The Courtship Basket (9 page)

“Mike?” Marie faced him. “Is everything all right?”

“What does her note say?”

“It's really sweet. She says she's been thinking of you and your family and thought she could help lend a hand. She sounds like a really nice
maedel
.”

He lifted a suspicious eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Just read it.” She opened the lid on the basket and handed him a note written on plain white paper. “I know you always say you don't need any help, but she's reaching out to you. She seems very kind and thoughtful.”

Mike took the note and unfolded it.

Dear Mike,

I hope this note finds you well. I've been thinking of you and John since we talked that day at your shop. I wanted to do something to help you both, so I thought I could send you a meal a couple of times a week to help lighten your load.

I've been working one-on-one with John, and he's improving both with his behavior and his classroom work. I've written about it in his journal, but I'm not sure if you've seen my notes since your cousins have been responding to them.

I know you are very busy, so I understand if you can't respond to the journal. I just wanted you to know John is making progress every day.

I hope you enjoy the casserole.

Most sincerely,
Rachel Fisher

Mike rubbed his chin. This note didn't sound like it came from the irate teacher who had berated him in his shop a couple of weeks ago. What had caused her change of heart?

“Isn't that nice?” Marie asked. “And I love the basket. Look at the Scripture verse written inside the lid.” She pointed toward words written in nice penmanship. They were a bit faded, but could still be clearly read.

When Mike read the verse, he felt a pang in his chest. It was as if the Lord were speaking directly to him. He let the words roll through his mind, and they warmed his soul.

“She sounds very sweet,” Marie said, interrupting his thoughts. “I assume she's single,
ya
?”

“Please don't start.” Mike shook his head and frowned. “You sound like your
bruder
.”

“Really?” Marie sat on the chair across from him, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What did Sam say?”

Mike speared more casserole. “Sam asked me if I was dating
Rachel the day she came to the shop and complained to me about John's behavior.”

Marie looked confused. “She came to the shop?”

“I figured Janie had told you what happened.” When Marie shook her head, he ate more casserole and wiped his mouth before sharing the story. Her expression became more and more bewildered as he spoke.

“I'm surprised Janie didn't tell me. Maybe she mentioned it to
Mamm
and
Mamm
forgot to tell me. Anyway, I had no idea Rachel complained about John and criticized you. That doesn't sound like the teacher who has been writing in the journal.” She fished the journal out of John's tote bag and then handed it to him. “Read what she's written since then.”

Mike chewed on more casserole while he flipped through the journal. He read her apology twice before finding page after page of positive comments about John, detailing his improved behavior and attitude in the classroom and on the playground. He shook his head with amazement. Why had Rachel's attitude changed? Was she still afraid he would call the school board chairman and report her, which would cause her to lose her job?

“
Was iss letz?
” Marie asked.

“I don't understand it,” Mike said, still studying one of Rachel's notes from last week. Her handwriting was perfect—neat and tidy. The notes sounded like something a teacher would write. He imagined her sitting at the desk in the classroom while writing them.

“Aren't you thankful he's doing better?” Marie prodded, looking bemused.

“I am, but this sounds like a different teacher wrote them. Rachel had nothing nice to say about John when we spoke at the shop.” He closed the journal and pushed it over to her.

Marie shrugged. “She's changed her opinion of him. I think
that's a
gut
thing.” She stood and put the journal in the tote bag before returning to the sink.

John appeared in the doorway. “You're home, Mike.” He crossed the kitchen and sat down across from his brother. “Did you like the food Teacher Rachel sent home?”

Mike nodded while chewing another bite. “It's very
gut
.”

“She asked me yesterday if we all liked tuna. I told her we did.” He rested his chin on his palm. “She said she's going to send something else home later this week if it's okay with you. I'm going to tell her it's fine.”

Mike blinked. He hadn't heard his brother sound so enthusiastic about anything in a long time. His smile warmed Mike's soul.

