An Unexpected Amish Romance

“Anna does. Isaac runs the woodworking business in that building up ahead. He employs almost two dozen young men along with his sons. He ships his furniture to Englisch businesses across several states. I understand his work is much in demand. The community is grateful for his efforts to keep our young men employed, since not all of them can farm these days.”

It was a common problem in many Amish communities. Cottage industries were needed where farmland was too expensive, or urban encroachment had gobbled up land that once supported small farms. “Does Isaac hire women in his factory?”

Helen needed a way to support herself. She’d been serious when she said she wasn’t going home.

“I believe he has hired one or two for office work.”

“Full-time jobs?” Helen didn’t know anything about woodworking, but she was willing to learn.

Charlotte shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Helen eyed the gift shop. Maybe she could find employment there. She had worked in a fabric store for a while back home. She had retail experience.

“Park by the barn, Helen, and try to stay out of the mud. Clyde loves it. I’m delighted you will have a chance to meet so many people at this frolic. I do enjoy them, but sometimes I feel guilty visiting with my friends while we watch the men work.”

The grounds were dotted with puddles, but Helen saw a dry place to let her aunt get out. She drew the horse to stop. “Aenti, you and I have been up baking since before dawn. We have already done our work. I hope the men know it.”

“How could they? I wouldn’t want a bunch of men watching me at work in my kitchen. It’s much too small. I guess they could stand outside and look in the window.”

Helen sent up a quick prayer for a job and a place of her own as soon as possible.

Her aunt took Clyde’s face between her hands. “I’m sorry, dear friend, but you are going to have to stay on your leash until you calm down and mind your manners. I can’t have you jumping on everyone you see. Helen is going to look after you. I’ll take the hamper to the house.”

Helen got out, keeping a tight hold on the dog’s leash after noting his interest in the puddles. She glanced at the buggy top. “What about Juliet?”

Charlotte put the hamper down and stepped back to survey the top of the buggy. “Come here, dear one. She doesn’t jump on people, so she has no need for a leash.”

The plump raccoon scrambled down. A bright pink collar marked her as a pet. Charlotte picked her up and settled her in the crook of her arm, where she began purring loudly. After a moment, she climbed to the top to Charlotte’s shoulder and began patting her face and kapp.

A trio of women walked past, carrying baskets and boxes. Clyde nearly jerked Helen’s arm out of the socket as he tried to leap at them, woofing in his deep tone. Charlotte greeted the woman and walked off with them.

Helen bent to pick up the hamper of baked goods her aunt had left on the ground. As she switched Clyde’s leash to her other hand, he spotted a new victim and launched himself at a man stepping out of the barn door, ripping the lead from Helen’s hands. Her shriek wasn’t enough warning. Clyde hit the man in the back of knees and felled him like a scythed weed. Right into a puddle.

“I’m so sorry.” Helen rushed to snag Clyde’s leash before he could do more damage. Loud guffaws of laughter erupted from the two men who came to help the poor victim to his feet. When he turned around, Helen wanted to sink into the mud herself. It was Mark Bowman, the rude man from the bus. The one she narrowly missed running down ten minutes ago.

He stood and shook the mud from his hands. His eyes widened when he caught sight of her. “You! I might have known.”

“I’m sorry. He got away from me. He’s very strong.” She pulled Clyde to her side, where he sat happily with his tongue lolling, looking as innocent as only a dog can.

The men with Mark were trying to stifle their laughter without much success. He glared at them and then at her. “Has anyone told you that you’re a menace?”

Helen’s mouth dropped open. It wasn’t like she had planned to humiliate him. She fisted her hands on her hips. “Let me think. Nee, no one has mentioned it, but I’m sure someone has told you that you’re judgmental as well as rude.”

She spun on her heels and yanked on Clyde’s lead. He ambled happily beside her, occasionally stepping on his own long ears.

When she rounded the corner of the house and was sure she couldn’t be seen by him, she stopped and stared at Clyde. “This was not how I wanted to start out in a new community. I’m going to have to apologize.”

She peeked around the corner of the house. Mark was still standing with his friends. She jerked back when he looked her way. She pressed her head against the side of the house. She didn’t have the courage to return and face him.

