Elijah And The Widow (Lancaster County Weddings 4) (3 page)

“We’ll be done before then,” Samuel assured her.

“Your help means a lot to me.” She felt the onset of emotional tears and blinked to clear them.

Eli smiled. “Friends and family help each other.”

The memory of his grimy face and dirty clothing as Eli had chased after her animals flashed into her mind. The pleasure from the image startled her. “I’ll get the receipt,” she said before she hurried upstairs to her old room. The bill of sale was right where she’d put it, inside the trunk near the foot of the bed she’d once shared with her husband. Then she returned quickly to the waiting men and handed Amos the receipt.

Her brother-in-law nodded with satisfaction as he studied it. “
Ja
, same place.” He stuck the receipt into the crown of his hat. “I’ll let you know what I find out.”

Martha inclined her head.
“Danki.”

“Are you ready to go home?” Jacob asked his wife.

“Ja.”
Annie smiled at her handsome husband, who lovingly cradled their young sleepy son. She turned to Martha. “It’s been a lovely day, Martha. Will you stop by our
haus
soon? We can visit while EJ naps,” she said.

“I’d enjoy that,” Martha agreed. “After the planting, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’ll make dessert for Wednesday,” Annie offered.

“No need. There will be more than enough food.” She’d make sure of it.

Amos and Samuel put on their hats as they stepped outside. Martha followed more slowly with Annie and Jacob. She watched as Jacob, using one hand, helped Annie into their vehicle before he handed her their son. Amos and Samuel stopped to talk near their vehicles. Then Amos got into his buggy and left, while Samuel Lapp waited by his vehicle as he looked back toward the house. “Martha, have you seen Eli?”

“Here,
Dat
,” Eli’s deep voice startled her from behind, causing her to spin to face him. “Martha.”

“Eli! I didn’t realize you were still inside.”

“Annie forgot EJ’s hat.” He held up the child’s small black-banded straw hat to show his father, and with a nod Samuel climbed into his vehicle.

Eli returned his attention to Martha. Her heart pounded as she gazed up at him. There was something about him with his golden locks, azure eyes and charming smile that did something strange to her insides. Alarmed by the feeling, she didn’t smile back.

“If you need anything, just ask,” Eli said. “All of us Lapps are handy with construction tools.”

“That’s kind of you.” And it got Martha to thinking. The house needed repairs. Maybe after the planting she could hire the Lapps.

“Eli?” his father called through the open buggy window.

“Coming,
Dat
.” He seemed reluctant to go. “It didn’t take long to finish Noah’s deliveries,” he said as if she’d asked. “Some customers weren’t at home. As you see, I found clean clothes.” He started to cross the yard, then paused to grin back at her. “Don’t be chasing livestock while I’m not here,” he teased.

Martha had to smile. “I won’t.” Senses tingling, she watched as he climbed into his father’s buggy and while they drove away from the farmhouse down her dirt lane. Eli Lapp was too charming, too handsome and too young—seven years younger—for her to give him another thought. She was getting ahead of herself. So what if she noticed an attractive man when she saw him? It didn’t mean anything. She was still determined to remain single and manage on her own.

Chapter Three

M
artha carried a large chocolate cake as she exited her farmhouse. She smiled at Meg Stoltzfus, who waited on the front porch.

“Let me,” the girl said as she took the cake plate.

It was visiting Sunday. Meg, the young woman who’d stayed with her after Ike’s death and through the winter, wanted to ride with her to the Samuel Lapps, their hosts. Meg often visited or attended church with her since moving back home. Despite their ten-year age difference, Martha and Meg had become good friends.

“How does your
vadder
feel about your riding with me again?” Martha asked as they headed toward her buggy. She didn’t mind driving alone, but Meg wanted to come for reasons of her own, and Martha enjoyed the company.

Meg leaned inside Martha’s vehicle and set the cake on the back floor. She grinned as she straightened. “I enjoy the extra room. It feels crowded in the back of
Dat
’s buggy.”

