The Peacemaker, page 16
Ephraim leaned against his workbench and crossed his arms. I wonder how long it’ll be until Dad feels up to coming back here to work. It probably won’t be for several weeks—least not till the doctor gives him the okay.
Ephraim’s gaze swept over this part of the building. Sheets of loosely rolled leather resembling cinnamon sticks poured out of shelves along one side of the shop. All sizes of snaps, buckles, rings, and rivets filled open boxes lined neatly along one wall. Several bridles and harnesses had been looped from ceiling hooks, and in many places the floor was littered with leather scraps that looked like spaghetti noodles.
Ephraim felt comfortable being here in the shop. Before his folks had asked him to go to Bird-in-Hand to be with Grandma, he’d hoped that his dad might make him an official partner in the business. But now Ephraim figured that would probably never happen. Not unless his grandmother changed her mind about moving here permanently.
He shifted his stance to watch out the front window at two playful squirrels skittering up the trunk of the maple tree growing near the shop. Must be nice to be so carefree, he thought.
Ephraim continued watching the critters frolicking until he remembered that he needed to step outside to the phone shed in order to make a few calls and check any messages that may have come in.
He was about to enter the phone shed when a vehicle drove up and stopped in front of the shop. A few seconds later, Ada emerged from the passenger’s side and gave him a friendly wave. The phone calls could wait. Ephraim was sure she’d come to pick up her dad’s harnesses.
He hurried over to Ada. “Are you here to pick up your daed’s harnesses?”
“Yes, I am. Today’s my day off, and I’m out running some errands. This is my first stop.”
“Well, as I said in my phone message, the harnesses are ready, so let’s go inside.” Ephraim opened the door for Ada and followed her inside.
“How are things going?” They spoke at the same time, which brought a chuckle from both of them.
“You go first,” Ephraim said.
Ada tipped her head. “Go first, as in telling you how things are going, or me listening to you say how things are going?”
Ephraim grinned. He admired Ada’s sense of humor this morning. It was like a breath of fresh autumn air. “You can start by telling me how things are going with you.”
“Things are fine,” she stated. “Nothing new in my life to talk about, that’s for sure.”
“How about your job at the greenhouse? Do you still enjoy working there?”
“Even though summer’s over and we’re into fall, things are still busy.” Ada stood with both hands behind her back. “And to answer your other question—I do like working there among all the beautiful flowers and nonflowering plants.” She took a few steps closer to him. “Now it’s my turn to ask a question … How are things going with you?”
“Here or at home?”
“Both.”
“Noah and I have plenty of work to keep us busy in the harness shop, and I like being here with the smell of leather and everything else we use here in the shop.”
Ada lifted her head and sniffed. “It does have an interesting mix of aromas.”
“Jah, but I’m sure not everyone who enters this shop appreciates them.” Ephraim made a sweeping gesture of the room, drew in a deep breath, and let the air slowly escape his lungs. “But for me, it’s like a sweet perfume.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t mind the smells in here, but I must admit that I would much prefer to take a whiff of a pretty flower that gives off sweet or earthy scents.”
“I get your point. But when you think about it, our jobs are a bit alike, given that our sense of smell is constantly active near stimulating aromas.” Ephraim was on the verge of saying more, when Noah called him from the back room.
“I’d better go see what he wants,” Ephraim said. “But I’ll be right back.”
After Ephraim disappeared into the back room, Ada glanced out the window, hoping her driver hadn’t become impatient while waiting for her. Before Ada had gotten out of Sandy’s van, she had said that she’d only be a few minutes, and that after she picked up the harnesses, they could be on their way back to Belleville to get some shopping done. A part of her hoped Ephraim wouldn’t be too long, so she could be on her way with the harnesses. At the same time, Ada wished she could stay here awhile and talk more with Ephraim. Spending even a few minutes in his presence had stirred up the feelings she’d had for him even before he’d begun dating Rosa.
