Daybreak: The Days of Redemption Series, Book One (13 page)

“Lunchtime, is it?” he said with a smile. “Luckily, I bought you some dog food.” He poured her about a half-cup’s worth, then chuckled to himself as he went back to the bag he’d left outside the front door and brought it inside, too. He pulled out a rawhide chew, squeaky dog toy, collar, and leash from the bag.

When the dog finished her dinner, he presented her with his purchases, just as if she were a child instead of a tiny stray. She held her neck still while he fastened the collar, as though she were receiving a shiny diamond necklace.

Instantly, Gretta picked up the squeaky bear and trotted off, her tail wagging so fast that it was a blur.

What was happening to him? He probably shouldn’t even have taken the dog in, let alone begun buying treats for her. He was leaving in six months’ time. Viola was right. Who would care for the dog then?

But somehow, he hadn’t been able to resist making the dog happy. Fussing over her did his heart a world of good.

Just as he didn’t seem to be able to resist spending time with Viola Keim.

Today he’d only gotten the chance to see her for a few moments. She’d had business in another part of the building and his father had wanted to listen to a guest speaker with him.

Though he’d enjoyed spending time with his father, Ed had found his mind drifting more than once while the environmentalist talked. He couldn’t wait to ask her out again.

Couldn’t wait to see her smile.

Which, like buying a stray dog toys, was probably not a good idea.

Though he didn’t need the reminder—it was clear in his mind—he said out loud, “She is not for you, Edward. Her life is here, yours is not. Plus, she’s terribly opinionated, which isn’t necessarily the best quality to have when one is a missionary’s wife. Why, sometimes I think she’s got herself perched on such a high horse that it’s a wonder she hasn’t fallen off its back.”

He half expected the Lord to say something right back to him—remind him that it wasn’t terribly Christian to be talking about Viola like he was.

But all that happened was Gretta wagged her tail and tilted her head at him. He laughed. “You are the perfect listener, dog. You always find a way to look terribly interested, yet you don’t offer a bit of unwanted advice.” If only there were more humans like that in the world.

Still musing on his relationship with Viola, he turned on a few lights and washed out the two plates he’d left in the sink after breakfast.

That chore done, he picked up the stack of mail he’d retrieved from the post office that morning. There were two letters from friends in Nicaragua, a few bills to be paid, and an official-looking letter from the head of the agency.

He practically jumped when he heard a knock at the door.

When he opened it, he found John Miller standing on the other side. John had been their neighbor when Ed was in grade school. A few years after that, his family moved to the other side of Berlin. John was Old Order Amish, and was a good ten years older. But since Ed had never had any siblings, he’d been sad to lose the only playmate he’d ever known.

“John! What a sight for sore eyes you are!”

John lifted his eyebrows but didn’t tease him about his exuberance. “I’m glad to see you, too.”

“What brings you by?”

“I took off early from the store and decided to see if the rumor about you being home was true.”

Ed grinned. “It’s true,” he said as he clasped his old friend’s hand.

“You look
gut
. How are you?”

“I don’t hardly know anymore, if you want to know the truth,” he joked. “I’m still trying to get used to life back here in Ohio.” He stepped back and motioned John inside. “Come in, man. It’s too cold to be chatting out here.”

After a moment’s hesitation, John walked through the entryway then stopped at the front of his living room—his fairly empty living room. “You need some furniture, Ed. Come by the store and I’ll get you set up.”

“Thanks, but I’m only here temporarily. My
daed,
you know, is living over at Daybreak. I haven’t had too much time to get settled in.” Though, of course, the latter was a lie. He’d had time. But he’d had little to unpack and no way to make the place more cozy. Other than Gretta, of course.

John nodded. “Makes sense, for sure. Well, if you change your mind, we’ve got some things in the back that are on sale.”

“I appreciate that. Listen, I couldn’t have been happier for you when I heard that you own Miller’s Fine Furniture. My father told me it’s doing real well.”

“
Danke.
I feel blessed, to be sure.”

“And Thomas? How is he?”

