A Hope Springs Christmas (5 page)

Levi rarely left his work place, so if Levi wouldn’t come out, she needed to find a way to get the women to come in.

The meal today gave her an idea. She would invite her friends, one at a time of course, to join her for a meal when Levi was present. She would have to include the twins and Grace, too, when she returned, but that couldn’t be helped. It would look odd if she only asked Levi to come to dinner. People would say that she was running after him herself. That wouldn’t do.

Perhaps having him and his family over to eat wasn’t such a good idea. Who knew how many times she’d have to invite them before he found someone he liked? The twins could put away a lot of food.

Maybe she could ask her friends to help with inventory. That would be logical excuse to have them spend the day where Levi was working. She might even convince some of them to come in and look over the used buggies that Levi had for sale or buy a new one. If she remembered right, Leah Belier’s buggy was old and worn. Sarah could drop a few hints about a good price and then leave Levi to show the teacher what was available. That might work.

Satisfied that she had a few plausible reasons to get Levi to spend time with some eligible women, Sarah closed the door and began to clean up the kitchen. While she might be new at matchmaking, she had been around her aunt Emma enough to know how it was done. If all went well, Levi would find a woman to take care of him and Grace would be free to marry.

Sarah placed the glass Levi had used in the soapy water. His shirtsleeves were threadbare, and his shoes had holes in them. He did need someone to look after him.

So why did the idea of Levi getting married suddenly cause an ache in her heart?

* * *

The twins were seated inside Levi’s office when he returned to the shop. “Was it a fine meal?” Moses asked.

“Fine enough.”

“Better than our church spread sandwiches, I reckon,” Atlee grumped.

Levi loved the peanut butter and marshmallow crème spread served for Sunday lunches after the prayer service. “About that good, I guess. Did you finish the wheel we’re fixing for Gideon Troyer?”

“Not yet, but we got the fire going good outside,” Atlee said in a rush.

“And we finished the upholstery on the front seat for the Hershberger buggy,” Moses added. The boys exchanged a lively glance. It was rare that they did work Levi hadn’t asked them to do. Perhaps Sarah’s scolding had paid off.

“
Danki
. We’d best finish the wheel, though. Gideon will be by to pick it up this afternoon.”

“I don’t get him.” Atlee shook his head.

“Me neither,” Moses added.

Levi looked at his little brothers. “What do you mean?”

Atlee said, “He traded in flying airplanes to go back to driving a horse and buggy. Why?”

Levi understood their confusion. Very few of the young men who left the Amish came back and were content to do so after being out in the English world for as long as Gideon had.

From the doorway, a man said, “The outside world held many things that drew me away, but I discovered God’s will for me was to return to my Amish roots.”

Levi turned to see Gideon walking toward him. He liked the man that had married their cousin Rebecca and not only because he’d helped her regain her sight after years of blindness. He was a likeable fellow in his own right.

Atlee said, “You came back because of a woman.”

Gideon gave a sharp bark of laughter. “God’s ways are wondrous to behold, as I’m sure you will discover when you are older. Your cousin Rebecca’s love was the prize I won for following God’s will rather than my own.”

Levi looked down at his feet. “Your wheel’s not done.”

“Mind if I hang around while you finish it?”

“
Nee
. It won’t take long.” Levi moved toward the side of the building where he assembled the finished wheels. The steel rim Gideon was waiting on had been welded together but it needed to be placed around the wooden rim.

Levi carried the steel ring along with a pair of tongs and a large mallet outside where the twins had build a fire in the pit they used for heating the metal. The flames had died down to a bed of coals that glowed bright red. Levi could barely stand the heat on his face as he laid the steel circle on it. Stepping back, he waited for the fire to do its work and expand the metal.

Moses carried the wooden wheel out and laid it on a scarred slab of wood near the pit. He looked at Gideon. “Tell us what it was like to fly in a plane. Were you scared to be so high?”

Gideon cocked his head to the side as he regarded the boy. “Why would I be scared?”

“Because you might fall out of the sky,” Atlee answered.