“I don’t need to apologize, I just need to avoid him. How hard can that be?”

Chapter Three

Mark stared after the woman as she vanished around the corner of the house. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had made him so angry. “I think she did that on purpose. Who is she?”

Paul continued to chuckle. “What did you say that upset the madel enough to set her hund on you?”

Mark wasn’t proud of his earlier comment. “Nothing.”

“The truth now, I heard you shout something at her when the buggy flew past you. What did you say, bruder?”

“After she almost ran me down, I said if she couldn’t drive any better than that to give the reins to the dog.”

“Ouch.” Noah grimaced.

“I know. It was not my best moment.” He could see now that he’d been too harsh. Both times. He rubbed his hands on his pants. They would be dirtier than this before the day was over anyway. Hopefully, she and her mutt would stay out of his way from now on. He’d sure keep an eye out for the pair. Looking toward the house, he wondered how long she would be staying in the area.

Noah combed his short beard with the fingers of one hand. “She’s a good judge of character.”

Mark picked up the rope he had dropped. “What makes you say that?”

“I know that you can be judgmental and rude, but I’ve worked beside you for two years. She’s only just met you.”

“I’m not judgmental.” He looked at his cousin and his brother. “Am I?”

They both nodded. Mark tossed his rope in the wagon. “I like to see things done the right way. Stop laughing like jackals and get to work.”

Paul climbed to the wagon seat still chuckling. “I wonder if she will rent out her dog. I’d love to have a way to take you down a peg or two when you get short with me.”

“If you did your work, I wouldn’t get short with you, and if I never see that mutt again, it will be too soon.” Mark hauled himself up beside his brother.

“I like him. He’s a cute dog. Fannie adores him.” Noah boarded the other wagon and picked up the reins.

“He’s a ridiculous animal. His legs are too short, his ears are too big and he smells bad.”

Paul unwound the reins from the brake handle. “Careful, your rude and judgmental character is showing.”

“Go soak your head.” Mark glanced toward the house again, but she was staying out of sight. Who was she?

* * *

Helen found Anna Bowman directing the placement of tables and benches that would be used when the noonday meal was served. Charlotte was standing beside her. She caught sight of Helen and motioned her over.

Clyde tried jumping on Anna when she came within range, but Helen was prepared and held on tightly.

Charlotte swept a hand toward Helen. “I’ve brought my niece along. Helen is visiting me for the summer. That’s the only reason she is here, and I’m not going to say another word about it.”

Anna chuckled. “And a very good reason it is. It’s nice to meet you, Helen. I’m Anna Bowman.” She turned and beckoned to a young woman at one of the tables. “Fannie, will you show Helen where we are setting up the food? Fannie is married to my youngest son, Noah. She’ll introduce you to everyone and make you feel welcome.”

“Oh, I see Grace and Silas Yoder. Let’s go say hello, Juliet.” Charlotte and Anna walked away to visit with an older woman in a wheelchair and the man standing behind her. The couple called a greeting to Clyde, who barked and wagged his tail.

Her aunt was quickly surrounded by a group of children who wanted a closer look at Juliet. The raccoon seemed delighted with the attention, moving from shoulder to shoulder and patting each child’s face in turn.

“Your aunt is quite a character,” Fannie said.

Helen judged Fannie to be near her own age. Twenty-two or twenty-three perhaps. She had a contagious smile, red hair and more than her fair share of freckles. She turned aside to avoid Clyde’s leap and said, “Bad dog. Sit.”

To Helen’s amazement, he did. “I don’t believe it.”

Fannie laughed. “I’ve had a lot of experience training animals. My husband and I train horses. Let me take the hamper. Where are you from, and how long will you be staying with us?”

“I’m from Nappanee, Indiana, and I’ll be staying with Aenti Charlotte until I can find a job and get a place of my own.” Helen walked beside Fannie toward the house. Clyde trotted happily at Fannie’s side, sending her adoring glances.

“You’re planning to settle here permanently?” Fannie walked beneath the branches of a large tree near the door at the rear of the house. She held the door open.

“That will depend on what kind of job I can find. Any suggestions?”

“My husband mentioned something about his father’s business needing help the other day, but I don’t know any details. What kind of work are you looking for?”

