by Sarah Price
ELLA MAE
CHAPTER 21
Sitting in the back of Jeremiah’s buggy, Ella Mae did her best to stare out the back window so that she didn’t have to engage in any sort of conversation with Jonas. It wasn’t too hard, as he chatted away, apparently oblivious to—or merely not caring about—the fact that neither Ella Mae nor Rachel was responding. Not that they had much choice. He barely stopped for air, much less to let either one of them add a word to the conversation.
Fortunately, their house wasn’t far from where the gathering had been held. Ella Mae was counting down the minutes until the horse and buggy turned into their driveway. She’d never felt so relieved to be heading home.
“You sure you gals don’t want to go for a ride?” Jonas asked.
Ella Mae felt Rachel nudge her ribs.
“Stop!” she whispered. “That hurt.”
“Say yes!”
“I will not!” Ella Mae leaned forward. “Nee, Jonas. Like I said earlier, I’m tired. We’ve a long week ahead of us, what with MayFest prep and working for your maem. I’ve a lot to do tomorrow.”
This time, it was Jeremiah who spoke. “Oh? Like what?”
His question caught her off guard. For a moment, she wondered if he had asked in jest, teasing her the way that Jonas tried to do so often. But then she realized he had asked out of genuine curiosity. She also realized it was one of the first times he’d ever addressed her at all.
“Well, since you asked, gardening, for starters,” she said.
Jeremiah shifted in the front seat, glancing back at her. “You like to garden, then?”
“Oh ja! Even though our garden patch is small, I do enjoy it. I’m late planting seed, though, so I want to get started early tomorrow morning.”
He made a noise—it sounded like one of approval, she thought—and returned his attention to the road.
Jonas, however, didn’t let the silence linger for long. He twisted around and looked at her. “You need any manure spread? I’d be happy to bring over a load for you. I’ll even help you spread it.”
Pressing her lips together, Ella Mae narrowed her eyes at him. “I think we’ve enough manure to spread from our own horse, danke.”
“Really? I always thought one could never spread enough of it.” He chuckled at his own little joke and winked at her.
Ella Mae groaned.
Up ahead, she saw the reflector on their mailbox. She said a silent prayer of gratitude that the ride had gone quickly. She simply couldn’t wait to get out of the buggy and away from that Jonas Esh.
“Here we are, gals,” Jeremiah said as he pulled down their driveway. He tightened his hold on the reins, a deep “Whoa” slipping through his lips. Immediately, the horse slowed until it stopped in the middle of the turnaround by the house.
While Jeremiah secured the horse, Jonas got out and reached back to unlatch the front seat so that it folded forward. Rachel got out first, choosing to exit through the same door Jeremiah had used just a few seconds before.
Oh help, Ella Mae thought. She was closer to the door where Jonas stood, but she didn’t want to give him any encouragement. So she slid over and climbed down from the opposite door.
To her surprise, Jeremiah stood there, holding out his hand to help her down.
She couldn’t think fast enough.
Before she knew it, her hand was placed in his, the warmth of his skin pressed against hers, and he guided her out of the door so that she didn’t fall. It was hard to see the footsteps on the side of the buggy in the dark.
“Danke,” she whispered, averting her eyes. She hoped he’d done the same for Rachel; otherwise, Ella Mae knew she’d hear about it later on.
He didn’t release her hand. Not at first. Startled, Ella Mae turned her eyes to look at him. In the glow of the dashboard lights, she thought she saw him smile. “Anytime, Ella Mae,” he murmured as he released his hold on her hand. He took a step back and shifted his gaze to Rachel, who, apparently, hadn’t been paying attention. “Have a nice rest of the evening—”
“Oh, I’m headed right to bed,” Ella Mae said, interrupting him. “I’m plumb tuckered out.”
He chuckled. “So you said earlier.”
“Well, just letting you know that I meant it.”
This time, he laughed. “I never doubted you.”
“We’ll see you on Wednesday?” Rachel asked hopefully.
