A Season of Love (5 page)

“I’m going to find
Daadi
,” Samuel said as he headed toward the work area.

“I’ll be here.” Katie ran her fingers over the top of a mirrored dresser, silently marveling at the beautiful craftsmanship. She studied the brass hardware on the drawers and wondered what it would be like to have a bedroom set this pretty in her and Nancy’s room. But she knew this furniture was expensive and would be too extravagant for her.

Glancing up at the mirror, she spotted Jake Miller standing behind her. “Jake,” she said with surprise. “How long have you been standing there watching me?”

“I just walked out front and spotted you,” he said. “I can’t ignore a customer.”

Katie laughed as she faced him. “I’m a customer?”

“You’re looking at our samples, aren’t you? Would you like to order a dresser?” Jake asked, grinning. “We’re running a special end-of-the-summer sale right now, and I could get you a great deal. It could be yours before Christmas if you order today.”

“That sounds like a
gut
deal. I think I’d like to order a whole
bedroom set,” she said, playing along. “How much would that cost me?”

“Let me think.” He touched his clean-shaven chin. “Since you’re family, I’ll sell it to you for only fifteen hundred.”

“Fifteen hundred dollars?” Katie guffawed. “That’s the family price?”

“Oh yes,” Jake said. “Everyone else pays three thousand.”

“Wow.” Katie touched the dresser. “Did you make this?”

“This piece?” Jake moved past her and examined the dresser. “I would guess your grandfather made this one.” He pointed toward another dresser without a mirror. “I think my grandfather made that one.”

“They make beautiful furniture.” Katie studied Jake, taking in his dark hair and bright blue eyes. He stood several inches taller than she did, probably close to six feet. “Your
daadi
and
mei daadi
have been friends a long time,
ya
?”

“That’s right.” He lowered himself onto a hope chest beside the dresser. “I’d say more than fifty years. They went to school together.”

Katie nodded. “That’s a long time.”

“What brings you out here this fine day?” Jake asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Samuel said he needed to get some supplies from
mei daadi.
” She jammed her thumb in the direction of the workroom. “He picked me up from the bakery before continuing on his way here. I came along for the ride.”

“Oh.” Jake gestured toward a dining room chair across from him. “Why don’t you have a seat while you wait?”

“That sounds nice.” Katie sat and smoothed her hands over her apron and dress. “How have you been?”

“Fine,” Jake said. “Busy.” He pointed toward the desk. “The phone has been ringing nearly nonstop. I’m splitting my time between manning the desk and working on small projects. I’d like to become a full-time carpenter. I’ve been spending a lot
of time at my grandfather’s house on Saturdays working in his shop.”

“Oh.” Katie fiddled with the ties to her prayer covering while she studied him. “You’re very close to your
daadi, ya
?”

“Yes, I am.” Jake glanced down at his dark T-shirt and jeans. “I guess I don’t look like an Amish carpenter, but I’d like to be one.”

Katie chuckled. “I think you’d make a
wunderbaar gut
Amish carpenter.”

“Danki.”
He grinned. “I’ve heard the bakery is very busy too.”

“
Ya
, it usually stays that way until the cold weather comes in,” Katie said. “Then the tourist groups disappear until spring.”

“Eli told me Elizabeth wants new display cabinets installed at the bakery,” Jake said. “She’s pushing him to do the renovations this fall and winter when the bakery isn’t very busy.”

“Really?” Katie asked in surprise. “I had no idea.” She considered the shopping area in the front of the bakery. “I guess the bakery still has the original cabinets from when it was built nearly thirty years ago,
ya
?”

He shrugged. “That’s what Eli said.”

“That will be a nice change,” Katie said.

“What’s your favorite dessert to bake?” he asked.

Katie considered the question and thought about the many desserts she prepared every day. “I guess it would have to be chocolate chip cookies.”

“Really?” Jake raised an eyebrow. “Chocolate chip cookies?”

Katie frowned. “What’s wrong with that?”

“That’s so …” He paused. “Ordinary.”

Her frown deepened. “You haven’t tried my chocolate chip cookies, so how would you know if they’re ordinary?”

He held his hands up as if to surrender. “I guess you got me there, Katie. I’ll have to try them and see if they are truly extraordinary.”

