Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers Read online

  Shelly blinked. “How come? Has Kendra done something wrong?”

  “She’s pregnant.” His voice lowered to a more reasonable pitch. “And you’re not to tell anyone about this situation. Understand?”

  Shelly’s mouth formed an O. “What are we supposed to say when people at church ask where Kendra is?”

  “We’ll tell them the truth. She moved out, and we don’t know where she is.” His nostrils flared like a bull ready to charge. “I will not bring shame on our family because your sister couldn’t keep her emotions in check. She messed up and needs to pay for her mistake.”

  Bridget pressed her lips tightly together. She didn’t agree with the way Gary chose to shut Kendra out of their lives, but she wouldn’t usurp his authority.

  Dover

  It was five o’clock, and Charlene and her fiancé, Len, were on their way to dinner. When Len said he wanted to take Charlene someplace special, she’d suggested a four-star restaurant in Millersburg. Chinese food was one of Charlene’s favorites, and she’d been to this place last year with her friend Kathy. It was about an hour’s drive through some pretty country, plus it would give them more time to talk privately.

  “You’re beautiful.” Len reached across the seat of his Suburban and clasped her hand, bringing it to his lips. “You look great in that lavender dress.”

  “Thanks.” Charlene squeezed his warm fingers. She’d taken extra care getting ready for her date with Len. Could this be the time we’ll set our wedding date?

  Charlene had been blessed with thick, shiny hair. Since it was long and hung past her shoulders, she could wear it in several styles. Tonight, she’d worn it down and had used a special brush to add body and soft, bouncy curls. She’d pulled one side up and secured it with a sparkly barrette. Charlene wore dangly, bronze-colored earrings with tiny jewels, blending well with her simple but stylish dress. She’d brought along a cute little shrug to ward off the chilly night air. The April days were getting warmer, but evenings could still be cold, reminding her it was only the beginning of spring.

  “Len, your car still smells new inside.” Charlene ran her hand over the smooth leather seat. “You keep it so nice, and it looks brand new.”

  “Yeah, it’s hard to believe I’ve had it almost a year already.” Len patted the steering wheel. “I hope to have this baby a long time.”

  “How’d your day go?” Charlene asked.

  “It went well. The clients I saw were impressed with the solar panels and ended up placing an order for their new home.”

  Len was a sales representative and worked for his father, who owned an energy company. Solar panels were becoming more popular, especially with the farming communities.

  “I’m glad to hear it. You don’t normally work on Saturdays.” Charlene looked at her handsome fiancé, thinking, How did I get so lucky to land a guy like him? Len was incredibly good looking, with dark, wavy hair and dreamy chocolate-brown eyes. There was a certain ruggedness about him. At times she couldn’t help thinking what a handsome cowboy he’d make.

  “The people I met with today own a huge dairy farm and want to go totally solar,” Len explained. “They have quite an operation going at their place, and today was the best time they could see me. So tonight we are celebrating my closing of a pretty big deal.”

  Charlene felt a bit disappointed but managed to keep her composure and remain in a happy frame of mind. This was something important for Len, and she was glad for him, but she had hoped he might be ready to set a wedding date. Now that would be something to celebrate.

  “Sure hope you like the restaurant I chose.” She reached across the seat and gave his arm an affectionate pat. “I’ve been there once with a friend, and what we had to eat was exceptionally good.”

  “I’m so hungry I don’t know what I’ll end up getting, but with Chinese food, we could order several dishes to share, and probably have leftover to take home.”

  As they drove east on Route 39 toward Millersburg, Charlene stared out the window. The farmland and countryside were beautiful, as it had been in Walnut Creek when she’d gone to the cooking class earlier today. She had planned to tell Len all about it but changed her mind, wanting in the weeks ahead to surprise him instead.

  “How was your day?” Len glanced Charlene’s way.

  “It went well. I’ve been thinking of a project I want to do for my kindergarten class before the school term lets out.”

  “What kind of project?”

