“Well, well . . . wunnerbaar to meet you, Lena Rose. You’ve lifted my spirits already,” James said, his hair all schtrubbich, like he’d been lying down. His billowy white beard was not unlike the fake beards the bell-ringer Santas wore, and he ran one hand through it as if to tame it down. “Make yourself at home.” He stepped aside to let them in.
“Lena baked some goodies for ya,” Solomon announced as he removed his gloves and stuffed them into the sleeves of his woolen coat. He extended his hand to his friend.
They shook hands, and a grin appeared on James’s face. “Can’t complain ’bout that, now, can I?”
Lena smiled and set the plastic container of pre-cut chocolate squares on the small table. The kitchen counter was piled up with newspapers and other papers, as well as empty grocery bags, but a beautiful large sampler hung on the wall nearby. She wondered if it was his late wife’s work. “Do ya have a sweet tooth?”
“Does Christmas come round once a year?” James chuckled. “We’ll all have us some sweets, how’s that?” he invited them, a mischievous look on his face.
“I just ate myself full at breakfast,” Solomon said, “but I’ll do my best.”
“Jah, well. Ain’t ever too early for dessert, right, Lena Rose?” James pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. “Won’t yous join me? The neighbor just delivered fresh milk earlier this mornin’, so we’ll have some with Lena’s treat.”
She offered to get the milk from the icebox and brought the bottle to the table, then found the glasses. “Do you both want some?”
“How ’bout some coffee?” Solomon asked.
“Do ya take instant?” James asked, motioning to the counter, where he kept the coffee jar.
“Whatever ya have is all right,” Solomon said. He draped his coat over the back of the chair. “Haven’t seen ya at Preaching lately, James,” Solomon said. “Under the weather?”
“It’s hard anymore to get out an’ hitch up in the ice and snow,” James said. “Not like it was a few years ago when I was spryer.” He glanced at Lena Rose. “Don’t ever get old, young lady, ya hear? Ain’t no future in it.”
Lena laughed, and James grinned as he reached for the glass of milk Lena had placed before him. And he didn’t wait long to take a chocolate square, eating it in just a couple of bites.
“Maybe one of the neighbors could come by and haul ya to next Preachin’. Abram Mast’s hosting it,” Solomon said.
“Well, the neighbors all have big families, though. ’Tis a hardship to have another body takin’ up space in the buggy.”
The way he was making excuses, reasonable though they were, Lena wondered if James would rather not go out on a wintery Lord’s Day.
“I believe I could find someone to come an’ get you, if you’re willing,” Solomon persisted.
“Honest to goodness, I might’ve overdone it here lately, tryin’ to keep this old house clean on my own,” James said, changing the subject. “Been pushin’ myself to do what my bride used to.” James pointed to the untidy piles on the counter over near the sink. “Es Haus was never so schlappich.”
“Need yourself a housekeeper?” Solomon glanced not so subtly at Lena Rose.
“Do ya?” Lena asked, very interested. “’Cause if so, I could come every other week and clean.”
“Oh, now, that’d be right fine, and I’d make it worth your while,” James said.
“I could come over early next Saturday mornin’ for a few hours,” Lena offered.
“ ’Tis music to my ears.” James’s face broke into a smile.
Lena asked if he had a mop and bucket, dustrag, and other cleaning supplies. She didn’t think it would be right to bring Mimi’s.
“I believe we have everything needed to redd up this ol’ house,” James assured her, a tear in his eye. “Denki.”
We . . .
The word stuck out, and Lena remembered that Mimi had said James Zook still didn’t seem to think of himself as a widower. He was very much in love with his deceased wife.
“Thank you,” Lena said, knowing this opportunity was an answer to a prayer she’d never even prayed. I could use the extra money . . . and it’s good to keep busy on my day off.
It was a bit challenging to get Solomon back into the buggy, but Lena was cautious and made sure he was situated and safe before she went around and untied the horse. Once done, she got into the right side and slipped under the heavy woolen blanket.
Interestingly enough, Solomon had a big talk on for the return trip, and Lena listened as he raved about her chocolate squares. “It wonders me if James’ll be tempted to devour them all at once, after we’re out of sight.”
“Well, he only ate one while we visited,” she said, trying not to laugh.
“Jah, I should talk. I was the one who gobbled down three . . . and after I said I was too full from breakfast.” Solomon guffawed and clapped his gloved hands together. “Such a mornin’, ain’t so?”
They talked more about having assured James he could get a ride to church with them as long as he bundled up. She made a mental note to follow up on that with Mimi or Harley. “And to think I have myself a second job, too,” she said with a smile at Solomon as they rode through the snowy countryside.
“A providential visit all round,” Solomon said, bobbing his head. “Say, this might seem nosy of me, but looking around James’s kitchen, I didn’t get the sense he does a lot of cookin’.”
“Well, I noticed his icebox was fairly well stocked when I got the milk. He looks like he’s doing okay, or it could be someone is bringing him meals.”
“Des gut, then.” Solomon sighed loudly. “Mighty grateful to ya, Lena Rose. Had myself a real nice time with my old friend.”
“I think the visit did all
