As Mandy approached the Palms Bed-and-Breakfast, she heard music drifting from the open windows and knew Makaio must be playing his ukulele. It brought back memories of times he’d taught her how to play the instrument. Makaio had even given Mandy a ukulele for her birthday when she and Ellen stayed with him and Luana. Mandy still played it during her free time, and the music always brought her back to the days spent on Kauai.
Stepping onto their lanai, Mandy set the box she held on a small wicker table. She was about to knock on the door, when it opened and Luana greeted her with a hug. “Aloha, my dear friend. How are you today?”
“I’m doing all right, but Ken’s still having a hard time. Between dealing with his father’s death and trying to keep the organic farm running, he’s pretty stressed out.”
“Isn’t Ken’s brother helping?” Luana asked.
Mandy shook her head. “Dan’s taken his dad’s death the hardest of all, and he’s sunk into depression. His wife, Rita, said it’s all he can do to get out of bed.”
Luana’s dark eyebrows rose. “Does that mean Ken is doing all the work by himself?”
“Pretty much. I’m helping him with the chickens as much as I can, and of course, doing inside chores to help Ken’s mom. As you can imagine, neither of us has any free time.” Mandy gestured to the box. “I brought the four-dozen brown eggs you requested.”
“Mahalo. With all the guests we have scheduled in the next few weeks, the eggs will be gone quickly.”
“Let me know when you need more. The layers are producing a lot right now.”
“Good to know.” Luana gestured to the wicker chairs on the lanai. “Do you have a few minutes to sit and talk? I have some fresh papaya and pineapple cut. It might be a nice pick-me-up.”
Mandy moistened her lips. “That does sound good, but I can’t stay long. Ken needs my help this morning, cleaning out the rest of the chicken houses.”
Luana gently rubbed Mandy’s back and shoulders. “You know what I think?”
“What’s that?” Mandy felt her tension ease a bit.
“I think Ken’s mother should hire someone to work on the farm. She’ll have to do that anyway, once you and Ken go back to the mainland.”
Sighing, Mandy sank into a chair. “It doesn’t look like we’ll be leaving here anytime soon. But you’re right—Vickie should hire someone—if for no other reason than to help Ken right now. He’s so tired at the end of the day that he can barely muster up the strength to kiss me goodnight.”
Luana slowly shook her head. “That’s not good. Why, you two are still basically on your honeymoon. Instead of wading through piles of chicken manure, you should both be swimming in the ocean and enjoying the mesmerizing sounds of the surf.”
“I wish we could spend time relaxing on the beach, but as you know, that’s not the reason we came to Kauai.” Mandy gestured to the cardboard container. “Would you like me to take the eggs inside for you?”
“No, I’ll do it.” Luana picked up the box. “Just sit there and rest. I’ll be back with some delicious fruit.”
When Luana went inside, Mandy leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She drew in a deep cleansing breath of air, relishing in all the pleasurable scents from vegetation blooming in the Palus’ yard. Back home, the only flowers around were the poinsettias left over from Christmas. So Mandy’s senses were piqued by all the colors and fragrances on the islands.
The sound of birds chirping in the trees nearly lulled her to sleep. Luana is right. I do need some time to relax. Ken needs it too. I bet he wishes he had time to go surfing with his friend Taavi.
When Luana returned to the lanai, Mandy opened her eyes and yawned. “It’s a good thing you came back when you did, or I’d probably be counting sheep.”
Luana tipped her head to one side and chuckled. “Silly me. I took you literally for a moment there.” She placed a plate of fruit on the wicker table and handed Mandy a glass of guava juice. “I’m glad you had a few minutes to yourself. It’s not good to work all the time.”
Luana plucked a piece of pineapple off the plate and took a seat in the chair beside Mandy. “I spoke to Makaio when I was inside and asked if he knew of anybody who needed a job or might like to work at the Williamses’ farm.”
“What’d he say?” Mandy took a sip of juice.
“Not off hand, but if he hears of anyone, he’ll be sure to let Ken or his mother know.”
Mandy nodded slowly, before taking another drink of the succulent juice. She wished they sold guava juice in the stores at home, because their bed-and-breakfast guests would enjoy it as a nice change from the usual orange, apple, or grape juices she offered.
