Amish White Christmas Pie (14 page)

“I’m glad I went to see the oral surgeon this morning,” Karen said as she and her mother entered the house.

Mom nodded. “It’s good that we know it’s a dry socket causing all the pain. Now that the doctor has begun treatment, you should feel better soon.”

“I hope so.” Karen hung her jacket on a wall peg near the kitchen door. “I’m getting bored sitting around the house all day when there’s so much to be done.”

“Cindy, Mavis, and your daed have been managing fine in the store, and whatever needs to be done around here can be done by me.” Mom smiled. “It’s important for you to rest and let your mouth heal.”

Karen nodded. “Maybe I can use this time to finish sewing my wedding dress. That won’t take much effort.”

“That’s a good idea. You can always stop sewing if you get tired.” Mom stepped into the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I could fix you a bite to eat.”

“Maybe something to drink.”

“Cold or warm?”

“How about some warm apple cider?”

“That sounds good. I may have some, too.” Mom soon had a kettle of cider on the stove. She added some spice, and before long, the whole room smelled like warm apples and cinnamon. “If you’d like to relax in the living room, I’ll bring it in to you when it’s ready,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at Karen.

“Okay.” Karen was almost to the living room when a knock sounded on the door.

When she opened it, Will stood on the porch holding an African violet. “This is for you.” His genuine smile drew her attention to the deep dimples in his cheeks. “I picked it up at the Millers’ greenhouse on my way over here.”

Karen took the lacy purple plant. “That was thoughtful of you, Will, but you already brought me a plant after I first had my wisdom teeth removed. I sure didn’t expect another.”

“I know how much you like flowers, so I figured it might help cheer you up,” he said, following her into the living room.

“Danki, I appreciate it.”

“So how are you feeling? Did you see the dentist this morning?”

“Jah.” She set the plant on the table near the sofa and took a seat.

Will hung his jacket on the back of the rocking chair and sat beside her. “What’d he say?”

“I have a dry socket, which is just what Mom suspected.”

“What’d he do about that?”

“He put medicine in the socket, and I’m supposed to go back to have it looked at in a few days.” Karen touched the side of her face. “After only one treatment, I’m noticing less pain.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“How are those hundlin of yours getting along?” Karen asked. “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to see them yet.”

“The puppies are doing well—growing like little weeds.” He smiled. “As soon as you have some free time and are feeling better, you’ll need to see them.”

“I’m looking forward to that.” Karen touched Will’s arm. “When Mom and Dad got home from church yesterday, they told me about your horse getting hung up on the hitching rope. I’m sorry Ben died. I know you had a fondness for him.”

The sparkle in Will’s blue eyes faded. “I did until a few days ago—when the critter broke free of the hitching rail here and smacked into that Englisher’s van. Maybe it’s a good thing Ben’s gone, because he’s sure cost me a lot of money. I’m planning to go to the horse auction in Topeka on Saturday to buy a new one.”

“Maybe you’ll get a good deal and find a better horse.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

Karen gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “Things are bound to go better for both of us soon.”

“Once we’re married, I think everything will be better.”

“Speaking of getting married, I was wondering if you’ve been able to get your list done so we can send out our invitations soon.”

“Mama Regina worked on the list the other night. I should have thought to bring it with me today. I’ll bring it the next time I come over.” Will’s forehead wrinkled. “Since most of Mama Regina’s and Papa Mark’s relatives are either dead or live in some other state, our list is mostly friends.” He grunted. “And we sure can’t invite my real daed, since I have no idea where he lives or even if he’s still alive.”

“I’m sorry about that, Will.”

He pulled her into his arms and gave her a hug. “It’s okay. You, Mama Regina, and Papa Mark are the only family I need.”

As Frank approached the village of Paradise on his return trip from Philadelphia, where he’d made a delivery, he spotted a young Amish man with red hair walking toward a convenience store. Frank’s heart gave a lurch. The man looked like Will. Or at least the way Frank imagined Will might look at age twenty-two. Could this young man actually be Will? Should he stop and ask?

