“Seriously?” Jeremy’s eyes widened.
Darren nodded. “Would you be okay with that?”
“If that’s what you really want, Dad, I won’t mess things up for you.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m not sure yet if Ellen’s the woman God wants me to have.” Darren paused. “Before your mother died, she said she wanted me to find love again. I think I may have found it with Ellen.”
Jeremy sat quietly for several seconds, then slowly nodded. “I’m goin’ inside now, okay?”
“Yes, we need to do that. Sure don’t want to hold up Heidi’s class today.” As they walked up to the house, Darren draped his arm over Jeremy’s shoulder. In just a few short years, my son will no longer be a boy. Oh, how I wish Caroline could have seen him grow up to become a man.
Another car pulled in, and Darren stopped walking to see who it was. He recognized Denise’s vehicle and watched as she and her daughter got out of the car. I hope Kassidy doesn’t cause any trouble today, he thought. That girl has a way of getting under people’s skin.
When Darren and Jeremy stepped onto the porch, Denise and her daughter joined them.
“Good morning.” Denise smiled at Darren. “It’s hard to believe, after this one, our children only have one more cooking lesson to go.”
He was about to comment, when Jeremy pointed at Kassidy and shouted, “Hey, where’d ya get the barrette you’re wearin’?”
“I found it in Heidi’s driveway the last time we were here. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Jeremy lowered his brows, and his cheeks sucked inward. “That’s my mom’s barrette. I had it with me at the last cooking class and must have dropped it. You have no right to keep something that’s not yours, and I want it back!”
Her lips pressed together as she shook her head. “My dad’s a lawyer, and I heard him say once that possession is nine-tenths of the law.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jeremy’s eyes narrowed.
“It means I found it, so now the barrette is mine.” As if to taunt him, Kassidy pushed her hair away from her face, letting her fingers travel over the hair clip. “If it meant so much to you, why didn’t you come back and look for the hair clip?”
“We did come back. In fact, Heidi helped us look for the barrette. It’s no wonder we couldn’t find it, ’cause you had it all along.”
Darren was on the verge of saying something, but Denise spoke first. “Kassidy, I want you to give this boy his mother’s barrette right now. Do you hear me?”
Kassidy’s lower lip jutted out. “What’s he gonna do with a hair clip, Mom? It looks better in my hair than it would his.”
“That’s not funny.” Denise reached out and pulled the barrette from Kassidy’s hair. “I’m sorry, Jeremy. My daughter is rude and selfish.” She handed him the hair clip. Then taking Kassidy by the arm she led her into Heidi’s house.
Darren glanced at Heidi, standing in the open doorway, and wondered if she’d heard what just happened. He felt bad for Jeremy. Caroline’s barrette meant a lot to him, and Darren was glad he’d gotten it back. He gave Jeremy’s back a pat. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He handed Darren the barrette. “Here, Dad. You’d better hang on to this. Sure don’t wanna lose it again.”
Darren put the hair clip in his pocket and hugged his son. “I love you, Jeremy.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
With his arm draped over Jeremy’s shoulder, Darren led the way into the house. “Now let’s see what you’ll be cooking today.”
Chapter 41
Heidi couldn’t help overhearing the conversation that had transpired between Jeremy and Kassidy. It was hard to understand why some children were so sweet and kind, while others, like Kassidy, wore a frown most of the time and tried to provoke others. Was it her parental upbringing, unhappiness at home, or did the girl merely enjoy making trouble?
Heidi didn’t want to keep everyone waiting, so she asked her students to move into the kitchen.
“If it’s all right with you, I think I’ll wait in the dining room today while Becky takes the class,” Ellen spoke up. “It would be good for her not to have me watching over her shoulder.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Becky headed straight for the kitchen.
“I’ll go along with that and sit in the dining room too,” Darren was quick to say.
Heidi looked at the other parents. “What would the rest of you prefer to do? I’m fine with whatever you decide.”
