Trent sat at the kitchen table, staring into his empty mug. Thanks to the locksmith he’d called a few days ago, he was back in his dinky apartment. But after spending a night and part of a day with Miranda and the kids in a home he was still paying the mortgage on, he felt depressed. Here in his humble abode, these rooms were too quiet for him.
“Shouldn’t be living here alone,” he mumbled. “I miss my wife and kids and want to go home.”
Trent’s apartment was big enough for one person, but it had few furnishings and absolutely no personality. It was drab and dull, and he missed seeing the little touches Miranda had placed around their house. A vase of flowers, little knickknacks, framed photos of the kids—those were the kind of things missing in this dreary place.
“Even my walls are bare.” Trent lifted his hands in despair. “But why bother with all that stuff when I’m here all alone?” He first believed his stay here would be only temporary. Now he had serious doubts. “I wonder if Miranda will make good on her threat and file for divorce.”
Trent glanced at his cell phone. He had just enough time for another cup of coffee before heading out to pick up the kids for their cooking class in Walnut Creek. It would be good to see them again. Maybe I can get Kevin and Debbie to work on their mother. If they tell her how much they miss me, maybe Miranda will say I can move back to the house. Sure wish I could do something to prove I wasn’t disloyal to her. He tugged his ear. Well, maybe I was, but I didn’t have an affair. I broke things off with Isabelle before it got that far.
Trent was about to reach for the coffeepot, when his cell phone rang. The sound made him jump up. Seeing it was his buddy Rod Eckers, he answered.
“Hey, Rod, what’s up?”
“I heard you had the day off and wondered if you’d like to meet me for a game of racquetball this morning.”
Frowning, Trent tilted his chin down. Sure wish I could.
“Trent, are you there?”
“Yeah.” He moaned. “But I’m not free this morning.”
“How come?”
Resting his elbows on the table, while holding his head in his hand, Trent made it short and sweet. “Gotta take my kids to some cooking class. Miranda has to work today, and she pretty much insisted it was my turn to take them.”
“Aw, that’s too bad. Let me know when you have your next day off. Hopefully, we can work something out.”
“Okay, I’ll give you a call. Talk to you later, Rod.”
Trent hung up and groaned. When he and Miranda first separated, he’d thought he would have more time to do the things he liked. But moving out of the house didn’t make his responsibility to the children disappear. So he would take the kids to Walnut Creek, but he wasn’t going to stick around. He planned to drop them off and pick them up when the class was over. Truthfully, Trent had no interest in watching some Amish woman teach a bunch of rowdy kids how to cook or bake something.
He stood up and straightened his button-down shirt. I need to get going. Trent poured himself a cup of coffee and took a couple of sips. “I wish a game of racquetball could fit into the time frame of the kids’ cooking class.” He shut off the coffee maker and carried the mug to his bedroom. Setting his cup on the windowsill, Trent thumbed through the closet, sorting through his insufficient supply of shirts. He really should bring the rest of them over from the house.
“There’s my favorite racquetball shirt. Too bad I can’t put it to good use today.” Trent picked up his cup again and took a drink as he deliberated. It can’t hurt if I sneak away and have some “me” time would it? I deserve a break today from my expected duties.
Lyle stepped outside onto the porch and noticed Eli’s horse and buggy at the hitching rail. “I wonder when he showed up.” Lyle figured his friend wanted to get an early start.
Lyle had an auction yesterday, but he was free today. It worked out well, since the building where some of his auctions were held was closed today, due to repairs. Since Heidi had a cooking class, Lyle planned to give Eli a hand with the chicken coop.
Lyle unleashed Eli’s horse and walked it to the barn. He was surprised Eli hadn’t taken care of it himself. After giving Blossom a few scratches behind her ears, Lyle put the horse in an empty stall and headed out to the yard where Eli was working. “Guder mariye, Eli.” Lyle approached him. “I didn’t hear you arrive.”
“Guess I shoulda let you know I was here, but I wanted to get right to work. And if my calculations are correct, the chicken coop should be finished soon.”
“You got a lot done on it yesterday.” Lyle reached out to hold the board Eli was preparing to hammer to the frame.
“I had a good little helper.” Eli chuckled. “That Randy was sure eager to be a part of this project, and I couldn’t let him down. So I asked him to hand me nails when I needed them, as well as some other little things he could handle.”
Lyle chuckled. “It’s all he’s been talking about since we told him and Marsha about getting some chickens.”
Eli grinned and shook his head. “It’ll be good for the kinner to have a part in this. Randy told me yesterday all about the responsibility he and his sister will have: feeding the chickens and collecting eggs.”
“Jah. You know how it is when you’re young.” Lyle reached for another board and handed it to Eli. “Heidi and I hope this will be good for the children and give them an even better sense of belonging. They sure seem eager to help.”
“Believe me, I know.” Eli finished putting the nails in the board. “Loretta’s two are the same way. Whenever there’s a project to do at our place, one or both of ’em are eager to help.”