Martha approached the Stoltzfuses’ carriage. “Morning, Arlin.” She smiled. “Nice to see you again. Missy, you, too.” Missy was Arlin’s wife. “I hope you don’t mind Meg coming with me again. She’s a wonderful girl
.
I enjoy her company, especially after the winter I had.”
After Ike’s death.

Arlin’s stern, weathered face softened. “Staying with you was
gut
for her,” he admitted.

Meg’s four sisters were seated in the backseat of the vehicle.
“Hallo.”
The girls returned her greeting.

“
Dat
, can I ride with Martha, too?” Charlie, named Charlotte at birth, was Meg’s youngest sister. Charlie’s nickname had worked out well since Martha’s niece, who lived in Happiness, too, was also named Charlotte. The older Charlotte was happily married to Deacon Abram Peachy.

Arlin frowned while he seemed to struggle with his daughter’s request.

“I don’t mind if she rides with us, Arlin, but it’s entirely up to you.” Martha made the offer carefully; she didn’t want to offend.

“
Ja
,
Dat
, it will be fun if Charlie rides with us.” Meg beamed at him. “I promise we’ll take
gut
care of her. This afternoon we’ll ride home with
you
.”

Finally, Arlin gave a curt nod.
“Oll recht,”
he said, glancing back toward his youngest. “You may go with Martha and Meg.” There were murmurs from the backseat as Charlie scrambled from the vehicle on her mother’s side. He held up a hand. “Don’t ask!” he warned his other daughters. “The rest of you will ride with your
mudder
and me this morning.”

Ellie Stoltzfus leaned forward between her mother and father. “We are comfortable right here with you,
Dat
.”

The man’s expression softened. “We should go,” he said gruffly. “Katie will be wondering where we are.”

Friends and families gathered to spend time with each other on visiting Sundays. Unlike church days when service started early, visiting occasions began leisurely with folks leaving for their destination midmorning. Martha enjoyed visiting family and friends.

“I’ll follow you,” Martha told Arlin, and the man nodded.

As Arlin steered the horse back toward the main road, Martha, Meg and Charlie climbed into Martha’s vehicle, and Martha drove her horse to follow. The Lapp farm was on the opposite end of their village. As they drove past the William Mast property, Martha spied William and Josie approaching in their gray family buggy. “Morning, William. Josie,” she called. She waved to the couple and their three children, who happily waved back. Martha continued to steer past Jacob and Annie’s house, the Joseph Zook farm and Zook’s Blacksmithy.

“Looks like Jacob and Annie may have already left,” Meg commented. “I don’t see anyone at their house.”

“Ja,”
her sister said. Charlie leaned forward and gestured past Meg and Martha toward a residence on the left side of the road. “Look! There are Noah and Rachel. And their baby!”

Martha caught sight of Rachel and Noah exiting their house. “Noah! Rachel!” She slowed her buggy and waved.

The couple grinned and returned the wave. “Martha! Heading over to
Mam
and
Dat
’s?” Noah said as he cradled his daughter lovingly against his chest.

“
Ja.
’Tis a great day for visiting.”

“
Ja
, a fine one indeed,” he called back pleasantly. “We’ll see you when we get there
.
”

“Who else do you think will be coming?” Meg asked as Martha drove on to catch up with Arlin.

“Not Reuben Miller, if that’s why you’re wondering,” Charlie said. “
Ya
know he’s not from our church district. Mostly likely, he’ll be visiting his own friends and neighbors.”

Meg got quiet. “I didn’t ask about him.”

Martha shot her a sympathetic look. “Have you seen him recently?” This past winter Martha had become Meg’s confidante. She’d heard all about Meg’s feelings for Reuben Miller, who had shown an interest in the girl last year at a youth singing. Reuben had sat across from Meg and paid her special attention during two additional singings, but then had become noticeably absent ever since. “Meg?”

“Nay.”
Meg kept her eyes on the road ahead. “It’s been a while.”

