[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey (17 page)

“You can if you want, but her mamm’s already tried, and she got nowhere, so Hannah probably won’t listen to you, either.”

“It’s easy for our faith to waver when things don’t go as we’d planned.” Mom paused and took a drink of tea. “Since Titus left home, I’ve found myself questioning God several times, but your daed keeps reminding me that when we suffer disappointments and face difficult trials, that’s when we need to pray more and open up the Bible and study God’s Word.”

Timothy nodded. “I can’t force Hannah to do those things, but I can pray for her and share a few verses of scripture.”

Mom gave his arm a light tap. “I hope Hannah appreciates what a good husband she has.”

Just then, Zach came walking down the driveway, from the direction of his house. “Thought you’d like to know that I talked to Titus earlier today,” he said, stepping onto the porch.

“Did he leave a message on your voice mail?” Mom asked.

“Nope. Spoke to him directly.” Zach took a seat in the chair beside Timothy.

“What did Titus have to say?” Mom asked.

“Said he’s doing okay, and that he bought a cell phone so he can keep in better touch.”

“Are cell phones allowed in the church district there?” Timothy questioned.

Zach shrugged. “Titus said he wasn’t sure.”

“Knowing my twin, he probably bought the cell phone without asking whether it was allowed or not,” Timothy said. “Titus has many good qualities, but he often acts before he thinks.”

“He is kind of impulsive,” Zach agreed.

Mom nodded. “But he’s a good son, and I sure miss him.”

“We all do,” Timothy agreed, “but I understand his need to move away and make a new start. Maybe the journey he’s on will be good for him. Might help him grow into the man God wants him to be.”

Pembroke, Kentucky

Suzanne had been fishing for nearly an hour without even a nibble. If the fish didn’t start biting soon, she wouldn’t have anything to give Mom for supper. She enjoyed the cool shade provided by the nearby trees, but it wasn’t worth it if she wasn’t getting any fish.

Maybe I need to move to another spot
, she decided.
I could try fishing off the small dock that someone built on the other side of the pond
.

Suzanne gathered up her fishing gear, and had just gotten settled on the dock when she spotted Titus heading her way.

A look of surprise registered on his face as he approached her. “Sure didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, dropping to the dock beside her.

“What kind of a greeting is that?” she mumbled.

Titus looked directly at her. “You don’t have to get so huffy. I wasn’t tryin’ to be rude. Just didn’t expect to run into you here at the pond.”

With a flick of her wrist, she cast her line into the water. “Didn’t you think I knew how to fish?”

“It’s not that. I just thought … Oh, never mind.” Titus turned away. “Seems like I can never say anything right when you’re around,” he mumbled.

“It seems like I can never say anything right to you, either.”

Titus baited his hook and cast his line into the water.

“Nelson mentioned that you’d been looking for me the other day and wanted to tell me something,” Suzanne said, changing the subject.

“Uh … jah, I did.”

“What was it?”

He sat several seconds, staring at her.

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me that way?”

“I just noticed that your eyes are a darker blue than Phoebe’s.”

“Phoebe?”

“The girl I told you about the other day. The one who looks like you.” “Oh.”

“Her face is a bit thinner than yours, too.”

“Are you saying that I’m fat?”

His ears turned pink as he shook his head. “Didn’t mean that at all. Just was thinking maybe you don’t look as much like Phoebe as I’d thought.”

“So why were you looking for me the other day, and what did you want to say?” she asked.

Titus pulled his straw hat off and fanned his face with the brim. “I wanted to apologize for the way I carried on when I was trying to get the can off your cat’s head. Guess I acted pretty immature.”

She gave a nod. “Apology accepted.”

“I also wanted to thank you for those flowers you planted at my place. They do make the flower bed look nice.”

Suzanne smiled. “You’re welcome.” Maybe Titus did have a nicer side. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he and Esther ended up courting.

“Is this a pretty good fishing hole?” he asked, leaning back on his elbows.

“It usually is, but today the fish don’t seem to be biting.”

“Really? Because I think I have a nibble.”

Suzanne watched as Titus reeled in a nice-sized catfish. He took the hook out of the fish’s mouth and placed the fish in the plastic bucket he’d brought along.

They sat quietly for several minutes, until Titus reeled in another catfish. “I’m two up on you now,” he said with a grin.

“I don’t need the reminder.” She grimaced. “I’ve never had such bad luck fishing before. I should have caught several by now.”

“What kind of bait are using?”

“Worms. What are you using?”

He held up a worm. “Same as you, only I think mine are fatter.”

She snickered. “I doubt the fish are checking for the size of the worms. Guess it’s just not my day for fishing, that’s all.”

“What other things do you like to do for fun?” Titus asked.

