Eva arrived at work Monday morning with all of Jake’s favorites—cinnamon rolls with extra icing, fried apple pies, and two slices of shoofly pie. He was sitting behind the counter when she arrived.
“The window looks gut. I’m glad you were able to get it repaired so quickly.” She stopped in front of Jake, set the basket down, then detailed the contents.
“It smells great.” Jake half smiled as he glanced up at her briefly before returning to The Budget.
“Anything interesting?” Eva always tried to skim the pages of the weekly newspaper to see if anyone in their community had published a wedding or birth announcement, and it was nice to keep up with events going on in other Amish communities too.
“Nee, not really. I see that a cousin in Ohio is expecting her first child, but that’s about it. Ach, and the weather is going to warm up next week.”
Eva picked up the basket. “I think it’s warm enough.” She grinned, waited a moment for Jake to look up. When he didn’t, she said, “I guess I’ll take these to the back, then finish working on the inventory unless you need me to do something else.”
“Nee, I’ll cover the front for a while.” Jake kept his head down.
Something felt amiss. “Danki again for the way you handled things Saturday.”
“I didn’t really do anything except hide.” Frowning, he turned the page of the newspaper.
“You kept me safe.” She smiled broader, but when he didn’t look up or say anything, she walked to the back with the spring in her step falling flat. She could still recall Jake’s arms around her, the way he had cupped the back of her head and held her to him. Even though the circumstances were undesirable, she had hoped maybe that little bit of physical contact would have helped him to feel her attraction to him.
Jake had always been playful around her. Now he seemed aloof. Or was she imagining it? Maybe Yvonne could help her sort things out at lunch. Hopefully, Yvonne had gotten her credit card situation and flight handled to leave in the afternoon. If she hadn’t and had to leave this morning, Eva was sure Yvonne wouldn’t go without saying goodbye. She felt badly that her new friend would be going home without making the purchase she had longed for. But in Jake’s defense, he had told her before she arrived that he wouldn’t sell the book. Eva wondered if she and Yvonne would write and keep in touch. They really didn’t have anything in common.
Eva sat down on the floor near the boxes and inventory sheets. As she began making notes, she speculated on whether she and Jake would read any more of the book this evening. He hadn’t brought it up, and neither had she. There was leftover chicken and dumplings. Perhaps she could lure him in with that.
I shouldn’t have to lure him in.
She was also concerned if the book was going to upset her. She wondered if the author would truly find redemption, which he seemed to imply from the beginning. But the language and presentation were harsh. Maybe she would ask Yvonne what to expect in the pages to follow. She’d see how it went. Yvonne had reacted so badly to the book, she didn’t want to unnecessarily upset her.
When she finished the inventory, she pushed the boxes up against the wall. Jake would carry each one to the aisle where it belonged, and then Eva would unpack and shelf each book.
She walked to the front of the store. “Want me to take over?” She nodded outside where a vanload of women tourists were piling out. “They’ll be buyers.”
“Ya, sure.” He walked past her without looking in her direction. Later she’d ask him if they were going to read. Or ask him what was wrong. She was pretty sure she knew. He’d let down his guard, allowed himself to get a little more physical with her at a time when they were both afraid. Now he was trying to reestablish that they were only friends. Several times lately she’d caught him looking at her as if he’d like for them to be more, but perhaps she had misread his expressions. Short of throwing herself at him, she wasn’t sure what to do. She’d made it apparent that she enjoyed spending time with him.
Eva had been right about the ladies who had climbed out of the van. They spent several hundred dollars between them, and Yvonne showed up not long after Eva had tended to the last customer.
“Perfect timing,” she said as she smiled at Yvonne then glanced at the clock on the wall.
“I know it’s early for lunch. But I have a four o’clock flight, so I’ll need to leave for the airport around twelve thirty. Can you go in a few minutes? By the time we get there, it will be close to eleven, when most places open.”
“I’m sure that will be fine.” She stood from her stool behind the counter. “Did you get your credit cards taken care of?”
