By the middle of May, Lew and Gwen Adams had moved into the bed-and-breakfast as its new owners, and Ellen was out of a job. The couple’s daughters would be helping their parents during the hours they weren’t in school. Ellen had graciously offered to explain how she’d been running things in Mandy and Ken’s absence, but Mrs. Adams stated she had her own way of doing things and would figure it out.
A week ago, Ellen had moved back to her parents’ house, but she still hadn’t found another job. She’d driven by the bed-and-breakfast yesterday on her way to the grocery store in Shipshewana. The spacious home looked pretty much the same on the outside, but she had a hunch the inside may have changed.
Ellen saw new potted plants near the front flower bed, and more along the driveway. She wondered how much other vegetation the owners would add.
During the time the Adamses had stayed at the B&B, Gwen made it obvious that she was contemplating things she would change if she lived there. She never mentioned anything specific, but a few times Ellen caught her standing in the living room or dining room, looking around as though deep in thought.
Everyone does things differently, Ellen reminded herself as she put her head covering in place. I need to stop pining for what obviously wasn’t meant to be and move forward with my life.
Right now, her immediate need was to go outside and get her horse and buggy ready for the trip to the Blue Gate Restaurant, where she would meet Sadie for breakfast. Since Saturdays were Sadie’s day off, this was a good time for them to get together.
Shipshewana
“I’m not sure what you’re having, but the breakfast buffet is what I’m leaning toward.” Sadie looked across the table at Ellen and grinned.
“It would probably be good, but I’m not all that hungry this morning.” Ellen glanced out the window, then back again. “I may have a bowl of oatmeal.”
“Is that all? Don’t you want to order some toast to go with it?”
Ellen shook her head, feeling a little put out with her friend’s mothering.
“Are you still depressed about losing your job at the B&B?”
“Jah. I probably shouldn’t panic, because it’s only been a week, but I haven’t found anything yet.”
“Well, not to worry. I may have the answer for you.” Sadie leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “A part-time position at the hardware store has opened up. They’ll be interviewing people today and Monday. If you’re interested in working there, that is.”
Ellen’s lips pressed together as she thought about her options. Working at a hardware store was not at the top of her list, but no jobs were available at any of the bed-and-breakfasts or hotels in the area.
“I’ll give it some thought, Sadie, but I probably won’t put in my application today.”
“How come?”
“I promised to run several errands for my mamm, and then I need to get home and help her and my younger sister do some gardening.”
“Okay, but I’d make sure to go first thing Monday morning. You don’t want to miss the opportunity for a job.”
Once again, Ellen felt like Sadie was being too pushy. She most likely meant well, so Ellen made no comment.
Their waitress came, and Sadie chose the buffet, along with her drink.
Ellen chose a beverage, and was about to order oatmeal, but changed her mind. “Guess I’ll have the buffet too. The line has gone down some. I hope there’s still a good variety left.”
Their waitress smiled. “It has been busy since we opened this morning, but don’t worry. There’s plenty of food waiting for you.”
Ellen and Sadie got up and headed for the buffet. When they returned to the table, they offered silent prayers.
“Have you heard anything from Mandy lately?” Sadie picked up a piece of bacon.
“Not since last week when I called to inform her that the new owners had moved into the bed-and-breakfast.” Ellen took a drink of water and swallowed hard. Thinking about how difficult it had been to leave a job she’d enjoyed made her stomach knot up.
Middlebury
“I can’t wait to pick your sisters up at the train station in Elkhart Monday morning.”
Ellen heard the excitement in her mother’s voice. Ruby, who was twenty, and Darla, seventeen, had been working at a restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, all winter and were finally coming home. Normally the girls returned to Indiana in April, but this year they’d chosen to stay an extra month. Ellen couldn’t blame them. The weather in Florida, similar to Hawaii, was beautiful this time of the year. If it hadn’t been for her job at the B&B, Ellen might have tried to get a job for the winter in Sarasota too. At least Darla and Ruby hadn’t had to deal with snow during the winter.
The girls would return to their jobs as waitresses at the Amish-style restaurant in Middlebury, where they would work until late fall.
I’m sure when I see my sisters they’ll be sporting nice tans from all that Florida sunshine. They will probably look healthy compared to my pale face. Ellen filled a pot with water, set it on the burner, and lit the propane stove. She watched her mother grab the bread-and-butter pickles from the refrigerator. Mom liked to can them in the summer, and the family ate the delicious pickles year-round.
