by Sarah Price
Edna observed this gesture with mild curiosity. John had always been her thoughtful son, the one who went out of his way to help out without being asked. It pleased her that he continued displaying such considerate manners to Bethany.
Loud footsteps pounding down the staircase preceded Jonas’s appearance in the kitchen. He glanced over at Bethany and grinned.
“Back again, eh?”
She flushed and looked away.
He laughed and hurried over to grab a cup of coffee. John barely moved to make room for him.
“Hey, there’s a singing tonight,” Jonas said, clearly directing the comment to Bethany. “Over in Bishop Mast’s district. You know anyone there?”
She kept her back to him. “Nee, I do not.”
“Really?”
Bethany gave a little nod.
“Say! I’ve got an idea!” Jonas gave her a bright grin. “Why don’t I take you home after you’re finished and we can stop at the youth gathering?”
Edna noticed that John stiffened, but he didn’t speak up. Bethany, however, immediately stumbled over her words, clearly uncomfortable with the forward way in which Jonas had asked her to go with him.
“Oh, I . . .” Her eyes looked first at Edna and then shifted over to where John stood. “I don’t go to youth gatherings.”
“What about when they have singings?”
She shook her head. “I don’t go to singings, either.”
Jonas frowned. “You never go to singings?”
This time, she shook her head. “I don’t particularly care for them. Besides, I prefer to stay home in the evenings.”
Edna could tell from the expression on Jonas’s face that he was growing frustrated. “No youth gatherings. No singings. What do you do for fun?”
Before Edna could chastise Jonas for his impolite question, John pushed himself away from the counter and clapped his hands, the sharp noise cutting the tension in the air. “Best get to work now, Jonas. Daed’s waiting for us.”
Jonas held up his mug. “I just got my coffee!”
“Take it with you.” John walked toward his brother and placed his hand upon his shoulder, turning him around so that Jonas had no choice but to follow John out of the house.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Edna said to Bethany. “I’m afraid Jonas is just not used to having young women around.”
Bethany gave a little shrug. “It’s all right.”
Edna left the subject alone, suspecting that this was one of those situations where less said was soonest mended. But she made a mental note later to have a firm discussion with Jonas about how he spoke to Bethany. The last thing she wanted was for Bethany to get scared off and quit because of his antics.
However, the way Bethany bounced back made Edna realize that the young woman hadn’t been too perturbed by Jonas’s uninhibited question. She was definitely stronger than Mary gave her credit for. And, knowing Jonas, he’d soon give up trying to pursue the young woman.
But John?
Edna had never known John to go to singings or youth gatherings. He focused mostly on his work, both off and on the farm. The way he lit up around Bethany definitely spoke volumes about his interest in the girl. If only she could know better what Bethany thought of John. She was far too stoic and reserved, which made her a hard read for Edna.
While she couldn’t be certain about it, Edna had to admit that the idea of John and Bethany secretly courting did not displease her. Of course, only time would tell whether or not a match might, indeed, be made.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mary hummed to herself as she sat in the recliner, working on a new blanket. She might be confined to her chair for a few days, but that didn’t mean she should use it as an excuse to be lazy. Instead, she had spent her time reading Scripture, catching up on her correspondence, and now working on a blanket. Her fingers moved quickly, the yarn sliding between her thumb and pointer finger as she crocheted. With Bethany working yesterday and today, Mary had already halfway finished a new blanket that she intended to give her daughter for her hope chest.
She worried about her daughter and said a silent prayer with each row that she crocheted. The previous evening, Bethany hadn’t said much about her day at Edna’s. Mary fretted that the work was overwhelming for her. After all, she’d been so sheltered for most of her life.
Earlier that morning, once again, Mary had noticed how Bethany seemed extra apprehensive, adopting her place in front of the window, occasionally pacing the floor until the horse and buggy pulled down the driveway.
“Don’t forget we need to bake more cookies for Yoders’ Store. Wilma said they ran out before the end of last weekend,” Mary had called out when Bethany had reached for her black shawl and swung it over her shoulders.
“Ja, I remember,” Bethany replied.
“Your daed will drop them off in the morning.”
But the door was already shut by the time Mary finished speaking.
Oh, how she had wished she could hurry to the window! She’d have loved watching John Esh help Bethany into the buggy. She couldn’t remember the last time her daughter had gone anywhere with anyone! But she knew better than to get up. Always a stickler for following the rules, Abram had insisted that she stay off her feet, just as the doctor had instructed.
Now, however, it was close to three o’clock. Surely Bethany would be returning soon. Mary hated to admit it, but it was nice to be home alone for a few hours each day. She hadn’t been alone in the house for more than an hour or two since Bethany had attended school. Ever since then, the only time Mary could savor any solitude in her own house was when she sent Bethany on short errands.
Despite having enjoyed the peace in the house, Mary was anxious for her daughter’s return. Being alone was refreshing, true, but not for too long. It wasn’t as if Bethany was troublesome. Quite the contrary. She was quiet and helpful, never one to complain or naysay. And she certainly didn’t gossip, not like Wilma or that Miriam Schrock!