“Yeah, which was a total pain. Trevor had to give me his credit card number over the phone so I could book my flight.” She sighed. “I’ll have to go through an extra security drill at the airport since I don’t have my driver’s license, but when I called, they said any form of ID would be helpful.” Chuckling, she said, “My expired Costco card was stuffed in a side pocket of my purse, along with an old press pass from when I worked for a newspaper for a few months. The airlines said that should do the trick in addition to the extra pat downs and luggage search. Ugh. Not to mention, I’m driving around without a driver’s license.” She glanced at the clock on the wall behind the counter again. “But Trevor is already in the air, so he’ll be home by the time I get there.” She smiled. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here. It would have been better if Jake had wanted to sell the book, but . . .” Shrugging, she continued to smile. “It’s been great getting to know both of you.”
“Let me tell Jake we’re leaving.” Eva walked around the corner and found Jake sitting at the small table eating a cinnamon roll.
“Yvonne needs for us to have an early lunch so she can drive to the airport and catch her plane on time. Is that okay with you?” She waited for him to look at her.
“Ya, that’s fine.” He took another bite of the cinnamon roll without lifting his eyes to hers.
“Um . . . there are chicken and dumplings left over in the refrigerator if you’re hungry, or I can bring you back something and we can save those for supper again before we read.”
His face clouded with an emotion Eva couldn’t quite read, but she could tell what he was about to say before he even began. “I-I need to get home tonight. And maybe we should wait awhile, until this is behind us, before we stay late to read again.”
She wanted to tell him that it hadn’t been late when the burglary took place. It was still daylight. She also wanted to tell him that the two men were probably long gone. But the undertones of his meaning were clear. He didn’t want to spend any extra time with her.
“Well, feel free to eat the chicken and dumplings. Or I don’t mind bringing you back something for lunch?” she asked again.
“Nee, but danki. I can fill up on these pastries.” Even her chicken and dumplings were getting shunned.
He finally lifted his eyes to hers. “Have fun with Yvonne.”
Eva tried to smile but could only manage a nod.
* * *
Yvonne listened as Eva detailed the events of the night before. “You must have been terrified,” she said after they’d each filled a plate from the buffet. Normally, Yvonne wasn’t thrilled about buffets, but the one where she had stayed at Gasthof Village had been great. The food at Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant, where they were dining now, was also good. Best part, the view of the lake, and she and Eva had chosen a table that overlooked the water.
“Ya, I was scared. But Jake kept his arms wrapped around me almost the entire time, constantly comforting me.” Eva barely smiled as she mostly moved food around on her plate instead of eating it.
“Um, I would think that felt good, to have him show his concern in a physical way.” Yvonne took a bite from her second slice of bread. She was going to need to seriously diet to fit into her dress.
“I-I know he was just reacting to the situation, but ya, it did feel gut. But now”—she began to blush—“he’s standoffish, even more so than before.”
“Maybe he’s more shaken about what happened than he is letting on. Maybe just give him some time.” Yvonne took a sip of iced tea.
“I don’t know how much more time I can give him. I’ve been courted by several men in our district, and I’ve said no to all of them, hoping Jake would step forward. But he hasn’t.”
“Did you mention to him that you weren’t interested in dating that guy that came into the bookstore? John Yoder?”
“I don’t feel like I should have to tell him that unless he asks. If he wanted to know if John asked me out—cared enough to know—he could have questioned me about it after he saw John in the store.” She paused, sighing. “John pinned a note to the fence post yesterday, asking me out.” Shaking her head, she added, “I haven’t answered him yet. But maybe I should consider it.” She groaned under her breath. “I’ll be twenty in a couple of months.”
Yvonne thought for a few moments. “Like I told you before, twenty isn’t that old. It may seem old to you because I know young marriages are more acceptable here, but for what it’s worth . . . I’m glad I waited. And if John Yoder hasn’t captured your heart the way Jake has, you’d be wasting both your time. There is no grander feeling than falling in love. I thought I had been in love before, but it wasn’t the real thing, the way it is with Trevor. Sometimes I get nervous about spending my life with the same person, and wonder if people hold on to that kind of love, but I’ve been pushing away any fear. I just don’t have room for it in my life, and I choose to believe in me and Trevor, forever.”
Eva got that dreamy, faraway look in her eyes that Yvonne had come to recognize. “I just know you are going to look beautiful in your wedding dress. We don’t have fancy dresses like that when we get married. They’re actually the same kind of dresses we always wear, but the garment is new and finely pressed.” More dreaminess as she batted her eyes. “I’m sure your wedding will be heavenly.” Her eyes widened as her cheeks flushed.
