by Beth Wiseman
“So what’s your dad done that makes you hate him so much?” They both bounced on the bench seat as the old truck caught a few ruts along the driveway.
“I don’t hate him.” Jayce slid on his sunglasses, hoping to avoid a conversation about the many reasons he despised his father. Hate was too strong a word.
They were quiet. Gus continued grinding each gear until they were on the highway at a steady, bouncy speed. By the looks and sounds of it, Jayce was surprised the truck even ran.
“I got a daughter who hates me too.” Gus’s mouth was set in annoyance when Jayce glanced over at him.
Jayce chuckled. “Gee, how could that be? You’re so friendly and likeable.”
“Kid, I’ll drop you on the side of the highway if you don’t lose the attitude.” He tossed a seething look in Jayce’s direction, and Jayce was pretty sure the man was serious.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why does your daughter hate you?”
“None of your business.” Gus coughed so hard that the buttons on his red-and-white plaid shirt separated slightly. He was wearing suspenders that draped over his big belly to hold up his black trousers. Jayce couldn’t imagine what his father must have promised him. A speaking role? Just someone in the background? Most likely he’d lied, since there wasn’t a place in this movie for a big fat guy with a long ponytail sitting in the background.
“So, I’ve got another question for you.” Jayce turned to him. “Aside from your likeable personality and polite demeanor, why do you rent a cottage from two Amish women? You’re clearly not Amish and the place doesn’t appear to have electricity. Why live like that if you’re not one of them?” Then he snapped a finger. “Ah, they must let you live there for free.” He laughed. “Although, I can’t imagine why.”
Gus’s face turned as red as the barn back at the inn. “I pay those widows rent every month. And while your kind needs electricity and television and all those fancy things, I’m content to just get up and exist each day.”
“Well, you could be nicer to them. They’re sweet ladies.” Jayce yawned, knowing it was going to be a long day.
Gus roared with laughter. “The words Lizzie and sweet don’t go together. Esther is okay.” He turned to Jayce, sneering. “That wicked and crazy sister of hers is another story. She’s actually kicked me, more than once.”
Jayce tried to picture the tiny woman popping Gus with one of her black loafers, or maybe her bare feet since these people didn’t wear shoes all the time. “Hmm . . . I can’t imagine why she would do something like that.”
“Are you always this sarcastic? You’re on my last nerve, and we still have a ways to go before we get there. Maybe zip it up, sonny.” Gus coughed again, a deep, throaty wheezing that sounded like asthma or whooping cough, if that still existed. Jayce’s dad was a germophobe. If old Gus started coughing like that on set, good ol’ Dad would probably shove him in the water.
He thought again about Veronica having to make the dive.
He decided to stay quiet. No decent conversation was going to ensue with this miserable man.
When they arrived at Bluespring Caverns, they were greeted by three enthusiastic kids, clearly excited to have the film crew back. The boats were lined up and ready. Jayce went through the same drill as on Friday, trekking up and down into the cavern with most of the equipment, staying at water level, the sunshine against his back.
Gus strutted around like he was the star of the show. Jayce’s father barked orders like he always did. When Jayce carried the last of the scuba gear to the dock and handed it to Hal, he heard his father talking softly to Veronica.
“Listen, the equipment has been checked and double-checked. We won’t have the problems we had Friday, okay?” His voice sounded comforting, reassuring. Kind. “If you have any problem at all, we’ll pull you up right away. You okay?”
Jayce watched as Veronica nodded.
His father pushed back a strand of her hair, then kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Jayce blinked a few times. Wow, he still loves her. He thought briefly how much it would hurt his dad to know Veronica was seeing someone else. It was a rare emotion for Jayce, sympathy toward his father.
But within seconds the man was back to firing off orders. He never spoke to or looked at his son standing on the dock as the boats pulled away. The only person looking at Jayce was Veronica, and she was white as a ghost, her eyes almost pleading with him to go with them.
