That evening, as the sun lowered itself into a mattress of gloomy, gray clouds, I replayed the day in my head. I reminded myself visiting Amos was not a mistake. Our community relied upon one another’s generosity, even if it meant my meeting up with Brandy.
“Your replacement carrying his child?” Olivia might say, jabbing me with her elbow.
My thoughts jumbled into one another until they were like a squiggly ball of tangled yarn after a couple of cats had batted it about. Alongside these chaotic thoughts galloped the memories of my parents sequestered in the little daadi haus as if they had no choice. No matter what Dat said, his working on the farm was what had kept him fit and healthy. He wasn’t a man who enjoyed sitting around reading magazines and twiddling his thumbs. And what was going on with Reuben and Marta?
None of my business, I told myself. If I’d been paying more attention a couple of hours ago, Stephen wouldn’t have seen me dillydallying in the buggy. I wondered how many tears I’d shed without even noticing. Pathetic.
A gentle rapping on the cabin’s front door brought me out of my musings. In my befuddled state of mind, I was tempted not to answer.
“Evie?” I recognized Mark’s voice.
“Just a moment.” I glanced at myself in the mirror and cringed. Maybe looking bedraggled would be a blessing and discourage his attentions. I wished I were attracted to him.
I turned the knob and opened the door. He was carrying a box of See’s chocolates. “I thought I’d come by to see if you’re up for a buggy ride.” He handed me his gift.
“Denki.” I set it on the counter.
Mark looked so vulnerable and nervous that I couldn’t help but smile to try to lessen his uneasiness.
“I just got home…” I covered my yawning mouth.
“Do ya have time to chat?”
I wanted to crawl into bed, but I couldn’t voice my thoughts.
“Have ya had a bad day?” he said.
“A long one. And stressful.”
“Have ya had your supper yet? I could take you to a restaurant somewhere close by.”
“Yoo-hoo,” Beatrice called from the back porch. “Remember, Evie, I’m planning to teach you how to make my chicken scaloppini. And you have tomorrow’s soup to think about.” She gave me an exaggerated wink I assumed was for my eyes only, as Mark had his back to her.
He shook his head in slow motion. “Tell her you’re coming with me. You can cook with her tomorrow.”
By the time I formulated an answer, Beatrice was only yards away.
“I’m sorry, Mark,” I said. “I’d better stay here. I have lots to do.”
“On the Lord’s day of rest?”
“Maybe Sadie will go to the singing with you.”
“Why on earth would you suggest her?”
“Just a thought.”
“You know my mind better than I do?” He folded his arms across his chest. “If you have no interest in me, come out and say it.”
Beatrice glided over to us. “Mark, would you like to stay for supper? I have plenty on hand.”
Stephen trotted down the steps from the main house. “Does that invitation include me?”
“Of course. I already asked you.”
“What are you doing here?” Mark asked him.
Stephen chuckled. “I could ask you the same question, although I think I know the answer.”
Mark blushed, and then he shot Stephen a fierce glare.
“Stephen is planning to spend the night at the café,” I told Mark. “A former employee with a key was in there stealing food last night. A man named Ralph.”
“Ach.” Mark nodded. “I remember him.”
“I’m glad Stephen is staying,” Beatrice said, “what with a vagrant sneaking into the café. Stephen told me all about it.”
“I’d better go check the refrigerator to make sure there’s enough food for tomorrow,” I said. “I should have done it yesterday.”
“I’ll come with you,” Stephen said. “Unless you’re leaving with Mark.”
I took in Mark’s youthful features and saw a mixture of disappointment and indignation. “No, maybe another time.” I hoped some pretty young woman would catch his fancy at the singing.
Stephen’s cell phone chimed. He stepped away to answer. I listened to the ebb and flow of his tense voice. He finally returned. “That was Wayne.” He stuffed the phone in his pocket. “There’s a dead dog by the side of the road a few miles from here.”
Beatrice crossed herself. “Mio Dio. Not our Heath, I pray.”
“I’d better go check it out.” Stephen dug his keys out of his jeans pocket. “I told Wayne I’d meet him to identify the animal.”
“I want to come too,” I said. “Sorry, Beatrice. I’ll be right back.” I had no appetite anyway. I scrambled after Stephen and ducked into the passenger side of his pickup. I buckled myself in as if I’d ridden in it a hundred times.
He started the engine. “Are you sure you want to come? Could be grisly.”
“Yah.” I was surprising myself. I didn’t even like dogs, but I felt compelled to help.
Ten minutes later we neared Wayne’s squad car at the side of the road. Wayne and another man stood speaking near the black outline of the dead animal. My heart sank, and my throat closed.
Stephen jolted to a halt behind Wayne’s squad car and leaped out, only to return minutes later. He got back into the pickup and closed the door. “Poor beast was some kind of a Lab mix, but not our Heath.”
Wayne sauntered over to the pickup, and Stephen lowered his window. “I need to tell you that another one of Bill Hastings’s sheep was killed early this morning.”
“Maybe I should drive back that way.” Stephen jimmied his key into the ignition.
“Listen, Stephen, do us all a favor and let the police handle it. No telling what that man will do. I remember him from high school. Always a bully.” Wayne’s face was grim. “Please don’t go back.”
“Okay. I have troubles enough at the nursery. Eva found someone in the café last night.”
Wayne’s gaze scrutinized mine. “You did, Eva?”
“Yes. A disheveled fellow who said his name was Ralph.”
“Remember that guy Glenn fired last year?” Stephen asked, and Wayne nodded.
“But Glenn never pressed charges, which makes it hard for me to do anything.” Wayne rested his elbow on the window ledge. “He’s a lush, but he seems harmless enough.”
“You know who that must be?” Stephen slapped his forehead. “Ralph’s last name is Hastings. He’s Bill Hastings’s brother.”