“I’ll sit with Ellen and Darren. It’ll give me a chance to get better acquainted.” Miranda smiled. “And my kids won’t have to worry about their mom asking unnecessary questions or trying to help them too much.”
“I’ll stay with the other adults too,” Denise said.
“What about you, Velma?” Heidi questioned. “Would you prefer to join us in the kitchen or stay in the dining room with the other parents?”
Velma tugged on the collar of the blouse Heidi had bought her Monday. In fact, she and Lyle had purchased a few sets of clothes for Velma and the children, since all their clothes other than the ones they’d been wearing the night of the fire had been burned. “I think it’d be best if I do the laundry while you’re teaching Peggy Ann, like I said before. Eddie can occupy himself outside in the barn with Hank and Lyle.”
It was clear to Heidi that Velma felt uncomfortable sitting among the other parents, so she went along. When the meatballs were done, she would invite Velma to join them for a taste test.
As the adults sat in Heidi’s dining room, drinking iced tea and visiting, Denise only half listened to their conversation. She was more interested in what was going on in the other room. She heard Heidi say she was going to check on Velma, so when she left the room, Denise turned an ear in the direction of the children waiting in the kitchen for Heidi’s return.
Through the partially opened door, Denise saw Miranda’s son, Kevin, sitting at the table beside Jeremy.
“How come only your dad and not your mom have come here with you?” Kevin bumped Jeremy’s arm.
“My mom died of a brain tumor.” Jeremy lowered his head.
“That’s sad. Bet ya miss her a lot.”
“Yeah. Everything changed after she died.” Jeremy heaved a sigh. “Now, whenever my dad goes to work, he calls a lady from church to stay at our house with me.”
Denise glanced sideways at Darren to see if he’d heard his boy’s comment, but Jeremy’s father seemed to be absorbed in something Ellen was saying to him.
“You’re not the only one who gets stuck with a sitter, but the lady who stays with me when Mom’s at work is nice.” From where she sat, Denise couldn’t see Becky, but she recognized her voice.
“When our mom has to work, Debbie and I have a babysitter too.” Kevin bobbed his head.
“My mother leaves me alone sometimes,” Kassidy said in her usual bragging tone. “But not for very long, of course.”
Now where did she come up with that? I’ve never once left Kassidy alone at the house. Denise was tempted to intervene, but remained in the dining room, watching and listening to the children. I’ll bet my daughter wants to appear grown-up in the other kids’ eyes.
Kevin thumped the table with his knuckles. “If my daddy moved in with us again, he could be with me and Debbie sometimes when our mom has to work at the grocery store.” He paused and sniffed a couple of times. “I miss him a lot and wish he and Mommy would get back together so we could be a family again.”
Denise heard Miranda’s intake of breath, and when she looked her way, tears glistened on her cheeks.
Denise realized that each family represented here today had their own issues to deal with, and so did she. Even families that appeared to be perfect often dealt with serious issues. She wished there was a simple answer that could fix everyone’s problems. But life held no guarantees, and for some, the problems they faced might never be resolved. Even mine, she concluded with regret.
Denise caught a glimpse of Kass
idy when she got up to get a drink of water. Except for her comment a few minutes ago, she was surprised her daughter hadn’t said something hurtful to one of the children or bragged about how perfect her life was. In fact, she’d suddenly become abnormally quiet.
Denise thought back to earlier that morning, when she and Greg had a disagreement. She’d asked him to get some things done outside that morning, because a storm had been predicted for later in the day. The gutters needed to be cleaned, but Greg declined, saying he’d made arrangements to go golfing with one of his lawyer friends, and then out to lunch to discuss an upcoming case. Greg had also added that the gutters could wait.
Denise pursed her lips. Greg was trying to justify going golfing. I’ll bet whatever they had to talk about could have waited until Monday.
She looked at Darren and Ellen again. They seemed oblivious to everyone else in the room. She couldn’t remember the last time Greg had looked at her in the tender way Darren was fixated on Ellen.
