An Amish Kitchen, page 13
Hannah climbed the porch steps and remembered the Scripture story that had haunted her for the past few weeks—the widow at Zarephath. She couldn’t escape the feeling that God had sent Stephen to the Paradise Inn for a purpose. But what was that purpose? And what role did she play?
The questions swirled through her mind as she reached the screen door. She stopped when she heard muffled voices in the kitchen. She hadn’t heard anyone arrive.
Hannah found Stephen handing a map and brochures to an Englisch couple in the kitchen.
“Here is some information about the area. You’ll find a list of the more popular sights that most folks like to visit. It also lists a few Amish-owned businesses that are off the beaten path.”
“Oh, excuse me.” Hannah rushed over to the couple. “You must be Mr. and Mrs. Morton. I’m Hannah King. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. I was out in the barn checking the messages.”
“It’s no problem at all,” the woman said. “I’m Lucy. Nice to meet you.”
“I wasn’t expecting you for a couple of hours.”
Lucy patted her husband’s arm. “This one wanted to leave early. Hannah, this is my husband, Rick.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Let’s get you checked in.” Hannah took their credit card information, had them sign the guest book, and then gave them their keys. “I’m certain you want to get settled. Head up to the second floor. Your room is the first on the left. I’ll be up in just a moment.”
“Thank you.” Lucy pulled her suitcase toward the stairs, and Hannah could hear her exclaiming to her husband about the house and the apple orchard.
Hannah smiled at them as they retreated up the stairs and then turned to Stephen. “Thanks for greeting them. I didn’t even hear their car.”
Stephen shrugged. “I was glad to help. I’ve heard your speech so many times I could recite it in my sleep.”
“I imagine you could.” Overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, she touched his arm and felt electric pulses flow through her hand. “I truly appreciate your help here. I’ve realized I can’t efficiently run this place and care for my parents on my own.” She self-consciously withdrew her hand and rubbed it down the front of her apron.
His smile faded. “Gern gschehne, Hannah. I’m glad I’m here too.”
She looked into his deep blue eyes and wondered if he truly cared about the Paradise Inn. If so, did he also care for her? She wanted to ask the question, but she was afraid of his response. What if he said it was only a job to him? Hearing those words would crush her.
“I need to get outside to do a few things.” He pointed toward the stairs. “I think you need to get upstairs to show the Mortons their room. You go take care of our guests.”
“Oh! You’re right.”
Our guests. She thought about the word while she climbed the stairs.
Stephen took his time measuring and cutting the wood he’d purchased at the supply store earlier in the day. He swiped the back of his hand across his brow before he began to build the ramp that would connect the back door of Hannah’s parents’ house to the outside world. After witnessing the trouble Saul had exiting the house for church, Stephen had decided a ramp would be of great help to Saul. Once he completed the one for the daadi haus, he would build one for the Paradise Inn as well to encourage Saul to visit.
Stephen hummed as he drove nails into the plywood. The ramp soon began to take shape, and he smiled to himself. He hoped his crude design, which was similar to the one he’d built for his grandfather, would be sufficient.
He looked toward the inn and imagined Hannah telling the guests the history of the building. He was surprised by how appreciative she had been when he’d greeted the guests. It was a simple task, but she acted as if he’d saved the business. His heart warmed at the thought of helping her. Perhaps someday they might be more than friends, but he wouldn’t push the issue. He’d let her set the pace in whatever direction God led their relationship.
The back door opened with a bang, and Stephen found Saul studying him with furrowed eyebrows.
“Wie geht’s, Saul? How are you feeling today?”
Saul pointed toward the ramp. “What’s this?”
“It’s a ramp.” Stephen stood and wiped his brow again. He was sweating despite the crisp fall air. “I thought it might help you get out of the house more.” He gestured toward the inn. “Maybe you can come join me for lunch one afternoon, ya?”
Saul smiled. “Ya.”
Rachel appeared in the doorway. “What’s all the noise out here, Stephen?”
Stephen made a sweeping gesture toward his project.
“Why do we need a ramp?” Rachel raised an eyebrow. “He’s not going to use a wheelchair, if that’s what you’re implying. You get around just fine, right, Saul?”
“Ramp is gut.” Saul shuffled past her and into the house.
Stephen tried in vain to stop his grin. He admired how straightforward the older man was. It seemed the best tactic for handling Rachel.
Rachel scowled. “He doesn’t need a ramp.”
“He thinks he does. He said it was gut. I told him the ramp would help him get out of the house more.”
Rachel peered at him with suspicion brewing in her brown eyes. “Did Andrew tell you to build this?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Was it Hannah, then?”
“No, it was all my idea. I’ve been thinking about it since my first Sunday here, when I saw how Saul struggled down the stairs before church.” Stephen leaned against the railing. “I thought it would be a nice way to help him be more mobile. I imagine he feels cooped up in the house. Mei daadi liked to get out after he had his strokes. Just being outside, feeling the breeze and seeing the flowers, made him froh.”
“He’s not cooped up.” Rachel paused, obviously thinking about something. “He likes to read.”
