As Darren drove his four-wheel drive SUV down the road, following the directions on his GPS, he couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to live out here in the country. He spotted several Amish men working their fields and saw children running barefoot through the grass in their yards. Everything seemed peaceful here, at a much slower pace.
He rolled down his window and drew a deep breath. Too bad Jeremy and I can’t live in a place like this, instead of in town. Bet we’d both be a lot happier. I know I would. With the stress of Darren’s demanding job as a fireman, he was always eager to get home and unwind. Of course, he reasoned, having a big yard and acreage to take care of might add more stress than relaxation.
Darren glanced in the rearview mirror at Jeremy, sitting in the back seat with a scowl. He’d hoped by the time they got to Walnut Creek his son would have mellowed out a bit. So much for wishful thinking.
Darren still didn’t plan to stay with his son for the whole time today. Instead of browsing some of the shops, he might stop in at the fire station in Berlin, since it was less than ten minutes from Walnut Creek. Darren had gotten to know a few fellow fire fighters from outside his station, both in Berlin and in Sugarcreek, since a lot of times several stations responded to the same fire. That was one of the things Darren enjoyed about being a fireman—the comradery between fellow fighters. The only time there might be a little competition was when they played a game of baseball. Even then, it was friendly competition, and afterward, they’d all meet at a restaurant to eat. Of course, the losing team had to pay for the winners’ meals.
When Darren’s vehicle approached a mailbox by the side of the road, showing the address he’d been looking for, he turned his vehicle up the driveway. Another car was parked near the house, and Darren watched as an attractive woman with blond hair got out, along with a young brunette girl who looked to be about Jeremy’s age. The woman walked up the porch steps with an air of confidence and knocked on the door, while the girl stood beside her, head down and shoulders slumped. A few seconds later, the door opened, and mother and daughter, both wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt, stepped inside. Darren wondered if the woman planned to stay with her daughter. He hadn’t given it much thought until now, but maybe all the parents who brought their kids for the cooking class would stay—at least for today.
Jeremy groaned. “See, I told you, Dad. I’m the only boy signed up for the cooking class. Can’t we forget about this and find something else to do today? I’m gonna feel stupid if I’m the only guy here today.”
“You won’t be the only guy.” Darren thought things through a bit and changed his mind about leaving. It might be good to get to know some of the other kids’ parents. “I’ll be right here with you—at least for today’s class, so let’s get out of the car and head on in.”
Jeremy opened the back door and got out, but he remained unmoving next to the SUV. Darren nudged his son and started walking across the grass toward the house. Dragging his feet, Jeremy trudged along beside him. Well, at least he hadn’t gotten back in the car.
“Look Mommy, there’s a horse over there in the field,” Kevin pointed as they pulled into the driveway.
“Yes, honey, the Amish don’t drive cars. They use a horse and buggy as their transportation.” Miranda stopped the car midway up the driveway, putting the windows down so her kids could take a better look.
“They have cows too.” Debbie’s tone was as enthusiastic as her brother’s, and they both looked toward the barn where several cows milled around. “Do you think we can go see the animals after the class is done?”
“We’ll see.” Miranda took a whiff of the country air. While some people might find it offensive, to her it was calming.
“I didn’t know there’d be animals here.” Kevin giggled when a cat ran in front of their car. “I wonder what else they have in the barn.”
“I don’t know, but I hope we find out,” Debbie responded. “Wouldn’t it be fun if the Amish family took us for a ride with the horse and buggy sometime?”
Miranda smiled as her children laughed, watching one cat chase another into the barn. “Okay, you two. Let me find a place to park, and then we’ll head inside.” Maybe this will be a positive experience for my Kevin and Debbie.
“What are we doing out here in the middle of nowhere?” From the back seat, Kassidy tapped Denise’s shoulder. “I don’t see much of anything but farms and a bunch of horses and cows.”
“Just relax and enjoy the ride. We’re almost there.”
“Almost where?”
“Here.” Denise turned her car up a graveled driveway and parked it near two other vehicles. Then she turned in her seat to face Kassidy.
Kassidy huffed out a long breath. “What is this place? Looks like an old farmhouse to me.”
