THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY AFTERNOON HANNAH MIXED dough for chocolate chip cookies while the smell of wood stain permeated her senses. Stephen had stained the banister earlier, then went outside to start mending the back fence. She marveled at how focused he was on his work and more than once had been tempted to ask him why he never sat still. But that was his business, not hers.
The screen door opened and slammed shut, and her mamm stood in the doorway with a wide grin on her face. “Hannah, there was a message for you. Jason called.”
“I’ll go listen to it right now.” Hannah started wiping her hands on her apron, but her mother held her hand up.
“I erased it by accident. I’m sorry. I meant to save it, but I was so excited that he called you I hit the wrong button.” She sounded sincere.
“What did he say?”
“He called to say hello and tell you he was looking forward to seeing you Sunday. He wanted to come by to see you, but they’ve been busy at the store.”
Hannah felt the lunch she’d finished an hour ago churn in her belly. “Anything else?”
“No, that was it.” Her mamm jammed her hands on her wide hips. “Aren’t you excited?”
“I am.” Hannah pulled out a baking sheet and some wax paper. “Danki for telling me.” She wondered why she wasn’t more excited and then pushed the thought away.
Her mamm scrunched her nose. “What’s that smell?”
“Stephen restained the banister.” Hannah motioned toward the stairs. “It looks gut. You should go see it.”
“Why on earth did he do that?”
“It needed attention, Mamm. I can’t remember the last time it was done. I hope it’s dry before the new guests arrive.”
Hannah’s mother looked at her but didn’t say anything.
“Do you need my help with Daed? I’m almost done here once these cookies are baked.”
“Hannah . . .” Her mother paused and looked at the linoleum floor. “I worry that you’re handling too much here at the inn. I was thinking about going back to balancing the books. Last month our numbers were a little off. Maybe you were preoccupied with all the chores.” Mamm shifted her weight and examined the dirt under her fingernails.
Hannah stopped in her tracks and looked at her mother. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? If the numbers didn’t balance, you should have told me.” She felt perspiration beading on the back of her neck. Her mother never seemed satisfied with Hannah’s efforts. “I’m able to handle the business just fine, Mamm. Thank you for your concern.”
Her mother looked unconvinced, but she shrugged and said, “Well, we’ll talk about this later. I just came over to tell you about your message. I think Jason really likes you. Your daed rarely called me when we were dating. Of course, back in our day it was quite a hike to the nearest phone shanty.”
Hannah knew her mother was rambling because she was uncomfortable.
“Jason and I aren’t dating, Mamm.” Hannah began scooping spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet. “He only asked me to a singing.”
“You’ll be dating soon.” Her mamm craned her neck to look into the kitchen. “Where’s Stephen?”
“He went to town for supplies. He’s been busy today. He repaired the Sheetrock in the laundry room and replaced the broken window upstairs. He started working on the fence, but ran out of nails.”
“Is he doing a gut job?”
“Ya.” Hannah pointed toward the laundry area. “He said he wants to build a set of cabinets for my supplies, so when Englischers ask to see my wringer washer, I don’t need to be embarrassed by the clutter.” She couldn’t stop her smile. Stephen had great ideas for making the bed-and-breakfast more efficient. She scooped the rest of the dough onto the cookie sheet and then slipped the sheet into the oven.
“That’s gut.” Her mamm walked to the back door and pushed it open. “Andrew also left a message saying he’d stop by today. I’ll see you later.”
From the window, Hannah watched her mother go back inside the daadi haus, then she put her hands on the counter and lowered her chin to her chest.
Lord, when is what I do going to be enough for my mamm?
Hannah was washing the mixing bowl when she heard the clip-clop of horse hooves. She peered out the window and saw her brother’s buggy rattling down the rock driveway toward the barn.
She hurried outside and waved as Andrew walked to the porch. “Hi, Andrew. How’s it going?” She hugged her arms to her chest as the cool autumn breeze engulfed her.
“Fine, danki.” He gestured toward the door. “Is Stephen here?”
“No. Curt drove him to town for some nails. He’s working on the fence. He’s done a lot around here the past few days.”
“I’m froh he’s doing gut work for you.” Andrew’s smile faded. “Stephen is a gut man. I’m glad he’s here. He’s been through a lot and needs a freind.” His mouth formed a thin line. “But be careful not to get too close to him. He’s not ready for anything more than friendship.”