Stephen reached for the hammer. “I’m glad he likes to read, but I think he needs a ramp. His health may continue to fail. I did little projects like this for mei daadi, and he appreciated them. It helped his quality of life.”
“This really isn’t necessary, Stephen.”
He used the hammer as a pointer and gestured toward the ramp. “I’m going to finish my project now. I’ll build one for the inn when I’m done.”
Rachel stood for a moment watching him, and then she disappeared into the house.
Stephen’s eyes were wide as he looked toward the door after Rachel had gone. He’d hoped she would thank him, but he knew he was building the ramp for the right reasons. He had a feeling Hannah would approve, despite her mother’s reaction.
Later that afternoon Hannah was preparing to put a Dutch Country meat loaf into the oven when her mamm appeared in the kitchen. “Wie geht’s?”
Her mother pointed out the window over the sink. “Did you see what Stephen is doing at my haus?”
Hannah added water to the mixture in the pan. She then looked out the window and spotted Stephen painting a wooden structure that was attached to the back porch stairs. “Is that a ramp?”
“Ya. Did you know he was building a ramp for your daed?”
“No. How thoughtful.” She turned to her mamm. “When he came in for lunch, he said he was fixing the fence around the chicken coop, but I hadn’t looked out the window or paid much attention outside.” She stuck the meat loaf in the oven. “I’ve been worried that Daed is going to fall and hurt himself. The ramp is a fantastic idea.”
“He didn’t ask me first.”
“His heart is in the right place.” Hannah touched her mamm’s sleeve. “Stephen has really been a help to our family. I’m so glad Andrew hired him.”
Her mother frowned. “Do you have feelings for him, Hannah Mary?”
“He’s mei freind.”
“Remember what I said about how things can be perceived. You’re living under the same roof, and you’re unmarried. If the bishop disapproves . . .”
“Mamm, please.” Hannah grimaced. “We’re freinden.”
“I’m warning you, dochder. Maybe he’ll be able to save some money and move out on his own soon.” Her mamm lifted her arms in a dramatic gesture and started for the door. “I’ll see you later.”
Hannah shook her head as her mamm disappeared out the back door. How could she think anything inappropriate would happen between her and Stephen? They knew what was considered appropriate behavior.
Hannah peered out the window to watch Stephen paint the ramp. What a wonderful and thoughtful man. He seemed to be an answer to her prayers—her helpmate who would care for her parents and the bed-and-breakfast she loved so much. Hannah needed to do something nice for him as a way to say thank you.
She looked toward the pantry as an idea nipped at her. She rummaged through the shelves and made a shopping list. She would make him something special and surprise him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
HANNAH INHALED THE WARM SCENT OF SOFT PRETZELS as she pulled them from the oven Friday night. She’d looked forward to this for the past couple of days. Baking Stephen her grandmother’s famous soft pretzels seemed the best plan.
She removed the six pretzels from the baking sheet and brushed them with butter before sprinkling coarse salt on them. She was setting out napkins when the back door opened and Stephen stepped in.
He hung his hat and jacket on the peg by the back door. “What smells so appeditlich?”
“A surprise for you.”
“A surprise for me?” He moved to the table and grinned. “Soft pretzels.”
She bit her lower lip. “Do you like them?”
“Like them?” He chuckled. “I love them, Hannah. How did you know?”
“Just a gut guess, I suppose.” She pointed toward the sink. “Wash up and have a seat.”
He scrubbed his hands and dried them on the dish towel. “Why did you make me a surprise? Do you need me to replace the roof?”
She laughed. “No, I’m not trying to bribe you. I wanted to thank you for all the wunderbaar work you’ve been doing.”
“It’s a very nice way to say danki. But you didn’t need to do this.”
“I wanted to. You went above and beyond your job duties this week by making those ramps. I appreciate that you’re taking care of mei daed just like you took care of your daadi.”
Hannah stared up at him, and her heartbeat accelerated. The feelings bubbling up inside her were nothing like what she felt when she was with Jason. With Stephen, she felt as if her heart might burst with excitement and fear all at once. Was this what it felt like to fall in love?
She wrenched herself from her trance and took a step back. “I hope you like the pretzels. It’s my favorite recipe from mei mammi.”
“Sounds wunderbaar.” He sat at the table.
Hannah sat across from him and passed him the plate of pretzels. “Would you like coffee?”
“Ya, please.” He took a pretzel and broke off a piece before popping it into his mouth. “Hannah, this is amazing.”
“Danki.” She poured two cups of coffee and handed one to him. “Mei mammi was known for making some of the best food in the district. At church service, her dishes always disappeared first. She taught me well.”
“When did she pass away?”
“Three years ago. I still miss her.” Hannah broke off a piece of pretzel while wondering about Stephen’s mysterious past. “Do you miss your family?”
“Ya, I do.” He took another pretzel from the plate.
“Do you think you’ll go home for a visit?”
“I don’t know.”
He kept his gaze on the pretzel, and she wondered if he was avoiding her eyes. He broke off a piece and bit into it.
“These pretzels are spectacular, Hannah. You should sell these to your guests.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You think so?”
