Lil placed a steadying hand on her mom’s tense shoulder. “No need for that. You look fine. Let me just go see who it is.” When she entered the living room, her heart sank to see Brother Troyer’s car through the windowpane. Though it was partly hidden by blowing tree limbs, she knew in her heart it was him. The entire family had been anticipating and dreading his call. She wondered if he’d purposefully chosen a day when the men would be gone. She sped back to the kitchen. “It’s Brother Troyer. Look busy so he’ll think you’re doing well.”
“Oh no.”
“It will be fine.”
When she saw her mom relent, Lil patted the wrinkles out of her apron and hurried to the door. “Hello,” she said as the screen door blew wide open and hit the outside wall. “Come in.”
Brother Troyer pulled the door closed behind him and entered the front room with his hat in his hand. “Whew, hope that wind passes on through the county without doing any harm to the fields.”
Lil nodded. “Yes, the recent rains shot the crops up, and now they are vulnerable.”
He looked toward the back of the house and attempted a joke. “Well you know the old saying about what the wind blew in.” He shrugged and his black collarless coat bunched around his thin shoulders. “Guess that’s just me.”
Lil gave an uncomfortable smile, hoping her mom hadn’t slipped back to her bedroom. She didn’t want to face the preacher’s questions alone. “Yes. Here you are. How may I help you?”
He cleared his throat. “I hoped to have a chat with Rose.”
“Of course. She’s in the kitchen. Please follow me.”
The older man followed Lil into the kitchen and smiled kindly at her mother. “Don’t get up, Rose. I’ll just join you at the table, if I may.”
“Yes,” Mom said, dipping her head.
Lil felt her mom’s shame, felt her own face heat. “Would you like some iced tea or lemonade?”
“Iced tea would be nice. That wind parched my lips.” Brother Troyer settled into a chair and gazed at Mom. “Are you writing one of your splendid secret recipes, there?”
“Oh no. Just jotting down a few old faithfuls for Michelle. Her zucchini’s in. Besides that, she’s got her hands full with those little ones.”
“Yes, she does.” He studied her a moment. “Our hostess committee has their hands full, too, without you, Rose. You’ve been the hub of that committee ever since I can remember. We could use your help.”
“I’m really tired these days. Why I even had a little hospital stay.”
The glass in Lil’s hand clinked as she set the preacher’s iced drink before him. Listening to the conversation progress, she slipped into a chair at the table with them.
“I’m sorry to hear that. There’s many ways to get weary. I remember a time about ten years after I’d entered the ministry when my soul got so weary. For me, I was trying to do too many things on my own and lost the will to keep up the battle. We can’t do it on our own, you know.”
“What happened?” Mom asked.
“Why there wasn’t any one thing I did to snap out of it, but it was a journey, let me tell you. Learning to lean on God and not on my own strength.”
“Oh.”
Lil heard the disappointment in Mom’s voice. She’d probably been hopeful that there was a simpler solution.
“Looking back now, I’m glad it happened. God walked me through it and taught me little things that altogether brought me out of my slump. The key was realizing I’d come to my end and really depending on God to help me out of it.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you have the strength to pray?”
To Lil’s surprise, Mom answered honestly with a negative shake of her head.
“I thought so. That’s how I felt back then. But people prayed for me. And I’ll pray for you. I’ll pray that God will give you enough strength to pray for yourself. Promise me you’ll just try. You have to ask to receive. See if God doesn’t provide. Remember, when Jesus healed the lame, they had to try to walk to find out if they could.”
“I suppose.”
Brother Troyer patted Mom’s hand.
CHAPTER 6
Lil poured herself a glass of well water from the kitchen sink and peered out under the lilac-print window valance. Clothes gently flapped on the wash line just beyond the flower beds, where monarch and swallowtail butterflies flitted around Mom’s scraggly perennials. The only flowers this year were the ones that had survived of their own accord.
