Ellie received a call from Olivia Broderick the next morning. The woman’s plea for her to clean her house this morning aroused her sympathy for the ill woman, and she agreed. After she hung up the phone, she went in search of her sister and asked Charlie if she could watch Ethan.
“Ja, I can babysit for him this morning,” Charlie said, her expression soft after hearing about the woman’s situation.
“Danki,” Ellie murmured. “I’ll relieve you as soon as I’m done.”
Ellie headed to the Broderick house, aware that she’d miss seeing Reuben before he left for work. What would he think when Charlie showed up in her place? That she was purposely ignoring him?
Ellie had to hide her shock when Olivia Broderick opened the door. The poor woman looked awful, with sunken cheeks and deep, dark circles around her eyes. She had lost a lot of weight, judging by how thin and bony she appeared.
“Mrs. Broderick,” she greeted softly. The woman stepped back and Ellie entered with her cleaning supplies. “You’re not feeling well.”
Olivia shook her head. “The chemo treatments have been hard, but I’m hanging in there.” She tried to smile. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.” She frowned. “I didn’t know this Rebecca who called to schedule.”
“She’s a friend who does a good job. You can trust her with your house.”
“You want to get out of the business,” the woman said astutely.
Ellie inclined her head. “My sister’s getting married soon, and I want to be available for my parents.”
“Are they ill?”
“No, but they’re getting older, and they can’t do as much as they used to. I’ll be the only one home to help.” Ellie hesitated. “And I’ve been helping a friend with a child. The friend works and I babysit.”
Olivia seemed to understand. “I’m sorry if I pulled you away. I trust you. I can’t keep up with the house at all anymore. I need someone to clean frequently.”
“I think you should give Rebecca a try, but I’m here now, and I’ll come back next week until you are satisfied with my replacement.”
“You’ll call Rebecca for me? Ask her to stop in to talk with me?”
“I’ll be happy to.” Ellie paused. “Perhaps we’ll clean together next week and you’ll see what I mean.”
Four hours later, Ellie finished the Broderick residence and left to relieve Charlie. She’d done more work than usual, with Olivia unable to do the simplest household tasks.
She arrived two hours before Reuben was due home. Charlie grinned as Ethan leaned out of her arms and reached for Ellie. “He loves that you’re here. I think he’s becoming attached to you.”
Ellie frowned. “That might not be gut for him.”
“Why not?”
“Sarah will be back soon, and I won’t be coming anymore.”
“You could stop by to clean for them,” Charlie said.
She shook her head. “I think not.”
“Why not?”
“It just wouldn’t be wise,” Ellie insisted.
Charlie fixed her with a look, but dropped the topic of conversation. She gave Ellie an overview of her time with Ethan.
“Was Reuben upset that I hadn’t come?”
Her sister shrugged. “I think he was surprised to see me, but he seemed oll recht after I told him you had to work this morning.”
Ethan patted her cheek, and Ellie grinned at him. “Did he nap?” she asked her sister.
“Ja. Had a nice one this morning. He just woke up from a shorter one this afternoon.” Charlie reached out to caress the little boy’s cheek. “I think he wants a snack. He didn’t eat much for lunch.”
“I’ll make him one.” She smiled her thanks. “I appreciate your help.”
“I didn’t mind. Nate is shopping for building supplies out of town this morning. I’ll head over to the haus to see if he’s back.”
“I’ll see you at home later,” Ellie said.
Charlie assured her that she would, then she left. With Ethan firmly on her left hip, she went to the pantry. Ethan seemed to have grown a great deal in the last two weeks. His second upper tooth had broken through, leaving him with four teeth total. It was time to introduce him to new foods. She eyed the pantry shelves as she debated what to give him.
The sound of the side entrance door drew her from the food closet. To her shock, Reuben was home early. He stopped and stared when he realized that she and not Charlie was holding his son. “Ellie.”
“Hallo, Reuben. I didn’t expect you home for a while yet.”
“I didn’t expect to see you today.” An odd, undecipherable look flickered across his expression. “Charlie said you had to work.”
Ellie nodded. Was he upset with her decision to take the job? She debated whether to explain, but when his lips firmed, she decided not to bother. She had the right to choose what she wanted to do for the day. It wasn’t as if she’d left him without a babysitter. She’d arranged for Charlie to take her place.
She sniffed and turned away. “I was going to get Ethan a snack,” she said stiffly. “Do you want anything?”
Reuben didn’t answer. He stared at her as she strapped Ethan into his chair. When she met his gaze, she shifted uncomfortably under his steady regard.
