Sylvia tugged at her sleeve. “Did she say anything negative about me?”
“No, but I’m sure Mom and Amy have talked about you—how you stay cooped up here in the house most of the time.” Henry stomped his foot. “If I have to take care of the livestock, tend to those stupid bees, work in the greenhouse, and do a bunch of other chores, then I think you oughta find someone to watch the kinner so you can do some work out there too.”
Her brother’s harsh words stabbed Sylvia to the core. He didn’t understand how exhausted she felt. Just taking care of the children and keeping the house running as smoothly as she could wore her out. Every single thing she did took all her energy and willpower, and as the days went on, it didn’t get any better. The agony Sylvia felt over the loss of her husband, father, and brother felt so heavy that at times she almost couldn’t breathe. If she even tried to go out to the greenhouse to work, she feared she might collapse. The idea of talking to people and answering questions all day was unfathomable. It was all she could do to face people when they went to church, which was why she sometimes looked for reasons to stay home.
Sylvia didn’t mention it to Henry, but the preacher had stopped at the house to speak with her too. She hadn’t felt up to talking to him and made the excuse that the children were sleeping, so it wasn’t a good time to talk. He’d left, saying he would drop by some other time.
Sylvia lay back down and closed her eyes. If Mom and Amy have been talking about me behind my back, so be it. The only thing I’m capable of doing right now is taking care of my kinner’s needs. Don’t know if I’ll ever feel up to working in the greenhouse again. Sylvia’s heart clenched. Could what Henry said about Amy be true? Does Mom care more about her than me and Henry?
Jared was on his way to the Kings’ place to try once more to get Amy to change her mind about seeing him when Dandy began limping.
Jared slowed the horse and found a suitable spot along the shoulder of the road to pull off. “This is not good.” He shook his head. “Not good at all. He probably threw a shoe.”
He set the brake, climbed down from buggy, and took a look at the horse’s hooves. “It’s okay, boy,” he soothed. “I just need to see your shoes.” After patting the horse’s neck, Jared lifted the animal’s right front leg. Sure enough, the shoe was missing.
Letting go of the gelding’s limb, he stepped back. “Well fella, it’s back to the barn for you this evening.” Hopefully, he’d be able to get a farrier to come out in the morning. Otherwise, he’d have to borrow one of his parents’ horses or call a driver.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” Jared muttered as he took his seat in the buggy again. “Amy would probably tell me the same thing as before, and then I’d be hurt all over again.”
Jared thought about the last few Sundays when he’d seen her at church. He had tried to make eye contact with Amy a couple of times, but she never looked his way. After the noon meal, when he tried to seek Amy out, he discovered that she and her family had left for home.
He clenched his jaw. If only Amy could give me a shred of hope, I’d hang on and wait for her.
Jared wasn’t sure what to do anymore. His heart told him to keep pursuing Amy, but his head told him otherwise. If she loved me the way I love her, she’d let me help out whenever I could. And she wouldn’t shut me out but would accept my love with open arms. Maybe Mom’s right. Maybe Amy’s not the woman God meant for me.
Jared felt like a young boy who couldn’t make up his mind about what flavor of ice cream to choose. First vanilla and then chocolate. No, maybe strawberry would be better instead. One thing Jared was certain of: if he prodded Amy too much, trying to get her to change her mind, he would likely push her farther away. So maybe it was a good thing Dandy lost his shoe. It probably kept me from making a mistake this evening. If Amy wants a relationship with me, she needs to make the first move. It won’t be easy, but I’ll try to sit back and wait till she realizes how much she needs me.
“Ouch!”
“What happened?” Virginia turned from rinsing out a cup at the sink.
“I touched the cast-iron skillet on the stove, and it was still hot.” Earl held up his index finger.
“Come on over here and run your finger under the cool water.”
He shook his head. “It’ll be okay. I’ll just have a seat at the table, since you have our breakfast ready.”