“It is a farmhouse, and the Amish woman who lives here teaches cooking classes.”
“If you’re taking some cooking classes I don’t see why you brought me along. I’m old enough to stay home for a few hours by myself, you know.”
Denise clenched her jaw as she glanced back at Kassidy. Creases had formed across her daughter’s forehead, and her eyebrows squished together.
“The classes aren’t for me, Kassidy. Heidi Troyer will be teaching children how to cook, every other Saturday for six weeks.”
“Huh?”
Denise pursed her lips. “I believe you heard what I said.”
“So you signed me up to take cooking classes? Is that your big surprise?”
“Yes. It should be fun. I think you’ll enjoy learning how to make some easy dishes.”
“I’m not a child. I am almost twelve years old, so I don’t need to know how to make easy dishes.” Kassidy’s lips moved rapidly. “And when will I be old enough to sit up front with you or just use a regular seatbelt? I’m tired of sitting in this safety seat.”
Denise drew in some air and blew out a quick breath. “Just get out of the car, please.”
Kassidy sat with her arms folded, unmoving.
That’s just great. What am I going to do if I can’t get her to go inside? Denise opened her door, then looked back at her daughter. “Please get out so we can go inside and meet Mrs. Troyer.” She stepped out, went around to the other side of the vehicle, and stood by the back door. When the girl made no move to get out, Denise opened the door. “Kassidy, if you don’t get out right now I’ll take your cell phone.”
Kassidy’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not fair.”
“Neither is your stubborn refusal to get out of the car.”
“Okay, okay.” The girl’s cheeks reddened as she unbuckled and slid out of the safety seat, then shut the car door. “I don’t want to take a cooking class, Mom.” She glanced around. “Especially not here in the middle of cow country.”
“Don’t be so melodramatic.” Denise motioned to the two-story house. “Let’s go knock on the door. I’m sure once you meet the Amish woman and some of the other students, you’ll find you like it.”
“I don’t want to! This is stupid!”
Denise put her finger to her lips. “Keep your voice down. I will not stand for you throwing a temper tantrum out here in the yard.”
“Fine, then let’s go home.” Kassidy’s arms flailed in the open air. “You didn’t even ask if I wanted to take these stupid classes.”
Denise stood her ground. “We are not going home, and you’re not going to get your way this time. If you don’t go inside with me, I’m taking your phone.”
Another vehicle pulled in and parked. Denise watched as a woman with shoulder-length auburn hair got out, along with a young boy and a girl. She turned to face her daughter again. “See, Kassidy, there are other children here today, and they’re both smiling. Let’s go inside and see who else will be taking the class with you.”
Kassidy took a few steps through the grass, then stopped, wrinkling her nose. “Oh, yuck! I stepped in doggie doo-doo, and now my one shoe is ruined!”
Denise glanced at the woman and her two children, all heading in their direction. “Kassidy, please keep your voice down. People are staring.”
“I don’t care.” Kassidy lifted her foot, then hopped over to the porch stairs on the other foot. “How am I gonna get this horrible smell off my shoe?”
By this time, the woman and her children had also reached the porch. The boy pointed at Kassidy’s foot and plugged his nose. “Phew! That sure stinks!”
Kassidy’s nostrils flared, like a bull ready to charge. “Well, your ears stick out like bat wings.” She put her thumbs in her ears and wiggled her fingers.
Horrified, Denise pointed at her daughter. “Apologize to the little boy this instant.”
Kassidy shook her head, pulling off her sneaker. “He’s the one who should apologize; he said I stink.”
“Did not. Said that stinks.” The boy pointed at Kassidy’s shoe.
Denise grimaced. So much for hoping her surprise would be welcome. Not only did her daughter not want to take the cooking classes, but now she had a shoe covered in doggie-doo and she’d made an enemy out of one of the other students. How much worse can it get?
Just as the question entered her mind, Denise couldn’t believe what her daughter was about to do. Still holding the shoe, Kassidy began scraping the bottom of it on the edge of the porch.
Mortified, Denise’s mouth opened. “Kassidy McGuire—stop!”