“It's been awhile since I've been away from the farm, and I must say I’m enjoying it.” He cast a sidelong look at her.
She nodded and did her best to stay focused on Ezekiel and him alone. “I can imagine how that would feel.”
“When did you last take a vacation?”
“Hmm, let’s see now.” The last time she’d been away from the farm was when Carter Braithwaite drove her overnight to bring Honor home when she’d run away with Jonathon, but that probably didn’t count. It certainly hadn't been any fun. “I can’t remember. I think the last time was when Dat was still alive and we went visiting.”
“And how long has it been?”
“Over two years now. Vacations aren’t that important to me. I’d rather stay at home with my apple trees.” He might as well find out early on that she was devoted to her orchard. That was how she’d been raised. She’d loved the orchard as much as her father had, which was just as well because her two older brothers hadn't been the least bit interested in taking it on after Dat's funeral.
“That’s exactly what I used to say as well until I started taking little trips away. A couple of days here and a couple of days there. Now, a week here.”
“Maybe one day I’ll take a vacation.”
“Perhaps you might come to my farm to visit me?”
She glanced at him again to see him smiling at her. “Maybe.” She had to change the subject. It was too soon to commit to visiting him. “It’s mostly food there.”
“What’s that?” Confusion wiped the smile from his face.
“At the farmers markets. Sorry. It’s mostly food.”
“I thought it was an arts and crafts market. Where I come from, the markets have food in one section, and the other section sells all kinds of wares.”
“Nee, this one is mostly foods, some flower vendors, too, but I can take you to one of those if you want.”
“Jah, please. Can we go there after the farmers market? I’d like to see your stall.”
“Okay, but don’t expect too much. Many others have built-in shelves and countertops. We only have trestle tables because we don’t know for how long we’ll keep the stall. We already have the shop at the front of the haus, so …”
“I’d like to take a look none the less.”
“Sure. It’s not very far from the other markets where you’ll be able to find a gift.”
“Okay, looks like we're having a market day.”
Florence smiled. “It seems like it.”
“Are you going to see how the market stall turns out? See if it’s worthwhile?”
“That's exactly right. We’re comparing it to the roadside stand we had up until recently—until the cold weather arrived. There’s no rent for that, of course. But it's too cold in the winter for the girls to stand out there without shelter or heat.”
“That’s true about the rent, but there'd also be less traffic to bring customers.”
“That’s it, exactly. Years ago, when we were younger, my vadder put our fruit and vegetables on a table on the roadside with an honesty box. Turns out, people weren't that honest—a lot of them. So, when we got older, two of us were there all the time. We sold a lot more that way, and it stopped the losses, too. And just this winter, we decided to see how a market stall would do.”
“Has it been worth it?”
“It has so far, but it's a lot of extra work and the extra traveling time, so we have to weigh it up.” She shook her head. “With two of my sisters gone now, we’re feeling the extra work.”
“I understand. Our main method of sale for our pigs is through our local farmers market.”
“Is that so?”
“That's right. Mamm runs it, along with a couple of girls she's hired from the community. Our pigs are grass fed and there's a lot of demand for that nowadays.”
“That's good for you, then.”
He chuckled. “Yes, it is. We do alright.”
“It sounds like your mudder works hard with running the household and the stall.”
“That's also how you remind me of her. From what I heard over dinner last night, you’re just as busy.”
“And that's the way I like it.”
“Same with my mother, and she does charity work as well.”
While Florence was smiling on the outside, she wasn’t happy about being compared to his mother. “We do charity work as a family sometimes, too.”
When they walked through the market stalls, he showed great interest in the meat section, and even stopped to ask the operators questions.
“Getting ideas?” she asked when he finished.
He chuckled. “They do have good displays. This market is a little nicer than ours.” He chuckled. “Ours is a lot smaller besides.” He looked along the row of stalls. “They just go on forever.”
“I know. And our stall is right at the back. Follow me.”
They strolled along one of the rows until they came to Honor and Joy. They were busy serving, so they just waved at them while Ezekiel had a quick look at the stall. Then they kept moving.
“I wonder if Ada needs anything. I should've asked before I came here.”
“It’s not likely. Ada and Mamm trade fruit and vegetables between themselves. What one wants, they just take from the other, and Samuel gets meat from his bruder.”
“I didn't know Ada and your mother were so close.”
“They’ve been best friends ever since I can remember.”
“It seems that Ada is one of those people who knows everyone.”
“She and Samuel travel to other communities a lot. Samuel doesn’t work every day now that he’s older and it gives them the time to do it.”
After they walked up and down more of the aisles, Florence was getting a little bored, but Ezekiel seemed to be enjoying himself. “Are you ready to go to the other markets now?” she asked, giving him a gentle hint.
His attention was taken by something else. “Feel like a bite to eat first?”
She suddenly realized how hungry she was and followed his gaze to one of the two cafes at the entrance of the markets. “Okay. That’d be nice.”
