The Amish Bride (18 page)

“I don’t know, but don’t you think you should—”

“I’m definitely interested. In fact, I think I sent them a letter of inquiry. I’d love to talk with them.”

Penny was quiet for a long moment. “Okay. I can give you a ride. Let’s plan to go around ten, after their breakfast rush.”

“Or I can walk,” I said.

“It’s no problem for me to give you a ride.” She smiled. “I just don’t want to get between you and your mom.”

“We’re good. We just had a little misunderstanding over all of this, that’s all.” I thanked her and then said I was exhausted. “I’ll see you in the morning,” I added, not wanting her to ask any more questions about my mother.

As I struggled back up the stairs, my legs growing heavier and heavier, my phone beeped. Thankfully it was Ezra and not Mom or Zed or Lexie again. I read the text slowly as I continued to climb.
At the Klines’ place. Voice mail from Will. He’s furious with me. I’m super furious with you. Can’t believe you didn’t tell your mom. You tricked me! You lied to me!

I tapped in an answer as I walked down the hall to my room.
I know, I know. I’m sorry!!! I had no choice! You don’t know what Mom was like there at the end!

Heart pounding, I sent off that text and then followed it up a moment later with another.
We’ll get through this. You’ll see.

It was too bad I didn’t feel as confident as I sounded. Ezra didn’t text me back—no big surprise there. After I took the carved box out of the pillowcase and put it in the top drawer of the dresser, I changed into my nightgown and collapsed into bed.

I
didn’t hear a thing from Ezra the next morning, either. He’d probably been up and working for hours, learning how to milk and run the machines.

I could see no reason to go home. With Penny’s help, I would probably have a job in no time. In a couple of weeks I would check back with Rosalee to see if she had an opening at the bakery so I could be closer to Ezra. Then I’d figure out school. Ezra might have to sell his motorcycle if the Klines were opposed to it, but we could both get bicycles.

Things would work out. I really didn’t want to return to Lancaster County. Freddy was there. Ezra was here. My choice was as clear as day. I sent Mom a quick text, ccing Lexie.
Job on the horizon. All is well. I’ll call soon.

Then I limped downstairs to tell Penny I’d be thrilled if she could give me a ride to the café and introduce me to the owners.

She seemed a little surprised at my dress and head covering.

“You’re Mennonite?” She was wiping down the granite countertops as she spoke. Face coloring, she added, “I guess I shouldn’t have made that joke yesterday about my honeymoon. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be sorry. My mother’s a midwife, so it’s not like I don’t know the facts of life.”

She chuckled. “So the jeans last night were just for the ride out?”

I nodded, realizing I hadn’t mentioned being Mennonite in any of my emails.

“Is that boyfriend of yours Mennonite too?”

“No,” I answered.

Penny began to smile.

“He’s Amish.”

“Amish?” Her eyes widened. “On a motorcycle?”

“Well, he hasn’t joined the church yet.”

“Guess not. Around here some of the Amish kids drive mopeds before they join, but that’s about it.”

“And bicycles,” I added.

“Of course,” Penny said. “All of them ride bicycles.”

“Even the adults?”

“Yes.”

“None of the Amish do in Lancaster County. They ride scooters.”

“Gas powered?” Penny looked quite surprised.

“No, foot powered.”

She laughed again. “How about some breakfast? I can make you eggs and toast.”

“Toast would be great.” I didn’t have much of an appetite.

She set right to work and soon placed in front of me two slices of whole wheat toast spread with butter and strawberry jam. I dug right in, hungrier than I’d thought I was.

Penny seemed like a nice woman, and I was thankful she was taking me under her wing. Having someone to feed me once in a while was great, but helping me to find a job was even better. With only babysitting and housecleaning experience, I needed all the assistance I could get.

“Let’s go,” she said when I was done.

I quickly rinsed my plate and glass and then followed her out the back door to the driveway. She drove a Volvo SUV, the kind of car Ezra considered “pretentious,” given its price tag. But when I sat down on the leather seat, I knew I’d never been in such a fancy car in all my life. Pretentious or not, I was sold.

It only took us a few minutes to reach the restaurant. I could have
easily walked, but then I wouldn’t have had Penny to introduce me. She parked in front of an old brick building with a sign above a door that read Downtown Café. I followed her through to the inside, where the dining room was painted white and lots of light streamed in through the windows. Booths lined the walls, and several tables were arranged in the middle of the room. It was all very clean and simple.

“Good morning,” Penny said to a waitress measuring out coffee. “Is Kendra around?”

“I’ll go get her,” the woman said.

Penny pointed to the last booth and I slid in to it.

Instead of a woman, as expected, a man wearing a paper chef’s hat came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. He was tall and lanky and greeted Penny with a wide grin.

“Did you sleep in?” He winked as he spoke. “I’ve never seen you roll in here for breakfast this late before.”

She smiled. “No, I decided to bring Ella in after the morning rush. I’ll be back on my regular schedule tomorrow.”

The man turned his attention to me. “So you’re looking for a job.” He extended his hand, and I shook it. “I’m Wes. Got any experience?”

I explained that I’d been cooking since I was six, and then added my very limited job experience, saying I’d sent in a letter a few weeks ago.

