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"Rivkah?"
Rose called through the screen door, gently rapping on the wooden frame.
"Come in," Rivkah greeted her friend, brushing flour off her hands, "What a pleasant surprise!"
"Good morning. Oh my, does it ever smell wonderful in here!"
Rose breathed in deeply, her husband coming up the front stairs. Fresh bread beat store-bought by a mile, the scent itself, heavenly.
Rivkah's kitchen was cozy but practical, herbs sitting on the windowsill, drinking in any available winter sunshine. Now rain thawed the ground, making their world a mucky mess.
David looked up, "Good morning Rivkah. We just came from Arlana's farm. We thought she might be here."
"Please, have a seat," Rivkah motioned towards the kitchen table, returning to her neglected dough. "Josiah took her and Aziel to Renfrew with him yesterday. Arlana's family is down..."
"Sheila?" Rose's eyes widened, "You know, I've never had the chance to meet my cousin and she is so close..."
Blue eyes searched her husband's.
Rivkah smiled. "Arlana would love to have you meet her family I'm sure. She's still working on that family tree I believe... Why don't you send Josiah a message?"
"I don't know if we are going to have time," David glanced at the old cuckoo clock on the wall, uncertain if the antique kept the correct time. "We were going to be going to the mission tonight, the one Lachlan told us about. What was the name of it, Honey?"
David turned to Rose who sat cross-legged beside him, resting her chin on her hand, elbow propped on the table beside the glass of water Rivkah had given them.
"Right..." Rose suddenly seemed to remember the purpose of their visit.
"We received a call from the Mosely this morning asking if Shaul was available to speak at their special service tonight. They really enjoyed the service a few months back. I know he is still in Israel so thought perhaps Josiah could fill in for Lachlan," a sheepish look briefly crossed her face, "I guess I really should have thought first before saying they'd be there. We can't reach Lachlan either."
Rivkah slid the loaves of bread into the oven.
"Lachlan is in Renfrew too."
She didn't divulge their secrets. This wasn't a typical family reunion.
"Oh really?" Rose's eyes widened but she didn't say anything. "David, try Josiah's cell phone. We didn't message him, just assuming he would be here."
Rivkah bustled about the kitchen as David sent a message to her son.
"Here, I have some things you can bring along with you," she pulled out a small crate, placing a clean cloth in the bottom before opening her pantry.
Potatoes, carrots, pickles, jelly, stewed tomatoes and pickled beets filled the crate until it was much too heavy to lift.
"Once the bread cools, I'll wrap a few loaves of bread as well," Rivkah stroked her chin a moment wondering if there was anything else she was missing.
She would have sent bottles of fresh milk, but it might not make the drive to Oshawa unless she placed them on ice. Now there was an idea.
"You must let me know if they will take used clothing," Rivkah turned to Rose who was helping remove the golden bread from the oven.
Rose smiled, "I am sure they would love clothing donations as well. Why don't you join us tonight Rivkah?"
Rivkah had already been to the mission months ago and wouldn't mind going again. Before she could give her answer, however, David looked up.
"Josiah is coming. Lachlan too," he grinned.
"Looks like you might be seeing your cousin after all," he beamed at Rose whose hand instinctively fluttered to her throat.
His cell phone rang a moment later.
"Hello? Yes, I was just telling them," he paused, looking at Rivkah, "Josiah wants to speak with you, Rivkah."
***
"MOTHER, PLEASE PACK your things and meet us at the mission. Yes, I will explain more tonight. No, Arlana is fine," he glanced over at his wife who was holding her grandmother's hand.
"No, I didn't realize we had a speaking engagement tonight but I can prepare before the service. I love you too. Mother, don't forget to pack...enough for two weeks I'd guess, and if you can, will you grab a few of my things as well? Arlana's key is under the mat. Yes, that would be perfect." He looked up as Sheila approached, listening to his conversation, her eyebrow cocked. "I'll see you tonight..."
"Have you decided to come to the island?" Sheila crossed her arms over her chest.
