Amy’s paranoia over the crow hadn’t lessened, but she wished it would. Allowing superstitious thoughts to overshadow her faith was not a good thing. She needed to pray harder and put her trust in the Lord.
Henry set the last jar of honey on the shelf and picked up the empty cardboard box. “I’m gonna put this away in the barn, okay?”
Amy handled the jars on the shelf with care, turning each of them with the label-side forward. “Sure, go ahead. But don’t take too long because when more customers show up, I’ll probably need your help.”
Henry just ambled out the door with the box.
Amy pinched her lips together as she continued the task. He’d better not fool around. He needs to get back here to help. Mom won’t appreciate it if I tell her Henry’s not working like she asked.
Amy thought about the night her brother had snuck out to be with Seth. It was burdensome to be holding the goods on Henry and keeping his misdeed from their mother. How long would it be before Henry did something else wrong? If and when he did, Amy wouldn’t hesitate to tell Mom.
Amy finished with the display shelf and moved away. It was quiet in the greenhouse for the moment, which gave her time to ponder. She visualized Jared’s face for a few seconds, remembering when he’d been in here last. He’s a handsome guy, and I’m sure in a matter of time he’ll be courting someone new—probably Lydia, if my suspicions are correct. Thinking about this bothered Amy. I’ve got to get Jared out of my thoughts. If only there was a better distraction.
Since there were no customers at the moment, Amy made a trip up and down all four aisles. Everything looked good, so she paused to observe a pretty yellow butterfly flitting from flower to flower. She pursed her lips. Here I work in the greenhouse nearly every day, yet I rarely take time to enjoy the beauty found in this building. She drew in a breath, inhaling the lovely fragrance of all the colorful flowers that adorned this row. Only God could have created such beauty.
Amy lingered a few more moments before returning to the checkout counter and taking a seat. While sitting there, she reflected on the message from Lydia that had been waiting for her on their answering machine this morning. Amy’s good friend would be having a birthday supper this Saturday, and she wanted Amy to come.
Of course I’ll go. Amy smiled. Lydia’s been my best friend for a good many years, so I wouldn’t miss helping her celebrate a special birthday. It’ll be fun for the two of us to spend some quality time together. We haven’t done that in a long while.
A short time later, Maude entered the greenhouse. She hadn’t been in for some time, and Amy had begun to wonder if the elderly woman had left the area and moved on.
Amy watched in shock as Maude shuffled down aisle 1, pinching one or two leaves from every plant on the wooden shelves. Oh dear, she’s going to ruin them all if I don’t stop her.
Amy rushed after Maude, calling, “Please don’t do that to the plants.”
The old woman stopped and turned to look at Amy. With her head tilted to one side, she asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. I—I mean, why are you pulling leaves off the plants and throwing them on the floor?”
“I’m pruning ’em. All plants need to be pruned.” The wrinkles in Maude’s forehead deepened. “Since you work here, ya oughta know that.”
Exasperated, Amy stepped between the woman and the next plant in line. “I do know when a plant or bush needs to be pruned, but the ones you plucked leaves off of are just fine and don’t need any kind of pruning at all right now.”
“Humph!” Maude folded her arms and stamped one foot. “Shows ya what you know. If this place was mine, I’d sure do things different.”
I can only imagine. Amy clenched her teeth. She didn’t want to appear rude, but she wished there was a nice way of asking the elderly lady to leave. Then an idea popped into her head. Remembering the apples and grapes she’d brought out for a snack this morning, Amy offered them to Maude.
The old woman’s eyes held a hint of a sparkle. “Yeah, sure, I’d be happy to take ’em.”
Amy led the way up to the counter, reached underneath, and withdrew a plastic container. “Here you go. Feel free to take the fruit home in the container. You can bring it back the next time you come here.”
Maude gave a toothless grin, took the offered gift, and ambled out of the building. Amy heard her mumble something, but it didn’t make much sense. The container was an old one, so even if Maude never came back with it, there wouldn’t be a problem.