“How are Conner and Abby doing these days?”
“Doin’ well. They’re both like two wound-up pups. Don’t know where they get their energy. They’ll be at their grandparents visiting soon. And Loretta… Well, she’s been scurrying around like a busy bee painting each of their bedrooms. She wants it to be a surprise when they get home and see their favorite color on the walls of their rooms.”
Lyle pondered things as Eli sawed a few more boards to length. Maybe it would be a good idea to paint Marsha and Randy’s bedroom walls and let them choose the color. That way each of their rooms will feel as though it’s really theirs. I’ll take care of that soon.
As Velma walked along the shoulder of the road with Peggy Ann and their dog, Abner, she found herself beginning to relax. The scent of blossoms from a gorgeous rose garden in a nearby yard filled her senses with sweetness. It was nice walking with her daughter, too, and doing some deep thinking. Boy, I really needed to get away from the house for a while.
The last few days had been stressful, and the fresh air and sunshine felt good. Walking the dog was a good excuse to be outside on a day such as this.
Facing the sun, she closed her eyes for a second and let the sun’s warmth penetrate her skin. The only sounds for the moment were the birds singing and the jingle of Abner’s dog tags as he pranced along in front of Velma’s daughter.
Peggy Ann insisted on holding Abner’s leash, and Velma didn’t object, because the black Lab was behaving himself.
“How come you’re so quiet, Mama?” Peggy Ann asked, skipping to keep up with the dog.
“Oh, just enjoying the surroundings and thinkin’ is all.”
“What about?”
Velma shrugged. “Nothing much.”
“Wanna know what I’m thinkin’ about?”
“What’s that, honey child?”
“Papa.” Peggy Ann stopped walking so the dog could sniff something on the ground. “I wish he didn’t have to be gone all the time. Bet you miss him, too, huh, Mama?”
Velma slowly nodded. She wouldn’t admit it to any of her children, but it was a relief when Hank left early this morning to pick up a load with his semitruck. He’d be gone several days, so she wouldn’t have to listen to him harp on the issue of the accident she’d caused and them having no car. Velma was the person inconvenienced. Having to walk or ride one of the kid’s bikes was certainly no fun for her. Neither was living with disharmony in their home. Velma wanted a good solid marriage. She needed some answers to fix her dilemma, because right now, nothing seemed right. Maybe it would help if I had a friend—someone to bounce things off of.
Velma glanced at a well-kept farm across the road. Too bad we don’t have a horse and buggy like those Amish people do. At least it would get us where we wanna go without worrying about having money to fill the gas tank. She wrinkled her nose. Guess keeping a horse wouldn’t be cheap, though. It would cost money to feed it too.
As they came parallel to the driveway leading to the Amish house, a Brittany spaniel started barking from the yard. Abner responded with a few Arf! Arfs! Then, jerking the leash out of Peggy Ann’s hand, the dog broke free and darted across the street.
“Come back here, Abner!” Velma and Peggy Ann shouted at the same time.
Both dogs were now chasing each other around the yard, yipping and yapping so loud Velma felt like covering her ears.
“What should we do, Mama?” Peggy Ann began jumping up and down.
Only one thing to do. Go into the yard after her dog.
“I don’t wanna learn cookin’ today.” Randy’s lower lip protruded. “Wanna be outside watchin’ Eli work on the chicken coop.”
“You got to watch and help him yesterday when he started the project,” Heidi reminded the boy. “And remember, as soon as Eli finishes building the coop, we’ll get some chicks.” She pointed to the recipe cards lying on the table. “This morning you’ll enjoy making mini corn dogs with the other children, and we’ll get to eat them afterward.”
“But I was helpin’ Eli, and what if he needs me again today?”
“I’m sure Eli will understand. Lyle will be helping him today. Now that he has your rooms painted, he has some free time.”
Out of the blue, Marsha spoke up. “I like corn dogs.”
Heidi smiled. “I think most kids do—and even some adults like me and Lyle.”
The little girl looked up at Heidi with such a sweet smile. “Lyle’s my daadi, and you’re my mammi.”
“No, they’re not.” Randy shook his head. “Our mommy and daddy are in heaven.”
Marsha squinted, while tipping her head, as if trying to process what her brother said. They’d talked about this before, but apparently Marsha had forgotten.
Before Heidi could offer an explanation, a ruckus coming from outside drew her attention to the window. She was surprised to see Rusty being chased by a black Lab she didn’t know. A leash clipped to the Lab’s collar trailed behind.
“Oh, dear.” Heidi opened the back door and stepped outside. Clapping her hands, she called for her dog, but Rusty kept running and barking, oblivious to her command. This was unusual for her normally obedient dog.
Then a woman with scraggly blond hair dashed into the yard, hollering, “Stop, Abner! Come here right now!” When she picked up a stick and shook it, the Lab quit running and crawled to her on his belly.
