The sky was gray and a chilling wind swept through the orchard. It was anything but beautiful. She climbed into the buggy next to him. “Are you looking forward to the day ahead?”
“I am. I helped work on a chimney not long ago, so I do have some experience.”
As the horse clip-clopped along the road, their relaxed conversation continued, allowing Florence to release some of the tension her home-life so often brought.
When they pulled up at Liza and Simon’s house, Liza was waiting at the door. Florence stepped down and walked to meet her while Ezekiel secured the horse.
“I’m so pleased you’re here because I’ve been wanting to tell you this for days.” Liza then glanced across at Ezekiel. “Oh! Hello. I didn’t see you there.”
Florence noticed Liza was unusually flustered.
“I’m here to help with the chimney,” Ezekiel told her.
“Liza, this is Ezekiel Troyer.”
“Pleased to meet you. Denke for coming to help. That’s wunderbaar. The men are around the back.”
“I hope I’m not late.”
“Nee. They’ve only been here five minutes. I’ll take you to them.”
After they accompanied Ezekiel to where the men were just getting started, Liza looped her arm through Florence’s and pulled her into the house through the back door.
“Now, what’s this news?” Florence stared into her friend’s face as they stood facing each other in the center of the kitchen. The glowing skin, her big smile and those sparkling eyes could only mean one thing. “You’re having another boppli?”
She giggled. “I am”
The two women hugged. Florence was so overjoyed for her friend that it felt like something good had happened for her. This wasn’t the right time to unburden all her worries. She’d hold them in for now. “That’s so soon.”
“I know. The two will be close together and we're hoping for another boy to be close in age with Malachi. Simon had Michael, and they were only a year apart.”
Florence nodded as an image of Michael came into her mind, reminding her of his rejection of her.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned Michael.”
“Nee, that’s okay. I’m over that now. I was over that a long time ago, believe me.”
“I’m sure he didn’t know you liked him. You should’ve let him know.”
Florence shook her head. “That would’ve only made the inevitable rejection harder to bear.”
“Oh, Florence, you shouldn’t say that.”
“That’s all in the past. I’m so pleased for you. Your life’s turning out just perfectly.”
“I know, it is. Can I fix you some kaffe?”
“Please. I’d love a cup.”
The noise from the banging and hammering in the living room was too loud, so Liza closed the door of the kitchen and they sat down with their coffee mugs at the kitchen table.
“Now, tell me about Ezekiel?”
“I spent the whole day with him yesterday.”
“And, what do you think of him?”
“He’s nice.”
“Oh.” Liza’s shoulders dropped.
Florence laughed. “Nice, in a good way.”
“Are you interested in him?”
Liza knew her better than anyone. “I haven’t really gotten to know him yet. That’s what I’m doing in the week that he’s here.” She sipped her hot coffee.
“That’s good.”
Florence placed her mug carefully down on the table. “He’s very easy to be around.”
“That’s what you need. You need to marry someone who’s also a friend.”
“I guess so.”
“I mean, most people go through rough patches in their marriage. It’s mostly at the beginning when you’re adjusting to one another.”
Florence screwed up her nose. That part didn’t sound like much fun.
“But, it’s so worth it when you get through that bit,” Liza added.
“Is that the same for everyone?”
“Most people. It’s not easy sometimes.”
“It should be easy. I want a love that’s no effort whatsoever. A love where I don’t have to work at it.”
Liza laughed. “I hope you find it. You always complain about your sisters being unrealistic and now I know they get that from you.”
Florence grimaced. “Nee. I’m a very practical person.” She leaned forward and whispered, “I’m just hoping it works out with Ezekiel. It would be nice to have someone special in my life.”
“And no one deserves it more than you. You’re always doing everything for everyone else.”
“When Earl and Mark moved away after Dat died, I had to assume the role as the oldest. Naturally, there’s not much time to think about myself with running the orchard and everything.”
“The orchard, the shop, the household and everything else. I hope they appreciate you.”
Florence wasn’t doing it for appreciation. She was doing it because that was what needed to be done.
“If Ezekiel’s right for you, it’ll happen.” Liza took a mouthful of coffee.
“That’s true. Oh, Liza, I’m so pleased for you. You waited long enough for your first boppli and now to have another one straight after, you must be thrilled.”
“I am. It’s wunderbaar, and Simon’s … well he just doesn’t have words to express himself, but he cried when I told him.”
Florence laughed. “I hope they were happy tears.”
“Most definitely, tears of joy.” The two of them shared a little chuckle. “I have something to ask you.”
“What’s that?”
“Will you be there at the birth, to help me?”
Florence was delighted she asked. “Really?”
“Jah, I’d love it if you would.”
“I’d love to.”
“Denke. I was going to ask you last time, but my schweschder-in-law pushed her way in and volunteered. I didn’t want too many people there. This time, I’m getting in first with you, and I’ll tell her no.”
“I’d be truly honored to be there to share your special moment. I can’t think of anything I’d like more. I’d love it.” Liza felt closer to her than any of her own half-sisters did.