She gave a brief shrug and dished up some scrambled eggs on both of their plates.
“What are your plans for the day?” Earl asked.
She offered him some toast and butter. “Nothing yet. I need to take a shower first.” Virginia pointed to the cardboard boxes on the other side of the room. “And I still have some things to put away in the kitchen cupboards.”
“Yep. You better get busy then.”
Virginia’s brows furrowed as a fly buzzed her head. “Do you know what happened to our flyswatter? I’ve looked everywhere for it.”
“We had one at the other house, and I thought we packed it.” He scratched at his thinning hair. “Guess we may need to buy a new one.”
She swatted at the fly hovering near her plate. “I don’t remember having so many pesky flies at our place in Chicago.”
Earl rubbed the spot on the finger he’d burned. “You have a point, Virginia.”
Slapping at the table and missing the insect, she scowled. “I’m sure it’s because of all the dirty critters living around us out here in the boonies. It’s the perfect breeding ground for filthy flies.”
“It might help if we get some fly tape and hung it here in the kitchen. That stuff works pretty good.”
Virginia pulled her fingers through the ends of her short hair. “Looks like I oughta drive into town and do some shopping today.”
“Good idea.”
They ate in silence for a while, until Virginia looked at the open window. The subtle breeze moved the checkered curtains a bit, and she caught sight of something. “The screen in our kitchen window has a couple of holes in it. I bet that’s how all the flies are getting in.”
He glanced that way. “I can tape up those holes in a jiffy.”
“That’s just a temporary fix, Earl. We need a new screen.”
“I’ll tape it for now and will get a new screen as soon as I can.”
She smiled. “Sooner, the better.”
“What about that?” Earl gestured to the plastic container on the counter. “It’s been empty for a couple of days. Don’t ya think you should return it to the young neighbor woman who brought those tasty cookies to us?”
“I’ll be too busy today. Besides, the little gal knows where it is. If she wants the container, she can come over and get it.” Virginia blew on her coffee and drank some.
Earl’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her from across the table. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Not really. I have no desire to hightail it over there to meet that girl’s family.” She reached for a piece of toast and slathered it with butter. “Those people are strange. Not only do they dress in plain clothes like the pioneers, but they use those smelly horses that draw flies to pull their old-fashioned gray buggies.” Virginia rolled her eyes. “There are no electric wires running to their house, so I can only imagine how they must live in that place.”
He dipped his toast in the runny egg yolks. “Did you ever think that their plain ways may be better than ours?”
“Nope. I’d never want to live the way those folks do. I like having our modern conveniences. And what would I do without cable TV?”
“Maybe you’d get more unpacking done if you left the television alone for a while.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Earl. You act like I’m addicted to the thing.”
“All I can say is, whenever you’re watching some show and I try to ask you a question, you don’t even hear me.”
“You’re exaggerating.” She folded her arms. “Now, back to the topic of those Plain People living across the road—there is not
hing on this green earth that would make me want to live the way they do.”
“As long as we pay our electric bill, you’ll never have to.” Earl finished his breakfast and pushed away from the table. “And speaking of bills … I need to head for work or we won’t have money to pay any of the bills that come in.”
“I suppose you’d like me to look for a job so I can pay my share?”
Earl shook his head. “With that bum leg of yours, I don’t expect you to do anything more than you’re capable of.” He picked up the container the cookies had come in and handed it to her. “But I do expect you to find some time today to return this. It’s the polite thing to do.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll head over there as soon as I clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher.”
Earl smiled and kissed her cheek. “Good girl.”
