“We’ll see what happens,” said Mamm.
Ezekiel turned to Florence’s older brother, Mark. “And you don’t work in the orchard?”
He shook his head. “Nee. I have a saddlery store. Isaac works for me," he said with a nod toward his bruder-in-law. "Isaac’s Christina’s bruder.”
“Ah, now I’m making some connections.” Ezekiel nodded, and then looked at Jonathon. “Where do you fit in, Jonathon?”
Florence desperately wanted to say that he didn’t fit in at all, but unfortunately Mercy was married to his brother. That made Jonathon Mercy's bruder-in-law, and therefore as good as family to all the rest of the Bakers.
“The oldest Baker sister is married to my younger brother.”
“That’s Mercy and Stephen,” Hope told Ezekiel.
“Hmm. It’ll take me a while to remember all this.”
Favor rolled her eyes. “Don’t even try. I can’t even remember it.”
“That’s because you don’t care about anyone other than yourself,” Joy told her.
Mark took on the older brother role. “I’d hate for any of you girls to have to finish your meals in your rooms...”
Favor looked down. “Sorry, Mark.”
“Jah, sorry,” Joy mumbled.
“I’m sure Joy didn’t mean anything bad,” Isaac said.
A few chuckles were heard around the table and no one made any further comment.
While they were waiting at the table for dessert, Joy leaned over and whispered to Isaac, “Thanks for helping me out before. No one understands me.”
Isaac gave her a big smile. “Well, I do.”
She looked at his flushed rosy cheeks and was glad. “Jah, you do, but no one else does.”
“Will you be at the markets tomorrow?”
“Jah. I’ll be there again tomorrow.”
“If I get a chance, I’ll come see you.”
“That would be wunderbaar. I’d like that.”
“I might get a half hour for lunch, but not if we’re too busy.”
“Okay. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
Joy listened to Ezekiel and Florence over dinner. He was a plain man, pleasant mannered, and he looked like a good strong man—and that was perfect seeing as he was a farmer. From Florence’s guarded expressions, Joy couldn’t figure out what her half-sister thought about him. It wasn’t ideal that he lived two hours away, but if they loved each other, things like that could be worked out.
Chapter 4
When dinner was over, everyone sat down in the living room while Joy and Honor made the after-dinner coffee.
Honor wrung her hands. “I hope Florence isn’t going to be mean to Jonathon.”
“Of course she won’t.”
“I know she doesn’t like him—and he knows it too. She’s still mad at us.”
“She’s trying to impress Ezekiel, so she wouldn’t be mean to someone while she’s trying to impress him.”
Honor left off filling the kettle and peered around the doorway into the living room. Then she faced Joy. “Do you think Florence likes Ezekiel?”
“I do. He’s perfect for her.”
“I don’t know if she’ll ever marry anyone. I can’t imagine her with him or anyone else.”
“I think she’ll take it slow.”
Honor giggled. “Years even, from how she keeps telling us to slow things down.”
“I think you’re right.”
Honor walked over to the sink and finished filling the kettle. “Sometimes I regret coming back here.” She lit the stove and placed the kettle on the flame.
“Nee. You did the right thing. You would’ve had a dreadful life if you didn’t come back. Jonathon mightn’t have been able to find work and then you two would’ve been living as Englishers and might never have come back to the community—ever.”
“I got the sweet taste of freedom when I was away. There’re too many people looking over my shoulder.” Honor grabbed the coffee container. “It’s strangling me.”
“It’s called family. And people only keep an eye on you because they care about you.”
“What’s annoying about you, Joy, is that you have an answer for everything.”
“And that annoys you?”
“Jah, it does.” Honor shook the coffee into the plunger.
“Next time you ask me something, I’ll say I don’t know.”
“Gut.”
Joy got the mugs ready to place on the tray. “Have we got any of that chocolate cake left?”
“Jah, um, nee. That one's gone. Florence made a fresh chocolate cake with mint frosting for tonight, and Favor made cupcakes this morning and candies, too.” They prepared trays with plates of either cake or cupcake, and forks and napkins. They added a dish of the candies to each tray so everyone could help themselves.
The two girls took a tray each of the coffee fixings out to the living room and then Honor kneeled to pour while Joy passed a cup of coffee to each person. They went back into the kitchen after that, and brought out the cakes and the candies.
Florence and Ezekiel were seated next to one another again, and when all of the others were talking in groups, Ezekiel smiled at her and said, “Would you have some spare time to spend with me tomorrow?”
“Of course. What would you like to do?”
He wrapped his fingers further around the white coffee mug, resting it on his knee holding it only by his fingertips. “What kind of things are there to do around here?”
“That’s a hard one to answer because most of the time I’m here at home.” She rarely went anywhere unless it was to go somewhere with Liza.
“When you go out, where do you go?”
“Mainly I visit people, go to the meetings, or go to the markets.”
His face lit up. “Perfect—the markets. I wouldn’t mind having a look around the markets.” He took a mouthful of coffee.
“Really?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Jonathon called from across the room. “What caused you to visit us, Ezekiel?”
