Before leaving the Millers’, Stephen checked the phone shanty and found no messages left from Jake—or anyone.
“Wait up.” I was surprised when Beatrice fished a cell phone out of her purse. “I’ll call Stephen if we hear from Jake or need help. I usually leave my phone off, but I’ll keep it on tonight. Eva, won’t you please spend the night in the main house so I can get in touch with you if I need to? Plus, the dogs…”
“Yah, okay. If Stephen will let me in. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“But we have plenty of beds upstairs. The guest room’s all made up, not to mention my room on the third floor.”
“No. Better I find a blanket and camp out on the sofa.”
Stephen scratched his scalp in a way that told me he wanted nothing to do with the conversation about where I slept, but he agreed to lend me a key to the house.
On the way to the nursery, I kept my eyes peeled to oncoming traffic, hoping to see Jake’s vehicle. But I didn’t recognize it, not that Jake would drive this route. Stephen and I traveled in silence for ten minutes, until I saw the Yoder’s Nursery sign.
“Thanks for bringing me home.” I glanced over to face him. He kept his vision on the road. His features were stern, his lips drawn tight.
“I couldn’t just leave you there, now could I?” He cruised into the nursery’s parking lot, around the house, and stopped at the cabin.
“I’m sorry if I’ve made you late.”
“You haven’t. I was going to visit a friend, but I called when I was outside and said I couldn’t make it.”
“An excuse to leave the Millers’?” I wondered if it was a guy or female friend.
“Yep.” He stopped near my cabin’s front door. “First, go in and get everything you need while I let the dogs out. I don’t want you shuttling between the cabin and the house during the night, you hear me?” He switched off the engine but made no move to exit the vehicle. “We’ll get you situated in the house and make sure the doors are locked before I leave. I’ll write down Beatrice’s and my numbers on a piece of paper and place them on the kitchen table by the phone. If anything comes up, call me first. Not much Beatrice can do other than worry.”
“Okay.”
“You have your key?”
I reached into my pocket. “Right here.” I hopped out of the pickup, proceeded into the cabin, and packed my toiletries, nightgown, slippers, and bathrobe in a brown paper grocery bag. And a scarf. At the last moment, I scooped up my book, although I doubted I could concentrate on reading. On the other hand, I might lie awake all night with skittering thoughts disturbing my slumber.
I told myself I could handle anything, but I felt adrenaline pumping in my veins. What was I afraid of? Sleeping in the big house with all its electric appliances? Getting a call in the middle of the night from Jake, saying the baby had died? Or that the child was indeed his, and he was moving away? No, Jake wouldn’t desert his invalid father and helpless mother and deprive them of a grandchild. Or would he? Jake and I had never talked about having children. Ach, so much we never discussed.
Stephen was standing on the main house’s back porch and watching the dogs when I stepped outside. I locked my door behind me. The dogs flounced over to me, and I felt a fondness for each one. I knew they would protect me from any harm and warn me if they smelled smoke. The barn fire still raged in the back of my mind when I let it. I liked to think Ralph had unwittingly set that fire, but I had no way of knowing what he might do to harm me. Not after he’d put that knife to my neck.
My arms encircled the bag as I climbed the porch steps. “I hope Harvey doesn’t disapprove of my spending the night here.” I figured he would object to this whole scenario, which was bound to get back to him.
“Don’t Amish sometimes stay in motels when traveling?” Stephen opened the door to the kitchen. The dogs scampered inside.
“Yah, I guess they do if on a long trip. I’ve even heard they watch TV occasionally.”
“No TV in this house, so no worries there.” He examined my face. “What’s got you worried?”
“Is my anxiety that obvious? Ach, I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
His phone buzzed. When he answered it, I gathered he was speaking to Beatrice. He told her he’d pick her up in the morning at six and then stuffed his phone into a pocket.
“Well?” I tried to keep my voice sounding calm, to no avail.
“Brandy had a baby girl in Jake’s car. He ushered them to the hospital, where he called Brandy’s oldest brother, Jeff. He’s coming from New York to pick up Brandy and her baby as soon as he can.” His eyes got glassy.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?”
“Yes, and as it turns out, not premature and perfectly healthy.” He blinked. “Brandy named her Eva Ruth.”
“She named her baby after me and Ruth?”
“According to Jake, she said you two never judged her.”
My thoughts hurtled back to Jake and Brandy and the new baby. “Stephen, did Beatrice tell you what the baby’s last name is?”
“You mean Miller? She didn’t say. The fact you’re even wondering tells me you don’t trust or believe Jake. If I were you, I wouldn’t either.”