Katie wagged a finger at him. “That’s a deal. I’ll have to make you some and then you can judge.”

“Jake,” Samuel called from the doorway leading to the shop. “Can you help us load some wood into the back of the wagon?”

“Of course,” Jake said, standing and walking toward the work area. “I was asking about your sister’s baking.”

Samuel grinned. “You’d be surprised how
gut
she is. I like her cooking and baking more than
mei mamm
’s.”

Surprised by her brother’s compliment, Katie smiled as she followed Samuel and Jake through the shop. She waved as she passed her uncle Luke and other familiar carpenters on her way out the back door. Katie nodded and greeted her grandfather and her uncles, Timothy and Daniel. Together, the men loaded wooden planks and tools into the back of the wagon.

Once they were done, Samuel shook their hands and climbed into the wagon. Katie said good-bye to her uncles and grandfather and climbed up next to Samuel.

“Hey, Katie,” Jake called from the back door of the shop. “Don’t forget my chocolate chip cookies.”

“I won’t, Jake,” Katie said. “I promise.”

Jake waved before heading back into the shop.

“What was he talking about?” Samuel asked as he guided the horse through the parking lot.

“
Kichlin
,” Katie said with a shrug.

Lindsay stepped into Rebecca’s bedroom Saturday night. “They’re asleep.” She lowered herself onto the hope chest across from where Rebecca sat propped up in bed. “They wore themselves out today running around outside.” She studied her aunt’s pale complexion. “How are you feeling?”

Rebecca frowned. “I feel the same as I do every day. I’m frustrated I can’t get up and take care of
mei kinner.
” She sighed and placed the Christian novel she’d had in her lap on the night stand. “It’s funny how I miss the little things. For example, it
seems like an eternity since I gave the
kinner
a bath. I would love to hear Emma giggle and splash in the water again.”

“This is temporary,” Lindsay said. “Remember how you said this time would fly by, and before you knew it, you’d be holding your new
boppli
in your arms?”

Rebecca ran her fingers over her headscarf. “I was wrong.”

“You were wrong about what?” Daniel stood in the doorway.

“
Aenti
Rebecca is frustrated about being stuck in bed.” Lindsay pushed her prayer covering ribbons behind her shoulders. “She wants to get up and take care of the
kinner
, but I reminded her she said the time will pass by quickly.”

“And I was wrong,” Rebecca repeated. “Time isn’t passing by quickly. A few days feel more like a few weeks.”

Daniel looked at Rebecca with a tender expression as he touched her shoulder, and Lindsay wondered if she should leave so her aunt and uncle could speak in private.

“It will pass by quick enough,
mei liewe
,” Daniel said. “Before you know it, you’ll be complaining the newborn
boppli
isn’t allowing us any sleep.”

“I hope so.” Rebecca touched his hand and then smiled at Lindsay. “
Danki
to both of you for reminding me this time will pass. The Lord has
wunderbaar gut
plans for our family in the future.”

“That’s very true.” Lindsay started toward the door. “I’ll go finish cleaning up the kitchen.”

“Wait,” Rebecca called. “You don’t need to leave.”

Lindsay stopped in the doorway while Daniel moved to the other side of the room. “I thought you and
Onkel
Daniel might want some time together. I just wanted to check on you. Do you need anything?”

Rebecca shook her head. “No. I’m fine,
danki.
”

Lindsay glanced at her uncle, who was sitting on a chair while pulling off his socks. “
Onkel
Daniel, would it be okay if I go to the youth gathering tomorrow night?”

“Of course,” Daniel said. “Why wouldn’t it?”

Lindsay’s expression became serious. “That would mean you’ll have to care for the
kinner
and put them in bed.”

Daniel grinned. “I believe I can handle
mei kinner
, but I can always ask Rebecca for advice if I get confused.”

“I think you can figure it out, Daniel,” Rebecca said, readjusting the pillow behind her head. “You’re a smart man.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad you still believe that, Becky.”

Lindsay fiddled with the seam on her bib apron. “Do you think I could visit the bishop tomorrow? Maybe I could go see him before the youth gathering?”

“That would be fine. I’m
froh
you’ve decided to do it.” Daniel smiled at her.

“What are you two talking about?” Rebecca looked confused. “Why do you need to see the bishop?”

