Amish Cooking Class--The Celebration Read online

  “There’s a lot of smoke coming up out there.” Her daughter pointed toward the rising fog.

  She glanced in the direction of the moving cloud. “Actually, that isn’t smoke; it’s the radiator steaming. It probably has a crack in it from the accident.” Velma groaned and shook her head.

  “That’s another reason for me to get a new job, and soon.” Bobbie Sue popped a stick of gum in her mouth. “We’re gonna need more money to afford another car.”

  “I hope the other driver will be okay. It was stupid of me to have driven through that stoplight.” Velma’s eyes teared up.

  “Mama, it was only an accident. You didn’t do it on purpose.” Bobbie Sue patted her arm.

  “I know what you are saying, but I’m worried about the other driver and wish there was something I could do. I wonder what other folks do in situations like this. All we can do is sit here and wait to hear how they’re doing.”

  “Maybe they pray.”

  Velma rested her hands against the steering wheel. Although she rarely prayed, Velma sent up a quick plea on the other person’s behalf.

  “I feel bad for you, having to listen to Papa blow a gasket ’cause you wrecked the car,” Eddie spoke up.

  Velma groaned. She could only imagine.

  Ellen felt relief when the paramedics arrived. She directed them to the passenger in the smaller vehicle first, since he seemed to be hurt the worst. Two of the medics headed in that direction, while a third man went over to see about the passengers in the older-looking car. Two patrol cars arrived a few minutes later, and Ellen waited in her car until they were ready to talk to her.

  “What’s going on, Mom?” Becky’s eyes were wide with fear. “Are the people in those vehicles hurt bad?”

  “I don’t know, Becky, but now that help is here, they will be looked after and taken to the hospital if necessary.”

  Becky blinked rapidly, then squeezed her eyes tightly shut. “I’m glad our car wasn’t hit.”

  “Same here.” Ellen patted her daughter’s arm. “God was watching over us—that’s for sure.”

  When Ellen saw one of the officers approach, she stepped out of her car.

  “I’m assuming you must have witnessed the accident?” he asked. She nodded.

  “Would you mind giving me your statement?”

  “No, I don’t mind at all, but could you tell me how the people involved are doing? Were any of them seriously injured?”

  “Other than a couple bumps and bruises the women and children in the one car seem to be okay, but the guy driving the van is still unconscious. He’s being taken to the nearest hospital.”

  Ellen sent up a silent prayer, asking God to be with the injured man, as well as those in the older vehicle.

  Canton

  “Kassidy, would you please set the table? It’s almost time for supper.” Denise took the meat loaf out of the oven and placed it on top of the stove. When no response came, Denise turned to see what her daughter was doing. Kassidy sat in the chair at the roll-top desk across the room, doing something on her cell phone.

  “Please put that phone away and do as I asked.”

  Kassidy looked up and wrinkled her nose. “I’m in the middle of something, Mom. Can’t you set the table yourself?”

  Tapping her foot, Denise took a deep breath. Apparently her daughter had not read the verse Heidi wrote on the back of her recipe card about children obeying their parents. If she had, she’d chosen to ignore it.

  Denise marched across the room and snatched the phone out of Kassidy’s hands. “I want you to set the table—now!”

  Kassidy gripped the sides of her head, as if to cover her ears. “You don’t have to yell. I’m sitting right here.”

  Denise’s jaw clenched as she shook her finger. “Don’t you talk to me like that, young lady. When I ask you to do something, I expect you to do it with no back talk or rude comments.” She set the cell phone on the counter. “If you cooperate, you can have it back tomorrow morning.”

  Kassidy’s mouth fell open. “But, Mom, I—”

  “No arguments or you won’t get it back tomorrow either.” Denise turned toward the hallway door. “I’m going to let your father know supper is ready. By the time I get back, you’d better have the table set.”

  When Denise entered the living room, she found her husband in his recliner, watching TV.

  “Supper’s ready, Greg. But before we go in to eat, I want to talk to you about our daughter.”