If Jeremiah responded, Ella Mae didn’t hear. But Jonas, of course, immediately replied that he’d look forward to seeing them that week.
Turning on her heel, Ella Mae hurried into the house, not caring that Rachel took her sweet time. Once inside, she turned out the light that hung over the sink. Her mother had left it on for them. A soft glow came from the battery-operated LED light on the table, a small lantern that wasn’t so bright as the propane ones.
As Rachel entered through the door, Ella Mae gave a long, drawn-out groan and dramatically stumbled to the kitchen table. “My word, that boy can talk!” She pulled out a chair and slid into it. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she was tuckered out. What she had omitted was that it was Jonas who had tired her, with his endless talking.
“Whatever gave him the impression that I might be even remotely interested in him?” She reached up and quickly unpinned her prayer kapp from the top of her head.
“How could anyone ever be interested in him?” Rachel sighed, joining her sister at the table. “He’s incorrigible.”
Ella Mae rubbed her temples. She was glad the evening was over. She hadn’t really wanted to go to the singing in the first place. But she’d thought it would do Rachel some good after the disaster of the previous evening, which, clearly, hadn’t been as disastrous as she’d thought. After all, Jeremiah had come to seek her out. Unfortunately, he’d made the mistake of bringing Jonas with him. That had surely put a damper on Jeremiah’s plans.
That thought reminded her of something else she’d observed during their brief time with the Esh brothers. “And, speaking of tiresome, what’s the matter with you?” she asked, leveling her gaze at Rachel.
“Me?” Rachel pressed her hand against her chest, a look of innocence crossing her face. “What do you mean?”
Oh, Ella Mae could see through that thin veil. She’d known her sister since before she was born. And she knew that her sister was up to something. “I’ve never seen you so lost for words. It was like I had no idea who you were. And here Jeremiah clearly came across town to see you! You barely said two words to him. I thought you liked him. It sure didn’t look that way to me, and probably not to him, either.”
A scowl swept across Rachel’s face and, angrily, she waved her hand at Ella Mae. “Oh, hush you.”
But Ella Mae wasn’t going to let her get away with dismissing her so easily. “Seriously, Rachel. What’s gotten into you?”
Dropping her hands to her sides, Rachel gave an exasperated sigh. “Oh, Ella Mae, I don’t know how to explain it.” There was a sound of desperation in her voice, matched by the somber expression she wore. “It’s just that . . . well, I want him to like me.”
At this comment, Ella Mae gave a mocking laugh. “So you don’t talk in front of him?”
“Stop!” Rachel snapped. “What would you know about it anyway? It’s not like you’ve ever courted anyone.”
Isn’t this getting rich? she thought. She didn’t want to upset her sister any more than she clearly already was, but Ella Mae highly doubted that Jeremiah would consider spending two evenings with Rachel—and not even two good evenings—as courtship. So, rather than speak her mind, Ella Mae chose the compassionate route.
“You’re right, Rachel. Of course. What would I know about courtship anyway?”
Standing up, she reached down for her prayer kapp and, for a long moment, held the delicate and beloved object in her hands. If it made her sister feel better to pretend to be someone she wasn’t to impress Jeremiah, who was Ella Mae to say otherwise? Suddenly, she realized that, for the first time
, she’d thought before she’d spoken, choosing words that comforted rather than words that hurt, even if the latter would have been the truth.
They were both changing. Growing up, she thought with a mild sense of satisfaction. And they were becoming individuals at last.
“Well, good night, Rachel,” she said softly, still clutching her prayer kapp in her hands. “If nothing else, it was an interesting evening.”
EDNA
CHAPTER 22
Something was definitely different about the Schwartz twins, that was for sure and certain. Neither one argued with the other. In fact, Edna noticed right away that they weren’t even talking to each other. And yet, she didn’t sense tension between them. Something appeared to be on their minds.
“What’s going on with those two?” Mary asked when she arrived just after one o’clock to start baking cookies. She was busy unpacking her basket of dry goods on the counter while Rachel and Ella Mae focused on cleaning up the dishes from the noon meal.