“Tell Rebecca what you shared with me at breakfast a couple of days ago, Lindsay,” Daniel said.

“I want to ask the bishop if he’ll allow me to be baptized with
mei freinden
this fall,” Lindsay said, leaning on the doorframe. “I’m going to go meet with him and see if he’ll let me make up the lessons I’ve missed like he did for
Aenti
Miriam when she was baptized.”

Rebecca’s expression brightened. “That’s
wunderbaar.
”

“I think it’s a
gut
idea to visit him Sunday afternoon,” Daniel said. “I’ll take you over to his house on the way to the youth gathering. I can get
mei mamm
to come and watch the
kinner
while I’m gone. I’m certain she’d love to visit with the
kinner
and Rebecca.”

“That sounds perfect.” Lindsay’s stomach fluttered at the thought of speaking to the bishop, but in her heart, she knew she had to do it. It felt right. All of her doubts about joining the church had dissolved after her visit to Virginia Beach. This was the path God was leading her down.

“I’m so very
froh
to hear the news, Lindsay,” Rebecca said, reaching for her hand. “Your
freinden
will also be excited.”

“Danki.”
Lindsay held Rebecca’s hand for a moment and then gestured toward the doorway. “I’m going to go check the messages. I was thinking of
mei schweschder
today. If she hasn’t called me, I’d like to call her and see how she’s doing.”

“Be certain to tell her hello for us,” Rebecca said. “And come back to say
gut nacht
before you head to bed.”

“I will.” Lindsay padded down the hallway, descended the stairs, and grabbed a flashlight by the back door before heading out across the rock driveway to the small shed. She stepped into the shanty, which contained a phone, stool, and counter. She lifted the receiver and dialed the voice mail. After entering the code, a recorded voice told her she had one message. She punched the button to retrieve her message, and her older sister’s voice rang through the receiver.

“Hey, Linds,” Jessica said. “I got your voice mail explaining you were back in Pennsylvania. I’ve been trying to call your cell phone but it goes straight to voice mail. I guess the battery’s dead, huh? I just wanted to check and see how Aunt Rebecca’s doing. Give me a call. Bye!”

Lindsay deleted the message and then dialed her sister’s cell phone.

Jessica answered on the second ring. “Hey, Linds! How are you? How’s Aunt Rebecca? I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”

“We’re doing okay,” Lindsay said, noticing it was quiet on the other end. “You aren’t out tonight?”

“No.” Jessica sniffed. “I think I’m coming down with a cold. I’m really beat.”

“I bet it’s those long hours you’re working,” Lindsay said, lowering herself onto the stool in front of the counter. “You said this was supposed to be an internship, but you’ve been working fifty hours a week, right?”

Jessica sighed. “I know. I’m working too hard and now I’m getting sick. You sound like Mom.”

Lindsay grinned. “Thank you. I take that as a compliment.”

“Fill me in on the news,” Jessica said. “You said Aunt Rebecca is okay? You scared me with the message you left when you said you rushed home.”

“I’m sorry I scared you. I was scared myself.
Aenti
Rebecca is on strict bed rest, so she’s really frustrated about not being able to do things around the house. She looks tired and a little pale, but she’s okay. I’m keeping an eye on her.”

“Good,” Jessica said, sniffling again. “Where’s your cell phone? Is the battery dead?”

“It’s turned off,” Lindsay said. “I put it in my dresser drawer. I decided not to use it.”

“I didn’t know you turned it off. I assumed the battery had died when I kept getting your voice mail.” Jessica sounded surprised. “I’ve been thinking of you all and praying for you. I talked to Aunt Trisha and Uncle Frank. They’re doing well. Aunt Trisha is very happy with her walking cast.”

Lindsay smiled while wrapping the phone cord around her finger. “That’s good. She was doing the dishes and telling me to get out of the kitchen when I was there.”

Jessica laughed. “I can see her saying that. How are you doing?”

“Fine.” Lindsay bit her lip and debated telling Jessica her news about meeting with the bishop. In the past, she’d endured Jessica’s constant negative comments about Lindsay’s desire to be Amish. However, a surge of confidence in her decision flowed through her. She wanted her sister to know about her choice. “I’m going to see the bishop on my way to the youth gathering at Lizzie Anne’s tomorrow night.”