A shadow fell across his face. “He’s fine, but I’m afraid I don’t see much of him. He left the Order and is working in Toledo in one of those new glass factories that have sprung up.”

“I’m shocked he left the Order.”

“It was hard for me to accept.” John shrugged. “I can understand his reasons to an extent, though. Being shuffled to our uncle wasn’t easy. Uncle Clyde was Amish, but not exactly what I’d call a godly man. All Thomas ever talked about was getting away.”

“And so he did.”

John nodded. “Enough about me. Tell me about your work. I heard you’re working for CAMA, and that they sent you out of the country.”

“Yep. I was doing mission work in Nicaragua.”

“That’s pretty far away.”

Ed chuckled. “No, that’s
really
far away.”

“What brought you back?”

“My time was up. Plus, I was anxious to see my father.” He realized they were still standing. “I’m glad you stopped by. Want to sit down for a bit?”

“I’d be happy to.” John sat, and accepted the offer of coffee, which took Ed into the kitchen briefly. While it was brewing he sat back down. “Now that you know all about me, why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to.”

“About what you’d imagine. Now that I opened my own store, I’ve been busier than I could have ever dreamed.”

Even in his short time of being back, Ed had heard that the business was doing very well.

He was pleased to hear an unmistakable note of pride in John’s voice, too. Like most people on their street, he’d been well aware of what John’s home life had been like growing up. After his mother had passed away, many in the community had watched the Miller family slowly crumble apart. “We’re all proud of you, for sure.”

“Gott
has been might good to me.”

“Yes, He has. You sound content.”

“After the way things used to be? Yes, I am.” He coughed. “More or less. How about you?”

“Oh, I’m glad to be back, and trying to fit into country life again.” For a moment, Ed was tempted to tell him more. To share how stressful so much of his time in Nicaragua had been. People were hungry or sick or alone or . . . you name it. Sometimes, hearing people in Berlin complain about the cold or the noise on the street got on his nerves. Those were such small things.

He got up, poured two cups of coffee, then brought them back into the living room. “Would you like to go grab something to eat?”

“Maybe another time. Actually, Ed, there’s another reason I wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay . . .”

“One of the gals who works for me saw you and Viola Keim walking together yesterday. Is that true? Are you friends?”

He couldn’t believe he was part of the gossip mill already. “Sure, we’re friends. I mean, she works at Daybreak, and my father is very fond of her.”

“Do you know her family well?”

“I don’t know them at all. I merely invited her to go get some pizza with me.” With effort, he pushed away the energized feeling he always got when he thought about being near her. “Why?”

“Her aunt came to see me the other day.”

“And? Is there a problem?”

“Not really. Unless you count her breaking my heart years ago.”

Now if that didn’t shock him, he didn’t know what would. “I didn’t know you and Viola’s aunt were friends.”

“Oh, we were more than that. I wanted to marry Lorene.”

“How old is she?” he asked, trying to picture the two of them.

“Viola’s got lots of aunts and uncles. Her aunt Lorene is the youngest. She’s thirty-two.”

“So, she’s your age.”

“Yep.”

Ed still wasn’t sure what this had to do with him.

But if he’d learned anything while out in the field, it was that less talking equaled more sharing. So, he picked an open-ended question. “How did you feel about her visit?”

“Taken aback. Kind of at a loss. Confused.” He looked thoughtful as he continued the list. “And, if you want to know the truth, more than a little angry.” He rubbed his smooth chin. “That in itself caught me off guard.”

“Why were you angry? I mean, ten years is a long time to hold a grudge.”

He leaned back against the cushions of the old couch. “Believe me, I know it’s been too long to be stewing about something that happened so long ago. But I got angry because . . . I think I still feel something for her, Ed. And I don’t want to. After all this time, after all the work I’ve done to get over her, and to make something positive out of my life . . . she’s gone and messed it up.”

Jumping to his feet, Ed said, “Would you like a bit more coffee? I’ll go get the carafe. ”

He turned away toward the kitchen without even waiting for John to respond. But his response wouldn’t have mattered, anyway. What Ed needed was an excuse to buy himself some time. Because he felt suspiciously the same way about Viola. When she’d entered his life, she’d taken all his plans and mixed them up.