Turning away, she gazed out the window. The sky had darkened, and storm clouds brewed in the distance. I hope we get home before the rain comes. It looks as if it could get nasty.
“All right, class, I’m ready to begin now,” Heidi announced when she returned to the kitchen. “Today I’m going to teach you how to make some yummy meatballs.”
When Heidi’s class ended, and they were ready to eat what the children had made, it began to rain, and the muffled sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. “Since a storm is coming, we’ll eat in the dining room today,” Heidi said. She asked Ellen to get out the cut-up vegetables she’d prepared earlier and put in the refrigerator so they would stay cool and crispy.
“I’d be happy to do that.” Ellen rose from her chair.
“I’ll help get things on too. Just tell me what to do,” Miranda offered.
“Would you mind setting the table?”
“Not at all.” Miranda went to the kitchen.
Denise pushed her chair aside and stood. “I’ll help her.”
“Thanks. I’ll see if Velma, Eddie, and the men would like to join us.” Heidi grabbed an umbrella and hurried out the back door.
A short time later, Velma sat with the other parents and their children around Heidi’s dining-room table, enjoying the delicious meatballs and cut veggies. With the exception of Kassidy, the other children seemed pleased when they received compliments on the meatballs from their parents.
While listening to the conversation going on at the table, Velma’s mind wandered. Once we get settled in our new house, I’m going to get involved in some community and church activities. I also need to get better acquainted with the Amish and English folks in the area. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll have an opportunity to help someone out.
A knock sounded on the front door, and Heidi went to answer it. When she returned, a tall man with brown hair was with her.
“Trent—what are you doing here?” Miranda sputtered, nearly spilling her glass of iced tea. “I thought you had to work today.”
“I worked this morning, and now I’m here on a mission.” He looked at Velma and smiled. “I heard you and your family need transportation, so I brought you a secondhand car that is in good shape.”
Velma blinked rapidly as her mouth slackened. “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that. My husband and I don’t have enough money to buy a car right now. You probably haven’t heard, but a week ago, we lost our mobile home and everything in it.” She dropped her gaze to the table. “Right now, we’re in the worst financial shape we’ve ever been.”
“You don’t understand.” Trent moved closer to the table. “The car is a gift. I don’t expect anything for it.”
Velma stared at him with her mouth slightly open. The words would hardly come. “I—I can’t believe you would do that for a stranger.”
Trent glanced at Miranda and grinned. “My wife told me about your situation, and then I learned more the day I came to the class with Debbie and Kevin.” He looked back at Velma. “So, you’re not really a stranger. I feel like I know you, and it’s my pleasure to help out.”
Velma placed both hands against her hot cheeks, barely able to swallow due to her swollen throat. “Thank you, Mr. Cooper. I humbly accept your wonderful gift.” Overcome with emotion and gratitude, tears coursed down Velma’s cheeks. Thank You, God, for bringing so many good people into my life when I needed it the most.
Chapter 42
Canton
Ever since they’d left Heidi’s house around one, Denise had tried unsuccessfully to engage her daughter in conversation. It was probably for the best, since she needed to keep her focus on the road now that the rain had increased and the storm was overhead.
Denise had never liked driving in bad weather, and today was no exception. Since the wind had picked up, at times the rain came down sideways. Up ahead, she caught sight of a flapping plastic grocery bag caught on a tree branch. Dark clouds raced across the sky, and a jolt of lightning split the skies. Pools of dirty water quickly formed in low spots in people’s yards and along the shoulder of the road.
Denise turned on the radio in time to hear a flash-flood warning. Oh great. She gripped the steering wheel, mentally calculating where all the creeks and streams were on the way home.
Denise glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her daughter flinch when a boom of thunder sounded so hard the car windows rattled. The windshield wipers slid back and forth in a futile effort to keep up with the pelting rain. Turning them on the highest speed didn’t seem to help.