“Don’t hit him, Mama. Please don’t hit Abner.” A young girl with reddish-blond hair worn in pigtails ran up to the woman and clutched her hand.
“I ain’t gonna hit the mutt. Just wanted to scare him so he’d quit running.” The woman picked up the dog’s leash, holding it firmly. Then she turned to face Heidi. “Sorry for the intrusion. My daughter and I were takin’ Abner for a walk, and when he saw your dog and heard it barking in your yard, he took off like a flash. Peggy Ann couldn’t hold him, and the leash slipped out of her hand.”
By this time, Rusty had also quit running and was lying on the porch by Heidi’s feet, panting. Lyle came out of the barn. “Everything okay up there?”
Heidi waved. “Jah, we’re good.” She smiled when he nodded, and he went back into the barn.
Heidi came down the porch steps. “It’s all right. I understand how dogs can be sometimes.” She smiled. “I’m Heidi Troyer. Are you new to the area? I don’t recall seeing you or your daughter before.”
“Yeah, we moved here from Kentucky about a month ago. My name’s Velma Kimball, and this is Peggy Ann. I have two more kids at home: Bobbie Sue—she’s seventeen—and Eddie, who’s ten. We live down the road apiece in a double-wide.”
Heidi wasn’t sure she could get a word in, with the woman talking so fast, but she was finally able to say, “It’s nice meeting you.” Now that she thought about it, she had seen the mobile home set back off the road. It had been for sale a while ago, but she hadn’t realized it had sold or that anyone was living there now.
Still holding her dog’s leash, Velma reached out her other hand to shake Heidi’s. “Nice to meet you too. Have ya got any kids?”
“None of my own, but my husband and I have two foster children.”
“I see. Well, maybe my kids will get to meet them sometime.” Velma glanced at her daughter, then looked back at Heidi. “Peggy Ann’s kinda shy, and she hasn’t fully adjusted to our move. I think it’d be good if she makes some new friends.”
Heidi noticed how their dog had begun to pant. The animal’s pink tongue hung out the side of its mouth. “Peggy Ann, there is a bucket over by the porch. Why don’t you get the hose and fill it with water for your dog? He looks thirsty.”
After Peggy Ann filled the bucket, she carried it over and set it down by the Lab. As if the dogs were best friends, Rusty and Abner, heads together, lapped the water at the same time.
“Now would you look at that?” Velma grinned when both dogs laid down in the cool grass together. “Abner’s never taken to any dog like that. Seems he’s already made a new friend.”
Heidi was about to respond, when a car she hadn’t seen before pulled in. A few seconds later, Kevin and Debbie got out of the vehicle. Heidi saw a man in the driver’s seat, but she’d never met him before.
“I’m sorry to cut our conversation short,” she said, looking at Velma, “but I teach a cooking class every other Saturday, and some of my students have arrived.”
Velma pursed her lips. “Those kids are your students?”
“Yes, that’s Kevin and Debbie. The others aren’t here yet but should arrive soon, I expect.” Heidi nodded. “It’s a cooking class for children, and today will be their second lesson.”
Velma rubbed her chin with a thoughtful expression. “Hmm… Are the classes expensive?”
Heidi quoted the price and Velma grimaced. “Unfortunately, I don’t have any extra money right now. It’s a shame, too, ’cause I think learnin’ to cook with a bunch of other kids would be real good for my Peggy Ann.”
“I may teach more classes for children in the future,” Heidi said. “If I do, I’ll let you know.”
Velma snapped her fingers. “Say, ya know what? I have an idea.”
Heidi glanced at Kevin and Debbie. They stood next to the car, talking through the open window to the man who’d brought them. I need to go introduce myself to him, but I don’t want to be rude to our new neighbor.
“Would ya like to hear my idea?” Velma seemed eager to share her plan.
“Umm… certainly.”
“I was thinkin’, since I can’t afford to pay for Peggy Ann to take your classes, I could do some work for you in exchange for you teaching my daughter.”
“Well, uh…” Heidi moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “I’m not sure…”
“I’ll do any kind of chore you need to have done. I can clean your house, do yard work, and even chop wood. I’m very handy, believe you me, and strong too.” Velma’s voice trembled a bit. “Oh, please don’t say no. Peggy Ann would surely benefit from takin’ your class.”
“Well, I suppose it would be all right. Peggy Ann can join the class today, and afterward I’ll make a list of some things I need to have done. Then you can choose.”
Velma’s face broke into a wide smile. “Thanks, Heidi. Thanks so much.”
Heidi wasn’t sure if agreeing to let Velma work for her in exchange for Peggy Ann joining the classes was a good idea, but she didn’t have the heart to say no. Velma seemed almost desperate, and her daughter looked so forlorn. Perhaps she would have the opportunity to minister to them in some way, as she had in the past with many of her previous students.
Heidi looked over at the Cooper children again and was disappointed because it appeared that the man in the car was getting ready to leave.
Excusing herself from Velma, Heidi hurried across the yard.