An Amish Kitchen, page 11
Mamm tried to suppress a smile, but couldn’t. Her daed even nodded.
Hannah looked toward the end of the table where her niece and nephew were gazing at the whoopie pies perched on the counter. She gathered up the empty platters and bowls and touched Anna Ruth’s arm. “I’ll get the coffee if you get the desserts.”
Her sister-in-law brought the pumpkin whoopie pies and apple roll-ups to the table. “I changed up my apple roll-up recipe,” Anna Ruth said. “I hope you enjoy them.”
Hannah placed the sugar bowl and mugs on the table and filled the mugs with coffee.
Her mamm reached for a whoopie pie. “Hannah, did I see a visitor stop by earlier this afternoon?”
“Jason Glick came by for eggs.”
“I’m not surprised.” Her mamm grinned. “Sarah said he wants to ask you to a singing.”
Hannah’s cheeks heated. Why did her mamm have to embarrass her like this in front of her brother and Stephen?
“I’m so froh! He’s a nice young man, and he has a gut job at his parents’ store.”
Andrew scooted his chair back and walked over to the percolator to refill his cup. “Daed, tell Stephen about the history of the bed-and-breakfast. He was asking me some questions earlier.”
Stephen listened while Hannah’s daed slowly shared the history of the buildings and land. Although the older man struggled with each word, Stephen never frowned or appeared impatient. Hannah’s heart warmed at the respect and patience he was showing.
“It’s a schee bed-and-breakfast,” Stephen said when her daed was finished speaking. “I’m glad Andrew asked me to work here.”
Her mamm’s eyes widened. “What’s this?”
Hannah held her breath, wondering if her mamm was about to make a scene.
“Stephen is working for me.” Andrew pushed his chair back from the table. “He’s going to be the groundskeeper and take care of any repairs in the bed-and-breakfast.”
Her mother looked at her daed. “Did you know about this, Saul?”
Her daed shrugged. When he struggled to stand, her mamm reached for his left arm.
Andrew came around the table and took the right one. “I’ll help him, Mamm.” He turned toward his children. “Lizzie, please help your mammi bring the dishes to the counter. Joshua, you may go play with your toys in the schtupp.” He helped his father walk to the family room before crossing to the back door and grabbing two flashlights. “Stephen, let’s go outside.”
“Sure.” Stephen met Hannah’s gaze. “Danki for supper.” His eyes let her know there was a lot he wasn’t saying, but she found herself confused. Was he bothered to know that Jason had asked her out? Jason had never shown any interest in her before. Was he only asking because he’d found out an unmarried man was staying with her? This was all so confusing. She wished she could talk to her mother about it, but they’d grown more distant since Daed’s stroke.
“Gern gschehne.”
Anna Ruth looked down at her daughter. “Danki for helping, Lizzie. You did a gut job bringing the glasses to the counter. You may go play now.” She pushed in the chairs around the table and started putting away the leftovers. “Stephen seems like a nice man. I imagine you’re both froh to finally have reliable help.”
Hannah looked at her mother, who was wiping down the counters. “He is. I don’t know much about him, but he’s certainly friendly and quick to offer help. I was surprised to hear he went to see Andrew today. Even more surprised that Andrew hired him to work here.” Hannah tried to keep her tone of voice level.
Her mamm scrubbed the bottom of the soup pot with such force that Hannah thought it might break. “Andrew had no right to hire Stephen without consulting your daed and me first.”
Anna Ruth dried a clean dish. “Andrew had the family’s best interest in mind, Mamm. He feels bad he can’t come over more often.”
“Hannah and I can handle it. Stephen needs to find a job elsewhere.”
“Mamm, you know we need the help. Anna Ruth is right.” Hannah pulled the broom from the closet and leaned on the handle. “Remember the bird that flew in the house? And then the toilet overflowed, right when the O’Malleys were arriving? And the time the pipe burst upstairs? It’s gut to have a handy-man around every day.”
“That’s true.” Anna Ruth took another clean dish from the rack. “And you and Stephen are getting along just fine.”
