As Esther began to stow pill bottles in her apron pockets, she noticed the container Lizzie kept her teeth in. She hesitatedto open it. Esther was already worried about Lizzie making a good enough impression that Rose would be willing to take thejob. Her sister had a big heart, but she did not have a filter when it came to saying what was on her mind. Esther hoped she’dspeak kindly to this new young woman, and she hoped it would be with her teeth in place.
She sighed when she opened the container and found the dentures inside. Lizzie talked with a lisp when she didn’t wear herteeth. Esther said a quick prayer that Rose would accept the job.
She had just finished putting fresh sheets on Lizzie’s bed when she heard her sister’s buggy pull into the driveway. Thankfully,she had a passenger. Esther brushed the wrinkles from her black apron, adjusted her prayer covering, and walked outside togreet their new employee.
Rose carried a small red suitcase and had a black purse strung over her shoulder, and at her feet was a larger brown suitcase.Esther wasn’t sure any of them could carry the bigger piece of luggage up the porch steps.
“Welcome to The Peony Inn.” Esther extended her hand. Rose had a firm grip.
“Danki for having me and employing me. I’m looking forward to helping out.” She smiled, which only added to her beautiful features. Rose was a tall, slender woman with big brown doe eyes. She was rather dainty looking but easily lifted both suitcases, so Esther motioned for her to follow.
“Can you get that up the stairs?” She looked over her shoulder. Lizzie was trailing behind Rose, staring at the ground, quiet.Esther hoped she hadn’t already said or done something she regretted. But the girl was here, and she seemed anxious to beemployed.
“Ya, ya. No problem.” Rose marched easily up the porch steps. Esther’s knee popped on the third step, and she was acutely aware ofher age. Thank goodness God had sent them Rose.
Lizzie walked directly to the kitchen as Esther showed Rose to her room. “This is normally Lizzie’s room,” she said as theywalked through the door. “But we have a large group of guests staying until the end of the month, so I hope this will be suitablefor now.”
“Ya, ya. This is fine.” Rose set down both suitcases, still smiling, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. “I’m going tolove living here. I know it already. Danki again for having me.”
She might not feel the same when she saw the enormous pile of laundry in the basement. The workload wouldn’t always be soheavy, but until they weren’t catering to a full house, things were busier than usual. Hopefully Lizzie had explained thaton the way here.
“We are thrilled to have you here, Rose. I’m going to help Lizzie get lunch started and give you time to unpack. Please letus know if you need anything.”
“I’m sure everything is perfect.” Rose bounced up on her toes, clasping her hands together in front of her.
Esther met up with Lizzie in the kitchen. She was frying the fish Amos caught the day before. Only she, Lizzie, and Rose were there for lunch, and the fish would certainly smell up the house. But she didn’t say anything about it. She’d bought some air freshener at the market recently. Their mother used to make a spray from scratch that smelled of lavender. These days Esther chose her battles, and a 99-cent can of air freshener did just fine.
“She seems like a sweet young lady.” Esther took ketchup and horseradish from the refrigerator and set them on the table.“A pretty young gal too.”
“Uh, ya.” Lizzie didn’t look up from the pan of sizzling fish.
Esther waited for details, but her sister stayed quiet. “You forgot your teeth,” she finally said.
“Ach ya. I remembered after I was on mei way. They’re bothering me again.”
Esther sighed. “Well, instead of choosing not to wear them all the time, maybe go back to the dentist so he can adjust themand make them more comfortable for you.”
“Ya, ya. I will.”
Esther set the kitchen table for three while Lizzie continued to cook in silence.
“Lizzie, is everything all right? What did you and Rose talk about on the way here?” Her stomach clenched. “She seems verybubbly and happy, but you didn’t say anything to upset her or make her not want the job, did you?”
Lizzie mumbled something under her breath.
“What did you say?” Esther stepped closer to her sister.
“She did most of the talking.” Lizzie cleared her throat. “I’m sure she’ll be just fine.”
Esther turned toward the living room when she heard footsteps. Rose skipped into the kitchen with the spring of youthfulness. What a breath of fresh air she would be. She was probably around twenty. I wonder why she isn’t married.
“I’m so happy to be here.” She bounced up on her toes again. “I’m very gut at cleaning. Mei mamm said I will make an excellent fraa someday. At first when I was young, I didn’t like to clean bathrooms, but they don’t bother me at all now. I used to screamif I saw a spider, but I’ve conquered that fear as well. I’m gut with mending, especially hemming trousers. I have three bruders, so I’ve done lots of that.” She took a breath. “Do you have chickens? Of course you do. I saw a chicken coop. I’ll diligentlyremember to collect the eggs every morning. I’ve only dropped one in mei life. I don’t eat carrots, though. If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not cook them either. But I can prepare anythingelse you like. Are your horses for riding, or just for pulling the buggies? We had bats in our barn back home. Do you havebats here?” She pointed to the pan of fish. “Do you want me to finish preparing the
