The Days of Redemption (14 page)

“About what you'd imagine. Now that I opened my own store, I've been busier than I could have ever dreamed.”

Even in his short time of being back, Ed had heard that the business was doing very well.

He was pleased to hear an unmistakable note of pride in John's voice, too. Like most people on their street, he'd been well aware of what John's home life had been like growing up. After his mother had passed away, many in the community had watched the Miller family slowly crumble apart. “We're all proud of you, for sure.”

“Gott
has been might good to me.”

“Yes, He has. You sound content.”

“After the way things used to be? Yes, I am.” He coughed. “More or less. How about you?”

“Oh, I'm glad to be back, and trying to fit into country life again.” For a moment, Ed was tempted to tell him more. To share how stressful so much of his time in Nicaragua had been. People were hungry or sick or alone or . . . you name it. Sometimes, hearing people in Berlin complain about the cold or the noise on the street got on his nerves. Those were such small things.

He got up, poured two cups of coffee, then brought them back into the living room. “Would you like to go grab something to eat?”

“Maybe another time. Actually, Ed, there's another reason I wanted to talk to you.”

“Okay . . .”

“One of the gals who works for me saw you and Viola Keim walking together yesterday. Is that true? Are you friends?”

He couldn't believe he was part of the gossip mill already. “Sure, we're friends. I mean, she works at Daybreak, and my father is very fond of her.”

“Do you know her family well?”

“I don't know them at all. I merely invited her to go get some pizza with me.” With effort, he pushed away the energized feeling he always got when he thought about being near her. “Why?”

“Her aunt came to see me the other day.”

“And? Is there a problem?”

“Not really. Unless you count her breaking my heart years ago.”

Now if that didn't shock him, he didn't know what would. “I didn't know you and Viola's aunt were friends.”

“Oh, we were more than that. I wanted to marry Lorene.”

“How old is she?” he asked, trying to picture the two of them.

“Viola's got lots of aunts and uncles. Her aunt Lorene is the youngest. She's thirty-two.”

“So, she's your age.”

“Yep.”

Ed still wasn't sure what this had to do with him.

But if he'd learned anything while out in the field, it was that less talking equaled more sharing. So, he picked an open-ended question. “How did you feel about her visit?”

“Taken aback. Kind of at a loss. Confused.” He looked thoughtful as he continued the list. “And, if you want to know the truth, more than a little angry.” He rubbed his smooth chin. “That in itself caught me off guard.”

“Why were you angry? I mean, ten years is a long time to hold a grudge.”

He leaned back against the cushions of the old couch. “Believe me, I know it's been too long to be stewing about something that happened so long ago. But I got angry because . . . I think I still feel something for her, Ed. And I don't want to. After all this time, after all the work I've done to get over her, and to make something positive out of my life . . . she's gone and messed it up.”

Jumping to his feet, Ed said, “Would you like a bit more coffee? I'll go get the carafe. ”

He turned away toward the kitchen without even waiting for John to respond. But his response wouldn't have mattered, anyway. What Ed needed was an excuse to buy himself some time. Because he felt suspiciously the same way about Viola. When she'd entered his life, she'd taken all his plans and mixed them up.

When he came back, John still wore a look of confusion. “What should I do? I got the feeling she wants to make amends.”

“Let her, then.”

“Really?”

“All of us need the chance to make things right with people we hurt. God wants that.”

“You're right about that.”

“And, life is short. Maybe now things will be different between you two.”

A sudden hope entered his eyes. “Do you think that's possible?”

“I hope so. I'd hate to think that all of us had to give up on second chances, John.”

“You're right.” He straightened a bit. “I'm living proof of that.”

“Indeed you are.”

“I'm going to go see her at work later this week.”

“I wish you the best with your visit.” Ed was genuinely happy for John. And if he was a little envious, too? Well, that was something he intended to keep to himself.

Later that night, as he stoked the fire, planning to get some reading done before bed, the phone rang.