Hannah studied her brother’s serious expression. “What has he been through?”
“Just trust me, Hannah.”
The following Saturday afternoon Hannah led two new guests, Larry and Melissa McDermott, down the stairs after showing them their room. When they reached the kitchen, Hannah handed Melissa a brochure and a map of the area.
“Here’s a listing of some popular tourist sites and also some Amish businesses that are off the beaten path.” Hannah felt someone’s eyes on her. Turning, she found Stephen watching her while he replaced the doorknob to the laundry area. She focused on the guests and tried to ignore her self-consciousness. “Let me know if you have any questions.”
Melissa studied the brochure. “I’m so excited to finally be here. My sister talks nonstop about Lancaster County. I can’t wait to go shopping.”
Larry sighed. “I knew if I didn’t bring you here, you’d drive me crazy.”
Melissa grinned at her husband and then turned back to Hannah. “Do these stores have those little jars of jelly?”
“Ya, I believe they do.”
“Great! They make good gifts.” Melissa touched her husband’s arm. “Let’s go find some lunch.”
“That’s a fabulous idea.” Larry nodded. “I’m starved. Let’s check out the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant your sister raves about. I’d like to try that ham loaf.”
Melissa followed her husband toward the door. She suddenly stopped and gasped. “Hannah, you don’t have electricity, do you? How will I charge my cell phone?”
Hannah bit back a smile. “Don’t you have a charger in your car?”
“You’re right!” Melissa snapped her fingers. “Silly me! Thank you, Hannah.” She followed Larry out the front door, which closed with a loud click.
Hannah turned to Stephen and, as if on cue, they both laughed.
Stephen stepped over to her. “Do you get the same absurd questions from all of your guests?”
“I do. Shouldn’t an Englischer know she can charge her cell phone in her car?”
Her heart warmed when she found his smile reached his eyes for the first time since he’d arrived at the inn. She hoped she’d see it more often. She looked at the kitchen clock and clicked her tongue “Ach. I missed the prayer meeting again today.”
“Where’s your prayer meeting?”
“We hold it on Saturdays at a store in town called Our Daily Bread. It’s an Amish store owned by Hiram and Ann Lapp. Mei freinden and I talk, pray, and catch up on town news. I’ve missed the last few meetings because I’ve been so busy here.”
Stephen gestured toward the door. “Want me to take you? I can hitch up the horse and get you to town in about fifteen minutes.”
“Danki, but we won’t make it in time. The meetings start at two sharp. Besides, I have work to do here.”
“We’ll make it a date for next Saturday. I promise I’ll have you there in time to pray and hear all the latest.”
A date? Her stomach flip-flopped, and then guilt settled in her stomach for getting so excited. What about Jason?
“That sounds wunderbaar. I left the dust cloth in my bedroom earlier.” She walked past him and her hand accidentally brushed his, her hand heating at the touch.
She looked back and found him watching her, his blue eyes intense. She thought of what Andrew had said about Stephen’s need for friendship. The urge to give him encouragement gripped her. “You do gut work. I’m glad you’re here to help run the inn.”
“Danki.” His eyes studied hers, and she nodded.
Hannah stepped into her bedroom and hoped she could be the friend Stephen needed.
Stephen shook his head with amazement. A weight had lifted from his shoulders when he’d shared a little laugh with Hannah.
Stephen knew he was treading on dangerous ground. His attraction to Hannah was palpable. He could feel the energy sparking around him when she was close, and his skin tingled when her hand brushed his. Her laugh was a sweet melody reminding him of his favorite hymns. Yet he couldn’t pursue her since he wasn’t baptized. He’d made that mistake with Lillian, and the results were heartbreaking. Besides, Hannah had a suitor, a man she’d known all her life.
Hannah appeared in the doorway and held up the dust cloth. “I found it.”
What a schee smile!
“I’m froh you found it.”
She started for the stairs. “I’m going to work in the bedrooms.”
“Ya?” She faced him, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“Is there church tomorrow?”
“Ya. The service will be at the Bontrager farm.” She hesitated, and a shy smile turned up her rosy lips. “Would you like to come?”
“Ya, I would like that a lot.”
“Gut.” She disappeared up the stairs, and calmness filled him at the thought of attending church with Hannah and her family.