After giving Susanna a look that said she was really, really trying hard to keep her patience, Amanda replied, “I couldn’t very well do that, since we were in town picking up groceries from Horse Cave Salvage. Traci and I still had to come all the way home first.”
“And don’t forget that we told you as soon as we got here,” Traci interjected. “So I don’t think you should be upset with us.”
Mother whirled on her. “Are you correcting me, Traci?”
She immediately shook her head. “Nee.”
Pulling out a box of crackers, Mamm tore open the plastic liner and began arranging them in neat rows on one of her best platters. “I hope not.”
Traci frowned, and when she folded her arms over her chest and looked like she was about to say something more, Susanna shook her head at her. “Hush,” she mouthed.
Pulling out a container of cheese, Mamm glared. “I saw that, Susanna.”
“Mother, why don’t I arrange the cheese on the platter for you? While I’m doing that, Traci can pour some spiced pecans into bowls and Amanda can finish the coffee service.”
“That ain’t enough to serve them.”
When Amanda sighed, which made their mother tense up even further, Susanna realized that they needed some help settling their mother down. “Where is Daed?”
“I sent him outside to sweep the front porch.”
“He’s been out there for quite some time, too. No doubt enjoying the peace and calm.”
“Amanda, what is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, Mamm. Um, you know what? I think I should go check on Daed. Maybe he needs some help.” Amanda smiled sweetly at Susanna as she made her escape.
“She did that on purpose,” Traci whispered.
Susanna winked at her. Her sister was definitely not wrong. “Mother, you need to calm down. You are making us all nervous wrecks. The house is fine. It’s all sparkling clean, too.”
“But we hardly have any furniture. They’ll think it looks bad.”
“We just moved in,” Susanna soothed. “No one will expect everything to look perfect.”
“Perhaps not. I just don’t know why they are stopping by,” she said as the front door opened and Daed and Amanda came inside.
“Neil said he wanted to see Susanna,” Traci called out from the dining room, where she was staring out the window. “And he said that his parents felt real bad about the fire.”
“There has to be another reason for their visit,” Mamm murmured as she stared out the kitchen window. “Maybe they blame us?”
“For the fire?” Daed scoffed as he came inside. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he lowered his voice. “Don’t start begging for trouble, Leah. It ain’t helpful.”
For the first time that hour, their mother seemed to relax. “You’re right. I just wish I’d had time to make a cake or something.”
“Next time they visit, you can.”
“They’re here!” Traci said from her spot at the window. “Susanna, you should open the door.”
“Because?”
“Because he is your sweetheart,” she said.
Susanna would have done something really mature and grown-up, like stick her tongue out at her, but her mother’s chuckle was too good to hear.
She was still smiling about that when she opened the door to see Neil, a man who had to be his brother, and his mother. His father wasn’t anywhere in sight. “Wilcom,” she said, feeling a bit ironic. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if his family was welcome or not.
Or, judging by the hesitant expressions on their faces, their guests weren’t even sure that they wanted to be welcomed into their old house.
But Neil, as usual, handled everything in a level-headed way. “Susanna. Good evening. I hope our being here on the spur of the moment didn’t cause you too much trouble.”
“Of course not,” she lied. “Please come in.”
As her family crowded behind her, she introduced everyone. “I’m Susanna, these are my parents, John and Leah, and my two sisters, Amanda and Traci.”
The younger boy held out his hand. “I’m Roy. It’s gut to meet you. This is my mother, Johanna.”
Shaking Roy’s hand, she noticed that he looked much different than Neil. Oh, they had the same coloring, but their whole demeanors were different. Roy seemed to be as open and bright as Neil was closed and quiet.
“Won’t you come in?” her mother said, her voice sounding strained.
“Danke,” Johanna said. “But first, let me explain things a bit more. We wanted to come to let you know that we want to help you, not judge. I think we got off on the wrong foot and I’m embarrassed about that. Though we can’t take back the past, I wish we could take back the way we handled this house’s sale and our move.” Lifting up a colorful gift bag, she said, “It’s a small gesture, but I brought some pumpkin bread.”
“It’s still warm,” Roy said with a grin. “That’s why we were a little late. My mother insisted on making something fresh to bring over.”
“We had to clean like crazy,” Traci said.
Mamm winced. “Traci. Everyone, I’m sorry . . .”
“You know what? How about we all stop apologizing to each other?” Daed interjected smoothly. “I learned years ago that we’re all just people in training, ain’t so? We yearn to do things perfectly, but it’s a hopeless cause.”
Neil smiled at him, warmth lighting his eyes. “I like how you phrased that.”
As her mother led everyone into the family room, an almost collective sigh occurred. Noticing that Neil had moved to her side, Susanna smiled at him. “So far, so good.”
“It sounds like your mother was as naerfich as mine was.”
“It’s been eventful, but I’m glad you are here.”
“Me, too,” he said as they took the last two chairs.
Susanna noticed that her mother and Johanna Vance were already passing out coffee and serving warm pumpkin bread. Since Traci had already been put into service helping, Susanna simply relaxed next to Neil.