  “I’d like to take a group photo of our class and then take individual photos of each of my students.” Charlene’s excitement mounted, thinking about it. “The pictures will be gifts for the children, as well as their parents. It will give them something to remember me by.” “Sounds like a nice idea.” Len gestured to Charlene’s camera bag. “I see you brought your camera along this evening.”

  “You know me—I try not to go too many places without it. I missed taking some photos of geese when Kathy and I went to lunch in Dover recently.”

  “Well, maybe you can take a picture of our food at the restaurant.” Len chuckled.

  “You’re such a tease.” Charlene giggled, then her eyes widened as they passed a field where a few horses grazed. “Len, quick, turn around. I saw a horse lying down, and I’m sure it’s giving birth. If it is, I’d love to get a few pictures. Can we go back, please?”

  “Okay, but we can’t be too long, ’cause we don’t want to eat a late meal. I’ll pull in to this road up ahead, and then we’ll turn around and go back to where you saw the horse.” Traffic was light, and Len had no problem turning around. No one was behind them, and he drove slowly.

  “There! It’s right there!” Charlene pointed as she got out her camera and made sure the setting was correct.

  Len maneuvered over to the lane they’d previously been in then pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and turned off the engine. They both got out and stood by the fence rails. Fortunately, the horse she’d seen lying down wasn’t far from the fence, or Charlene might never have seen it.

  What an amazing sight to watch this event occur. She and Len had gotten there in the nick of time. The owners of the horse, a middle-aged man and woman, must have known their mare was about to foal, for they arrived in a utility vehicle shortly afterward.

  Out of respect, Charlene asked, “Is it okay if I take a few pictures?”

  “Sure, go ahead.” The lady smiled then turned around to help the man, who Charlene assumed was her husband.

  The mare was a beautiful chestnut brown with a black mane and tail. Charlene was in awe.

  “Can you believe we’re seeing this?” Len poked Charlene’s arm. He seemed as thrilled as she was.

  She held her camera steady, snapping a sequence of pictures. Some feet appeared; then a nose; and soon after, the colt’s head emerged. The man helped by pulling the shoulders and hips out, followed by the back legs. As Charlene took more photos then paused to watch the process, she was amazed at how efficient these people were in helping with the foal’s delivery. While the woman wiped the small horse off and cleaned out its nostrils, the man commented that they needed to wait and make sure the foal was able to stand okay. All seemed normal when the mare turned around and started licking her baby.

  Tears sprang to Charlene’s eyes as she watched the foal try to stand on wobbly legs then stumble and fall. The colt was precious, and a replica of its mother, with a dark mane and tail and chestnut-colored body.

  Shortly after, the woman walked over to the fence to join them. “My name’s Kitty Albright, and that’s my husband, Ward, over there. Is this the first time you’ve seen a foal being born?”

  “Yes,” Charlene murmured, almost reverently. “I couldn’t believe it when we drove by, and I’m so glad I had my camera with me. Thanks for allowing me to take the pictures. I’ll make sure you get some copies, if you like.”

  “Thanks anyway, but this is sort of ‘old hat’ to us.” Kitty grinned. “I’m glad you got to witness
what I like to call a miracle. Here on our farm we see plenty of miracles.”

  “I can imagine.” Charlene took more photos when the colt managed to stand and started to nurse shortly thereafter.

  “Guess we’d better get going,” Len suggested, leaning close to Charlene.

  “Oh, okay.” She looked back one last time and noticed that behind this amazing scene, a beautiful sunset had formed. I have to get this shot. As she snapped one last picture of the adorable colt, a loud crash occurred.

  “Oh, no!” Holding his hands against his cheeks, Len groaned. “Someone just hit my car!”

  Chapter 11

  Walnut Creek

  My, my … where does the time go?” Heidi shook her head, staring at the calendar. It was Monday already, and not much time to spare before her friends arrived to help plant the garden. “I am so narrisch.”

  “Foolish about what?” Lyle stepped behind Heidi, resting his chin on her shoulder.

