Seasons of Sugarcreek 02. Spring's Renewal (11 page)

A horn blared, and someone called out, “Five minutes! All aboard to Cleveland!”

Yet more passengers rushed from the ticket area and filled the platform. Anson stepped even closer to Tim, his eyes wide as a Middle Eastern couple trotted by, the woman’s head covered in a beautiful flowing scarf.

“Maybe we missed her,” Anson said. “Maybe we should go walk around.”

Tim didn’t want to admit it, but he was afraid his young cousin was right. Most everyone around them had been paired up and they were now leaving the area. “If we don’t see her soon, we’ll do just that,” he promised.

And then the waves of passengers broke, and standing right next to a metal bench with black graffiti sprayed across the top was Ruby.

“I see Ruby,” he said with a smile.

Anson looked right and left, then when he too caught sight of Ruby in her violet dress, black cape, and white
kapp
, he grinned. “I see her, too! She’s pretty, Tim.”

“
Jah
, she is,” he agreed as they walked forward. “Ruby Lee? Here we are.”

She turned, her frightened expression immediately relaxing into relief. “Tim? Oh, Tim I’m so glad to see you! I didn’t know what I was going to do if you didn’t show up.”

“We’ve been over there,” Anson explained. “Standing by light post number five.” Tilting his hat back, he smiled. “I’m Anson.”

“How do you do? Tim has mentioned you in his letters. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ruby Lee.” Her eyes flickered toward his. Tim read confusion there, but he wasn’t sure of the source. Was she wondering why he’d not seen her the moment she’d gotten off the train, or was she wondering why he’d brought Anson along?

“Let’s go get your bag,” he said simply. “Baggage claim is in through these double doors.”

“There’s no need for that.” She pointed to the compact black rolling suitcase parked next to her feet. “It’s all here.”

“It’s not very big,” Anson said. “How long are you stayin’?”

Tim glared at Anson. “You shouldn’t ask things like that.”

She chuckled. “I don’t mind. Anson, I’m not staying too long, and my suitcase is small because I don’t need much. Plus, I figured if I needed something, your sister Judith could let me borrow it.”

“Oh.”

Tim took her bag and led them to the buggy. “Are you hungry?”

“Not so much.”

“I am,” Anson said. “I thought maybe we could go eat at the Sugarcreek Inn on the way home.”

Tim chuckled. Only Anson could wheedle so well. “You thought about pie, did you?”

“There’s mighty good pie there.”

“Do you mind?” Tim asked Ruby. “Having a little break before we head back home might be a nice treat.”

Her brows rose. “
Back home?
You mean to your aunt and uncle’s home, yes? Your home is in Indiana.”

For a moment his mouth went dry. He had spoken like Sugarcreek was where he belonged. When had that happened?

But instead of dwelling on that, he murmured, “Anson is right, the pie is mighty good.”

She reached out to him, her eyes gentling as her hand curved around his forearm. “That would be fine. I like pie, too. I like anything you want to do.”

Ah. There was the Ruby he had remembered.

Her sweetness ran through him, taking him by surprise. How had he forgotten how generous she was? How sweet and giving?

It had been the right thing to do, to invite her to visit. “Let’s go, then,” he murmured. “Let’s go eat and I will show you Sugarcreek. My temporary home.”

Anson grinned. “You’re going to love it here in Sugarcreek, Ohio,” he said. “Everyone does.”

“I see Tim is sitting over in the corner with his sweetheart,” Gretta said to Lilly as soon as she entered the kitchen. “They look very cozy together. Did you speak with them? What is she like?”

Lilly stared at her in confusion. “Tim?”

“
Jah
. Tim. He’s got dark hair and lovely brown eyes, too.”

Lilly hid a smile as she followed Gretta’s gaze out the picture window that divided the kitchen and dining room. “Oh, him. He’s the man with Anson, right?”

“
Jah
. He’s Tim Graber, Joshua’s cousin. He’s here visiting for spring planting. Now his sweetheart Ruby has come, too. It’s created quite a stir at my in-law’s house, I tell you. They’re here all the way from Indiana.”

That was one of the phrases that never failed to make Lilly smile. The way Gretta talked, one would think Indiana was across the Pacific Ocean. “I haven’t said too much to them yet. Mrs. Kent seated them.”

Gretta’s shoulders slumped. “Oh.”

“But I’ll go get more information, if you’d like.”

“Go do that soon,” Miriam said, joining them at the window. “We want to know what this Indiana girl is like.”

“I’m sure she’s nice,” Gretta said primly.

Lilly heard something in Gretta’s voice that said otherwise, though. “Do you not want to like her?”