Gideon grinned. “Falling out of the sky doesn’t hurt you.”

“It doesn’t?” Atlee and Moses looked at each other in disbelief.

“No. Not a bit. It’s that sudden stop when you hit the ground that hurts.” Gideon winked at Levi as the twins groaned at his joke.

Levi chuckled. “That’s a
goot
one.”

As the boy begged Gideon for stories about flying, Levi concentrated on watching the fire. He knew the rim was ready when it began to glow red. He motioned to Atlee. He and the boy thrust the tongs into the hot coals from opposite sides and together they lifted the rim from the fire. They carried it to the waiting wheel. Because the heat had expanded the metal, Levi and Atlee were able to slip it over the wooden rim. Levi laid his tongs aside and hammered the steel into place.

Quickly, as the wheel started to catch fire, Moses came with several buckets of water and began dousing it. The hot metal hissed. Steam rose up in a thick fog. After a few minutes, Levi lifted the wheel by the rungs and set it in a water trough. He turned the wheel rapidly to make sure it cooled evenly.

A friend of the twins called to them from the street and they both ran out to talk to him, leaving Levi to finish the work alone. Again.

After a few minutes, he pulled the wheel out of the water and checked the fit over the wooden fellows. It looked good. No gaps, his weld was solid. He was pleased with it. It would last many years. He rolled the wheel to Gideon who inspected it carefully, as well. Levi looked up to see Sarah had come out of the shop.

Gideon spied her at the same moment. “Sarah, how nice to see you.”

She gave him a warm smile. Too warm, Levi thought as a frown formed on his face.

“Gideon, you’re just happy to see me somewhere besides the shop where your wife spends all your hard-earned cash on fabric for her quilts.”

“You have that right. What are you doing here?”

“Helping Levi for a few weeks while Grace is out of town. The fabric shop is closed for the winter, if you didn’t know.” She moved to stand close beside Levi. He caught a whiff of her lavender soap and drew in a deep breath of it. His heart began racing.

Gideon said, “We heard about the closing. Rebecca was bemoaning the fact that she will have to go all the way to Sugarcreek for her quilt backing. I reckon she’ll wear out a couple more buggy wheels this winter traveling over there. Because, according to her, a woman can never have too much fabric.”

“I’m sure my boss would agree with her.”

Looking at Levi, Gideon said, “You’re a lucky man to have such a pretty helper, for even a few weeks. How much do I owe you?”

Levi said, “Sarah will write up your ticket.”

Sarah blushed. Rising on tiptoe, she leaned close and whispered in his ear. “I don’t know how much to charge him.”

Her warm breath caressed the side of Levi’s neck and sent every nerve ending in his body into high alert. He hugged his mallet to his chest and struggled to find his voice. “On the counter.”

She leaned closer. “On the counter, what?”

“Paper...with prices.”

“
Danki
. I’ll go find it, and I’ll fix that shirt later.” She gave him a bright smile and hurried toward the shop’s back door.

He closed his eyes; thankful and sorry all at the same time that she was gone. He reached for his tongs.

Gideon grabbed his wrist. Levi looked at him in surprise and then glanced down at his hand. Comprehension dawned. Levi had been about to grab the end that was still smoking hot. Gideon had saved him from a nasty burn.

He nodded his thanks.
“Danki.”

Gideon glanced from Levi’s face to Sarah’s retreating form. He chuckled and let go of Levi’s wrist. “It’s like that, is it?”

Levi frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I was the same way when I realized I was falling for Rebecca. I fell, literally, at her feet on an icy street. Love makes it hard for a man to concentrate.”

“Me? Falling for Sarah?
Nee,
it is not so.” Levi shook his head violently.

Gideon laughed. “Whatever you say, my friend. Many men with two good eyes are blind to the desires of their hearts.”

Chapter Five

A
s Gideon walked away, Levi sought to dismiss the man’s disturbing words. Gideon had seen something that didn’t exist. Levi refused to think about his feelings for Sarah because he didn’t have any past his responsibility to her. Her behavior that day at the creek, not to mention her marriage to his best friend, had put an end to his infatuation.