“I’ll need to bring up some more bickels from the basement, since this is the last jar upstairs,” Mom commented.
“I can get you some when I’m done peeling the potatoes.” Ellen placed another peeled spud on the cutting board, quartered it, and tossed the pieces in a bowl with the others.
“No hurry, I’ll get them after we eat dinner.” Mom arranged the pickle slices on a glass tray. “Will you be free to go with us to pick up your sisters?”
Ellen was on the verge of saying she couldn’t go because she’d be applying for a job at the hardware store Monday morning. But the interview could wait until Monday afternoon. Darla and Ruby would expect everyone in the family to greet them when they stepped off the train, and Ellen wouldn’t let her sisters down.
Usually, the girls went to and from Florida on the Pioneer Trails bus. But they wanted to try something different and come home on the train this time.
Perhaps my sisters would like to go to Hawaii with me sometime, Ellen thought as she grabbed another potato. If they like Sarasota, I’m sure they’d fall in love with the Hawaiian Islands. Maybe by the time we’re all ready to go, Lenore will be old enough to join us.
Ellen figured returning to Hawaii was a silly dream, but it was fun to have a goal, even if it never came about.
Mom put the jar of pickles away and checked on the meat simmering in a pan on the stove.
“Something smells good in here, ladies. What’s for supper?” Ellen’s father sniffed the air as he entered the kitchen.
“Lemon chicken and mashed potatoes.” Mom pointed to some glass jars on the counter. “And canned green beans from last year.”
“I got the recipe for the chicken when I was on Kauai with Mandy,” Ellen interjected.
“Sounds real tasty.” He jiggled his bushy eyebrows. “How soon till we eat?”
“The chicken’s almost done, and Ellen has the potatoes boiling on the stove. All I need to do yet is open two jars of beans and get them heated.” Mom smiled. “Lenore’s in the dining room setting the table, so by the time you get washed up we should be ready to eat.”
“All right then. I’ll see you at the table.” Grinning widely, Dad sashayed out of the room. He was in an exceptionally good mood this evening. Perhaps it had been a profitable day at the store.
“The table is set. What else can I help with?” Lenore came in and stood next to Mom.
“You can put the lemon chicken on a platter and cover it with foil to keep warm.” Mom pointed to the spare tongs on the counter.
A short time later, supper was on the table. Everyone was about to sit down when someone knocked on the front door.
“I’ll get it.” Lenore hurried out of the room. When she returned, Ezra was with her.
“Sorry for the interruption.” Tugging the brim of his hat, Ezra handed Dad his lunchbox. “You left the store without this.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Figured you might want to have it come Monday morning.”
“Danki, Ezra.” Dad pointed to an empty chair at the table. “If you haven’t eaten yet, why don’t you join us?”
Ezra gave his shirt collar a tug. “Well, I …”
“Come on, son. I bet you’re hungerich.”
“I can’t deny my hunger, but I don’t wanna barge in.”
“There’s always room for one more at our table,” Mom spoke up. “If your mamm’s not expecting you for supper, we’d be happy to have you join us.”
“My folks went out to eat this evening, so I’m on my own. Figured I’d make a sandwich when I got home, but what your havin’ smells a lot better than a hunk of bologna between two slices of bread.”
“Come on, then, you can take the seat over there beside Ellen.”
Ezra rubbed the back of his neck. “Jah, okay.” A splotch of pink erupted on his cheeks as he made his way over and sat down awkwardly. For some reason, Ezra seemed a bit nervous this evening.
Lenore looked over at Ellen and rolled her brown eyes, but at least she didn’t say anything. Ellen could almost imagine what her little sister might be thinking.
After everyone prayed, Mom picked up the first plate of food to pass around the table.
Ezra looked at Dad. “Your fraa … Sie is en gudi Koch.”
“You’re right, Ezra. My wife’s a real good cook.” Dad motioned to Ellen. “And so is my oldest dochder, who cooked the chicken. Ellen will make a fine fraa for some lucky fellow someday.”
Ellen’s face heated. She wished she could make herself disappear. What was her outspoken father trying to do—get Ezra to become interested in her?
She squirmed in her chair as Ezra’s dark eyes darted from side to side. How embarrassing. I’ll bet poor Ezra wishes he’d gone home and fixed a cold sandwich.
Ellen glanced at her father, sitting at the head of the table with a smug-looking smile on his bearded face. I hope Dad’s not trying to play matchmaker. If so, he’s barking up the wrong tree, for Ezra and I have nothing in common.