  “During my cooking class on Saturday, I mentioned two of my friends would be coming over today to help with my garden.” Heidi massaged her forehead. “Goodness, I’ve had so much on my mind lately, I almost forgot. I’d better take out the breakfast casserole and get it heated before Sharon and Ada arrive.” She glanced at the clock. “Oh, dear, I don’t have much time.”

  He kissed the side of her neck. “Slow down and try to relax. Seems like you’re always rushing about.”

  Heidi couldn’t argue the point, but keeping busy helped keep her mind occupied, especially during times of self-doubt.

  As she took the casserole dish from the refrigerator and placed it in the oven, Heidi reflected on how her inability to give Lyle a child had created self-doubts. The doctor had explained that some women with an ovulation problem like hers eventually became pregnant. Heidi apparently wasn’t one of those fortunate people. She’d suggested they adopt, but Lyle felt differently, and his answer never changed: “If God wants us to have kinner, it will happen in His time.”

  Heidi kept quiet and accepted her husband’s decision. But it was hard seeing others enjoying their children. Ever since she was a young girl, Heidi had looked forward to becoming a mother someday.

  Refusing to dwell on this, lest she fall prey to depression, Heidi took the coffeepot from the stove, filled Lyle’s thermos, and handed it to him. “How long will you be gone today?”

  “Besides running a few errands this morning, I need to be in Farmerstown at noon. The auction is supposed to be over by four, so I’ll be home by suppertime.” He gave her a hug. “Enjoy your visit with Sharon and Ada, but don’t work too hard in the garden, okay? Looks like it’ll be a warm day.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Heidi smiled. “Enjoying time with my two best friends is almost a guarantee, but I won’t promise not to work hard. You know how I get when I’m busy with something.”

  Lyle tweaked the end of Heidi’s nose, gave her a kiss, and headed out the door. “Don’t fix a big meal tonight,” he called over his shoulder. “How about sandwiches?”

  “All right.” Once more, she appreciated her husband’s thoughtfulness.

  Heidi leaned her forehead against the kitchen window and watched as Lyle patted Rusty’s head before getting into his driver’s van. The dog barked in protest and sat in the middle of the driveway, watching as the van drove toward the road.

  Lord, please be with my husband today, she silently prayed. Keep Lyle safe, and help things go well at the auction.

  Careful not to let them see, Ron stood back from the window as he watched Heidi and two other Amish women working in the garden. Squinting, he pinched the bridge of his nose. Since she’s busy right now, I’ll go out to the barn and do one of the chores on Lyle’s list. It’ll give me a chance to see what’s in there that might be of value.

  Slapping his baseball cap on his head, Ron opened the door and stepped out of the RV.

  Heidi looked up from her kneeling position and waved. He waved back and hurried toward the barn. The last thing he wanted was to engage in a conversation with three women chattering in a language he didn’t understand as they planted seeds.

  Wonder what they’re saying. For all I know, they’re talking about me.

  When Ron entered the barn, he grabbed a shovel to muck out two empty stalls. Lyle had explained the other day that one of the horses pulled his buggy and the other belonged to Heidi. Both animals grazed in the pasture now, where Lyle had put them this morning before his driver arrived. Ron assumed that Lyle might be at an auction someplace in the area. Auctions fascinated him—especially how fast auctioneers could talk. If he didn’t forget, he planned to ask Lyle how he’d gotten into such an interesting line of work. In any case, if it was like before, Lyle wouldn’t arrive home for a good many hours.

  After Ron finished cleaning the first stall, he took a break to look around the barn. Several old milk cans stood against one wall, but those were too big to fit in the closet where he kept his stash. He’d look for some smaller items he could hide in his RV, and hopefully Heidi or Lyle wouldn’t notice some things were missing—at least not till he was long gone.

  Moving toward the back of the building, Ron spotted several old canning jars on a shelf. Looking at them closely, he discovered their blueish-green color and several bubbles in the glass. These should easily fit in my closet, but I’d better wait till the Troyers are in bed some night before I sneak in here and get them. Sure hope I won’t get caught in the act.