“Teacher Rachel is so nice,” John continued. “She's been helping me with my spelling, reading, and math. Every day we work together while the rest of the class reads out loud. She says I'll be reading out loud soon too.”

Marie gave Mike a knowing smile. “She sounds like a very
gut
teacher.”

“She is. I really like her. She's much nicer than Teacher Sadie was.” John pointed to the basket. “We have to send the basket back if we want more food. I'll put it by my tote bag.”

“I need to wash the casserole dish,” Marie said, scraping the remaining bits of the casserole onto a plate. “You should write a thank-you note, Mike. I think she'd appreciate hearing from you.”

John popped up from the chair, got a pen and notepad from the counter, and placed it next to Mike's dish. “Here you go. I'm going to take my bath.” He disappeared into the hallway.

Mike examined the notepad. What should he say? He was never good at writing notes or letters.

“Just say thank you for the food,” Marie said as if reading his thoughts.

He took a deep breath, poised the pen, and then started writing.

Rachel,

Danki
for the delicious casserole. John,
mei dat
, Marie, and I enjoyed it. I'm glad to hear John is doing better in class and on the playground. Thank you for the extra help you're giving him.

Sincerely,
Mike Lantz

“Well, that was short and to the point.” Marie peered over his shoulder and snickered.

Mike craned his neck and furrowed his brow. “I think it's sufficient. What would you write in the note?”

Marie shrugged. “You always were a man of few words.” She stepped over to the counter and began drying the dishes stacked in the drain board.

Mike folded the note in half and dropped it into the basket as he reflected on Rachel's actions. She seemed to have transformed from an impatient, thoughtless
maedel
into a patient, giving teacher nearly overnight.

“Janie said she'll come tomorrow,” Marie said, breaking through his thoughts. “I'm going to help
mei mamm
with the grocery shopping. Let me know if I can pick something up for you.”

“Okay.
Danki
.” Mike nodded while scooping up the last of the casserole. It was the best tuna casserole he'd ever eaten. Rachel certainly was a fantastic cook. He was thankful for her generous gesture, but he couldn't shake the notion that she had a hidden agenda. Was she concerned about losing her job? Did she hope sending meals to Mike and John would stop Mike from visiting the school board chairman?

Once his plate was clean, Mike stood and carried it to the counter. “
Danki
for taking care of things tonight. I had to stay late to finish the books, but I'm hoping to get home earlier the rest of the week.”

Marie dropped the plate into the water and began to wash it. “You know I don't mind helping you, and Janie doesn't mind either.” She gave him a wary expression. “Still, we're worried about you.”

“Why are you worried about me?” To avoid her serious expression he busied himself placing the clean dishes in the cabinet.

“I'm perfectly capable of putting those away, Mike.”

“I don't mind helping you.”

“As I was saying, Janie and I were discussing you last night, and we are both concerned you're working too much.” Marie placed the dish rag on the counter and faced him. “For example, you really didn't need to stay late tonight. You could've worked on the books tomorrow morning. I imagine Sam would've been
froh
to help you with the books or handle your projects while you finished the books.”

Mike sighed. “Marie, I appreciate your concern, but you don't know how busy we are right now.” He turned to putting the utensils in the drawer.

“
Ya
, I do,” Marie insisted with an empathetic nod. “I've worked in the store before. I know how busy it gets, but you have plenty of help.
Mei dat
and Sam are always willing to help you. You don't have to do everything, Mike. We're all willing to help you.” She had finished drying the casserole dish and stowed it in the bottom of the basket, placing the note inside of it. “Stop acting like you're all alone. Everyone wants to help you, even John's teacher.”

“
Danki
.” Mike put the glasses in the cabinet above the counter. “I appreciate it.”

Marie looked out the window above the sink. “Oh, my driver is here. I'll see you Thursday.” Marie lifted her tote bag. “Call me if you think of anything you need from the market.”

“I will.”

“
Gut nacht
,” she said before going out through the mudroom.

