“So we have Phillippi Creek surrounding our community,” Teresa explained the next day as they met to walk around again. “It’s a pretty place with all kinds of wildlife, including alligators, and it’s prone to flood now and then. So be aware. And we have Pinecraft Park where we go on picnics and walking trails. Bahia Vista is the main thoroughfare, so we try to avoid all the Englisch traffic coming and going.”
Eva jumped each time a loud automobile shot by making pops that sounded like guns firing. She’d been here two full days now and the noise still scared her. So much happening.
“Backfiring,” Teresa explained. “Vehicles are noisy things, ain’t so?”
“Very much so,” Eva agreed. “I’ll never get used to this.”
“It took me a while,” Teresa said. “My folks moved here from Missouri and let me tell you—it was a big adjustment.”
“Why did they decide to move here?” Eva asked, since she’d already told Teresa about her own health, the only reason she’d ever consider coming here. That and her need to escape for a while.
“My daed got a job offer to work on an Englisch horse farm not far from here. Some of the best horses in the world come from Florida, most racing horses. But my daed works with the quarter horses and draft horses. He does not condone gambling.”
“That sounds like a gut job,” Eva said as a seagull flew by, cawing at them. “Mamm and I have one old mare who can barely get us around. We walk most of the time.”
“Hush, bird,” Teresa teased. “We don’t have any bread.”
Eva laughed. “Ramona let me feed the gulls on the beach yesterday,” she told Teresa. “They are so lovely, but she did warn me not to overfeed them.”
“Ja, and they like to eat and then...well...leave their droppings behind.”
“I saw that,” Eva replied as they giggled and kept walking. Then she said, “I need to learn to ride a bike, but I want to walk more first. I haven’t coughed much since I arrived, but I do tire easily.”
“Let’s go and find some food and you can rest,” Teresa suggested. “You’ve seen most of the places the young folk hang out. We like the beach, too, of course.”
“Do you swim in the water?” Eva asked, terror filling her heart. The ocean was beautiful but also ever changing and deep.
“We do, but I just splash in the waves. We wear our clothes for modesty’s sake.”
“That’s gut to know,” Eva replied. She’d seen some tourists in less clothing than a bobbeli newly born.
They came to a huge bulletin board that held color fliers offering events to attend and help wanted signs. “What is this?”
“One of our ways of communicating about things. If there is a mud sale or festival, a post goes up here as well as in the local paper, which isn’t much of a newspaper, just happenings around here. This is the best place to look for events, work and a place to live. And frolic or youth events. We’ll want to look for those so I can introduce you to some of the fellows here.”
“I doubt a fellow will notice me.”
“What?” Teresa glanced at her. “You’re pretty, Eva. You just need some fresh air and sunshine to rosy your cheeks. Your doctor was wise to send you here.”
Fascinated, Eva read several of the posts and noted the help wanted ones. Then she read a flier next to an advertisement. “Is there a church here?”
Teresa studied the invite to a singing in a few days at the local church. “Ja, of course. It’s an actual building since none of us have a large enough property to hold services. We have Mennonites here, too, so we share.”
“A church building?” Eva shook her head. “So much to see and observe, to learn about.”
Teresa took her arm. “So you like it here?”
“I do. It’s exciting and different. And warm. I love that.”
“It grows on you, the ocean, the warmth, the palms and flowers. All part of Gott’s world.”
Eva smiled then spotted an ice cream shop. “Let’s get some ice cream.”
So far, she was certainly enjoying her vacation here.
What would Mamm think?
The next day, taking the same route and full of ice cream and cookies, they were on their way back to Ramona’s when Eva spotted a sign on a storefront. The same one she’d noticed on the bulletin board yesterday. Help Wanted. See Inside.
“I should get a job,” she said. “Pay my way with Ramona and save up some to help Mamm.”
Teresa glanced at the sign. “Do you want to work in a stuffy old shop where it’s mostly wood and some accessories and clothes for the Englisch?”
“Does it bring stuffy old money?” she asked, smiling.
Teresa twisted her lips and finally nodded. “I suppose it does.” Then she shrugged. “I work in one of the cafés here, just part-time, and I help your aenti as needed, too. I have two brothers to look after when my parents have to be away.”
Eva studied the shop. “I see purses and bracelets and some clothing, even Amish clothing. It might be interesting.”
“Then go in and find out,” Teresa said. “This is where your aenti’s friend works. You should see. Want me to wait here?”
“Please,” Eva said. “I shouldn’t be a minute. Who would want to hire me anyway?”
Teresa waved her on and found a bench. “I’ll be counting palm trees and bicycles.”
Eva went inside the small shop, the scents of fresh-cut wood and lemon oil surrounding her. The driftwood pieces—tables, baskets, wall arts and candleholders—were impressive. Unlike anything she’d ever seen before. And the clothes were intriguing—some flashy and colorful made for Englisch, and a whole section of clothes for Amish, including all kinds of hats, sneakers and flip-flops. Along with some beautiful kapps.
