The next morning sunlight streamed into the cabin, sneaking past the crack between the window and the roller shades. A wren’s melodic trilling from outside my bedside window announced it was time to rise. Good. I hadn’t overslept. Plus, I possessed two jars of beef stock. Today my soup would be superb. I felt foolish for not reading the recipe with more care.
Oh, dear. Had I thanked Beatrice for her generosity? I owed her my gratitude.
I showered and dressed hurriedly, but then I spent extra time parting my hair in the middle, putting on a clean kapp, and checking for miscreant hairs.
I glanced at my new shoes sitting by the door on a mat. My black leather shoes were coated with mud and needed a thorough shining. No time. I would wear my Nikes. I looked forward to a day without foot pain in my spiffy new shoes. Perhaps a day without pain at all. I needed to be optimistic, anxious for nothing.
I envisioned my parents sitting in our kitchen, Dat bowing his head as he led silent prayer. But chances were my parents would choose to eat breakfast in the daadi haus, which contained a small kitchen. Waking up to find Marta orchestrating her home would be difficult for Mamm. My brother’s children would be chattering as they finished their chores and got ready for school. According to Reuben, Marta was a quintessential cook.
Once I was ready to leave, I slid my feet into my new cushy socks and then my new shoes. I tied them and stood. Ah, comfort. Many younger Amish women wore them. Maybe one reason few single men ever noticed me was they thought I was too old fashioned. Even if I were almost thirty, today I would make a gigantic effort to be outgoing and fun, like Olivia and Sadie, who wore athletic shoes when not in church. Most of our customers at the fabric store had found me personable. But then again, they were female, and we had a common bond: sewing and quilting.
I checked out the door and was glad not to see Beatrice already sweeping the back porch or tending the herb garden. I carried the jars of beef stock in my Nike bag so I couldn’t possibly drop them.
The sky stretched blue, like a vast ocean blushing with pink. I should check the weather report later in case another storm was predicted. I prayed silently for clear skies. Then a tumble of requests came to mind. One was to see Jake. A foolish request, but I needed my questions answered. Was he indeed married? If so, maybe that fact would set me free. I could move on and quit circling back to the past. Mamm had assured me it wasn’t too late to find a spouse. She’d hinted that marrying a widower might be a good solution. With Jake out of the picture, I might consider it. And then there was young Mark, who made me feel old. Although I didn’t experience a tingle of attraction, in the long run what would that initial magnetism matter? My parents had aged like a pair of comfy slippers.
Outside, I was tempted to inspect the maple tree’s damage, but I didn’t want Beatrice to catch sight of me. She’d be sure to accompany me to the café and take over my soup preparation.
As I neared the café, Missy and her enormous pup galumphed toward me and sniffed the bag.
“This isn’t for you.” I noticed my dread for them was diminishing by increments. Good. I would overcome my fears one at a time.
I found the door locked and used my key to open it. Once in the kitchen, I heated up the beef broth and eight cups of water, and then I added the barley, tomato juice, peas, and beans. I chopped onions and celery to add in an hour. I remembered the stewing beef in the refrigerator. Thankfully, it was partially thawed. I tossed it in and hoped it wasn’t too early, that all these ingredients wouldn’t turn to mush by the time customers wanted lunch.
“Have you put in salt and pepper?” Beatrice’s voice startled me.
My hand moved to the salt. “I was just about to.” What? I was starting the day off with a lie? “That’s not true. The recipe said add salt and pepper to taste, so I was waiting.” I looked into her sleep-creased face and added, “Maybe you could help me with that later if you have the time.”
Her features softened, a grin widening her thin lips. “Yes, I’d be glad to help. Happy to. Con piacere.”
Her expression transformed when she noticed my feet. “Have you checked to see if those running shoes comply with your Ordnung?”
“I should’ve thought to do that before I purchased them.” I wanted to ask her why she cared, but I didn’t want to hear her opinions.
“Bishop Harvey comes in once a week. Perhaps today. He can assess your footwear. Surely by now he knows you came back yesterday in a police car and will wish to speak to you. Or he might send Deacon Benjamin and a minister to gather facts.”
An Englisch woman was meddling in my personal affairs. To change the subject, and also because I needed to voice my thanks, I said, “Beatrice, I’m very grateful for the beef stock. Please forgive me if I didn’t thank you properly last night.”
Her plump face veritably beamed, her cheeks turning rosy. “No problem. The lightning had us all on edge.” She stirred my warming vat. “Let me know anytime I can help you. There’s not enough to keep an old woman busy all the time in the big house by herself. Maybe you’d like to join me for supper tonight.”
I hesitated as I envisioned an awkward encounter, but I couldn’t refuse her hospitality. “Thank you very much. I’d love a home-cooked meal.” I couldn’t imagine what we’d converse about.
“Unless you were planning to meet someone?” she said.
“You mean a man? No.”