Everyone was silent and looked over at Ezekiel. Florence was embarrassed and wondered what he’d say. “It was Ada’s fault,” he joked. “She said I should visit them for a weekend and I’ve never been here, so I decided it was a good idea.”
“Who’s looking after your pigs.”
Florence frowned at Jonathon. She could tell he was mocking Ezekiel.
“My two younger brothers.”
“And what do you hope to do while you’re here?”
Florence wanted to say something to silence the trouble-making Jonathon, but she couldn’t think what. She saw one candy left on a plate and she was half inclined to toss it at him.
“Make new friends. And I had hoped to meet Florence, and now I have.” Ezekiel looked over and smiled at Florence.
It was a good way to defuse Jonathon. He went quiet, apparently without a comeback, and then—to Florence's relief—went back to talking to Samuel.
An hour later, Florence was standing beside Mamm waving goodbye to Samuel, Ada, and Ezekiel. Just before Ezekiel left, he made arrangements to collect Florence the very next morning.
When they walked back inside the house, Jonathon laughed loudly about something and that was the final blow that grated on Florence’s nerves. Then and there she decided someone needed to talk with him about trying to embarrass Ezekiel. “Can I speak to you for a moment, Jonathon?”
He looked up at her, shocked. “Sure.”
She nodded her head toward the door. “Outside.”
He left his seat beside Honor and stepped out onto the porch with her. “What is it?” He looked sick with worry.
“I’m upset with you. Do you know why?”
He drew his eyebrows together and seemed confused. “No. Over what?”
She studied his face. There was no hint of amusement. “Well, you know Ezekiel came here to see me, don’t you?”
He pulled a face. “No. No, I didn’t know that. I’m sorry; now
I feel like a fool. Honor never mentioned it. And I didn’t think about it myself because I never thought you’d be interested in someone like him.”
His comment jolted her. Someone like him? “Do you know anything about him?”
“No. I’ve never met him until today.”
“What did you mean by your comment? You said, 'someone like him.'”
Jonathon said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” He shook his head. “I keep putting my foot in it, don’t I?”
“That’s okay. I can’t blame you for speaking your mind.”
“I’m sure you’re not interested in what I think about him or anything else.”
She had to smile about that. Why was she worried what Jonathon thought about Ezekiel? She wasn’t sure whether she did care to hear his opinion, but she would’ve liked to know how other people viewed Ezekiel. “Don’t worry about it. You go inside now and spend some time with Honor.”
“Okay, and don’t worry, he seems a swell guy.”
“Denke, Jonathon, and I’m sorry to blame you for what you said to Ezekiel earlier. I thought you were trying to embarrass him, or me, or maybe both.”
“I hope you know now that I wasn’t. It seems Honor doesn’t tell me everything.”
“It’s okay, I believe you.”
“I’d better get back inside before Honor gets jealous.” He gave her a cheeky wink before he slipped through the doorway.
Florence stared into the night sky for a moment. Had Jonathon just used his charms and talked his way out of trouble? She sighed in dismay at her iffy people-reading skills.
Not yet ready to return to the noisy house, she lingered in the crisp night air. Looking into the still night, she leaned against the porch railing thinking some more about Ezekiel.
He was nice.
She blew out a deep breath. It was far too soon to know if there was a future with him. They’d have to spend more time together to allow their relationship to bloom. And, like a carefully tended plant, perhaps love would grow between them.
It was times like these Florence missed the guidance of her mother. It wasn’t something she could bring herself to discuss with Wilma.
Chapter 5
It was nine o'clock Friday morning, the time that Ezekiel had arranged to collect Florence. She already felt like she’d done a day’s worth of chores. Besides making breakfast for everyone, and organizing the cooking for the day, she’d hammered the nail back into her closet door, put the sliding door of the utility room back onto its track, and found some left-over paint in the shed to re-paint the back door of the house. The painting itself was a project for another day.
Having done enough work so she wouldn’t feel guilty for the free-time she was taking today, she sat nervously next to Mamm in the living room hoping the day would go well. She was so anxious that she found it hard to sit still.
Honor and Joy had gone to the markets while Hope and Favor were in the kitchen starting the first lot of cooking—a batch of applesauce—before Hope headed to the store at the front of the family home at nine thirty. After that, Favor and Mamm would cook the remainder of the items on Florence’s list.
“You look so nervous,” Mamm commented to Florence.
Florence swallowed hard. “Do I?”
Mamm nodded.
“I am, more than a little.” Florence smoothed down her dress and then spread her apron out to cover it. “Denke for helping Ada arrange this.”
“I didn't do anything at all. It was Ada who did everything. I didn't even know him. It's good that he wants to go to the markets because you'll be able to keep an eye on the girls.”
Florence didn’t want to worry about having to check on her sisters today of all days. “I'm sure they'll be okay, and if not I can't do anything about it. I just want to concentrate on Ezekiel and get to know him.”
“And you should.” Mamm patted her on the shoulder and then she glanced at the clock on the mantle. "Oh dear, it's two minutes after. I hope he's not one of these tardy people.” Mamm disliked it when people were late.