It had been two days since Thomas Raber spoke to Henry, but the boy’s attitude hadn’t changed. In Belinda’s opinion, her son had gotten worse. As she headed down the driveway to retrieve the mail, her thoughts took her back to the night before. Henry had been fairly quiet most of that day, until shortly before nine o’clock, when he’d said he wanted to go out for a buggy ride. When Belinda asked where he planned on going at such a late hour, Henry said nowhere in particular; he just wanted to be by himself for a while and enjoy some fresh air. Belinda was tempted to tell Henry he couldn’t go anywhere but kept silent. After the discussion they’d had two days ago, she was fully aware of Henry’s feelings and thought the buggy ride might do him some good. With a clearer head, he might have a new perspective on things. This morning, however, Henry had been just as sullen as ever.
Last night, Belinda had listened to a message from Sara, saying that she and her husband would be coming over sometime tomorrow evening. Maybe if Brad talks to Henry, he will be able to get through to him. I can at least hope and pray for that.
Belinda couldn’t give up hope that things would change. She longed to have Henry back and reacting to things the way he used to when his father and brother were alive. “Oh Vernon,” she whispered. “I wish you were still here.”
That must be our new neighbor. Here’s my chance to make her acquaintance. Belinda reached the mailbox about the same time as the red-haired woman across the road left her yard. Holding a plastic container in one hand while walking with a bit of a limp, she came up to Belinda.
“You must be Virginia.” Belinda smiled at the woman.
“Yeah.” Virginia rolled her blue eyes from side to side, pausing briefly to glance at Belinda. “Came on over here to return this.” She held out the container. “The young woman—I guess she’s your daughter—brought us some cookies in the container.”
“Yes, that was my daughter Amy.” Belinda took the container with one hand and reached to shake Virginia’s hand with the other. “My name is Belinda King. It’s nice to finally meet you, Virginia.”
“Umm … yeah. Same here.” Virginia glanced back toward her place.
“Where are you from?”
“Chicago.” She looked toward Belinda’s home. “It’s taking a bit of getting used to, living around here.”
“I see. Well, I’ve been meaning to come over and welcome you properly, but things have been so busy at the greenhouse, I kept putting it off.”
“No problem.” Virginia dropped her gaze. “I’m still unpacking boxes and arranging furniture, so I don’t have much time for standing around yakking.”
“I understand. Moving into a new home can be quite daunting.” Belinda smiled, but when Virginia did not reciprocate, she figured it was time to wrap up their conversation. “When you’re not so busy, why don’t you come over sometime? I’d be happy to show you around the greenhouse, and if we’re not too busy, maybe we can sit and visit over a glass of cold meadow-mint tea.”
Virginia’s nose wrinkled. “Never heard of it, but then I’m not much of a tea drinker. I prefer coffee.”
“My other daughter, Sylvia, usually has a pot of coffee on the stove, so if that’s what you’d prefer, we can drink coffee instead.”
Virginia gave a brief shrug. “Maybe. I’ll have to wait and see how it goes.” With a mumbled goodbye, she turned and walked back across the road.
Belinda went to the mailbox, unlocked it, and took out the mail. It hadn’t taken her long to realize that their new neighbor was certainly not the friendly type. She hoped after Virginia had been here awhile, she’d be a bit friendlier.
Belinda was about to start back up the driveway, when she caught sight of their sign at the left end of the driveway, advertising the greenhouse. Instead of hanging from the heavy wire where it had been attached to a metal frame, the sign now lay off to one side among some tall weeds. Leaning down for a closer look, Belinda realized the wire had been cut. What is going on here? Someone had obviously done it on purpose and tossed the sign in the weeds.
Who could have done this and why? Belinda rubbed her forehead. Oh, I hope it wasn’t Henry.
“You’re awfully quiet this morning.” Lydia’s mother tapped her shoulder. “Didn’t you sleep well last night?”
Lydia turned from the stove, where she’d been stirring a kettle of oatmeal. “It wasn’t the best sleep. I’m worried about Jared.”
“Is he grank?”
“He’s not physically ill, Mama, but Jared’s heartsick because Amy broke up with him.”
“Has he actually said that to you?”
“Well, no. It’s just the way he’s been acting. I can see the pain in his eyes.”
