On Her Own Read online

  “Faith didn’t have a daed who wanted her to do something she didn’t want to do,” Paul mumbled. “My daed wants me to farm, and if I stick around too long, he’ll start pressing me on the issue.”

  “As I’m sure you know, Faith was away from home for ten years, telling jokes and yodeling in the English world.”

  “I remember.”

  “She and her daed didn’t see eye to eye on her yodeling, but he’s come to terms with it.”

  Paul grunted. “Even if Pop and I could mend our fences, I still wouldn’t stay here.”

  “Why not?”

  “I like working on harnesses, and there isn’t room for two harness shops in this small community.”

  “Maybe you could work for Barbara indefinitely.”

  Paul’s face heated up. He wasn’t about to spend the rest of his life working for Barbara Zook. She shouldn’t even be running the harness shop. That was men’s work, plain and simple. “Unless Barbara decides to sell out, I won’t be staying in Webster County.” He moved toward the door, and Noah followed. “I will drop by and see Barbara, though. I need to offer my condolences on the loss of her husband.”

  Chapter 3

  Barbara was napping on the sofa when a knock at the back door wakened her. “Come in!” she called. “I’m in the living room, Mom!”

  Moments later, a tall, blond-haired man entered the room. He wore a straw hat, short-sleeved cotton shirt, and dark trousers held up by tan suspenders. “I’m not your mamm, but you did invite me to come in,” he said, removing his hat.

  Barbara’s mouth hung open. “Paul Hilty?”

  “Jah, it’s me.” He shifted his long legs and shuffled his black boots against the hardwood floor. “Sorry if I startled you.”

  Barbara’s hand went instinctively to her hair, as she checked to be sure her kapp was in place. She had planned on a short rest and ended up falling into a deep sleep. The baby was sleeping in his crib upstairs, and the boys were at her folks’ place. It had been the perfect time to rest. The last thing Barbara expected when she woke up was to see a man standing in her living room. “No, no, that’s okay. I mean—it’s good to see you.”

  “And you, as well.”

  Barbara’s cheeks grew warm as she stood and smoothed the wrinkles in her long dress. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Dan’s funeral yesterday. I had a boppli a few days ago and haven’t gotten my strength back yet.”

  A look of concern clouded Paul’s deeply set blue eyes. “I heard that. I also heard about David’s death. I came by to tell you how sorry I am.”

  Barbara sank back to the couch. “It’s been a rough eight months,” she admitted.

  Paul took a couple of steps forward. “I can imagine.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your brother, too. It’s never easy to lose a loved one.”

  He shook his head. “No. No, it’s not.”

  “How’s Margaret holding up?”

  “It was a shock to have Dan die so suddenly, but Margaret’s doing as well as can be expected.” The sorrowful look on Paul’s face showed the depth of his sadness. “As you know, her six kinner are raised and out on their own, but I hope one of them will take her in to live with them. It’ll probably be her daughter Karen and her husband, Jake, since they live the closest.”

  Barbara nodded and swallowed around the lump in her throat. It was hard not to feel sorry for herself. Just thinking about David’s and Dan’s deaths made her feel weepy.

  “Have a seat,” she said, finally remembering her manners.

  He seated himself in the rocker close to the sofa, looking more uncomfortable by the minute. Barbara hadn’t known Paul when they were children, and then he’d moved back to Pennsylvania to work with his cousin. Barbara had heard the move was against his dad’s wishes, but she couldn’t fault Paul for wanting to work where he felt comfortable. She would do most anything to keep working in David’s harness shop.

  Only the soft ticking of the mantel clock broke the quiet in the room. Barbara sat with her hands folded in her lap. Paul moved slowly back and forth in the rocker.

  Finally, she spoke again. “How have you been? Are you happy living in Lancaster County?”

  He stopped rocking and sat straight as a board. “I like working at my cousin’s harness shop, but Lancaster’s getting a bit overcrowded for my taste.”