Josiah slid his phone into his back pocket, leaning against the wall.
"I need to go to Ottawa tonight. Lachlan and I are speaking at a mission this evening and tomorrow, we will head out to the island. I just need to make a stop first," he looked again at Arlana, his eyes sparkling.
"Oh really?"
Sheila motioned Mark over who was twirling his ceramic mug, long empty.
Mark didn't hesitate, the interruption a welcome relief. He liked his mother-in-law just fine, but Sheila had no intention of leaving.
"Josiah was just saying he and Lachlan are leaving tonight to go to some mission...."
She looked at Josiah, indicating for him to explain further.
Josiah rubbed the back of his neck.
"Lachlan and I are having a service tonight at a mission in Ottawa. Angel Wings Missions. We were booked to speak so must honour that commitment. I'll be taking Arlana and Aziel with me of course, but you are more than welcome to join us. I've asked Mother to pack our things so there isn't a delay."
"Angel Wings Mission," Mark mulled the name over, "Sounds familiar. I know I've heard of it somewhere..."
Remembering how very bored he was, Mark straightened, "Sure, we'll join you and head home from there. Sheila, go make sure the kids are ready. I hate being late," he turned to walk back to the table, then called over his shoulder, "What time do we have to be there?"
Josiah exchanged a look with Lachlan. "6 p.m. but I'd like to get there earlier." Josiah filled Lachlan in then turned, "I need to use the phone for a few minutes," walking out of the room.
Lachlan stepped closer to Arlana, standing between her and Arlana's family.
"We are going back to the mission tonight," he filled Arlana in.
Arlana sighed. At least they weren't going to the island.
****
DAVID TURNED OFF AT the Ottawa exit ramp, glancing at his GPS. They were early, planning on meeting at the mission.
"I'll knock," David offered, already opening his door after Josiah pulled up beside his vehicle.
Shouldering the crate of donations, he shuffled to the delivery entrance and rapped on the metal door.
A tall, hefty black man answered, "Can I help you?"
"I have donations," David pointed toward the idling van.
"Jaira! Donations!"
Terrell shouted into the brightly lit interior, Jaira appearing a moment later, wiping flour on her apron.
"Arlana? What are you doing here?"
Jaira's eyebrows raised as she looked past David's shoulder to where he had indicated, seeing her sister emerge from the vehicle.
Arlana waved a moment, before unstrapping Aziel from the car seat, Josiah walked over to David's car to help with the rest of the donations. Her parents were the last to emerge from their vehicle, Jaira standing with jaw dropped as her children climbed out of the backseat of Josiah's car.
"Hi Mom," Amber smiled, suddenly shy, "I didn't know you worked here."
"Looks like we have some catching up to do," Terrell grinned, reaching out his hand to greet Jaira's kids.
The children embraced their stunned mother who blinked back tears.
Arlana turned, giving her a few moments alone with Amber and Peter.
Lachlan glanced over at Arlana. He really needed a moment with her but he and Josiah needed to find the Mosely's and make arrangements for the service.
Jaira held the door open for Terrell as he walked over to the waiting vehicles, grabbing more bags of clothing and supplies. Rivkah and Rose had bagged as much as Rivkah could spare and for the mission, it felt as though Christmas had come early.
Rivkah placed her hand on Jaira's arm, "I know it isn't much, but I care and would love to know how else we might be able to help out. Is there anything in particular you need? I wasn't sure if the mission would accept second-hand clothing,
but I brought some just in case." She waved her hand to three large garbage bags, "They are still in very good condition..."
Jaira nodded, Rivkah, reminding her of her grandfather's funeral.
She swallowed hard, "It will be very appreciated - thank you so much."
"Will you be staying for the meeting tonight?" Lachlan asked from beside Arlana, directing his question at Jaira.
"Of course."
Dumb question.
She looked from Lachlan to Arlana, still certain that they'd had an affair. Remembering her mother's plan, she pasted on a smile, still unable to look at Arlana. The pangs of jealousy were absolutely unbearable.