The van stopped and things were quiet, except for the steady idle of the engine.
Amy slowly opened her eyes. Even though a dog had run out in front of them, they’d avoided a bad outcome. “That was close.” She drew in a shaky breath as she watched the pooch wander off the street and into a nearby yard.
Pauline drummed the steering wheel. “I wish owners would keep a better watch on their pets.”
“Henry has a dog, but he keeps the mutt penned up when he’s not able to keep an eye on him.” Amy pulled on the seatbelt to get some slack again, as it felt like it was cutting into her neck. She hoped the flowers in the back of the vehicle weren’t disturbed from the force it took to stop. She looked straight ahead while her driver resumed the proper speed.
It wasn’t long before they pulled into a space in front of Sara’s flower shop. Amy got out of the van and went inside.
“It’s good to see you. How have you and your family been?” Sara asked when Amy stepped up to the counter.
“Not the best, but we’re getting by.” Amy was tempted to mention what had happened with their mailbox, but since it had been replaced with a larger, stronger one that locked, she saw no reason to bring the topic up. Lenore’s husband, Jesse, had come over to help Henry erect the new mailbox, so everything was as it should be, at least for the time being.
Amy had suggested to her mother that they call the sheriff’s office to report the incident, but Mom said it wasn’t necessary since they had no evidence or even a clue as to who had done it. Amy figured if her brother was guilty of the vandalism, Mom wouldn’t want the law involved.
Amy gestured toward the window, where her driver’s van sat in front of the building. “I came with the cut flowers you ordered yesterday. I wanted to get them to you early in case you needed them for any orders you might have for today.”
“I appreciate it because we got several new orders yesterday before closing time.” Sara glanced out the window. “If you’ll ask your driver to pull around to the back of the store, we can get them unloaded.”
“Sure, no problem.” Amy went out the door and gave directions to Pauline. This was the first time Amy had been the one to deliver flowers to Sara’s shop and the first time she’d called upon their new driver.
While the van pulled around back, Amy returned to the flower shop. “Pauline should be at the back door soon,” she announced to Sara.
“Okay, I’ll let my designer, Misty, know. She and my new assistant, Stephanie, will unload the flowers and bring them into the back room.” Sara disappeared into the other room and returned a few minutes later. “I spoke to your driver. She said she’d pick you up out front.”
“Okay.”
Sara moved over to front counter. “While they’re unloading, I’ll write you a check for the flowers.”
“Thank you.”
While Sara took care of that, Amy meandered around the floral shop, observing the lovely way Sara had decorated the place. She paused to admire a glass cross and several other pretty trinkets that adorned the table. She moved around the store, soaking it all in. The window display and every table and shelf in this room had something unique and attractive to look at in addition to some of the bouquets and houseplants Sara offered her customers.
Amy’s excitement overflowed as an idea popped into her head. “If you have some free time some evening, Sara, if you wouldn’t mind, maybe you could come by the greenhouse and offer us some suggestions as to how we might display the items we have for sale in a more appealing way. Once that new greenhouse we’ve heard about opens for business, we’re going to have some competition, so we need to make an effort to keep up with them.”
“One thing you must keep in mind, Amy, is that tourists seem to be attracted to the Amish way of life. And since your place is owned and run by Plain People, it is, and will continue to be, a tourist attraction. That is one key thing the new business probably won’t have.” Sara handed Amy a check. “Now, as for me coming over and giving you some suggestions, I’d be happy to drop by. If Brad isn’t busy, maybe he’d like to come with me.”
Amy smiled. “That would be nice. Maybe he’d be willing to have a talk with my brother. He needs cheering up and some guidance these days.” She hoped she hadn’t said too much or that her mother wouldn’t get upset about it. Sara wasn’t a family member or the first person Mom would turn to for advice about personal matters.
“I’ve suspected as much. Henry’s the one who has been making deliveries since the deaths of your family members, and I’ve noticed a deep sadness in his eyes.”