“Did you go over the reconstructed bridge?” Amanda asked.
Roy looked at her curiously. “What bridge are you talking about?”
“The one that was broken by the Kaufmanns’ home.”
“Was broken?” Roy asked. He looked at Neil. “I thought Dale was going to ask us to help him fix it this weekend.”
“I thought so, too,” Neil said.
“So he didn’t tell you he fixed it?”
Looking confused, Neil shook his head. “Nee, but maybe he worked on it with his brother or something.”
Amanda leaned back in her chair. “That’s what I told Traci.”
When Mrs. Vance sat down, she looked at them all again. “I need to apologize for my husband’s absence. He was going to be here, coming here was actually his idea. But he, ah, said he had to do something with his brother. He said it couldn’t wait.”
“Of course. It’s a busy time of year,” Daed said. “And I know as well as anyone that horses and livestock don’t care about what time of day it is.”
Neil chuckled. “You are right about that. I’ve spent many a night nursing a horse or cow through a tough spot.”
Now that the talk was in familiar territory, everyone seemed to relax. The Vances ate some pecans and crackers. Traci fetched Roy and Amanda glasses of water. Mamm stopped worrying and became her usual chatty self.
The conversation meandered from one topic to the next. Eventually Roy, Mr. Schwartz, and Traci were talking, while their mothers and Amanda chatted as well.
It was painfully obvious that everyone wanted to give Neil and Susanna a few minutes of privacy.
“I guess we’ve been granted their seal of approval,” Neil said.
Susanna felt her cheeks heat. “Your brother and mother are nice.”
“So, will you come over soon and bake with my mother?”
“We’ve already made plans while you were talking alfalfa with my father. I’m coming over tomorr
ow.”
“On Christmas Eve.”
“Yes. To help bake cookies . . . and deliver them.”
“We can do that together. If it snows, we’ll take a sleigh. If it’s clear, we’ll simply pull a wagon.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Finally, they had plans that had nothing to do with emergencies or trouble! His mother seemed to like her! Things were going to be just fine now.
That made her so happy, she could hardly do anything but smile. Luckily, her lack of conversation didn’t seem to bother Neil any. He seemed content to simply sit with her and smile, too.
CHAPTER 27
Sunday, December 24
Couldn’t you have made just a few dozen less cookies with my mother?” Neil asked as they walked down his driveway, an ancient red children’s wagon trailing behind him.
Loaded in the wagon were at least two dozen brightly colored metal tins filled with all the Christmas cookies that she had made with Neil’s mother. After they were cool, Susanna helped her fill the tins, tie ribbon around each one, and attach the gift tags.
Susanna chuckled. “I would have liked to have seen you tell her no. Your mother is a regular Christmas cookie–making machine! I was simply trying to keep up and be helpful.”
“You were more than simply helpful. I know she enjoyed spending the day with you.” His gaze turned more serious. “Just as I am looking forward to spending this afternoon and evening with you.”
Gazing up into his blue eyes, Susanna felt a little burst of attraction and awareness. She had been looking forward to spending time with him, too. It seemed Neil Vance was all she could ever think about.
“I’m glad you took the day off. Danke.”
“Don’t thank me for this, Susanna. I wanted to be with you.”
She gulped. Little by little, she had become used to Neil’s serious ways. He wasn’t a man who teased or joked all that much. He also didn’t shy away from saying what was in his heart or on his mind. At first, his forthrightness had taken her aback. He was so different from every other man she’d known. His personality was even very different from his best friend’s.
But now that she was used to it, Susanna was finding his personality rather comfortable. There was no guessing about what Neil was thinking.
That didn’t mean, however, that she always knew how to respond. This was one of those moments. Instead of floundering or saying something silly, she kept her mouth shut and smiled.
“Too much?” he asked.
“Nee. I like how open and honest you are. But I am still learning how to respond in kind.”
“There is no need for that. I don’t want you to change.”
She chuckled again. “Neil, I never know what to say when you say things like that.” When he looked flustered, she raised her hand to the soft flakes that were swirling in the air around them. “Isn’t it pretty out? Now it finally feels like Christmas is here.”
“I like the snow, too. We actually haven’t had too many white Christmases here. I bet you have, though.”
“We have. I enjoy a snowy, white Christmas. It makes everything look so pure and perfect. I guess you could say it goes with the season’s feeling of hope.” She opened her mouth to mention how living in a big farmhouse this year was such a blessing and a dream fulfilled for her family, but of course she didn’t want to be rude enough to share that.
As if he sensed her new tension, he looked down at her. “You know what? The Lord has given us an amazing surprise this year.”
“Oh? What is that?”
“Now that the burdens of my father’s debts are behind us and we aren’t trying to figure out what to do, a new sense of peace has settled in our home. We are much more hopeful than we have been in years.”
“Truly?”
He nodded, his expression as serious as always. “Stripping away all of our worries allowed us to concentrate on what is really important. Our faith, our health, our friends, and our loved ones.”
“Maybe that is what Christmas is, then. It isn’t looking forward to gifts we hope to receive, but cherishing those gifts we already have.”