  She was tempted to ask why he stayed but figured it probably had to do with the job he enjoyed. “I hear there’s plenty of English and that tourists come by the thousands to get a look at the Plain folks living there.”

  Paul nodded. “Not like here, where so few tourists seem to know about us.”

  “They probably wouldn’t care anyway, since we’re such a small community.”

  “I suppose you’re right about that.”

  “How long will you be staying in Webster County?” Barbara asked. Should she bring up the harness shop—see if he might be interested in working for her awhile?

  He twisted the edge of his hat. “Guess that all depends.”

  “On what?”

  “I had only intended on staying a week or so, but I could stay longer if there was a need.”

  “You mean if your daed needed you to help on his farm?”

  He shook his head. “No way! I gave up farming when I moved, and I’m not about to go back to it again.”

  “I see.”

  Paul rubbed the bridge of his nose and leaned forward. “Since David’s gone and you’re not able to work in the harness shop right now, I thought maybe you might be thinking of selling it.”

  She shook her head vigorously. “I need to keep it open as long as I’m able.”

  He nodded. “So would you be needing someone to run the place for you right now?”

  Barbara drew in a deep breath as she thought about the verse from Ecclesiastes 4 she’d read the night before: “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” She wondered if Paul’s showing up was a sign from God that she was supposed to accept his help.

  “I could use some help in the harness shop,” she reluctantly admitted. “Dad’s working, but his fingers won’t let him do a lot, and it’s going to be a few more weeks before I can return to work.”

  “That’s what I figured.”

  “What about your job? Can your cousin get by without your help for a few weeks?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t see why not. When I called from Seymour to let him know I’d gotten here okay, he said he’d just hired on another part-time man. Unless things get busier than they have been, I’m sure Andy won’t mind if I stay here awhile and help in David’s shop.”

  “It’s my shop now,” Barbara corrected.

  “Right. I understand, and I—”

  The sound of a baby’s cry halted Paul’s words.

  Barbara jumped up. “That’s little David. I should tend to him.”

  Paul stood. “I can come back some other time.”

  She waved her hand. “That’s okay. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable while I tend to the boppli? When I’m done, we can talk more about the possibility of you working in the harness shop.”

  He sat down again. “Sounds fine to me.”

  Barbara started for the stairs but turned back. “If you’d like some coffee, go on out to the kitchen and help yourself to a cup. I think there’s still some in the pot on the stove.” She hurried from the room before he had a chance to respond, glad for the opportunity to think more about Paul’s offer.

  Paul remained in his chair for several minutes after Barbara went upstairs. The baby’s crying had stopped, so he figured she must have things under control.

  He couldn’t believe how much Barbara had changed since he’d seen her four years ago. She used to be kind of plump, but now she was much thinner—almost too thin to his way of thinking. Had the years of working in the harness sho
p taken their toll, or had she lost the weight after David died? He’d heard of people nearly starving themselves to death when a mate had been taken, but Barbara was a new mother. It seemed to Paul that she should weigh a lot more than she did.

  One more reason I need to stick around for a while and help out. She probably doesn’t eat right because she worries about the harness shop and how she’ll provide for her family.

  Paul stood in front of the unlit fireplace. It was late spring, getting too warm for any fires.

  Barbara’s a fine-looking woman. Funny I never paid much attention to her before. He shook his head, trying to get himself thinking straight again. Of course he wouldn’t have eyed Barbara before. She had been married to David Zook, and it wouldn’t have been right for him to pay special attention to her. David and Barbara had already been courting by the time Paul and his family moved to Webster County. Even if Paul had noticed Barbara when she was still a Raber, it wouldn’t have done him any good. She’d been David’s girl from the very beginning. If he had taken an interest in her back then, their courtship would have ended before either of them had a chance to get serious. That’s how it had always been with the women Paul had courted. Maybe it was because they knew he was leery of marriage. Besides, Barbara was two years older than Paul and probably wouldn’t have given him a second glance during their teen years.

