Dear to Me (13 page)

 Melinda watched in horror as the raccoon darted around the living room, bumping into pieces of furniture and acting disoriented.

 “What’s wrong with that coon?” Gabe asked, scratching the side of his head. “It’s carrying on like it’s been drinking hard cider or something.”

 “As I said before, Reba has limited vision. She does seem to be able to follow movement, though.”

 Gabe snapped his fingers. “That’s good news. Open the front door, and I’ll see if I can get the critter to follow me outside.”

 “I’ll help you, Gabe,” Papa Noah said when he entered the room, followed by Mama and Isaiah.

 Melinda wasn’t sure Gabe’s plan would work, but she figured she should be prepared just in case. “Let me go out to the barn and get Reba’s cage. If she does run out the door, I’ll need to be ready for her.”

 “Okay, but hurry,” Mama said, fanning her flushed face with her hands.

 Moments later, Melinda stood on the front porch holding the cage. She set it in front of the door and hollered, “Okay. I’m ready!”

 Mama held the door open, and as Melinda watched the scene unfold, she didn’t know who looked funnier—the raccoon, who continued to bump into things, or the menfolk, as they took turns diving after her.

 After several more attempts, Reba was finally ushered out the door and into the cage. Relieved that the chase had ended, Melinda flopped into a chair and doubled over with laughter.

 “I don’t see what’s so humorous,” Mama grumbled. “This is the second time in a month that one of your critters has gotten into the house and caused an uproar, and I’m getting tired of it.”

 “Your mamm’s right,” Papa Noah added firmly. “This kind of commotion has got to stop.”

 Melinda was tempted to remind her folks that she wasn’t the only one in the family responsible for bringing animals inside, but she didn’t want to start anything with Isaiah. She glanced over at Gabe, hoping he would say something on her behalf, but he merely stood there with a placid look on his face. Was he on their side, too?

 “Gabe and I had planned to go for a buggy ride,” Melinda said. “That’s why he dropped by.”

 Mama shook her head. “Until you can find some way to keep your animals locked in their cages and out of my home, you won’t be going anywhere to socialize.”

 “But Mama, that’s not fair—”

 “And neither is tearing up the house! You’re nineteen years old, Melinda, which means you should be more responsible.” Papa Noah frowned. “And one more thing: As long as you’re living under our roof, you’ll do as we say. Is that clear?”

 Melinda nodded slowly and blinked back tears. One crept from the corner of her eye and into her hairline. She wiped it away with a sniff.
Maybe I shouldn’t be living under your roof
.

Chapter 11

M
elinda was on her way to Seymour to deliver some of Grandpa’s rhubarb-strawberry jam to the owner of the bed-and-breakfast when she decided to stop and see Gabe. She planned to ask if he would make some new locks for her cages, because as long as her animals kept getting out, her folks would be irritated and might ask her to stop taking in strays altogether. If that happened, she would feel as if she had no other choice but to leave.

 When Melinda pulled up to Swartz’s Woodworking Shop and hopped down from the buggy, she noticed Gabe’s mother in her vegetable garden, working with a hoe.

 “Nice day, isn’t it?” Leah called with a friendly wave.

 “Very pretty.”

 “Have you got a minute?”

 “Jah, sure.” Melinda headed up the driveway and joined Gabe’s mother at the edge of her garden. “It looks like things are growing well. How are you able to keep up with all the weeds?” She knew Gabe’s parents were both in their sixties and figured with no children except Gabe living at home, it would be harder to get things done.

 Leah pushed a wayward strand of grayish-brown hair away from her flushed face. “My daughters Karen and Lydia often drop over with their kinner, and everyone helps me weed.”

 Melinda did a mental head count. Leah and Stephen Swartz had five children and twenty grandchildren. Since all of their offspring were still young enough to have more kinner, they could likely end up with several more grandchildren. She wondered if she and Gabe would be blessed with many children when they got married.
If we get married
, she corrected her thoughts.
What if he changes his mind about marrying me after I tell him about Dr. Franklin’s suggestion that I become a vet?

 Melinda still struggled to make a decision, but with her folks not understanding her need to care for animals and refusing to let her go out with Gabe, she wondered if it might not be best if she did leave home and pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Truth was that the longer she worked for Dr. Franklin, the more she desired to become a vet. It would mean great sacrifice and a lot more schooling, but she’d almost convinced herself that it was God’s will. Of course, she would still need to convince Gabe.

 “I’ve got a question for you,” Leah said, bringing Melinda’s thoughts to a halt.

 “What is it?”

 “I know you work at the vet’s and care for lots of animals at home.”

 “That’s true.”

 “I’ve been having some trouble with deer getting into my garden and wondered if you had any ideas on keeping them out.”

 Melinda knew firsthand that the deer and other wildlife in the area could take over a garden if certain measures weren’t taken. She also knew some folks used that as an excuse to shoot the deer.

 “The best thing would be to build a tall fence, but we’ve had fairly good luck at keeping the deer out by hanging tin cans around our garden so that when the wind blows, the noise from the cans scares the deer away,” Melinda said. “My mamm has also shaved some strong-smelling soap and sprinkled it around the outside of the garden. Another idea would be to put some feed out for the deer close to the edge of your property. If they’re getting enough to eat, they won’t be as likely to bother your garden.”

 Leah smiled. “I appreciate the suggestions. You’re real
schmaert
, Melinda.”

 “I’m only smart about things pertaining to animals.”

 Eager to see Gabe, Melinda glanced toward the woodworking shop.

 “I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you came to visit my son,” Leah said. “And if I know Gabe, he’ll be pleased to see you.”

