The Crow’s Call: Amish Greenhouse Mystery Book 1
Page 26
As Amy worked with her mother in the garden during the early morning hours, she noticed something and pointed. “What happened to that pumpkin plant? Looks like it’s wilted, but I know it’s been getting plenty of water.”
“I bet we’ve got a beetle problem.” Mom moved from what produce she’d already gathered and examined the base of the plant. “Jah, it’s from beetles, all right. I’ll need some straw to put around the plants.” She discarded the bugs into the weed bucket.
Amy and her mother continued picking. They’d decided to get the chore done before it was time to open the greenhouse. And because the weather was cooler at this hour of the day, the work was easier.
Amy liked cucumbers, and there were plenty to pick from the rows. She wouldn’t mind having some of them to eat with lunch or dinner. Their tomatoes were ripening nicely, and Amy thought about the neighbor across the road. She’d offered to let Virginia have more tomato plants when hers had died soon after planting them. Amy felt sorry for their new neighbor lady because she didn’t know much about fertilizing properly.
“It’s too bad I didn’t give her some basic instructions on how to care for the new plants,” Amy said as she pulled more weeds in the radish rows.
“What do you mean? Who are you talking about?” Mom asked.
“Guess I was speaking my thoughts out loud.” Amy gave a self-conscious laugh. “I forgot to tell you about the neighbor’s tomato plants. I talked to Virginia at the mailbox the other day, and she said they’d all died.”
Mom swatted at a pesky gnat. “Does she know why?”
“Jah.” Amy explained what had happened.
“That’s too bad.” Mom gestured to the nearest tomato plant that had already turned a nice red color. “It would be good to give her some fresh tomatoes, and we have plenty to share.”
“I agree, but Virginia said she didn’t want any—that she’ll get what she needs at the grocery store or farmers’ market.” Amy moved away from the cucumber and cleaned the weeds crowding the tomato plants.
“She’s a different person—not very friendly, that’s for sure. But maybe there’s a reason for it. We need to pray for her, Daughter.”
“You’re right, Mom.” Amy glanced up from the weeds she’d been pulling and cleared her throat. “Would you look at that? Henry’s got the crazy crow practically eating out of his hand. Now the noisy thing will probably never leave our yard.”
Mom glanced in the direction Amy pointed and shook her head. “That bird may not be a pet, but Henry’s succeeded in being able to get close to him. Sure didn’t expect to see anything like that.”
“I’d never have believed it if I hadn’t witnessed it myself.”
Amy returned to her chore until Henry’s deep laughter rang out. It was good to hear this positive side of him. She looked up again to see what he found so humorous.
“Amy … Mom … look over there!” Henry pointed at Rachel’s crib sheet hanging from a branch in a nearby tree. Sylvia stood below it, looking up and shaking her head.
Amy figured the breeze that had begun blowing a few minutes ago must have caught hold of the sheet while her sister had been trying to pin it to the line.
“Is that a new way to hang the laundry?” Henry laughed harder than Amy had heard him in a long time, but Sylvia wore a frown.
“It’s not funny, little bruder. Now how am I going to get that down?”
“I’ll get it for you, Sylvia. Just give me a few minutes.” Henry jumped up, and the crow flew off as he darted for the barn.
Amy had to admit, seeing the small sheet dangling helplessly from the tree was quite funny. Mom must have thought so too, for her laughter brought forth an unladylike snort.
Amy giggled, and soon even Sylvia was laughing. It felt good to share in a little merriment—something they’d done so little of since their loved ones had been killed.
Henry came out of the barn carrying a ladder. He set it against the tree and began the upward climb.
“Be careful, Son,” Mom called up to him. Her expression had suddenly turned sober.
Amy held her breath as Henry climbed higher. She released her breath when he had hold of the sheet and began his descent. His feet had no more than touched the ground when the crow flew into the same tree and let out several obnoxious screeches.
Amy covered her ears. She wished the crazy bird would fly far away from here and never come back.
Almost out of nowhere, a car sped up the driveway, turned into the greenhouse parking lot, and slammed into one corner of the building.