“Will this place be okay, or do you know somewhere else that's better?”
“I believe the food’s nice here, although I've never tried it myself.”
He sniffed the air. “The smell of the coffee is what got to me.”
“Let’s try it.” They both walked into the cafe that was near the front of the markets. They sat down and he passed her one of the two menus on the table.
“Order anything you like, my treat.”
“Denke.” She scanned down the menu. “I think I might have a toasted cheese and bacon sandwich.”
“Is that all?”
“That's all I feel like. And maybe a coffee. Since that's what pulled us into this place.” She finished looking at the menu and looked across at him. “What will you have?”
“I think I’ll have the spaghetti Bolognese.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Do you want to change your order?”
She shook her head. “Nee.”
They stayed at the cafe for another hour, talking and eating, and ended up having a second cup of coffee.
They both finished their last swallow at the same time and then stared at one another, smiling.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked
“I am, but I'm still nervous about picking out a gift for your mudder.”
He laughed. “Also, Ada. I'll get something for her allowing me to stay at her place.”
As Florence rose to her feet, she said, “Ach! Even more pressure.”
Ezekiel laughed. “I'm sure you'll be okay. You'll do fine. And selecting something for Ada should be easier since you know her.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Chapter 6
Soon after Joy had spotted Florence and Ezekiel as she looked up from her stall, Isaac appeared. Joy quickly turned around looking in all directions for Florence, but s
he’d gone.
Fortunately for Joy, the number of customers had lessened, so she left Honor by herself and went to speak with Isaac. He wore his usual grin.
“I don’t have long,” he told her.
“Neither do I, or Honor will complain.”
“I just saw Florence and Ezekiel. They didn’t see me. They were sitting down eating and looked pretty cozy.”
“That’s interesting. I saw them too about five or maybe ten minutes ago. I don’t know what they were doing here. Probably keeping an eye on us. Florence would’ve been, anyway.”
His face lit up with mischief. “She doesn’t need to do that, does she?”
Joy shrugged. “Nee, but it’s just strange for them to be here.”
Isaac’s eyes sparkled with humor. “They looked like they were getting along.”
“Did they?”
“Jah, they look like an old married couple.”
Joy giggled and shoved his arm slightly. “I’ll tell her you said that.”
He chuckled. “You’d better not. I don’t want to end up on the wrong side of Florence like Jonathon is.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean, but she’s just trying to protect Honor.”
“I know that’s the reason, but still …”
“Let’s not waste time talking about anyone else. I couldn’t wait to see you today.”
His grin got wider. “Me too.”
“I was hoping and praying you would come to see me. How did you get the time off?”
“It’s my lunch break.”
“It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”
“We were busy, so I waited to take my lunch when it got quieter. Now, I have to hurry back.”
Joy pouted. “Do you have to go already? You only just got here.”
“I have to. I really should stay in the back room to eat. Normally I would, but I just had to come see you.” He took her hand and squeezed it and her heart melted. “What time should I collect you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be doing chores until twelve, so, any time after that.”
“One minute after twelve.” He raised his eyebrows and she giggled again.
“That’s fine by me. Wait!” She shook her head. “I’m working here again tomorrow.”
“But it’s my day off and we planned—”
“I know. I’m sorry. Come for dinner tonight instead?”
“Tonight?”
“Jah.”
He smiled broadly. “I’ll be there.” Slowly he placed her hand back down by her side, released it, and then turned and walked away. She stood and watched him leave. A few steps later, he turned around and gave her a wave. She waved in reply, and then hurried back to the stall.
“You’re in love,” Honor said when Joy got back.
“I think I am. I can’t imagine feeling more for anyone than I do for him. I feel so good when he’s around. I feel as though I come alive, and when he’s gone I feel as though I’m not really living. Is that crazy?”
“Jah. It is. Now you know how I feel about Jonathon.”
“Nee, it’s nothing like it. The difference between you and me is that I wouldn’t run away.”
“I know that—because you’re perfect.” Honor rolled her eyes.
Joy didn’t want to start an argument and she already regretted what she’d said. “I didn’t say I was perfect, but I do try to do the right thing as much as possible.” Joy flipped her kapp strings over her shoulders as though she was shrugging off her earlier words.
“What if running away was your only option to stop you from losing Isaac forever? What would you do? Choose your family or Isaac?”
Joy scoffed. “It was more like, choose the community or go with your boyfriend. No, wait a minute. You did leave the community to go with your boyfriend.”
“Stop it.” Honor glared at her and then her fingertips quickly covered a yawn.
“Ha! You’re tired because you spent most of the night speaking with Jonathon. I heard you. It was like one o’clock in the morning when he left.”
“Nee. Was it that late?”
“It was. I know it because I couldn’t sleep with the two of you talking. You should’ve told him to go because of us both having to wake up at four to get here in time.”
“I couldn’t do that. I’d miss sleep anytime to be with him for another moment.”