Amy called Henry to sweep up the scattered leaves then returned to the checkout counter. She was about to take a seat on the wooden stool, when a tall English man came in. “Hello. My name is Clarence Perdue. Are you the owner of this greenhouse?” he asked.
She shook her head. “My mother is, but she’s not here at the moment.”
“I see. Well, I just came in to look around. Wanted to check out the competition.”
“Competition?” Amy repeated, pulling back slightly so as not to inhale the lingering cigarette smoke on his clothes.
“Yes. My wife, Patricia, and I own the new greenhouse on the other side of town, and we’ve been curious about your place and what all is being sold here.” He gave her a pointed stare. “Mind if I have a look around?”
Amy wasn’t sure how to respond. She wanted to tell the man no, but that would be impolite. “I guess it would be okay.” Her voice cracked. Not once since the new greenhouse opened had she thought to visit there in order to see what they sold. But maybe I should have.
Amy watched helplessly as Mr. Perdue headed off down aisle 1, where Henry was busy cleaning up the mess Maude had left. I bet the man thinks our place of business is pathetic compared to his. After a trip through the building, he will probably realize we are no competition to him at all.
“Where’s Henry?” Belinda asked when she entered the greenhouse a little after noon. She was glad no customers were at the front counter, because what she had to say to Amy was not for other people’s ears.
“He was supposed to have gone up to the house to get the lunch sacks Sylvia said she would prepare for us,” Amy responded. “Oh, and Mom, there’s something you might want to know.”
“I already know more than I want to.” Belinda bent close to her daughter’s ear. “Why didn’t you tell me your bruder snuck out one night while I was gone?”
Amy blinked rapidly. “I—I promised him I wouldn’t say anything unless he messed up again. I didn’t want to worry you about something I hoped was a one-time occurrence.” She glanced to her right. “Can we talk about this later, Mom? Someone’s coming up with their purchases.”
“No problem. It’s Henry I need to talk to right now.” Belinda turned and rushed out the door.
When she entered the house, she found Sylvia in the kitchen feeding Allen his lunch.
“Hi, Mom, I’m glad you’re back.” Sylvia smiled. “There’s a tossed green salad in the refrigerator. Would you like some for lunch?”
“Not right now. I’m looking for Henry. Is he here in the house?”
Sylvia shook her head. “I haven’t seen him since this morning.”
“Oh, really? Amy said he was supposed to come here to get their sack lunches.” With forced restraint, Belinda spoke through her clenched teeth.
“Their sandwiches are still in the refrigerator. Maybe he’s out in the greenhouse.”
“No, I just came from there, and Amy said …” Belinda ended her sentence and tousled Allen’s hair when he stopped eating and looked up at her with innocent eyes. I must not let this little fellow see my irritation.
She moved across the room and motioned for Sylvia to join her. “I found out from Jared’s mamm this morning that Henry was seen getting into a car one evening while I was gone.” She was careful to keep her voice down and spoke in English so Allen wouldn’t understand any of their conversation. “Amy admitted that she knew about it, so I assume you were also aware.”
“Jah. He said he wouldn’t do it
again, and we wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. What I don’t understand though is how Jared’s mother knew about the incident.”
“Ava said Jared was going past our place the evening it happened, and he saw Henry come out of the bushes and get in a car.” Belinda looked directly at Sylvia. “Do you know where he went?”
“He spent the night at Seth’s even though earlier, Amy told him he couldn’t go.”
“So, he decided he could do whatever he pleased?”
“I guess so.”
Belinda’s face heated as her muscles tensed. “I’d better go find him and deal with this matter.”
She stepped out the back door and stood on the porch, scanning the yard. Then after several seconds, she stepped down into the yard. Where is that boy of mine?
She heard a whistle and looked up, surprised to see Henry sitting inside the opening at the top of the barn with his legs crossed.
