“Miriam always made a sandwich, dessert, and some fruit,” Abigail answered, running over to grab the bread. “I’m going to be late.”
“You won’t be late,” Rose said, rushing around the kitchen. Quickly putting together a ham sandwich, she grabbed an apple out of the bowl on the table and wrapped up a couple of chocolate chip cookies that were left over from the ones Miriam had brought over. “There; your lunch is made. And please grab an apple and some toast there from the table to eat on the way.”
“What’s that smell and why is the kitchen smoky?” Katie said, coming into the kitchen.
Rose looked at her sister then suddenly let out a yell, “the oatmeal!!” Running over to the pot, she discovered that the oatmeal was now a solid clump of blackened cement.
Rose felt like she wanted to cry. “Do you want some toast?”
“Jah, I’ll eat some on the way. I have to go,” Katie said.
“Where are you going? I thought you were going to help me?” Rose said, looking up from the scorched pot.
“I’ve started to babysit for Rachel Turner a few hours for a couple days a week,” Katie said grabbing her coat.
“The widow? Why do you have to do that?” Rose asked, looking annoyed when she realized she would be left alone. “I didn’t know about this. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“I thought you knew. Rachel needs help with her four kinner. She had to get a part time job after her husband went to be with Gott, so while she works at the library, I watch her kinner. It’s been hard on her, and I feel good in my heart that I am helping her out,” Katie said, looking at Rose and wondering why she would even ask a question like that.
“But what about me? I have no idea what needs to be done around here or how to do it. I was depending on you to help me,” Rose answered urgently.
“It’s only for a couple hours, Rose. I’m sure you will do just fine while I’m gone. I better leave, or I’ll be late,” Katie said as she opened the door.
Rose stood in the kitchen looking around. “Well, Rose, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.”
By ten o’clock, Rose had not accomplished much around the house. She decided she would try to make a stew for supper and ended up burning the meat. The only thing she had managed to do with any success was make the beds and organize the kitchen.
She soon became bored and started to look around to find other things that needed to be done.
“I can’t do this. I need help,” she finally said out loud and went out to get her bicycle. I’ll go over and see Miriam; she can tell me what I need to do.
Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at Miriam’s house and knocked on the door.
“Rose, what a pleasant surprise! You don’t have to knock, you’re family.” Miriam gave her sister a hug. “What brings you this way?”
“Ach, Miriam, I need help. I know I’m supposed to tend to the house, but I have no idea what I’m to do.” Rose looked at her sister in desperation. “I can’t even cook.”
“Come. I’ll make us a cup of tea, and we can talk, then I have to make some pies; so if you want to, you can help me and I’ll show you what to do.” Miriam put her arm around Rose and guided her into her kitchen.
Rose looked around Miriam’s house. It was a small house but Miriam had made it feel so comfortable and peaceful.
“Are you happy, Miriam?” Rose asked her sister.
“More than happy, Rose,” Miriam smiled. “I never thought I would find happiness again, but Joshua is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“So you can find happiness even when your heart has been broken?”
“Definitely. But why are you asking such a question? Have you had your heart broken?”
Rose suddenly broke down in tears. “Miriam, I have, and I don’t know if I will ever get over it.”
Miriam looked at her sister, surprised. “Who? When? You never mentioned anything to me. Does Daed know?”
“Nee, Daed doesn’t know anything about it nor can he ever know,” Rose said accepting the tissue Miriam handed her.
“Tell me what happened. Where did you meet him?”
Rose went on to tell her all about Dillon and how he married. “I thought he liked me and I thought we would have a life together.”
“So he never told you how he felt about you other than just being friends?” Miriam asked after Rose told her the whole story.
“Nee, but the way he acted towards me, I was so sure he was going to ask me to court him eventually.”
“Well, you are right about one thing… Daed would never allow that nor would he understand,” Miriam said. “And truthfully, I don’t understand. I’m surprised you would be willing to just leave your faith and family.”
Rose sighed. “I suppose it’s a good thing that this happened. I would have missed you all very much; but at the time, I admit, I wouldn’t have hesitated to leave.”
Miriam nodded. “Love makes us do strange things at times.”
Rose sniffled and decided it best to change the subject. “Well, anyway, Daed expects me to take care of the house and I have no idea what I am to do, Miriam. Will you help me? Please?”
“Jah, I’ll help you, but you have to promise me one thing.”
“Anything Miriam, anything,” Rose said, hugging her sister.
“You have to promise me you will not give up on love.” Miriam smiled at her sister. “Gott always cares and protects us, and Dillon was not the one for you. Your true love is out there; you just need to follow Gott’s guidance. He’ll bring the two of you together.”
“I promise,” sniffled Rose. “Thank you for helping me, Miriam. I know sometimes I haven’t been the easiest to get along with but I appreciate everything you did when I was sick and sprained my ankle. I’ve never told you, but I was very grateful.”
Miriam smiled. “You’re welcome. Well, we better get started. I’ll teach you how to make a simple pie crust, and then we can make supper together, and we’ll make extra so you can bring it home for everyone tonight.”