“Ed?”

Surprised to hear Viola's voice, he gripped the receiver tighter. “Viola, why are you calling?”

“Why? Oh . . . well, I just . . . uh . . . wanted to make sure you knew you were welcome to attend church at our
haus
on Sunday.”

“
Danke
. That is kind of you to let me know.”

“So, do you think you'll be coming?”

He recognized the hope in her voice—it was the same thing he was feeling. “I'll plan on it,” he said. He couldn't help but smile into the empty room.

“I'm glad. But, ah, I should warn you that my parents will likely pepper you with questions. It's their nature to be nosy.”

“It sounds like someone else I know,” he teased. “I don't mind questions from you, or your parents.”

She laughed. “I guess I have been letting my curiosity get the best of me. But I didn't want you to be taken off guard by my parents' nosiness.”

“I promise, it won't be anything I can't handle.”

“Oh. Yes, I suppose you would be used to talking about yourself with lots of people.”

“It's the nature of my job.” He cleared his throat. “Hey, Viola?”

“Yes?”

“I hope you and I will be able to spend some time together, too.”

“Me, too.” Finally, some of the uncertainty in her tone was replaced by happiness.

He was glad about that . . . because that was kind of the way he felt, too.

It would have been impossible to avoid Viola Keim at the luncheon after church. Ed didn't even try. Everywhere he'd looked, she flitted like a butterfly, seeming to make sure everyone had what they needed at the same time.

Dressed in a pale green dress that contrasted well with her dark hair and eyes, she drew his gaze like little else could.

Inside the barn, next to the long tables laden with food, Viola's parents hovered nearby. From the time he'd arrived, he had felt as if his every gesture toward Viola had been watched carefully.

Ed didn't mind the scrutiny, though. He wanted to get to know Viola better . . . and that meant getting to know her family, too.

“Edward, how are you liking being back in Ohio?” her father asked politely.

“I'm enjoying it.”

“And being back in your own bed?” Mr. Keim chuckled. “Whenever my wife and I go on a trip, that's always the first thing we talk about missing.”

Mrs. Keim joined them. “Sometimes we miss the comfort of our own bed and pillows more than the
kinner,
” she joked.

Edward grinned. “I have enjoyed being home, though to be truthful, being home doesn't have the same feeling it used to, now that I'm there by myself.”

“Yes, Viola told us that your father was living over at Daybreak,” Mrs. Keim said.

Ed braced himself for the criticism he was sure was about to come. But instead of sounding judgmental, both of Viola's parents looked as if they didn't find anything out of the ordinary.

“Now that I'm back, I thought my
daed
might want to move back in, but he said he likes where he is. He didn't even want to venture over here with me today. He said they have services there on Sunday that he enjoys.”

“I'm afraid I would side with your father on that,” Mr. Keim said. “The weather is cold, for sure. Too chilly to be going out and about if one doesn't have to.”

“But we're certainly pleased you are here, Edward.”

“Thank you for allowing me to worship here, even though I'm out of your church district.”

“It was Viola's invitation, but we were happy you decided to join us. It's nice to have you here. Plus, we're mighty proud of you. Not everyone is called to go to other countries to spread God's word. Well, it's a blessing for sure. Ain't so, Viola?” Mrs. Keim asked as she passed by holding a tray of cookies.

“Pardon?”

After snatching a snickerdoodle cookie, her father said, “We were just telling Ed here that we are all proud of his good works.”

Mrs. Keim chimed in. “And that we're glad to get to know him.”

She smiled at Ed. “Me, too.”

Just like that, the bond that he'd felt over the telephone line came right back. Feeling a little like a lovesick pup, he smiled back.

When her parents conveniently excused themselves with the tray of cookies, leaving just the two of them standing together, Ed couldn't resist teasing her. “I'm impressed. You sounded almost excited about my mission work.”

