Along Wooded Paths (11 page)

Uncle Ike dropped her back at work, and Marianna hurried into the general store. Even though the tip of her nose tingled with the cold, her cheeks stilled burned from her interaction with Aaron. It had warmed the pit of her stomach to see him like that, hair ruffled, with Ellie on his lap and Josiah and Charlie snuggled by his side. She blew out a long breath, as if to blow those thoughts aside for a time. She’d be useless at work if her mind stayed on Aaron’s smile. The brightness of his blue eyes as he called out a greeting. The deep affection, as he told her she’d be a good mother. She’d tried to hold back her emotions, but hearing those words stirred something. The fire for a relationship with Aaron hadn’t gone out completely. Every kind word, every caring look, was like a stick stirring the coals deep, sending off sparks and bringing to life what she’d thought had been extinguished.

She brushed the snow off her wool coat and pulled off the heavy bonnet she’d worn over her kapp. Hurrying to the coat-room, her steps stopped short when she heard voices coming from Annie’s office.

“I’d love a job,” a young woman was saying, “it’s just that childcare—”

“Don’t worry about that, dear.” Annie’s voice rung out like sleigh bells on a carriage ride. “I made a few calls yesterday and found some local ladies who volunteered to help with Kenzie. A few days here. A few days there. At no charge, of course. Just trying to be neighborly.”

Marianna hung up her coat on the hook and then stomped her boots, releasing the snow in half melted clumps and letting them know of her presence.

“Marianna, is that you?” Annie called from the office.

“
Ja
.” She hurried to the office door and looked in. Jenny Avery sat there, her blonde hair pulled into a short ponytail. A thin hand attempted to quickly wipe away the tears on her cheek, but not quick enough.

“Jenny, hello. It’s good to see you. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but it sounds like you’ll be working here, too,
ja
?”

Jenny nodded and shrugged. “Yes, I guess so, I mean childcare was my only problem.” She turned to Annie. Her chin quivered slightly. “Thank you.” She looked overwhelmed, but not in a bad way. “I can start tomorrow if you like.”

“That would be great. I’ll have Edgar train you at the cash register and next week Marianna can train you in the kitchen. Marianna would love an extra set of hands. It’ll give her more time to work on new recipes, won’t it, Marianna?”

“
Ja
. . . yes.” Marianna smiled and glanced to Annie. They weren’t so busy that they needed another set of hands. In comparison to the Amish way of working quickly and getting things done, they had plenty of time for their tasks. The way they often stopped and chatted with customers was proof enough of that.

Still, Annie had a heart of gold. She would make less profit for the store if it meant this young woman would be able to provide for her daughter.

“If you’d like I could show you around.” Marianna motioned to the doorway.

Jenny nodded and rose, following.

Marianna walked out of the small back office and noticed Ben. He stood at the counter. Edgar was checking him out. Marianna paused and smiled. “You’re back so soon?”

“My boss sent me down. I’m getting a sandwich for his lunch.” Ben seemed to feel a need to explain.

“Do ya expect me to believe that? I think you enjoyed breakfast so much you’ve come back for lunch too,” she chided.

Ben shrugged, paying for the lunch.

“I hope your boss enjoys it. Sarah does make good sandwiches.” Then remembering that Jenny stood beside her, Marianna made the introduction.

“Nice to meet you, Jenny.” He grinned. “I think you’ll like working with Marianna. I’d work with her all day if I could.”

Jenny laughed and turned to Marianna. “I think he likes you,” she whispered.

“I like him, too.” Marianna tried to play it off as a joke. “But if he shows up for dinner too, I’m going to be a little worried.”

Ben smiled, adjusted his baseball cap, and sauntered out the door.

Marianna watched him go, feeling her stomach drop to her sturdy black shoes. How could she be so changeable? One moment she was sure she had feelings for Aaron, the next her heart was beating fast for Ben. Oh, what was wrong with her? She turned to Jenny and forced a smile.

“I do like Ben,” she repeated. “As a friend, of course.” She tried to act like he was any other customer. And the truth was, he had to be. If she let her feelings grow for anyone it should be the man sitting on the couch at home. Her first choice, the logical choice. There could be no other answer than that.

“Yes, I like him too. I’ve seen him around.” Jenny’s eyes held a wistful look. “Do you think someone like that would ever be interested in someone like me?”

Marianna didn’t know what to say. She placed a soft hand on Jenny’s arm. “Yes, Jenny. Of course. You’re beautiful, sweet. What’s not to like?”

It was true. And Marianna refused to give in to the pain that filled her at the words.

“Hello, there!”

At Sarah’s happy greeting, Marianna turned from where she was stocking the grocery shelves. Little Kenzie hurried into the store, followed by Mrs. Shelter with her own four-year-old daughter by her side.

“Look at you, Kenzie. Did you have fun playing at my house today?” Sarah bent down, smiling at the young girl.

“I’s not go to your house. I went to her house.” Kenzie turned and pointed a chubby finger to Sarah’s little sister, Evelyn.

Sarah chuckled. “Yes, I know. Evelyn’s my sister. It’s my house too.”

Kenzie looked up, wrinkled her nose and smiled, as if Sarah had just told her a funny joke.

Marianna laughed too.

Jenny, who’d been working behind the counter, hurried around and stretched out her arms to her daughter. “There’s my girl. Did you have fun?”