“No…I do. It’s just that I’d hoped he would fancy someone else. Someone here in Sugarcreek.”

“Then he could stay.”

“Yes.” Gretta eyed Lilly again. “When are you going to go take their order?”

“Right this minute.”

“And get some information, too!” Miriam ordered with a laugh.

Before they could boss her around any more, Lilly left the kitchen again.

As she filled two water glasses for some other customers, she couldn’t believe how light and easy she felt.

Laughing with Gretta and Miriam had been just what she’d needed. Their antics made her feel young again. Young and silly and happy. She was so lucky to have such a good job, and to fit in with the two girls in such a way that she’d never have expected.

In fact, she was becoming so close to her Amish friends that she wasn’t even missing her English ones.

A few months ago, she would have never imagined that happening.

Of course, a few months ago, everything in her life had felt upside down.

Now she only had a big gap in her heart.

Eager to push those painful feelings aside, she walked up to the three customers of interest. “Hi, there, Anson. Looks like you’ve got some company today.”

“I sure do. This is my cousin Tim and Ruby.”

“I’m Lilly Allen—”

“Lilly’s my neighbor,” Tim supplied.

Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “For a little while, yes?”

“Of course.”

When all three looked back at her, she noticed a bit of tension between the couple. Anson, of course, just looked hungry. “Are all of you ready to order?”

“I am! I’ll have peanut butter pie.”

“Good choice. Gretta made one this morning. Tim and Ruby? What would you like?”

“Blackberry pie for me,” Tim said.

“I’ll just have some water.”

Anson frowned. “You’re not eating?”

“I’m not hungry. I try not to eat between meals.”

“Would you like coffee? It’s fresh,” Lilly asked. Anything to move the conversation along.

“
Jah
,” Tim said. “Ruby?”

“Coffee would be fine.”

“All right.” Then, feeling as if Gretta and Miriam were staring holes in her back, she tried to get a bit more information. “Are you liking Sugarcreek so far?”

“It is just fine,” Ruby replied, her voice stiff. She directed a cool glare Lilly’s way. Obviously, she was ready for Lilly to go away.

“I’ll be right back with your coffee,” Lilly murmured, turning away and practically racing back to the kitchen.

“Well? What is she like?” Gretta asked as soon as Lilly strode through the door.

“I don’t know. She seems kind of quiet.”

“Really? What did she order?”

“Water. And then, reluctantly, coffee. Tim wants a slice of blackberry and Anson wants peanut butter.”

Gretta smiled. “That Anson, he could eat a whole peanut butter pie all by himself, I think. I’ll slice him a piece.”

“And I’m already taking care of the blackberry,” Miriam said. “Though I have to say I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t come here for dessert.”

“Lots of girls like to watch their figures, you know,” Lilly said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“I suppose,” Miriam answered with a frown. “But it doesn’t seem normal.”

“Well, go bring these out and chat some more,” Gretta urged. “I want to know what they’re planning to do.”

“You should just come out with me,” Lilly said.

“Oh, I couldn’t. It would be too pushy.”

“You’ve got me being pushy!”

“You’re not about to be part of her family,” Gretta said. “Joshua told me he wouldn’t be surprised if they became engaged this coming week.”

“Wow. All right. I’ll deliver this and see what else I can find out. But I feel ridiculous.”

Miriam just shooed her out the door with a grin.

With the plates and the cups of coffee on her tray, she wandered back over. “Here’s some pie. And two coffees, too.”

Ruby took her mug with hardly a smile.
“Danke.”

“You’ll have to let me know what you think of the pie, Tim.”

Anson shoveled a bite into his own mouth. “Mine is good.”

“I’m glad.” She was just trying to think of something else to chat about when Ruby looked her over, then started speaking in Pennsylvania Dutch to Tim.

Embarrassed, Lilly turned back to the kitchen once again.

“Well?” Gretta asked eagerly.

“I’ve nothing new to report. And don’t ask me to go see her again! Now she thinks I’m a pest, for sure.”

“Hmm.”

“I suppose she seems pleasant enough.” Lilly looked at Gretta curiously as she finished slicing the pies and wiping down the edge of a plate with a clean paper towel. “Who had you been thinking of for him, anyway?”

Gretta turned to wrap up the pies. “Oh, no one special.”

Lilly looked at Miriam who simply smiled. “Come on. There’s definitely something else going on. What is it?”

“Tell, her, Gretta,” Miriam urged.

A little sense of foreboding began to creep through her. Surely Gretta didn’t have her in mind? Was that what this was about?

