A Heart Once Broken (16 page)

“But who will wait on the tables with you?” Sandra tried again.

“We'll find someone to fill in,”
Mamm
said. “Now, let's get you out to the buggy. And here's Clyde already with a pair of crutches for you.”

How Clyde had known they had a set in the basement was beyond her. From the grin on his face Clyde didn't seem troubled over her misfortune. Likely he was thrilled to get her away from Ezra. Oh, why had everything conspired to thwart her plans? Was she doomed to failure with victory right at her fingertips?

Mamm
pressed the crutches into Sandra's hands. “Try these.
Daett
used them last year when he sprained his foot.”

The crutches fit, and Sandra moaned as a path was opened in front of her. With short hobbles she worked her way through the living room. Ezra stayed on one side of her and
Mamm
on the other as they went down the front steps. Someone had run ahead to prepare Mark's buggy, and it was waiting at the end of the walk.
Mamm
helped Sandra up into the buggy while Ezra held her arm. Mark jumped into the other side and grabbed the reins.

“It's not an emergency, you know,” Sandra grumbled.

“
Yah
, it is.” Ezra peered up into the buggy. “I'm so sorry this happened, but maybe you can be back for the evening service.”

Sandra squeezed back the tears. A lot of
goot
that would do. Ezra would have been with another girl for hours by then. Some girl other than her.

“We'll be thinking of you,” Ezra said before he stepped back from the buggy.

Mark jiggled the reins, and they were off down the lane.

Her day was ruined, and so were her chances with Ezra. She would never get another opportunity like this. Not ever again.

“Don't feel too bad,” Mark said. “You'll be better in a few weeks. A cast is the worst that will happen—if that.”

Sandra didn't say anything as she let the tears flow freely.

Chapter Fifteen

R
osemary stood beside Lydia among the shocked group of girls, several of whom were still staring down the road as the last of the buggy with Sandra and Mark inside disappeared from sight.

Lydia leaned closer to whisper. “Did this have to happen to
Sandra
? And after the tragedy with her
daett
. The poor thing.”

“I know,” Rosemary agreed. “I felt so helpless. I couldn't even get close enough to comfort her.”

Not that Rosemary would have been much of a comfort. Sandra was in enough agony with her injured foot without the reminder that Rosemary had set her
kapp
for Ezra. She had hung back while Ezra had stayed faithfully by Sandra's side, right up until Sandra had been lifted into Mark's buggy.

Rosemary turned to look as Amos walked across the lawn and whispered in Deacon Schrock's ear. The deacon soon waved his hand around for attention and hollered, “Please, everybody. We all know this has been unnerving, but Sandra will be okay. Accidents like this happen and it won't stop the wedding meal. So if you will please find your way out to the barn the food will be served as planned. And Amos wants to thank all of you for coming.”

The crowd began to move and Lydia sighed. “I suppose I'd best go find my cousin Enos. Looks like we'll have to work harder to make up for the lost time, and we're short one girl now.”

The shortage would be at Ezra's table, Rosemary thought, as Lydia hurried toward the barn. Did she dare volunteer to help him? She didn't have a dress ready to match the other table waiters, and such positions were by invitation only. What had gotten into her to imagine such a thing? The thought took her breath away. No doubt Ezra could find some relative to work with him.

Rosemary groaned. How she wanted to work with Ezra today. How badly! And how disloyal this would be to Sandra on her
mamm
's wedding day, but she couldn't help herself. Rosemary moved toward the house along with several of the other girls. That was the proper direction for her, Rosemary told herself. But she paused when one of the girls hurried out of the barn and called to her, “Lydia wants you, Rosemary.”

Was she to work with Ezra? But that wasn't possible. With unsteady steps Rosemary pressed through the crowd and found Lydia in the barn.

“Hurry up,” Lydia said. “Edna wants you to help Ezra.”

“Ezra!” Rosemary tried to breathe. “But why me? What about you?”

“Just be thankful,” Lydia said with a smile. “Edna agreed at once, and it's her wedding. I'd fill in, but I'm paired with Enos already.”

Rosemary blushed like a summer rose, she was sure, and no one around had any idea why. Well, they would soon. Ezra was standing off to the corner of the barn with a worried look on his face. Apparently no one had told him who would work with him.

Lydia took Rosemary's hand and led her up to Ezra. “Ezra, Edna wants Rosemary to work with you in Sandra's place. Is that okay?”

“Of course!” Ezra's face lit up. “I couldn't think of anyone better to take her place.”

Rosemary's face flamed even more.

Lydia gave them both a sharp sideways glance. “I'm going now. Don't spill anything, Rosemary.”

Lydia knew of her clumsiness, but right now Rosemary didn't care. All she could see was Ezra's handsome face right beside her and his smile fixed on her. Ezra stepped closer to whisper, “I meant every word I said. Now, come.” Ezra took Rosemary's hand and they headed across the barn to where the makeshift kitchen was concealed behind a thick white curtain.

Rosemary was sure she was floating. Never had Ezra held her hand. Of course, there hadn't been a reason to, but there wasn't a real reason now. Still, she mustn't read too much into the gesture. Ezra must have simply noticed her discomfort and wanted to place her at ease so they could work together.

Ezra stopped in front of the wall where a list was posted. “This is our schedule,” Ezra said. “We have the corner table. And there's Bishop Henry ready to lead out in prayer right now. Looks like we're just in time.” Ezra grinned as they bowed their heads together.

