Monday morning brought a flurry of activity to The Peony Inn, and Esther hoped a nap would come early for her and Lizzie. Not only were Mr. Clarkson, Jayce, Hal, Jesse, and Giovanni present for breakfast, but other members of their group came in and out. Each time Esther went into the dining room, platters and bowls were empty. Some of them carried toast, eating as they passed from the dining room through the living room. Others stood around sharing plates, as if that were proper protocol.
“This is craziness,” Lizzie said when Esther walked back into the kitchen for the third time. She was cracking more eggs into a bowl.
“They are like wild animals in there.” Esther pulled a stack of extra plates from the cabinet. “Might as well give them all something to eat off of.”
She carried the plates back into the room, handing them out to those standing and apologizing that there wasn’t enough seating. It was hard not to stare at some of the people, especially the women—young ladies in their twenties, made up with far too much makeup, but still so striking that their looks drew her in. Men were a minority in this crowd. She shuffled back to the kitchen.
“Craziness,” Lizzie said again as she stirred eggs over a flame that was much too high. Esther sure hoped her sister didn’t burn the eggs, but they were completely out and needed to get more on the table. Lizzie was making sure she cooked them as fast as possible. Can you even burn eggs?
Esther took out two more jars of jam, strawberry and apple butter. “They’ll be gone soon enough.” Pausing to rest, she sighed. “Then we can take a nap.”
“You can. I can’t.” Lizzie turned to her and lifted up on her toes. “I found us some help, and I’m going to pick her up as soon as everyone leaves.”
Esther held the jars to her chest and looked up. “Praise God.” She turned back to her sister. “Who?”
“Her name is Rose Petersheim, and she just moved here from Ohio. She’s kin to Big Roy and Katie Marie.” Lizzie turned up the heat another notch until smoke was rising from the skillet of eggs. Seconds later, she dumped them in the empty bowl.
Esther carried the bowl into the chaotic dining room, many of the guests talking over one another. Jayce stood quietly in a corner eating. With a mouthful, he nodded at Esther, then winked. She supposed that was a signal that the food was good. Although at the moment, it was more about quantity than quality.
“Why did the girl move here?” Esther asked Lizzie when she returned to the kitchen. “Why would she leave her family?”
“I don’t know her story, and I don’t care.” Lizzie dabbed at the sweat beads on her forehead with a napkin. “She can cook and clean, so she’s hired.”
Esther nodded in agreement. She and Lizzie could not keep up this pace. “Do you want me to go with you to pick her up? Will she live here like Naomi did?”
“Ya. Big Roy and Katie Marie don’t have room. And no, you don’t need to go. Get a nap in. One of us should.” Lizzie spat her dentures into her hand, surprising Esther. Her sister rarely complained about them anymore. “Stupid teeth are giving me fits again.”
It had taken Lizzie a long time to get used to the dentures. Not wearing them or spitting them out in front of people had been a common occurrence. Esther hoped this problem was temporary.
“We don’t have room right now either.” Esther pressed a hand to her forehead, which was also sweating. “All of our rooms are full.”
“I figure you and me can bunk together. She can have mei room until this rowdy crew is gone.” Lizzie frowned before wrestling the dentures back into her mouth.
Esther thought about Lizzie’s snoring, but it was the only option. “Be sure to take out all those romance books you read and hide under the mattress.” Lizzie’s jaw dropped. “Ya, I know about them. Naomi too. She changed the sheets and, on occasion, so did I.”
Lizzie raised her chin. “There is nothing wrong with reading about love between two people.”
Esther tucked her chin and scowled at her sister. “I hope they are clean books and not filled with things you shouldn’t be reading.”
Lizzie huffed, then walked into the dining room. Esther chose not to follow in case her sister acted in character and told them all to hurry it up or keep the noise down, or something similarly inappropriate.
Esther set to making an apple pie since those seemed to go the quickest. These guests were midnight scavengers. By morning all kinds of food had been eaten. But at least it was being consumed and not going to waste.
* * *
Jayce crossed the front yard toward the two waiting limos. Everyone was packed in, and even though the drive wasn’t very far, he hoped he could choose the car without his father in it. Unfortunately, there was no way to know with the tinted windows.
