The Hawaiian Quilt (17 page)

“Yep. You can have all the waves you want today.” Ken looked at Mandy and winked.

They talked for a while, and then Taavi picked up his board and headed back into the surf. He paddled a good distance, and when the wave began, he was up on his feet, moving swiftly along in front of it. The way he sliced through the water, with the ocean’s momentum, was incredible.

They continued to watch Taavi and others who were surfing the huge breaks in the water.
I wonder what Ellen is doing right now
, Mandy mused.
She’s missing out on everything
.

“A nickel for your thoughts.” Ken nudged her arm gently.

“I was thinking how Ellen is missing out on this beautiful beach and the fun going on in the water.”

“I never get tired of coming to the beach. Makes me glad I’m living in Hawaii.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of gum. “Would you like a piece?”

Smiling, she took one. “Thank you, and thanks again for paying for the drinks and chips we got at the drive-through.”

“You’re welcome.” He put the gum back in his pocket.

Mandy watched as two surfers rode a wave a little too close to each other. It was one of the largest waves she’d seen so far. Neither guy seemed willing to give up his spot.

“Boy, they’re too close!” Ken stood about the time the two guys collided with each other. They both splashed into the water and disappeared in the waves. Unfortunately, one of the surfers was Taavi.

“Sure hope no one got hurt. I’d better go check.” Ken raced toward the water.

Mandy’s heart pounded. She got up from the blanket, hoping for a better view. Holding her hands tightly against her sides, she prayed,
Lord, please help Ken’s friend and the other fellow to be okay
.

Both guys surfaced. The people on shore seemed relieved, as everyone clapped. Taavi and the other surfer paddled to shore on their boards. When the fellow Taavi had collided with came out of the water, it appeared that his nose was bleeding. Ken took a look at him, then Taavi and turned to wave at Mandy.

A few minutes later, Ken ran back to her. “The other guy must have gotten clipped in the nose by his board, but it’s not serious.”

Relieved, Mandy took her seat again. She was glad no serious injuries had occurred. She directed her gaze toward the water, watching the young guy lying on the sand pinching his nose. Someone handed Taavi some tissues, and he took them over to the injured fellow. Then he headed in their direction.

“A great day for this sport.” Taavi grimaced. “As you can see, accidents occur, no matter how much practice one’s had.”

“Does this happen a lot out here?” Mandy adjusted her scarf, keeping it from slipping off her head.

“It’s random. Some people can go a long time and not get hurt. But sometimes it can sneak up on you, like it did for us today.”

“Is his nose broken?” she questioned.

“Didn’t look like it. He’d know if it was, since he’s had it broken before.” Taavi plopped down on the sand.

Ken sat on the other side of Mandy, pulled out his cell phone, and brought his knees up to his elbows. “Looks like I missed a call from my mom. Guess I’d better see what she wanted.” He hopped up from the blanket and began to pace, kicking the sand a few times while he walked. “Hi, Mom. Yeah, we’re still at the beach. Umm … I’m not sure when I’ll be there.”

Mandy tried not to eavesdrop, but it was hard not to hear what Ken was saying, with him only a few feet away.

“How are you liking Hawaii, Mandy?” Taavi asked.

“It’s nice. You live on a beautiful island.”

“Yeah, it’s great. So where ya from?” He combed back his wet hair with his fingers.

“My friend Ellen and I are from Middlebury, Indiana. We’re staying with Makaio and Luana Palu and helping out at their B&B until he’s back on his feet again.”

“Yeah, I heard about his accident. Makaio’s a nice guy. Too bad it happened.”

Mandy nodded.

“You’re a long way from home. It’s nice of you to hang around so you can help out. Wouldn’t be easy on Luana, tryin’ to do everything by herself.”

“We’re glad to do it, and I’m hoping during our free time we can see a few places on the island.”

“Where’s your friend today? Didn’t she want to come to the beach?”

“Ellen had something she wanted to get done.”