Kenzie nodded. “I played with kitchens and we made cookies and I weared a kapp.”

“Did you now?” Jenny ran her fingers through her daughter’s reddish brown hair. “I bet that was fun.”

“Mem, is that true?” Sarah asked Mrs. Shelter. Before getting an answer, she turned to Marianna, a soft giggle slipping through her lips. “I remember when I was her age. My Englisch friend and I played dress up. We traded clothes and my mother was so upset to see me wearing Englisch clothes.”

“I can imagine.” Marianna tried to picture herself putting on pants and a blouse. The idea was so foreign. She honestly didn’t know if she’d choose another way to dress even if all Amish bishops told her she could.

“It was only a kapp. Kenzie looked cute. She wanted to be like the other girls.” Mrs. Shelter shrugged. “I suppose I’m getting soft in my old age.”

They chatted for a while, and then Mrs. Shelter left. The Shelters lived a half mile down from the store—an easy walk.

Jenny got her things together. She was only working a half day today. Marianna noticed she only had a light sweatshirt for a coat. If only she had her things from Indiana. She had an extra coat packed in her trunk and would be happy to share.

“It was great getting to know you both better.” Jenny pulled her car keys out of her pocket with one hand and held Kenzie’s red-mittened hand with the other. Just before she opened the door, she turned and paused. “And, Marianna, you’ll have to tell me if Ben comes back for dinner. That’ll be pretty funny if he does. It’ll also be proof that he likes you as much as I think he does.”

“Wait, Ben likes you . . . as in wants to court you?” Sarah’s eyes widened. “But what about Aaron?”

“Who’s Aaron?” Jenny walked back toward the other two.

Marianna looked from Jenny’s face to Sarah’s. How was she to explain all this? “Aaron is a friend from home. He’s come for a visit and was in an accident. He’ll be staying with my family for a while. And as for Ben”—she turned to Sarah—“you know the rules about becoming involved with the Englisch. I enjoy talking to him. He was the first person my family met when we arrived. He’s a friend and nothing more.”

“From the way he looked at you, he hopes you’ll be more than friends.” Jenny cocked an eyebrow. Marianna looked at her with a piercing gaze, but the young woman didn’t get the hint.

“Is that true, Marianna? But what about Aaron?” Sarah asked.

Before Marianna could respond to Sarah’s repeated question, Jenny placed a hand over her chest. “I doubt Aaron—whoever he is—could be as handsome as Ben.”

Their words pressed against Marianna like invisible hands. She leaned against the drink cooler just to the right of the front door. She wasn’t use to this. Amish women spoke in hints. They shared news between each other and never confronted.

“I . . . well, both men are just friends. Maybe . . . someday.” Someday she’d put Ben out of her mind and focus on the man her community counted worthy of her heart.

Marianna heard footsteps coming from the kitchen area, and she turned to see Annie round the corner. From her expression, she’d overheard the conversation.

“Ladies, a girl never tells the secrets of her heart. I have to say I’m not surprised by all the attention Marianna’s receiving. She’s beautiful and kind. I’m amazed there are only two young men vying for her interest.” Annie clapped her hands together as if signaling an end to the conversation. “But it was a good day, wasn’t it? Just think, Jenny, soon you’ll be in the kitchen. I think you’ll enjoy it. Have a good night.” Then with a wave to Kenzie Annie headed back into the kitchen.

Jenny nodded and headed out the door with Kenzie. Even after she left, Marianna stood frozen in place, staring at the floorboards. She wanted to say something—to explain to Sarah—but she guessed Sarah saw her true feelings for Ben on her face. Rumors were already circulating around Indiana that Marianna had stayed in Montana due to her interest in a handsome Englischer. No doubt the same rumors would soon find their way around West Kootenai, too.

Finally, not able to take the tension in her gut any longer, Marianna glanced at Sarah’s face. The Amish woman stood there, her lips parted slightly as if preparing to say something. But before she did, she turned and strode away.

Marianna lowered her head and then turned, pressing her forehead against the cool glass of the drink case, as if that could bring some ease to her heart. She didn’t know how this happened. Why things had to be difficult. She mourned losing the respect of her friends. What upright Amish woman would act such a way concerning two men?

She wanted to pray about it, pray for strength, but her shame blocked the words. She looked at the clock—she only had a few hours left of the workday. But leaving work wasn’t going to help. She couldn’t escape the problem, no matter how she longed to do so.

Half of it waited for her at home.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Why didn’t she remember the answer sooner?

Marianna sat up in the small twin bed, trying to move as little as possible. Ellie still slept, her soft, breathy snores filling the room. Joy, too, was fast asleep in the cradle in the corner. She’d been a troublesome baby the first month, waking up throughout the night. After the second month Mem discovered Dat’s loud snores woke the baby. Once they moved Joy into Ellie’s room, the baby slept much better.

Marianna rose to full height and moved toward the small wooden trunk by the window. The trunk was an old thing Annie had in the back storeroom—something she gladly passed off when Marianna asked. It was just big enough for Marianna’s private things, including her journal, the photograph she’d tucked inside it, and now the little book she’d bought at the West Kootenai store today. The book had caught her eye after Jenny left for the day. It had the simple title,
God’s Promises for Uncertain Times.