Belinda cupped her hands around her mouth. “What in the world are you doing up there?”
“I’m talkin’ to the birds!”
“Well, come down here right now. I want to talk to you.”
Henry disappeared, and a few minutes later, he came out of the barn. “What’s up, Mom? Did ya get the fett for my crow?”
Belinda took hold of her son’s arm and led him back to the barn so they could talk without being heard by any potential greenhouse customers. “I did get the suet but not the chocolate milk you asked for. However, that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”
“If it’s about me not bein’ in the greenhouse, Amy sent me in to get our lunches.”
“So I heard, but you obviously did not do as you were told.”
“I was planning to, but then I spotted the crow.” Henry grinned. “I’m gonna make a pet out of him, Mom.”
She shook her head. “It’s my understanding that you cannot tame a crow. They aren’t trainable like a parrot or some other indoor bird.”
“Maybe not, but there’s always an exception, so I was thinking—”
Belinda held up her hand. “Enough about the crow, Henry. We came in here to talk about you and why you snuck out of the house and spent the night with Seth while I was at Ezekiel’s place.”
Henry let out a forceful breath and stomped his foot. “I can’t believe Amy blabbed—or was it Sylvia who told ya?”
“It was neither of your sisters who did the telling. I heard it from someone I saw at Sara’s flower shop this morning.”
Henry gave his earlobe a tug. “How’d Sara know about me spending the night with Seth?”
“It wasn’t Sara who mentioned it.”
“Who then?”
“That doesn’t really matter, Son. The point is, you did something you should not have done and then kept the truth from me.” Belinda gave a frustrated shake of her head. “I’m disappointed in you, Henry. I thought I could trust you to do what’s right while I was away.”
He dropped his gaze to the floor and shuffled his boots in the straw beneath them. “Sorry, Mom. I promise, it’ll never happen again.” “I should hope not. If your daed was here, he would also be very disappointed.”
“I know.” Henry looked up. “Guess you’re not gonna give me any suet for the crow now, huh?”
“I will give it to you, Henry. There’s no reason the bird should suffer because you snuck out of the house and worried your sisters.”
“Danki, Mamm.”
“But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be punished for your misdeed.”
“I figured as much. What’s my punishment besides no chocolate milk?”
“You’ll have extra chores to do for the next two weeks, and you’re not to go anywhere with your friends, or even by yourself, until I say so. Is that understood?”
“Jah.”
“All right then, please go into the house and get yours and Amy’s lunches like you were supposed to do.”
“Okay, I’m on it.”
They left the barn, and while Henry sprinted for the house, Belinda made her way to the greenhouse.
Clymer
Ezekiel sat across from Michelle at their kitchen table, eating lunch. “You look tired. Have you been doing too much?”
Michelle shrugged. “Maybe a little. I’m managing on my own, but I sure miss your mamm. She was such a big help to me.”
“Jah, she was. I miss her too and so does Angela Mary.” He reached over to where their daughter sat in her booster seat and tweaked her petite nose. “I think even the boppli misses his grandma because she held him so much.”
“Do you still think it’s possible for us to visit there in September?”
“I believe so.” Ezekiel took a drink of iced tea. “It’ll be good to see everyone.”
She smiled and handed him another egg salad sandwich. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
He grinned back at her. “Every day, and I tell you the same.”
“That’s true.” Michelle sighed. “The best thing I ever did was to join the Amish church and marry you.”
“So I’ve heard.” Ezekiel winked at her. “But I never get tired of hearing it.”
“Sometimes, like when I’m in church surrounded by all the others in our district and listening to you preach, I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
Ezekiel leaned forward in his chair. “How do you think I’m doing with that, Michelle? Do I stumble too much over my words?”
“Certainly not. It’s plain to see that God has called you to be a preacher. Your messages are uplifting and encouraging. My only advice is to keep doing what you’re doing and stay as humble as you are now.”