One more reason I shouldn’t be around Ephraim too often or for too long, Ada thought. Talking to him and gazing into his dark brown eyes makes me long for something I can’t have.
The longer Ada waited for Ephraim to return, the more desperate she felt to depart. She spotted a cardboard box on the front counter and looked inside. It was just as she’d suspected—the harnesses belonged to her father. Ada was tempted to leave some money on the counter and take the box, but there was no invoice inside the container, so she didn’t know the price of the repairs.
When Ada heard voices coming from the back of the shop, she decided to head in that direction. She passed two oversized sewing machines run by an air compressor that sat side by side on a heavy table. A row of tools spilled out of round wooden holders on the wide workbench nearby. The smell of raw leather, savory neat’s-foot oil, and pungent dye hung in the air, even stronger than the odors at the front of the store.
“Hello,” Ada hollered, cupping both hands around her mouth. When she spotted Ephraim talking to Noah, she stepped forward. “Sorry to interrupt.” She tapped Ephraim’s shoulder. “But my driver is waiting, and I need to get my daed’s harnesses so I can be on my way.”
“Oh, sorry,” he apologized. “I was just explaining something to Noah that he was unsure of, but I shouldn’t have left you up front, waiting.”
After exchanging a few more remarks with Noah, Ephraim led the way back toward the front of the establishment.
When they reached the checkout counter, Ada noticed a splotch of dirt on Ephraim’s face. Instinctively, she reached out to touch it, but caught herself and tucked her hand to her side. With the heat of a blush on her cheeks, Ada’s eyes darted to the front door. If she wasn’t careful, Ephraim might catch on to the fact that she had strong feelings for him. And I can’t have that, Ada told herself. I’d be embarrassed, and Ephraim might think I was being too forward.
“How much do I owe you for the repairs?” she questioned, almost sputtering.
Ephraim quoted a price and handed Ada an invoice. “You can take the harnesses home, and your daed can mail me a check.”
“Are you sure? I can pay for it now if you prefer.”
He shrugged. “Whatever you prefer is fine with me.”
“I’ll pay now and you can mark on the invoice that the bill’s been paid.”
“Fine by me.”
Ada unzipped her purse and took out her wallet. After she’d given Ephraim the money, she said, “I can’t leave without getting an answer to my question.”
“What question is that?”
“How are things at home—particularly with your daed since I’m sure he must be home from the hospital by now.”
“Jah, Dad is home, and he’s doing okay physically, as far as I can tell. But his disposition has changed.” With a yawn, Ephraim wrapped a thumb around his lone suspender. “Dad’s uptight and sometimes sharp-tongued with anyone who talks to him. He complains about the restricted diet the doctor put him on and asks me too many unnecessary questions about things here at the harness shop when I get home from work each evening. I understand that he’s in pain right now and going through a difficult time, and he has every right to be frustrated, but that doesn’t excuse him from venting his anger on other people in a rude manner.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through this difficult time.” Once more, Ada struggled with the urge to offer Ephraim sympathy and encouragement with a physical touch. She held herself in check, and expressed with meaning, “I’ve been praying for all of you and will continue to do so. Try to remember, Ephraim, this trial will pass, and God will help you through it.”
He nodded. “I’ve been telling myself that and trying to take one day at a time.”
“It’s the best way,” Ada agreed. She picked up the box. “I’ve kept my driver long enough, so I’d better get going. Give me a call sometime if you want to talk or would like me to pray about anything specific.”
He rushed over to the door and opened it for her. “Danki, Ada. You’re a good friend, and I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Ada’s heart was taut after hearing the words Ephraim had said. If only you could see me as more than a friend, Ada thought as she hurried toward her driver’s van.
“Are you comfortable there in your chair?” Sarah asked, handing her son a cup of herbal tea. “I could fluff up the pillows on the sofa if you want to lie down for a while.”