“The Zooks will be there,” Charlie offered, obviously trying to cheer up her sister. “Peter should be with them.”

“Peter.” Meg groaned. “The last thing I need is
that boy
following me with those dark puppy dog eyes of his.”

“Meg, what’s the matter with you?” her sister exclaimed. “Peter is a nice boy, and he likes you.” She sighed dramatically. “And he’s so handsome.”

“Too handsome for his own
gut
,” Meg replied irritably. She drew a sharp breath. “Reuben is nice and as handsome as Peter.”

“I’m sure he is,” Martha interjected. “But I imagine that your sister is concerned because Reuben doesn’t visit you as often as he should. Peter clearly likes you and wants nothing more than to make you happy.” Directly ahead, Arlin slowed his horse, and Martha followed suit, pulling to rein her horse behind him. “I’ve never seen Peter bother you or be a nuisance to anyone.”

Meg shrugged. “Just ’cause he keeps his distance doesn’t mean he’s not annoying,” she said stiffly.

Martha stifled a smile. Meg always reacted strongly whenever Peter Zook’s name was mentioned, a strange thing considering her claims that she harbored no feelings for him.

“Reuben’s probably busy with farmwork,” Meg offered.

“
Ja
, most likely,” Charlie said softly as she leaned in her seat to be closer to Meg. “I only want you to be happy, Meg. I hope Reuben visits you soon since you like him so much.”

Meg rewarded her with a smile. “I know you want me to be happy, Charlie. I want the same for you.” She stayed silent a moment. “What if Reuben thinks I’m not interested in him? Maybe that’s why he’s stayed away.”

Martha doubted it but kept her thoughts silent. “The Kinzer Fire Company Mud Sale is in June. So is the Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction. Maybe you’ll see Reuben at those events.”

Mud sales were fundraising events exclusive to Lancaster County, where the Amish community helped to raise money for local fire departments. Each Saturday throughout the spring, members of their Happiness community donated craft and other items to be auctioned off to the highest bidder as well as food for sale for those attending the event. Mud sales got their name because typically the ground was muddy in the aftermath of spring rain showers when these sales or events took place. Those who attended mud sales frequently knew enough to bring their rain boots.

During the winter months, she and Meg had crocheted pot holders, sewn aprons and made other craft items for local mud sales. Most of their items would go to the two sales she had mentioned to Meg—the Kinzer Fire Company Mud Sale and the Lancaster County Carriage Auction—because they benefited the fire companies closest to their Happiness community. Every weekend through late winter and early spring there’d be other mud sales at different locations. There were also one or two that took place during August.

“He did tell me he’d worked as auctioneer at the Kinzer Mud Sale two years ago,” Meg said brightly.

Martha smiled as she continued to follow Arlin’s vehicle as it turned onto the dirt road to the Samuel Lapp farm. “Then there’s a
gut
chance you’ll see him there.”

“Look! There’s Annie!” Charlie exclaimed as Martha parked her buggy in the side yard next to Arlin’s vehicle. The girl waved vigorously through the side window.
“Annie!”

Annie Lapp grinned as she saw them. Arlin and the rest of Meg’s family got out of their vehicle, the girls quickly following their mother toward the house.

Martha caught sight of Eli Lapp surrounded by a laughing group of community girls. Clearly he was a favorite with them. Martha sighed. Had she been that carefree at their age?

She climbed down from her buggy, retrieved the chocolate cake from the back floor and followed Meg and Charlie to Annie’s side. “
Hallo
, Annie,” she said after the Stoltzfus sisters had greeted her good friend and moved on. “I’m glad you came.”

“I’m feeling great today.” Her friend lowered her voice. “EJ has been taking long naps, and I’ve been able to get some rest.” The fact that the boy remained quiet and content within his mother’s arms confirmed it. Annie’s gaze settled on Martha’s plastic cake tote. “Is that chocolate cake?”

“
Ja
, with dark fudge frosting.”