Mike extinguished the lanterns and started to leave the kitchen.
But as he stepped into the doorway, he looked back toward the basket. Were Rachel's intentions pure when she sent over the meal? The question haunted him as he turned and walked to his father's bedroom.

R
ACHEL ENTERED THE KITCHEN AFTER WORK AND GASPED WHEN
she saw her older sister sitting at the kitchen table with Emily and their mother.

“Veronica!” Rachel set her bag and the picnic basket on the floor before hugging her sister. “It's so
gut
to see you! How are you? How's Jason?” She always loved when Veronica visited so the three sisters could be together again. Rachel's favorite times were when she shared a cup of tea with her mother and her sisters.

“We're doing great.” Veronica's smile was wide. “I brought two lemon meringue and two chocolate pies for you all. I thought I would try a couple of
Mammi
's other recipes, and I think they turned out pretty well.” She pointed toward the counter, where four pies sat covered in aluminum foil. “Jason is going to build me a bake stand when the weather warms up, so I'm practicing my baking to get ready. Let me know how you like these pies.”

“Oh,
wunderbaar
.” Rachel rubbed her hands together. “We love your pies.”

Emily popped up from her chair. “I'll get you a cup of tea, Rachel. Sit down with us.”

“
Danki
.” Rachel sat down across from
Mamm
and Veronica. “I would love a cup of tea.”

“So, Rach, how was your day?” Veronica asked, slipping a strand of blonde hair back beneath her
kapp
.

“It was
gut
,” Rachel said. Emily placed a cup of hot tea in front of her. “
Danki
.”

“How do you like teaching?” Veronica asked before sipping her tea.

“I love it,” Rachel admitted. “I was
naerfich
at first, but I'm learning more and enjoying it more every day. I'm working closely with one of the students, and I love seeing him improve. It's such a blessing to watch a
kind
learn. The expression on their faces is so special when their eyes light up with excitement because they understand something they've been struggling with.”

“Is the student John Lantz?” Veronica asked. “
Mamm
told me about the conversation you had with his
bruder
.”

“
Ya
, it's John.” Rachel nodded. “He's starting to read by himself now. He's doing great.”

“That's
wunderbaar
. I bet you're a fantastic teacher,” Veronica said. “You've always been so organized, and you're a
gut
leader.”

Emily refilled Veronica and
Mamm
's cups and then sat down on the chair beside Rachel. “Did you hear back from Mike about the casserole?”

“
Ya
, I did.” Rachel retrieved the note from her pocket and handed it to Emily. “John told me they really enjoyed it.”

Emily grinned. “I'm so glad.”

Mamm
held out her hand. “May I see the note?”

“
Ya
, of course.” Emily handed it to her.

“So what are you going to make tonight?” Veronica asked.

“I don't know.” Rachel chuckled as she remembered the conversation with John this morning. “John asked me if I'd make pizza.”

“He asked for pizza?”
Mamm
laughed. “What did you tell him?”

Rachel shook her head. “I told him I didn't have a recipe for it.”

“We could have it delivered to his
haus
,” Emily suggested with a grin.

Veronica snickered. “We also could try to find a recipe for it.”

“That's what I told John I would do, but I don't know if it would taste that great warmed up.” Rachel sipped her tea. “I asked him if
he liked macaroni and cheese, and he said he did. So I thought I'd make that tonight.”

“I'll help,” Emily offered.

“
Danki
,” Rachel said.

“Why don't you send one of my pies too?” Veronica offered. “They might enjoy it for dessert.”

“That's a great idea.” Rachel sipped her tea.

“I think Mike appreciates your help,”
Mamm
said. “I'm sure the cooking is a lot on him, as well as his cousins who are helping to care for his
dat
and
bruder
.” She handed the note back to Rachel.

“
Ya
, I wonder about that all the time.” Rachel studied the note, taking in his neat script handwriting.

“Did he respond to your notes in the journal too?” Emily asked.

“No, this is the first note I've received from him since we spoke.” Rachel frowned. “I think this means he forgives me. I still feel terrible for being so rude to him.”