After two long days alone, Mary was ready for some company.
When she finally heard footsteps on the porch, Mary anticipated that Bethany would enter the house. To her surprise, it was Abram.
“Home so early?” Her eyes darted toward the clock. He usually didn’t get home for another hour.
“Ja. Looks like snow so they let us leave early.”
Abram crossed the room and stopped in front of the sink. After flipping on the faucet, he bent forward and splashed water on his face and neck. “Figured I’d go fetch Bethany,” he said after he shut off the water.
“Mayhaps you should wait before you ride to the Eshes’.”
He rubbed a kitchen towel across his damp skin. “Wait? Whatever for?”
Mary continued crocheting as she spoke to her husband. “I think John is bringing her home.”
“Again?”
Mary nodded.
“I don’t mind getting her. Could save him the trip,” Abram said and laid down the towel in a crumpled heap on the counter.
“Mayhaps you wouldn’t be doing such a favor.” She gave him a sly look, hoping that he didn’t probe further. Abram might not be as approving as she of a special friendship forming between Bethany and John. Correction, she thought, Bethany and anyone. Abram certainly would not approve of any matchmaking attempts on her part.
But Abram caught the hidden meaning beneath her comment. “Now, Mary—”
She set down her crochet hook. “What?” She hoped she sounded innocent, but one look at his face and she knew he’d seen through her.
He wagged his finger at her in a reproachful manner. “Now, don’t you go meddling.”
Immediately, Mary held up her hand as if holding him at bay. “I can assure you, Abram, I am not meddling.”
Giving her one of those looks, he didn’t seem convinced by her words.
“Honest!”
He scoffed at her declaration of innocence. “Your women friends were here yesterday, your little cookie club—”<
br />
Mary’s eyes widened.
“—and I know how you women plot and scheme. Always matchmaking. You probably already have the poor girl married off to one of those younger Esh boys!”
“Abram Ropp! We’ve done no such thing!” Mary would have been less offended by her husband’s accusation if they had actually discussed such a possibility. But the truth was that, while she had hopes of something between Bethany and John Esh, she certainly hadn’t voiced that secret dream to anyone.
Abram took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Good, because Bethany’s far too young to be thinking about courting anyone. I won’t have it.” He glanced at the clock and then at the bedroom door. “Well, if I don’t have to get Bethany, I’m going to take advantage of the time and take a little nap. Wake me in an hour, ja?”
He didn’t wait for an answer.
Mary stared after him, still hurt by his accusation, as well as his declaration about Bethany being too young to court. She was, after all, nineteen and more than ready to walk out with a special friend. Mary knew her husband had always been overly protective of their daughter, but he’d never vocalized such opposition to Bethany courting anyone. That worried her, for, if her suspicions about John and Bethany were even remotely true, what would happen when Abram found out?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The clock was striking three when the kitchen door opened. Bethany had just finished putting away all of the plates, silverware, cups, and platters. She shut the cabinet and turned around, moving toward the table at the same time. But she stopped abruptly when she bumped directly into John.
She felt his hands on her arms, firm but gentle, as he steadied her, holding her where she stood, close before him. He towered over her, his chin practically on top of her head.
“Easy there,” he murmured, his voice low and his breath warming her ear.
Embarrassed, Bethany tried not to look up. She started to take a step backward, but he still held her. Curious, she tilted her head enough so that she could raise her eyes and meet his gaze.
“You okay?”
She gave a single nod.
“Sorry about that,” John said and relaxed his hands. “Didn’t mean to sneak up behind you.”
She took a deep breath. There had been something comforting about being so close to him, her cheek practically resting against his shoulder. “I should’ve looked where I was going.”
Still, he didn’t release her and remained standing, silently staring intently into her face. His eyes narrowed as he studied her.
“What’s wrong?”
Slowly, John leaned over, lifting up one hand and running the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “You splashed water on your face.”
Instinctively, she reached up and touched her cheek where he had. “Did I?”
“It’s gone.” Finally, he released his grip and took a step away from her, giving her some space. “Surprised to see you still here.”
She blinked.
John smiled. “I meant you haven’t gone home yet.” He pursed his lips and glanced toward the window. “Sun’s going to start setting soon. I’ll harness up the horse and take you home if you’re ready.”
Her eyes widened and her pulse quickened. Earlier that morning, Jonas had made a comment about taking her home. She hadn’t been particularly partial to that idea and felt more than a little relieved that John, not his brother, would be the one driving the buggy.
He must have mistaken her silence for apprehension. “I mean, if that’s all right with you.”
Before he could say anything else, Jonas rounded the corner from the other room, where he’d stacked the chairs for his mother. Bethany felt his presence long before she heard him. His feet froze and he stood, silent, in the doorway for long enough that Bethany suspected he was surprised to see his older brother in the kitchen.
“Hey now,” Jonas called out, a cheerful tone to his voice that, when Bethany looked at him, was not reflected in his expression. “Daed said I’m to take you home now.”
