing for you to be concerned about.” He backed out of the kitchen. “Enjoy your cookies, girls.”
Caleb crossed the family room and into his parents’ former apartment where he’d been staying. He walked through the small sitting room to the bedroom and dropped the bags onto the bed. He then opened the closet to make room for the gifts. He was placing the bag from the bookstore onto the top shelf of the closet when a knock sounded on the door frame.
Sadie stepped into the room with a curious expression. “How was your visit to the Parker place?”
“Gut.” Caleb lowered himself onto the bed, and it creaked beneath his weight.
“Oh?” She raised her eyebrows with curiosity.
He crossed his arms over his wide chest. “I made an offer.”
She gasped and clasped her hands together. “My bruder is moving back home!”
He nodded and smiled. “I think so.”
“Ach! This is wunderbaar gut!” Sadie gestured widely with an equally wide grin. “Our kinner will go to school together. We’ll worship together and also celebrate birthdays and holidays together! This is a dream come true. I’m so froh!”
“Don’t get too excited just yet,” he said, standing. “I have to try to sell my farm and then it will take some time to get my business going here. I’m hoping I can make a smooth transition from Jonas’s shop to my own.”
“Wait.” She held a hand up. “You shouldn’t open your own business just yet. You should work for Hezekiah Wagler until you have enough money to open your own business. That way you could —”
“Sadie,” he began, his voice firm. “Stop trying to set me up with Irene Wagler.”
“What are you implying, Caleb?” Her surprised expression was forced. “I’m not trying to set you up. I’m just looking after your finances.”
He glowered at his older sister. “I can look after my own finances just fine, danki. I’m a grown man. I also
will decide if and when I’m ready to court women.”
She frowned, looking hurt by his words. “Caleb, I only have your best interests in mind. I want you to make the right decisions for you and Susie.”
“I can make my own decisions, danki.” He spotted Susie crossing the sitting room and heading for the door, and he bit back the angry words that were bubbling forth from his throat.
“Dat!” Susie bounded into the room. “Where did you go today? I thought you’d be home sooner.”
“I told you,” he said, forcing a smile for his daughter’s sake. “I ran a few errands.”
“Errands?” Sadie asked.
He nodded at Sadie and then glanced at Susie. “I just had a few things I needed to pick up at the store while I was out.”
Susie looked curious. “Oh. Did you have a gut day?”
“I did,” Caleb said. “Did you have a gut day?”
Susie nodded. “I had lots of fun with my cousins.”
“I’m going to go start supper.” Sadie stepped toward the door. “Did you tell Susie the exciting news?”
Susie’s eyes rounded. “What news?”
“It looks like we’re going to move here,” he said slowly. “I talked to a man about a house today.”
“Yeah!” Susie wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck, and he hugged her.
Caleb glanced toward the doorway. Seeing that Sadie was gone, he breathed a sigh of relief. While he loved his sister, he grew weary of her constant interference. He hoped that moving closer to her wouldn’t be a mistake. However, in his heart, he knew this was the best plan for him and Susie. Besides, he could get to know Naomi better and see if his growing feelings for her would turn into something more permanent.
And that was when Caleb realized the truth: he was planning this move for himself as much as for Susie. God wanted him to break free of the loneliness that had hung over him like a black cloud since Barbara’s death. Caleb believed he was entitled to find happiness again even though Barbara was gone.