“Of course he forgives you,”
Mamm
insisted. “That's our way. We forgive, just like the Bible tells us to.”

Rachel cradled the warm cup in her hands. “I know that. Some people forgive but don't forget. He may forgive me, but he could still resent what I said.”

Veronica shook her head. “Rach, we all make mistakes. We all say things without thinking it through. You're no guiltier than a customer who may have been unhappy with one of his lawn creations.”

Rachel furrowed her brow. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

Emily laughed. “Don't be so serious all the time, Rach. Veronica is just saying it's okay. You've apologized, so you don't need to worry about it anymore.”

Rachel shook her head. “No, I do need to feel bad about it. I need to be mindful of the things I say and do.”

“We all do,”
Mamm
said. “We've all made mistakes. You need to forgive yourself.”

Rachel nodded, but guilt still coiled in her stomach. She had to do better.

Veronica glanced at the clock on the wall. “I'd better get going. Jason will be home soon and I need to warm up supper.” She hugged
Mamm
, Emily, and Rachel, and then walked toward the door. “I'll see you soon.”

“So we'll make the macaroni and cheese after we eat?” Emily asked after Veronica left.

“
Ya
,” Rachel said. “I'd love that.”

“Great! I'm making ham loaf for supper.” Emily started for the counter and began pulling together the ingredients.

While
Mamm
and Emily talked about what else they'd have for their meal, Rachel's thoughts moved to the note she held in her hand. She hoped Mike had forgiven her and would someday call her a friend.

M
IKE STEPPED OUT OF THE BARN
T
HURSDAY AFTERNOON
just as John's van pulled up in the driveway. He thanked John's driver and then opened the back door. When he saw the picnic basket beside John, Mike's eyes widened with surprise.

“What have you got there?” Mike pointed toward the basket.

“Teacher Rachel sent supper and a dessert today,” John said with a wide grin as he handed the basket to Mike.

“She sent another meal to us already?” Then he remembered Rachel mentioned sending meals a couple of times a week in her note. But Mike had just returned the basket yesterday with his thank-you note and he hadn't given more meals from her any thought. “That's so generous.”

“I know!” John nodded with emphasis. “I can't wait to try the pie. It smells so
appeditlich
. Can we have it now as our snack?”

Mike grinned. “I don't know if Marie will let us have dessert first, but it's a
gut
idea.”

John climbed from the van, and they both waved as the driver steered down the rock driveway toward the main road.

“Mike!” Marie appeared on the porch. “You're home early.”

“
Ya
, I am.” He walked beside John as they ambled up the rock path toward the back porch. “I imagine you and Janie had something to do with that.”

“What do you mean?” Marie gave him an innocent look.

“Sam gave me a lecture today about working too hard,” Mike said as he and John climbed the steps. “He said I had to go home early or he would give my orders to someone else.”

Marie's small smile gave away her guilt. Mike had suspected the two sisters prompted that discussion with Sam. When Mike had arrived for work that morning, Sam was waiting for him in the office. He lectured Mike about getting more sleep and spending more time at home with John. The speech reminded him of the conversation he'd had with Marie Tuesday evening.

He appreciated that his cousins were worried about him, but Mike was coping just fine. He didn't need any help or lectures, but he acquiesced to Sam's suggestion to keep the peace.

“So you and Janie told Sam to lecture me, huh?” Mike shook his head when she nodded. “I'm grateful for your concern, but I'm doing okay.”

“You may think you're okay, but you're exhausted, and you know it,” Marie said, her eyes filling with worry. “You need to be home and get some rest before you wind up ill like your
dat
.”

“Marie is right, and I'm
froh
you're home early,” John said, looking up at Mike. “You can help me with my chores.”

“Oh
ya
?” Mike grinned and touched John's straw hat with his free hand. “I'm glad I'm home early too. And I will help you with your chores.”

“
Danki!
” John said.

