Chapter Four
That evening, Eli stayed on Jessica’s mind while she lit the wick of her vanilla candle and took a seat on the living room sofa. Years ago, a counselor had recommended scented aroma for relaxation.
She breathed in the calming smell while she considered everything she’d learned about Old Sam. While she contemplated Eli, she closed her eyes a moment.
Strangely enough, there was something about the Amish builder that comforted and excited her at the same time. How could that be? It was an emotion she’d never experienced.
Her gaze drifted to the fan. As the air blew on her hair, she turned her head to the window that offered a beautiful view of what Eli had referred to as Pebble Creek.
It was her understanding that this wasn’t the official name but rather what it had been called for years by his family, dating back to when his parents were kids. As the pleasant scent of vanilla filled the air, the sun began slowly melting into the western sky.
She stood and stepped to the window for a better view. The colors were a mixture of the most beautiful hues she’d ever seen. It was as if an artist had spilled different shades onto a canvas. She let out a sigh of relief. In St. Louis, she’d never really paid attention to sunsets.
But here, out in the middle of nowhere, she couldn’t believe she’d never admired the sky before. As the sun continued to dip, the colors became a notch lighter. She couldn’t take her eyes off it.
The warm breeze floated in through the open window, moving some loose hairs into her face. She shoved them back over her ears.
She smiled as she admired the beautiful creek. Her mind drifted to the story of Eli’s parents, two kids meeting there and falling in love.
Jessica turned and made her way to her open suitcase, where she began unfolding her clothes and looking forward to a clothes rod.
“Old Sam.” She shook her head. “We are as different as night and day, yet I still feel so close to you. Why couldn’t I have met you?”
She considered the man who’d left her this place and frowned. “I don’t even get to thank you.”
She began laying her clothes out on the back of the sofa to get rid of the wrinkles. Tomorrow, she’d buy hangers. As she continued to pull things from her suitcase, she couldn’t stop thinking about the interesting story about Eli’s mother and father, Levi and Annie Miller. Their romance piqued her interest.
As the pleasant scent of vanilla drifted through Old Sam’s bedroom, she imagined what the Millers must have gone through. She also wondered what Amish people would do outside of their own community. They obviously wouldn’t know how to drive a vehicle. And how could a person who’d belonged to such a close-knit group suddenly adjust to entirely different rules?
Remembering the disapproval on Eli’s face as she’d revealed her plan to sell this property made Jessica tense. She pulled her anxiety medicine from her makeup bag. She started to open the bottle, then stopped. Did she really need it?
She glanced at her hands. They’re shaking. She downed a pill, returned the bottle to the bag, went to the kitchen for a drink of tea, and glanced at her puzzle book on the table. Then she focused on tomorrow, when Eli and Wayne would continue the kitchen makeover.
She stood, hands on her hips, while she pictured how the kitchen would look after they’d done the renovations she was requesting. Even though the house was outdated, she was fully aware that the place had considerable value. Location. Her agent had told her that you could always fix up a house, but that you could never move the lot.
She lit the gas lamp above her head, then returned to the window to watch the sun take its final dip and disappear. She was grateful for gas lighting. It certainly made being without electricity a whole lot more bearable.
I thought I’d be afraid to stay alone in the country. She lifted her chin a notch and smiled. But so far, so good. Except I wonder what Eli’s parents will say when they find out Pebble Creek will soon be on the market?
She returned to the bedroom, where she turned down the beautiful quilt of blue hues. She slipped on her sweats and T-shirt, and sat on the edge of the bed. Tomorrow she would see Eli again. She’d find out more about her uncle. And about the rugged-looking, dark-haired carpenter.
* * *
Saturday morning, Eli and Wayne helped their daed put finishing touches on his newest project. Eli stood at the top of the ladder and carefully dipped his brush into cream-colored latex paint. John was working on another project on the north side of town.
As the cool breeze drifted in through the open windows of the new construction, Wayne came and stood at his side and looked up.
“You mind sharing?”
Without responding, Eli stepped down before reaching for the paint. With great care not to spill, he poured the thick mixture into his brother’s plastic bucket while Wayne held the container very still. The scent of latex filled the air.
Their father joined them. “Hey, ready for lunch?”
The two boys nodded simultaneously.
“Let’s wash up.”