The bird feeder remained empty, but she had noticed that occasionally a small flock of goldfinches came in to investigate. Over the years, Dad had grumbled that birdseed was a waste of money, and in a sense it was, because God provided plenty for the birds to eat. But she knew Mom used the feeder to draw the birds in close to the window where she had to while away so many hours washing dishes and preparing food. Conservative women didn’t have televisions on their countertops for entertainment, and Lil’s mom had few modern conveniences—like the dishwasher Lil and her friends had installed in the doddy house—so chores took plenty of time. She determined that if Mom ever got well enough to do kitchen chores, she would buy birdseed for that feeder whether Dad thought it was a waste of money or not.
Farther out, barn swallows swooped over the corn and soy fields to snatch insects. After the rain, the insects seemed to flourish. Earlier in the week, the wind had brought just enough moisture to raise the humidity and officially bring in the dog days of summer.
Lil’s gaze followed the long circle drive that ran all the way to the barn. She leisurely scanned the hog pastures, wondering if Dad would be in late again. She had no way of telling, because she would already be at work. She was not going to be late. Beppe’s insolent attitude had not improved.
Lil’s thoughts returned to her dad, curious over his recent behavior. Since he and the boys had gone off to that farm seminar, he’d been silent. On the nights when she hadn’t worked, she’d noticed that Dad and her brothers were having frequent meetings and lingering longer than usual after their chores.
When Lil didn’t stay home for supper because of her work schedule, she always set the table for two, hoping Mom would join Dad for the meal. Usually Lil needed to be at work by four o’clock. Then she would scribble last-minute instructions about the meal for Dad.
With a sigh, she set down her glass and went to fetch the clothes off the line. Since the preacher’s visit, Mom seemed more determined than ever not to lift a finger. It was as if her spirit had vacated her body, especially when Dad was in the room. But Lil had noticed something new. Mom often had her Bible open. At least she was taking Brother Troyer’s advice.
Lil got the clothespin bag off the mudroom shelf and grabbed the clothes basket off the floor. At the clothesline, she spied Dad coming across the drive from the direction of the barn. When he got within earshot, she called out to him.
He waved and joined her at the clothesline. “Do you have enough food for the boys and their families?”
“What?” Lil sputtered, placing her hands on her skirted hips. “No. Did you invite the entire family?”
He stuck a thumb under his overall’s suspender. “Yep.”
“But Dad, I can’t just whip up an entire meal. Usually it’s just you and Mom.”
He reached out and tussled her hair. “Sure you can, sweetheart. You can do anything with food. Just whip out those fandangled waffles and that fancy syrup of yours.”
Lil straightened her head covering, wanting to scream. But I don’t have time. I can’t be late to work again. But it had been so long since her dad had ruffled her hair. So long since he’d even smiled. Since anybody had smiled. Including Beppe at work.
“I’ll finish my chores, then come in and shower and get your mom up myself.”
Lil gazed down the row of clothing as if an idea would pop off the clothesline. Amazingly, one did. “All right. I’ll throw a big batch of chili together, and Michelle can finish it up when she gets here.”
“
Why Michelle? Where are you going?”
“Uh, Riccardo’s?” The moment she’d said it, she realized her voice had sounded disrespectful.
“Oh.” He waved his hand as if to dismiss her job as a mere inconvenience. “Well you’re going to miss the big announcement then. When I told Matt to come, he asked if he could bring along the vet.” He stopped speaking and eyed Lil speculatively. “Somebody we met at the farm seminar.”
“He’s bringing company, too?”
“Yep. A good-looking guy. Nice enough. But don’t get your hopes up about him. He’s a Mennonite, but not Conservative.” Her dad twisted his mouth in an unpleasant grimace. “He goes to Matt’s church.”
While her subconscious probed the bits and pieces her dad had flung at her, trying to make sense of the information, she wondered what a good-looking stranger would think of chili in the middle of the summer. Not a stranger, her brain corrected. Mennonite vet. She breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t be there to witness a good-looking Mennonite vet’s reaction to the meal. “Maybe you can just tell me the news, since I have to work.”