“Ach, I want to see the baby.” But I couldn’t tonight. Maybe ever.
“Jake might take a photo on his phone and show you,” Stephen said, as if trying to console me.
“Is he staying at the hospital?”
“For a while, but he promised to be home by the time I pick up Beatrice.” He backstepped a few feet. “Are you going to be okay alone in this big house?”
“I’m not alone. I have three canine companions to keep me company.”
“Just the same, please call me if you need anything. Any sign of Ralph, dial 9-1-1. Promise?” So he was worried about Ralph.
“Yah.” The thought of Ralph showing up made the hairs on my arms prickle.
“Evie, don’t open the door to anyone until I come in tomorrow. I’ll call and ask Wayne or whichever officer is on duty tonight to cruise through the nursery parking lot a few times. So don’t worry if you see a patrol car.”
“Yah, okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Beatrice said blankets, sheets, pillows, and clean towels are in the hall linen closet upstairs. You want me to help you find them?”
“I bet I can on my own.”
“Nah.” He headed to the stairs. “Better follow me up there and have a look around. Get the lay of the land, as they say.”
I trailed him up the wide wooden staircase. Off to the right I saw another set of stairs that must lead up to Beatrice’s quarters.
“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in this cushy guest room?” Stephen pushed a door open and flicked on a ceiling light to expose a four-poster queen-sized bed, draped by a vibrant nine-patch quilt and wearing a pleated dust ruffle around its perimeter. I moved closer to see the quilt’s exquisite hand stitching and thought of my humble mamm, who was equally skilled but would never admit it.
The room’s windows were framed with flamboyant flowered curtains, and the floor was covered with a plush carpet. Another door led to a bathroom. I was surely being tempted.
“Want to see the master bedroom?” Stephen asked.
“Oh, no. Not without one of the Yoders here. Or at least Beatrice.” I envisioned this scene through Bishop Harvey’s eyes. He wouldn’t approve. Nor would Beatrice.
“The master bedroom and bath is next door, and then another room for Emmy. You should come and take a look. It’s quite a beautiful space.”
“I’d better not.” Although my curiosity was piqued.
Downstairs, Heath let out a throaty woof, followed by Minnie’s yapping.
“The dogs are restless, probably because they’re waiting for Beatrice.” Stephen glanced out a window into the parking lot. “I have an idea. You sleep in this guest room, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“What if someone’s at the door?” I felt anxious being alone with Stephen. Being in this house, period.
“We aren’t doing anything wrong. I’ll go check.” Yet his gaze landed on mine longer than necessary, until I turned away.
An instant later, Stephen left the room and stood at the top of the stairs. “I’d better go see what the problem is.”
I considered my options as I listened to his feet patter down the staircase. If I wasn’t guilty of anything, why was I hiding in the guest room? But I decided to stay upstairs as Stephen had asked. I tiptoed down the hall, passing an aged painting of a brown-eyed girl and a pony. I peeked into the master bedroom and saw a king-sized bed covered by an exquisite Double Wedding Ring quilt. Paintings and ornaments adorned the bedroom. I saw wall plugs, telling me everything was electric. I shouldn’t be here.
Near the bed stood a cradle. Rose and Glenn must sleep with their little Emmy near them until she grew old enough to sleep in a crib. I thought that if I ever had a child, I’d do the same thing. I’d heard of babies ceasing to breathe during the night. Sudden infant death syndrome, it was called. Ach, that would be more heartbreaking than dying barren.
I imagined Brandy cradling her newborn right now and felt a warm wave of tenderness. Eva was her first name. I’d never had a baby named after me, or at least with me in mind. I was determined to be an outstanding woman if a little girl was named after me, even if she was Englisch.
I heard men’s voices in the kitchen and then the back door closing. Feeling a pang of guilt, I scurried back to the guest room.
I recognized Stephen’s feet ascending the stairs. He poked his head in. “Wayne just dropped by to see how everything is going. I told him you’re sleeping up here, and I’m going to sack out in the living room.”
“No, we can’t do that.”
“Wayne agreed it’s best you aren’t out in the cabin in case Ralph shows up.” Stephen said. “Or in this house alone.”
“But I can’t live in fear of Ralph forever—”
“Being prudent for one night isn’t such a bad idea.” He massaged the back of his neck. “You can trust me, Evie. I won’t come upstairs during the night. Between me and the dogs downstairs, you’ll be safe. And with my pickup parked out back, I can’t imagine anyone would be dumb enough to try breaking in.”
I descended the stairs to collect my belongings from the kitchen. When I returned, Stephen stood at the second-floor hall closet, gathering a blanket and pillow.