“Good afternoon,” a petite Amish woman said from behind the counter. “May I help you?”
Panic set in as Eva made her way toward the woman. What had she been thinking, coming in here? She never acted on impulse, but she did need to find something to do besides walk around all day. Maybe she should have discussed this with Ramona first.
The woman must have sensed her hesitation. “Do you need dresses or aprons?”
“I came about the job,” Eva said on a squeak. Why was she so nervous? “I could use some part-time work.”
The woman gave her a quick once-over. “Have you worked before?”
“Ja, in a hat shop back home in Campton Creek.”
The woman gave her a kind smile. “I’ve heard of Campton Creek. We get visitors from there at times. Welkom. Okay. Let me get the owner. He’ll be the one to interview you.”
Eva bobbed her head. She’d hoped this kind woman might explain things to her. Maybe an older man owned the place, and this was his wife. He’d be understanding and give her this opportunity, she hoped.
The woman went to the door to the back and called out, “Tanner, you have someone interested in the position.”
Tanner. Was he the Dawson in Dawson Department Store? Why hadn’t she realized that when she’d seen that name on the big sign over the front door. That familiar name. Eva turned to flee. There was no way she could work for Tanner.
“Hello?”
Eva stopped, the one sharp word making her stiffen her spine. She pivoted. “Hello.”
Tanner looked so surprised and full of dread, she almost laughed. But this was serious. She’d made a horrible mistake by coming in this place.
He walked toward her and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You need a job?”
Eva held her hands together against her apron and glanced around to avoid looking at him. Then she finally faced him. “I thought I might find part-time work since I’ll be here for a few months. I need to get home at the end of April.”
“I see.” He eyed her as if she were an ugly bug. “Are you sure? Have you ever held down a job?”
“I worked at the Bawell Hat Shop in Campton Creek, where I’m from. I helped out up front at times, but mostly I cleaned up the production floor where they make the hats.”
She didn’t tell him she’d had to quit because she got sick and Mamm refused to let her go back.
“I’ll have to check there for verification.”
“You can do that.” But what if Mamm heard this news.
“You don’t look too excited,” he said, about to turn and go back to whatever he’d been doing. But he stopped and stared at her. “Any employee checks I do are to remain anonymous, if that makes you feel better.”
It did, but now she felt like a criminal with a record. “That’s fine. I have nothing to hide.”
His eyes flared after that comment, like maybe he had a few things to hide himself. “Why do you want to work here?”
“I told you—I need the job. I can’t let my aenti pay all my expenses while I’m here, and I want to save up so I can help my mamm when I return home. I’d just need work for two or three months.”
“Still, you don’t seem so sure.”
“I’m sure about the work, but not so sure about working for you.”
The woman who’d called him out to meet Eva snorted.
He gave his associate a sharp glance, followed by what could have been admiration. “I’m not a tough boss, am I, Martha?”
The woman behind the counter shot him a blank glance. “I’ve had worse.”
“See, a roaring endorsement,” he said, not even smiling.
“That’s because I’m your cousin,” Martha replied, giving Eva a nod. “We could use another young person in here, you know. James is a great worker, and he’s loyal but in awe of you. You and I are old and cranky, I’m afraid. Another young person can be a breath of fresh air.”
“I’m not doddering yet, and neither are you,” he replied, that almost smile creeping along his handsome face. “I just don’t know about this, Eva. I don’t know you.”
“Then never mind,” she said, turning to leave. “It was a bad idea and too impulsive. I’ll find work elsewhere.”
After she heard what could have been a shove, Tanner appeared behind her. “Wait.”
Eva turned to see Martha behind him, nodding at her and mouthing Please. With a grin.
Eva smiled, causing Tanner to look back at his cousin. “Martha, I mean, Martha and I would like to have you work here with us. If you want to do that, Martha will train you to work out front with the customers. Would that be suitable?”
Customers. She’d be around all sorts of people. What if she got sick again? What if Mamm found out?
What if you don’t try?
That voice in her head, along with her aenti’s suggestion that she find a challenge or an adventure, caused Eva to stand tall. “I will check with Aenti Ramona and let you know tomorrow if that is okay. But I’m sure she will agree.”
“That sounds fair,” Martha said before Tanner could say a word. Martha handed her an application form that had appeared on the counter.
Shrugging, Tanner said, “Ja, that sounds fair. Since Martha already agreed.” Then he added, “So you’ll work part-time, mostly afternoons, help with customers, and also with unpacking inventory and keeping the work areas clean. And Eva, don’t worry. You’ll hardly see me. I prefer the back of the store much more than being up here.”
He really didn’t like people. She felt sorry for Martha, but Martha seemed content if not incorrigible. Eva liked her. Not so much the frowning man who stood waiting on her response.
“So, how does that sound?” Tanner asked, the question hanging in the air like a challenge.
Challenge accepted. Let the adventure begin.
“Me up here and you back there? That should work out great for both of us,” she retorted, thinking she might not last a week.
And she had a feeling Tanner Dawson might be thinking the same thing.