Ignoring her last remark, Dad kept on talking about the invited guest. “His name’s Fletch Stauffer. Did I mention he goes to Matt’s church?”
She felt her face heat, momentarily forgetting all about the big announcement. “Did you say—” She choked off the words. No need to bring the minor car accident and object of her daydreams to her dad’s attention. She tried to stay calm, to still her speeding heartbeat. “And you say he’s a veterinarian?”
“Yep.” Dad rocked back on his heels, then slapped his straw hat on his leg and placed it back on his head before he strode back toward the barn.
It had to be the same Fletch Stauffer. Well! Lil quickly unpinned the dry clothes, folding and dropping them into the clothes basket, all the while trying to digest what had just transpired. Dad was happy, almost boyish. And Fletch Stauffer, the handsome blond who never called her, was coming to dinner.
Emotions battled inside her, making her want to skip work to see Fletch again. Wanting to hear every little detail about the big news that would be discussed over supper. She especially wondered what had Dad seeing blue skies. Next he’d be singing and filling the bird feeder. Her heart raced with hope. He had promised to get Mom up for dinner, and with his new cheery attitude, Mom might come out of her shell.
But Lil had to go to the restaurant. She hadn’t mustered up courage to call a cab when Mom was in the hospital just to lose her job now. With a disappointed sigh, she realized she could get Michelle’s version of the big announcement later. And if Fletch was going to do veterinary work at the Landis farm, surely she’d get an opportunity to talk to him another time. Wouldn’t’ she?
But what if after tonight, Fletch didn’t want anything to do with the Landis bunch? What then? She’d miss her one and only chance to connect with him.
With the basket propped on one hip, and her phone at her ear, she started toward the house. “Hi, Beppe,” she said, passing through the mudroom. “Can I switch nights and come in at six tonight and four tomorrow night? If not, that’s okay. Just checking.”
She heard Beppe’s irritated grunt. “I don’t have to ask who this is.”
“Oh sorry. Yeah, it’s Lil.”
“Hold on.” She waited, never so hopeful over missing a few hours of work. Finally he returned. “You can be here by six?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“Don’t be late,” he warned.
She set the clothes basket on the washing machine and jerked open the freezer door. She grabbed some frozen ground pork and slapped it on a riveted thawing board. After that, she diced tomatoes, fresh from Michelle’s garden. She could slice fresh corn off the cob, and she’d add some cilantro and maybe some summer savory. As she worked, temptation came to her. Don’t go to work. Stay home and see Fletcher. If you lose your job, you could work on a recipe book. Dad’s been after you to quit, anyway.
She shook aside the fantasy she sometimes had of writing a fabulous recipe book. If she lost her job, the farm would suck her in and sap the life right out of her. There’d be no time for recipes. I love my job, she argued.
It’s a dead end, temptation beckoned.
No. If Fletch wants to ask me out, he has my phone number. And now he has my address, too.
Temptation warned, Matt’s bringing him. They go to the same church. He’s coming as Matt’s friend. Maybe he doesn’t even know that Matt is your brother.
Back and forth her thoughts went. Even as she slipped into her freshly ironed black skirt and white blouse uniform, she debated. Before she left the house for work, however, she gave the dining room a final once-over.
Mom’s Autumn Leaf dishes were set on a pristine, white lace tablecloth. The chili concoction simmered in two slow cookers that the family used in the summer so they didn’t heat up the kitchen. And strawberry cobbler would do for dessert. It was the best she could do on such short notice. An easy meal that could be served without the cook’s presence, she determined.
With the decision made to fulfill her responsibilities at the restaurant, she took her purse off the peg shelf and bolted for the back door, confident that for once, she’d be right on time for work.
“Oophf!” she exclaimed, ramming into something solid. Splaying her hands on a firm, shirt-clad chest, Lil saw the familiar red tennis shoes. Her face burned with embarrassment as she looked up into soft brown eyes. She quickly dropped her hands.
He shook his head. “Never saw a more accident-prone woman.”