When Florence left Liza’s, she rode homeward in the buggy beside Ezekiel, her mind full of mixed feelings. She’d gone there to unburden her woes. She wasn’t expecting Liza's good news – news that brought home to her what her own life had become.
She glanced over at Ezekiel who seemed much quieter than usual. “Are you tired?”
“Very. It was hard work.”
That was all he said. He seemed to be in a funny mood and Florence couldn’t work out why. Perhaps he was just tired.
Chapter 13
Across town, Joy and Hope were serving at their stall at the farmers market. Hope left to get a mid-afternoon take-out coffee, leaving her sister at the stall alone.
Joy was busy serving a customer. She took the money and then handed her customer a bag containing two jars of pickles and a jar of apple sauce. Once the customer left, she noticed her friend Bliss Bruner was standing close by. There was a quiet moment between customers, so she waved Bliss over.
Before even saying hello, Bliss said, “Did you realize my vadder likes your mudder?”
Joy’d had her suspicions about that ever since Levi Bruner had gifted their family Wilbur—a fine gelding. If her mother felt the same about him, Joy wasn’t sure how she herself would feel about a stepfather. “Really? He likes her?”
“Jah. He didn’t admit it, but he talks about her an awful lot and what a wunderbaar woman she is.” Bliss laughed. “Do you think they’d make a good pair?”
“I don't know, I have to think about it a bit more.”
“I’ve been thinking about it.”
Joy laughed.
“What if we arrange something where they could spend some more time alone?”
Joy winced. She didn’t want to interfere. Her mother had never shown any
interest in men apart from Dat. Still, she didn’t feel she could say no. Bliss seemed so excited. “What did you have in mind?”
“Maybe, a dinner. What if just your mudder comes to my place for dinner, and then I'll leave them alone?”
That sounded awful. “That would be a little obvious, don't you think?”
“Nee.”
“I don't think she’d like it. It’d make her feel awkward, and she might think your vadder arranged it.”
“Does she even want to get married again?”
“I don't think so, Bliss.” Joy shook her head. “She's never talked about it.” Joy didn't know if she or any of her sisters was ready to have a stepfather. “I really don't think we should do anything. If it's meant to be, and if Gott wants it to happen, it will.” She smiled at Bliss, hoping she’d see the sense in that.
Bliss giggled. “Yeah, but it won't matter if we help it along a bit, will it?”
“I'm not comfortable with that,” Joy said.
“Why not? You were a moment ago.”
“Now I’ve had time to think about it, though, and I'm not interested in interfering.”
More customers approached the counter, and Bliss stepped back. Once the customers left, Bliss carried on talking. “It will affect their lives, Joy, but only for the better. Aw, come on. You used to be more fun than this.”
“Fun? I am fun. But this doesn't sound like fun to me.”
Bliss blew out a deep breath. “I should've asked one of your sisters.”
“Maybe it was just as well you didn't. I can't believe you think I'm not fun. I’m just the same as I always was.”
“Don’t you think it would be good if my vadder and your mudder got married?”
“Sure, if that's what they want. It would be great, but she's never spoken about marrying again.” And then she had to know about Bliss’s father. “Has your vadder mentioned anything about a second marriage?”
“Not so much. I mean, he talks about your mudder, but he doesn't talk about marrying her.” Bliss leaned forward. “Does she talk about him?”
“Nee, not really. Not like that.” She couldn’t remember her mother ever talking about him at all.
“Ach.” The smile left Bliss’s face.
“That could be because we've had so much going on with Mercy getting married and then Cherish going away. Now there’s the Honor and Jonathon saga. Every day there seems to be some drama or other playing out.”
“At least it sounds interesting.” Bliss sighed. “Nothing ever happens at my place. It's boring with just me and Dat.”
“'Boring?' You mean peaceful. Give me boring any day.”
Bliss laughed. “I suppose it's all in the way you view it.”
Joy nodded. “Anyway, it's interesting to know your Dat is sweet on Mamm.”
“Don't you tell anyone. He’ll be so upset with me.”
“I won't say anything to Mamm, but I might tell one of my sisters—if that's okay? It’s hard to keep things from them. Keeping any kind of a secret is not easy in our house.”
“Okay.”
“Here comes Hope now. About time. I can’t do all this by myself. We’re going to have the after-work crowd soon.”
“I’ll go. Bye now.” Bliss hurried away before Joy could even say goodbye.
“What did she want?” Isaac frowned looking at Bliss striding away.
Joy was startled. She hadn't seen Isaac approaching from the other direction. “She just had some silly things she wanted me to be a part of.”
“Like what?” Hope took a careful sip of her take-out coffee as she joined them.
Joy was now focused on coffee. She had thought Hope might’ve bought her one too. “Where’s mine?”
“I thought you’d like to stretch your legs and get your own.”
Joy grumbled.
“Take a walk with Isaac, but don’t be too long.”
“Unlike you, I won’t.” Joy took hold of her purse from under the counter and then Isaac and she walked away from the stall.
