She must have noticed my distress “I’m sorry, Evie. I wish things were different with Jake. My guy has been upfront with me from the start. He’s never wanted to join the church. He’s been considering moving away and living in the Englisch world since he was a child. If he takes off, he said he’d take me with him.”
“But not get married first?”
“It’s not as if we don’t know each other.”
I was afraid to ask how well. I thought of Jake and was thankful we’d never gone beyond kissing. Kisses I would never forget. Not that we hadn’t been tempted, but prudence and caution had prevailed.
I would not condemn Olivia’s actions, but I hoped to influence her. Still, if I were in her position, I might have left the only life I’d ever known to be with Jake. If he’d asked me. Which he hadn’t.
“Wait here.” I deposited a box inside and then returned. “Liv, please promise you won’t run off without saying goodbye first.”
“I can’t promise anything.” She looked away. “I thought you of all people would understand.”
“I do understand.” All too well.
THIRTEEN
Our many hungry customers kept me from fretting about Olivia’s pitiful dilemma. I felt compassion for her because I knew what it was like to be in such a quandary. I’d always thought she was the prettiest and most vivacious young woman in the county, and I still did. In the past, many had speculated that she and Glenn Yoder would marry, and she would manage the café seamlessly. Now she would become the subject of gossip if she ran away with her young man. Ach, I hoped not.
But maybe she didn’t care.
I was delighted at how well my soup turned out, thanks to Beatrice’s stock. I felt guilty taking credit for its rich flavor, but I reminded myself I’d combined the ingredients. As my thoughts flitted like moths around a lightbulb, I wondered how and why the café had been visited during the night. I hadn’t worked here long enough to understand the possible reasons, and I would have to let Stephen unravel that mystery. But what if he thought I’d been negligent and hadn’t bothered to lock up? Surely he’d mention it to Glenn Yoder. Was my job in jeopardy?
Sadie kept her distance from me. She and I seemed to swim like two fish in a tank—in close proximity but never speaking to each other for more than a moment at a time. My heart went out to her. I knew what it was like to be rejected by the man I loved.
I cringed when Mark sauntered in for his coffee. Fortunately, we were neck-deep in customers. I asked Sadie to serve him. At first she ignored me, but a moment later she took him a mug.
Sipping his coffee, Mark tarried. He finally approached me and asked if I’d seen Heath.
“You haven’t found him yet?”
“Not only that, but Glenn called Stephen. Glenn and Rose are extending their trip by another week. Rose’s father is sicker than they’d thought. Glenn doesn’t want to leave his frau and dochder behind to come home when he has Stephen here to manage things, plus many longtime employees like me.” He spoke as if we were alone—as if Sadie were invisible. “Can you think of where Heath could be?”
“I heard barking in the night. Beatrice must have let him out.”
“I’ll go ask her. After you tell me you’re coming to the singing with me.” I should be thrilled to receive all this attention, even if walking into the singing would be awkward. But if I still loved Jake, I would be leading Mark on. Duplicitous is the word that came to mind, and I didn’t want to be accused of one more false action. And I cared about Sadie’s feelings too.
“Mark, I’ve decided to visit my parents on Sunday.” As of this moment.
“I could drive you there.” He seemed determined. “And then come get you for the singing.”
My parents would be tickled if he did, but I said, “Please don’t push me. People would think we’re dating.”
“Exactly what I wish to do.”
Wanting to end the conversation, I glanced at the cash register and saw Beatrice attempting to use the machine. “Mark, I need to get back to work.” I turned and retreated behind the counter.
“May I help the next person?” I smiled at an Englisch woman, who rattled off her order. I caught every item and rang it up. I congratulated myself on doing so well, but then I realized I was becoming prideful. I couldn’t win.
After the lunch rush, I made a call to the phone in the shed between my family’s home and our nearest neighbors. I left a message for Mamm, stating I wanted to fill her in on how well I was doing in person on Sunday. I assured myself my actions were those of a good daughter, but I mostly wanted to drive by Jake’s farm, which was only half a mile from my parents’. I assumed many in our district were taking the Millers food or had stopped in to check on his father. I might see Jake one final time before I progressed into a relationship with another man.
Minutes later, Stephen sauntered into the café. “How are things going?” he asked me.
“Fine. I’m glad you came in because I have a question to ask. And a favor.”
“Go ahead. Shoot.”
“Sadie mentioned Glenn has a buggy and a mare.”
“Yeah?”
“If Glenn is Englisch, why does he own a buggy?”
“He grew up Amish, and his parents gave him the buggy years ago. He says he keeps it for old time’s sake, but I think he gets a kick out of taking it for a spin every so often. His wife, Rose, adores horses and riding in it.”
I mustered up my courage. “Do you think I could borrow it on Sunday?”
Stephen glanced out the window. Thirty seconds passed. Maybe more. I sensed he was making a decision.