“I don’t think so. He doesn’t know the area. He could've taken a wrong turn, or something could've gone wrong with the horse. Anything could've happened.”
“Well, l suppose we’ll soon find out. I do like him. I think he’ll suit you fine. You have several things in common.”
Florence screwed up her nose. “Like what?”
“His father has gone home to Gott leaving him to run his farm and so has yours.”
“My vadder?”
“Jah. Yours has gone to be with Gott too.”
“That's true, but we don't have a farm.” Florence kept a straight face. She knew she was being difficult, but she couldn’t help it.
“I'm sure running an orchard and a farm are very similar.”
“I guess so.”
“And he's helping his mudder just like you’re helping me.”
Florence was certain she had things tougher. “He's only got two younger brothers, and I've got all our girls to worry about. I wonder if he’d trade places?”
Mamm put her hand up to her mouth and giggled. “You've only got four to worry about now and next year you might only have three. But by then, you might be married to Ezekiel.” Her stepmother’s eyes twinkled.
Florence knew Mamm hadn’t even considered any ramifications a marriage to Ezekiel would bring. What would become of the orchard if she moved away? “Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I want to make sure he's right for me.”
“Of course, I wasn't suggesting anything else.”
Florence leaned back in the couch and closed her eyes. There was no reason he wouldn't be suited to her. He was the right age, and he seemed even-tempered and polite. On top of that, he was hard-working, a trait that was important to Florence.
Favor flew out of the kitchen. “He's coming, he's coming!”
Florence bounded to her feet. “Shush. He'll hear you.”
Amidst peals of laughter, Favor ran back into the kitchen.
Florence exchanged anxious looks with Wilma. It seemed a lot hinged on this day. Perhaps her entire future. While Florence was in the middle of wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, there was a loud knock on the door. Mamm pushed past her to open it.
“Ezekiel, this is a nice surprise,” Wilma said.
“Didn't you know I was coming? I arranged with Florence last night to take her out for the day. I hope it hasn’t slipped her mind.”
“Of course it hasn’t. Come in.”
Before he had a chance to move, Florence appeared from behind the door. “Hello.”
“Hello, Florence.” He looked down at his feet. “Are you ready? I don't want to come in because my feet are muddied from all the rain we've had.”
“I'm ready.” She gave her stepmother a quick kiss on the cheek before she accompanied him out of the house and down the porch stairs.
“Do you always get this much rain here?” he asked.
“No, not really.” She stepped carefully avoiding the puddles. “We do need the rain, though.”
Once they were in the buggy and traveling down the driveway, she hoped the conversation would flow easily. “I guess your brothers will be missing your help on the farm by now.”
“They'll be fine as long as they work a bit harder. I'd like to get my mother a gift from the markets today. Do you think they’ll have anything suitable there?”
“They should. They sell all kinds of things there, not just fruit and vegetables. I'll enjoy this. I haven't been shopping for some time. Looking at all the pretty things will be nice. What did you have in mind?”
She looked over at Carter’s house as they rode past. There was no one about.
Ezekiel looked over at her. “I thought you might be able to give me some ideas.”
She laughed. “Me?”
He nodded. “You're a woman, so you know what women like.”
“I guess so, but that's a big responsibility. Tell me a bit about your mother.”<
br />
“You remind me of her.”
Florence stared at the road ahead. That wasn’t what she wanted to hear. Did she look like an old person to him? His mother had to be at least fifty, and she was only in her mid-twenties.
She had to ask, “In what way do I remind you of her?”
“The way you're always making sure that others are okay.”
Immediately, she was relieved. He didn’t think she looked much older than her years like Mercy’s husband had thought when he first met her. Stephen had presumed she was Mercy’s mother, at first, rather than her half-sister. “You could tell that just from last night?”
“I'm a pretty good judge of people and I know what it’s like to be the eldest. We are both the oldest in our families.”
“I'm not the eldest. I have two older brothers. You met Mark last night, and then there’s Earl. He’s moved away to Ohio.”
“But you're the oldest living at home, aren’t you?”
“That's true. Well, I hope I'll be able to steer you in the right direction to find a suitable gift.”
“I'm sure you will.”
“It’ll be a lot of pressure.” She giggled.
“When I said you reminded me of my mudder, I didn't mean you’re as old as she is or anything.” He chuckled. “I meant she’s the nicest person I know.”
“Oh, I’m glad to hear it. I was a little worried.” She smiled at him.
“I wasn’t talking about looks. For starters, she doesn’t have your amazing blue eyes. She has the same boring brown eyes as I do.”
“Brown eyes are lovely. They’re not boring at all.”
“I guess it’s a matter of opinion. They serve me well to look out from. I’m pleased I don’t have to look at them. I’d rather look at yours.”
She couldn’t help smiling at the corny compliments. She was reminded of the first time she met Carter. He too had commented on her eyes.
When Ezekiel kept smiling at her, she pushed Carter Braithwaite from her mind. Today was about getting to know Ezekiel Troyer and not to think about someone who was verboten.
A Simple Kiss (The Amish Bonnet Sisters Book 3) Page 3