Eli and Wayne proceeded to retrieve the lids to their cans of paint and put them back on. Before stepping outside, they dropped their brushes in the soaking bucket.
Together, they stepped to Levi’s work truck, where the senior Miller’s driver and coworker, Sherman, joined them. In their community, it was common for the driver to also work with the Amish. Eli and Wayne had their own driver. Behind the truck, Wayne grabbed the release latch, and his daed held on to the tailgate so that it would fall gently.
One by one, the four men jumped up into the back. Eli opened the cooler lined with soft white towels, and placed it between him and Wayne. Wayne pulled out one of the Tupperware containers, and handed it to his father.
He gave the next meal to Eli. Then he got his own. They sat on the tailgate. Behind them, Sherman sat on an extra cooler and pulled his own lunch from a paper bag. Eli peeked between the two slices of homemade bread to check what was inside. Wayne beat him.
“My favorite. Sauerkraut and ham.”
Levi chimed in. “And no one makes ’em better than my Annie.” He turned to Sherman.
“Here. Take half of mine.”
Sherman lifted a dismissive hand. “No, no. Thanks for the kind offer, but I’m fine with what I’ve got.”
Levi leaned back to display his meal to his driver. “You sure about that?”
Sherman laughed. “Now, you’re really tempting me.”
Levi motioned to the cooler. “Go ahead. There’s extra.”
Sherman finally accepted and thanked him.
A long, comfortable silence passed while a cool breeze caressed them, and they ate.
The cloud-filled sky certainly wasn’t a disappointment. The crops could use a good rain. The forecast looked promising, and the air already smelled of moisture.
As Eli downed his sandwich, he glimpsed a horse-drawn buggy in the distance.
The scent of fresh paint floated out of the open windows. A red bird perched on the limb of a small oak that decorated the large front yard of the Schrocks’ place. Behind them, landscapers planted a straight line of evergreens that would make a nice border once they filled out.
Eli watched as two workers transported the trees, one at a time, from the back of a blue Ford pickup truck to a row of holes and placed each seedling in its spot. Two Coke cans littered the yard. Eli wondered why they couldn’t use a trash bag.
A large sign in front of the house, near the blacktop, advertised Miller Homes. Eli took in the brand-new house his father had built. Without even looking, he knew every detail by heart: the brick archway at the entrance, tiled patio, the bay window in front of the living room.
Eli admired the new place his father had designed and built for an elderly couple who were ready to retire. Daed had drawn up the home according to their wants and needs. In Eli’s opinion, it was his best construction to date.
Large pillars stood on each side of the front entryway. The oversized front door arched at the top. His gaze traveled to the roof.
Something about new construction made his heart warm. The thought of a family enjoying the house prompted a smile. He imagined a grandmother cooking homemade dishes, and little ones chasing each other in the large yard.
For a moment, Eli dared to wonder if he’d be a father one day. He was already twenty-three. To his chagrin, the right woman hadn’t come along. He’d been told that selecting a mate meant choosing someone he could count on to do the chores. Take care of the kids. A partner he could depend on.
Of course, he knew that marriage was about being there for each other and that physical attraction wasn’t necessary. He yearned for a wife with all the qualities he treasured, but shouldn’t there be some sort of a spark? Something stronger than friendship and counting on the other person? He hoped he’d find out. Of course, what mattered most to him was growing in Christ with his spouse.
As Daed and Wayne chitchatted with Sherman, Eli imagined a woman he couldn’t wait to come home to. Someone he thought about all day. But was his want merely a dream? He shrugged, letting out an uncertain breath.
The couple who would soon move into this beautiful home had four children and seven grandchildren. They had a beautiful life together.
“Someone’s awfully quiet.” All three gazes traveled to Eli before the elder Miller spoke. “Whatcha thinking?”
Eli waved a dismissive hand. “Ah, it’s nothing.”
“Yeah, right.” Amusement edged Wayne’s lips as he glanced at Eli. “He’s probably got Old Sam’s niece on his mind.”
In response, Eli grinned. “She is pretty nice.”
Levi cut in after taking a swig of bottled water. “Hey, we haven’t talked much about Pebble Creek today. You gonna be able to do the kitchen she wants?”
Eli chuckled. Not because the question was funny. It wasn’t. But compared to Jessica not knowing Christ, the kitchen was low on his list of concerns.
