Isaac got out of his buggy and secured the horse to the hitching post. As he approached the house, the front door opened and he plastered a grin over his face, expecting to see Jane. Instead, a large woman filled the doorway. It was Sadie.
“Wie ghets, Mrs. Yoder.”
“Just call me Sadie,” she said with a laugh. “I'm popular today, but I'm sure you're not here to see me.”
“I did arrange to meet Jane here at eleven.”
“You're a bit early. It's only half past ten.”
“Is she not here?”
“Nee, she's gone out with my son, Matt. They should be back any time though. She hadn't forgotten about you picking her up at eleven. The kettle is boiled if you'd like to sit and wait with a cup of coffee or tea?”
“I'd love a cup of coffee if you're having one.”
“I'll be glad to have one. And I might be able to find some chocolate chip cookies.” She opened the door wider and he walked through.
“Have you had another visitor this morning? You said you were 'popular today.’”
“Jah, that’s right. Lanie was here.”
“Oh, that's right she said she’d left her coat here. I met her on the roadway.”
“We had a nice conversation over a cup of tea.”
“That’s good.”
“You sit in front of the fire, now, and I'll get you that coffee.”
As soon as Isaac sat on the couch, a Mr. Grover jumped onto the couch next to him giving him a fright. The cat then stared at Isaac, who slowly put out his hand toward him. Mr. Grover sniffed his hand and then moved toward him and tucked his head under Isaac's hand, responding with loud purring.
“I don’t like cats,” Isaac said under his breath.
“That's Mr. Grover,” Sadie said as she brought out a large tray that contained only two small cups of coffee and a couple of cookies on a plate.
“Well, hello, Mr. Grover.”
The cat proceeded to sit on his lap.
“Get off,” Sadie said pushing the cat away. “There. Now you can drink your coffee,” she said to Isaac.
Isaac leaned forward and took one of the small cups while Sadie sat next to him. After he took a sip, he said, “This is very strong coffee.”
“That's why I serve it in the small cups. Oh, do you take milk or sugar? Maybe cream? I forgot to ask.”
He shook his head. “Just black’s fine for me, thanks. That's how I have it, too.”
When Sadie got herself comfortable, Mr. Grover jumped back onto the couch and stared at Isaac.
“He likes you. He normally doesn't take to strangers.”
“All animals like me.”
“Do you have any pets?”
“I have a goat farm and they are my pets too. It’s hard for people to understand, but it’s true. They each have their own personality.”
“Ah, that's right you said last night that you had the goat farm.”
“No pets beyond the dog that helps me on the farm. He’s not much of a pet, he’s too old for that now. I'm sure my dochder would like a pet when she gets old enough to ask. I might allow her to have some when she’s old enough to look after them. I don’t have the time.”
“That's a good idea, and by that time, she should be able to look after them herself, as you said. It teaches them responsibility.”
“That's the idea,” he said with a smile.
“Tell me about you and Jane.”
He nearly choked on his coffee, and then he looked over at her.
“We've always gotten along. We didn't really have much to do with each other though, before my wife died. She'd only moved in next door a few months before Rosalee was born. Then, soon afterward, is when my wife died and everything changed for me. I had to just keep going with the farm, and the ladies helped me with Rosalee. That's when I really met Jane, and then slowly we got to know each other.
When Jane up and left suddenly, I knew I didn't want to be without her. I saw that as a real possibility, and that's why I wasted no time getting myself here.”
It had been an awkward question and he really hadn't wanted to answer it, but neither did he want to be rude to the person Jane was staying with. Jane was still deciding how to answer his proposal, and if he got this woman offside, Jane could very well see that as a sign to say no to him.
“I’m sure Jane appreciates your honesty. And you made a big effort to be here, leaving your farm and your dochder.”
“Denke, Sadie. I hope she sees it that way.”
“I’m sure she does.”
When they heard the sounds of a horse and buggy, Sadie got up and looked out the window. “Here they are, back with ten minutes to spare before eleven.”
“Perfect timing,” Isaac said.
Matt saw the buggy, one that he recognized as the bishop’s, parked outside his mother’s house. He said to Jane. “It seems your admirer is keenly waiting for you.”
“Maybe.”
“I'll come in with you and find out.”
That was a dreadful idea. Jane had to keep them apart. “There's no need to for you to do that.”
“That's fine. I'm keen to meet him since he’s a friend of yours.”
There was nothing Jane could do to keep them apart. Matt walked with Jane into the house. Sadie opened the door for them and then introduced Matt to Isaac.
The air was thick with tension as the two men sized each other up.
“What brings you here, Isaac?” Matt asked getting to the point.
“Jane does,” was all that he said.
Matt raised his eyebrows. He wasn't expecting such an abrupt answer. In Matt’s mind, Jane was his. This didn’t sit well. The worst thing was, Jane had no idea how he felt. But if she did, would she even consider him?
“Goodbye, Jane.” Matt smiled at Jane and then looked at his mother. After he gave her a nod, he said, “Mamm.”
“Are you coming back for dinner tonight?” Sadie asked.
“Jah, Mamm, I'll be back for dinner.” He gave Isaac a nod as well, and then walked out the door closing it gently behind him. As he walked to the buggy, he hoped that him accepting the dinner invitation would stop Isaac from having dinner there as well.
And it did.