Amy and Mom jumped up at the same time, and they, as well as Henry and Sylvia, dashed toward the vehicle. When they arrived, a middle-aged man with a nearly bald head got out and surveyed the damage.
“I’m so sorry, folks.” His face was covered in perspiration. “A cat ran out in front of me, and I lost control trying to avoid hitting the critter.”
Amy looked around but saw no sign of a cat. Of course, that didn’t mean one hadn’t been there. The poor animal had most likely been scared and run off.
The man stepped up to Mom. “I’ll call my insurance agent right away, and in the meantime, I will go to the hardware store and get some heavy plastic to staple over the damaged area. That should help till it can be permanently fixed.”
He and Mom talked for a few more minutes before he got into his car and drove off.
“He’s going to the hardware store,” Mom explained. Her voice quavered.
Amy felt shaky too. This event had been an accident, while the other things that had happened on their property seemed to have been done on purpose.
“You don’t think that man hit the greenhouse intentionally, do you?” Sylvia asked their mother.
Mom shook her head. “No, of course not. Why would anyone do something like that on purpose?”
Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! What a horrible screech.
Amy looked toward the tree where the crow had flown. Was that bird trying to tell them something?
“See you both later. Have a good day.” Sylvia watched her sister and their mother head for the greenhouse. She had a few things to finish before Ezekiel and his family arrived.
Sylvia closed the front door. The children had been fed and were settled in the living room. Allen pulled out a few toys from the box, and Rachel made baby sounds from her playpen. Sylvia looked at the bedding that needed to go on the guest bed upstairs. “I suppose there’s no time like the present. Allen, please come with Mommy.”
The little guy grabbed some toy figures and went with her. Sylvia had him sit in a chair in the room where she needed to work. Her pace quickened as she put the fresh sheets on the bed and placed a lightweight coverlet at the foot. She looked around the room to be sure everything was in order. Mom and Amy had cleaned in here yesterday evening, so Sylvia insisted that she make up the bed this morning. The space looked good and ready for Ezekiel and Michelle. Since it was the largest of the guest rooms, there was space for the cot Angela Mary would sleep on as well as a cradle for baby Vernon.
Sylvia tapped her son’s shoulder. “I’m done now, so let’s go back downstairs and check on your sister.” As always, she spoke to the boy in the Pennsylvania Dutch language of her people. Although Allen knew a few English words, he wouldn’t learn to speak it fluently until he started school.
When they entered the living room, the baby began to fuss, so Sylvia picked her up. Looking out the front window, Sylvia thought she saw someone out by the road. She watched longer, and sure enough, there was a person off by the shrubs. It was kind of weird and happened so fast, she wasn’t sure if the person was a male or female.
She took a seat to tend to her little girl’s needs. After Sylvia began nursing the baby, she kept watching out the window. Shortly thereafter, the person she’d seen moments ago came into full view. It was the poor lady who lived in the shanty not far from them. The woman walked up the driveway, while a horse and buggy approached the business ahead of her. Not long after, one of their
ministers and his wife got out of the buggy and headed for the greenhouse.
Sylvia rocked and kept watching outside. I see Maude is wearing a jacket this morning. Maybe it’s a little chilly for her.
Although Sylvia was absorbed with watching, she wondered where Henry might be. She hadn’t seen him since breakfast and assumed he may have gone to the greenhouse to help Mom and Amy. At least she hoped he had and was not shirking his duties. Of course, he might be checking on the bees, she thought. I believe during breakfast he said something about doing that this morning.
Sylvia kept her eye on the gray-haired woman. She thought Maude would go into the greenhouse, but instead she veered off and headed toward the garden in their yard. That’s odd. I wonder what she’s doing there.
Soon, the bedraggled woman picked a couple of ripe tomatoes and popped them into her pockets. She moved over and picked a cucumber then hurried out of the yard and down the driveway.
Sylvia slowed the rocking chair, stroking the top of Rachel’s head. I think Mom and Amy will be interested in hearing about this. I feel sorry for Maude. She must really need food to be taking from us in broad daylight. Or maybe she can’t stop herself from stealing.
