“Liv, Beatrice said Jake was last seen wearing a beard.” My voice came out as if I were being strangled.
“So I hear. That’s why I suggested you don’t go see him. Please tell me you’re not still pining over him. It’s time to move on. You have a new job, a new life, and ample opportunity to meet a new man.”
“Someone here does seem interested, but he’s so young.”
She guffawed. “Still a teenager?”
“Nee, but about five years younger than I am. His name is Mark. But—”
“Mark’s a good guy. Honestly, Evie, how long are you going to cling to a dream that will never come true? Especially if Jake is married.” A woman’s voice spoke Deitsch in the background. “I have to run. Our neighbor wants to use the phone. Expect to see my whoopie pies in the morning.”
“I wish you could deliver them in person so I could see you.”
“I may be in rumspringa, but my mamm does everything she can to keep me in the house. That’s why she insisted I leave my job at the café. She’s afraid I’ll run off with—well, never mind. I was ready for a change anyway.”
“I wished I’d run away with Jake those many years ago.”
“Now you’re talking foolishness.”
“Yah, I am. Because he never asked me to go with him.”
By closing time, I was mentally and physically exhausted. My feet felt like cement blocks—as if each of them had grown two sizes. Maybe I should wear sneakers like Sadie did instead of my black-laced leather shoes. She waltzed around effortlessly and with good cheer, but then she was also more than ten years younger than I was.
She and I swiped the tables clean and put away the washed dishes so we’d start afresh in the morning. I asked her if she had a friend looking for a job. “When the owners come home, Beatrice will no longer be available to work in the café.”
“Fine with me,” Sadie said.
“She was a godsend today.” I needed to stop by to thank her on my way to the cabin.
When I stepped into the fresh air, I was greeted with a myriad of earthy aromas. The sky was gray, but birds twittered. A few customers wandered past the greenhouses on their way out of the nursery. I saw the owners’ two Labrador retrievers flouncing toward me, so I stepped inside a greenhouse and closed the glass sliding door behind me.
“How did your first day ago?” Stephen leaned on a shovel’s handle.
“Perfect.” A slight exaggeration.
“I hope you’re planning to stay with us.”
“Yah, absolutely.”
“Tired?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. And my feet…” I glanced down at my shoes and noticed a scuff on one toe. I’d stood on my feet all day at the fabric store, but the floor had been carpeted, not painted cement.
“Want me to drive you to the mall to buy a pair of comfy shoes?” He let go of the shovel and moved closer.
I imagined Beatrice’s evil eye as I got into Stephen’s car. “Thanks for your kind offer, but I’d better take a bus to town. I’d adore a pair like Sadie wears if they’re allowed at work.”
“Sure. Wear whatever is most comfortable as long as it isn’t toeless. I’d be glad to take you there right now. I was about to run out to purchase supplies at the hardware store. It’s no trouble to take you by the outlet mall.”
“I couldn’t bother you.” Yet my feet throbbed.
“No trouble, but I need to leave in the next thirty minutes.” He checked his watch. “Does that give you enough time?”
Of course, I was not wearing a wristwatch. “Yah. I’ll get my purse.”
He must have understood my reticence about the dogs milling outside because he said, “I’ll take those mutts with me and meet you in the parking lot. I drive a white pickup.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.” I stepped outside to find the sky darkening. No glorious sunset tonight. As I hurried to the cabin, I noticed Beatrice weeding the herb garden. In another month, basil, sage, rosemary, and lavender would swell in the afternoon sunshine, but today the air hung heavily as if the clouds would open up again. I decided to take my rain jacket.
Beatrice glanced up at me. I strode over to her and said, “Thank you for helping in the café today.”
“I didn’t do it for you.”
“I appreciate your hard work in any case. And your soup was appeditlich, much better than mine would’ve been.”
The corner of her mouth lifted on one side as if she were holding in a grin. “I suppose you’ll want me to make soup again tomorrow.”
“I think I’m all set, thank you. But I truly appreciate your willingness to share your culinary skills with me. You are a much finer cook than I am.”
Finally, her face softened, but she turned away and got back to weeding. I dashed into the cabin, checked myself in the mirror, and tucked stray hairs under my kapp. I grabbed my jacket and purse and headed back out the door.
I found Stephen standing by his pickup speaking to Mark, who stared when he saw me.
“You need a ride somewhere?” Mark asked. “I can take you in my buggy anywhere you wish to go.”
“I don’t think I have time today, but denki.” I hoped I hadn’t hurt his feelings by accepting Stephen’s offer, but I expected this to be a quick trip, and I wanted to be home before nightfall.
Stephen opened the passenger door. I climbed in and he shut it behind me, and then he rounded the vehicle to his side.
“Is the electricity back on?” I asked.
“Yes. Finally. But the weatherman predicts another storm tonight.” He started the engine and then looked over at me. “Are you uncomfortable being alone with me? Maybe we should invite Beatrice.”
“No, I’m fine.” Then why were my hands clammy?
“I often take Amish employees to help me pick up