Rose wiped her eyes and nodded. Things didn’t look so bleak for her now, and with Miriam’s help, she could learn how to take care of the house and cook and make her father proud. As for love, she had more important things to worry about right now.
* * *
Chapter 5
“Rose, this roast is wonderful. Did you cook this on your own?” John asked, after taking a bite of meat.
“Jah, Daed. Miriam has been teaching me how to cook the last few weeks, and I’m actually enjoying it.”
“Jah, Rose is teaching me some things too,” Katie said eagerly. “I want to learn how to cook just like Rose.”
Rose smiled at her sister. “Ach, Katie, I’m still learning, but it is getting easier as I go.”
“Well, you’ve been doing a great job. It certainly gives me peace of mind knowing that things are taken care of here,” John said. “You will make some man a wonderful wife one day.”
Rose smiled slightly and looked down at her plate. She had been so busy learning how to run the house that she hadn’t thought of Dillon in weeks. Maybe that was a sign that he was no longer in her heart.
“Miriam will need extra help too once the bobli is born,” Katie said. “I can go over and help her if that’s okay, Daed.”
“What about Rachel?” Rose asked.
“Her Mamm is coming to live with her in a few weeks so she won’t need me anymore, so it all works out,” Katie smiled.
Miriam was now about seven months pregnant, and everyone was excited about the new addition to the family.
“If Miriam needs help, Katie, you can help her, but you can’t forget your chores around here and the fact you need to help Rose,” John said, wiping up the gravy on his plate with a piece of bread.
“I won’t, Daed,” Katie said cheerfully as she jumped up to clear the plates from the table. “Rose and I made Apple Crumble Pie for dessert.”
“We made three of them, so after supper
I’m going to take a drive over to Miriam’s and give her one,” Rose said matter of factly. “It’s my way of thanking her for all she’s done.”
She parked the buggy and jumped out and grabbed the pie. Going to the door, she reached for the handle only to have the door open unexpectedly and bump into a strange man, almost dropping her pie.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you,” he said, reaching out and grabbing the pie before it fell on the floor.
Rose looked up at him annoyed, then softened when she saw how handsome he was.
“It’s alright; I just wasn’t expecting the door to open,” she stuttered.
“I see you’ve met my sister-in-law,” Joshua said, coming up behind the man.
“This is your sister-in-law?” the stranger said bowing slightly. “Well hello there. My name is Abraham Towner, and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
“Abraham, this is my shveshtah, Rose,” Miriam said as she came out of the kitchen to see what the commotion was.
“Nice to meet you,” Rose said shyly as she walked past them towards the kitchen. “I made you a pie, Miriam.”
“Danke, Rose. Come. I was just making some tea,” Miriam answered.
“We won’t be long, Miriam,” Joshua called out to his wife. “Save some pie for us.”
After the men had left, Rose gave Miriam a curious look. “Is that Joshua’s bruder?”
“Nee, it’s his cousin. He’s staying with us for a while. He’s from another community on the other side of town, and like you, had his heart broken,” Miriam said, pouring two cups of boiling water. “He’s trying to move on and make a new life for himself.”
“What happened?” Rose asked, looking very interested.
“I’m not sure of the whole story but he was to be married, and she left or something like that,” Miriam shrugged. “All I know is he wants to start over and asked if he could live with us while he settled. He found a job with the printer in town.”
Rose took a sip of her tea and looked up at her sister. “He seems like a very nice young man.”
“Are you interested?” Miriam teased.
“Nee, nee, just curious. Finding love is the last thing I need in my life right now,” Rose scoffed. “I have too much to do, taking care of Daed, Katie, and Abigail. I’ve no time for love.”
“Well, he is very nice but he knows no one around here. Maybe you could offer to show him around one time. I’m sure he would enjoy that,” Miriam suggested. “It might do you some good too, to have someone to talk to.”
“Well, we’ll see,” Rose answered. “I’m not making any promises.”
* * *
On Sunday, Miriam invited her father and sisters over for dinner. When they arrived, Joshua and Abraham were out in the barn trying to fix the buggy. Rose’s father immediately went out to join the men in the barn, leaving the women to get the meal ready.
“So how are things working out with Abraham? Rose asked.
“He’s doing quite well, but he finds it hard not knowing anyone,” Miriam said, handing Katie the utensils to set the table.
“What did you make for dinner?” Abigail asked, trying to peek in the oven.
Miriam laughed as she swatted her sister’s hand away from the handle. “No peeking. It’s actually a new recipe for apple roasted pork. I saw it in a book from the library.”
“Speaking of market, Rose, that place you worked at has been torn down,” Katie added. “I forgot to tell you the other day when I went into town. It looks like they’re building a new modern store.”
Rose thought back to her days at the store and smiled to herself. I wonder if Dillon is happy and if he ever thinks of me.
Miriam looked at Rose and knew what she was thinking and changed the subject. “How are you doing in school, Abigail?”
Just as Abigail was about to answer, the men came in from outside.
“Ach, it does my heart good to see all my girls together and all are looking so happy,” John said as he sat down at the table. “How are you feeling, Miriam?”
“Gut, Daed, this bobli is going to be an active one that’s for sure,” Miriam said, rubbing her growing belly.