“It’s okay to say ‘heaven’ or ‘heavenly,’ Eva.” She stared at her across the table. “You really believe, don’t you? I mean, that if we live a good life, that we’ll all meet up again?” She scratched her neck, sighing.
“Ya, I believe it with all of my heart. All you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of Gott, that he died on the cross for us, then also do your best to live a gut life here on earth.” After a long pause, she said, “I’m not sure if Jake wants to read any more of the book. I think he’s nervous about spending time with me. I’m not sure I want to read any more of the book, for different reasons, because the author’s tone is so harsh. I’m also not sure the bishop would approve of us reading it.” She set down her fork. “You made it through forty pages? Does the author’s storytelling soften any?”
Yvonne took a deep breath. “I guess you could say the overall tone changes. The author has a bit of an epiphany.”
Eva raised both eyebrows as she tipped her head to one side.
“Epiphany. It’s like a big discovery or a realization that something is true.” Yvonne shivered. “He actually claims to have seen Jesus with his own eyes. He was so convincing that . . .” She shook her head.
“That you were tempted to believe?” Eva’s cheeks dimpled a little.
“I don’t know if ‘tempted to believe’ is the right phrase, but he was slowly peeling away layers of emotion I didn’t even know were there. And everything became confusing, and it upset me.”
“I still think maybe you should read the entire book.” Eva looked so hopeful that Yvonne almost agreed but then remembered something important.
“Uh, your boss is never letting go of that book, even for me to borrow.” She pointed her fork at Eva. “And I think that is probably for the best.”
Eva lowered her eyes. Her friend clearly didn’t agree, but Yvonne wanted them to part on a happy note. “Did I tell you that my bridesmaids are all wearing turquoise dresses? Trevor’s sister is my maid of honor, and three friends from college are my bridesmaids. I’m not really close to any of them, which is sad to say, but I was in my three friends’ weddings, so it seemed I should ask them to be in mine. And Trevor’s sister is super sensitive. I think her feelings would have been hurt if I hadn’t asked her to be my maid of honor.” She sighed. “I guess I’m kind of like you as far as not sharing personal details about my relationship with other girlfriends. I thought it was an age thing, that I’d gotten too old for that.” She smiled at Eva. “But you seem to have discovered early that such details can be cherished and not necessarily shared with the world. Having said that, it’s been fun talking with you about our men, weddings, and how to get Jake to warm up to you. You’re going to have to write to me and let me know how it goes.”
Eva nodded. “I will. And I’ll be daydreaming about the glorious wedding you’ll be having.”
Yvonne smiled. “You know, you don’t have to daydream about it. Why don’t you just come?” She winked at Eva. “You and Jake. I’m going to mail you an invitation when I get home.”
Eva actually gasped. “You mean travel all that way to see you get married?”
“Is that allowed?” Yvonne chuckled.
“We would probably have to take a bus or hire someone to drive us. Plane rides are reserved for funerals or other emergencies. Is it a long drive?” Eva’s face glowed. “How wonderful that would be.” She paused and then scowled. “Although I don’t have any idea where things will stand with me and Jake.”
“It’s a long drive, but by the time I get married, I’m going to guess you and Jake will be well on your way to being a couple, if not already committed to each other. It would be a fun trip for you, and I’d love for you both to be there.”
“I hope you’re right about Jake. And I’ve never been to Texas or an Englisch wedding.”
Yvonne dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “I hate to cut our conversation short, but if you’re through eating, I probably need to get you back to the bookstore so I can get on the road to the airport. And I’ll want to tell Jake bye too. Even though he ruined my career.” She rolled her eyes. “I honestly think I might lose my biggest client for my failure to get him to sell the book.”
Eva brought a hand to her chest. “Nee, that’s not right. Please tell me you’re teasing.”
“No, I’m actually not. But don’t look so mortified. Trevor will take care of me. Don’t get me wrong, I like to take care of myself financially, but if I lose my client, I won’t starve. Trevor won’t let that happen.”
“It still seems unfair.”
Yvonne shrugged before she stood and laid her napkin on her plate. Then she burst out laughing. “Not only am I driving illegally, I don’t have any money to pay the bill. No cash or credit cards. Wow. I have a checkbook. Do you think they’ll take an out-of-state check?”
“Let me pay for this.” Eva smiled. “I had already planned to anyway.”