“Was Bliss talking about me?” he asked.
His question took her by surprise. "What? Nee, of course not. It wasn't about you. What makes you think that?”
“She left when she saw me coming. She's your friend and she probably doesn't think I'm good enough for you.” He glanced over his shoulder, and then looked back at Joy. “Did she say something like that to you?”
She stared at Isaac. She’d never seen this side of him. “Why are you saying these things?”
“Things have never come easy for me, Joy. My size has always been an issue.” He looked down at himself.
“There’s nothing wrong with your size.” He was only a little larger than others, and Joy liked the way he looked.
He patted his stomach. “I'm overweight. And when people see that, they think I’m lazy and not a hard worker. I’ve always been this way.”
“She was talking about her vadder and my mudder, if you must know. I didn’t want to say it, but she had the idea she and I should push them together.”
Slowly, he nodded while studying her face. “If that’s true, it sounds like meddling to me.”
“Meddling ... yes, that's a good word. Sounds like it to me too. Hey, what do you mean by 'if that’s true?' Of course it is. Why would I say something untrue to you?”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I guess you've heard the news about Honor and Jonathon? The shocking news, I should say.”
“Jah, Jonathon mentioned they’re getting married. I was there when he told Mark and Christina.”
“I’m a little shocked, but anyway, that ruins your plan of moving out with him. They’re moving away, too. Heading back to Wisconsin. I forget what the Amish community there is called.”
“Jah. He told me all that—but I don't recall the name of their community either.” He rubbed his chin. “Do you want coffee?”
“Not now. Let’s just walk around. Talking about Honor getting married has made me feel a little sick. I've gone from five sisters to two in just a couple of months. Not counting Florence, that is.”
“Big changes for you.”
She sighed. “It makes me feel uneasy somehow.”
“In what way?”
“I just want things the way they were before Stephen appeared. He took Mercy away. It was only supposed to be for a year, but there’s no sign of them returning.”
Isaac nodded. “That's the thing about life, things never stay the same. Everything is always changing and there's nothing much we can do about it.”
“I guess.”
“Do they have a date for the wedding? Jonathon didn’t say.”
“I don't know, but I think it's going to be soon because Jonathon has to start work back home.” She shook her head. “I can't believe Mamm allowed this.”
“Aren’t you happy for Honor?”
“Not really, if I'm honest.”
He opened his mouth in shock. “Why not?”
“I think she should've waited to see if someone else came along that she’d like better.”
He stared at her in disbelief and then looked down. When they had walked another couple of paces, he asked, “Is that what you’re doing with me?”
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
“I need some kind of assurance of your feelings. Can’t you give me that?”
Joy didn't like being put on the spot. Was he asking if she intended marrying him? That was something she’d think about in a few years, not now. “I'm way too young to get married now and I don't think I'll be ready to marry when I'm seventeen or even eighteen. I want to be fully grown up and ready to make a responsible decision.” That’s what Florence was always telling her and her sisters and she wanted to do the right thing. After all, among the Amish, marriage was for life.
He slowly nodded. “So where do things stand with us?”
“I like you, otherwise I wouldn't be spending so much time with you. I’m just being hone
st right now.”
He shook his head. “I know what the problem is. And it's a problem I can't do anything about.” He stopped still, and then left her there and walked away in the other direction.
“Wait!” She caught up with him and touched his arm and he stopped. “What's the matter?” When Isaac turned to face her, she saw how upset he was. “Why are you acting so strange today?”
He frowned and took a step away from her. “Because I don't like wasting anyone's time.”
“Well if you're asking me if I want to marry you at some future date, how can I say yes or no? It’ll depend on how I feel then. If I knew how I’d feel then I’d say so, but I don’t.”
“Okay, I won't pressure you.”
She pointed her hands on her hips. “Good, because I don't like being pressured.”
They both stared at each other for a moment. Joy hoped that would be the end of this topic and they could go back to being how they were. Then, Isaac walked away leaving her standing there. This time, she made no attempt to stop him. She had no patience for his sulky attitude. What she did regret was forgetting to buy her take-out coffee.
Chapter 14
After a week of Florence seeing Ezekiel nearly every day, the time came for him to leave. She’d gotten to know him as the strong quiet type. He saw humor in little things and was even-tempered. She saw nothing bad in him, and from what she knew of him, he seemed like a good choice for a husband.
They were alone on Florence’s porch after he’d said goodbye to Wilma and the girls. It was just on dusk as they said their personal goodbyes. A car was coming to collect him from Ada and Samuel’s house early the next morning.
“Florence, what I want to say to you is that I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”
“So have I. It's been really enjoyable.”
He cleared his throat. “And there’s something else I need to say.”
She looked up at him. “And what's that?” She didn't want him to propose and she hoped that wasn't what he was about to do. If he did, she’d have to turn him down, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings and neither did she want to close any doors with him. Anxiousness caused her to bite down on the inside of her mouth.
A Simple Kiss (The Amish Bonnet Sisters Book 3) Page 7