  “Can’t it wait? I had a long day in court, and I’m too tired to deal with any problems Kassidy may have.”

  Denise rolled her shoulders in an effort to relieve some of the tension. “You’re not the only one who’s had a long day. I showed five houses to the pickiest couple I’ve ever met, and then I came home, made supper, and had to deal with our spoiled daughter.”

  He picked up the remote and turned off the TV. “Whose fault is it that Kassidy’s spoiled? You’re the one who’s always buying her things.”

  “This isn’t about things. It’s about her disrespectful attitude and refusal to obey when I ask her to do even a simple chore.”

  “Guess it’s something you need to work on then.” He pulled the lever on his chair and sat up.

  Denise moved closer to him. “I’ve been thinking about this over the past week, and you know what the biggest problem is, Greg?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

  Ignoring his sarcasm, she said, “You and I have been putting our careers first. We’re both too busy for our daughter, so she acts out to get attention. It’s time we call a halt to her temper tantrums and self-centered ways.”

  “What brought this on all of a sudden? We’ve never had this discussion before.”

  “Going to the cooking class last week with Kassidy got me thinking. She acted like a spoiled child, embarrassing me to no end. Truthfully, that’s exactly what she is.”

  He stood, shoving his hands into his pants’ pockets. “Our jobs keep us busy, and if it weren’t for our jobs, we wouldn’t be able to give Kassidy all the nice things she’s come to expect and appreciate.”

  “You’re right. She does expect them, but I’m not sure our daughter appreciates anything we do for her.” Denise massaged the bridge of her nose. “Maybe we need to work less and spend more quality time with Kassidy. Except for the obsession with her phone, it’s apparent all this stuff we give her means nothing.”

  Greg tipped his head, looking at her through half-closed eyes. “If you want to cut back on your workload and spend more time with our daughter, that’s up to you, but I’m not in a position to do that right now.” He moved down the hall toward the kitchen, leaving Denise alone, shaking her head.

  I can’t do this by myself, Greg. If we want Kassidy to grow into a mature young woman who respects her elders and doesn’t respond negatively when she can’t have her way, it’s going to take both of us giving her more of our time and attention. Her chest tightened. I just hope you realize that before it’s too late.

  Walnut Creek

  Humming one of the songs they frequently sang at family gatherings, Heidi checked on the baked beans in the oven. The fried chicken cooled on a large platter, while Lyle was outside tending the grill. When shopping, Heidi had also purchased some early fresh corn on the cob. Lyle smothered the ears with butter, wrapped them in foil, and heated them on the hot coals.

  Heidi’s mouth watered as the smell of seasoned chicken reached her nostrils. “Yum. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into that meat.” Whether hot or cold, fried chicken was a perfect picnic choice for their supper.

  With the scent of grilling smoke wafting through the open window, she could hear the children’s laughter and Rusty’s excited barking. Heidi breathed in a contented sigh. When she’d gotten home a few hours ago, she was pleased to hear what a good time Lyle and the children had together. Randy was eager to share with Heidi how he and Marsha helped Lyle in the barn. Marsha bobbed her head as Randy explain
ed how fun it was to clean the cat’s dishes and fill them with fresh water and food. Lyle also piqued their enthusiasm with his plan of purchasing some chickens. The kids seemed excited when they learned their responsibility would be to help collect eggs once the hens started laying. But first Lyle had to ask Eli about building a chicken coop for them, as well as a sturdy fenced enclosure. It would not only keep the chickens in, but help to protect them from predators.

  Heidi had to admit, getting some chickens was a good idea, and having farm-fresh eggs to collect every day was a bonus. It would also teach the children responsibility.

  Randy and Marsha had been with them six months and were settling in more comfortably. Even Randy’s negative attitude had turned more positive, and Marsha was talking more. Here at the Troyer residence, it was starting to feel like they were a real family. Heidi hoped the children might someday open up more about their parents—especially Randy, since he was older and had more memories of his mom and dad. Marsha was still pretty young and probably didn’t remember as much. In time, the memory of her folks would fade. But Heidi would not push the children to talk about their past until they were ready.