Hannah studied her sister-in-law’s expression. “What are you saying?”
Anna Ruth smiled. “He likes you, Hannah.”
“That’s very inappropriate.” Her mamm glowered. “A young bachelor and an unmarried maedel shouldn’t be living together. What would the bishop say?”
“We’re not ‘living together,’ Mamm. He’s a guest at our inn. And besides, he doesn’t like me in that way.”
Anna Ruth shrugged. “He spent a lot of time at dinner watching you.”
“Anna Ruth!” Her mamm dropped the sponge and put her hands on her hips. “Please don’t encourage this.”
Anna Ruth blanched as if Hannah’s mother had hit her. “I didn’t mean to insinuate that Hannah should have an inappropriate relationship. I just thought it was sweet how Stephen looked at her.” Her expression softened. “Mamm, you know Andrew wouldn’t have hired him if he had any doubts about Stephen’s character.”
“I don’t think it was Andrew’s decision to make. His daed and I own this property, and Hannah runs it for us.” Hannah’s mother wagged a finger at her. “You must tell me if Stephen’s not doing a gut job or if he makes any advances toward you. We will have no tolerance for that.”
“Ya, Mamm.” Hannah picked up a dish and glanced toward Anna Ruth, who shook her head.
Her mamm handed Anna Ruth a clean dish and then smiled. “Besides, Jason Glick wants to date you. You should concentrate on him, Hannah Mary.”
Hannah thought about Jason. He was handsome, kind, and had always showed her respect when they were in school together. Once she had dreamed of being his girlfriend. But now that he’d finally asked her to a singing, she felt a hint of hesitation.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ANDREW LEANED AGAINST A FENCE POST. “I SHOULD’VE told my mamm about your new job before supper, but I didn’t get the opportunity. I’ll explain everything to her later. She tends to overreact about things, but I know how to handle her.”
“That’s fine.” Stephen rested his arm on the slat in the fence and tried to swallow the sick feeling in his stomach. He knew jealousy was a sin, and he had no right to feel that way about Jason Glick, a man he didn’t even know. Yet every time he’d looked at Hannah sitting across from him, he’d found himself wishing he were the one taking her to a singing instead of Jason, who was clearly the perfect match for Hannah in the eyes of her mother.
Had he lost his mind? He wasn’t a member of this community, and he wasn’t even baptized. But Hannah brought to life feelings he thought he’d never experience again. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her at dinner.
He turned his focus to his new job. “I fixed the toilets in both bathrooms today. I also caulked the shower upstairs and fixed the squeaky steps.”
“Wunderbaar! I’ve been meaning to fix those things for a while.” Andrew motioned toward the house. “But mei fraa keeps me busy at the farm.”
“I’m certain she does.” Stephen thought of his parents. “Mei mamm kept mei daed busy, but mei bruder and I always helped out when I was home.”
“Are you close to your bruder?”
Stephen shrugged. “Ya, we’re close.”
“Did he support your decision to move away?”
Crickets chirped, and in the distance Stephen heard a cow lowing. He rubbed his chin, considering his answer. He was still haunted by the betrayal in Jacob’s eyes when he’d shared that he was going to leave Sugarcreek. Although Stephen wanted to be honest with Andrew, he feared Andrew’s reaction if he told him what had happened to Lillian. “No, not really.”
Andrew raised an eyebrow. “Oh.”
“Jacob said I was running away from my problems instead of facing them.” Stephen shook his head. “But mei bruder isn’t like me. He’s made different choices.”
“Stephen, you can be honest with me.” Andrew said the words slowly and with emphasis. “Are you running from something?”
Stephen breathed in deeply, then blew the air out of his mouth. “Six months ago my fiancée died in an accident. It was late, and I was taking her home. It was raining, and a pickup truck swerved into my buggy. She died instantly.”
“Ach.” Andrew grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
“We were planning to be married soon, and I was going to build a house on my parents’ farm.”
“I can’t imagine—”
“There’s more.” He peered over the fence toward the pasture to avoid Andrew’s eyes. “She was pregnant with mei kind.”