“It’s not just his sadness, for we all have that. It’s his angry, defiant attitude I’m most worried about.” Amy’s facial muscles tightened. “Mom’s going to ask one of our preachers to speak with Henry, but it wouldn’t hurt if Brad spoke to him too.”
“When I go home this evening, I’ll bring up the topic.” Sara touched Amy’s arm. “I’ll also be praying for Henry as well as you and the rest of your family.”
“Thank you.” Amy caught sight of her driver’s van out front, so she turned toward the door. “Guess I’d better go. Henry didn’t want to make the deliveries this morning, and he’s supposed to be in the store helping Mom. I need to get back there in case he’s not cooperating.”
“Okay, I’ll see you some evening later this week.”
Amy opened the door, but before she could exit the store, Sara’s father, Herschel Fisher, stepped in. His towering form was unmistakable. He offered her a warm smile. “It’s nice to see you, Amy. How are things going for you and your family?”
“We’re getting by.”
“I wish I lived closer and didn’t have my store to run, or I’d come by and help out with some chores.”
“It’s okay, Herschel. We’re managing.” Amy started out the door, calling over her shoulder, “If you think about it, please let your mamm know that we’re having a sale at the greenhouse next week.”
“I surely will.”
Amy waved and hurried to get into her driver’s van. She didn’t know Herschel all that well but remembered him coming to the greenhouse a few times with his mother. Amy thought he was a nice man, and it was refreshing to see how kind he was to his mother. Even though Herschel was in his early sixties, he seemed attentive to his mom’s needs.
Not like Henry, she thought with regret. He’s too caught up in his own little world of grief and anger to care about how Mom feels these days.
Rolling her shoulders to loosen the tension she felt, Belinda glanced at the battery-operated clock sitting on the counter. Just another hour and it would be time to close the greenhouse for the day; then she could hitch her horse to the buggy and pay a visit to Preacher Thomas Raber and his wife. Thomas was one of the older ministers in their church, and he’d had plenty of experience in the thirty-some years since he’d acquired the position through the drawing of lots. She felt confident that he’d be willing to speak with Henry. She just hoped her son would listen to the minister’s words and heed his counsel, because she really didn’t want to trouble Ezekiel again. Besides, it hadn’t worked last time, so he probably wouldn’t succeed with Henry anyhow.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you something.” Amy interrupted Belinda’s thoughts. “Sara and her husband might come by some evening soon. I asked her to take a look at how things are arranged here in the greenhouse and give me some ideas on how to feature our plants and flowers in a way that will draw the customers’ attention.”
Belinda tapped a pen against the tablet in front of her. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt, but I don’t see what’s wrong with the way we’re displaying things now.”
“It couldn’t hurt to get Sara’s professional opinion.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“She’s going to ask her husband to come along, and I suggested that he might want to have a talk with Henry.”
Belinda’s toes curled inside her shoes. “Why would you do that, Amy? Didn’t I tell you that I was planning to spe
ak with one of our ministers about Henry’s attitude?”
Amy’s cheeks flushed. “Well, jah, but Brad’s also a minister so I just thought—”
“You shouldn’t have been talking to Sara about our problems.”
“Why not?”
“Because they aren’t a part of our family.”
“Neither is Preacher Raber.”
“No, but he is an important part of our Amish church—not to mention that he knows us quite well.” Belinda rubbed her chin, mulling things over. “Since there are only a few people here at the moment and it’s almost time to close up the greenhouse, I’m going to head over to the Rabers’ right now. Will you please lock up after the last customer leaves, and then go help Sylvia get supper started?”
“Of course.” Amy touched Belinda’s shoulder. “I hope you’re not umgerennt because I talked with Sara about Henry. She already suspected he was having a hard time because of how he’s acted when he’s made deliveries to her flower shop.”