“Absolutely.” He sipped more coffee. “They’d probably buy them by the trunk full. You’d have to spend your days making pretzels, and I’d take care of the guests as well as the grounds.”
She chuckled. “I’ll be a pretzel baker.”
“That’s right.” He lifted his mug in agreement.
“You’re gegisch, Stephen Esh. I don’t think I’ll make a living as a pretzel baker, but I’m froh you’re enjoying them.” She savored the taste of the butter and salt while trying to think of a way to get him to tell her more about his life in Ohio. Finally she decided to ask a direct question, hoping it wouldn’t shut down the conversation completely. “So why did you leave Sugarcreek?”
Stephen rubbed his chin, and at once Hannah regretted asking. “If it’s too personal, then forget I—”
“No, it’s okay. It’s time I told you the whole story. You have a right to know.” Stephen sat up straighter and took a deep breath. “Seven months ago my fiancée died in an accident.”
“Ach, Stephen.” Hannah reached for his hand and then pulled it back, knowing the gesture was too personal. “I’m so sorry. No wonder you have a hard time sleeping. Your heart is broken.”
“Danki.” He cleared his throat. “I was taking her home one night, and it was raining. A pickup truck swerved into my buggy. Lillian died instantly from the impact. We were going to be married, and I was going to build a house on my parents’ farm.”
“The Lord will comfort you.” Hannah shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “He’ll cover your grief with His love.”
He studied his coffee mug. “There’s a reason why we were going to be married right away.”
Hannah tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
He kept his eyes focused on the mug. “She was pregnant with mei kind.”
Hannah’s mind absorbed his confession. Lillian was pregnant. Although Hannah had shown interest in a few young men, she’d never once considered being intimate with them before marriage. She wondered what kind of person Lillian was to commit such a sin, then she realized she was judging Lillian. Judging someone was a sin, which meant Hannah was no better than Lillian.
Stephen’s eyes probed hers as if waiting for her to comment. “You must think that Lillian and I are terrible people.”
Hannah cleared her throat as the guilt from her judgment choked her words. “Well, that’s not a choice I would have made, but sin is sin in the eyes of God. None of us is perfect, and it’s not my place to judge either of you.”
Stephen raked his hand through his hair. “The day before the accident we had admitted our sin to our bishop, and we planned to confess to the church at the next service.” He looked into her eyes, his shame evident. “We knew we had made bad choices. But we were trying to make things right.”
Hannah nodded slowly, taking in his words. She could feel his grief, and her heart ached for all he’d lost.
The worry in his face transformed to a frown. “Lillian was baptized, but I wasn’t. I was going to be baptized immediately and then we were going to be married. After she died, I couldn’t bring myself to be baptized. I didn’t feel worthy of it. I confessed to the community and apologized to her parents, but I had to leave.” He paused and blew out a deep breath. “Everything I looked at and everything I touched reminded me of her. But worst of all, I couldn’t stand the grief in her parents’ eyes every time they saw me at church. They had to look at me and remember that I’d lived while she’d died.”
Hannah brushed away a tear. “But, Stephen, you must know that the Lord appoints when we live and when we die. You couldn’t control that.”
“I think I could have.” He grimaced. “I never should’ve taken her out in that pounding rain. I knew it was dangerous, but I thought I could get her home safely. I was wrong, and I can’t forgive myself. I should’ve waited for the rain to let up, but I was impatient. I wanted to be alone with her so we could make plans and talk over our future.”
“I can feel your pain, Stephen. It’s obvious that you’re hurting so much that it’s choking your heart. But God forgave you, and your community forgave you. Now it’s your turn to forgive yourself.”
“If it weren’t for my stupidity, Lillian would still be alive today.”
“How do you know that? Everything happens in God’s time. You can’t predict what could’ve happened if you hadn’t taken her out in the rain.”
Stephen stared at her.
“You can’t change God’s plan, and you can’t doubt it.” Hannah ran her finger over the table’s wood grain. “When I was six, my cousins and I found a litter of newborn kittens in mei mammi’s barn. The mother cat was very docile and she didn’t protest while we held the kittens. I was hugging and kissing the tiniest one, and I accidentally dropped it.”
She sniffed while the memories flooded her. “I can still remember how devastated I was when mei mammi told me the kitten had died. I felt so guilty, and I cried and cried. But mei mammi reminded me it was an accident and it was also God’s will that the kitten didn’t make it.”
Stephen ran his hand down his face and nodded.
Hannah leaned forward. She wished she could take his hand in hers to console him. “Is it our place to question His will? I know a kitten doesn’t come close to comparing to your beloved Lillian, but you can’t let that burden weigh down your heart anymore.” She smiled. “Stephen, you’re the kindest man I know. You’ve lavished buckets of tenderness on my parents and our land, but you don’t have a spoonful of love for yourself.”
His shoulders slumped. “I know you’re right, Hannah. It’s just hard.”
“Let God heal your heart. If you give Him the chance, He will carry your burdens. And you’re worthy to be baptized. God loves us all equally, and you’re one of His children.”