“I’m sure he will get past it and move on to someone else who won’t break his heart.”
Mama lifted Lydia’s chin so she was looking directly into her eyes. “Maybe that someone will be you.”
Lydia’s lips pressed together as she tugged on her apron. “Even if Jared seemed interested in me, I could never come between him and my best friend.”
“You can’t come between two people who aren’t together anymore. Amy obviously doesn’t want to be with Jared now, or she wouldn’t have ended their courtship.”
“She only did it because she has so many responsibilities now. I’m sure Amy still loves Jared. Maybe once things slow down for her, they’ll get back together.”
Mama got a faraway look in her eyes. “Jared’s a nice young man. He’d make a good husband.”
“Jah, he would, but not for me. He’s in love with Amy.”
“But if he took an interest in you, would you be willing to let him court you?”
“No. Amy is my friend, and I’m sure she still has feelings for him.” Lydia turned back to the stove and continued stirring the oatmeal. There is no way Jared will ever be interested in me, so this conversation is just plain silly.
Sylvia had finished drying the breakfast dishes when Mom entered the kitchen. “Here’s the mail.” She placed it on the table and handed Sylvia a plastic container she held in her other hand. “Our new neighbor lady across the road returned this to me, but it doesn’t look like it’s been washed.” She shook the container. “See, there are still some cookie crumbs inside.”
Sylvia opened the lid and dumped the crumbs into the garbage can under the sink. Then she placed it in the sink and ran warm water and liquid detergent into it. “Wouldn’t you think she would have washed the container before bringing it back?”
Mom nodded. “I’ll admit that was my first thought, but I’m sure Virginia’s been busy what with unpacking and trying to get settled in her new home.”
“What’s she like? Do you think she’ll be a good neighbor?” Sylvia sloshed around the dishrag inside the container.
“I can’t say for sure, since we only spoke with each other for a few minutes.” Mom paused and cleared her throat. “She did seem a bit standoffish though. Makes me wonder if people from the big cities are different than small-town people.”
Maybe she’s like me, Sylvia thought. Could be that she doesn’t feel comfortable around people.
“Well, I just came in to deliver
the mail and drop off the container, but now I’d better get out to the greenhouse so Amy’s not there by herself when customers begin showing up. Oh, and then I’ll need to seek out your brother. Someone cut the wire that holds up our sign at the end of the driveway, so I’ll need him to get it hung back up right away. We don’t want to lose any customers because they can’t find us.”
Sylvia whirled around. “You think it was cut down on purpose?”
Mom nodded. “I found it lying in the weeds, and the wire had definitely been cut.”
Sylvia’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh my. First the mailbox and now this? Who do you think is responsible, Mom?”
“I—I don’t know for sure, but I still think it may be your brother. He could have bashed in our mailbox and let the bees in the greenhouse too.”
Sylvia’s mouth opened slightly. “But I still don’t understand why Henry would do something like that.”
“He’s angry and could be acting out.”
“Have you asked him right out if he’s the one responsible for knocking down the sign?”
“Not yet. You’re the first person I’ve told about it.”
“If he did do any of those things, he needs to be called out.”
“Agreed.” Mom emitted a noisy huff. “Henry’s attitude seems to worsen every day, even though Amy, Ezekiel, Preacher Raber, and I have tried talking to him.” She blotted at the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks. “I’m concerned that your bruder may never come to grips with the death of our dear family members.”
Sylvia nodded. That much she understood, for she wasn’t sure she would ever be free of the agony she’d felt every day since Toby, Dad, and Abe had died.
“I can’t believe someone would deliberately take down our sign,” Amy said after listening to her mother explain what she had found. “Do you still think Henry could be behind all these incidents?”
“Yes, although he denied it when I asked him a few minutes ago.” Mom kept her voice low as she took her seat on the stool behind the checkout counter in the greenhouse.
The Crow’s Call: Amish Greenhouse Mystery Book 1 Page 12