“What’s so amusing?” His daed lifted a curious brow, downing another bite of sandwich.
Eli contemplated his response before he spoke. If he told the truth, the conversation might put Old Sam’s niece in a negative light. And that’s the last thing he wanted. However, on the upside, his father might have an answer. If Eli didn’t broach the subject, he’d never know.
Eli decided to put his thoughts out there. “Daed, something’s weighing on my mind. About Jessica.”
Levi frowned, crossed his knee and turned to face his sons. Concerned, he asked, “She’s not happy with the price?”
Eli hesitated, trying for the right words. “It’s not that.”
By this time, Wayne had ceased eating and stared at Eli with a raised brow.
“While Jessica and I were in Sam’s barn looking for the fan, we had a serious conversation.” Eli continued to meet curious glances. He followed with an uncertain shrug. “She doesn’t believe, Daed.”
A long silence followed while his sibling and father eyed him with disbelief. Finally, Levi broke the silence.
“You mean she doesn’t believe in God?”
The potent question prompted an emotional knot in Eli’s throat, and he tried to swallow it. He knew the issue was serious, but when he actually heard his words, he realized just how severe the situation was.
He finally shook his head. “No.”
Eli watched his brother’s jaw drop.
“Now I know why you two were in the barn so long,” Wayne said. “I wondered what was up.”
Levi’s voice was firm. “Wow.”
“I know, Daed.”
No one said a word. The only sounds were of shovels meeting the earth in the yard and the barely audible voices of the landscapers.
“Eli, to be honest, what you’ve just said . . . well, you took me by surprise, Sohn. Round here, I’ve never come across anyone who didn’t believe in the Creator of the universe. But this is something we can’t ignore. I’ll do some serious thinking. And pray. God must have placed Old Sam’s great-niece here for a reason. Maybe he gave her to us to help God come into her heart. Now I understand why you laughed at my question ’bout the kitchen. When it comes right down to it, nothing’s as important as believin’.”
“She seems open-minded. Said she wants to know everything about Old Sam. She loves him . . . she’s never said it, but I see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice when she asks me things about him. It’s a shame they never met.”
The senior Miller chugged water from his plastic bottle. “That’s why we need to treasure every minute here on earth. To do what’s important. Tomorrow, we can’t redo today.”
Eli nodded agreement. “Our conversation surprised me. When she said she hoped Sam was in a good place . . .”
Wayne took a swig of water and coughed. He cleared his throat.
Eli continued. “She doesn’t know. I don’t think she’s convinced there’s not a God. At the same time, she’s not certain there is.”
Eli glanced toward his role model. “She asked me flat out how I know God exists.” After a slight pause, he asked, “What would you have told her, Daed?” He decided to reword his question. “If you’d been in my shoes, what would you have said?”
Wayne had become unusually quiet. So had Sherman.
“You’ve got me on that one, Sohn.” Levi hesitated. “It’s hard to believe that anyone related to Old Sam would doubt God’s existence. The man lived by the Bible.”
Wayne finally broke the long silence. “The more I think about it, helping her isn’t just up to you, Eli. I’ll pray, too.”
Eli let out a breath and locked gazes with his father. “I know we have to make sure she knows God.” He lifted his shoulders in a helpless gesture. “But how do we make her believe?”
* * *
That evening, Eli knelt by his bed and pressed his palms together. The mouthwatering aroma of yeast dough filled the air. He could still taste chicken broth on his lips. As he prepared to talk with his Lord and Savior, he thought of Jessica Beachy and how she needed God in her life.
He squeezed his eyes closed, desperate to know how to get her to know Christ.
“Dear Lord, hear my prayer. You’ve given me so much, and I thank You for my familie, my health, our church, and our friends. But tonight I come to You in need, Lord. Please help me to say the right things to Old Sam’s great-niece about Your love for her. That You died so that all of us who believe in You will have eternal life. This is too important to make mistakes. So please fill me with the right words.”
He followed with the Lord’s Prayer.
“Amen.”
* * *
The next day, a thoughtful sigh escaped Jessica’s throat as she stepped outside, iced tea in hand. The calming vanilla scent from the candle burning on the table filled the air.