Then he saw the grumpy old man, Gus, climbing into a rusty black pickup truck. He stopped and took a few moments to decide on the lesser of the two evils. He turned to Gus’s truck. He’d heard the cranky neighbor would be joining the crew. Apparently, Jayce’s father had promised him a part in the movie so the guy would stop complaining about the generators. A promise Jayce doubted his father would make good on.
“You ain’t riding with me,” Gus bellowed when Jayce opened the passenger door. The crazy man flicked his arm at him, almost catching the side of his face. “You go with your people in their fancy cars. They already said they only have enough room for one more, so I’d have to take my truck. I’m guessing you’re the one more.” He scrunched up his face until his gray eyebrows almost touched in the middle of his forehead. “So get out.”
“You go ride with them, and I’ll drive your truck.” Jayce pushed his hair out of his face and grinned. “You’ve probably never been in a limo anyway.”
“As a matter of fact, you snot-nosed kid, I have been in plenty of limousines. And you got yourself a deal.” He pushed open the rusted door, causing it to squeak and whine.
“Oh, wait.” Jayce eyed the stick shift on the floor. “I don’t know how to drive a standard.”
Gus pulled the door closed, glowering at Jayce, his jowls moving back and forth as he shook his head. “Well, ain’t it my unlucky day.” He waited. “Get out. Go with your people.”
“Look, man. You’ve got on enough Old Spice to suffocate a small child, but I’d rather hitch a ride with you than ride with my dad, and I’m not sure which car he’s in. I’m sure someone saw me get in your truck, so they’ll know I’m not left behind. But oh, how nice it would be to avoid this whole charade and not go at all.”
Gus stared at him long and hard. “Your pop seems like a fine fellow to me. And you strike me as an ungrateful brat.”
“Whatever. You don’t know him.” Jayce got in and leaned his head back against the seat, wishing the conversation with this man would just end.
Gus finally started the truck, grinding the gears as he shifted, and followed the limos. Jayce did his best to breathe as little as possible. Luckily both windows were down.
“So what’s your dad done that makes you hate him so much?” They both bounced on the bench seat as the old truck caught a few ruts along the driveway.
“I don’t hate him.” Jayce slid on his sunglasses, hoping to avoid a conversation about the many reasons he despised his father. Hate was too strong a word.
They were quiet. Gus continued grinding each gear until they were on the highway at a steady, bouncy speed. By the looks and sounds of it, Jayce was surprised the truck even ran.
“I got a daughter who hates me too.” Gus’s mouth was set in annoyance when Jayce glanced over at him.
Jayce chuckled. “Gee, how could that be? You’re so friendly and likeable.”
“Kid, I’ll drop you on the side of the highway if you don’t lose the attitude.” He tossed a seething look in Jayce’s direction, and Jayce was pretty sure the man was serious.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why does your daughter hate you?”
“None of your business.” Gus coughed so hard that the buttons on his red-and-white plaid shirt separated slightly. He was wearing suspenders that draped over his big belly to hold up his black trousers. Jayce couldn’t imagine what his father must have promised him. A speaking role? Just someone in the background? Most likely he’d lied, since there wasn’t a place in this movie for a big fat guy with a long ponytail sitting in the background.
“So, I’ve got another question for you.” Jayce turned to him. “Aside from your likeable personality and polite demeanor, why do you rent a cottage from two Amish women? You’re clearly not Amish and the place doesn’t appear to have electricity. Why live like that if you’re not one of them?” Then he snapped a finger. “Ah, they must let you live there for free.” He laughed. “Although, I can’t imagine why.”
Gus’s face turned as red as the barn back at the inn. “I pay those widows rent every month. And while your kind needs electricity and television and all those fancy things, I’m content to just get up and exist each day.”
“Well, you could be nicer to them. They’re sweet ladies.” Jayce yawned, knowing it was going to be a long day.
Gus roared with laughter. “The words Lizzie and sweet don’t go together. Esther is okay.” He turned to Jayce, sneering. “That wicked and crazy sister of hers is another story. She’s actually kicked me, more than once.”
