The Restoration (28 page)

“Me, too,” Ben agreed. “It’ll be nice when we can spend more time outdoors. After a while, being cooped up can get to a person. Know what I mean?”

“I certainly do.” Elaine motioned to the coffeepot. “How about more coffee?”

“No, I’m good. I’m wondering, though, if you’re ever going to open the card I brought you.”

“Oh, of course.” Elaine giggled self-consciously. As she tore open the pink envelope and started reading the card, she tried to hide her disappointment by forcing a smile. It was a cute card but not romantic like Jonah’s card had been.

“The card is nice, Ben, and so is the box of candy. Danki for thinking of me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Elaine hesitated, realizing she hadn’t gotten Ben a card.
He must think I don’t care about him.

“This pie is sure good, Elaine.” Ben smacked his lips.

“I’m glad you like it. Oh, and please forgive me for not getting you a Valentine’s card. With my work here, I haven’t gone out of the house all week.”

“No problem. This pie is better than a card anyway. Being here with you makes it even more special.”

Elaine’s face heated, and as she finished the last of her pie, she noticed Ben looking over his shoulder.
What is he looking at?
she wondered.

“Did you get a Valentine’s card from someone else?” Ben looked toward the rolltop desk.

It was then that Elaine realized he had seen Jonah’s old card. She jumped out of her chair and picked up the card, fumbling for something to say. The look on Ben’s face told Elaine that he had a clear view of the front of the card.

He leaned forward, squinting, as though for a better look. “Looks like one of those romantic cards.”

Elaine noticed the tightening under Ben’s eyes and knew she had better explain. “Before you arrived, I was getting ready to write some things down for tomorrow’s dinner. When I opened the desk drawer to get out a tablet, I noticed the card—a card I had forgotten I still had.”

“Oh, I see.” Ben tilted his head to one side.

While several seconds passed between them, Elaine became unnerved. It was uncomfortable, watching Ben run his fingers through his hair as he stared at her. What else could she say? He was obviously a bit distressed.

“Mind if I ask who gave you the Valentine?”

“Jonah Miller, but it was before he married Sara.”

“I noticed when I first got here, it looked as if you’d been crying. In fact, your eyes are still puffy.” Ben leaned even closer and pointed to the card still in Elaine’s hand. “Was it because of that?”

“Sort of.” Elaine quickly put the card back inside the drawer. “It made me think of everything Jonah has gone through. Losing his wife hasn’t been easy for Jonah—especially with two small children to care for. Furthermore, he had to get through the holidays, and so close to when Sara’s accident happened.” Elaine could tell Ben had some doubts. “You know me,” she quickly added, hoping to make light of the situation. “I get emotional about things.”

“Guess it makes sense.” Ben got up and took his cup and plate to the sink. When he turned around and sat back down, she joined him at the table. They continued to visit, but the conversation was strained. When Ben said he’d better go so Elaine could do whatever she needed to do in preparation for her dinner, she felt relieved.

Elaine walked him to the door. “Danki for coming, and also for the candy and card.”

“You’re welcome.” Ben leaned down and gave Elaine a kiss. “See you soon.”

After Elaine returned to the kitchen, she paused, touching her lips. She couldn’t help comparing the way she’d felt when Ben kissed her to how she used to feel when Jonah kissed her.
Why didn’t I put Jonah’s card away after I first looked at it? Did Ben’s kisses always feel this way?
It was terrible, but Elaine couldn’t remember any of Ben’s kisses and how they made her feel afterward, yet she could still recall the fluttering of her heart whenever Jonah had kissed her in the past. She hated to compare things between Ben and Jonah, but not only were their kisses different, the Valentine’s cards they’d given her had been nothing alike.

I need to stop thinking about Jonah
, Elaine admonished herself.
I have no future with him.

Jonah groaned as he entered the living room and flopped onto the couch. Things had been unusually busy in his buggy shop, and he’d had an equally busy evening, taking care of his children. Mom stayed with Mark and baby Martha during the day, but after she fixed supper for them, Jonah had insisted she go home and spend the evening with Dad. Jonah’s folks had been supportive since Sara died, but Jonah didn’t want to take advantage of them. They had a life, too, and it was Jonah’s responsibility to take care of his children.

Martha and Mark were both asleep now, so it was Jonah’s time to relax and unwind. Glancing at the calendar on the wall nearby, he realized tomorrow was Valentine’s Day. His thoughts took him immediately to Sara and how happy she’d been when he’d given her a Valentine’s card the previous year. Of course, she’d always been appreciative of everything he’d done, even something as small as a card.

Jonah wasn’t the only one hurting, though. He thought about Mark, and how Sara’s death had affected the dear little boy. Mark was only three—not old enough to understand the meaning of death. What the poor kid did realize was his mama wasn’t around anymore. Mark’s young mind couldn’t comprehend why she had suddenly disappeared, and Jonah probably hadn’t done a good job trying to explain it to him.