“You better hide it from Noah. He loves anything chocolate.” Annie smiled fondly at the mention of her brother-in-law’s enthusiasm for chocolate. “He’s liable to eat several slices before it’s time to eat.”

Martha chuckled at the idea of hiding her cake. “Is he that bad?”

“He doesn’t just enjoy it,” Annie told her. “He’s obsessed with it.”

Martha laughed outright. “Consider myself warned.”

Rachel Lapp waved at them as her husband, Noah, drove past and parked in the line of vehicles. Meg and Charlie met the young couple, hoping to hold their baby daughter.

“Rachel is looking well,” Martha commented as she watched Meg reach for baby Katherine. “Being a mother must agree with her.” She smiled at Annie. “I know it does you.”

“I’m feeling well and I’m happy. Jacob is excited about being a
vadder
again.” Her friend’s expression softened. “I’m afraid he expects us to have eight children like his
mudder
,” she whispered with a laugh. “As if two
kinner
aren’t enough to handle at the moment. He forgets that I’m not as young as his
mam
was when she had Jedidiah.”

Martha eyed her friend warmly. “You want them, too.” How she wished she could have had a family, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“
Ja
, I do,” Annie admitted with a chuckle. “We’ll see what the Lord has in store for us.”

A burst of laughter drew Martha’s gaze once again toward Eli. The girls surrounding him were giggling at something he said, as he was grinning, obviously pleased with his audience.

“I wonder if Eli will ever settle down,” Annie said.

Martha studied the young man objectively. “Those girls like him.”

“And he enjoys their company, but never once has he shown serious interest in any one of them. Jacob says it’s because Eli is determined to open his own business first. He’s been working and saving for it for years.”

“What kind of business?” Martha asked, more curious than she should be.

“A carriage shop.”

“Here in Happiness?”

Annie shifted her son onto her other hip. “
Ja.
Says he wants to provide a service to our community.”

Which said a lot about Eli Lapp, Martha thought as she watched him break from the group and head toward Noah and Jacob, who had stopped to talk near the barn.

Rachel approached with Meg and Charlie, who was now holding the baby. As they joined them, talk became centered on the infant.

“She’s the sweetest baby,” Charlie said as she studied the child in her arms, drawing a smile from little Katy’s mother.

“She’s growing too quickly,” Rachel said.

“
Ja
, it can seem that way,” Annie agreed. Her son wiggled within her arms, and she set him on his feet. “Stay here, EJ.” She kept a firm eye on him. “Every time I see him it seems as if he’s grown another half inch.”

The women laughed. “Do you know how much a half inch is?” Meg Stoltzfus said. She showed the group with the space between her two fingers. “I wonder how you can tell EJ’s size, as active as he is. He barely stays still.”

“Except when he’s asleep,” Annie pointed out. She reached to grab hold of her son’s hand to keep him close.

“A
mudder
can see the changes,” Missy Stoltzfus said, joining the women in time to overhear her daughter and Annie’s conversation. She had returned from inside the house.

“I’m glad you agree.” She flashed Meg a teasing look.

Katie exited the house and approached. “What a lovely day! Do you think the boys will want to play ball?” She reached down to run her fingers through her grandson’s baby-fine blond hair.

“Peter will.” Annie smiled at her mother-in-law. “
Ach
, and here he comes now with my
mudder
and
vadder
.” Horseshoe Joe had pulled his buggy into the yard and parked it next to Noah’s.

“Your
dat
has been doing well since his accident,” Martha said.

Annie beamed. “
Ja
,
’tis hard to believe that two years ago he was unable to walk after he fell from his ladder.”

“We’ve had much to be thankful for,” Katie agreed.

“How are Josiah and Nancy?” Missy asked referring to Annie’s older brother and his wife, Nancy, who was Martha’s niece.

Josiah Zook had married Amos and Mae King’s daughter Nancy last year.

“They are doing well.” Annie picked up her son, who squirmed and tried to get away. “EJ, be still.”