“We need to find you a husband—unless you’re holding out for Jake Miller, a foolish endeavor. Presenza di acqua sotto il ponte. I mean, water under the bridge.”
“Do you know anything about him? I mean, recent news?” My voice rose in pitch like a plaintive plea.
Instead of answering me, she perused the recipe. “Did you remember to add the oregano?”
“Not yet. Are you sure that’s in the recipe?”
“Maybe you need reading glasses. Have you considered them?”
I scanned her homely metal-rim spectacles. “Not yet.”
“They’re inevitable.” She polished her glasses on her skirt. “But let’s find you a husband first.”
“You make it sound easy.”
She placed the glasses on the bridge of her nose. “We have several single Amish men working here. Mark seems to have noticed you. His father owns a spacious and prosperous farm Mark is sure to inherit, as he has only sisters.”
“Why isn’t he working on his father’s farm instead of coming here?”
“I’m sure he gets up early and does his chores before he leaves the farm. He probably works here to earn extra spending money. Glenn and Stephen are glad to have him. Mark is one of their best employees. And good looking, too, don’t you think?”
“Yah, and young.”
“And you hold that against him? You want to end up marrying an elderly codger?”
I chewed at the side of my thumbnail as her queries bombarded me. These were questions I’d asked myself a hundred times.
“I hope you’ve not become infatuated with Stephen. As I said last night, he’s a fine man, but he’s not one of you. He regularly attends his Mennonite church. And I hear tell he used to have a drinking problem.”
What right did she have to discuss him behind his back? I felt like asking her what business it was of hers. Talk about nosy. I could feel heat traveling up my neck, but I remained silent.
“I can’t imagine he’d ever turn Amish and give up driving his pickup just to be with you, Eva.” Her eyes fastened onto mine. “You’ll have no future with him if you’re an Amish church member.”
“I haven’t joined yet, but I plan to.” I’d told my parents I’d take the mandatory classes when I turned thirty. Yet given the right circumstances, I might change my mind. No wonder they fretted over me. If I were honest with myself, I’d have to wonder if I could develop a crush on Stephen.
More than anything, I longed to be married to a man I adored and hold our baby in my arms. My biological clock was ticking. But Jake still owned my heart, paralyzing me, keeping me from moving forward.
“Good morning, ladies.” Stephen strode into the café, folded newspapers under his elbow. “I need to speak to Eva—alone,” he told Beatrice.
Her eyebrows shot up with a look of surprise and confusion. “I’ll come back at opening time. That is, if you still want me to.”
“Absolutely. You were a blessing yesterday. What would we have done without you?” His words initiated a grin on her face.
She untied her apron and draped it across a chair.
“Thanks for your help with the soup this morning,” I told her departing form. She exited and closed the door without looking back.
“Is something wrong?” I kept my distance from Stephen, who seemed agitated.
“I wanted to show you the newspaper before anyone else did.” He unfolded it to expose the front page. “Check this out.”
“Ach.” I drew near to see my image in black-and-white. I was standing alongside two police officers in front of a squad car. The photographer had taken the photo at an angle, so my features were not readily identifiable. Yet anyone who knew me would recognize my profile.
“Say it isn’t so.” My hand moved to my throat.
“The reporter had his heart in the right place.” Stephen shifted his weight back and forth. “This article admonishes drivers to pay more heed to buggies and describes the needless accident and the horse’s injury.”
With a shaky hand, I took the paper from him and examined the photo. “Thank the Lord my parents don’t read this paper.” But I knew it had an expansive circulation in Lancaster County.
“Does the article mention what happened to the horse?” I felt compassion for the poor animal. “Will it be all right?”
“Didn’t say. And the honking truck is long gone.” He refolded the paper and tucked it under his elbow. “I don’t think our customers need to see this issue. Especially if the bishop comes in later.”
Despite my trepidation, the morning hummed along smoothly. Joe, Olivia’s lanky older brother, delivered her baked goods, Sadie arrived in a cheerful mood, and Beatrice came back with a smile on her face. I banished all thoughts of the horrendous newspaper photo from my mind and concentrated on running a tight ship as customers straggled in at nine.
I watched Sadie’s face brim with gladness as Mark arrived for coffee. I had to admit he was a fine-looking young man—his jawline rectangular and smooth. No wonder she hoped to attract his attention.
“Good morning, Eva.” Was he intentionally ignoring Sadie as she brought him a mug of coffee? He finally mumbled a meager “Denki” to her.
“Hello, Mark.” Beatrice bustled to his side. “I invited Eva for supper tonight. Would you care to join us?”
“Uh, I don’t know if I can come,” I said before he could answer. “I might grab a snack from the café.”
“Why, of course you can come. You said you would.” Beatrice patted my arm in a matronly fashion. “I’ve already purchased the fixings for spaghetti and meatballs. Wait until you taste my marinara sauce—a family recipe brought over by my grandparents from Tuscany.”