Noticing that Abigail and Katie were staring at Abraham, Miriam said, “Abraham, these are my other two shveshtahs; Abigail, and Katie. Girls, this is Joshua’s cousin. He’s staying with us until he can get himself settled.”
Miriam glanced over at Rose and noticed she was trying not to look at Abraham. She knew her sister was interested in Abraham and she had a feeling that it was mutual.
“Abraham, you can come over here and sit beside Rose,” Miriam said as she started to bring the platters of food to the table.
“So Abraham, what brings you to our community?” John asked, passing him the plate of pork.
“Well, it’s a long story but I was about to get married, and two days before the wedding, she told me that she didn’t love me and was going to run away with an Englisch man she met a while back. She left her family and everything to marry him,” Abraham said sadly. “I was devastated and decided I needed a change, so I came here to start over.”
“How can a girl just leave her family like that? I’m lucky none of my girls would ever do that,” John said. “Did you know this Englisch man?”
“Nee, I know nothing about him. I didn’t even know she was seeing anyone else other than me,” Abraham answered.
“Well that is unfortunate, Abraham,” John said sympathetically. “Love sometimes can hurt a great deal.”
“I thought perhaps Rose could take some time and show Abraham around, seeing as he doesn’t know anyone,” Miriam added, looking over at Rose.
Rose glared at her sister as if to say, ‘stop it’, but Miriam only smiled.
“I would like that,” Abraham said looking over to Rose. “I’m going to bring the buggy we fixed out for a test drive after supper. Would like to join me, Rose?”
Rose smiled weakly and said, “sure, as long as I’m not needed in the kitchen.”
“I’m sure Katie and Abigail can help me clean up,” Miriam said, smiling. She hoped to bring Abraham and Rose together. With some help from God, she knew they were perfect for each other; she just needed to help them realize it.
* * *
Chapter 6
Getting into the buggy, Rose was unsure what to talk about. She was annoyed at her sister for putting her in this situation but was not about to make a scene in front of everyone.
“So Rose, what do young people do around here in their spare time?” Abraham asked. “Is there a community center?”
“Jah, there is, but I don’t go often. I have to stay at home most of the time,” Rose answered shrugging. “Why do you have to stay at home?” Abraham asked.
“Well, our mamm died when we were all young and Miriam, being the oldest, has pretty much raised us. Our Daed works hard on the farm, so he’s away a lot,” Rose said. “When Miriam married it was up to me to take care of the house and my shveshtahs. I guess it was the path Gott chose for me.”
“Gott can be confusing at times. I thought I was following His path. I figured I would marry Lydia and we would live the rest of our lives happily ever after,” Abraham said. “Then He changed everything and gave me this new path to follow, and I have no idea where it will end up.”
“I can’t imagine how heartbroken you must feel.”
“Jah, I loved her with all my heart. There was no one else for me,” Abraham said, staring straight ahead. “Then suddenly she tells me she is marrying someone else and not just someone else, but an Englisher.”
“She left her family to be with him?” Rose asked, finding it amazing that she had planned to do the same thing if Dillon had asked her to marry him.
“Jah, left her parents, bruders and shveshtahs, friends, and everything that was close to her. Her parents were shocked and angry,” he added. “They told her she would never be welcome in their house again if she left.”
Rose sat back trying to imagine how her fami
ly would have reacted if Dillon had asked her to move away with him.
“Had you ever seen this fellow she married?” Rose asked, finding herself more interested in his story.
“I saw him once from a distance but other than that I don’t know anything about him. Once they married they moved away, and no one has heard from her,” Abraham said.
Rose sat up and turned to look at Abraham. “This is interesting.”
“Jah, why?” Abraham said.
“I had a similar thing happen to me that left me heartbroken,” she said.
“Really?”
“Jah. At the market I had worked at,” Rose said, looking at Abraham. “I met an Englisch man who I thought cared for me. He was always talking to me and teasing me, calling me sweet names and so I began to have feelings for him and thought that he would soon ask me to court him.”
“Let me guess; he went off and married,” Abraham said.
“Jah. I had to take some time off of work due to a terrible flu then I sprained my ankle and when I came back, I found out he had left and had married. I was devastated,” Rose answered. “I determined never to develop feelings for anyone else. Now that I am staying at home taking care of the house, the chances of me ever meeting anyone outside of the community are very slim, and I prefer it that way.”
“Well, that man was a fool. I don’t know you very well but I can tell you are a very kind-hearted person,” Abraham said, smiling at Rose.
Rose laughed. “Well, my sisters would have a different opinion of me if you were to ask them, I am sure.”
“Rose, I’m honored to have met you, and I hope we can be good friends. At least we have something in common. We can lean on each other’s shoulders when we need to.”
“I would like that, Abraham. I’ve kept this all inside of me for so long; it feels good to tell someone other than my shveshtah.”
“Jah, I have to admit, I kept my heartbreak to myself and Gott and it actually does feel good to talk to someone who understands,” Abraham said. “I hesitated to talk about it because most people just shrug it off and say things like – ‘it wasn’t meant to be’, or ‘you will find someone else, Gott will guide you.’
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