  Heidi thought about the photo albums tucked away in her and Lyle’s bedroom closet, which they’d received when Randy and Marsha came to live with them. They belonged to the children’s parents, Fred and Judy. All the other belongings from the Olsen household had been auctioned off after they’d passed away. But social services felt these photo memories were important to keep with the children. Heidi and Lyle agreed. Those pictures were part of the children’s life, and the only tangible things they had left of their parents. When the time was right, Heidi planned to go through the albums with the children so they could talk about the photos.

  When the agency had given Heidi the albums, they had looked pretty worn. Heidi could only assume they’d been looked at many times throughout the years. Along with the family album, inside the box was their parents’ wedding album and the children’s baby albums. Heidi had scanned through the baby books, consisting of details from the children’s birth to one year of age, before putting them in the closet.

  As she pulled the casserole dish of baked beans out of the oven and put it on the counter, Heidi heard the crunch of tires on gravel as a vehicle pulled into the driveway. Glancing out the window, she saw a minivan park, and was surprised when one of the students from her second cooking class got out of the passenger’s side.

  “Oh my, it’s Allie Garrett.” Heidi wiped her hands on her apron and quickly covered the beans and chicken with foil. She hadn’t heard from or seen Allie since early December, when their final class ended.

  When Heidi stepped out to the porch, a man in a police uniform was getting out of the driver’s side. Heidi assumed it was Allie’s husband, Steve, and was glad for the opportunity to finally meet him.

  Allie and Steve wore big smiles as they walked up to Lyle standing by the grill. After they introduced themselves and shook his hand, Allie ran over to greet Heidi as she approached.

  “Oh, Heidi, it’s so good to see you.” Allie reached out for a hug. “I picked my husband up from work, and we’re heading to Millersburg to eat and do some shopping at Hershbergers’ Farm and Bakery.” Allie looked over at Steve. “We were going right through Walnut Creek, and I told Steve it would be a shame if we didn’t stop. The kids are at church camp for a few days. Otherwise, they’d be with us.”

  “I’m so glad you came by.” Heidi draped her arm around Allie’s shoulder as they walked over to join their husbands.

  “Heidi, this is my husband, Steve.” Allie’s eyes shone brightly as she looked at him. “And Steve, this is Heidi—the best cook in Holmes County.”

  “So nice to meet you, Steve.” Heidi shook his hand. Steve’s was a gentle, but firm handshake.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, Heidi. I’m enjoying being Allie’s taste tester every time she makes a new dish.” Steve patted his stomach. “If I’m not careful, though, it’s going to show.”

  “Tell me about it.” Lyle thumped his own belly. “It’s a good thing this farm and the auctions I oversee keep me active. Otherwise, I’d have to buy bigger clothes.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Allie scanned the yard. “How are things going with the children?”

  “Very well.” Heidi smiled, and Lyle nodded. “They’re around here somewhere, playing with the dog. When Rusty and those two get together they’re inseparable.”

  At that moment, their dog came bounding from the other side of the house, wagging his tail as he approached the visitors, with Randy and Marsha following.

  “Here they are now.” Heidi pointed.

  When the children got closer and spotted the Garretts, their laughter and giggling halted, and Randy stopped in his tracks. Marsha took one look at Steve, held out her arms, and shouted, “Daddy!”

  Chapter 11

  As fast as her little feet could go, Marsha ran up to Steve and wrapped her slender arms around his legs.

  Steve and Allie looked at each other in bewilderment, while Heidi stood beside Lyle, too stunned to say anything. As Steve squatted down to be eye-level with Marsha, she looked him square in the face.

  “Now what do we have here?” Steve touched the end of Marsha’s nose. “Aren’t you a cute little girl?”

  As quick as she had been eager to greet Steve, Marsha was even faster to pull away. Sobbing, she turned and ran over to her brother, hiding her face in his chest.