Never before in his life had he wanted to conquer his fear of enclosed places as much as he did right now. But every muscle in his body trembled at the thought.
* * *
Esther relocated Lizzie’s personal items from her sister’s bedroom to her own, remembering to snag the books between the mattresses. Lizzie had at least fifty items on her nightstand—a dozen pill bottles, many of them herbal remedies for various aches and pains. There were also bottles of Tylenol, ibuprofen, and low-dose aspirin. A box of tissues, two gardening magazines, a lantern, and a flashlight were also on the table next to the bed.
As Esther began to stow pill bottles in her apron pockets, she noticed the container Lizzie kept her teeth in. She hesitated to open it. Esther was already worried about Lizzie making a good enough impression that Rose would be willing to take the job. Her sister had a big heart, but she did not have a filter when it came to saying what was on her mind. Esther hoped she’d speak kindly to this new young woman, and she hoped it would be with her teeth in place.
She sighed when she opened the container and found the dentures inside. Lizzie talked with a lisp when she didn’t wear her teeth. Esther said a quick prayer that Rose would accept the job.
She had just finished putting fresh sheets on Lizzie’s bed when she heard her sister’s buggy pull into the driveway. Thankfully, she had a passenger. Esther brushed the wrinkles from her black apron, adjusted her prayer covering, and walked outside to greet their new employee.
Rose carried a small red suitcase and had a black purse strung over her shoulder, and at her feet was a larger brown suitcase. Esther wasn’t sure any of them could carry the bigger piece of luggage up the porch steps.
“Welcome to The Peony Inn.” Esther extended her hand. Rose had a firm grip.
“Danki for having me and employing me. I’m looking forward to helping out.” She smiled, which only added to her beautiful features. Rose was a tall, slender woman with big brown doe eyes. She was rather dainty looking but easily lifted both suitcases, so Esther motioned for her to follow.
“Can you get that up the stairs?” She looked over her shoulder. Lizzie was trailing behind Rose, staring at the ground, quiet. Esther hoped she hadn’t already said or done something she regretted. But the girl was here, and she seemed anxious to be employed.
“Ya, ya. No problem.” Rose marched easily up the porch steps. Esther’s knee popped on the third step, and she was acutely aware of her age. Thank goodness God had sent them Rose.
Lizzie walked directly to the kitchen as Esther showed Rose to her room. “This is normally Lizzie’s room,” she said as they walked through the door. “But we have a large group of guests staying until the end of the month, so I hope this will be suitable for now.”
“Ya, ya. This is fine.” Rose set down both suitcases, still smiling, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. “I’m going to love living here. I know it already. Danki again for having me.”
She might not feel the same when she saw the enormous pile of laundry in the basement. The workload wouldn’t always be so heavy, but until they weren’t catering to a full house, things were busier than usual. Hopefully Lizzie had explained that on the way here.
“We are thrilled to have you here, Rose. I’m going to help Lizzie get lunch started and give you time to unpack. Please let us know if you need anything.”
“I’m sure everything is perfect.” Rose bounced up on her toes, clasping her hands together in front of her.
Esther met up
with Lizzie in the kitchen. She was frying the fish Amos caught the day before. Only she, Lizzie, and Rose were there for lunch, and the fish would certainly smell up the house. But she didn’t say anything about it. She’d bought some air freshener at the market recently. Their mother used to make a spray from scratch that smelled of lavender. These days Esther chose her battles, and a 99-cent can of air freshener did just fine.
“She seems like a sweet young lady.” Esther took ketchup and horseradish from the refrigerator and set them on the table. “A pretty young gal too.”
“Uh, ya.” Lizzie didn’t look up from the pan of sizzling fish.
Esther waited for details, but her sister stayed quiet. “You forgot your teeth,” she finally said.
“Ach ya. I remembered after I was on mei way. They’re bothering me again.”
Esther sighed. “Well, instead of choosing not to wear them all the time, maybe go back to the dentist so he can adjust them and make them more comfortable for you.”
“Ya, ya. I will.”