The recent changes in her life made her head spin. Old Sam’s death. Her inheritance. Her temporary move. Eli. But now I’m here.
She walked behind the house and stepped closer to Pebble Creek. Her heart rate slowed to a relaxed beat. She smiled.
Finally, she turned and looked down at the large flower bed beside the home. A buggy wheel perched in the middle of the garden, with green vines intertwining its spokes, creating an interesting visual.
After charging her phone in her car, she’d googled to find out what kind of flowers they were. After learning that they were called black-eyed Susans and coneflowers, she wondered if Old Sam had planted them. He must have.
She bent to sniff the light, pleasant-smelling purple centers of the coneflowers. As she touched a fragile-looking leaf, she sorted through her swirling thoughts. She’d hesitated to come to central Illinois. After all, the countryside was a far cry from St. Louis’s hustle and bustle.
This small town was a whole new world for her. Eli and his brother dressed differently, talked differently, lived their lives differently. She hadn’t been here long, but judging by her interactions with the Millers and what Sandy, her real estate agent, had told her, Old Sam’s community was way more conservative than what she was accustomed to.
She lifted an inquisitive brow, sighed, took a drink, and squared her shoulders. She smiled when a monarch butterfly landed on the windowsill. In the distance, a red fox appeared and quickly disappeared. But the field behind the house presented the most interesting view of all: four horses pulled a wheeled platform with a man standing on it.
For several moments, she thoughtfully took in the unique scene, and imagined the physical work to raise crops and make hay as opposed to using machinery. She greatly admired anyone who worked so hard.
Brushing off the distraction, she squared her shoulders and recalled her purpose. Glass in hand, she looked around at what needed to be done and let out a deep sigh. Time to get to work. She looked up at the roof. The gutters needed to be cleaned.
Inside, she stepped quickly from room to room, each painted a light blue. Right now, she wasn’t sure what to do with the furniture.
She pressed her lips together in deep deliberation. She wasn’t ready to part with anything that had been owned by her great-uncle.
She took a quick drink, and the ice clinked as she set her glass on the countertop. She ran her fingers over her forehead, pushing her bangs out of the way, and enjoyed the cool feel of air coming from the fan.
She strummed her fingers thoughtfully against the small tiles. Using the Internet on her cell phone, she began shopping for a new kitchen window and floor tiles. As she did so, she moved closer to the fan, enjoying the strong breeze. I never dreamed I could survive without central air.
She had become so accustomed to her way of life, she’d never really considered other ways to make do. Going without air was a hardship. But not really a big one. And to her surprise, she rather enjoyed the country smells. Between the fan and breeze coming in through the screen, she was comfortable enough.
It didn’t take long to find the tile she wanted. She’d show it to Eli and ask him how many to order, or if he knew of a place where she could get a better price. In the meantime, she could organize the glasses and plates that had been taken out of the cabinets and put them in boxes she’d found in one of the closets. She carefully wrapped each dish in a paper towel before placing it in the boxes.
A couple of hours later, the boxes were full. And she was thirsty, so she grabbed her tea and took a seat at the table. As she drank Lipton, she imagined what Old Sam had looked like. I would give anything for a photo. I wonder if I inherited any of his physical traits. Or if my father had.
She chuckled. I already think of him as Old Sam, just like Eli does. I feel like I’ve known my great-uncle forever. Of course, that hadn’t been difficult. After all, the dear man had left her this beautiful property and home. But more importantly, from Eli she knew of his kind heart and his talent.
Jessica teared up. Taking a deep breath, she forced composure. It wasn’t her fault that they’d never met, was it? Her parents had rarely mentioned him, and when they had, there hadn’t been any hint about what a very dear person he was. Now they were gone because of a car accident.
Surely, they’d known that he was a special individual. Is he really in heaven? Is there a God? When I asked Eli how he knew God existed, he didn’t say anything to convince me to believe .
All the same, Eli’s confident declaration that there is a God had prompted her to think more seriously about eternity. An excited shiver darted up her spine and landed in her shoulders.
As she sat at the table, the theory of eternity wouldn’t leave her alone. The concept had been on her mind since Eli had claimed that Sam was in heaven.
The mere thought of living on after death seemed too big to be real, but something about it was comforting to her. It felt right. She migrated to the brown sofa that directly faced the fan, and began to dust around it. The breeze swept her hair behind her ears. It was a typical hot June afternoon. Temperature-wise, Illinois was pretty much like Missouri.