He turned on his blinker and pulled into the parking lot. By the time he reached the store, the redheaded Amish man had already gone inside.

Frank entered the store and glanced around. He walked briskly up the first aisle. No sign of the Amish man there. He turned the corner, started down the next aisle, and halted when he spotted the young man in front of the ice cream freezer.

Frank’s heart pounded as he stepped up to him. “Are you buying ice cream on a cold day like this?”

The young man nodded, his blue eyes twinkling like fireflies on a hot summer day. Frank swallowed hard as his heart continued to thump in his chest. Will had blue eyes like that. Will had freckles on his nose, too.

“I really like ice cream.” The young man reached into the freezer and plucked out a box of ice cream bars. “Fact is, I could eat ice cream most any time of the year.”

Frank gnawed on his lower lip as he contemplated what to say next. He couldn’t come right out and ask if this Amish man was his long-lost son. That would be too bold, and the man might think Frank was crazy.

The man stepped aside. “Are you getting ice cream, too?”

“Uh…no…I…” Frank reached in and grabbed one of the single bars. “Maybe I will have one.”

The young man started to move away, and Frank figured if he was going to say anything more, it had better be now. “Are you from around here?”

“I live down the road apiece. My dad owns a buggy shop on Churchtown Road.”

“What’s your dad’s name?”

“Leon Fisher.”

“Then I guess your name’s not Will.”

“My name’s Joseph. Do I look like someone named Will?”

Frank couldn’t hide the disappointment he felt. “I haven’t seen Will in a good many years, but you do look the way I think he would look now.”

Joseph rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Well, I’d best pay for this and get back to the buggy shop before my dad comes lookin’ for me.”

“It was nice talking to you.” Frank put the ice cream bar back in the freezer and left the store. His hands shook, and his legs felt like two sticks of rubber. He knew he needed to get a grip on himself. He couldn’t go around asking every Amish man with red hair if his name was Will. He couldn’t keep looking for his son under every Amish man’s hat.

As he climbed into his truck, he spotted Joseph exiting the store. When the young Amish man got to his buggy, he pulled an ice cream bar from the paper sack he held, opened it, and took a bite.

An image of Will popped into Frank’s mind, and he thought about the last time he and his son had shared ice cream together. It was the day Frank had decided to take Will to see Mark and Regina Stoltzfus.

He leaned his head against the back of his seat, closed his eyes, and let the memory wash over him….

A horn honked, and Frank’s eyes snapped open. His heart thumped against his chest when he realized how close a car had come to hitting the young Amish man’s buggy as it pulled onto the road.

If Will’s still living with Mark and Regina, then he probably drives a horse and buggy. I hope he’s careful and doesn’t pull in front of any cars. I hope he knows how much I love him
.

Frank put the key in the ignition and started his truck.
I wish I’d never gone to the Stoltzfuses’ that day with Will. I wish I had bought us some ice cream and headed down the road in the opposite direction
.

Megan shifted on the sofa, trying to find a comfortable position. She glanced at the clock on the mantel above the fireplace. Frank was late getting home again. She would be glad when all his men were back to work and he didn’t have to be on the road so much. It wasn’t fair to the girls to have their daddy come home after they were in bed. It wasn’t fair that she had to spend her evenings alone either.

She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. After flipping through several channels, she realized nothing held her interest. All she could think about was Frank and how much she missed him.

She turned off the TV and picked up a notepad and pen from the coffee table.
I think I’ll work on my Christmas list. Let’s see now. Carrie told me this morning that she wants a pair of Rollerblades, and Kim said she would like a baby doll. Then both girls made it perfectly clear that they would like to have a puppy. The Rollerblades and baby doll are doable, but I’m not sure Frank will agree to the idea of us having a dog
.

Megan stuck the end of the pen between her lips.
I wonder what I should get Frank for Christmas. He doesn’t need any new clothes. He’s got every DVD that’s been recently released. He doesn’t have any hobbies…
.

Her gaze came to rest on the Amish newspaper she’d left lying on the coffee table.
If I could help Frank find his son, that would probably be the best Christmas present he’s ever received
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