“Chust no ice cream.” He grinned, waving her on.
“Definitely not anything shivery.” She laughed as she headed out into the cold.
While Lena ate Mimi’s homemade chicken noodle soup and toasted cheese sandwiches, Mimi told Harley of Lydia’s repeated thank-yous for coming to her aid.
“Bless her heart,” Mimi added. “I’m thankful she was spared any injury.”
“Gut thing the wheel came off when there was no other traffic nearby,” Harley observed. “That stretch of road is pretty quiet toward evening anyway, and there wasn’t a soul in sight tonight.”
Eli nodded his head. “That’s the truth.”
They talked further about how cold it was; then Harley mentioned the kitchen remodel at the Grants’ place. “Mighty fine workmanship,” he said as he reached for his tumbler of water. “Manny and Arden certainly know what they’re doing.”
Mimi smiled. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Tessa’s really hoping he can make a go of this.”
Mimi rose to get her pecan pie and bring it over, and Lena remembered her promise to Solomon. “By the way, I offered to take dessert over to Solomon later,” she said.
“Actually, I’ll be goin’ over there soon. How about I take it?” Eli suggested. “Doesn’t make sense for you to go back out, Lena Rose. Not tonight.”
“Maybe you’ll have yourself a second piece of pie, too, eh, son?” Harley added with a wink.
Lena also told of her plan to take Solomon to visit James Zook. “That is, if ya don’t mind if I use the carriage tomorrow.”
“Go right ahead,” Harley agreed. “I’ll help ya get Uncle Solomon into the buggy,” he offered as Mimi gave him the first slice of pie.
Lena nodded. “He is a smidgen bigger’n me, so that might be a gut idea.”
Eli chuckled as he seemed to appraise her. “Well, now . . . only ’bout a foot or so.”
Lena laughed and reached for her coffee mug.
“He doesn’t have as much trouble getting out of the buggy,” Eli mentioned. “But I’d still take it slow and easy once you’re on your own.”
“Oh, I will,” Lena promised.
Mimi handed a large slice of pie to Eli. “Solomon’s not quite as frail as he lets on.”
“Now, Mimi . . .” Harley’s eyes widened.
“Well, ’tis true.”
“She’s right, Dat,” said Eli, wasting no time in picking up his fork and digging into the dessert.
Lena enjoyed the table banter even though it triggered memories of such amiable chatter with her own dear family. The happiest days . . .
After evening prayers, Lena headed to her room and stooped to raise the bed quilts. Pulling out her suitcase from under the bed, she paused for a moment before unlocking it and carefully removed the packet of postcards her father had written to her mother so many years ago.
“Am I ready?” she whispered, holding them reverently.
The first postcard featured a color photo of the old stone Holmes County courthouse in Millersburg, Ohio, with its majestic clock tower. The second one showed the quaint Heini’s Cheese Chalet, home of the world-famous wheel cheeses made in Berlin, Ohio. On the back of the latter, Lena read these words:
How I want to see you, Elizabeth! These summer days apart from you creep along at a snail’s pace. Your pretty face is constantly on my mind, and I’m counting the hours till you’re in my arms again. May God keep you in His care till we’re together again, in His time.
Lena pressed her lips together, lest she cry. Dearest Dat . . .
She read the next postcard, where her father had written more words of devotion to her mother. His love seemed so certain, so true—the strength of it jumped off the card, in fact, reminding her of all that her parents had shared. Lena had long known they were devoted to each other but never considered how they might have been as a young courting couple.
But reading these cards, it was easy to see why Mamma had fallen for Dat so long ago. And in that moment, Lena felt a rush of longing for a very special love of her own. One like Dat and Mamma’s . . .
Not yet ready for bed, Lena found Mimi downstairs sitting at the kitchen table, writing a letter. “Got a minute?”
Mimi smiled warmly as she put down her pen. “Of course, dear. Sit with me.” She offered Lena another piece of the pecan pie.
“It’s delicious, but I’d better not. Denki.” Lena took a seat across from her, still weighing exactly what she wanted to say. “When my parents’ possessions were being divided up, I chose my Dat’s postcards to Mamma as my keepsakes,” she told Mimi. “And tonight I finally felt ready to take a look at them.”
Mimi removed her bifocals.
“And you know what? My father was perty romantic.”
Smiling, Mimi said softly, “A man who loves a woman doesn’t mind sharing his heart. He’ll do whatever it takes to be with her.”
“I should have known, since Dat and Mamma always seemed so happy together.”
Mimi nodded approvingly. “Sounds like their marriage was the best sort of example. They must’ve taught ya that a gut, lasting relationship is a two-way street, jah?”
Lena had contemplated this very thing while reading the postcards upstairs. “Oh, most definitely.” She paused a moment. “And thank you for carin’,” she said. “I’ve really missed talkin’ to Mamma . . . and to Emma. You’re kind to take time for me like this, Mimi.”
Mimi squeezed her hand. “I’ve been wonderin’ if you’re struggling over something related to a young man, maybe.”
Lena was a bit surprised. “Not struggling, really . . . just trying to make a courtship work from a distance. Guess it’s safe to say it’s helping me to understand myself better, and the postcards pushed me to think on what I should look for in a mate.”
“What you share with me is always safe, Lena. All right? The Lord sees your heart and knows your future. He understands the sufferin’ you’ve endured, losing your parents so young . . . an’ bein’ away from your siblings, too.”
Lena opened her heart and let Mimi’s wise words enter in. Truth be known, Cousin Mimi had no idea