She continued to assess what improvements would be necessary. Her thoughts drifted again to Eli Miller. To her dismay, her heart skipped a beat. She quickly reasoned that her reaction to him was due to her chaotic emotions.
No doubt about it, she needed Eli. Not only for fix-ups, but to learn about her uncle. By the sound of it, no one had been closer to Old Sam than the Miller family. And she’d absorb every detail about Old Sam.
But there was more to it than that, she admitted as she crunched on an ice cube. She couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but something inside of her had immediately bonded to the good-looking builder. The more she considered his thoughtfulness and gentleness, the way he saw things in the most logical manner, she acknowledged that her connection to him could never be broken. He’d made her feel welcome. And what was she doing to repay him? I’m going to sell the place that’s so dear to his family. She closed her eyes to calm herself.
My insecurities are at work. He must understand my point of view, even if he doesn’t agree. Plus, I need his help. Maybe that’s why I’m reacting to him with so much emotion. Because I depend on him for the improvements. More importantly, even, to learn about Old Sam. Eli is my connection to my family.
She stepped to the kitchen to refill her empty glass. As soon as she poured more tea, she began shopping for windows on her cell phone. When ugly incidents from her past began to enter her mind, she quickly blocked them out. With lots of practice, she’d learned to do it. But her efforts weren’t always successful.
As she forced composure . . . again, she pressed her palms against the countertop and looked out the window. She immediately calmed when she saw her great-uncle’s buggy.
There wasn’t a reason to keep it, of course. But before she sold it, she’d like to take a ride in the simple mode of transportation.
For a blissful moment, she imagined Old Sam and Esther riding together into town. Another lone tear slipped down her cheek. She wondered how they’d survived a ride in the winter without heat. She imagined Old Sam helping his beloved wife in and out of the buggy. The two holding hands as they walked into church.
She smiled at the thought. She wanted a man who was a good listener. Someone who cherished her. It was something she’d never experienced. Of course, she couldn’t be sure that she ever would. But she still hoped.
Old Sam must have been lonely without Esther—and his four sons, who’d died before his wife. The attorney who’d phoned her and told her about the will had briefed her on her uncle’s background.
Their marriage must have been something like one would read about in a fairy tale. If Esther had been half as wonderful as her husband, they must have been the happiest couple in the world.
As she scrolled her cell phone, looking at window after window, she thought of how early death had claimed many members of the Beachy family. She pressed her hand over her heart and drew in a deep breath. She looked up at the austere walls. No pictures. Interesting people.
She continued through the hundreds of pictures on her cell phone and wondered which window would look best in the kitchen. Her thoughts kept turning to her great-uncle. She’d always believed that a person’s home told a lot about them. What this home revealed about Old Sam and Esther was that they had diligently adhered to the Plain Faith.
She put away her phone and made her way into the library, to the left of her bedroom. Inside the room lined with wall-to-wall shelves, she pulled out a hardcover on woodworking, then returned it to its place.
When a bead of sweat dripped down her cheek, she pivoted toward the living room to retrieve the fan. Back in the library, she set it in front of the office chair and flipped it back on.
She sat down and smiled at the large number of books. She checked their titles.
Woodworking. The Facts on Farming. Gardening. Even a book on horses and their diets. Lots of religious covers. She wasn’t surprised to find a Bible on the small table in the corner.
Without thinking, she reached for it and flipped it open to where a cloth bookmark had been placed. Perhaps Old Sam had put the marker here for a reason. Maybe he’d just stuck it in randomly without thinking. There was no way to know.
The small print that said John at the top piqued her curiosity. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jessica paused, her hand not leaving the page. It felt a bit odd to be looking at God’s Holy Word. She knew people who went to church, but they’d never discussed their beliefs with her.
In fact, Eli was the only person who’d ever mentioned eternal life to her. For some reason, she’d never pursued information on Christianity, and why people believed in an afterlife.
Still holding the worn book on her lap, she looked around, digesting what she’d just read. She saw numerous Christian magazines stacked neatly, and she realized how very deeply religious Sam must have been.