“I’ll get Ethan a snack, then I’ll leave you two alone.”
He seemed to come out of a trance. He reached out to snag her gently by the arm. “Don’t leave yet. I’m sorry if I seemed rude. ’Tis been a rough day...”
She felt herself soften. “Why don’t you sit and I’ll get you a tall glass of iced tea and a piece of cake?”
The man smiled. “That would be nice. Danki.” Ellie tilted her head as she looked from the boy to his father. “Keep him company?”
He nodded. As she poured him some iced tea, she heard Reuben chatting with his son, telling him about his day.
Ellie felt his eyes on her, assessing, before she entered the walk-in pantry. She grabbed an unopened bag of cereal and returned to father and son.
Reuben was silent as she opened the bag and spread a handful of puffed rice on his son’s tray. Ethan picked up a piece of cereal, put it in his mouth and chewed happily.
She cut Reuben a piece of cake. “Will you be fine on your own? If so, I’ll leave—”
“Please don’t go.” He caught her arm again, and she froze as the warmth of his touch radiated along her skin.
“Reuben.”
“Spend some time with me, Ellie. Please.” His eyes begged. “You said yourself that you didn’t expect me home. Please stay and keep me company.”
Gazing at him, she debated. She wanted to stay with a strength of will that shocked her, but she was afraid. She’d already fallen for this man. To spend more time with him could ultimately wound her deeply in the end.
Her will overcame her protective sense. “I can stay a little while,” she murmured. The relief on his features was startling. “Are you hungry?”
He shook his head. “Nay.” He watched her as she put away the cake. “Would you go on a picnic with me and Ethan?”
“Reuben—”
“Please.”
She couldn’t resist him. It was already too late. Her heart was involved and would suffer later. Until then, she’d enjoy every second with her two favorite men outside of family. “I don’t think we have picnic food in the refrigerator.”
“You’ll come? Stay for supper?” He looked hopeful, like a little boy.
Ellie smiled. “I’ll come, but—”
“I’ll go to the store. What would you like? Fried chicken? Potato salad?”
She laughed. “Get whatever you’d like. There’s nothing I won’t eat.”
Reuben rose with a pleased look. “I’ll be right back.”
“I thought you said you weren’t hungry.”
“I suddenly got my appetite back!” He opened the door to leave.
“Reuben!” she called. He shot her a look as if he expected her to change her mind, and he anticipated disappointment. “You didn’t eat your cake. I brought it this afternoon. If you’re okay with the chocolate cake, we’ll have it for dessert.”
He grinned. “I love chocolate cake,” he said.
Then he left, and Ellie found herself grinning, surprised with how eager he seemed to be about spending time with her.
Reuben was excited as he drove his horse and buggy to Whittier’s Store. Ellie had agreed to go on a picnic with him! He’d never before felt this wild expectancy. He shouldn’t have asked her to marry him the way he had. He wanted her for his wife and Ethan’s mother. He should have courted her before asking. He knew the problem of children still hung between them, but they’d figure it out.
The memory of the first time he’d seen Ellie came to mind. She was sweet and young, with a pretty face and lovely blue eyes. She’d worn a pale blue dress that heightened her coloring. He’d fought his attraction to her because he’d thought her too young. Her older sister Meg was warm, open and dark-haired. The complete opposite of Ellie in looks but not in temperament. Meg’s interest had buoyed his spirits and bolstered his self-esteem at a time when he’d needed it. Until the accident and Peter Zook.
He sighed as he pulled into the store parking lot. Things happened for a reason. Reuben prayed daily for strength and guidance. He believed that he and Ellie were meant to be together, that their relationship was blessed by God.
He bought fried chicken that looked crispy and smelled delicious, a quart of potato salad—Amish style—some broccoli salad, a half-dozen freshly baked rolls and a six-pack of root beer. He hoped she liked root beer. If not, they’d bring iced tea. He paid for the items and headed for home, eager and excited.
Worry set in as he drove closer to the house. He’d have to be careful; he didn’t want to scare her off. He prayed he could convince her that he cared, that his intentions were honorable. He wanted Ellie for himself as much if not more than he wanted her for his son.
It was a perfect evening for a picnic. The temperature was warm. There was a gentle breeze and little humidity. He made Ellie wait inside with Ethan as he chose a spot in the backyard, then spread out a quilt. He retrieved his purchases from his buggy—paper plates and plastic utensils along with a small bouquet of flowers he’d paid for at the last minute. He set out supper and used an old canning jar from the barn for the flowers. He filled it with water from the outside hand pump in the backyard, then carefully arranged the daisies. He placed her flowers along one edge of the blanket, then headed in to get Ellie and Ethan.