“Oh!” Bethany wasn’t certain how to respond.
Fortunately, John spoke up. “Nee, Bruder, I already told Bethany that I would take her home.”
“But I—”
John leveled his gaze at his brother. “You can help Daed with the milking.”
Jonas stared at Bethany as if anticipating that she might speak up on his behalf. But Bethany merely averted her eyes.
“You sure about that singing tonight?” he asked at last, breaking the uncomfortable silence that hung in the room.
“I have to help my maem bake more cookies for Yoders’ Store.”
“Hm. Mayhaps I’ll stop by to check, just in case, on my way over there.”
Stunned at his presumption, Bethany looked up and stared at him. There was nothing she would dislike more than attending the singing, except, perhaps, having Jonas come calling on her. His persistence was exasperating. “Truly, there’s no need. Singings aren’t for me.”
“You might change your mind.”
Bethany knew that there was no chance of that happening.
Fortunately, John saved her from having to respond. “Jonas, Daed’s waiting for you.”
With a heavy glare at his brother, Jonas stomped out of the kitchen, pausing just once when he got to the door. He glanced over his shoulder at Bethany. He mouthed the words I’ll stop by later to her and then slipped through the door.
Horrified, Bethany wondered if John had witnessed that last silent communication from Jonas.
“I’ll go harness the horse, then,” John said, giving no indication that he’d seen it.
When John walked out of the house, Bethany exhaled. It felt as if she had been holding her breath. Something would have to be done about Jonas, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. While she was flattered by his attention, she had absolutely zero interest in Jonas Esh. There was something too abrasive about his manner that would never suit her.
Turning around, she leaned against the counter and stared out the large window over the sink. She could see John already at the barn, leading out the dark bay horse. She watched him as he deftly harnessed the horse to the buggy, pausing every so often to pat the mare on the neck.
While she might have no interest in Jonas Esh, she realized that the same couldn’t be said about his older brother, John. He was gentle and soft-spoken, caring and attentive. Even more importantly, he wasn’t overbearing like Jonas. And while she remained hopeful that he might return her interest, she couldn’t be certain. Perhaps he was just being kind and polite. She prayed that his attention to her was more than that, but she just wasn’t familiar with the whole courtship process.
Besides, she reminded herself, she barely knew him. And he was so much older than she was. Bethany didn’t know if he was courting someone else. Surely at twenty-six years of age, a man like John Esh would have a special friend.
Still, she couldn’t help but remain hopeful. He had, after all, volunteered to take her home, even after Jonas had said he wouldn’t mind doing so.
Time will tell, she told herself as she went into the mudroom to collect her shawl.
“Edna?” she called out. “I’m leaving now.”
The footsteps that came from the cellar grew louder as Edna hurried upstairs. As she walked through the doorway, she smiled at Bethany. “I’ll see you on Friday, ja?”
Bethany nodded.
A few minutes later, she sat beside John, listening to the musical rhythm of the horse’s hooves on the road. Despite the silence in the buggy, she felt comfortable in John’s presence. Unlike his brother, John didn’t feel the need to occupy every moment with words. It was as if he, too, appreciated the peace of just being. If only, she thought, he was appreciating the peace of just being particularly because he was with her.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
On Friday morning, Edna eagerly greeted Wilma and Verna when they walked through the kitchen door. She’d already set up the tables for her guests, who wer
e to arrive at noon, and the ingredients for baking the cookies were laid out on the counter.
Wilma dropped her large black purse on the floor. It landed with a loud thump.
“My word, Wilma!” Edna laughed. “What on earth do you have in there? The kitchen sink?”
“Everything but!” Wilma glanced around the large room, her eyes widening as she stared at the two large tables. “Are those a permanent addition to your kitchen?”
“Sure feels that way.” Edna reached into a cabinet and pulled out several large mixing bowls. Elmer had actually offered to build a dedicated room for her lunches next spring, but she didn’t want to share that information. Wilma would have too many questions, and that was something she didn’t have time to deal with. “Best get started with the cookies. I don’t have much time for visiting today, I fear.”
Verna clucked her tongue and gave a slight shake of her head. “Mayhaps we should be doing our worship cookies at my house until your busy season ends.”
With her back toward her friends, Edna froze. She’d worried that such a suggestion would slip past one of her friends’ lips. And it was the last thing she wanted to do. For so many years, her three best friends had been coming to her house to bake cookies every other Friday for their respective worship services. Edna enjoyed the consistency and fellowship of their schedule, but she had still other reasons for always wanting to host their gatherings.
Her house needed life. Female life.
She was the only one of her friends who did not have a daughter. When her friends came over, Edna felt complete. It was nice to have laughter and teasing in her own kitchen—one that was normally so quiet—that could only come from women enjoying each other’s company. And not just women, but friends.
“Oh, everything’s been right easy,” Edna said slowly, carefully choosing her words. “I’ve a little routine now, and, of course, Bethany’s been an amazing help.”