  Might as well get myself a cup of coffee, he decided. It will give me something to do until she gets back, and hopefully it’ll keep me from all this crazy thinking.

  In the kitchen, Paul found a pot of coffee warming on the stove. He located a man-sized mug and had just poured himself some coffee when he heard the back door swing open and bang against the wall.

  When he turned, a young boy with brunette hair and dark eyes like Barbara’s faced him.

  “Who are you, and what are ya doin’ with my pa’s coffee mug?” The child planted his hands on his hips.

  Paul forced a smile. He didn’t like the way the boy was staring at him. “I’m Paul Hilty. You must be one of Barbara’s boys.”

  The lad thrust out his chin and pushed back his shoulders, but he didn’t return Paul’s smile. “My name’s Aaron. I’m her oldest son.”

  Paul opened his mouth to reply, but Aaron cut him off. “When I grow up, I plan to take over Pa’s harness shop.” He stared down at Paul’s black boots. “My mom’ll be old by then and probably won’t wanna work on harnesses no more.”

  Paul chuckled. Aaron scowled at him. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing. I mean, it seems odd that a young fellow like you would be talking about your mamm getting old and you taking her place in the shop.”

  “I don’t think it’s funny a’tall.”

  Paul took a sip of coffee and seated himself at the table, but the boy didn’t budge.

  “You still haven’t said why you’re in my mamm’s kitchen, usin’ my daed’s mug.”

  Paul eyed the cup in question, then nodded toward the empty chair to his left. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you.”

  Aaron flopped into a chair.

  “I came over to see how your mamm was doing, and then the boppli started fussing. So your mamm said I should help myself to some coffee while she took care of your little bruder.”

  “But you shouldn’t be usin’ Pa’s cup,” the child persisted.

  Paul was tempted to remind Aaron that his father was dead and it shouldn’t matter who drank from his cup, but he thought better of it. No use getting the boy riled, especially if Barbara decided to hire Paul in the harness shop. Aaron undoubtedly still missed his father. The idea of someone using his mug could be a powerful reminder of the boy’s loss.

  Paul went to the cupboard and got out a different mug; then he placed David’s mug in the kitchen sink. “Better?” he asked as he returned to his seat.

  The boy nodded.

  For several minutes, they sat in silence. Unable to tolerate the boy staring at him, Paul finally asked, “How old are you, Aaron?”

  “Almost nine.”

  “Guess it won’t be long until you can begin helping your mamm in the shop.”

  The child shrugged. “Used to help my daed some when I wasn’t in school.”

  “What grade are you in?”

  “Second.”

  “You have six more years, then.”

  “Jah.”

  Paul took another swig of coffee, wishing Barbara would return so he’d have another adult to talk to. His uneasiness around children was intensified with Aaron looking at him so strangely.

  “Want some cookies to dunk in your coffee?”

  Aaron’s question took Paul by surprise, and he jumped.

  “What’s the matter? You got a fly on your nose?”

  “Huh?”

  “You’re kind of jumpy, wouldn’t ya say?”

  Paul cleared his throat. “I’m fine. Just a bit restless is all.”

  “Some cookies might help.”

  Paul studied the boy’s round face. He was pretty sure the subject of cookies had come up because Aaron wanted some, not because he thought Paul needed something to dunk in his coffee.

  “You’re right. A few cookies would be nice.” Paul glanced around the room. “You know where there might be some?”

  Aaron dashed across the room. He returned with a green ceramic jar. “These are chocolate chip.” He set the container on the table and headed for the refrigerator. “Think I’ll have some milk so’s I can dunk.”

  Paul remembered how he had enjoyed cookies and cold goat’s milk when he was a boy. Peanut butter with raisins had been his favorite, and his mother used to make them often. He watched Aaron fill a tall glass with milk, dip his cookie up and down a couple of times, then chomp it down in two bites.