“It’s someone who lives here in Sugarcreek.”

Oh, what was she going to say? “Yes?”

“And this girl is a nice person. Really nice.”

“Name?”

“She’s speaking of Clara Slabaugh,” Miriam said impatiently. “Do you know her? She’s the schoolteacher. She’s, um, scarred.”

“I know who she is,” Lilly replied, so relieved Gretta hadn’t been thinking of her. “I’ve met Clara.”

“I’m surprised to hear that,” Gretta said. “She hardly goes anywhere.”

“Clara and I met walking near the creek the other day.” Remembering the meaningful conversation they’d shared, she added, “I really liked her. We sat down and talked together for quite a while.”

“Really? I’m surprised. She usually doesn’t say much to
Englischers
. And she usually doesn’t say much to anyone for very long.”

“Unless it’s Tim. They went walking together the other night. It seemed like they’d got along real well, too.” Gretta peered back out at the threesome. “Oh, I was hoping they were a pair.”

“I don’t know, Gretta. I think Tim and this girl are a pair already.” Lilly looked through the window again. The three of them seemed to be having a pleasant time.

Miriam nodded. “Yes. By the looks of things, I think he’s already taken.”

“Perhaps you are right,” Gretta frowned. “But still, I think it’s a shame that Tim and Clara won’t ever be together. They seemed so perfect for each other.”

“Girls, you’re here to work, not peer out the window like peeping Toms,” Mrs. Kent called out.

“Sorry,” Lilly called out. Quickly, she rushed back into the dining room and picked up the coffeepot. Then she slowed down, refilling coffee for some, refilling iced tea glasses for others.

When she arrived at the Grabers’ table, she smiled Anson’s way. “Your pie’s all gone! That was fast.”

Looking glumly at his plate, Anson mumbled, “It was too good. It ended too fast.”

“I’m sorry for that. Would you like another piece? I could go get you one, if you’d like. Any flavor. My treat.”

Anson stared at her with wide eyes. “You’d do that, Lilly?”

“Of course. I mean, if it’s okay with you all.”

“Can I get more pie?” Anson asked Tim.

Just as Tim nodded, Ruby shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’d rather you didn’t. I’ve been traveling all day and would like to get to your aunt and uncle’s house. Besides, they may not like to hear that you’ve eaten so much.”

“They wouldn’t have to know.”

“Of course they would,” Ruby said briskly. “I’d tell them.”

As Anson looked crushed, Tim hurriedly said, “Lilly, if you could hand me the check, then.”

“I’ll be right back,” she said. For a moment, Lilly considered sticking a piece of pie in a plastic holder for Anson to take with him, but she ultimately decided against that. She might be friends with the ten-year-old, but it wasn’t her place to step into their business.

When they eventually left, and the restaurant thinned a little bit, she sat down at one of the tables and wrapped knives, spoons, and forks in white napkins, restocking for the next day.

Gretta came out to join her with a cup of fresh, hot coffee. “I still can’t believe she was in such a rush to get to home,” she said. “Poor Anson.”

“It’s nothing, I suppose. Though I was tempted to give him some pie to go.”

“It’s just as well you didn’t. He would have shown Carrie and then there would have been hurt feelings all around.”

“She didn’t look like she trusted me at all,” Lilly said. “Do you think it’s because I’m English?”

“My guess is it’s because you’re pretty.” With an embarrassed smile, Gretta said, “That’s why I didn’t trust you months ago.”

“I wonder how long she’s going to be here?”

“It’s just a guess…but I have a feeling that Joshua’s family is going to say a little too long,” Gretta murmured.

When the door opened with a chime, her eyes turned merry again. “It’s your cranky customer again.”

Lilly wondered what he was going to be like today. Happy? Sullen?

Well, there was only one way to find out. Picking up a menu, she crossed the dining room and greeted him. “Hello, Robert. How are you today?”

“Fine,
Danke
.”

“Any place special you’d like to sit?”

“By the window is fine.”

“Coffee again?”

“
Jah
. And a slice of buttermilk pie, if you have it.”

“We do. Miriam made it fresh this morning.”

He didn’t smile, but of course, she didn’t expect him to.

Moments later, when she placed everything in front of him, he looked her over. “Are you feeling better?”

“What?”

To her amazement, his cheeks reddened. “You seem to be working a lot now. And, well, I heard that you are almost back to working full-time. I was just wondering if you were feeling better.”

“I am. Thank you.”

He said nothing, simply nodded. But after she’d served his pie and the rest of the restaurant emptied, she felt his eyes continually rest on her.

She was almost tempted to stare at him, too.