“I honestly couldn’t tell you,” Edna admitted in a hushed voice. “They’ve been quiet and withdrawn all day. I sure hope they aren’t unhappy working here. I’ve come to appreciate their help more than I anticipated.”
A little laugh escaped Mary’s throat. “Imagine that.”
Edna looked up and, seeing the look of amusement in Mary’s expression, playfully tossed a small handcloth at her. “Oh, you! Just remember, if I hadn’t pushed them off for so long, Bethany wouldn’t have met John.”
Mary nodded. “This is true. Besides, God always has plans for us. The fact that they are working out now is good enough for me.”
“Me, too.”
Quickly, they changed the subject as Rachel and Ella Mae finished their work. The last thing Edna needed was to give the young women the impression they were talking about them.
The kitchen door opened, and Edna looked up in time to see Bethany slip through the door. Immediately, she smiled at her young daughter-in-law, happy to see that she had color in her cheeks for once. Her morning sickness must have abated at last.
“Bethany!” Mary hurried over to greet her daughter. Holding her at arm’s length, she gave her a quick study. “You’re looking ever so much better than Sunday last!”
The young woman lowered her eyes and placed her hand on the small bulge beneath her black apron. “I’m feeling better, danke.”
For a moment, Edna stood back and watched as Mary fussed over Bethany, enjoying the tremendous love that was filling the room. How blessed we are, she thought. Just a year earlier, she’d never have imagined so much wonderful change in her life. In all of their lives. Verna was a new grandmother, Mary and Edna were about to be, and Wilma’s two daughters were quickly shaping up under Edna’s careful eye. She reflected on Mary’s words of just moments before: God certainly did have plans for them.
“Reckon we best get started with the cookies, then,” Edna said at last. “Rachel, I know your maem needs the help of you girls baking at home, but I asked Ella Mae to stay and help us. Your maem said that would be fine. And I can always have Jeremiah bring her home later.”
Rachel looked up, a blank expression on her face. “Oh?”
“Jonas could give you a ride home now, if you’d like.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Edna noticed Ella Mae stiffen, a sudden look of tension crossing her face. Rachel, too, appeared confused. “Jonas?”
“Would get you home faster to help your maem and Verna. I believe Myrna’s coming with the boppli, too.”
Rachel glanced at the clock and then shrugged. “I reckon I could just bicycle—”
Her sentence was interrupted by Jonas strutting through the doorway. He sauntered over to the counter and slid up next to Ella Mae at the sink. “Well, how do! Look at all these pretty ladies gathered here today.” He crossed his feet at the ankles as he leaned back. “Now, which one of these Schwartz schwesters needed a ride home? Is it you?” He smiled at Rachel. “Or you?” After whisking off his battered straw hat, he grinned and winked at Ella Mae. “Jonas Esh, at your service,” he said with a sweeping bow.
“I’m staying,” Ella Mae said drily.
Jonas raised an eyebrow at her tone, a reaction that caught Edna’s attention. She hadn’t witnessed too much interaction between those two, so she wasn’t certain why Ella Mae had responded so sharply. Still, she knew that Jonas had an uncanny knack for rubbing people the wrong way. She shouldn’t have been surprised.
“I see,” he said and then turned his attention to Rachel. “Then it must be you.” He plopped his hat back atop his head and gestured to the door. “Let’s go, then. My horse and buggy await you.”
Edna watched as Rachel struggled to find words. For a second, the young woman stammered, glancing first at Ella Mae and then back at Jonas. “I have my bicycle,” she started. “No need to interrupt your work.”
“I already put one of the bicycles in the back of the buggy,” he stated. Pushing away from the counter, he started toward the door. “Best get started. I hear you’ve got tons of cookies to bake.” He rubbed his stomach in an exaggerated manner. “Mayhaps I can sample one or two of them?”
Rachel grumbled something under her breath as she reluctantly followed Jonas out of the kitchen.
“Such a character,” Mary laughed once they were out of earshot.
Ella Mae snorted.