“One that pays a salary. I’m not picky.”

“We don’t have many businesses in this area. Besides the woodworking shop, there is only Anna’s gift shop and a hardware store up the road that’s run by Luke Bowman and his wife. I’ll introduce you to Emma after we put this food out, but I’m sure they aren’t looking for help. Emma has two younger brothers.”

Helen followed Fannie to the kitchen and started to unpack her hamper. Clyde raised his nose to sniff the food already laid out on the counters. Fannie put a foot on the leash as he tried to jump up, foiling his effort to snatch a tidbit.

“Down.” The single stern word from Fannie made him plop on the floor. She praised him sweetly. He wagged his entire rear end but stayed put.

Through the open kitchen window, Helen could see the operation below the bridge as logs were hauled out. An older man with a long gray beard was directing the operation. Mark Bowman and the two other men Helen had seen earlier stood conferring with him as several of the bigger logs were being hoisted onto a wagon. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut instead of calling him rude? He must think she was a sharp-tongued woman without an ounce of meekness, and he would be right.

She drew herself up straight. Maybe she was. She didn’t have to be meek, but she did have to find work. She studied the older man beside Mark.

“Is that your father-in-law, Isaac Bowman?” Helen would ask him about a job as soon as the opportunity arose.

Fannie glanced out the window. “It is. The good-looking fellow with the short beard is my husband, Noah. The other two with them are Mark and Paul Bowman. They are Isaac’s nephews.”

“I almost ran into Mark earlier and then Clyde did. It wasn’t pleasant.”

Fannie grinned and took a step closer. “That sounds intriguing. Do tell.”

Something about the sparkle in Fannie’s eyes prompted Helen to confide in her. “On our way here, Aenti Charlotte dropped the lines and I grabbed them as we came through the bridge. The horse veered sharply and almost ran into Mark as he stood at the side of the road. He suggested that I let the dog drive if I couldn’t do any better.”

“He didn’t?”

Helen nodded. “He yelled at me.”

“Mark can be gruff, but I’m sure he was sorry he shouted at you.”

“That wasn’t the worst of it. A short time later, Clyde jumped on him from behind and laid him out in a mud puddle in front of your husband and Paul.”

Fannie giggled and clapped both hands over her mouth. “That I would have liked to see. Mark is the stuffy sort. It’s odd that Clyde should pick on him.”

“I haven’t noticed that Clyde is particular about who he jumps on.”

“He can be. Mark is all business. I imagine my husband was laughing, but I’ll guess that Paul was roaring. He has a...large...sense of humor.”

“I was so embarrassed that I barely noticed. Mark was not laughing. He called me a menace.”

Fannie smothered her grin. “He shouldn’t have done that. He owes you an apology. It was an accident. Everyone knows Clyde isn’t exactly well trained.” Fannie glanced at the dog lying quietly at her feet.

“I’m afraid I’m the one who owes Mark an apology. I told him he was rude and judgmental, and then I fled.”

Repeating her comment aloud made her ashamed of her behavior. She bowed her head. “I’m afraid I showed a serious lack of demut.”

Fannie slipped an arm around Helen’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Humbleness is something I struggle with, too. Don’t worry about it. I will say you hit the nail on the head about Mark. Don’t get me wrong. I like him, but he’s not the friendly sort. He’s hardworking, diligent and thrifty, all fine traits, but not much fun. I think underneath there is a happier man waiting to emerge.”

Helen appreciated Fannie’s understanding and knew she had made her first friend in Bowmans Crossing. “Would it be forward of me to ask Isaac about a job today?”

“You’ll have to ask Mark. Isaac put him in charge of hiring new workers a few months ago.”

“Oh, dear.” Helen closed her eyes. How much worse could this get? So much for not caring what Mark Bowman thought of her. He wasn’t likely to hire her after the way she had spoken to him, even if he had been rude first. “Are you sure you don’t know of anyone else looking to hire a maid or a nanny, a gardener, anything?”

“I don’t. I’m sorry, but there will be lots of people here today. Maybe someone will have better news for you.”

“If you hear of anything, please let me know.” If nothing else was available, she would have to apologize and soon. What could she say that would make up for her stinging comments to him?