Joy shook her head. “Just think of others, though.”
“I can’t help it if you’re a light sleeper.”
“You’re lovesick,” Joy said.
“So are you.”
Joy rolled her eyes and just then some customers walked over to the stall and they had to end their conversation.
* * *
Florence rarely found the time to wander through stores looking at what was for sale. There were always more important things to attend to. Now she and Ezekiel were at the crafts markets, and they were stopping to look at so many different things—jewelry, leather handbags and shoes, and all manner of handcrafted toys, and clothing, and candles ... the variety seemed endless.
Ezekiel couldn’t make up his mind and after half an hour, Florence was tiring. “Do you have any idea at all what you're after?”
“Not really, I was kind of hoping you would know.”
“I don't know what your mother would like, but I think Ada would like something practical. Something she could use rather than something pretty to look at.”
“Okay, well, that's a good start." They came across boot-cleaning kits in wooden boxes. “What about this?”
She took a step closer. “You've got brown polish there, and black polish, leather cream, brushes—everything you need. Who are you thinking of for that?”
“I don't know.”
“It is practical.”
“That's what I was thinking,” Ezekiel said.
“I'm not sure who does the boot cleaning, though. It might be Samuel rather than Ada.”
He put the kit back on the shelf with the others and looked at her. “Who does it in your family?”
“Mostly, we do our own.”
He picked it back up. “I like it and if she likes practical things, she'll like this.”
“Okay. That's one gift down.”
He paid for it and it was handed to him in a large paper bag with string handles. “Where to now?”
“We’ll keep going up and down the aisles until something jumps out at you for your mudder.”
“Or something jumps out at you, since you're helping me.”
“You were the one who spotted that present for Ada.”
He chuckled. “I know, I quite surprised myself. What about this?” He reached out and took hold of a needlework cushion kit. “I like this.” He held it up. It had the design already marked on the fabric and had needles and threads to go with it. “What do you think?”
“I like it too. The red and the green in the flowers will be quite striking. Do you think it’ll be too bright for your mudder?”
“Nee. Everything else in the house is gray. This will brighten the place up and she loves this kind of thing.”
She took a closer look and saw it was cross-stitch. “Are you positive?”
“Yes.”
She laughed at the concentration on his face. “Get it, then.”
“Okay, I will.”
He paid for it and soon after that he got presents for his two brothers and a bunch of flowers for Wilma.
“How come Wilma got flowers?”
“Because she's a lovely lady and I'm thanking her for dinner last night.”
“You don't have to do that.”
“I like buying things for people. What about you? Anything look good to you? I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“I don't need anything. In fact, I'll be quite upset if you get me anything. You bought me lunch, so there you go.”
“Okay. I don't want you to get upset with me or you mightn’t go out with me again.”
She giggled at his comment. It made her fe
el good.
On the way out of the markets, he said, “Would you like to?”
Florence looked up at him. “Would I like to what?”
“Go out with me again?”
“Oh. Jah, I would. I'd like that.” She surprised herself that she genuinely meant it. She wanted to see him again.
Chapter 7
When they got to Florence's house, he pulled up the buggy and looked over at her.
“Thank you for coming out with me today, Florence. Would you be free to do something with me tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
He rubbed his chin. “I gave my word I’d help Samuel with rebuilding a chimney at Simon Miller house, but that might not take long.”
“Simon? His fraa, Liza’s my best friend. I’d love to come along. I didn’t know there was anything wrong with their chimney.”
“It’s stone and it’s crumbling away in pieces. How about I collect you around nine and we can go together?”
“Nine in the morning sounds perfect. I’ll call Liza from the phone in the barn and make sure she’s going to be home."
"Samuel said she’d be supplying us with refreshments.”
“Wunderbaar. I don’t even need to call.”
He smiled at her. “I better get Wilma’s flowers out and give them to her.”
“She'll be delighted. She loves flowers in the house when our garden is in bloom.”
Florence climbed out of the buggy and together they walked up to the house. She pushed open the front door and then looked around for her stepmother. “I'll have to look in the kitchen.”
Right then, Wilma came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. “Oh! I wasn't expecting you home quite so early.”
“Is it early? It feels like we've had a long day.” She quickly added, “I mean, because we fitted so much in," not wanting him to think she'd been bored.
“It's only four o'clock,” Wilma said.
He held the flowers out to her. “These are for you, Wilma. “
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that's very kind.” She took the bunch from him, and stared at the daisies mixed with pink and burgundy lilies, and a scattering of deeper pink roses. “I can't remember the last time anyone brought me flowers.” She took them from him. “Denke. I'll just put these in some water. Come into the kitchen and I'll make you both kaffe.” They followed her in and sat down and then she turned to face them with the teakettle in her hands. “You will be staying for dinner, won't you, Ezekiel?”
A Simple Kiss (The Amish Bonnet Sisters Book 3) Page 4