Edna, however, glowed. She could see through Jonas’s teasing exterior. Just the way he played with Rachel, trying to goad her a bit here and there, told her all she needed to know. Why! He was certainly smitten with the young woman. And Rachel was definitely spirited enough to tolerate him. Now, if only her plan worked and the two of them found some common ground on the ride back to the Schwartzes’ house.
“Why do you look like a cat who just ate the first spring robin?”
With wide eyes, Edna looked up, surprised to see Mary staring at her. “Excuse me?”
Mary frowned. “I know that expression on your face. You’re up to something.”
Feigning innocence, Edna placed her hand on her chest. Was she truly so transparent? “Me?”
Bethany chuckled softly as she began to pull out bowls and baking sheets. “Maem, you leave Edna be, now.”
But Mary was not about to back down. “Edna Esh. Are you playing matchmaker with Rachel and your son Jonas?”
Ella Mae spun around and knocked a container of flour off the counter. It landed on the floor and a poof of white burst into the air. “Oh help!”
Edna paid it no mind. “The dust pan’s next to the refrigerator, Ella Mae.”
Mary put her hands on her hips. “I’m waiting for an answer.”
Seeing that she wasn’t about to get out of responding, Edna redirected her attention to her friend. She didn’t want to explain too much, but she felt confident enough to share a few of her thoughts. “It’s not really matchmaking,” she confessed. “I can tell he’s interested in her, that’s all. The way he teases her and always comes into the kitchen when she’s here. And, if anyone can handle Jonas, I’m sure it’s Rachel.”
Ella Mae began coughing, interrupting Edna’s thoughts. She’d forgotten that Ella Mae was listening. Quickly, she turned toward Rachel’s sister. “You must promise you won’t tell her, Ella Mae,” she cried with a hint of desperation in her voice.
“I—”
Edna cut her off. “He’s such a handful, I know. But he’s never taken an interest in a young woman before, and I can tell he’s got his eye on her. Why, just look at all the times he comes into the kitchen while you both are here. He’s not doing that for his own benefit, believe you me.”
“But—”
“And it’s time that he find a nice, strong woman to counter his rambunctious, mischievous nature. He’s too shy to ask her out on his own, I’m sure.”
Ella Mae practically choked. “Shy?”
Bethany cleared her throat, her eyes flitting quickly from Edna to her mother, and then to Ella Mae. “I have to agree with Edna,�
�� she said softly. “Why, I’ve never even seen him talk to a young woman, never mind take one riding in his buggy. He just hides his shyness behind his teasing and jokes.” She averted her eyes, clearly uncomfortable to have everyone staring at her. “He’s rather sensitive, you know. Deep down, anyway.”
Edna raised her eyebrows and gestured toward Bethany. “See? He’s masking his sensitivity behind his charades. And I think Rachel’s just the strong personality to handle him.”
“Oh my.”
Edna looked over at Ella Mae.
“I . . . I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
A silence filled the room as all eyes turned to Ella Mae. Edna panicked. Was it possible that Rachel was actually courting someone else? Had she misread the signs between the two young adults? “Whyever not?” she dared to ask, hoping against hope that Ella Mae knew of no other suitor. “Is someone else calling on her?”
“Nee,” Ella Mae admitted in a slow, drawn-out manner. “That’s not it—”
“Then we’ve nothing to worry about!” Edna clapped her hands together. “Mark my words, there will be a Schwartz and Esh wedding this spring or summer, for sure and certain.” She hurried to the counter and fetched the fresh milk she’d set aside to cool. “Now, why don’t you go take this out to the kitten, Ella Mae? And check that the dry food bowl is filled as well. Then we can get started on the baking!”
RACHEL
CHAPTER 23
The moment Rachel walked into her mother’s kitchen, she almost wished she were back in the buggy with Jonas. Almost.
“Was that a buggy I heard in the driveway?” her mother asked in a singsong voice. She stood at the counter mixing together cookie dough. Beside her was Verna, who, likewise, was busy pouring flour into a large bowl.
Rachel had almost forgotten that she was supposed to help her mother and Verna bake cookies for MayFest.