Esther set the kitchen table for three while Lizzie continued to cook in silence.
“Lizzie, is everything all right? What did you and Rose talk about on the way here?” Her stomach clenched. “She seems very bubbly and happy, but you didn’t say anything to upset her or make her not want the job, did you?”
Lizzie mumbled something under her breath.
“What did you say?” Esther stepped closer to her sister.
“She did most of the talking.” Lizzie cleared her throat. “I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
Esther turned toward the living room when she heard footsteps. Rose skipped into the kitchen with the spring of youthfulness. What a breath of fresh air she would be. She was probably around twenty. I wonder why she isn’t married.
“I’m so happy to be here.” She bounced up on her toes again. “I’m very gut at cleaning. Mei mamm said I will make an excellent fraa someday. At first when I was young, I didn’t like to clean bathrooms, but they don’t bother me at all now. I used to scream if I saw a spider, but I’ve conquered that fear as well. I’m gut with mending, especially hemming trousers. I have three bruders, so I’ve done lots of that.” She took a breath. “Do you have chickens? Of course you do. I saw a chicken coop. I’ll diligently remember to collect the eggs every morning. I’ve only dropped one in mei life. I don’t eat carrots, though. If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not cook them either. But I can prepare anything else you like. Are your horses for riding, or just for pulling the buggies? We had bats in our barn back home. Do you have bats here?” She pointed to the pan of fish. “Do you want me to finish preparing the fish? Or maybe I should complete my unpacking like Esther suggested. I’m about halfway done, but I thought I would check to see if I could be of assistance with lunch.”
Esther’s mind was awhirl as she stared at the girl. “Um, nee. I think we are fine in here, dear. You go ahead and finish unpacking.”
She bounced up on her toes for the third time. “Ya, of course. I’ll be back soon. The fish smells gut. I’m hungry. I didn’t eat much breakfast this morning. I’ve been so excited about this new phase in mei life . . . There won’t be carrots for lunch, will there? I mean, I know I mentioned my dislike for them just now, but I thought I would—”
“No carrots,” Lizzie said without turning around.
“Okay, then I’ll go finish unpacking. I’m so happy to be here! I’ll see you soon for lunch.”
Esther didn’t realize her mouth was hanging open until Lizzie turned around and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sure she’s just nervous and excited. She’s in a new state with a new job. Surely the maedel doesn’t always talk that much.”
Lizzie scowled, shaking her head. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Eleven
After walking all around the area surrounding the caverns, Jayce occupied his time by browsing through the gift shop, not that he had anyone to buy a souvenir for. He’d been told the film team might be in the cave two hours or all day. It seemed a waste of his time to be loitering around, but even if he had gone in the boats and into the cave, he would have been in the way. At least that’s what he would keep telling himself.
“They’re back.” A guy who worked there walked in from outside with an apple in his hand. “I heard the boat motor.” He took a large bite and headed behind the counter to a room in the back.
Jayce began walking down to the river, then took a right and descended the rest of the way to where the boats were. Once again, Bluespring had given exclusivity to Jayce’s father and the crew, offering free tour coupons for another day to the people who showed up to purchase tickets. School was in session, and it was Monday, so only a handful of people had left disappointed.
Near the parked boats, he waited until the guide docked the boat with his father, Veronica, and the more important players. He was surprised to see Gus in the boat with them. Following close behind was the second boat with everyone else.
Jayce started gathering equipment as soon as the boat docked, but he paused when Veronica got out. “You okay?” he mouthed as he tried to read her expression. She nodded but quickly cast her eyes downward. She was still wearing her wetsuit but had a blanket wrapped around her. Jayce had unloaded several pieces of equipment before he noticed that Gus was dripping wet. He laughed.
“What happened, big guy? You fall in?” Jayce reached for a box of odds and ends—camera lenses, extra batteries, cables, and various other items.
Gus opened his mouth like he was ready to unload on Jayce, but the old man glanced at Jayce’s father and must have thought better of it because he stayed quiet, jostling the boat from side to side as he lifted himself onto the dock.