“That sounds tasty, but—”
“I won’t take no for an answer.” She turned to Mark. “Can I count on you?”
“Yah, sounds gut. I’ll have to go home first to help with chores, but then I’ll come right back. I don’t live too far away.”
“Perfetto. We’ll wait for your return.” Beatrice seemed pleased with herself, her mouth widening and her eyes sparkling.
How could she put me in this awkward position without consulting me first? She was playing matchmaker and not considering my wishes. Or Sadie’s.
As Mark stood sipping his coffee, his green eyes stole a glance at me. I didn’t want him getting the wrong idea, and yet I’d told Dat I was on the lookout for a beau.
I wondered if Mark knew how old I was or anything about my dicey past, or if he’d seen the newspaper today. Not that I’d done anything wrong. Yet if I hadn’t accepted a ride from Stephen, I never would have ended up standing at the side of the road with policemen for all the world to see.
“Then it’s settled.” Beatrice glanced down at my Nikes. “Unless you have other plans, Eva. Such as going jogging or shopping?”
“Nee. No more shopping sprees.”
Mark scanned my feet. “Hey, I like your new shoes.”
“This is their first day, and they’re already comfortable. I hope women are allowed to wear them in this district.”
“As far as I know. You can ask Bishop Harvey when he comes into the café,” Mark said. “He’s a godly man and fair.”
“If he says no, then of course I won’t wear them.”
“I can’t imagine he wants your feet to hurt. Harvey’s not as conservative as your parents’ bishop, but I’ve heard Jonathon Stoltzfus is so old he rarely leaves his house, so he’ll never see them.” Mark moved toward the door. “I’d better get back to work.” He tossed Beatrice a grin. “Thanks for your invitation. Can I bring anything?”
“Just yourself.” Her face showed satisfaction, her gray eyes animated as if she’d just pulled off an incredible feat. I glanced over her shoulder and saw Sadie looking despondent, her arms slack and hanging at her sides. Poor thing. No matter. After tonight Mark would understand he and I were not a good match. Or was I turning judgmental? In my mind, I prayed the Lord would steer me in the right direction and not allow Beatrice to orchestrate my world.
The café’s lunch rush kept me too occupied to worry about my social life. I was gratified when customers commented that they liked the soup, and I mentioned that Beatrice had helped me.
“No, Eva did most of the work.” Once again, Beatrice showed more humility than I’d expected. Maybe I’d misjudged her, but I cringed when I thought about dining in Glenn Yoder’s house with her and Mark.
When a tall, older man with spectacles and a voluminous salt-and-pepper beard sauntered in, Beatrice introduced us by first names, as was common. “Eva, come meet Bishop Harvey.”
He shook my hand, his grasp firm. “I heard you’re working here, Eva.” His stare probed into me. “How’s the new job going?”
“Couldn’t be better, thanks to Beatrice and Sadie.”
“That’s gut. I think you’ll find Glenn Yoder an excellent man to work for. Of course, we’re disappointed he didn’t join the church.” He glanced down at my feet but didn’t seem disturbed by my shoes. I was glad I’d chosen the black ones instead of the neon green.
“Eva, I hear you’ve not been baptized yet.” He was old enough to be my grandfather, and his crusty voice was deeper, more forceful than mine.
“Not yet, but I intend to.” I had just lied to a bishop. In fact, I wasn’t sure I would ever become baptized. Would God punish me if I didn’t follow through?
“Excellent,” he said. “Classes for new members in this district are starting soon.”
When Beatrice moved out of earshot to help a customer, I asked him, “Is it all right for me to eat supper in the main house?”
“Yah. I’m not concerned that Beatrice will lead you astray. She’s Catholic, but you’re safe with her as long as you don’t start attending her church.”
“Nee, I never would.” I lowered my volume. “About supper tonight. What if she has also invited a single man to join us?” I hoped he’d nix the whole idea.
“Is he Amish?”
I nodded.
“I foresee no problem as long as Beatrice is there. She’s not such a bad matchmaker. She’s introduced several Amish couples who later married.”
“Harvey, do you know I’m almost thirty?”
“Are you afraid you’re too old to start a family?”
My tongue felt as if it held a mouthful of peanut butter. I shrugged.
“I don’t think mei frau would have minded me telling ya that she didn’t give birth to our first child until age thirty-one. We prayed and waited like Abraham and Sarah until the Lord blessed us with children. Five of them.” His voice was kind and reassuring, but I couldn’t bring myself to look into his eyes.
He stroked his capacious beard. “ ‘Wait on the Lord; be of good courage.’ ”
I was saved from having to reply when a bevy of Englisch women bustled into the café and zeroed in on the glass case.
“I best be getting back to work.” I checked my kapp. Ach, I’d tossed its strings over my back in a casual manner. “Beatrice and Sadie need me at the cash register.”
“Yah, of course. Anytime you wish to speak further on this or any subject in private, please let me know.”
“Denki.” I spun on my heel and hurried away.