Her heart warmed a moment, and she closed her eyes to savor the sweet sensation. Already, she loved him. She was certain. A strong force inside of her accelerated until she was certain she must learn everything about the hope-chest maker.
She stood and ran her finger over the dustless shelf. Either Old Sam had kept his home clean or church women had kept the place tidy while he’d been ill.
Curiosity took over, and she began to open desk drawer after drawer, searching for things that might reveal more about her great-uncle. There were odds and ends. Receipts for stain, oats and barley, groceries, mulch, plants. Some loose coins. As she held the receipts, one dropped to the floor. The fan blew it underneath the base of the bookshelves.
She got on her hands and knees to retrieve it. As she stuck her fingers under the bottom shelf, her finger touched something round. Like a button. Suddenly, her finger slid into a hole, and a small flap released.
As it did so, an envelope dropped to the floor. She stopped and pressed her lips together in surprise. She retrieved the envelope, but before looking at the contents, she reached back underneath and closed the flap. And stopped.
It’s a secret drawer. As reality set in, she considered what she’d just discovered. Old Sam hid something.
She eyed the envelope. It wasn’t flat. Something inside made a small lump.
She tried to open the envelope as neatly as she could. It was habit. With great care, she pulled both sides open and glimpsed a key. She studied it and held it close to her face. Her jaw dropped because the key wasn’t a normal key, like for a house or car.
On the contrary, the key’s shiny gold surface and ornate details reminded her of a pirate movie she’d once seen. The key in the movie had opened a treasure chest.
Her heart pumped to an excited beat. But what did this key unlock? She pulled the envelope all the way open. There’s more. Careful not to tear the thin paper inside, she pulled it out and admired the beautiful print. Her gaze quickly drifted to the bottom where Old Sam had signed, My Love Forever, Sam.
Salty moisture stung Jessica’s eyes, and she blinked. Emotion tugged at her insides while she reclaimed her chair, keeping the note in front of her. While her fingers shook with excitement, she read it out loud:
To my true love:
I’ve made you something from my heart
It’s hidden in a special place
My Love, we’ll never part
Our anniversary of sixty years
To find it, here’s a start
It’s at the spot
We both agreed
To spend our lives as one
Here and in eternity
When time on earth is done.
Jessica swallowed a huge knot that blocked her throat. As she stared at the impeccable print in front of her, her pulse picked up.
She traced a finger over the love letter that had obviously been authored by Old Sam to Esther for their sixtieth anniversary. But she’d passed before that day. That meant that her great-uncle had hidden a gift for her before she’d died.
Of course, how did Jessica know for certain that he’d actually done so? She studied the key. And the note. Finally, her instincts told her that he had indeed hidden a special gift for Esther. Where they’d agreed to marry. How romantic.
Jessica stood. Without a doubt, she had to find the gift. Her curiosity wouldn’t let her forget about it. Here, in the place where she’d thought she’d be bored out of her mind, she’d found something that piqued her curiosity like nothing else ever had.
Her heart pounded as she reread the letter. Afterwards, she checked it again and frowned. There was no clue where their special place was. She sighed.
Obviously, Esther never had the chance to lay eyes on the special gift he’d made her. Jessica straightened, and her mind kicked into high gear. What was the present? And where was it?
* * *
The following morning, Eli arched a brow. Jessica was acting . . . distracted. Like something was on her mind. He and Chuck worked to remove the small tiles on the kitchen countertop. Wayne was putting finishing touches on the new construction a few miles away.
While Eli cracked the dark mortar, Chuck bent to press his hand against his right hip. My back’s actin’ up again. Mind if I take a break?”
Eli shook his head as he put down his tool and nodded. “Gut idea. Time for a drink of water.”
The moment the driver stepped outside, Jessica appeared. “How about an iced tea?” Before Eli could say yes, she lowered her voice. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Tea sounds good.” He stepped to the hall bathroom and washed his hands. When he returned to the kitchen, she handed him a full glass and smiled.
“What is it?”
She motioned with her hand while she stepped into the library. Curiosity prompted him to follow.
Eli had always loved Old Sam’s library. It was common knowledge that Sam was well-read. That he couldn’t start the day without reading the newspaper. And that he was always up-to-date on the weather forecast. Farmers constantly asked for his thoughts on their crops.
Eli took in the book-filled shelves on the walls. He could hear the voice of the local news announcer coming from Chuck’s portable radio in the pickup.