“How’s Ellen doing these days?” Luana asked. “Is she managing the B&B on her own?”
“When I spoke to her earlier this week, she said she’s been quite busy. But she’s managing okay with our friend Sadie’s part-time help.” Mandy shifted in her chair. “Ellen ran into a little problem last week, though, when she rented a room to a couple with a two-year-old boy.”
“So I’m guessing your bed-and-breakfast has an ‘adult only’ policy like we have here?”
“Yes, but Ellen made an exception and regretted it later. Would you like to hear what happened?”
Luana nodded as she nibbled on a piece of papaya.
“Well, in addition to scratching the coffee table in the living room with his mother’s comb, the little guy dropped his father’s keys in the toilet, and they got stuck.”
“Oh, my! Were they able to get them freed without calling a plumber?”
“Yes. The boy’s dad bent a coat hanger and fished them out.” Mandy helped herself to a piece of pineapple. “Ellen was so apologetic. She thought I’d be upset, but I told her not to worry. It could have happened if Ken and I had been there. We both like kids, so we would have probably made an exception and let the couple stay too.”
Luana grinned. “Running a B&B does have its challenges. Believe me, over the years of owning this business, Makaio and I have faced many unusual situations. We are thankful each day for the Lord’s help in everything we say and do.”
“One thing is certain. You two are the kindest, most hospitable couple I’ve ever met. It’s because of you that Ken and I decided to open our bed-and-breakfast in Middlebury.”
“Well, thank you. It’s nice to know we had a positive influence.”
Mandy reached over and clasped her friend’s arm. “You certainly have, and in more ways than one.” She set her empty glass down and stood. “As much as I’d like to sit here all day and visit, you have things to do, and I need to get back to help Ken.”
Luana rose and gave Mandy a hug. “Please keep in touch, and we’ll let you know if we hear of anyone who might need a job.”
Middlebury
“I’m glad you were able to take a little time off and join me and your daed for lunch today,” Ellen’s mother said as she sat at her kitchen table. “We don’t get to visit much since Mandy and Ken left you in charge of their bed-and-breakfast. I think you’re working too hard.”
Ellen’s father looked at Ellen and winked.
“I’m fine.” She smiled, hoping to reassure her mother and thankful that Dad understood her position. Mom had enough going on with Lenore, Ellen’s youngest sister, close to finishing up her last year of school. It seemed as if she worried about everyone in the family—including Dad and how hard he worked at his shoe store. She also fretted over Ellen’s other two sisters, who were away in Sarasota waitressing at a restaurant until they returned in the spring. Ellen didn’t want to cause Mom more concern.
“Sadie’s the one who’s working too hard, being at the hardware store all day and helping me out in the evenings and Saturdays. I don’t know where she gets all that energy.”
Mom took a sip of water. “I’m sure your friend does work hard, but you do too, and—”
“Now Nora, don’t start mothering our oldest dochder,” Dad spoke up. “Ellen’s a grown woman. I’m sure she knows her limitations and can handle most any situation.”
Ellen bit the inside of her cheek. “Actually, I do have a problem I can’t seem to resolve on my own. Sadie hasn’t been able to figure it out either.”
“What’s going on?” Dad leaned his folded arms on the table.
Ellen explained how the little boy had dropped his father’s keys in the toilet. “Even though his dad managed to get them out, the toilet hasn’t been running right since.”
“Does it still flush?” Dad questioned.
“Jah, but it keeps running, unless someone jiggles the handle. And I sure can’t expect any guests staying in that room to be subjected to the inconvenience.”
Mom looked at Dad. “I bet you could fix it, Nathan. You’ve always been handy with things like that.”
He nodded, running his fingers through the sides of his thinning reddish-blond hair. “I’ll come over sometime later today and take a look-see.”
“Danki, Dad. I’m sure if anyone can fix it, you can.”
Ellen finished washing her supper dishes when Sadie arrived to help with preparations for breakfast the next morning.
“How’d your day go?” Sadie asked after removing her outer garments and hanging them up.