Stephen looked up, expecting Andrew to shake his head and show his disapproval.
Instead, the other man steadied his eyes on him, his face expressionless.
Stephen took another deep breath and continued, “The day before, Lillian and I had admitted our sin to our bishop, and we planned to confess to the church the next Sunday. Lillian was baptized, but I wasn’t. I was going to be baptized immediately and then we were going to be married.” Stephen felt tears well in his eyes.
He swiped his cheek. “After she died, I confessed to the community and asked her parents to forgive me, but I couldn’t bear to be baptized. I didn’t feel worthy of God’s holy sacrament.”
Stephen paused, remembering her parents’ sobs when they heard the news. “Her parents said they forgave me. And I tried to put my life back together, but every day I was reminded of what I did. I was torturing her parents by their having to see me at church and around the community. I couldn’t live with the pain in their eyes any longer.” Stephen was quiet for a moment, willing the muscles in his throat to relax. “The only way for me to make peace was to leave. So I came here. I knew Lancaster was a large community, and I figured I’d find work easily.” He took out his handkerchief and wiped his nose. The truth hung between them. “Do you want me to leave now?”
“No.” Andrew shook his head. “I understand why you felt you had to leave, but God and your community forgave you, Stephen.”
Stephen nodded. He’d heard those words a dozen times, but they did nothing to ease the heavy burden weighing down his heart.
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.” Andrew patted Stephen’s shoulder. “You should feel worthy to be baptized. You need to pray about that.”
Stephen nodded. His bishop in Sugarcreek had also tried to convince him of this, but in his heart Stephen didn’t feel that it was the right time.
“Andrew!” Anna Ruth called from the back porch. “Joshua’s ready for bed.”
“Coming!” Andrew jammed a thumb toward the house. “That’s my cue to go.” The moon overhead gave them enough light to make their way to the barn. After Andrew retrieved the horse, Stephen helped him hitch it to the buggy. Anna Ruth appeared on the porch with her mother-in-law and the children in tow.
Stephen told them good night and waved as the buggy bounced down the driveway.
Hannah stepped out onto the porch and pushed a stray lock of hair under her kapp. “Did you and mei bruder have a gut talk?” Her brown eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
“Ya. We did.” He motioned toward the door. “I’m going to go say gut nacht to your parents.”
Stephen found Saul reading a Bible propped on a small table, and silently marveled at the older man’s faithfulness. He managed to spend time with the Word despite his disability.
Saul looked up and raised his eyebrows.
“Gut nacht, Saul.” Stephen held out his hand. “I enjoyed dinner. You have a schee haus and family.”
“Danki.” Saul patted Stephen’s shoulder. “Gut nacht.” His words were slow and garbled, but Stephen understood.
Stephen then joined Hannah and her mamm on the porch.
“Gut nacht, Mamm.” Hannah hugged her mother. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Stephen thanked Rachel for supper and then fell in step with Hannah while they walked to the inn.
After saying good night, he slowly climbed the stairs and made his way to the small bedroom. As he untied his shoes, he contemplated the evening. He’d shared his past with Andrew and had been relieved at his new friend’s reaction and glad to simply speak the truth. He was certain that when Hannah found out, she wouldn’t be interested in keeping his company. She deserved someone who hadn’t made so many serious mistakes. Someone more like his brother, Jacob. Someone like Jason Glick.
Stephen stood in front of his bedroom window and peered down at the daadi haus. Closing his eyes, he opened his heart up to God. Please, Lord, lead me where You want me to go and show me Your plan for me. I am Your servant.
CHAPTER NINE
THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY AFTERNOON HANNAH MIXED dough for chocolate chip cookies while the smell of wood stain permeated her senses. Stephen had stained the banister earlier, then went outside to start mending the back fence. She marveled at how focused he was on his work and more than once had been tempted to ask him why he never sat still. But that was his business, not hers.
The screen door opened and slammed shut, and her mamm stood in the doorway with a wide grin on her face. “Hannah, there was a message for you. Jason called.”