“I just spoke to Beatrice on the phone,” he said, “who told me this arrangement is fine and that she should have thought of it herself.” He tilted his head. “I won’t come back upstairs unless you call me. Please do if you need anything. That’s why I’m here.” Then he turned away and trotted down the stairs.
In the guest room, I changed into my nightgown and bathrobe. A painting with an ornate gold frame of Venice caught my eye. I wondered if Rose’s aunt, sister, or Beatrice had given it to the Yoders as a wedding present or if it were on loan from Beatrice. I’d seen photos of the intriguing city built on islands, the exquisite ancient architecture, and men guiding gondolas through the canals. Wouldn’t I adore riding in a long, slender boat, perhaps listening to the gondolier singing opera at the same time?
I wondered if Beatrice had ever visited Venice. Would I rather go to Florence? Or would I prefer living a humdrum life in Lancaster County with a husband and children? And my parents close by. Most likely I’d choose the husband and at least one child. But at what cost? Did I have a choice? Olivia had wanted out and might skip town. I missed my cousin, but I understood I might never see her again. She could move to California, for all I knew. She’d always complained about our frigid winters.
What about Stephen? If I continued to work in the café, I’d see him every day. We’d most likely grow closer unless he fell in love with someone else. He was not a man many women could resist. Maybe if his old flame heard he was sober, she’d want him back. I wondered if he still hoped she would, even though she was married and had a child. If he dreamed of her at night. Or did he dream of me?
I took off my kapp, removed my hairpins, and allowed my tresses to cascade down over my shoulders. No makeup to remove, just me.
Under the overhead light fixture, my hair glinted with hints of copper and gold. I looked stunning, catching myself off guard. All my life, I’d been saving the sight of my hair for my future husband. Only Jake had seen it once when I’d allowed him a chance. I wasn’t supposed to, but he’d talked me into removing my kapp. His fingers had combed through my hair, awakening all my senses. At least I hadn’t succumbed to his amorous advances as Brandy had to her boyfriend’s.
I glanced at the clicking clock on the nightstand and admonished myself to go to sleep. It was past midnight. I pulled back the covers. The bed stood high, higher than any bed I’d ever slept in. I needed to climb to reach the surface. I slipped between the satiny sheets and sank into the softest of pillows and mattresses. Did all Englischers live with this luxury? My hunch was Rose had embellished this room for her sister, who must adore antiques. I thought about the term a woman’s touch and longed to own a home of my own someday. I’d want a garden, of course, and trees growing around it. And a view.
A barking commotion erupted from downstairs. I heard knuckles thrumming on the kitchen door, and then Stephen speaking, followed by Jake. Their jagged voices were as loud as the dogs’. I stood at the top of the stairs until my patience ran out. I returned to the guest room and found a camel-colored woolen coat in the closet. I stuffed my arms into the sleeves and buttoned the front, and then I covered my head with my scarf.
I padded down the stairs and found the two men yelling at each other.
“You and Evie are sleeping together?” Jake’s face twisted with anger.
“Buddy, you’re on private property,” Stephen said. “How dare you force your way in here!”
Jake caught sight of me. “Then it’s true? You and Stephen are together alone in this house?”
“How dare you accuse me of anything?” My hands planted themselves on my hips.
“Jake, what are you doing here?” Stephen took hold of Heath’s collar as the dog lunged toward Jake, who seemed unconcerned.
“I came to see Evie. On the way, I spotted Ralph skulking around by the new barn. When I went to Evie’s cabin, she didn’t answer her door. Naturally, I was worried about her.”
“Didn’t Beatrice tell you I was sleeping in the main house?” I said. “Not that I owe you an explanation. You’re the one who has some explaining to do.”
“Yeah, I’d say so. Are you a father now?” Stephen let go of Heath.
Jake kneed Heath to keep him from jumping on him. “None of your business. Get off my case, and keep away from my girl.” He turned to leave. “I’m going over to see what Ralph is up to before he burns down that new barn.”
“Maybe he’s just going in there to sleep,” I said. “Shouldn’t you call the police?” If Ralph were Amish, I wouldn’t suggest such a thing. “Please let Wayne handle it, or whoever’s on duty.”
Both men narrowed their eyes at me.
“No straw to use as a bed.” Jake yanked the door open.
“You don’t know that. If he’s drunk enough, he won’t care.” Stephen dove into his jacket. “He might have a blanket or sleeping bag he keeps stashed somewhere. I’d better come with you.” Stephen zipped up his jacket, grabbed a flashlight, and clipped on Heath’s leash.
“Evie, keep the doors locked,” he said before disappearing into the darkness with Jake and the dog.