Back in the kitchen, he lifted the pot and put it on a burner. “I’d better let you take it from here. I’m a terrible cook.”
With his broad shoulders and muscled arms, Stephen seemed capable of doing anything. But I let his comment go. I didn’t want him to think I was a flirt. I figured Beatrice would fill him in on our supper last night and make it seem as though I was leading Mark on.
“Still like your new shoes?” He gave them a looking over.
“Very much. I’m sorry I forgot to thank you for the ride.”
“And I’m sorry your photo ended up in the newspaper.” Stephen stepped back into the dining area. “Between tourists and newspaper photographers, it’s hard for Amish to keep out of camera lenses.”
“I’ve grown up with it and should know better than to stand next to a policeman at the side of the road. But your friend Wayne was very nice. Nevertheless, I hope to never ride in a squad car again.”
“I can empathize. I’ve had a few minor scrapes with the law, but that’s all behind me now.”
“You were in jail?”
“No, but if I hadn’t gone to AA and gotten sober, I could be right now. I got one too many DWIs and was spiraling to the bottom of a pit. Alcohol can sneak up on you that way.” He paused as if replaying his past in his mind. “I got turned around, and I’ve never had another drop since.”
“I’m glad.”
“Thanks. I feel free and will never go back. But just in case, I avoid situations that could tempt me. I never want to get hooked again by convincing myself I have enough strength to battle alcoholism by myself.”
“You seem the least likely of men to be helpless.”
“Without God, I’m as helpless as anyone else. Too many people fool themselves into thinking they’re in control.”
After Stephen left the café, I warmed the soup stock and started making coffee. While it brewed, I got busy washing and then dicing vegetables. It was too early to immerse them in the warm broth, so I tossed them into an iron skillet and sautéed them in olive oil and garlic.
Knuckles rapped on the back door, making my arm jerk. Since when was I so jumpy? I rushed over to open the door. There was Sadie’s forlorn face.
“Gut morning, Sadie.”
“Am I late?” She pulled off her black sweater and hung it on a hook. She seemed as limp as her garment.
I glanced up at the clock. “Nee. You’re right on time.” I had nothing to apologize for, but I felt responsible for her misery. “Sadie, I feel terrible that Beatrice invited me to supper with Mark.”
“No surprise she didn’t include me.” Sadie shrugged one shoulder. “She’s never liked me.”
“I’m not sure she likes me either, but she has something up her sleeve.” I diced carrots as I spoke. “I want us to be honest with each other.” I paused, hoping sage words would come to mind, but there was no way around the truth. “Mark asked me to the singing on Sunday. I’m sure it was Beatrice’s idea. I think you and Mark are more suited to each other.”
“But it’s obvious he prefers you, Evie. I can’t make him pursue me if his heart is with another woman.” She glanced at my new shoes. “Love your Nikes. Where did they come from?”
“Stephen drove me to the outlet mall on Tuesday.”
“I wonder if he has a crush on you too.”
“Nee, he had to run another errand and was kind enough to give me a ride after I told him how much my feet hurt.”
“I wouldn’t sell yourself short, Evie. It seems all the men around here are flocking to get your attention.”
If only she knew.
More rapping on the back door brought our conversation to an end.
Sadie grabbed a terry cloth rag. “I’ll make sure the tables are clean and fill the salt and pepper shakers.”
I opened the door to find Olivia looking pale and as downcast as Sadie. I’d never seen her without a grin on her face.
“Ta-da!” Olivia’s exuberance seemed forced, her mouth forming a tight smile. Tendrils of flaxen hair escaped her kapp, its strings hanging behind her back. “My bruder was running late, so I talked my parents into letting me use their open buggy and bring the baked goods in myself.” She deposited a box on the counter and then embraced me as if she were clinging to a life raft.
“I need to talk to you if you have time,” she whispered when we finally parted. “If I don’t speak to someone, I’ll burst.” Chewing her lower lip, she rubbed her puffy eyes.
“Whatever do you mean?”
Olivia wiped away a tear. “Keep your voice down. Would ya come out and help me carry in my baked goods?”
“Sure.”
She tipped her head toward the door and stepped outside. I trailed her. “I’ll confide in you only if you promise never to tell anyone.”
“Yah, I promise.” I couldn’t imagine where she was headed.
“I may be leaving…with a man…” She buried her solemn face in her hands.
“Are you sure he’s the right man for you?”
Her nod was barely perceptible. “Yah, but I best not tell you his name so you won’t have to lie for me should someone ask.”
I had to agree. I didn’t want to have to fib to cover up her transgressions. Maybe she would change her mind.
She hefted up another container filled with baked goods from the back of her open buggy. “I promised my parents I wasn’t seeing him anymore, so we’ve been meeting in secret in the middle of the night.”
“Do they suspect anything?”
She looked over my shoulder, I assumed to make sure we were alone. “Not yet. But eventually we’ll…”
“Get married?”
“Maybe. He hasn’t asked me yet. But he says he loves me, so I’m sure we will.”
“Sometimes men lie.” Jake told