“Danki,” Yvonne said as she walked alongside Eva, nudging her slightly. “See, I’ve learned a little while I’ve been here. And Trevor said we might even come back and visit.”
“I’ll be hoping so. And I’ll be hoping to see you get married too.”
“I can’t wait.” Yvonne stood nearby while Eva paid for lunch, then thanked her before they walked to Yvonne’s rental.
She seriously doubted Eva would make an attempt to attend her wedding. It would be a long trip to see a woman she didn’t know very well get married. But it was strange how life worked out. She’d come here to make the sale of a lifetime and failed, but somewhere along the line she’d made a new friend, possibly two if Jake considered her a friend at this point. A part of her wished she could stay to learn more about this culture she knew very little about, but she missed Trevor.
By the time they got back to the bookstore, it was twelve fifteen, and Yvonne was going to need to say quick goodbyes so she could get on the road to the airport. She hated goodbyes, but she felt like she’d see Eva and Jake again. If not at her wedding, then maybe she and Trevor really would come for a visit. Trevor would like the peacefulness of the community. It was a far cry from his beloved New York, but he had mentioned often how he also enjoyed quiet downtime. The bungalow he’d rented for their honeymoon in Maui was off the beaten path—peaceful, he had said.
When Yvonne and Eva walked into the store, Jake was sitting behind the counter, his head buried in a newspaper, but he looked up right away and smiled. “How was lunch?”
“Gut.” Eva folded her hands in front of her. “Yvonne has to hurry, though, if she’s going to catch her plane home.”
Jake stood and rounded the corner. Yvonne extended her hand. “Can I just say that I’ve had a lovely time, even though my electricity will probably get turned off since I didn’t close this deal.” She shrugged. “But who needs electricity, right? You guys seem to do just fine.”
The poor guy’s expression fell so fast as he shook Yvonne’s hand, she regretted teasing him right away. “Lighten up, Jake. I’m kidding. I would have loved to have bought the book for my client, but”—she glanced at Eva and smiled—“I feel like I’ve made a new friend.” She raised an eyebrow at Jake. “Maybe two?”
“Two.” He dropped his arm to his side. “Wishing you safe travels back to Texas.”
“Danki.” Yvonne giggled. “Okay, so it’s probably the only word I’ll ever use, but maybe Trevor will be impressed when he hears it.”
She hugged Eva. “Write to me.” As she pulled back, she felt her phone buzzing in her purse. She eased away and dug around. “I’d better get this in case it’s Trevor. He worries.”
Finally, she found her phone. “Oh, it’s Trevor’s father. This will be something about the wedding,” she said when she saw his name pop up on the screen. “I’ll say goodbye to you guys, for now!” She blew a kiss toward Eva and Jake, then waved and went out the door.
“Hi, Fred. What’s up?” Her father-in-law-to-be was less formal than Trevor’s mother. She might not have addressed his mother as casually. “Is everything okay?”
There was an eerie silence before he spoke. “There has been an accident, and . . .”
Yvonne stopped walking as she felt herself going icy cold inside. Her heart pounded.
“It’s Trevor,” Fred said in a shaky voice, no mistaking his anguish. “He’s gone.”
Gone? Yvonne tried to keep her knees from buckling. “What does that mean, ‘gone’?”
“Yvonne, our son has died.”
Fred was crying hard now, but in between his sobs, Yvonne heard his garbled words echoing in her mind like she stood alone in a dark cave. Plane . . . No survivors . . . Crash . . . She didn’t hear much more, only Fred speaking unintelligible words as he wept.
Yvonne dropped her phone and fell to the ground, the gravel in the parking lot digging into her knees through her black slacks. The stinging pain was nothing compared to the knife that had just sliced her insides open and changed her life forever. If she’d known pain before, it didn’t compare to what she felt now—the burning in her chest, a heaviness she’d never felt before, a chokehold around her neck. She couldn’t breathe. Even though she gasped for air, taking in quick gulps, it was as if there wasn’t any oxygen, only nothingness.
The bell on the door rang. She heard footsteps, then felt a hand on her shoulder and heard voices, but she couldn’t speak. There still wasn’t any air in the space around her. Clutching her blue blouse with fisted hands, she opened her mouth and looked straight into the sun, her retinas burning. Then she screamed and yielded to the compulsive sobs that controlled her.