“Anything that has to do with being outdoors. Oh, and I also like to work with—” Suzanne’s hand jerked as a fish tugged on her line. “I’ve got one, and I think it’s big!”

When Suzanne reeled in the fish, she was surprised to see that it was bigger than either of the fish Titus had caught so far.

“That’s a nice one,” Titus said. “I’m impressed.”

She smiled, amazed at how well he’d responded to her catching a bigger fish. Maybe he wasn’t the kind of man who liked to be ahead of everyone else. Maybe he was nicer than she’d thought.

“What are you doing next Thursday evening?” she asked.

“Probably not much. Why do you ask?”

“I’m planning a surprise birthday party for my friend Esther, and I thought you might like to come.”

“That sounds like fun. Where’s it gonna be?”

“At my house. Esther just thinks she’s coming over for supper, and I’m hoping she’ll be surprised when she discovers many of her friends there.”

“I don’t know Esther well enough to be considered one of her friends,” he said. “Do you think she’ll mind if I’m included?”

“I’m sure she won’t. Esther’s always been the friendly type, and I think she’s open to making a new friend.”
In fact, I know she’s open to making you her friend
.

“What time’s the party?” he asked.

“Six o’clock.”

He pulled a pen from his pocket and wrote the time on his arm. “I’ll transfer it to a notebook when I get home,” he said when she stared at him.

Suzanne shrugged.
I hope Esther won’t mind having a boyfriend who writes notes on his arm
.

O
n Thursday evening, Titus headed over to the Yoders’ place, using the old, gray, Lancaster-style buggy he’d fixed up. The buggy now had new wheels and battery-operated blinkers. He’d also reupholstered the seats and put new side mirrors on. It wasn’t as nice as the buggy he’d had in Pennsylvania, but it would serve for most of his needs.

Titus smiled as he set the box with the birdfeeder he’d made in the back of the buggy. It was modeled after one of the covered bridges back home, and he’d stayed up late last night putting the finishing touches on it. Working with wood was one thing he did well, and he enjoyed it more than painting or any other job he’d done since he was a teenager. Since he didn’t know Esther that well, he wasn’t sure what her interests were, but he hoped she’d like the feeder.

He’d just stepped into the buggy when his cell phone rang. As soon as he saw Allen’s number flash across the screen, he said hello.

“Hey, Titus. How are you doing?”

“Doin’ fine. How are things with you?”

“Good. Say, I was wondering if you’d like to see the Jefferson Davis Monument with me this Saturday.”

“Sure.”

“I’ll come by your place in the morning, around ten. Oh, and I’m inviting my friend Connie to go with us, so if there’s someone you’d like to ask, feel free.”

Titus slid his finger down the side of his nose as he thought about Allen’s suggestion. If he went with Allen and his girlfriend, he’d feel like an intruder. If he invited someone to go with him, it’d be more like a double date. But who would he invite? He sure couldn’t ask Suzanne. Being with her, on what would seem like a date, would only make him think of Phoebe. He thought about Esther, and wondered if she’d like to see the monument with him.

“You still there, Titus?”

“Uh … yeah … just thinking about who I might ask.”

“There’s no pressure. Don’t feel like you have to invite anyone.”

“Okay, I’ll give it some more thought. See you on Saturday.”

Titus ended the call and frowned. Why did Allen have to complicate things by inviting his friend?

Suzanne was glad all the guests she’d invited for Esther’s birthday party had arrived early. This gave Nelson and Russell the chance to see that all the horses were put in the corral and the buggies had been parked behind the barn where they couldn’t be seen. Titus had been the last person to arrive, so while they waited for Esther, Suzanne introduced him to some of the young people who’d come from another district in their area.

They’d only been visiting a short time when Russell spotted Esther’s horse and buggy pull into the yard. “I’ll go out and take care of her horse,” he told Suzanne.

“Be sure she doesn’t follow you out to the corral,” Suzanne called as he headed for the door. “Tell her to come right to the house—that we’ve got supper ready and are waiting for her.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll make sure she only comes here.”

When Russell went out the door, Suzanne put her finger to her lips to let everyone know they needed to remain quiet. Several minutes went by; then the back door squeaked open and clicked shut. A few seconds later, Esther stepped into the room.

“Hallich gebottsdaag
—Happy birthday!” everyone shouted.

Esther blinked and covered her mouth in surprise. “Ach, my!”

Amid squeals of laughter and everyone talking at once, Esther made her way over to Suzanne and gave her a hug. “You sneaky little thing. I thought you were just having a quiet birthday supper for me.”

Suzanne smiled. “I wanted to do something special for you this year.”

Tears welled in Esther’s milk-chocolate brown eyes. “You’re such a good friend. I really was surprised.”