“You know I feel bad about how hard I was on you. My sister, Elsie, pointed that out to me. And don't forget, I've already apologized.”

“It's okay. I didn't join CAMA in order to receive praise.” He smiled to take the bite out of his words, then looked around the room. “Where is Elsie? I need to meet the woman who can change your mind.”

Viola scanned the room. “Elsie does have a way of making me realize when I'm being shortsighted.” She laughed. “Ah, there she is.”

Viola led the way.

The first thing he noticed was that they weren't identical, though they had many of the same features. Brown eyes, brown hair, slim build.

“Elsie, this is Edward Swartz,” Viola said when they approached her sister.

“Hi,” Ed said.

Slowly, Elsie got to her feet. “It's nice to meet you,” she said with a sweet smile. “I've heard a lot about you.”

“Elsie,” Viola warned, “you know I haven't been talking about Ed.”

Looking mischievous, Elsie turned to Ed. “Please tell me about this little dog Viola said discovered you.”

Next thing Ed knew, he was talking about Gretta just as if she'd been a special part of his family for years, not days.

Elsie was easy to talk to, and Viola seemed softer and more at ease by her side.

Which Ed found very interesting.

Before long, he knew it was time for him to take his leave. The majority of the church attendees had already left, and he had a feeling the Keims were ready to relax.

As he headed toward the door, he pulled Viola aside. “When will you be back at Daybreak?”

“Tomorrow.”

“What time?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“I'd like to see you. And,” he added in a rush, “I thought maybe we could go out for a slice of pie this time.”

“But we had lunch together twice last week.” He'd impulsively asked her to a brief lunch on Thursday afternoon. She'd looked like she wanted to say no, but gave in, and they'd had a wonderful time laughing and sharing stories. He just couldn't seem to get enough of her.

“Yes, so far we've had pizza and sandwiches together. Not a single slice of pie. Not even my father's chocolate pie.”

Her lips twitched.

He didn't blame her amusement; he knew he was acting a bit foolish. “Come on, Viola, say yes.”

He felt her gaze on him. Measuring him. “I work at Daybreak from nine to four. If you wanted to go out for pie, it would have to be after that . . .”

“That suits me perfectly. I'll see you then, if not before. I'm sure I'll be passing the afternoon with my father and his friends—most likely losing hand after hand at cards.” And trying to find a way to ask her out on a real date, in the evening.

Her cheeks bloomed. “You are too funny, Edward.”

He was a lot of things. At the moment, he was smitten with Viola. Though he wasn't sure it was the best decision he'd ever made . . . and he had no idea how to stop it from happening.

In spite of all the commotion and work leading up to it, church had been wonderful. Viola had sat next to Elsie like she always did and felt the warm caress of God's guiding hand on her spirit as she prayed beside her sister. Sometimes she took having a twin for granted, but at times, like church, when they were next to each other but not saying a single word, Viola was again reminded that their bond was terribly special.

Surrounding them were their circle of friends, as well as their aunts Lorene and Mary Beth. Two rows behind them had sat her mother and grandmother. For a few hours, all the turmoil that had been brewing fell away as they focused on something far greater than all of them.

After the service was over, she'd enjoyed visiting with their many friends. And, of course, spending more time with Ed.

It had caught her a bit off guard, seeing the way he'd gotten along so well with her parents and Elsie. Perhaps that was his personality—he was a real charmer. Or maybe it was her family who'd gone out of their way to make him feel welcome. Any opportunity for a respite from the present drama unfolding in their home had been very much appreciated.

But Viola knew that there was more happening than just that. For the last two years, she'd done her best to try to make a connection with one of the eligible men in the congregation. She'd smiled and chatted. Had done her best to be interested in what they had to say.

But even as the men talked about their jobs and their farms and their families and their horses . . . she knew she'd only been going through the motions. She'd felt curiously empty. She'd felt no spark igniting, or even warmly simmering. Instead, there was an emptiness as she realized yet again that she wasn't interested.