“Did I miss much?” Ken plopped down beside Mandy again.

“Not really. Mandy and I have been getting acquainted.” Taavi pointed toward the water. “Now would ya look at that? The guy I collided with is already in the water and up on another wave.”

They visited awhile longer, until Taavi said goodbye and headed back out to the water with his board.

Ken glanced briefly at Mandy and smiled, before leaning back and resting his elbows behind him.

She returned his smile, and as a gentle breeze blew across her face, she found herself savoring the moment and wishing she could freeze time so she could remain here forever.

Elkhart, Indiana

O
n Monday, November 18, as the train pulled into the station, Barbara’s heart began to race. They’d only been gone twenty-one days, but it seemed so much longer. “Oh look! It’s snowing.” She pointed out the window. “Now, that’s a pretty homecoming.”

Other passengers commented on the snow. Two young boys had their faces pressed against the window, fogging up the glass. One of them drew a smiley face with his finger.

“What a contrast from the blue skies and sunshine we had in Hawaii,” Sadie commented. “All the hardwood trees have their winter look—gray and bare of leaves.”

“Jah,” Barbara agreed. “But the white pines are sure pretty. Their soft green needles, with a light sprinkle of snow, reminds me of the holidays fast approaching.”

Sadie grunted, rising from her seat. “It’s gonna be hard to get used to cold weather again. In some ways, Mandy and Ellen are lucky they got stranded on Kauai.”

“I can’t believe you would say such a thing.” Barbara stood and reached for her carry-ons. “I’m glad to be here, and I bet they’re missing home as much as we were.”

“I’m happy to be here, too. I only meant I’ll miss the nicer weather and our friends get to enjoy it longer than we do.” Sadie pulled on her heavy shawl and picked up her tote bags and purse. “For me, it will seem more like the season, especially with Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner. I can’t imagine those holidays without cold temperatures and a bit of snow.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Barbara agreed, pulling her jacket closed at the neck. When they’d left Indiana at the beginning of their trip, it had been chilly, so they’d taken their jackets and sweaters along. But they’d never worn them in Hawaii except on the Big Island when they visited the volcano and a few times on the ship. The colder weather would take some getting used to.

The two boys Barbara had been watching earlier tried to get around Sadie in their eagerness to get off the train. Their mother called out to them, but one of them managed to squeeze past. In the middle of trying to collect all their things, his mother hollered for him to wait. Barbara and Sadie moved aside so the boy’s mother and younger brother could join him.

When Barbara stepped off the train, she spotted her parents right away. Sadie’s mother and father were there, too. Hugs and smiles were given all around, and more than a few tears were shed. Once their suitcases, as well as Mandy’s and Ellen’s, were taken off the train, they loaded everything into their driver’s van.

“It’s a shame Mandy and Ellen aren’t with you.” Barbara’s mother wiped at the tears beneath her eyes. “I talked to Mandy’s mamm the other day, and she misses her daughter.”

Before they climbed into the van to leave for home, Barbara squeezed her mother’s hand. “I’m sure they miss their folks, too.” Snowflakes fell onto her eyelashes, and she had the urge to stick out her tongue to catch a few of the crystals. “It’s good to be back. I had a great vacation, but there’s no place like home.”

Middlebury

I can’t believe Barbara and Sadie are getting home today, but Mandy won’t be with them
. Gideon fretted as he headed down the road with his horse and buggy toward his mother’s store.
Maybe calling her and explaining how hard it is to be without her would get Mandy home sooner. I should be at the train station right now, greeting my
aldi,
instead of here, wishing it were so
.

“Wow!” Gideon nearly jumped out of his skin when a car coming up on him tooted its horn. Being deep in thought, he’d allowed his horse to drift over into the other lane. He redirected the animal to the right side of the road.

After the car drove by, Gideon leaned back in his seat and tried to relax. But the knowledge of Mandy still being in Hawaii stuck in his craw.