“My gear malfunctioned again,” Veronica whispered as she eased up to Jayce. “That man, the big one, Gus . . .” She blinked back tears. “He jumped in. I guess everyone was trying to figure out what to do. I was panicking because I couldn’t breathe.” She glanced at Gus, standing off to the side by himself. “Gus jumped in and pulled me to the surface. I was kicking, fighting him, and . . . It was horrible, much worse than Friday.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “He saved my life, Jayce.”
Jayce glanced at Gus, the unlikely hero, shaking and dripping as he gulped from a bottle of water.
“That’s twice the equipment has failed, and I don’t know if I’m cut out for a movie where some of it is filmed underwater.”
He hated seeing her so upset and wrapped her in a hug. “You tell my dad to get a stuntperson and to find some reliable equipment if there are any more scenes in the water. Be firm, Veronica.” Jayce stepped back and caught her gaze. “You okay otherwise? Are you hurt?” He eyed her up and down, but it was impossible to see if she was injured beneath the wetsuit.
“I’m okay, just shaken up.” She glanced at Gus, then told Jayce she’d be right back.
Jayce had plenty to carry, and it was going to take a dozen trips, even if the crew took mercy on him and helped. When Veronica reached up and wrapped her arms around Gus’s neck, Jayce stood watching. Gus lifted one arm and barely patted her back. She spoke to him for another minute or so. Gus just nodded, then abruptly walked away.
Jayce got back to work. His dad passed by him without a word. Surprising. Usually he took out every bad thing in his life on Jayce.
It was an hour later before everything was loaded. Veronica was in dry clothes. Everyone was unusually quiet.
Jayce opened the door to Gus’s truck and got in. He waited a full five minutes before Gus walked out of the gift shop, presumably having gone to the bathroom.
“So, I hear you’re the hero of the day,” he said when Gus opened the door and stood there scowling.
“I forgot I’d have to listen to you gab all the way home.” He climbed in. He was missing his suspenders and his shirt was untucked. His gray hair, no longer pulled back in a ponytail, was a matted mass that hung around his shoulders like a worn mop.
“Hey, I just paid
you a compliment. No need to be nasty.” Jayce pushed his sunglasses up on his head. “So, what happened anyway?”
“Your father has a bunch of idiots working for him.” Gus growled. “I was only supposed to be going along for this one scene, but I can see that I’m going to have to travel everywhere they go, just to make sure everyone is safe.”
Jayce pressed his lips together to stifle a smile. His dad would despise having Gus around constantly.
“Most of them are pretty good at what they do.” Jayce felt he should defend the crew, at least a little.
“Then they need to stick to doing what they do well and not put a woman’s life in danger, which is exactly what they did today. And from what I heard, it was nearly as bad on Friday.” He shook his head. “Idiots.”
“Veronica said you saved her life.” Jayce kept his eyes on the old guy, curious how he’d respond.
“Somebody had to.” He snapped his head to the right and glared at Jayce. “Why weren’t you in the boat, by the way? You two seem close. Didn’t you want to make sure she’d be all right?”
Jayce wasn’t going to fess up and give Gus anything to fuel his scorn.
“Not close the way you might think. She dated my dad until recently. You’re not going to say anything bad about him, are you? You might get booted from the film.” He grunted. “Like everyone else, you have to kiss up to Brandon Clarkson no matter what. Did he even make a move to go in after Veronica?”
Gus stared straight ahead. “Kid, can you just shut up until we get back? I’ve had a traumatic ordeal, and you’re giving me a headache.”
“I’ll take that as a ‘no.’ Dad didn’t throw himself in harm’s way to save the woman he loves, or at least used to love.” Jayce was pretty sure his father still loved Veronica, but he wasn’t sure he loved anyone more than himself. Putting himself at risk seemed unlikely.
Gus was quiet for a while, so Jayce kept silent as well. No matter what, he’d saved Veronica, and the man deserved respect for that.