Jayce tried to picture the tiny woman popping Gus with one of her black loafers, or maybe her bare feet since these people didn’t wear shoes all the time. “Hmm . . . I can’t imagine why she would do something like that.”
“Are you always this sarcastic? You’re on my last nerve, and we still have a ways to go before we get there. Maybe zip it up, sonny.” Gus coughed again, a deep, throaty wheezing that sounded like asthma or whooping cough, if that still existed. Jayce’s dad was a germophobe. If old Gus started coughing like that on set, good ol’ Dad would probably shove him in the water.
He thought again about Veronica having to make the dive.
He decided to stay quiet. No decent conversation was going to ensue with this miserable man.
When they arrived at Bluespring Caverns, they were greeted by three enthusiastic kids, clearly excited to have the film crew back. The boats were lined up and ready. Jayce went through the same drill as on Friday, trekking up and down into the cavern with most of the equipment, staying at water level, the sunshine against his back.
Gus strutted around like he was the star of the show. Jayce’s father barked orders like he always did. When Jayce carried the last of the scuba gear to the dock and handed it to Hal, he heard his father talking softly to Veronica.
“Listen, the equipment has been checked and double-checked. We won’t have the problems we had Friday, okay?” His voice sounded comforting, reassuring. Kind. “If you have any problem at all, we’ll pull you up right away. You okay?”
Jayce watched as Veronica nodded.
His father pushed back a strand of her hair, then kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Jayce blinked a few times. Wow, he still loves her. He thought briefly how much it would hurt his dad to know Veronica was seeing someone else. It was a rare emotion for Jayce, sympathy toward his father.
But within seconds the man was back to firing off orders. He never spoke to or looked at his son standing on the dock as the boats pulled away. The only person looking at Jayce was Veronica, and she was white as a ghost, her eyes almost pleading with him to go with them.
Never before in his life had he wanted to conquer his fear of enclosed places as much as he did right now. But every muscle in his body trembled at the thought.
* * *
Esther relocated Lizzie’s personal items from her sister’s bedroom to her own, remembering to snag the books between the mattresses. Lizzie had at least fifty items on her nightstand—a dozen pill bottles, many of them herbal remedies for various aches and pains. There were also bottles of Tylenol, ibuprofen, and low-dose aspirin. A box of tissues, two gardening magazines, a lantern, and a flashlight were also on the table next to the bed.
As Esther began to stow pill bottles in her apron pockets, she noticed the container Lizzie kept her teeth in. She hesitated to open it. Esther was already worried about Lizzie making a good enough impression that Rose would be willing to take the job. Her sister had a big heart, but she did not have a filter when it came to saying what was on her mind. Esther hoped she’d speak kindly to this new young woman, and she hoped it would be with her teeth in place.
She sighed when she opened the container and found the dentures inside. Lizzie talked with a lisp when she didn’t wear her teeth. Esther said a quick prayer that Rose would accept the job.
She had just finished putting fresh sheets on Lizzie’s bed when she heard her sister’s buggy pull into the driveway. Thankfully, she had a passenger. Esther brushed the wrinkles from her black apron, adjusted her prayer covering, and walked outside to greet their new employee.
Rose carried a small red suitcase and had a black purse strung over her shoulder, and at her feet was a larger brown suitcase. Esther wasn’t sure any of them could carry the bigger piece of luggage up the porch steps.
“Welcome to The Peony Inn.” Esther extended her hand. Rose had a firm grip.
“Danki for having me and employing me. I’m looking forward to helping out.” She smiled, which only added to her beautiful features. Rose was a tall, slender woman with big brown doe eyes. She was rather dainty looking but easily lifted both suitcases, so Esther motioned for her to follow.
“Can you get that up the stairs?” She looked over her shoulder. Lizzie was trailing behind Rose, staring at the ground, quiet. Esther hoped she hadn’t already said or done something she regretted. But the girl was here, and she seemed anxious to be employed.
“Ya, ya. No problem.” Rose marched easily up the porch steps. Esther’s knee popped on the third step, and she was acutely aware of her age. Thank goodness God had sent them Rose.