“I’m fine right where I am. It’s easier to read the paper from a sitting position.” Lewis set the cup on the small rectangular table next to his chair and wrinkled his nose. “And I don’t see why I can’t drink kaffi instead of tasteless herbal tea.”
“Coffee has too much caffeine, which could be bad for your heart right now.” Sarah placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle pat. “You must do everything the doctor says or you could have another heart attack.”
“I get that, Mom, but I’m really sick of sitting around all day, taking pills, and eating bland food. I’d much rather be at the harness shop helping Ephraim and Noah.”
Sarah heard the frustration in her son’s voice and wished she could make things better for him. At this point, however, the best she could do was to help Dorothy cook and serve Lewis healthy meals and make sure that he took his medication at the right time every day.
When Lewis rose unexpectedly from his chair and made his way for the front door, Sarah followed with haste. “Where are you going, Son?”
He turned to face her. “Out for a walk and some much-needed fresh air. The doctor said I should do that, right?” His sharp tone could have cut like a kitchen knife.
Sarah tried to ignore it, but she felt hurt nonetheless. “Yes, but what about your tea? It’ll get cold while you’re gone.”
Deep wrinkles formed across his forehead when he frowned. “Why don’t you drink it then? That way, it won’t go to waste.”
Lewis whirled around and was out the door before Sarah could say another word. She pinched the skin between her eyes and closed them briefly. What’s happened to my son? He never used to be so short with me. Does Lewis resent my help and suggestions? Sarah hoped that wasn’t the case, because she did not want to say or do anything to upset her son. She was here to take care of Lewis during his convalescence, not to add more stress to his life.
Maybe I’m hovering over him too much, Sarah reasoned. Perhaps I should go away from the house once in a while and give Dorothy more opportunity to care for her husband. Although she hasn’t let on, my daughter-in-law may resent me doting over Lewis so much.
Sarah went to the kitchen, where Dorothy had been making peanut butter cookies. “Would you mind very much if I went to town for a while?” Sarah asked her daughter-in-law. “I’d like to do a little shopping, and if you need anything, I could pick it up for you.”
Dorothy slipped the cookie sheet into the oven and turned to face Sarah. “I could use a few things at the grocery store.”
“No problem. Just give me your list, and I’ll get anything you need.”
“Did you want to take my horse and buggy, or were you planning to call a driver?”
“I’ll call a driver from the list of names you keep in the phone shed.” Sarah pursed her lips. “I’m not that familiar with your gaul, and at my age, it’s not easy to manage a horse who isn’t familiar with you if it spooks or becomes stubborn.”
“You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Dorothy patted her pink cheeks. “Ever since my husband’s heart attack, my befuddled brain hasn’t been working right. In fact, I feel like I’m walking around in a fog most of the time.” She handed Sarah a grocery list, then gave her a hug. “I appreciate you being here to help out more than words can say.”
A sudden lightness encompassed Sarah upon hearing that. “I am happy to do it, but I think there are times when Lewis becomes frustrated because I’m hovering too much. That’s one reason I decided to go shopping today. It will give you and Lewis some time alone without me fussing over him and saying things he doesn’t want to hear.”
“He is a bit testy right now, Sarah, but please don’t take it personally. It will take time for my husband to adjust to his limitations, but things should gradually improve for all of us in this house.”
Sarah heaved a sigh. “I hope you’re right about that.”
She told Dorothy goodbye, grabbed her purse, shawl, and outer bonnet, and headed out the door to make the phone call. By the time she got back from town, maybe Lewis would be resting and in a better mood.
CHAPTER 18
Belleville
WHEN SARAH ENTERED THE FABRIC store, she noticed a young Amish woman with dark hair holding a bolt of solid green material. Since the woman stood near the counter, and no one was behind the register, Sarah assumed she worked at the store.
“Excuse me, but do you work here?” Sarah asked as she approached.
“No, I just came in to pick up some material to make a dress.”
