As Heidi reached into the laundry basket to hang a towel on the line, she noticed a car at the end of her driveway. It just sat there with the engine running, but she couldn’t make out the driver. Could it be the same vehicle she’d seen out by the road a few weeks ago? Was it the same color? She didn’t remember.
Her heartbeat quickened. Today had been stressful and her nerves were on edge. She didn’t need one more thing to worry about.
Should I walk out there and see who it is? Perhaps it’s only someone who is lost and needs directions. Her fingers clenched as she dropped the towel back into the basket. I wish Lyle were here right now. He’d know what to do.
Heidi started walking toward the driveway, but the car backed out and headed down the road. She sighed and resumed her task. Then hearing the squeal of laughter, she glanced in the direction of the children, playing on the front porch. After her students departed today, Heidi had expected Randy or Marsha to mention the quarrel they’d witnessed between Becky and Kassidy. But surprisingly, neither child had brought it up. Heidi couldn’t imagine it not bothering them, for it still disturbed her.
Apparently Marsha, who had been quite upset at the time, now had other thoughts on her young mind. Kassidy and Becky had not set a good example for the younger, impressionable children. This was all the more reason Heidi was determined to give Randy and Marsha a good upbringing. Oh, how she looked forward to the day those sweet children would truly belong to her and Lyle.
A flash of blue, along with frantic chirping, caught Heidi’s attention. She stood motionless, holding the towel she’d dropped back in the basket moments ago, and watched two male bluebirds seemingly in battle. She assumed the one bird was guarding his territory. Heidi expected the baby birds would soon leave the safety of their box. Last evening at dinner, Lyle had told her he’d noticed the young birds sticking their little heads out the entrance. They seemed anxious to discover the world awaiting them.
She looked toward the nesting area and saw the female bird watching the ruckus from the roof of the bird box. The fighting males flew at each other, wings flapping and feet extended. They dropped to the ground and continued to challenge each other. Heidi feared one of them might break a wing as they flew at each other. Finally, the battle ended. The female’s mate, with a few feathers ruffled, joined her on top of their little home.
Heidi could relate to those birds and how they took care of their family. Without a doubt, she and Lyle would do whatever it took to provide for and protect Randy and Marsha.
She finished hanging the laundry, hoisted the empty basket, and stepped onto the porch. “Would you two like a snack?” Heidi asked, smiling down at the children.
Marsha grinned as she bobbed her blond head. “Jah, Mammi. Do you have any kichlin?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Would you like peanut butter cookies or chocolate chip?”
“I want the chocolate ones,” Randy spoke up.
Marsha licked her lips. “Peanut butter.”
“All right then, I’ll set some cookies and milk on the table, while you two go in and wash your hands.”
The children clambered to their feet and raced into the house. Chuckling, Heidi followed.
“I can’t understand why you didn’t want the kids to come along this evening.” Miranda looked over at Trent as they neared the town of Millersburg. “And just where are you taking me?”
He glanced over at her and smiled. “It’s a surprise. You’ll see soon enough.”
She fiddled with her purse straps. Why do I have the feeling he’s up to something again? First it was the flowers. Now, who knows what?
Trent turned on the radio to an easy-listening station, and Miranda tried to relax. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, wondering if she should bring up the marriage seminar or wait until they got to their destination. Maybe I’ll let him tell me whatever he wants to say about the kids before I mention the seminar.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Fox’s Pizza Den, and Trent turned off the ignition. “We’re here.” He grinned over at Miranda.
Her brows furrowed. “We’re having pizza? What’s that have to do with our children?”
Trent’s ears turned pink. “No, I—” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Remember when we came here on our first date, and then we went bowling at Spare Things Lanes?”
She shook her head. “No we didn’t, Trent. On our first date we went to LaPalma Mexican Grill. Bowling and the pizza place was our second date.”
“Oh, boy. Guess I blew that one, didn’t I?” Trent’s blush covered his ears and down his neck. “So much for trying to impress you.”
Miranda tugged her ear. “I didn’t think we came here so you could impress me or take a walk down memory lane. I thought you wanted to talk about Debbie and Kevin.”
“I do. Just thought…” He paused and cleared his throat. “The kids miss me, Miranda. They want me to come home, and I was hoping you might want that too.”
Miranda felt trapped. Trent was using Kevin and Debbie to pry on her sympathies again. He should know by now it was not the way to win her back.
Miranda’s muscles twitched as she clasped her hands tightly in her lap. “Our marriage needs an overhaul, Trent. There are so many weak areas, and nothing will be resolved by sweeping things under the rug.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“We need help.”
Trent slapped his forehead. “Here we go. You want us to see a marriage counselor, right?”
“Maybe, but to begin with, I’d like you to attend a marriage seminar with me that my church is having next weekend. It starts on a Friday evening, and then continues on Saturday for most of the day.” She held her breath, waiting for his response.
Trent clutched the steering wheel as if he were holding a shield. “I—uh—will have to think about it.”
“Okay, but I’ll need an answer by the first of next week so I can sign us up for the event.”
“I’ll give you a call Monday evening.” Trent rubbed his chin. “Now, I’d like your opinion on something.”
“What is it?”
“There’s a young girl taking Heidi’s cooking class. Her name’s Peggy Ann.”
Miranda nodded. “She lives near the Troyers, and her mother, Velma, does some work for Heidi to pay for her daughter’s class.”
“That’s right, and from what I overheard, the family is struggling financially and they need a car.” Trent made strong eye contact with Miranda. “So I was thinking I ought to look into getting a reasonably priced used car for Velma.”