“Sorry, I probably overreacted. If Preacher Raber doesn’t get through to Henry, then I have no problem with Sara’s husband talking to your bruder.” Belinda gave a deep sigh. “I just hope that someone will be able to get through to that boy. It’s difficult enough to face all the negative things life can dish out. I can’t stand the thought of losing Henry because he’s chosen to pull away from us all.”
As Amy stood in the kitchen next to her sister, each working on a different dish for supper, she couldn’t help noticing the dark circles beneath Sylvia’s eyes. With Amy’s bedroom being across the hall from the room Sylvia shared with her children, she could often hear heart-wrenching sobs. Amy shed tears some nights too, but it was quiet crying, and at least she was able to sleep.
“Did you get a nap today?” Amy’s question broke through the silence.
Sylvia shook her head. “I tidied up in the bedroom and bathroom, but afterward I felt drained.” She gave the salad a quick toss. “A little later, I lay on the bed with the kinner, but I was unable to sleep—could not turn off the thoughts.”
“I’m sorry.” Maybe Preacher Raber should talk to my sister too, Amy thought. She may not be grumbling all the time and saying hurtful things, but she hasn’t even begun to let go of her grief and could certainly use some spiritual guidance. When the minister came by to talk to Henry, Amy hoped he would see how badly Sylvia was hurting and spend some time counseling her as well. With the way things were now, it didn’t look like Sylvia would ever be able to function as she once had. And if things didn’t change, Henry might spend the rest of his life mad at God and taking out his frustrations on the rest of the world.
The next day, shortly after the greenhouse opened, Preacher Raber and his wife, Rebekah, came by.
“Is your brother around?” the minister asked when Amy greeted them near the door.
Amy shrugged. “I think he’s in the barn, but I’m not sure. Knowing Henry, he could be most anywhere.” Trying to get out of work, she mentally added.
“I’ll look there first, while my fraa does some shopping for gardening things.” The preacher grinned at his wife and gave her a thumbs-up before heading out the door.
Amy smiled. I hope if I ever get married, my husband is as generous as Thomas Raber. Her smile faded. But it doesn’t look like I’ll ever become a married woman. My responsibility is here helping Mom. That’s just how it is.
She had to admit though, seeing Jared at the biweekly services was a challenge. She would look anywhere but in his direction. She’d made up her mind about not seeing him anymore and wouldn’t budge from her resolve. Sylvia had asked about Jared, but she didn’t push at all or try to sway Amy’s decision. Amy also had to admit, her life had become pretty boring staying home so much and not going to young people’s gatherings with Jared. She kept so busy at the greenhouse, there wasn’t time to even get together with Lydia anymore.
Maybe it’s for the best, Amy told herself. Lydia might try and talk me into seeing Jared again. She did go to bat for him when he asked for her help.
While Amy sauntered through the greenhouse, absorbed in thought, her foot caught hold of a watering hose that had been left on the concrete floor. She nearly fell but caught herself in time. Amy looked around and brushed some dirt off the bottom of her dress. Mom’s back was turned, so she apparently hadn’t noticed Amy’s near spill.
Since her mother was busy putting new seed packets on a shelf, Amy took a seat behind the counter. There were no customers other than the preacher’s wife at the moment, which gave Amy more time to let her mind wander. I wonder what Jared is doing today. Has he had many roofing jobs this week? She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter. Amy pictured herself and Jared as a married couple, out running errands together.
She shook those unrealistic thoughts away and chided herself. I have to stop thinking about him.
Sitting up tall and looking around the greenhouse, Amy remembered her walk out to the mailbox this morning. She’d been relieved when she found the new box intact. Amy figured the attack on their old mailbox had most likely been done by some rowdy kids looking for something to do that they could brag about to all their friends. She didn’t want to believe her brother could have done something like that, for if Henry was the guilty one, then his anger had gotten the best of him and needed to be brought under control.
Amy hoped Preacher Raber had been able to locate her brother and that Henry would listen to and heed everything being said.