“Oh, same as me.” Sarah chuckled. “Well actually, the material’s not for me. It’s for my grandson, Ephraim. I plan to make him a few new shirts.”
The young woman blinked in succession. “Ephraim Peight?”
“Jah.”
“Then you must be his grandmother from Bird-in-Hand.”
Sarah bobbed her head. “How did you know that?”
“Ephraim’s my friend, and he told me about you.”
“Oh, I see.” Sarah smiled. “So then you must be Ada.”
“That’s right. I’ve known Ephraim since we were in school.” Ada held the lengthy roll of fabric close to her chest. “When we were teenagers, Ephraim used to go out with my friend, Rosa, until she …”
“Disappeared?”
With a pinched expression, Ada nodded. “Ephraim must have told you all about it.”
“Jah, about as much as he was willing to tell. My grandson is not one to share his deepest feelings—at least not with me.” Sarah lowered her gaze to the wooden floor.
“He’s been through a lot this past year, losing Rosa, and then …”
“Being forced to leave the Big Valley and move in with me?” Sarah looked up, and she couldn’t help noticing the grave expression on Ada’s face.
“I—I don’t think he felt forced into moving to Bird-in-Hand,” Ada’s voice quavered. “Ephraim cares about your welfare and he wants to help out.”
“But he misses his home here, doesn’t he?”
“I’m sure he does, but he can create a new life for himself in Lancaster County. Making new friends and finding a job that he likes could be good for him.”
Sarah lifted her hands and then let them fall to her sides again. “Ephraim hasn’t found a part-time job there yet, and as far as I know, he has not made any new friends. At least not anyone he’s mentioned to me.”
“I saw Ephraim at the harness shop a few hours ago,” Ada said. “I went there to pick up my daed’s harnesses that had been left there for repairs a few weeks ago.”
“How did he seem?” Sarah questioned. “Did Ephraim look mied?”
Ada moistened her lips with her tongue. “He is probably tired from working hard to catch up on things at the shop. But he’s doing what he likes—that much, I know.”
“You’re right. My grandson gave up a job he enjoyed, and I can’t help feeling guilty about it.” Sarah shifted her stance. “I’m sure you know that Ephraim and I came back here because my son suffered a heart attack.”
“Jah. My familye and I were sorry to hear about it, and we have been praying for Lewis, as well as all of his family.”
“I plan to stay here until Lewis is better, and when I do return to my home, I’m going to insist that Ephraim remain in Allensville, which is where he belongs.”
“He may not agree to that.”
“It doesn’t matter what Ephraim thinks, or his parents. I managed on my own after my husband’s death, and I can do it again.” Sarah held her chin high as she spoke. “I may be getting older, but I can still do most things on my own. And the things I cannot manage,” she quickly added, “I shall pay someone to do. I just know that I’m not going to ask Ephraim to leave here again.” She gestured to Ada. “And if you’re truly his friend, then I hope you will get him to see that he needs to put his needs ahead of mine.”
Ada’s eyebrows squished together. “I’m not sure Ephraim would listen to me. He can be very determined sometimes.”
Sarah rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “How well I know. That young man takes after his father, as well as his grandfather.”
“When the time comes, I will offer my opinion to Ephraim, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Danki, I appreciate that.” Sarah said goodbye, and as she moved to another part of the store, a thought popped into her head. My grandson is fortunate to have a good friend like Ada. And who knows—maybe someday he will see her as more than a friend. A smile formed on her lips. If that were to happen, it would give Ephraim a good reason to stay here in Mifflin County. Then I could return to my home without feeling guilty for taking my grandson away from the place he calls home.
After Sarah left the fabric shop, her driver dropped her off at the grocery store and said she would be back to get her in forty-five minutes. Sarah figured that was plenty of time to get her shopping done, and if she wasn’t quite finished, she felt sure Mary wouldn’t mind waiting.