Rosemary opened her eyes before the prayer was completed to peek at Ezra. He had his eyes tightly shut, and she dropped her gaze at once. How could she be so shameless? And yet, she might never have another afternoon with Ezra. Somehow she had to make the most of this moment. Maybe she could touch Ezra's hand again when he wouldn't notice. But that would never do. She might easily pass out! How could she ever repay Lydia for this kindness? Lydia didn't have to pick her, but she had.

“Amen.” Bishop Henry's voice rang through the whole barn as he concluded the prayer.

Ezra reached over to squeeze Rosemary's hand. “Are you ready?”

“I guess.” Rosemary tried to stay upright. “Did you say we have the corner table?”

Ezra looked down cheerfully. “Yep, let's go.”

The corner table! Rosemary's head spun as she followed Ezra. The words hadn't registered the first time Ezra spoke them. The corner table was the place of honor. Everyone would notice her. Rosemary steadied herself and kept walking beside Ezra.

Ezra paused in front of the long table where the cooks had laid out the food. He gathered up several plates and muttered, “Corner table, here we come.”

Several of the women hurried toward them and one scolded, “Not that plate, Ezra. Take the smaller one. And remember that Sandra—oh,
yah
, I forgot for a moment. Remember that Rosemary goes first.”

Ezra pretended to scowl. “I'll remember.”

“I'm so sorry about Sandra,” Rosemary managed. Several of the cooks nodded. She wasn't to blame for this situation, Rosemary reminded herself.

Ezra waited with his hands full until Rosemary filled her own. If the sauce spilled on her arm and burned all the way through the skin, she would not wince. Maybe the pain would wake her up from this stupor and she could gain control of herself.

Ezra hung back as Rosemary forced her feet forward. The aisle seemed to stretch out for miles to where Edna and Amos sat at the corner table, their witnesses on either side of them. Rosemary pasted on a smile and forged on. She didn't dare glance at the dishes. Sandra had tripped in the house over a satchel strap, but Rosemary could stumble on her own two feet if she wasn't careful.

Edna gave Rosemary a warm smile as she set down the first plate. “Thanks for helping out, dear. You're such a blessing.”

“I'm so sorry about Sandra,” Rosemary replied. “Have you heard anything yet?”

She knew Edna hadn't, but she couldn't think of anything else to say.

“Sandra will be fine,” Amos said. “And looks like you made out pretty
goot
. You must admit that Ezra's quite a handsome young man.”

Rosemary's face flamed again. Amos sure didn't beat around the bush. Thankfully Ezra covered for her. “You look quite handsome yourself today, Amos. Congratulations on your wedding day.”

“Thank you.” Amos glowed. “I'm not so
goot
-looking, but Edna's beauty here drifts over on me.”

The men laughed at the joke and Edna turned a little red herself. “Now shush, Amos,” Edna ordered. “We'll see if you still have compliments for me by this time next year.”

Amos didn't hesitate. “Oh, I will. I'm certain I will.”

Rosemary slipped away as everyone laughed again. Thankfully Ezra stayed right behind her. Ezra still chuckled when they arrived back in the kitchen. “Right jolly fellow that Amos is. Not too many men could have their new
frau
laughing so soon after she lost her first husband.”

“I'm glad they're happy,” Rosemary said.

But what really overjoyed her was the fact that Ezra was still by her side. Ezra even smiled at her as they filled their hands with plates again. Rosemary turned and headed back towards the corner table. When they arrived, Amos and Edna were deep in conversation but glanced up briefly. Edna's face was still flushed during what must have been a sweet conversation.

Rosemary's mind drifted to the future. What would it be like to have a conversation with Ezra right after saying the wedding vows with him? The thought left her dizzy, and Rosemary tried to focus
on the faces around her. Lydia and her cousin Enos had the table at the other end of the barn. Lydia noticed Rosemary's glance and waved. Rosemary waved back.

“You're doing very well today,” Ezra said when they paused to catch their breath.

“You're just saying so,” Rosemary said.

“You've said that twice now,” he scolded. “I mean what I say.”

“Thanks.” Rosemary tried to smile. “I'm trying, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with you.” There, she had said the words.

Ezra appeared pleased, but no doubt he was used to such compliments. Didn't both of the Troyer cousins shower him with attention?

“You undersell yourself,” Ezra said, as if he read Rosemary's thoughts. “You shouldn't, you know.”

“Stop saying such things,” Rosemary responded, her gaze on the floor. “You're embarrassing me.”

Ezra chuckled. “Get used to it. You're old enough to hear such true things about yourself.”

Rosemary gave him a quick glance. “I'll try.” Now she had turned bright red again.

Ezra's chuckle grew deeper. “And you have plenty of spunk.”

“Do you like spunk?” Rosemary asked without thinking. “I'm sorry, Ezra. I had no right to ask such a bold question.”

Ezra laughed. “There's nothing to be sorry for. I love the way you are. You have nerve, for one thing. You'll go places. As they say, the early bird gets the worm.”

“So now I'm a bird?” Rosemary pretended to frown.

“A
pretty
bird.” Ezra's eyes twinkled.

“Ezra, don't,” Rosemary said, wishing he'd say it again.

Ezra smiled and whispered, “Come, Rosemary, it's time to serve dessert.”