 Melinda nodded. “I did want to speak with him. Guess I’ll head out to the shop and do that now.”

 “Tell Gabe I’ll have lunch ready in an hour or so.”

 “Okay. It was nice talking to you, Leah.”

 “Same here.”

 Melinda entered the woodworking shop and spotted Gabe sanding a cabinet door. “Nice job you’re doing,” she said with a smile.

 “Danki.” He set the sandpaper aside and leaned on his workbench. “You’re just the person I was hoping to see today.”

 She felt a warm sensation spread over her face. “That’s nice to know.”

 “I’ve been planning to make new cages for your critters but haven’t had the time yet.” Gabe smiled. “I have been able to make a couple of new doors for the cages you already have, though. I thought if it was okay, I’d bring the doors by your house this evening and test them on your sneaky raccoons.”

 “That would be great,” Melinda said with a burst of enthusiasm. Gabe’s solution was better than her idea of getting new locks for her cages. “I’ll be home all evening, so feel free to come by anytime after supper.”

 “Where are you headed to now? Or did you drive down this way just to see me?” he asked with a hopeful-looking smile.

 She grinned in response. “I did come by to see you, but I’m also on my way to Seymour to take some of Grandpa’s jam to the bed-and-breakfast. The owners will probably serve some of it to their customers, and I think they’re planning to sell a few jars in their gift shop.”

 “I’m glad your grandpa’s doing better these days and has found an outlet for his jam.” Gabe motioned to the door. “My daed’s outside cutting a stack of lumber that was delivered yesterday afternoon, but I think he’s planning to head for Seymour soon, too. He has some finished cabinets he wants to deliver to an English woman who works for the chiropractor there.”

 Melinda made a sweeping gesture with her hand. “If they look anything like the ones I see here, I’m sure she’ll be real pleased.”

 Gabe blew the sandpaper dust off the cabinet, and it trickled through the air, causing Melinda to sneeze.

 “Sorry for sending all that dust in your direction,” he said with a look of concern.

 “I’m all right.”

 “I guess you’ll have to get used to sandpaper dust if you’re planning to marry a carpenter.”

 She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Gabe— there’s—uh—something I need to tell you.”

 “What is it, Melinda? Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?”

 “It’s not that.”

 “What is it, then?”

 She was about to reply, when Gabe’s father stepped into the room. “Herman Yutzy’s here to pick up the table and chairs his daed ordered,” he announced. “I need your help loading them into his wagon, Gabe.”

 “Jah, okay.” Gabe smiled at Melinda. “Duty calls.”

 “That’s all right. I need to get going anyhow. I’ll see you this evening, Gabe.”

 “You can count on it.”

“It’s good you didn’t have to work today,” Mama said to Susie as the two of them finished up the breakfast dishes. “Maybe the two of us can get some baking done.”

 Susie wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand and groaned. “It’s hot in here, and I don’t feel much like baking.”

 “What do you feel like doing?”

 “I don’t know, but anything that will get me outside would be a welcome relief. My job at the store keeps me inside way too much, and my face is paler than goat’s milk.”

 Mama clucked her tongue and reached for another clean dish to dry. “How you do exaggerate, girl.”

 “I’m not exaggerating. When I looked in the mirror this morning, I could hardly believe how pasty I looked.”

 “If you think you need more sun on your face, then why not spend the day weeding the garden?”

 “Since Grace Ann and Faith were here last week helping you work in the garden, it’s almost weed-free.”

 Mama nodded. “That’s true. They were a big help to me that day.”

 Susie glanced out the window and noticed an open buggy pulling into their yard. “Looks like Melinda is here,” she said, motioning toward the window with her soapy hand. “I wonder what she wants.”

 “Probably stopped to say hello.”

 A few minutes later, the back door opened, and Melinda stepped into the kitchen. “Wie geht’s?” she asked with a cheery smile.

 “We’re doing fine,” Mama replied.

 “What brings you by so early this morning?” Susie asked.

 “I’m on my way to Seymour to take some jars of Grandpa’s rhubarb-strawberry jam to the bed-and-breakfast,” Melinda replied. “I decided to drop by here first and see if you wanted to ride along.”

 Susie smiled. “A trip to Seymour sounds like a fun way to spend my day off. If we stay around long enough, maybe we can go somewhere for lunch.”

 Melinda nodded. “I wouldn’t mind getting some barbecued ribs at Baldy’s Café.”

 Susie licked her lips. “That does sound good.”

 “If you’re going into town, maybe you could drop by the grocery store and pick up a few things for me before you head back home,” Mama said.

 Susie looked over at Melinda to get her approval.

 “Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Melinda slipped one arm around her grandmother’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “Would you like to go with us?”

 Mama shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I think it would be good for the two of you to do something fun together. With Susie working at the store, and you helping out at the vet’s part-time, you don’t get much time together anymore.”

 “And when you’re not working for Dr. Franklin, you’re either with Gabe or taking care of some injured or orphaned critter,” Susie put in as she finished the last dish and turned to face Melinda.

 Melinda’s forehead wrinkled. “You make it sound as if I don’t have time for my family anymore.”

 “I never said that.”

 “Not in so many words, but—”

 “I’m ready to go if you are,” Susie said, cutting Melinda off in midsentence. She wasn’t in the mood to argue this morning, and it seemed that every time she and Melinda discussed her need to be with animals, they ended up in a disagreement.

 “Let’s go then.” Melinda opened the back door. “See you sometime this afternoon, Grandma.”

 “Jah, okay. Have a good time.”

 Susie dried her hands on a towel, grabbed her black handbag from the wall peg, and rushed out the door behind Melinda.