Right after Sara died, every morning when Mark would wake up, he’d cry for his mother. During the day, one or both of the little guy’s grandparents played with Mark and kept him busy while Jonah was at work. In the evenings, when Jonah took over the children’s care and put Mark to bed, he cried himself to sleep, asking for his mama. It tore at Jonah’s heartstrings, but he hoped in time things would get better.

Thankfully, Mark’s need for Sara was lessening, but tonight the little guy had another episode, sobbing for his mother. By the time he finally rocked his stepson to sleep, Jonah was exhausted.

Unbidden tears sprang to Jonah’s eyes, and he blinked to keep them from falling onto his cheeks. Seeing the Bible on the coffee table, he opened it and read several passages. One in particular grabbed his attention: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair,” 2 Corinthians 4:8.

Closing the Bible, Jonah silently prayed,
Help me, Lord. Help me not to give in to despair. For my children’s sake, please give me the strength to be a good daed.

H
ow were the roads on your way over here?” Elaine asked as she and Priscilla prepared for the Valentine’s Day dinner they’d be hosting.

“Not too bad with my horse and buggy, but I noticed a few cars sliding on the road a bit. It’s begun snowing again, too.”

“Let’s hope the weather doesn’t get any worse, or our guests may end up canceling.” Elaine gestured to the food cooking on the stove. “I don’t know what I’d do with all this if the people don’t show up.”

“Maybe it’s just a few flurries and won’t amount to much.” Priscilla tried to make her tone sound hopeful. Truth was, she had some concerns about the weather.

“I hope you’re right. Sometimes, though, the lighter snows can be as treacherous as the deeper ones.”

“Let’s try not to worry about it.” Priscilla gave Elaine’s arm a gentle pat. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Elaine smiled. “I appreciate your positive attitude.”

“Not always, but I try to be. As my grandma Herschberger used to say: ‘It’s always best to look on the bright side of things.’ Besides, there’s no use worrying about something if it hasn’t happened yet.”

Elaine nodded. “Good advice.”

Priscilla gestured to the card on the desk. “Looks like you received a Valentine’s Day card. Bet I know who gave it to you.”

“Ben dropped it by last night, along with a box of chocolates.”

Priscilla smacked her lips. “Yum. Where are you hiding the candy?”

Elaine snickered. “I put it in the pantry so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat all of it at once. Would you like a piece?”

“Maybe later. It’ll be a nice treat to indulge in after our guests have gone home.”

“You’re right. Did Elam give you anything for Valentine’s Day?” Elaine asked.

“Not yet. Elam is working at his folks’ bulk food store today, but we do have plans to go out to dinner tomorrow evening, so maybe he’ll give me something then.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Elaine moved closer to Priscilla. “I don’t suppose he’s said anything about marrying you yet.”

“No, and I’m wondering if he ever will.” Priscilla wished her friend hadn’t brought the topic up. It was hard to keep a positive attitude whenever she thought about how long Elam had been courting her without a marriage proposal. What made it worse was when others asked about it. Now was definitely the time for a change of subject.

“How many people did you say will be here tonight?” Priscilla asked.

“Five couples. And since they are all celebrating their wedding anniversary, it’s a very special occasion.”

Another discussion about marriage. How am I ever going to stop thinking about Elam and the proposal I long for?

“Say, I’ve been wondering something,” Iva said as she and her husband sat in the kitchen, eating an early supper of roast beef with potatoes and carrots. It was one of Daniel’s favorite meals, and Iva enjoyed preparing it for him.

Before he took a bite, he set his fork down and gave Iva his full attention. “What have you been wondering about?”

“Some time ago you mentioned you might speak to Elam and ask what his intentions are toward our
dochder.
Just wondered if you did, and if so, what his response to it was.”

Daniel shook his head. “After thinking it through a bit more, I decided not to say anything.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“Thought Elam might not take kindly to me butting into his personal business.”

“But if his business involves our daughter, then it’s our business, too.” Iva wondered if she ought to speak with Elam’s mother about this.

“I don’t want it to seem as if we are desperate to get our daughter married off. And we sure can’t force Elam into something he’s obviously not ready for yet.”

Iva tapped her foot impatiently. “I see your point, but I really wish there was something we could do to speed things along. Makes me wonder if Elam is afraid of marriage.”

“The best thing for us to do is to pray for Elam—that he will follow the Lord’s leading. If they are meant to be married, it will happen in His time.” Daniel shrugged. “Or maybe someone more suited to Priscilla will come along.” He picked up his fork and started eating again.

Iva’s forehead creased. She hoped the “someone” wasn’t David. She’d seen the way he looked at Priscilla, and she couldn’t help but worry, especially now that he planned to join the Amish faith, which meant he would most likely stay in the area.
Maybe I will speak to Elam’s mamm. Virginia might have some influence on her son.

By the time Elaine and Priscilla’s guests arrived, the snow had gotten worse.

“The roads are treacherous,” one woman said as they all took seats at the table. “But from the delicious aroma of the food you’ve cooked, it was worth coming out on a snowy night to celebrate all our anniversaries.”