“You’re early.” She instantly regretted the slip of tongue that made him aware that she’d been expecting him. Didn’t want him to judge her cooking when it had been so hurriedly tossed together. Didn’t want him to think she was trying to avoid him. Beans! Just didn’t want him to think she was thinking about him, period.
And she wasn’t thinking, she was feeling. Tingling from her palms to her black-toed oxfords. She wet her lips, frozen to the spot. Frozen and tingling.
But he hadn’t missed her declaration. His brows arched. She’d remembered he was good-looking, but she had forgotten about the interesting brown brows/blond hair combination. It intrigued her because the darker brows made a nice frame for his eyes. But intriguing as he was, she snapped her mouth closed, determined not to stick her foot back in it again.
He gave her a dimpled smile. “You aren’t running away, are you?”
She tucked her errant bangs behind her ear, and her response came out in thicker Dutch than she would have liked. “I am on my way out. I’m off to work.”
His expression fell. “Riccardo’s?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry. Ever since Matt gave me the invitation, I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”
She stared at him, still unable to fathom his presence. Almost as if she was conjuring him up like her imaginary Rollo. But his comment reminded her of the disappointment she’d felt when he hadn’t called. “If that’s true, maybe you should have called.”
“I wanted to. But I lost your number.”
Lil frowned. It would be nice to believe him. Even though she didn’t date much, she was able to recognize a flimsy excuse when she heard one. No matter how tingly he made her palms and heart and toes, she wouldn’t tolerate feeble excuses. She narrowed her eyes. “A likely story.”
He raised both hands in objection. “It’s the truth. Our accident was just the beginning. After I left Riccardo’s, I got stopped by a police officer for speeding. The dinner check with your phone number floated under my seat, and when I tried to get it, the officer thought I was going for a gun and made me step out of the car. Later, my boss had me so flustered, I forgot to look for it.” He shrugged. “It turned out the car belonged to my boss’s wife.”
Lil’s lips twitched, and it was hard not to smile and fall under Fletcher’s dimpled charm. The story seemed too far-fetched to be fiction. “That’s an interesting story.”
That was
when she noticed Matt, leaning against the wall with crossed arms.
“Hi, Matt.”
“What’s going on with you two?”
“Oh Fletch can explain. If I don’t leave this instant, Beppe’s going to give me an earful.”
“You’re afraid of a Beepie?” Fletch asked, refusing to step aside.
“Beppe,” she corrected, with a grin. “Yes, because he’s my boss. Maybe, I’ll see you … sometime.” Lil started toward the door, but it was too late. Michelle flounced in with her three little girls in tow—in birth order, Tate, Tammy, and Trish. Tammy reached up and wrapped her arms around Lil’s waist. “Hi, Auntie Lily. Swing me?”
The nieces were dolly stepping stones all dressed alike in homemade dresses that were tinier versions of Michelle’s own dress. Their little dresses hung well below their knees, but unlike their mommy, the girls wore no stockings. In spite of the heat, they looked pretty with their light brown hair freshly braided.
Lil swung Tammy in a circle like she always did. After that it was Tate’s turn. And next, she took Trish from Michelle’s arms to give her a row of cuddly kisses. Her nephews barreled in too, and after that, Lil couldn’t have gone against the tide of incoming bodies even if her future position as head chef depended on it. But when she was able to get away, she slipped into the living room to call the restaurant manager.
“Guess what, Beppe?”
“Lillian, please don’t start.”
“Remember that guy with the Lexus, the one I ran into in the parking lot?”
A frustrated sigh came from Beppe. “Yes, what about him?”
“My dad invited him for supper tonight. I haven’t had a date in a really long time, Beppe. Surely you don’t want me to miss an opportunity like this?”
“Actually, I don’t care about your personal life, Lillian, because you don’t work here any longer.”
“Come on, Beppe. You don’t really mean that.” But no reply was forthcoming. Only a click and silence. With a moan, Lil returned to the kitchen. Regardless of her best intentions, it seemed her fate had been decided for her.
Plain City Bridesmaids Page 38