No, Gideon was wrong. Levi was not in love with Sarah, and she clearly was not love with him. Only a fool would think she would consider Levi Beachy as a replacement for Jonas Wyse, the finest man Levi had ever met.

He carried his tools inside to put them away, determined to think no more about it. The problem he was determined to ignore was seated at the counter with her chin propped on her hands. She smiled sweetly at him, and his foolish heart skipped a beat.

She said, “I found the price list. I don’t know why I never noticed it before.”

He swallowed hard and nodded, not sure he trusted his voice to answer her.

Sitting up straighter, she said, “Of course, I haven’t been in here in the last few years, so perhaps it is understandable. I’ll try to learn where everything is so that I don’t have to interrupt you with a lot of questions.”

“I don’t mind.” Levi couldn’t believe those words actually escaped his lips. He didn’t want her questions. He certainly didn’t want her to whisper them in his ear.

The memory of her closeness, the way he could smell her freshness, the sensation of her warm breath against his skin was enough to send heat rushing through his body once more. “I must to get to work.”

“I understand. I’ll stop talking. You can pretend I’m not even here.”

He’d already learned that wasn’t possible. He would forbid his sister to leave in the future.

“When Grace decides to marry, you’ll have to hire a replacement for her. Someone with a sunny disposition would be nice. Can you think of anyone who might interest you? As a replacement for Grace, I mean.”

“Nee.”
He didn’t want to think about Grace marrying, either. Turning around, he walked to the back corner of the building and started his lathe. The noise of the grinder would cover any more comments by Sarah. He began to work with vigor, building new wheel hubs as fast as he could shape the blocks of wood.

* * *

Sarah heaved a sigh of exasperation as Levi busied himself as far away from her as possible. Trying to figure out what kind of wife would suit him would be next to impossible if he wouldn’t say more than a dozen words to her.

He hadn’t been exactly talkative during their meal, but perhaps in his own home he would open. He and the boys would appreciate her cooking while Grace was gone, she was certain of that.

She could seek information about Levi’s likes and dislikes from the twins, but involving them came with its own set of drawbacks. They were bright and inquisitive. They might put two and two together and foil her plans by telling Levi what she was up to. Would he mind?

She didn’t know, and she hoped she never had to find out.

She finished the day by getting things ready to do the inventory the following week. Only two customers came in and their requests were easy to handle. Levi managed to stay out of her way completely. No matter where she went, he was just leaving the area with long determined strides. Who would believe they couldn’t exchange as much as a sentence when they were both inside the same building all afternoon? It was almost like he was
trying
to avoid her. Was he still angry about her advice to Grace?

Rather than become discouraged, Sarah grew more determined. She would discover the real Levi Beachy if it took her all winter.

Admitting only a temporary setback, she stopped trying to corner the man and settled herself with paperwork in the office. As she went through the previous year’s records, she was pleased to see Levi was an excellent bookkeeper. While Grace might take care of the public part of the business, Levi clearly managed the rest with a deft hand. It was something a prospective wife would be impressed with.

When five o’clock rolled around, Sarah went home and gathered what she would need to feed the Beachy family supper. Along with the leftover stew, she packed a loaf of bread and two jars of vegetables she had canned from her own garden. She added a second loaf of bread when she remembered the appetite her brother had during his teenage years.

She carried the makings of the meal to the house next door with a simmering sense of excitement. No wonder her aunt Emma enjoyed matchmaking. Sarah had no idea how exciting it was. Her somber mood and worry about the season had taken a backseat to her enjoyment of the challenge she faced.

Levi had seen her coming. He held open the door. She squeezed past him, brushing against his side in the process. “
Danki,
Levi.”

His face flushed deep red. “I—I forgot something.”

He rushed out the door, leaving her staring after him. Really? Could he not sit still even in his own home? Miffed that he had once again escaped her, she turned back to see his brothers sitting at the kitchen table, looking at her with wide, hopeful eyes. They resembled a pair of starving kittens in front of an empty milk saucer.