“I’ll go listen to it right now.” Hannah started wiping her hands on her apron, but her mother held her hand up.
“I erased it by accident. I’m sorry. I meant to save it, but I was so excited that he called you I hit the wrong button.” She sounded sincere.
“What did he say?”
“He called to say hello and tell you he was looking forward to seeing you Sunday. He wanted to come by to see you, but they’ve been busy at the store.”
Hannah felt the lunch she’d finished an hour ago churn in her belly. “Anything else?”
“No, that was it.” Her mamm jammed her hands on her wide hips. “Aren’t you excited?”
“I am.” Hannah pulled out a baking sheet and some wax paper. “Danki for telling me.” She wondered why she wasn’t more excited and then pushed the thought away.
Her mamm scrunched her nose. “What’s that smell?”
“Stephen restained the banister.” Hannah motioned toward the stairs. “It looks gut. You should go see it.”
“Why on earth did he do that?”
“It needed attention, Mamm. I can’t remember the last time it was done. I hope it’s dry before the new guests arrive.”
Hannah’s mother looked at her but didn’t say anything.
“Do you need my help with Daed? I’m almost done here once these cookies are baked.”
“Hannah . . .” Her mother paused and looked at the linoleum floor. “I worry that you’re handling too much here at the inn. I was thinking about going back to balancing the books. Last month our numbers were a little off. Maybe you were preoccupied with all the chores.” Mamm shifted her weight and examined the dirt under her fingernails.
Hannah stopped in her tracks and looked at her mother. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? If the numbers didn’t balance, you should have told me.” She felt perspiration beading on the back of her neck. Her mother never seemed satisfied with Hannah’s efforts. “I’m able to handle the business just fine, Mamm. Thank you for your concern.”
Her mother looked unconvinced, but she shrugged and said, “Well, we’ll talk about this later. I just came over to tell you about your message. I think Jason really likes you. Your daed rarely called me when we were dating. Of course, back in our day it was quite a hike to the nearest phone shanty.”
Hannah knew her mother was rambling because she was uncomfortable.
“Jason and I aren’t dating, Mamm.” Hannah began scooping spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet. “He only asked me to a singing.”
“You’ll be dating soon.” Her mamm craned her neck to look into the kitchen. “Where’s Stephen?”
“He went to town for supplies. He’s been busy today. He repaired the Sheetrock in the laundry room and replaced the broken window upstairs. He started working on the fence, but ran out of nails.”
“Is he doing a gut job?”
“Ya.” Hannah pointed toward the laundry area. “He said he wants to build a set of cabinets for my supplies, so when Englischers ask to see my wringer washer, I don’t need to be embarrassed by the clutter.” She couldn’t stop her smile. Stephen had great ideas for making the bed-and-breakfast more efficient. She scooped the rest of the dough onto the cookie sheet and then slipped the sheet into the oven.
“That’s gut.” Her mamm walked to the back door and pushed it open. “Andrew also left a message saying he’d stop by today. I’ll see you later.”
From the window, Hannah watched her mother go back inside the daadi haus, then she put her hands on the counter and lowered her chin to her chest.
Lord, when is what I do going to be enough for my mamm?
Hannah was washing the mixing bowl when she heard the clip-clop of horse hooves. She peered out the window and saw her brother’s buggy rattling down the rock driveway toward the barn.
She hurried outside and waved as Andrew walked to the porch. “Hi, Andrew. How’s it going?” She hugged her arms to her chest as the cool autumn breeze engulfed her.
“Fine, danki.” He gestured toward the door. “Is Stephen here?”
“No. Curt drove him to town for some nails. He’s working on the fence. He’s done a lot around here the past few days.”
“I’m froh he’s doing gut work for you.” Andrew’s smile faded. “Stephen is a gut man. I’m glad he’s here. He’s been through a lot and needs a freind.” His mouth formed a thin line. “But be careful not to get too close to him. He’s not ready for anything more than friendship.”
Hannah studied her brother’s serious expression. “What has he been through?”
“Just trust me, Hannah.”