Marie peered at the basket as Mike stepped past her, following John into the mudroom where he hung up his and John's jackets on hooks. “Did Rachel send a meal home again tonight?”

“
Ya
,” John said. “Teacher Rachel sent home macaroni and cheese for supper and a pie for dessert. I think we should try the pie now.”

Marie gaped. “I can't believe she really sent you a meal twice in one week. I suppose I don't need to worry about cooking tonight.”

John placed his tote bag on a kitchen chair and turned toward Mike, who set the basket on the table. “So can we have the pie now?” he asked with a hint of a whine in his voice. “I promise I'll do my chores after we have a piece of pie. Maybe just a small piece?”

Mike turned toward Marie, who shrugged. “
Ya
, you can have a small piece and then you have to do your chores.”

“Great!” When John lifted the pie plate wrapped in aluminum foil from the basket, a folded piece of paper fluttered to the floor. He placed the plate on the table and removed the foil. The aroma of chocolate stole over Mike, causing his stomach to gurgle in response.

“Look at that pie,” Marie gasped as she examined it. “It's
schee
.”

Mike picked up the paper, opened it, and found a note.

Dear Mike,

I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed the casserole. John told me he likes macaroni and cheese, so I'm sending my favorite recipe for your supper.
Mei schweschder
Veronica is known for her pies, and she brought four over this evening to share. I thought you, John, and your
dat
might like to try one. If you like the pie, then I will send another one soon.

I hope your
dat
is doing better. I'm keeping him in my prayers.

John is continuing to improve with his schoolwork and behavior. Let me know if there's anything else I can do for him while he's at school. Feel free to write in the journal. Please return the basket, and I'll prepare something for you next week.

Sincerely,
Rachel Fisher

Mike pored over the note, allowing her kind words to filter into his mind. Like her last, this note did not sound as if it was written by the
maedel
who had criticized him only a couple of weeks ago. Not only was Rachel sending another special meal for Mike and his family, but she was also praying for his father. A part of him was beginning to believe her intentions were pure, but an inkling of doubt remained at the back of his mind. But when his focus moved to the Scripture verse written on the basket lid, warmth seeped into his tired soul.

“This pie is amazing,” Marie said, interrupting his thoughts. “Mike, you have to try a piece.”

Mike looked up. His cousin and brother were already sitting at the table, inhaling the pie. He placed the note next to the basket.

“
Ya
, it's
gut
,” John agreed.

“Let me cut you a piece,” Marie insisted. She sliced a piece, set it on a plate, and handed it to Mike. “You are going to love it.”

Mike forked a piece into his mouth and the sweetness of the chocolate overwhelmed his taste buds. It was delicious, and the gesture was so thoughtful. He tried to imagine Rachel filling the basket with the food and writing the note. Had he mistaken Malinda for Rachel? Could it really be Malinda who was sending these notes and meals on Rachel's behalf?

What a stupid notion
. He shook his head.

“Don't you like the pie?” John asked, watching Mike from across the table.

“
Ya
, I do.” Mike nodded. “It's fantastic.”

“Then why do you look so
bedauerlich
?” John tilted his head in question.

“I'm not sad. I was just thinking about something.” Mike forced a smile and then took another bite. “So . . . you like Teacher Rachel.”

“Oh,
ya
.” John set his fork down next to his plate now dotted with crumbs. “She smiles all the time, and Teacher Sadie never smiled at me.”

“Really?” Marie blinked, looking astonished. “That's so
bedauerlich.
Teachers should always smile at the
kinner
.”

John fingered his fork. “And Teacher Rachel told me I'm really
schmaert
.” He met Mike's gaze. “Teacher Sadie said I'd probably never read because I'm lazy, but now I'm reading whole pages.”

John beamed, and Mike felt his pulse in his throat. He was speechless for a moment at the thought of what John must have gone through with a teacher who did not seem to care about him as much as Rachel seemed to. John got up from the table.

“Are you going to come and help me feed the chickens?” John jammed his thumb toward the mudroom.