Ezekiel sat in the front of the van with their driver, while Michelle and the children were in the back. The day had finally come. Ezekiel looked over his shoulder. “I bet Mom will be surprised to see how much Vernon has grown.” He couldn’t help feeling pleased with his family, because after God, they were his world.
Michelle smiled and stroked the baby’s head in the car seat where he sat strapped in beside her. In his sleep, the little guy seemed to be smiling at the attention his mom gave him.
“Grossmammi! Grossmammi!” Angela Mary kicked her small feet and shouted from the seat behind them.
“Shh … Jah, soon we’ll see your grandma as well as your aunts and uncle.” Michelle spoke quietly in Pennsylvania Dutch with her finger against her lips. “I know you’re excited, but we don’t want to wake your little brother.”
“Okay.” Angela Mary began to hum softly.
Ezekiel looked at their driver, Hank, and smiled. “In case you couldn’t guess, we are all looking forward to seeing my family today.”
Hank grinned. “That’s how it should be, and you won’t have to wait long because, as you can see, we are approaching Strasburg.”
Soon, they turned onto a back-country road. A short time later, shouts of glee went up as the van drove up the Kings’ driveway. Fond memories mixed with the sadness of his father, brother, and brother-in-law dying caused Ezekiel’s throat to clog.
The vehicle stopped, and he jumped out and opened the door behind him. After helping his wife and children out of the van, Ezekiel paused to look around. Seeing no one in the yard, he figured they were either still in the greenhouse or in their home. They’d left Clymer a little over seven hours ago, which allowed for a few stops along the way. From his calculations, it would get them here by five o’clock, which was when the greenhouse closed each day.
Ezekiel was about to get their luggage from the back, when Mom and Amy came out of the greenhouse and rushed toward them with open arms.
“It’s so good to see you.” Mom hugged Ezekiel and Michelle then bent down and scooped Angela Mary into her arms. “How’s my sweet maedel doing these days?”
“Gut, Grossmammi.”
“I’m happy to hear you are good.”
After Amy greeted everyone with a hug, she gazed with a longing expression at the baby in Michelle’s arms. “And this must be my newest nephew. What a cutie he is.” She leaned in and kissed little Vernon’s forehead. “He’s adorable. Ezekiel and Michelle, you must be so pleased.”
“We are,” they said in unison.
“Oh, my …” Mom stroked the infant’s cheek. “I can hardly believe how much he’s filled out since I was at your home.”
“Bopplin grow so quickly. I bet you can still remember when I was a baby.” Ezekiel winked at Mom.
With a chuckle, she poked his arm. “Of course I remember. You were such a character, I could never forget.”
Everyone laughed. Then Ezekiel, with the help of his driver, removed their luggage.
“Where’s the rest of your family?” Michelle asked.
“Sylvia’s in the house with the kinner,” Mom replied. “And I’m not sure where Henry is. He left the greenhouse the minute we put the CLOSED sign in the window, but I don’t know where he went.”
“He’s probably somewhere with that irritating grapp.” Amy wrinkled her nose.
“What crow?” Ezekiel raised his eyebrows and blinked a couple of times. “Why would my bruder be with a grapp?”
“Let’s all go up to the house, and I’ll fill you in.” Amy picked up one of the suitcases and headed toward the front porch. Everyone but Ezekiel grabbed something and followed. He first had to pay their driver and set up a time for them to be picked up in five days. That was as long as Ezekiel felt he could be away from his job. Hopefully, it would be enough time to get caught up on how things had been going here with his family.
Amy sat quietly on the couch, holding baby Vernon, while Michelle visited with Mom and Sylvia. Angela Mary and Allen played happily together. After Ezekiel had come into the house and greeted Sylvia, he’d gone outside to look for Henry. Before he left, Amy had told him all about their brother’s so-called pet crow. Ezekiel had laughed and said, “Now, this I’ve gotta see.”
