The next few days flew by as Lizzie found herself rushing to complete her wedding gift. She’d already made up the blueberry and the blackberry jams. Today she planned on finishing up with a batch of apple butter. She loved making this recipe because it was a perfect way to use up extra apples. However, for her cousin’s wedding present, she’d used only the finest Cortland apples. The entire kitchen smelled like warm apples and cinnamon. As she took the canning jars out of the hot water bath, she couldn’t help but ponder her last meeting with Paul.
Lizzie had felt that their relationship was changing. For a long time now, she’d known his feelings were more than that of just a friend. Once again her long-held insecurities reared their ugly heads. She was having trouble imagining herself as a wife. As far as she was concerned, Paul deserved someone far better than her. And yet he stuck by her through the good and bad days. In her heart of hearts, she knew there weren’t many men like him.
And in her heart of hearts, she also knew she no longer saw him as just a friend.
She picked up the stainless steel ladle and began scooping the apple butter into the sterilized canning jars. The warm, spicy steam wafted up out of the jar. She filled a half-dozen jars. Then she screwed the metal lids in place. When that was done, she lined them up alongside the other filled jars, admiring her handiwork. After the jams and butter were cooled, she planned on packing them up in a basket. Lizzie also had the recipe cards in a neat pile on the counter, waiting for the recipe box Paul had said he would make for her.
These three recipes were the ones that were the most popular at her roadside shed. She let out a contented sigh. These were the best choice for the gift.
She heard boots stomping on the porch and knew her vader had come up for his morning tea. Anticipating this, she’d set a teakettle over low heat half an hour ago. Taking it from the stove top, she set about making his favorite cup of tea. Simple black tea with two teaspoons of sugar and a dollop of cream.
“Hello, Daed,” she called out as he came into the haus.
“Dochder. I see you’ve got my tea brewing. Danke.” Sitting down at his usual spot at the table, he said, “I’ll have you know it’s a fine late summer’s day out there. The last cutting is going to be this week. Just in time for your cousin Rachel’s wedding.”
Lizzie was looking forward to Rachel and Jacob’s big day. Her sister, Mary, and her husband would be arriving soon. Her mamm had been cleaning out the spare bedroom all week. This very minute the freshly laundered sheets were hanging to dry out on the clothesline, flapping in the breeze.
“You look to be having a great day, Daed.”
“I am at that, Lizzie. This morning I woke up before the light of dawn and for the first time did not feel the effects of my illness. The doctors were right. Three months later, I’m as fit as a fiddle again.”
After setting the pitcher of milk in the refrigerator, Lizzie took him his tea.
“I think your sister will be here today.”
Lizzie raised an eyebrow, curious as to how he would know that.
“I can’t keep the surprise from you, not on a day as fine as this. Her letter last week let us know when she was arriving. That’s why your mamm has been so busy getting that room ready.”
It had been almost a year since Lizzie had seen Mary. They had so much to catch up on. With Rachel’s wedding and their vader’s illness, no doubt their chatter would fill an entire afternoon. But Lizzie couldn’t wait to get her sister alone to talk about Paul.
No sooner did those thoughts leave her head than the sound of a ruckus came from out in the yard. After wiping her hands on a dish towel, Lizzie followed her daed outside, where they found Paul helping her sister and Aaron down from the wagon.
Lizzie took off at a run, meeting her sister halfway down the walkway. “Mary! I’m so excited that you’re finally home.” Lizzie let out a squeal of delight as she ran into her arms.
Their mamm came out from around back, running so hard, she was out of breath by the time she got there. “It’s wonderful to have my dochdern together!”
Stepping back, she cocked her head to one side, giving Mary the once-over, observing, “Mary, you are glowing. This can only mean one thing!” their mother exclaimed, her eyes tearing up. “You’re going to have a bobbli!”
Rubbing a hand over her stomach, Mary took hold of Aaron’s arm, pulling him in close. “Bopplin. We’re having twins.”
Mamm’s hand flew to her chest. “Twins! This is wonderful news.”
“If it’s all right, I’d like to get Mary into the house. It was a long trip and she needs to put her feet up,” Aaron advised, putting a protective arm around Mary’s shoulders.
Mary swatted her mann’s arm. “Aaron, I’ve told you before, I am not an invalid.”
“Come along anyway,” her mamm said, taking Mary’s hand and escorting her up the steps.
Lizzie watched as her family moved to the house, leaving her alone beside Paul. Fussing with the front of her apron, she found herself happy to see him. She’d missed him. Lizzie wondered if he felt the same way about her.
“That was nice of you to bring my sister and her mann here.”
“I had to pick up a furniture order from the workroom at my vader’s. There are a few cabinets that I’d finished up before I opened my shop, and the customer is ready to receive them,” he explained. “The trip out here was no trouble. That’s gut news about your sister.”