Mom finished watering the closest plants and then coiled the hose and hung it on the hooks above the shelf. “I’d better get this up and out of the way before someone trips over it.”
Too late, Mom. I already did. Amy snickered at her failure to watch where she stepped. It was a good thing it had happened to her though, and not one of their customers.
“How’d things go with the preacher and Henry?” Amy asked her mother after Thomas and Rebekah Raber left with a few bedding plants. “I assume the minister told you how his conversation went?”
“Jah, he did.” Mom bobbed her head. “Apparently, Henry seemed to be listening, but that doesn’t mean he will heed the preacher’s words and change his attitude.”
Amy nodded along as her mother spoke. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it goes.”
Her stomach growled, and she strolled over to the snack bag and took out an orange, which she peeled. “Mom, would you like half of my aarensch?”
“An orange sounds good. I could use a little pick-me-up.”
They’d finished the treat, when Henry entered the building. His face was red, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. “Did you hetze the preacher on me?” He moved close to their mother.
“I did not sic Thomas Raber on you, Henry. I just told him you were having a hard time dealing with the death of our family members and asked if he would talk to you—offer some words of encouragement.”
Henry’s features tightened as he crossed his arms. “Sounds like siccing to me.” He looked over at Amy and squinted. “You don’t need to stand there lookin’ so perfect, either. You miss Dad and Abe too, and truth be told, you don’t like workin’ here anymore than I do. You’re just too nicey-nice to say so.”
Amy drew a deep breath and held it as she counted to ten. How could Henry speak that way to Mom? If Dad were here, he’d have something to say about this. Furthermore, I don’t appreciate Henry’s tone and what he’s been saying to me either. She had half a mind to put her brother in his place once and for all.
Mom stood up straight and looked at Henry. “I’ll have you know, young man, that your sister hurts just as much as you do over the loss of your daed and bruder. I’m sure she misses Toby too. But Amy cares enough about this family to work in the greenhouse without complaint, and she doesn’t take her frustrations out on others.”
Mom’s voice had grown louder. It was a good thing there were no customers at the moment. “She sacrificed being courted by Jared in order to give all her time and
attention to helping me keep this business running and bringing in the money we need to survive.” She pointed at Henry. “What sacrifices have you made, Son?”
“I guess none. At least that’s the way you two see it.” Henry whirled around and dashed out the door.
Amy lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “That didn’t go over so well, did it?”
Mom shook head. “No, I should say not. We need to keep praying for your brother and not let up until we see a change.”
“Jah, and the same goes for Sylvia. I think it would help if she kept busy with something other than household chores. And for sure, she needs to be around people and socialize more.” Just like Mom, I’ll be praying too. I hope there will be a change for someone in our family soon.
Sylvia was resting on the couch while the children napped, when she heard the back door open and slam shut. Henry stomped into the room.
“You’d best be ready, Sister, ’cause you’ll probably be next.”
“Next for what?” she asked, sitting up. “And please lower your voice. Your niece and nephew are asleep.”
“Sorry.” He sank into their father’s favorite chair. “As I was saying … You’ll probably be next to get chewed out by Mom. Maybe Amy will put in her two cents’ worth too.”
“Why would they do that?”
“’Cause they did it to me—at least Mom did. Our sister just stood there listening and bobbing her head.” Henry groaned as he leaned back in the chair. “Mom asked Preacher Raber to have a little talk with me, and later she got all over my case. It really irked me when she started comparing me to her sweet little Amy.” With a stony face, he stared at Sylvia. “Mom favors Amy over us, ya know.”
Sylvia shook her head. “No, she doesn’t. I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Jah, she does. Started singin’ Amy’s praises because she works hard in the greenhouse without complaint, and she even brought up the fact that Amy broke things off with Jared so she could help Mom all the time.”
The Crow’s Call: Amish Greenhouse Mystery Book 1 Page 11