  Even at five years old, Randy was protective of his sister, so it didn’t surprise Heidi when he guided Marsha up to the porch, and they went inside the house together.

  Heidi looked at Lyle, who appeared to be as bewildered as she was right now. “Allie and Steve, I’m so sorry. I’m not sure what just happened.”

  “It’s okay.” Allie turned to Steve. “We’d better go.” Then giving Heidi another hug, she said, “I’ll catch up with you soon, Heidi, and I hope the children are okay.”

  After the Garretts’ van pulled out, Lyle turned off the grill and joined Heidi on the porch. “I wonder what was going on with Marsha.” He reached under his hat and scratched the back of his head.

  “I don’t know.” Heidi rubbed her hand down her cheek and rested it at her throat. “It’s not like Marsha to run up to a stranger like that. She’s normally pretty bashful. And did you hear her call Steve, ‘Daddy’?”

  “Jah. It surprised me too. Maybe Steve resembles the children’s father.”

  “We better go check on them.”

  When they went into the house, Heidi heard whimpering coming from the living room. As they walked in, she saw Randy consoling Marsha, as he gently patted her back. “It’s okay Marsha. Don’t cry.” Even though Randy was trying to be the big brother, they both looked so small, huddled together on the couch.

  Heidi went over and sat next to Marsha, then held out her arms. Marsha quickly climbed onto her lap and put her face against Heidi’s neck.

  Lyle sat next to Randy. “Did something frighten you outside?” he asked.

  “Kinda.” Randy kept his head down, lips quivering like a leaf in the wind.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Lyle touched the boy’s arm.

  Randy took a shuddering breath. “When I saw that man in a uniform, it made me think of my daddy. He wore a uniform at his job too.”

  “What was your daddy’s job?” Heidi questioned.

  “He worked at the shoppin’ mall.” Randy looked at Heidi with such seriousness in his eyes.

  “You mean, like a security guard?” Lyle leaned closer to the boy.

  “I… I think so, but I’m not sure. When we saw him standin’ there, my sister thought it was our daddy. Then she got scared when she heard his voice. That’s when she knew it wasn’t Daddy. Guess it was his clothes that made her think it was Daddy.” Randy sniffed. “Wish it had been. And I wish Mama was with him too.”

  “I understand.” Heidi clasped both children’s hands. Tonight, before bed, s
he would get out the photo albums in their closet and share them with the children. This was definitely the right time.

  “You know, sometimes we think we see someone we know, and it turns out being someone else,” Heidi continued.

  Marsha sat up and looked at Heidi, rubbing her tearful eyes.

  “I’ll bet there is someone out there who looks just like you.” Heidi smoothed the blond hair back that had come loose from Marsha’s ponytail. Then she kissed the little girl’s forehead.

  “How about we go back outside and have that picnic now?” Lyle suggested. “The corn on the cob should be done, and I’ll bet Heidi has the chicken and beans ready too.”

  “Yes, and after we’ve had some ice cream for dessert, I’ll share something special with you and your big brother.” Heidi smoothed the wrinkles in Marsha’s dress. Her heart ached for Randy and Marsha. This was the first time Randy had mentioned anything about where their dad had worked. He too had clearly been shaken seeing Steve in uniform. But children were resilient and could usually get over things faster than most adults. Hopefully, Randy and Marsha would find it easier to talk about their parents after looking at the pictures in the album, and their emptiness would slowly wane. Heidi would do everything in her power to make these children feel loved and to give them a sense of belonging.

  Dover

  It was a slow day at the fire station. “How are things going with you these days?” Darren’s friend Bruce asked as they hosed down one of the fire trucks at their station.

  “Everything’s fine.” Darren moved to the front of the truck. “I took Jeremy to a cooking class a week and a half ago, and we’ll be going to class number two this coming Saturday.”

  Bruce’s eyebrows lifted. “How come you’re taking a cooking class? As I recall, you get around the kitchen pretty well.”