“Yeah, well, we don’t look at those too closely. Penny recommending you is much better. Did you say you’re from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?”

I nodded.

“You Amish?”

“Mennonite.”

His eyes sparkled. “Close enough. The tourists like that. The cap and dress and all. And anyone interested in the Amish is doubly interested in Lancaster County.” His eyes lit up even more, making me feel like a commodity. “Well, I can’t give you full time, but probably thirty hours a week. Can you start tomorrow? Six a.m. sharp?”

I told him yes, even though I flinched a little at my clothes getting me the job. Still, I thanked Penny profusely as we left, and then, once we were back in her vehicle, I asked if she would mind taking me by the grocery store. She was happy to.

On the way I asked how she knew Wes.

“He went to high school with my son,” she said. “Kendra is his wife. She went to school with them too.”

“Where’s your son now?”

Penny sighed heavily. “Denver. He manages a hotel there. I miss him like crazy.”

“How about your other kids?”

She shook her head. “He’s my one and only. I keep hoping he’ll get married and give me some grandchildren.” She chuckled. “He’s nearly thirty. You’d think he’d be ready to settle down.”

“What do you do? As far as a job?” I asked. She hadn’t mentioned going to work, and it sounded as if she ate at the café every day.

“I’m not employed right now,” she said. “I’ve worked at different things through the years, though. Interior design was the latest, but when the economy tanked business dried up. My husband left me a few months ago. Now he’s in California, from what I hear.” She turned onto the main street. “It seemed as though it was out of the blue, but now I can see there were warning signs the last few years.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, thinking of Mom.

She turned into the parking lot of the grocery store. “That’s why I decided to rent out a room. I’m doing okay financially, although I’ll need to figure out something soon, but I thought it would be good to have some company.”

“What kind of work are you looking for?”

“Well, what I’d really like to do is start a business. A shop. Or a little diner. Something like that.” She pulled into a parking place and turned off the engine. “I’d like something with lots of contact with the public. I need something for the next ten years or so. Once my divorce is finalized, I’ll have quite a few investments to draw from. Then half my ex’s retirement in the future. But I need something to keep me busy…”

I gave her a quick smile, not quite able to imagine the years ahead of her.

I didn’t take long at the store. I bought oatmeal, eggs, bacon, whole wheat bread, sandwich material, pasta, lettuce, black tea, granola bars, apples, and milk. Penny said I could use her staples, no problem.

Once we were back at the house, I put my groceries away, ate a granola bar, and then decided I’d send Ezra a text, even though he was furious with me:
Found a job at the Downtown Café. Start tomorrow morning. Stop by if you have a chance to get into town
.

After I hit “Send,” I settled down to take a nap.

The midday sun was streaming through the window, warming my room. I slept hard for several hours, still exhausted from the ride the day before. When I awoke, thirsty and groggy, I checked my phone immediately, hoping Ezra had called or texted. He hadn’t.

Sitting up on the side of the bed, I felt a sick, sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach—and the long nap had left me out of sorts, which didn’t help. I decided to eat something, and by the time I’d polished off a glass of water and a sandwich, I started to perk up. Surely once Ezra saw my text he’d feel better about my staying. Everything was bound to work out.

I watched Penny through the window of the front door as she sat in her wicker rocking chair on the porch, staring out on the street. I wasn’t sure whether I should intrude or not, but then I received a text from Ezra, and wandered back through the house to the kitchen as I read it.
Finally caught a minute to myself. The two of us are in big, big trouble. At least I am. Why did you lie to me? I can’t believe you did that!

I headed out the back door and out into the yard, noting the patio lined by pots of plants. I sank down onto a plush lawn chair and closed my eyes. I hadn’t exactly lied to him. I was very careful with my wording. Still, I’d obviously deceived him. And Mom.

I opened my eyes and texted back,
I’m sorry, Ez.

Sorry? Will is saying he’s coming out here.

Out here? What do you mean?

To straighten me out. And the Kline family is something else. Darryl already thinks I’m bad news as far as his kids are concerned, especially his daughter.

Daughter? I took a series of short breaths and then forced myself to inhale slowly. No one said anything about the Klines having a daughter. And I never guessed Will would come out after Ezra!

Before I could answer, another text flew in.
Gotta go. Not sure if I’ll be able to see you in the next few days. Cell phones are a big NO-NO here. Don’t come out here for any reason. That would only make things worse.

Ouch. He was mad—but he would get over it. So maybe Will would come out and humiliate Ezra, but then he would go home and we would settle in. Sure, I might only get to see Ezra once a week or so, but once I figured out the baking school situation, I’d be plenty busy between work and classes anyway. Although I did want to get out to the Klines as soon as possible, even more now that I knew there was a daughter, but maybe I should go out to the Home Place first. At this point, I figured I would introduce myself to Rosalee as soon as I could and tell her I was a relative. Otherwise, it would just be more awkward later on.

I felt sorry for Ezra, with his big brother coming out and all. Even though others saw him as worldly and wild, mostly because of his motorcycle, I couldn’t see him standing up to Will. Ezra hadn’t been raised that way. I know Mom hadn’t intentionally raised me to be so independent, but circumstances—or maybe just personality—prevailed.

“Everything okay?” Penny was standing in the doorway of the kitchen.