  “This is sure good. Grandma made these just for me.”

  “Your grandparents live next door, don’t they?”

  Aaron grabbed another cookie. “Jah. Grandma Raber keeps an eye on me and my little brieder during the day. Grandma and Grandpa Zook live a couple miles down the road.”

  “Where are your brothers right now?”

  “Still at Grandma’s.”

  “Does your grandma know where you are?” Paul questioned.

  “Of course. Told her I was comin’ over here to see if Mama needed me for anything.” Aaron licked a glob of chocolate off his fingertips. “Sure never expected to find a stranger sittin’ in our kitchen, though.”

  “I’m not really a stranger,” Paul said. “I used to live in Webster County. I’ve known your folks for some time.”

  “It’s your bruder who died last week, ain’t it?”

  “Jah, my brother Dan. His funeral was yesterday.”

  “When you said your last name, I put two and two together.”

  “I see.” Aaron’s not only feisty, but he seems to be a right smart little fellow.

  “What’d ya come over to see Mama about?”

  “He’s coming to work for me starting Saturday.”

  Paul turned his head. He hadn’t realized Barbara had entered the room. She held a baby in her arms, and her face was slightly flushed.

  Aaron glared at Paul; then he turned to face his mother and gave her an imploring look. “Why do you need him, Mama?”

  “Because I’m not able to work right now.”

  “What about Grandpa? He’s still workin’ in the harness shop, right?”

  Barbara nodded. “But your grossdaadi isn’t able to handle things on his own so well.”

  Aaron puffed out his chest. “I could help him.”

  “I’m sure you could help with a few things, but not nearly enough, son.”

  Feeling the need to make a quick escape, Paul pushed back his chair and stood. “I should head to Seymour and call my cousin to let him know that I’ll be staying awhile longer.” He glanced down at Aaron, then back at Barbara. “I’ll be at the harness shop bright and early.”

  She gave him a weary-looking smile and nodded. “Danki.”

  Pau
l had just stepped onto the front porch when a horse and buggy pulled into the yard.

  As John Frey stepped down from his buggy, he spotted Paul Hilty leaving Barbara’s house. “I wonder what he’s doing here,” he mumbled.

  “What was that, Papa?”

  John glanced over at his fourteen-year-old daughter, Nadine, who had followed him out of the buggy. He’d dropped Hannah and Mary, his two younger girls, off at one of their neighbors’ so they could play with their friend Maddie. And since Betty, his oldest daughter, was working and he didn’t want to make his calls alone, he had invited Nadine to join him. “I just wondered what Paul Hilty is doing here,” he said.

  “Probably came by to pay his respects to Barbara since he wasn’t here when her husband died.” Nadine smiled sweetly. “I can hardly wait to see Barbara’s new boppli. Maybe she’ll let me hold him awhile.”

  John smiled in response. He had enjoyed holding his four girls when they were babies, but they were all older now, ranging in ages from ten to sixteen. He missed having a baby around. He also needed a mother for his daughters and hoped Barbara Zook might be willing to marry him. She was still young and could provide him with more children, as well as take charge of his household and give proper womanly instruction to his girls, so he figured she was the perfect choice. John had been widowed six months and Barbara for nearly a year. It was time for them to find new mates. Besides, he didn’t think Barbara could keep working in the harness shop now that she had a new baby to care for. She needed a husband to support her and the boys.

  “Guder mariye, Bishop Frey,” Paul said, as he passed John on the way to his buggy.

  “Good morning to you, too.” John was on the verge of asking the reason for Paul’s visit, but Paul gave a quick wave and sprinted to his buggy.

  John shrugged and hurried after Nadine, who was already on the porch. Moments later, Barbara opened the door.

  “Bishop John,” she said. “What brings you out our way?”

  “Came to see how you’re getting along.” He motioned to Nadine. “And Nadine would like to get a look at your boppli, if that’s all right.”