“I need to quit stewing about this,” Gideon mumbled.
Complaining and rehashing won’t bring Mandy back any sooner. I shouldn’t be thinking so much when I’m driving my horse and buggy, either. If I’m not careful, I could end up in the hospital, seriously injured
.

The roads were still bare, even though it had started snowing. He felt safe giving his horse the freedom to trot and was soon pulling up to the hitching rail at the quilt-and-fabric store.

When Gideon entered the building, he found his mother behind the counter cutting material for Ellen’s mother, Nora. He figured she probably missed her daughter and wished she had arrived home today, too. Gideon wanted to say something but decided it might be best to keep quiet. No point pouring vinegar on the wound. Nora wouldn’t want to be reminded of her daughter’s situation any more than he did Mandy’s.

“I’m heading to the back room to unload those boxes you mentioned would be coming in today,” he announced when Mom glanced at him.

She smiled and gave a quick nod, then kept right on cutting.

Gideon hurried to the back of the store, nearly bumping his elbow on one of the shelves. As he stepped into the storage room, he spotted four large boxes filled with bolts of material. With Barbara gone almost a month, and Mom being shorthanded, Gideon often came by the store after he got off work to help out. Mom had mentioned hiring someone during Barbara’s absence but in the end decided to try and get by. If Gideon hadn’t been helping a few hours each day, Mom may have changed her mind.

Focused on the task at hand, he opened the first box and pulled out several bolts of material, all in different shades of green. After placing them vertically on the proper shelf, he went back and got some more. Soon every box was empty, so he headed up front to see what else Mom wanted him to do. As he approached the counter, the front door opened, and Barbara stepped in.

“Wie gehts?”
he asked, surprised to see her. He hadn’t expected she’d be at the store so soon. “How was your trip?”

Barbara’s blue eyes twinkled like fireflies dancing on a sultry summer night. “It was amazing! I can’t begin to describe the beauty of Hawaii.”

“Welcome back.” Mom stepped around the counter and gave Barbara a hug. “Was it hard to leave the warm weather and return home to snow?”

“A little.” Deep dimples formed in Barbara’s cheeks when she smiled. “I did enjoy my vacation but missed my family, so I was ready to come home.” Her shoulders drooped a bit. “I’m only sorry Ellen and Mandy couldn’t be with Sadie and me today. It was exciting to have our parents waiting for us at the train station this morning.”

Gideon’s jaw clenched.
Mandy should have been with you, and I ought to have been there waiting to greet her
. He was giving in to self-pity again but couldn’t seem to help himself.

Mom gave Barbara’s shoulder a pat. “I missed you. Not only for your help here at the store, but for the enjoyment we have when we visit during slow times.”

“I agree.” Barbara glanced at Gideon, then quickly back at his mother. “Is my job still waiting for me, or have I been replaced?”

Mom shook her head. “You’re too good of a worker to be replaced.”

“Can I start back tomorrow, or would you rather I wait till Monday?”

“If you’re up to it, tomorrow would be fine.” Mom looked at Gideon. “Did you get all those bolts of material put out?” Shifting her weight, she rested her hand on the counter.

“Jah. Came up to see what else you might want me to do.”

She reached under her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Let’s see. I suppose you could stay behind the counter while I take a much-needed break.”

“I don’t mind, as long as no one comes in needing material cut.” Gideon’s forehead wrinkled. “I wouldn’t be any good at that.”

Barbara chuckled. “For goodness’ sake, you work with upholstery all day. I would think you’d be an expert at cutting material.”

“Nope. I don’t do the cutting. That’s Aaron’s job. I take care of doing the books and waiting on customers, ‘cause I’m the one good with numbers.”

Mom tapped her foot, the way she did when her patience grew thin. “I’ll tell you what, Son, if someone comes in needing material cut, you can come get me.”

“Okay.” Gideon waited for his mother to head to the back room, then he stepped behind the counter in her place.

“Would you like me to stay until she comes back?” Barbara offered. “If a customer comes in and wants some material cut, I’ll do it for you.”