“
Gut-n-owed,
Sarah,” they said together.

“Good evening,” she replied.

Atlee said, “We’re right sorry we upset you with our teasing Henry Zook today.”

She inclined her head slightly. “It’s forgiven and forgotten. As long as it doesn’t happen again.”

Moses said, “It won’t. When you pull a good joke on a fellow, it’s only funny the first time. He might be expecting it a second time.”

She leveled a stern gaze at him. “If you have no remorse, I can take supper home with me.”

Stifling a grin at their frightened expressions, Sarah glanced at the large box in her arms and the basket hanging on her elbow. “Your supper will appear much faster if I could get a little help.”

They were up like a shot and took her burdens from her. They set everything on the counter and stood aside. Sarah began unloading her goods. To her surprise, the countertop was grimy. The stove was, too. She ran a finger along the back edge of the counter.

This much cooking grease hadn’t accumulated in a single day. Grace clearly didn’t devote much effort to housework. Poor Henry. He would be in for a shock after the wedding if Grace didn’t improve. His mother’s home was always as neat as a pin.

Sarah tried to remember the last time she’d been in the Beachy home. It had been years. Grace was forever dropping by to visit at the fabric shop or coming to Sarah’s house. After Jonas’s death, Sarah had curtailed her visits to friends and neighbors. It became too hard to pretend she was doing better when she wasn’t.

She added one more item to her mental to-do list for the winter. Help Grace get her house in order.

The twins had been smart enough to make sure there was a fire going in the stove. Sarah put on the apron she’d brought with her and got to work. It wasn’t long before the smell of steaming beets, buttered carrots and chicken stew filled the small kitchen. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed the boys were hovering near the table but they hadn’t taken a seat.

She lifted the lid on the stew and stirred the contents. “It’s almost ready. Will you set the table?”

An alarming amount of clatter followed her request. When she turned around, plates, cups and flatware had been haphazardly set for three places.

“You don’t want me to eat with you?” she asked sweetly.

The twins looked at each other. Atlee said, “I reckon that will be okay.”

“If Levi says it is,” Moses added.

She arched an eyebrow. “Perhaps one of you should go ask him.”

Moses elbowed Atlee. “You go.”

Atlee rubbed his side. “Why me?”

Folding her arms, Sarah asked, “Does Levi object to company?”

Atlee started toward the door. “I don’t know. We never have any.”

How had this family become so isolated in the midst of a generous and caring community? “Surely, your grandfather and your cousins come to visit on Sundays and at the holidays.”

Atlee shook his head. “We normally go to their homes. It’s more fun and the food is better. Grace isn’t a great cook.”

Sarah said, “It’s nice to know that Levi enjoys visiting his family.”

At the door, Atlee said, “Levi never goes if he can help it. He don’t like it when people make fun of him.”

“Why on earth would your family make fun of Levi?”

Moses grimaced. “Grace said he used to stutter when he was little. Our cousins and other kids made fun of him back then.”

Sarah vaguely recalled Levi’s affliction. Was that why he never spoke much? “He doesn’t stutter now.”

“Now, he doesn’t say much of anything. Our uncle calls him Levi Lockjaw,” Atlee said and went outside.

Sarah turned back to the stove and resolved to treat Levi with more kindness in the future. She hadn’t realized how much of a loner he’d become after Jonas’s death. Then again, how could she? She had been wrapped up in her own grief and worries, unable to focus on anything but her work.

The outside door opened a few minutes later. Atlee returned without Levi. “Brother says you may eat here, Sarah. We’re to go ahead. He said he’ll fix something for himself later.”

“He’s not coming in?” she asked in amazement.

Atlee shook his head and took a seat at the table.

Sarah pondered the turn of events as she dished up the meal. Did Levi have that much work to do, or was he simply avoiding her?

The twins fell upon the food like starving dogs. Sarah barely touched hers. Was her company so distasteful that Levi would rather spend the evening in a cold building instead of at his own table if she were there?