“It’s a nice thought, but I doubt they could even afford a secondhand car.”
He shook his head. “I’m planning to buy the car myself and give it to them.”
“Really? Can you afford to do that?”
“Probably not, but I feel sorry for the family, and I want to do something to help.”
Miranda touched the base of her throat. She’d never known her husband to be so generous, especially to a perfect stranger. Was he doing it as a genuine good deed, or could it be that Trent was only trying to impress her? For now, she would give him the benefit of the doubt. The real test would be whether he would agree to attend the seminar with her.
“Do you want to tell him, or should I?” Denise’s forehead wrinkled as she handed Greg a platter full of baked chicken. Greg had been playing golf all afternoon with his lawyer buddies, so he had no idea what had transpired at the cooking class earlier that day.
“Tell me what?” Greg looked from Denise to Kassidy.
Kassidy picked up the ear of corn on her plate and chewed off the kernels, leaving several pieces stuck to her face.
“Your daughter got in a fight today before class started.” Denise forked a piece of steaming broccoli and blew on it.
“A fight?” Greg looked at Kassidy. “Was it a verbal argument or an actual fist fight?”
“It wasn’t a fist fight, Dad.” Kassidy grabbed a napkin and wiped the butter dripping down her chin. “Just a bunch of shoving.”
That girl makes me so mad. Denise inhaled slowly feeling her frustration mounting. “That fight involved more than shoving, and you know it. You were pulling each other’s hair and punching. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter what kind of fight or argument it was. You should never have let it happen.”
“It was Becky’s fault too,” Kassidy retorted.
“Maybe you need to spend the rest of the night in your room.” Greg reached for an ear of corn off the platter.
“But Dad, I was good in class afterwards, and even tried to be nice to the other kids. But Mom keeps harping at me.”
With furrowed brows, Greg looked at Denise. “At some point, all kids get into fights. Doesn’t make it right, but that’s part of growing up. I’m sure you had a fight at least once during your childhood.”
“No, I did not. Besides, it’s not the point. Our daughter didn’t even apologize to Becky. I think she should be grounded for a couple of days, or maybe—”
Kassidy lifted her chin. “Becky didn’t apologize either.”
“You see.” Greg wagged a finger. “The other girl’s at fault too. Just let ’em work it out, Denise.”
Denise wiped her mouth and took her plate to the sink. Why bother to argue? As usual, Greg’s mind is made up, and once again, Kassidy has gotten her way. She reflected on the verse Heidi had written on the back of the recipe card she’d given Kassidy at the last cooking class. “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
Denise rubbed the bridge of her nose and sighed. Perhaps Greg and I have made a mistake by not seeing that our daughter gets religious training. We have taught her nothing about God, and I have to wonder if we should all start attending church, in search of God’s peace.
Darren slipped his arm around Ellen’s waist as they meandered around the Fireman’s Festival, looking for the best place to sit during the fireworks display. Their kids walked ahead of them, neither saying a word. Jeremy had been quiet all evening, and Becky seemed to be pouting. She’s probably still fretting about the encounter she had with Kassidy this morning. Darren wished he felt free to talk to her about it, but he didn’t know how Becky would take it. And Ellen might not appreciate him reprimanding her daughter.
Darren spread out the blanket he’d brought along and suggested they all take a seat. With hands in his pockets, Jeremy shook his head. “I’d rather stand.”
“Okay, but make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s view.” Darren was pleased when Ellen sat on the blanket, and he quickly took a seat beside her, watching to see what her daughter would do.
“I’m gonna find a restroom,” Becky mumbled, looking down at her mother.
“Okay, but hurry back, or you might miss the fireworks.”
“Have you enjoyed the festival?” Darren asked, leaning closer to Ellen.
She smiled. “Very much. I admire and appreciate what you and all the firemen in our area do. It’s a difficult and sometimes dangerous occupation.”
“Yeah, but I like my job, and I’m betting you like yours as a nurse too.”
“I do, although there are stressful times. But I suppose that’s true with most professions.”
“Uh-huh.” Darren looked up and pointed as the fireworks started, then he turned to look into Ellen’s eyes. The glow from the exploding lights illuminated her beautiful face.
Almost of its own accord, Darren’s hand reached out and caressed her cheek. When he tilted her chin upwards, everything around them seemed to disappear, except for Ellen’s warm breath feathering his face. Darren slipped his other arm around Ellen’s waist, lowered his head, and kissed her tenderly. He was pleased when she didn’t pull away and returned his kiss. Ellen’s lips were soft as rose petals.
The spell was broken when Jeremy returned to the blanket and plopped down in front of them. So much for the evening ending on a romantic note. Darren had to wonder if his son had seen them kiss, and intentionally interrupted.
Becky returned a few minutes later and sat in front of Ellen as the fireworks continued to burst overhead.
“Say, I have an idea.” Darren reached for Ellen’s hand. “How would you and Becky like to go with me and Jeremy to the Farm at Walnut Creek next Saturday? It’ll be fun to ride in one of their horse-pulled wagons and see all the animals roaming about.”
“That sounds good, and my schedule just changed so that I don’t have to work next Saturday,” she replied. “And I’m sure my daughter would like to go too.” Ellen nudged Becky. “Right?”
The girl shrugged.
Darren gently squeezed Ellen’s fingers. He looked forward to spending more time with Ellen. Hopefully, their kids would be in better moods.