“I couldn’t have said that any better,” he said as they stopped in front of a row of duplexes. “Here’s our first stop. Grab a tin and follow me.”
Susanna did as he asked, even taking his hand as he led her up a row of cement steps that had never been shoveled.
When he knocked on the black door, an elderly Amish lady opened it warily, then smiled in pleasure when she spied Neil. “I didn’t think I was going to see you this year, Neil.”
“I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to stop by, Emma. Merry Christmas.” As he handed her a tin, he said, “Have you met Susanna yet?”
Emma held out her hand. “I heard rumors that the two of you are courting. I’m glad they were true.”
Though it seemed too early to admit their relationship so publicly, Susanna knew it would be rude not to accept her kind remark graciously. “Danke. It’s nice to meet you. Merry Christmas.”
“Would you like to come in?”
“Danke, but we have a full wagon of cookies to deliver for my mamm. I would like to clear off your steps, though.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask, I offered.” He raised his eyebrows. “Ain’t so?”
When Emma still hesitated, Susanna smiled. “I’ve learned that it’s sometimes easier to give Neil his way, Emma.”
Walking to a closet, Emma pulled out a small silver snow shovel. “He’s always been a stubborn man. But kind, too. Danke, Neil,” she said.
As Neil began competently shoveling her narrow walkway and steps, Susanna chatted about the pretty weather and cookies. Then, in no time, they were saying good-bye and walking back to the wagon.
“Okay?” he murmured.
She knew what he was asking. Was she okay with visiting a bunch of people she didn’t know, delivering cookies, and sometimes waiting while he did a small chore? “I’m gut.”
He looked pleased as he picked up the handle. “The next haus is just up the street.”
Over the next two hours, Susanna walked by his side and did almost the same thing as she’d done with Emma. She smiled when men and women mentioned that they were sweethearts, then stood while Neil shoveled sidewalks, picked up firewood, and even walked a dog.
At first, she’d been amazed about the audacity of people accepting Neil’s offer. But then, she began to realize that they’d come to expect such small tasks from Neil. To refuse his offer would be as rude as not accepting the cookies that his mother had made them.
By the sixth house she began to realize she didn’t just like Neil, she was falling in love with him. What other type of man would easily give so much without any expectation of thanks or his gift being reciprocated?
Realizing the season they were celebrating, she whimsically amended her thoughts. Well, other than Jesus?
After the twelfth stop, where she’d helped a young mother by playing with her toddler while Neil took out her trash, Susanna was beginning to feel tired. She had a pleasant ache in her bones that came from being busy on her feet all day.
Neil was looking a little weary, too. “Only one more stop to go, Sue,” he said. “Then, how about we head over to Bill’s Diner and have supper out?”
“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”
He grinned. “Me, neither.”
They were walking near the center of Horse Cave, and just a block away was the entrance to the cave. The snow was coming down good now that darkness had fallen. The ticket office was closed. Most of the stores were locked for the night, and it had even been a few minutes since they’d seen a vehicle on the road. It was peaceful. She could hear the crunch of their boots on the freshly fallen snow and the low screech of the wagon’s tires as it trailed behind them.
“Here’s the last house,” Neil said, pointing to a small, dark building just off the main road.
“I didn�
�t know anyone lived there.” Every time she’d gone by the old place, she’d noticed that the yard was full of debris and equipment that had been neglected or forgotten. “Actually, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen it lit up the way it is.”
“You know what? Me, too.”
“Maybe she saw us walking and lit some lamps for us.”
“Maybe, but that don’t really sound like her.”
“Oh?”
“The woman who lives here? Her name is Velma. She’s a widow. She ain’t all that nice, I’m afraid.” He sighed. “I don’t know if it’s because she’s ailing or that she simply doesn’t care, but she, um, she’s also rather unkempt. She’s not only grumpy but usually kind of smells. She also, well, loves to give me work.”
Why did that not surprise her? Realizing that she was being uncharitable, she murmured, “It’s so kind of you to do this.”
He pulled at his collar. “I’m ashamed to say that sometimes my stop here feels more like an obligation than an act of kindness. Sue, I fear you’re going to be gritting your teeth by the time I finish with whatever chore she gives me.”
In no hurry to stand in the cold and talk to a cranky old woman, Susanna smiled at him. “Maybe I could help pick up some of these items in her yard instead of talking?”
“If she lets you, I think that would be a fine idea. It would be a little warmer, too. This wind is sinking into my bones. Let’s hope and pray that Velma is both more conciliatory and quick about choosing my chore for her than in years past.”
Neil’s quip sounded so different than his usual way of talking about people that Susanna simply smiled and followed him down the small dip toward the house.
“Careful here, Sue. It can be real slick.”
Just as she was about to acknowledge his comment, she stumbled. “Oh!” she called out as her feet slipped out from under her. “You weren’t kidding.”
He knelt by her side. “I wasn’t, but I didn’t want you hurt. You all—”
But then her stomach dropped as the surface they were on suddenly gave way underneath them.
She screamed as she plunged down into darkness.
The Gift Page 16