“Yep, I was just thinking the same thing.” Wayne spoke directly to me. “I’ll keep an eye open and alert the rest of the crew. If he comes back, please call 9-1-1, Eva. If it’s the same Ralph I know, he’s never been violent, but you can’t tell what a man will do when he’s down on his luck and has had too much to drink.”
“Yah, I’ll be careful.”
“I’ll stay with her if she needs to go inside the café,” Stephen said.
“Denki.” I knew I’d be safe with him.
We entered the nursery’s parking lot and rolled over to the main house. I was surprised to see Mark’s horse and buggy still there.
“Beatrice must be feeding him supper.” Stephen set the parking brake. “Looks as though you’ve found yourself a serious suitor, Evie.”
I let out a weary sigh. My day had been like a roller coaster swerving off its tracks, and apparently the ride wasn’t over yet. The back door opened, and Missy bounded out, followed by Minnie. As I exited the pickup, Minnie yapped and circled my feet, but Missy raced past us toward the café.
“Missy, come. Missy!” Stephen followed her, but he returned a few minutes later, saying she’d disappeared into the darkness.
“I wonder if she’s following Heath’s scent,” Beatrice said as she and Mark both stepped onto the porch. “I’ve kept her in the house or on leash all day, although she tugged and tried to get away.”
“It was my fault.” Mark raked a hand through his hair. “She slipped right by me when I opened the door.”
“Don’t blame yourself.” Beatrice’s creased forehead betrayed her concern. “Missy was determined.”
I was thankful she was being sympathetic with Mark, who seemed flustered, the way he ran his fingers around his shirt collar.
“Please come in, all of you.” Beatrice had indeed been cooking. The kitchen’s warm air was ambrosial with the scents of stewing chicken, garlic, oregano, and other tasty aromas I couldn’t identify. But I still had no appetite.
The round table was set for four. Beatrice seated me between Mark and Stephen, and she landed across from me, nearest the stove.
Stephen led us in prayer, and then Beatrice served the meal. “What’s wrong with everyone?” she asked when she saw us picking at our food.” She put aside her fork. “I guess I’m not hungry either.”
Stephen got to his feet. “Thanks so much, Beatrice, but I think I should check on the café for an unwelcome visitor and then zip home to fetch my sleeping bag.” He took a leash.
“I’ll come with you.” I stood.
“Absolutely not,” Beatrice said. “How can you possibly help if riffraff is skulking around?”
“I should go with him to the café.” Mark ramped up his volume and directed his words at me. “I do work here, even if it’s Sunday.”
“Yah, and so do I,” I said with a snap. “I need to check the refrigerator to make sure Ralph didn’t empty it.”
“No one’s even tried my dessert. I think you’ll all agree my tiramisu is divine, if I do say so myself.” Beatrice shook her head as we three made our way to the door. “Eva, please come back later and help me with the dishes.”
“I will. And I’ll try some of your tirami—your fancy dessert. I’m safer going to the café with an escort, don’t you think?”
“I suppose. But please be careful.”
“I’ll walk her back,” Mark said.
As we three neared the café, barking erupted. Missy galumphed over to us, her tail wagging. Behind her, Heath woofed and frolicked toward us, followed by Ralph, who squinted under Stephen’s flashlight’s beam.
“Heath! Good boy.” Stephen patted his thigh, and the dog came to him. “Ralph, this had better be good.”
“I—I was just bringing him home.” Ralph slurred his words. I inhaled the bitter smell of liquor.
“You expect me to buy that?” Stephen clipped on Heath’s leash. “You’re drunk. I should call the police.”
“No, please don’t. I really was bringing the Yoders’ dog back. He followed me home.”
“Oh, yeah? When was that?”
“Uh…yesterday. Or a couple of days ago. I’ve always wanted a dog.”
“And where exactly is home?”
“My brother Bill’s basement, as long as I don’t cause trouble.” He wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve. “You see, his wife will kick me out. She hates me.”
Stephen aimed his finger at Ralph. “Get out of here and don’t return. If you do, I will take out a restraining order so you will be forbidden to set foot on this property again. I should press charges for stealing our food.”
“But I’m broke. If you gave me my job back, I’d have money.”
“Ralph, if you’d stay off the booze and…” He stepped closer, inspecting Ralph’s eyes. “Are you on drugs too?”
“No. I swear. Nothing like that.”
“As if I’d believe you.” Stephen’s mouth twisted. He put out his palm. “Give me the key.”
“I don’t have one.”
“Give me a break. You made more than one copy.” Stephen moved in on Ralph, who fished through his pocket and then flung a metal key at Stephen. Stephen caught it midair. “Get out of here.”
As Ralph turned to skedaddle, Stephen grasped Heath’s leash. “Apparently this dog has no sense of loyalty until Glenn and Rose return.” Stephen fluffed the animal’s coat. “Sure am glad to have you back, boy.”
“Couldn’t you give Ralph a second chance?” I asked Stephen once Ralph was gone. “God forgives us.”
“When and if we repent. Only if Ralph attends AA, gets sober, and can prove it. For all we know, he’s on drugs too. Those cost more, causing a man to do unthinkable things to support his addiction.”
“I hear you used to booze it up,” Mark said, and Stephen grimaced.
“You heard right. Almost ruined my life. It cost me the only woman I ever loved.”
I wanted to ask him who this woman was, but I would have to bide my time until we were alone.
I moved toward the café. “Would this be a good time to inspect the kitchen?”
“Yes.” Stephen pulled out his key ring, added the extra key, and unlocked the door. “I wonder how long Ralph has been coming in here and stuffing himself.” Stephen turned to me. “You don’t think Olivia knew about it, do you?”
“No. She never mentioned anything.” About this man, anyway.