“It went well.” Ellen dried her hands. “I had lunch at my folks’ place, and my daed said he’d be over later today to check on the toilet that keeps running.” She glanced up at the clock. “I figured he would be here by now, though.”
“Maybe he got delayed at the shoe store. Sometimes customers come in a few minutes before the hardware store closes, and we have to stay open till they finish shopping.”
“Jah, that could be what’s happened. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to work late either.”
A knock sounded on the back door. “I bet that’s my daed now.” Ellen hurried to the door, but when she opened it, she jerked her head back, surprised to find Ezra Bontrager on the porch, holding a tool box.
“Hello, Ellen.” Ezra’s cheeks reddened. “I’m guessin’ I took you by surprise, showing up here when you expected your daed.” He gave her a half-smile, glanced down at his boots, then looked back at her.
“I am a bit surprised,” she admitted.
“Your daed’s still at the shop, so I hope you don’t mind, but I’m here to take a look at your briwwi.”
“Oh, okay.” Ellen felt a little funny about her dad’s employee coming over to fix the toilet, but she needed it done, so she showed Ezra the way.
“You work in a nice place, Ellen.” Ezra paused before entering the guest room. He glanced around, as though trying to take it all in, and then he stared at her a little longer than normal.
Ellen noticed Sadie poke her head into the room and give her a silly grin. Then she disappeared into the kitchen, hopefully, undetected by Ezra.
“Uh … thanks, Ezra.” Her chin dipped down. “I like working here. I’d be disappointed if I ever had to quit.”
“That speaks volumes to me.” Ezra shuffled his feet. “I like my job too. Your daed’s a good boss. I don’t mind assisting him and enjoy the easy-going pace at the shoe store.”
Ellen smiled. “Dad’s mentioned several times how glad he is that you’re working for him. He says you’re a good worker.”
“That’s nice to hear.” Ezra blushed as he looked down at his boots again. “Guess I’d better get busy fixin’ your problem in the bathroom.”
Ellen led Ezra into the small connecting bathroom and watched as he set his tool pouch in front of the sink. “It’s sure a waste of water when a toilet runs all the time, and the noise it creates can get annoying,” he commented.
“I’m glad it still worked after those keys got flushed, but I began to worry when it started doing this.” She rested her hand against the door frame.
He flushed the toilet, jiggled the handle, and lifted the lid off the top. “I think I know what the problem is, so you can go back to whatever you were doin’, and I’ll get to work.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.” Ellen returned to the kitchen where Sadie mixed muffin batter.
“Did Ezra find the problem?” Sadie asked.
“I think he may have, but now he has to fix it.” Ellen took a carton of eggs from the refrigerator. “Think I’ll mix the eggs and milk now, so tomorrow morning all I’ll have to do is cook and scramble the egg mixture.”
Ellen and Sadie worked in silence until Ezra came into the room. “All done,” he announced. “The briwwi shouldn’t keep running anymore.” Ezra glanced in Ellen’s direction, giving her a shy kind of grin.
“Danki for taking care of it. How much do I owe you?”
He held up one hand. “Don’t worry about that. Your daed said he’d take care of it, since I did him a favor by coming over in his place.” He shuffled his feet once more. “Guess I oughta get going.”
“Okay. Thanks again, Ezra.”
“No problem,” he mumbled before heading out the door.
Sadie snickered.
“What’s so funny?”
“Didn’t you see the way Ezra looked at you when you two chatted?”
Ellen shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, boy … How could you miss it?” Sadie snickered again. “I think Ezra’s interested in you. Jah, I’m almost sure of it.”
“No way!” Ellen took out a wooden spoon. “I’ve known Ezra since we were in school. Besides, he’s two years younger than me.”
“A few years one way or another doesn’t mean a thing.” Sadie poked Ellen’s arm. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Ezra doesn’t ask your daed if he can start calling on you.”
Ellen shook her head. “Even if Ezra wanted to, it’d be kind of hard for him to come calling on me when I’m here at the B&B working all the time.”
“Well, you know what they say—‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’”
Ellen rolled her eyes. “Come on, Sadie. No more talk about Ezra Bontrager. Let’s get to work.”