Fannie lifted a container of pastry from Helen’s basket. “These cream horns look yummy. Did you make them?”

“I did. Have one and tell me what you think. It’s a new recipe. I’ve added something special to the puff pastry.”

Fannie bit into the cream-filled treat and her eyes widened. “Oh, Helen, these are amazing.”

“Danki.”

“I hate to admit it, but I’m not much of a cook. I’d rather be taking care of the horses outside instead of doing anything inside.”

“Baking is a pleasure, not a chore. I love finding ways to improve on things I’ve made or try out ways to add different flavors and textures to breads and cakes.”

“My mother always told me that the way to man’s heart is through his stomach. At least that is how she claims she won my father over.”

Helen stared out the window where Mark had climbed out onto the mass of debris to loop a rope around a tangled root mass. Two men in a small rowboat on the river surveyed the mass and called out directions. Mark moved confidently, but it looked like dangerous work. She waited until he was safely back on the bank. “I’m not looking for a way to his heart, only a way to apologize.”

“For a plateful of these, I’d forgive you just about anything.”

“Even a dog-assisted tumble into a puddle?”

“Ja.” Fannie nodded as she licked some of the filling from her fingers. Helen prayed Fannie was right.

“Then I’ll set aside a half dozen and brace myself to grovel with them later if I have to.” If she found work with someone before the men came in to eat, she might be spared the pain.

As it turned out, she came up empty while getting to know many of Charlotte’s friends and the likable young women of the Bowman family. Clyde had been turned over to some of the children who were wearing him out with a game of fetch. Juliet was occupied with getting a grape from Charlotte, carrying it down to the river to wash and then eat it before racing up the hill to beg for another.

When the men came in, Mark took a seat beside Isaac without so much as a glance in Helen’s direction. Before the meal was served, everyone bowed their heads for silent grace. After that, she kept a close eye on the men and noticed Mark took three of her ham and cheese–filled crescent rolls and managed to snag the last of her cream horns when the plate was passed. When he licked a smear of filling from his fingers, she knew he liked them. She’d been smart to keep some back.

She rushed to the house and took the half-dozen pastries outside as she rehearsed her apology. To her chagrin, Mark was already on his way back to the river. She hurried after him and called out, “Mark Bowman, may I speak to you for a moment?”

He stopped and looked back. She saw the indecision cross his face, but he nodded. “I reckon.”

Smile. Don’t look intimidated.

“I’ve brought some of my cream horns as a peace offering.” She lifted the plate just as her foot encountered Juliet racing past. The outraged raccoon squealed. Helen hopped over her to keep from tripping. Clyde, who until that instant had been fetching a ball for one of the children, leaped on Helen from behind, knocking her forward. She plowed into Mark as he tried to catch her. Horrified, she looked down at the plate of pastry sandwiched between them and then back to his darkening brow. Clyde danced around them, barking excitedly.

“What was it that you wanted?” Mark asked in a cold, calm voice as he held her away. The remains of the smashed cream horns covering his shirt began dropping to the ground. Clyde darted in to snatch them up.

“To apologize,” she answered in a small voice. She still had the empty plate in her hands.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name. Who are you?”

“I don’t think I want to tell you.” She began plucking the stuck pieces off his shirt.

He grabbed her hand. “Miss?”

“Zook. Helen Zook. I’m visiting my aunt for the summer, and that’s all I’m going to say about it.” She turned away and walked back to the tables, aware of the snickers of laughter from the onlookers. She passed them with her head down and went to her aunt.

Charlotte was trying to coax Juliet out of the tree next to the house. Juliet hissed when Helen stopped beside Charlotte and went up to the top of the tree. “Aenti, I’m going to walk home.”

“That’s a goot idea, dear. Poor Juliet is very upset with you.”

“I’m afraid she’s not the only one.” Helen didn’t bother looking to see if Mark was still watching her. She could feel his eyes boring into her back.

“I have told Juliet you aren’t staying with us long, but I’m not sure she understands me. She isn’t fond of company.”

“Please tell her I’m sorry I stepped on her.” Helen kept walking and didn’t look back. She guessed her chance of being hired by Mark Bowman was now about zero or less thanks to Clyde. Things could get desperate if her aunt chose her pet’s happiness over her niece and asked Helen to leave.