Amy smiled. She could only imagine what her older brother would think when he saw the crow and heard Henry carrying on about how he’d been trying to train the bird. He will probably think our bruder is either quite strange or desperate for something to do besides work.
Amy turned her full attention on Dad’s little namesake. She hoped this child would grow up to be as kind and loving as her father had been. With Ezekiel and Michelle as parents, she didn’t see how Vernon could grow up to be anything but well-behaved, loving, and kind toward others.
Holding the child and snuggling him close brought tears to Amy’s eyes. Will I ever experience the joy of becoming a mother, or will I spend the rest of my life unmarried and childless?
Be careful, Amy, she told herself. You are giving in to self-pity again, and that doesn’t benefit anyone.
“I hate to break up this wonderful time of visiting,” Mom said, rising from her chair, “but we need to get supper made.”
“That’s not a problem,” Sylvia spoke up. “I put a ham in the oven over an hour ago and cut up some vegetables from the garden to steam.” She got up too. “I’ll go to the kitchen now and check on things.”
“And I’ll join you,” Michelle said. “After our long drive, I need to move around for a bit. And what better way than to set the table?” She smiled at Amy. “Feel free to stay here with the baby. He likes to be held and will probably fall asleep in your arms.”
“Okay.”
After the three women left the room, Amy moved over to the rocking chair with the baby. It was a treat to hold a younger baby. He smelled so nice of lotion and soap. The warmth he unknowingly provided Amy as she held him seemed to relax her. It wasn’t long after she got it moving that little Vernon’s eyelids closed. I hope I don’t fall asleep too. Watching his slow, even breathing made her feel sleepy, but she kept her eyes open and focused on her niece and nephew playing with a set of building blocks across the room. They were so cute and got along well with each other. It was fun to observe them interact and sometimes entertaining to see the way they communicated despite their limited vocabulary.
Oh, to be young again, when life was so simple. Those two adorable children have no idea how easy they have it.
Ezekiel walked around the yard for a while, looking for Henry. This is so weird. Where is that kid brother of mine? I hope he hasn’t been pulling this trick on our mom very long.
When he didn’t find Henry in the yard, Ezekiel decided to check in the barn. Upon entering the building, he smelled the aroma of cigarette smoke. His fingers cu
rled into the palms of his hands. That boy had better not have taken up smoking.
Ezekiel stood there a few minutes, looking around. He saw no sign of Henry and was about to call his name, when Henry came down the ladder that led to the hayloft.
“Oh, hey, Ezekiel. I’m glad you and your family made it okay. How was the trip?”
“It went well. We’ve been here awhile, and I’ve been looking for you.”
“Well, ya didn’t have to look far. I’ve been looking out the window of the loft, watchin’ all the birds in our yard.” He shook Ezekiel’s hand as though they’d met for the first time. “It’s good to see you. How ya doin’?”
“I’m fine, but I am not so sure about you.”
Henry took a step back. “What do you mean?”
Ezekiel tipped his head back slightly and sniffed. “I smell cigarette schmoke. Have you been smoking, Brother?”
Henry shook his head vigorously. “Course not. I noticed the odor too when I came into the barn.”
Ezekiel eyed his brother curiously. “If you’re not the one who created the stink, then who?”
“Beats me. Maybe one of the people who came to the greenhouse today wandered in here and lit up a cigarette. I’ve smelled it in the barn before, so that’s what I think must’ve happened.”
Ezekiel reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. He had no proof that Henry had been smoking, but the kid kept shifting from one foot to another as though he might feel guilty about something. Just to ease my own curiosity, I’d like to have a look up there in the hayloft later on.
“I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but if you have been smoking, you need to quit.” Ezekiel looked into his young brother’s eyes. “It’s bad for your health, not to mention how Mom would react if she ever found you with a cigarette.”
“She ain’t gonna find me with no cigarette ’cause it’s not true.” Henry stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Now can we talk about something else?”
“Sure thing.” Ezekiel pulled his brother into his arms and gave him a bear hug. “We can talk about why you gave me a handshake instead of a hug.”