If that were the case, she would leave. She stood and carried her plate to the sink.

“Where are you going?” Atlee asked.

“Home. I’ll see you both tomorrow at church.” She gathered her belongings, grabbed her coat from the hook beside the door and went out.

Instead of going home, she entered the shop by the back door. Only one overhead lamp had been lit. It cast a soft glow where Levi sat on a stool at his workbench. He had a new hub wheel in a vise and was chiseling out the slots for the spokes. He hadn’t heard her come in so she had a chance to study him as he concentrated on his work.

What she noticed first about him was his hands. He had sturdy hands, scarred by years of work at his craft, yet he wasn’t clumsy. His movements were sure and deft. His body was relaxed, not tense the way he had carried himself all day.

She decided not to interrupt him. Before she could slip back out the door, he suddenly stiffened. She realized he’d caught her reflection in the window glass.

Gathering her courage, she came forward with her icy fingers gripping each other. “I wanted to let you know I was leaving so that you could come in and eat your supper before it grows cold or the twins devour it.”

“Danki.”
He didn’t turn around but kept his back to her.

She couldn’t leave like this. She didn’t want him angry with her. “I’m sorry, Levi.”

“For what?”

She waved her hands in a helpless gesture. “Everything. I’m sorry Grace took off and left you in a lurch, but mostly I’m sorry that you’re angry with me.”

“I’m not angry with you,” he said quietly.

“You’re not?” She took a step closer. When he didn’t say anything else, she moved to stand at the counter beside him. She gestured toward the hub he held. “You do good work.”

“I’m not angry,” he said again.

“It feels like you are. You won’t look at me. You wouldn’t come in to supper. Something is wrong. Is it because I can’t do the work as well as Grace?”

“Nee.”

She held her frustration in check. “Talk to me, Levi. I don’t know what to change if you don’t tell me. Do I have to get a blackboard so you can leave me messages?” she teased, trying to get him to smile.

“It’s a joke to you, isn’t it?” he asked stiffly.

Her teasing had backfired. “Of course not.”

“Grace, the twins, me, we’re all a joke to you.”

“Levi Beachy, what a mean thing to say. Grace is my dear friend. The twins frequently make me cringe or smile, but I don’t see them as a joke. I see them as outgoing, boisterous boys.”

“I saw you and your aunt laughing at Grace and Henry’s argument. I reckon everyone will be talking about my sister’s poor behavior tomorrow.”

She sighed. So that was it. “Levi, I was grinning at my own cleverness because I had convinced my aunt not to mention the incident.”

He cast a sidelong glance of disbelief at her. “You did?”

“Grace is my friend, Levi, just as Jonas was your friend. I had hoped that you and I could be friends, too.”

He was silent for so long that she realized she had her answer. For reasons she didn’t understand, Levi wouldn’t accept her friendship. The knowledge hurt.

“I’ll write to Grace and ask her to return as soon as possible. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.” She turned to leave.

“Sarah, wait.”

She stopped and looked back. His bright blue eyes were gazing intently at her. A strange quiver centered itself in her chest, causing a catch in her breath.

He said, “I am now, and have always been, your friend.”

The catch moved to her throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize that. Thank you, Levi.”

“It’s what Jonas wanted.”

He was right. Jonas would have wanted them to be friends. Why didn’t that cheer her? Perhaps because she wanted Levi to like her for herself and not because of her husband.

* * *

Early the next morning, Sarah decided to walk to the church service instead of driving her buggy. The preaching was being held at the home of David Nissley and his wife, Martha. Their farm was little more than a quarter of a mile beyond the Hope Springs town limits.

A warm southern wind was melting the snow, making the sunshine feel even brighter. Rivulets of water flowed in the ditches, adding occasional gurgling to the symphony of morning sounds that surrounded her. Numerous Amish families, some on foot, most in buggies and wagons, were all headed in the same direction. Cheerful greetings and pleasant exchanges filled the crisp air. Everyone was glad to see a break in the weather.