When he came back, John still wore a look of confusion. “What should I do? I got the feeling she wants to make amends.”

“Let her, then.”

“Really?”

“All of us need the chance to make things right with people we hurt. God wants that.”

“You’re right about that.”

“And, life is short. Maybe now things will be different between you two.”

A sudden hope entered his eyes. “Do you think that’s possible?”

“I hope so. I’d hate to think that all of us had to give up on second chances, John.”

“You’re right.” He straightened a bit. “I’m living proof of that.”

“Indeed you are.”

“I’m going to go see her at work later this week.”

“I wish you the best with your visit.” Ed was genuinely happy for John. And if he was a little envious, too? Well, that was something he intended to keep to himself.

Later that night, as he stoked the fire, planning to get some reading done before bed, the phone rang.

“Ed?”

Surprised to hear Viola’s voice, he gripped the receiver tighter. “Viola, why are you calling?”

“Why? Oh . . . well, I just . . . uh . . . wanted to make sure you knew you were welcome to attend church at our
haus
on Sunday.”

“
Danke
. That is kind of you to let me know.”

“So, do you think you’ll be coming?”

He recognized the hope in her voice—it was the same thing he was feeling. “I’ll plan on it,” he said. He couldn’t help but smile into the empty room.

“I’m glad. But, ah, I should warn you that my parents will likely pepper you with questions. It’s their nature to be nosy.”

“It sounds like someone else I know,” he teased. “I don’t mind questions from you, or your parents.”

She laughed. “I guess I have been letting my curiosity get the best of me. But I didn’t want you to be taken off guard by my parents’ nosiness.”

“I promise, it won’t be anything I can’t handle.”

“Oh. Yes, I suppose you would be used to talking about yourself with lots of people.”

“It’s the nature of my job.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, Viola?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you and I will be able to spend some time together, too.”

“Me, too.” Finally, some of the uncertainty in her tone was replaced by happiness.

He was glad about that . . . because that was kind of the way he felt, too.

chapter twelve

It would have been impossible to avoid Viola Keim at the luncheon after church. Ed didn’t even try. Everywhere he’d looked, she flitted like a butterfly, seeming to make sure everyone had what they needed at the same time.

Dressed in a pale green dress that contrasted well with her dark hair and eyes, she drew his gaze like little else could.

Inside the barn, next to the long tables laden with food, Viola’s parents hovered nearby. From the time he’d arrived, he had felt as if his every gesture toward Viola had been watched carefully.

Ed didn’t mind the scrutiny, though. He wanted to get to know Viola better . . . and that meant getting to know her family, too.

“Edward, how are you liking being back in Ohio?” her father asked politely.

“I’m enjoying it.”

“And being back in your own bed?” Mr. Keim chuckled. “Whenever my wife and I go on a trip, that’s always the first thing we talk about missing.”

Mrs. Keim joined them. “Sometimes we miss the comfort of our own bed and pillows more than the
kinner,
” she joked.

Edward grinned. “I have enjoyed being home, though to be truthful, being home doesn’t have the same feeling it used to, now that I’m there by myself.”

“Yes, Viola told us that your father was living over at Daybreak,” Mrs. Keim said.

Ed braced himself for the criticism he was sure was about to come. But instead of sounding judgmental, both of Viola’s parents looked as if they didn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

“Now that I’m back, I thought my
daed
might want to move back in, but he said he likes where he is. He didn’t even want to venture over here with me today. He said they have services there on Sunday that he enjoys.”

“I’m afraid I would side with your father on that,” Mr. Keim said. “The weather is cold, for sure. Too chilly to be going out and about if one doesn’t have to.”

“But we’re certainly pleased you are here, Edward.”

“Thank you for allowing me to worship here, even though I’m out of your church district.”

“It was Viola’s invitation, but we were happy you decided to join us. It’s nice to have you here. Plus, we’re mighty proud of you. Not everyone is called to go to other countries to spread God’s word. Well, it’s a blessing for sure. Ain’t so, Viola?” Mrs. Keim asked as she passed by holding a tray of cookies.