He turned to Jessica and eyed her with curiosity.
In silence, she retrieved something from one of the shelves and carefully handed it to him. As he took the ornate-looking key, he pressed his lips together thoughtfully.
He looked at Jessica. “And? You want me to do something with this?”
As he looked into her deep green eyes, he noted a determination he’d never seen before.
Jessica motioned to the empty chair, and he shook his head. “No thanks. I’d rather stand.”
Jessica reached for a piece of paper next to the books. “Here. Read this.”
Raising an inquisitive brow, he took the paper from her, careful not to tear it. While he read the love letter Old Sam had written Esther, he teared up. Jessica finally stepped around him to claim the empty chair.
In silence, he held the letter closer and reread the touching words. When his gaze drifted from the neat print to Jessica’s face, his lips parted in surprise.
In silence, he studied her, and his throat constricted with emotion. The compassionate expression on her face pulled at his heartstrings until he swallowed and raised his chin.
She got up from her chair. “Old Sam made something special for Esther and hid it in hopes of giving it to her at their special place on their sixtieth wedding anniversary.”
He took another glance at the note before meeting her gaze. “Where did you find this?”
He watched while she sqatted down at the base of the cabinets. She pressed something, and pulled out a drawer.
Eli’s jaw dropped in surprise. In all the years he’d known Old Sam, he’d never been aware that the hope-chest maker had a secret hiding place. Of course, it was most likely that no one had known. Until now.
When he regarded Jessica, he could tell that she awaited his response.
“It’s a secret drawer.”
“I see that.” After a slight hesitation, he added, “So this is where you found the key and the letter?”
Still in a squatting position, she looked up and nodded. “I discovered the drawer by accident.” She stood and planted her hands on her hips. “Eli, I’ve been dying to talk to you about this.”
“How long have you known?”
“Not long. Where was their favorite place?”
The last statement prompted Eli to think hard. The eager expression on Jessica’s face told him that she couldn’t wait to see what the key unlocked. And the last thing he wanted to do was disappoint her.
His thoughts drifted back to conversations he’d had with Old Sam about his marriage to Esther. He knew so many things. Old Sam’s favorite dish. That Jessica’s great-uncle didn’t like beets. Even what treats Esther had fed their horses.
Where was it?
A combination of excitement and great inquisitiveness edged Jessica’s voice when she finally broke the silence. “Eli? Where was their favorite place?”
He chuckled. He wasn’t sure why he laughed. Perhaps it was a disappointed reaction because he didn’t know the answer to her question. Finally, he shrugged. “Jessica, I’m sorry. I don’t have the faintest idea.”
“No, Eli. Don’t say that.” She looked disappointed.
“But it’s true.”
“You said you talked to my great-uncle often.”
“Jah. Of course. But he didn’t share where he and Esther had agreed to start a life together.” He threw his hands up in the air. “To be honest, this letter comes as a surprise to me.”
“That Old Sam was a romantic?”
Eli could feel the pink flooding his cheeks. He wasn’t sure why this discussion made him uncomfortable.
Jessica placed a stubborn hand on her hip and challenged Eli. “What’s wrong with being a romantic?”
This conversation was becoming ridiculous. Where was Chuck? Why didn’t he interrupt them?
She continued to look at Eli expectantly.
Finally, he gave a conciliatory shake of his head and met her gaze. “Okay. I might as well address this issue and get it over with. I just don’t see Old Sam as a romantic.” He lifted his palms in a casual gesture. “Maybe he was. Maybe he wasn’t. At this point, it really doesn’t matter.”
She raised her voice a notch and squared her shoulders. “Of course it matters. You’ve read the letter yourself. What would you call someone, then, who so loves their spouse that they go about making something very special for an anniversary and hide it?”
Eli considered Jessica’s logic. The woman had a point. The letter itself showed a side of Old Sam that Eli had never seen. Of course, Eli hadn’t been around when Esther was alive. Old Sam hadn’t shown his affectionate side as a husband with his beloved wife gone.
When he finally looked back at Jessica, she arched an eyebrow. “That my great-uncle was a romantic makes me love him even more. In fact, just knowing the gift he made her is hidden somewhere makes me feel compelled to find it.” She hesitated as if searching for the right words.