Lizzie walked directly to the kitchen as Esther showed Rose to her room. “This is normally Lizzie’s room,” she said as they walked through the door. “But we have a large group of guests staying until the end of the month, so I hope this will be suitable for now.”
“Ya, ya. This is fine.” Rose set down both suitcases, still smiling, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. “I’m going to love living here. I know it already. Danki again for having me.”
She might not feel the same when she saw the enormous pile of laundry in the basement. The workload wouldn’t always be so heavy, but until they weren’t catering to a full house, things were busier than usual. Hopefully Lizzie had explained that on the way here.
“We are thrilled to have you here, Rose. I’m going to help Lizzie get lunch started and give you time to unpack. Please let us know if you need anything.”
“I’m sure everything is perfect.” Rose bounced up on her toes, clasping her hands together in front of her.
Esther met up with Lizzie in the kitchen. She was frying the fish Amos caught the day before. Only she, Lizzie, and Rose were there for lunch, and the fish would certainly smell up the house. But she didn’t say anything about it. She’d bought some air freshener at the market recently. Their mother used to make a spray from scratch that smelled of lavender. These days Esther chose her battles, and a 99-cent can of air freshener did just fine.
“She seems like a sweet young lady.” Esther took ketchup and horseradish from the refrigerator and set them on the table. “A pretty young gal too.”
“Uh, ya.” Lizzie didn’t look up from the pan of sizzling fish.
Esther waited for details, but her sister stayed quiet. “You forgot your teeth,” she finally said.
“Ach ya. I remembered after I was on mei way. They’re bothering me again.”
Esther sighed. “Well, instead of choosing not to wear them all the time, maybe go back to the dentist so he can adjust them and make them more comfortable for you.”
“Ya, ya. I will.”
Esther set the kitchen table for three while Lizzie continued to cook in silence.
“Lizzie, is everything all right? What did you and Rose talk about on the way here?” Her stomach clenched. “She seems very bubbly and happy, but you didn’t say anything to upset her or make her not want the job, did you?”
Lizzie mumbled something under her breath.
“What did you say?” Esther stepped closer to her sister.
“She did most of the talking.” Lizzie cleared her throat. “I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
Esther turned toward the living room when she heard footsteps. Rose skipped into the kitchen with the spring of youthfulness. What a breath of fresh air she would be. She was probably around twenty. I wonder why she isn’t married.
“I’m so happy to be here.” She bounced up on her toes again. “I’m very gut at cleaning. Mei mamm said I will make an excellent fraa someday. At first when I was young, I didn’t like to clean bathrooms, but they don’t bother me at all now. I used to scream if I saw a spider, but I’ve conquered that fear as well. I’m gut with mending, especially hemming trousers. I have three bruders, so I’ve done lots of that.” She took a breath. “Do you have chickens? Of course you do. I saw a chicken coop. I’ll diligently remember to collect the eggs every morning. I’ve only dropped one in mei life. I don’t eat carrots, though. If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not cook them either. But I can prepare anything else you like. Are your horses for riding, or just for pulling the buggies? We had bats in our barn back home. Do you have bats here?” She pointed to the pan of fish. “Do you want me to finish preparing the fish? Or maybe I should complete my unpacking like Esther suggested. I’m about halfway done, but I thought I would check to see if I could be of assistance with lunch.”
Esther’s mind was awhirl as she stared at the girl. “Um, nee. I think we are fine in here, dear. You go ahead and finish unpacking.”
She bounced up on her toes for the third time. “Ya, of course. I’ll be back soon. The fish smells gut. I’m hungry. I didn’t eat much breakfast this morning. I’ve been so excited about this new phase in mei life . . . There won’t be carrots for lunch, will there? I mean, I know I mentioned my dislike for them just now, but I thought I would—”
“No carrots,” Lizzie said without turning around.
“Okay, then I’ll go finish unpacking. I’m so happy to be here! I’ll see you soon for lunch.”
Esther didn’t realize her mouth was hanging open until Lizzie turned around and raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sure she’s just nervous and excited. She’s in a new state with a new job. Surely the maedel doesn’t always talk that much.”
Lizzie scowled, shaking her head. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”