She wasn’t going home, so where would she go?

* * *

Paul walked up to Mark, swiped his finger through a clump of cream filling and stuck it in his mouth. “She and that dog together are a menace, but you have to admit she makes a fine dessert.”

“Go away.”

Paul held out his finger. “Just one more lick?”

“Paul.” Mark bit out the name with as much threat as he could manage.

“Okay, okay, I’m going. It’s sad to say, because today has been mighty entertaining, but I don’t think we will see much of Helen Zook for a while.”

“I hope not.”

Fannie came down with a wet napkin in her hand. “I thought you might need this.”

He took it and began wiping the front of his shirt. “I’ve never met anyone like that woman.”

“I know. Clyde has taken a shine to her and to you. Isn’t that wunderbarr?”

He looked up in amazement, but Fannie was already heading back up the hill chuckling to herself.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly and uneventfully, for which Mark was grateful. The work was hard, but it was satisfying when the jam finally broke free and washed under the bridge. They had gathered enough wood to keep a good many homes warm during the coming winter.

Exhausted and determined not to think about the outspoken and annoying Helen Zook or the troubling letter from Angela, Mark went up to bed not long after supper. With a cool evening breeze blowing through the open window beside him, he fell sound asleep just minutes after his head hit the pillow.

Until the howling began.

Chapter Four

Charlotte entered the kitchen the morning after the frolic and sniffed the air appreciatively. “Something smells wunderbarr. What are you making?”

After a sleepless night, Helen had been up mixing, kneading and watching her dough rise for over three hours already, and it was barely seven o’clock. “I’m making chocolate almond crescent rolls.”

Because she was unsure if the oven temperature was accurate on her aunt’s ancient propane model, she had put only four rolls on her baking sheet to test them first. They were done to a beautiful golden brown. She slid them onto a plate on the table and set the pan aside to cool while she rolled up another dozen. Now if only her decision to see Mark Bowman later today would turn out half so well. She wiped her damp brow with the back of her arm and then rolled up her sleeves.

“May I have one of these?” Charlotte took two from the plate on the kitchen table without waiting for Helen to answer her.

“Help yourself. I’m taking them with me when I go to ask for a job today. I hope Mark Bowman likes them, and I hope he doesn’t end up wearing them.”

It had occurred to her a little before 3:00 a.m. that it was highly unlikely that today could turn out worse than yesterday, but at least she wouldn’t have Clyde or Juliet to hinder her. She planned to go alone to the Bowman workshop.

If Mark would see her, and if she made a sincere effort to apologize, and if she could convince him that she desperately needed a job, he might offer her employment. And if he liked her chocolate almond pastry as much as he had seemed to like her ham and cheese rolls yesterday, she wasn’t above using them as a sweetener. It was a lot of ifs, but what choice did she have?

“Why would Mark Bowman want to wear your baked goods?”

Helen drew a deep breath and smiled fondly at her aunt. “I have no idea, but I desperately hope he will offer me a job. He should. I’ve had experience working in the fabric shop in Nappanee. I worked in a hardware store for a summer, but I didn’t care for the man who ran it. He was creepy. I’m conscientious. I’m hardworking. I’m a quick learner. I would be an asset to any business, even one run by a rude, judgmental and annoying fellow like Mark Bowman.”

“I don’t think he’s annoying. Did you let Clyde out this morning?” Charlotte stood in the middle of the kitchen turning in slow circles. She bent down to look under the table then moved the trash can to look behind it as if the dog might have become paper thin overnight.

“I did not.”

“He isn’t in the house. I’ve looked everywhere, and Juliet is missing, too.” Charlotte opened the door to the cellar and called down the steps, “Clyde, come here, boy.”

Helen placed her batch of rolls in the oven, wound the kitchen timer and set it beside the stove. “I’ll go outside and look for them in a few minutes. I’m sure they are playing in the yard. You mentioned that Juliet can open a door when she wants to. Was the back door open?”

“I believe it was. I’ll look, you finish what you’re doing.” Charlotte went to the back of the house. She returned a few minutes later. “They aren’t outside. I called and called. Clyde never misses a meal, and neither does Juliet. Something is wrong.”