She was seated at the table near Ethan’s chair showing him different shapes with her fingers when he walked in. Ethan had no idea what Ellie was doing, but from his giggles, his son clearly loved it. Or he loved her attention.
“Ellie.”
She met his gaze with a twinkle of amusement in her pretty blue eyes. “Is supper ready?”
He beamed at her. “Ja. Come and see.”
She picked up Ethan. As she approached, Reuben held out a hand to her and was surprised when she took it. He led her carefully outside, conscious that he was with his two most precious people.
“Fried chicken, potato and broccoli salad and freshly baked yeast rolls,” he announced as they reached the blanket. “But no dessert, for you brought chocolate cake, and I like chocolate cake.”
Her smile reached her pretty eyes. “Sounds delicious.” Still holding Ethan, her eyes widened as she spotted the flowers. She shot him a surprised look. “Daisies?”
“I thought you would like them.” He frowned. “Was I wrong?”
“They’re my favorite flower. How did you know?”
He grinned. “I didn’t, but you are bright and cheery like a daisy. When I saw them, I immediately thought of you.” He heard her sharp intake of breath. She was beautiful, and she’d captured his heart. “Have a seat,” he instructed. He reached for Ethan so that she could get comfortable on the quilt, close to the flowers, he noted with delight.
He sat down and set Ethan between them. “I’m glad you stayed,” he said huskily.
“Reuben—”
“No pressure, Ellie. I’d simply like to enjoy a meal outside with you.”
She was silent a long moment. “Me, too,” she whispered so softly he almost didn’t hear her. When he realized what she’d said, he felt a rush of warmth and affection. It took all of his control to keep from scooting closer to her. But he stayed where he was. He’d promised he wouldn’t pressure her. He’d go slow and take it one step at a time.
They ate companionably, enjoying their meal. Ellie stopped eating frequently to feed Ethan dried cereal and pieces of cut-up peaches that she’d retrieved from the house, along with a baby cookie. She fed him easily, naturally, as if she were his mother. She smiled at his son when she saw that he had peach juice in the corners of his mouth. She picked a napkin and proceeded to wipe his little mouth. Ethan squirmed a bit but allowed her to finish. She rewarded him with a grin and the cookie.
Reuben chatted with her about the weather. Ellie told him about her parents, her sisters and her father’s dog. “I never thought I’d see Dat with a dog of his own. After Nell married James and took her dog, my vadder seemed lost. He perked up after he decided to get one of his own. It was doing some renovations in a stall for his new dog that helped to bring my sister Leah and her husband Henry together.”
“You have four sisters,” he said with interest.
She nodded. “We’re all close. We enjoy each other’s company. We don’t spend as much time together as we used to, but when we do, it’s wunderbor.”
All too soon for Reuben, they had finished their picnic and it was time for Ellie to go home.
“Danki for the picnic,” Ellie said as she gathered up the remnants of their meal. “And the daisies.”
Reuben picked up the empty paper plates and stuffed them inside the paper bag the chicken had come in. “Danki for keeping me company...” He wanted to say more but couldn’t.
She was quiet. The intensity of her gaze speared through him. “I enjoyed myself.” She stood, then reached for Ethan. “I should be able to come tomorrow morning, if you still want me to.”
Nodding, he said, “I do.” As he followed her toward the house, he felt the strongest urge to ask why she’d chosen work over watching Ethan this morning. Her choice shouldn’t bother him, but it did. Yet he kept silent. They’d shared a delightful evening, and he didn’t want to ruin it.
Ellie bathed and dressed Ethan, readying him for bed. Reuben poured them each a glass of iced tea with the hope that she’d stay a few extra minutes after his son was settled in bed.
She arched her eyebrows when she came downstairs and saw the tea. “I’m sorry, but I can’t stay. I didn’t expect to be this late. My parents will be worried.”
He nodded. “I didn’t think. I apologize.”
“No need,” she said with a smile. “I had a nice time.” She stepped away from him, left the room for the food pantry and returned within moments with a slice of chocolate cake. “You didn’t have dessert.”
“Neither did you.”
“I know.” She set the slice on the kitchen table, then went back to retrieve the entire cake and took out another plate, a knife and two forks. “I can stay a few moments longer for cake.”
Reuben chuckled. “I’m glad. Cake and your company—it doesn’t get any better than this.” And he meant it.