“Ja. It is. I’m going to be an aenti.”
“You’re going to make a fine one, at that, Aenti Lizzie.”
“Oh, my, when you say call me that, it makes the news seem that much more real.”
“I have the recipe box you wanted for Rachel and Jacob’s wedding gift.” He reached around to get the small box from underneath the wagon’s seat.
The box looked so tiny in Paul’s strong hands. He handed it to her. Lizzie stared down in awe. The cherrywood box had tiny hearts carved into all four sides. On the top were the words Made with love. Running her thumb over the smooth wood, Lizzie knew Rachel would get much use out of this.
Raising her eyes, she met Paul’s clear gaze. “This is lovely.”
“Danke.” Nodding at her, he said, “Go ahead and open it.”
Carefully she lifted the lid and peered inside to find a white envelope that had been folded in half. “What’s this?”
“It’s for you,” he answered, rocking back on his heels.
Lizzie had never seen him so excited. She didn’t know what to expect, but whatever was inside had Paul beaming. “I can’t imagine what this could be.”
“Lizzie, just open it up already.”
“Okay, okay.” Lizzie reached in and removed the envelope.
As she unfolded the paper, she realized it was thicker than it looked. What on earth? She broke the seal open and was shocked to find cash inside.
“Paul, what is this? What have you done?”
“Oh, I didn’t do anything, Lizzie. It was you. This is from the sale of your first piece of art.”
“This can’t be. The watercolors have been there for less than a week.” She stared at the money in disbelief. Quickly, she thumbed her fingers across the bills. “There must be a hundred dollars in here.”
A broad smile stretched across his face. “One hundred and seventy-five dollars, to be exact.”
In her excitement over seeing what he’d brought her, Lizzie pushed convention aside and flung herself into his arms. Her entire being vibrated with emotions. This money would help her family at a time when they needed it the most.
“Oh, Paul!” Her voice hitched. “Thank you.” She squeezed him tightly.
The air around them seemed to grow still. Lizzie felt Paul’s arms wrapped around her. She laid her head against his chest and heard the strong beating of his heart. She couldn’t hold back a grin, because hers felt as if it were going to burst from her chest. For this one brief moment she allowed herself to feel safe and loved.
Lizzie pulled back a bit and stared up at him. She saw his powerful love reflected in those beautiful dark eyes. If she’d ever doubted his feelings before, now, in this very instant, Lizzie saw and felt the things he’d been trying for so long to tell her.
“Lizzie... I—”
She yearned to hear him say the words that would change her life. But the only sound she heard was that of a loud tractor engine shattering their moment. Paul dropped his arms at the same time Lizzie stepped out of his reach. Blinking up at him, she wanted to tell him to leave before her vader caught them in a compromising situation. But Paul just stood there watching her. She could tell he wasn’t going to be moving anytime soon from where he stood.
Worry began to nibble at her conscience. Would he stay there until her vader came out of the house to check on them? Would Paul continue to honor their agreement now that she’d made the first sale of her art at his shop? But the biggest question she couldn’t get out of her mind was how could she ever have a future with this furniture maker when her family needed a farmer?
Paul’s arms felt empty without Lizzie standing in them. He knew that her feelings for him were deepening. She didn’t know it, but he’d been watching her grow and change over these past months. He’d been holding out hope that she would come around to selling her art and, after that proved successful, grow to trust him...to love him. Now that those things had happened, she hadn’t said that she loved him. But he could see the change in the way she felt about him from the look on her face. She wasn’t looking away from him. And he hadn’t seen her pull away or turn her face to hide her scar in weeks.
These were all good things and an answer to his many prayers.
Paul could be patient a bit longer. The rest would come. And one day soon he and Lizzie would declare their love for one another.
He heard the sound of Mary’s laughter and Aaron joining in.
Then Joseph called out, “Lizzie! Where have you gone off to? Come join the rest of the family to welcome your sister home.”
The screen door slapped closed behind the man as Joseph came out onto the porch. “There you are.”
He saw them together, and Paul watched the man’s eyes narrow in disapproval.
“Come. Come inside,” he said, motioning to Lizzie. “Paul, you’re welcome to have some pie with us to celebrate Mary’s return.”
“Danke for the offer, Joseph. But I have to get this order delivered.” Paul nodded to the cabinets still needed to be unloaded. “I need to be getting on. I’m glad your family is all under one roof again.”
“Ja. It’s a happy day, indeed.” The man made a big show of adjusting the straps on his suspenders.
Paul took the hint. He waved to Joseph, then turned to face Lizzie. “I’ll look for you at Rachel and Jacob’s wedding reception.”
“I’d like that. And, Paul?”
“Yes?”
She patted the pocket she’d put the money in. “This is still just between us.”
“You can count on it.”
“Gut. I’ll see you at the wedding.”