A vehicle coming toward them sent up a spray of water as it passed through a low spot quickly filling from the intense downpour. Denise pushed hard against the seat, as water hit the windshield with such force it sounded like a million pebbles.
“Did it break the window?” Kassidy screamed above the noise.
“Everything’s okay. It just sounded bad. Stay calm.” Inside, Denise was nothing but calm, but she didn’t want to upset her daughter. “Just a little ways to go, and we’ll be home.”
Denise felt relief when she drove her car through the open gate at the entrance of their expansive driveway. They were almost there. She couldn’t wait to put the car in the garage and get into the house, where she could relax with a cup of her favorite tea.
As she pulled her vehicle into their three-car garage, she was surprised to see Greg’s parking spot empty. He certainly couldn’t be out on the golf course in this horrible weather, with lightning and thunder all around. Then she remembered he’d mentioned having lunch with his lawyer friend after they finished golfing. Most likely Greg was still at the clubhouse, waiting out the storm.
After she’d parked the car in her bay, Denise followed Kassidy into the house. “Thank goodness the garage is attached to our home. Even with an umbrella, we’d both be soaked to the bone if we had to come in from outside.”
Kassidy was silent.
“Did you get enough to eat at Heidi’s, or would you like me to fix you a snack?” Denise tapped her daughter’s shoulder.
“No, thanks. I’m goin’ to my bedroom to watch TV,” Kassidy mumbled without turning around.
“I’m not sure I’d put the TV on with the lightning this close.”
“If I hear it thunder real loud again, I’ll turn it off.” Kassidy disappeared down the hall.
Denise made her way to the kitchen. Along with her beverage, she might indulge in a chocolate brownie.
After fixing a cup of chamomile tea, and placing a succulent-looking brownie on a plate, she took a seat at the bar where she often sat to eat breakfast. Should I or shouldn’t I? She pondered the thought. Oh, why not?
Denise went to the refrigerator and got out a can of whipped cream. What’s a brownie without a little sweet cream? Denise shook the can and squirted a layer over top of her treat. Now I’m ready to indulge.
Even though the rain was still coming down hard, she felt relaxed inside her cozy, well-equipped kitchen. Denise watched as water poured over the edge of th
e clogged gutters outside the window.
She took a bite of the whipped-cream-covered brownie and closed her eyes. “Yum… This is so good.”
Taking a sip of tea, Denise read the recipe card for meatballs Heidi had given Kassidy today. She turned it over. Sure enough, a Bible verse had been written on the back. “‘Pray without ceasing.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:17.” She read the scripture out loud and pondered it a few seconds. Would God listen to me, even though I’m not a regular churchgoer? Does He care about my marriage, our daughter, the struggles we face? Maybe so. Maybe not. I don’t know. We probably should attend church more often.
Denise finished her brownie and was deliberating about whether to eat another one, when Kassidy rushed into the kitchen, wide-eyed and trembling.
“Kassidy, what’s wrong?”
“I just heard on the news that a man got struck by lightning on the golf course—the one near our home. I think it’s the place Dad belongs to.” She sucked in a breath as beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip. “Oh, Mom, what if it’s him who got hurt? People who get hit by lightning can die, you know.” She clung to Denise’s arm. “I don’t want to lose you or Dad, like Jeremy lost his mom.”
Denise pulled her daughter close and patted her back. “Calm down, Kassidy. Did the news reporter give the name of the man who was hit?”
“No, but Dad’s not home yet, and that’s why I think it could have been him.”
“If it was, I’m sure we would have received a call.” Denise patted the stool next to her. “Take a seat, and I’ll get you a brownie with whipped cream and a glass of milk.”
Kassidy flopped down and Denise went to get the milk and a brownie, which she set on the bar in front of her daughter.
Kassidy took a few nibbles, and then put the brownie back on the plate. “Are you and Dad gonna separate, like Debbie and Kevin’s parents did?”
“Of course not. Why would you ask that?”
“Because I heard you two arguing this morning before we left for class.”
Amish Cooking Class--The Celebration Page 28