When she continued, a combination of determination and sincerity edged her voice. “I don’t know why . . .” She rolled her shoulders. “You know the story you told me about the dots? About them all being connected?”
He contemplated her question, and waited for her to explain what she was getting at.
She breathed in before continuing in a lowered voice. “Don’t you see? I feel like I’m in the picture now, with Old Sam and Esther. I don’t know why, but when I go to sleep at night, I can’t put them out of my mind. Now I’m not just a lone dot, I guess. In my mind, I’m on the page with all the other dots, including Old Sam and Esther. And Eli, there must be someone who knows where Sam’s and Esther’s favorite place was. Maybe your mother?”
Eli drew a breath and offered a conciliatory shrug. “I’ll ask her. And . . . about being a romantic? I never said anything was wrong with it. In fact . . .”
“What?” Her voice had softened.
“I guess I’ve never thought of Old Sam in that way.”
“As a husband?”
“I always thought of him as a husband to Esther. But I never knew he did things like write poetry and hide gifts.”
“Eli, I’m curious . . .”
“There’s more?”
She laughed. “If you were married, would you write a poem for your wife?”
He cleared his throat and said firmly, “You’re really putting me on the spot, here, aren’t you?”
“I don’t mean to. It’s just that . . . what Old Sam did for Esther . . .” She drew her arms over her chest and closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them, she slowly dropped her hands to her sides. “It’s my dream. To have someone who loves me so much that they would do something with so much love. It’s so sweet. And now that I’m privy to this, I feel like I have a much better picture of my great-uncle. Before, I’d respected him as a person. As someone with special creative talents. But now, I can glimpse his heart.”
“To be honest, I’m still a bit stunned by the poem.”
“But there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Eli lifted a dismissive hand. “Of course not. It’s just that now, I realize how truly close he was to Esther. And that he must have missed her terribly.”
“Would you ever write your wife an anniversary poem?” she asked again.
A chuckle left his throat, and he lifted his palms in defeat. “Jessica . . . no.”
“Why not?”
“Well, because, one: I’m not married. And secondly, I don’t write poems. So there. You’ve got your answer. And it’s a no.”
Her expression stopped him, and he found his words. “Maybe I’m just not the romantic type. I don’t know. You’re asking me questions I’m not equipped to answer.”
“Eli, you know what I think?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
She smiled. “You said yourself that you’re the chivalrous type.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
“Uh-huh.”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m into poetry.”
With a small laugh, she said, “You don’t have to be.”
He watched as the corners of her lips curved into what appeared to be a combination of determination and amusement.
“But there is something I want you to do.”
“You mean besides fix your kitchen? And read Old Sam’s love letters?” He glanced at the desk and the clock that made an even ticking sound. “Which reminds me . . . I have work to do.” He winked.
“Eli, you’ve got to help me find what this key unlocks. Please.”
“Okay. But how can I help if I don’t know where their special place is?”
Jessica snapped her fingers and smiled. “I have an idea.” Before he could say anything, she went on in an excited tone. “Pretend you’re Old Sam.”
He lifted a doubtful brow.
“Humor me, Eli. You’ve lived near Pebble Creek your entire life. If you were Old Sam, where would your favorite spot be?”
He drummed his fingers against the desk and considered her question. “It would have to be somewhere where he could hide the gift.”
“Right.”
“Maybe in the barn?”
Jessica frowned. “Really?”
“You asked me to guess. But remember, the barn sparked Sam’s creativity. And it was where Maemm, Rebecca , and Rachel used to sit and talk with him.”
“You’ve got a point. But I just can’t picture Sam asking Esther to marry him in the barn. Wherever it is, it would have to be inside. Maybe it’s hidden on the back patio that faces Pebble Creek?”
He threw up his hands in defeat. “I’ll let you figure this one out. Guessing their favorite place is like finding a needle in a haystack. You know how large Pebble Creek is.”
“Yes, but we don’t have many options. Because, like you said, wherever it is, there has to be a spot for the gift.”
He grinned. “But it’s not up to me to do this. I’m only half.”
She lifted a curious brow.
“Because I’m pretending to be Sam, remember?”
She returned his grin.
“Let’s go with you pretending to be Esther. Where would a woman’s favorite spot be at Pebble Creek?”