“No worries about that.” Ezekiel thumped his chest. “I have asked God to give me a kick in the pants if I ever become full of hochmut. All I want to do is be a good husband, father, and preacher and allow God to work through me so I can minister to those who are in need.”
Michelle placed her hand on his arm. “You’ve always been there to minister to me—even before I invited Christ into my life.”
“Well, I wasn’t perfect by any means, and I knew in my heart that you and I had a lot to learn during our courting days, and even before when we were full of rebellion. It just goes to show that God can use any person who is willing to repent and turn their life around.”
Strasburg
Saturday evening, as Amy’s horse and buggy approached her friend’s house, she had mixed feelings. As much as she looked forward to spending the evening with Lydia and helping her celebrate a birthday, Amy worried that Jared might be there. With rumors going around and the fact that she’d seen them together a few times, Amy felt sure they must be courting.
“Well, it’s too late now to change my mind,” she murmured as her horse picked up speed and turned, of his own accord, into the driveway. Buster had been here numerous times and was probably eager to visit with the Petersheims’ horses.
“I’m so glad you could be here.” Lydia greeted Amy at the hitching rail. “Tonight wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Amy smiled, and when she stepped down from the buggy, she gave Lydia a hug. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you. Let’s get your gaul put in the corral, and we can join the others who have come this evening.”
“Okay. Oh, and by the way … you smell nice. Are you wearing perfume?”
“No, it’s the new hand-and-body lotion my mamm got for my birthday.” Lydia walked over, opened the paddock, and waited for Amy’s gelding to enter.
Amy unhitched her horse and led him to the corral. His ears perked up, and he whinnied when she put him inside.
Lydia laughed while she closed the gate. “Looks like Buster’s happy to be here.”
“Jah, I believe he is.” Amy stepped along with Lydia and could smell the odor of wood smoke. It smelled good floating through the air, but Amy wasn’t very hungry, so she probably wouldn’t eat much. Truth was, since breakfast, she’d felt a sense of apprehension about the possibility of se
eing Jared this evening.
As they drew closer to the bonfire, Amy heard the voices of her friend’s guests. She wondered how this evening would play out with Lydia and Jared.
“Let’s head over to the tables my folks have set up in our yard. Several of our friends are here, and I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.”
As Lydia led the way, Amy reached up and checked her hair to make sure none of it had come out from under her kapp. The colorful paper plates and napkins looked festive. Amy figured Lydia’s mother wanted to make everything just right for her daughter’s special gathering.
As they approached the tables that had been set up on the lawn, Amy’s heart pounded when she saw Jared sitting on a bench. She wished she could turn around and run back to get her horse and buggy, but Lydia would be disappointed if Amy left now.
Plastering a smile on her face, Amy made the rounds greeting everyone present including Jared.
“It’s nice to see you, Amy.” Jared smiled. “How have you been?”
“I’m fine. How are you?”
Before he could respond, Lydia’s mother came out of the house with a tray full of hot dogs and buns. “Come on, everyone—grab a hot dog and a roasting stick. Lydia’s daed has the fire going, so anyone who wants to can roast theirs as soon as we have prayed. He also has some ground beef patties cooking on the grill.”
All heads bowed for silent prayer. When it ended, Jared stood and asked Amy if she would like him to roast her a hot dog.
“No, that’s okay,” she said with a shake of her head. “I can do my own when I’m ready. I may start with a burger.”
“Okay.” Was that a look of disappointment she saw on his face? Or maybe it was a look of relief. No doubt he’d been trying to be polite.
“You can roast a hot dog for Lydia,” Darlene spoke up. “Since she’s the birthday girl, she deserves to sit and be waited on this evening.”
Lydia’s cheeks turned crimson. “Mama, I’m not an invalid or a young child. I can most certainly wait on myself.” She grabbed a hot dog and followed the others to the bonfire.
The Crow’s Call: Amish Greenhouse Mystery Book 1 Page 24