  Ron reflected on a time, a few years back, when a feisty old farmer in Kentucky threatened to shoot him if he didn’t put back the old milk cans he’d taken. With his rifle pointed right at Ron, the man ordered him off his land, saying if he saw him again, he’d shoot first and ask questions later.

  “Coulda used a guy like him at my side when I was fightin’ the war in Vietnam,” Ron muttered.

  “I appreciate you both coming to help me today,” Heidi told her friends as they sat on the back porch, taking a break. “Now that I’m teaching cooking classes, I’ll be spending more time in the kitchen planning menus and making a list of things I’ll need to cover during the next five classes.”

  Sharon leaned forward, one hand on her knee. “We’re happy to help with your garden.”

  Ada nodded. “Once things start growing, if you need help weeding, please let us know.”

  “What about your own gardens? I’m sure you’ll be plenty busy with those.”

  “Our kinner will help.” Sharon drank some of the iced tea Heidi had made earlier. “My two oldest will soon be out of school for the summer, so they’ll keep busy helping me in the garden, among other things needing to be done.”

  The mention of children caused Heidi’s body to tense. Thankfully, Ada changed the subject and asked how the first cooking class went.

  “Quite well. Five students attended, and they all seemed interested in learning to make some traditional Amish dishes.” Heidi chose not to mention anything about her students’ personal lives. She’d only just met them and, from the little she’d learned, felt it best to keep quiet about any personal problems her students had rather than turn it into something akin to gossip.

  “Who’s watching your youngest kinner today?” Heidi asked Sharon.

  “My mamm.” Sharon’s dimples deepened when she smiled. “She’s always pleased whenever she’s able to spend time with Timothy and Eva.”

  “My two little ones are with their grossmudder today,” Ada put in.

  Heidi’s own parents came to mind, and she remembered Mom saying when she and Lyle got married, how she looked forward to having more grandchildren. Struggling not to give in to self-pity again, Heidi thought about her brothers, and how they’d been blessed with children. Lester and his wife, Vera, had two boys and two girls. Richard, the oldest, was married to Edith, and they were parents of three girls and four boys.

  Heidi pulled her shoulders back. She would not give in to despair. “Whew!” She fanned her face. “It’s like summer today, instead of early spring.”r />
  “You’re right,” Ada agreed. “I hope things don’t start coming up in our gardens and then get zapped by an early-morning frost that often happens during the first month of spring.”

  “I don’t usually put things like tomato plants in the ground until all danger of frost is gone.” Heidi gestured to her garden plot. “But it’s fine to plant peas, radishes, and beets this early in the year.”

  They continued to visit until Sharon suggested they get back to work, since she only had a few hours left to help.

  While her friends headed back to the garden, Heidi took their empty glasses inside and placed them in the sink. Glancing out the kitchen window, she spotted Ron tinkering with something under the hood of his motor home. It still concerned her that Lyle gave permission for Ron to remain on their property until the end of June. He’d even said it was okay for Ron to hang his clothes on Heidi’s clothesline. It almost seemed as if he planned to remain there permanently.

  Will Ron leave after the last cooking class or come up with an excuse to stay longer? Heidi hoped he didn’t have that in mind, because she wasn’t used to having a big old motor home sitting on their property. It looked so out of place on an Amish farm—more so than English clothes hanging on the line.

  Dover

  Charlene stood in the corner of the playground, keeping an eye on her kindergarten class as they enjoyed recess. Oh, to be young and carefree again. She flexed her tense shoulder muscles, thinking about all that happened Saturday night. Her date with Len had started so well. Up until they’d stopped to watch the foal come into the world, things had been nearly perfect. What excitement to see the mare give birth and capture it all on camera. The photos turned out amazing, including the one of the mare and nursing colt, with a beautiful sunset in the background. Too bad their evening ended on a negative note. Once Len’s vehicle was hit, everything fell apart.

  Charlene squirmed, remembering the horrible ordeal when the car crashed into Len’s Suburban. Poor Len. The vehicle wasn’t even a year old. The accident ruined their whole date. Because the car’s bumper had gotten pushed into one of the back wheels, the Suburban had to be towed back to Dover, and their dinner plans were canceled.