Or at least
we figure out how to sit so folks think we’re payin’ attention!”
Andy’s laughter filled the kitchen. “Your sense of humor surprises me, Rhoda. Most
of us non-Amish people associate your plain, dark clothing with a stern personality.”
Rhoda enjoyed the light that shone in his deep brown eyes. “We’ve got ya fooled, Andy.
We Amish are really very happy people, for we find joy in every little task. And we
work together instead of tryin’ to do everything by ourselves.”
His expression softened then. “Now there’s a worthwhile idea,” he reflected. Then
he watched as she placed the cooked hamburger into a soup pot that already held chunks
of cooked carrots and potatoes. “When did you find time to prepare this food, Rhoda?
And how did you figure out what to make for us?”
She shrugged. “It’s no different from goin’ to the fridge in the Sweet Seasons of
a morning, seein’ what we’ve got on hand or what we need to use up,” she remarked.
“Ya had the meat in your freezer and the veggies handy, and a big can of tomato juice.
Should be enough soup here for your supper tonight and another meal tomorrow, I’m
thinkin’. I’ll leave it simmerin’ real low, so don’t forget about it!”
His sigh made her look up. While it wasn’t her place to speculate about Andy Leitner
or his personal life . . . those had made for interesting topics to ponder while she’d
been cleaning. He pulled his wallet from the hip pocket of his well-worn jeans.
“Would it be feasible for you to work weekday afternoons, so you’ll be here when Taylor
and Brett get home from school?” he asked. “Mom needs a nap by then. I’d feel a lot
better if you were here to keep the kids from killing each other—or so my son won’t
blow up the kitchen with experiments from his favorite science kit.”
“ Jah , that’s perfect! I can help Mamma at the café mornings, and come here to redd up
and make sure you’ve got meals in the fridge that just need warmin’.”
Once again Andy’s expression told her of his relief and gratitude. “Rhoda, you’re
a godsend,” he murmured. “You have no idea how you’ve lightened my load—not to mention
how you’ve gotten my kids to cooperate. And you’ve made my mother smile.”
When had anyone ever complimented her so profusely? While Rhoda knew better than to
expect such praise for doing everyday tasks, she couldn’t look away from Andy’s earnest
expression. He was an attractive man, head and shoulders taller than she, with thick
brown hair trimmed well above his collar. He was seeking care for his ailing mother
and trying to raise his children right, while completing his nursing degree. What
a hardworking, honorable fellow he was . . . so why would any woman leave him?
None of your beeswax. Nor should ya think about keepin’ him company .
And where had that thought come from? Rhoda focused on the soup she was stirring. He would be at the
hospital most of the time she was here with his family, after all. That was for the
best, because Hiram Knepp would be asking about this new job, deciding if it was proper
work for her to do as a young, unmarried woman.
As Rhoda accepted the money Andy handed her, she let out a gasp. “Oh, my stars, this
can’t be right! I only—”
“Is that not enough?” He reached into his wallet again. “You were here eight hours
today, and with minimum wage being more than seven dollars, I haven’t even paid you—”
“Stop!” Rhoda pressed his hand down to keep the rest of his money in his wallet. “Fifty
dollars is more than I’ve ever earned for—well, I’m ferhoodled at the thought you’d pay me this much!”
He relaxed. Smiled at her until little crinkles framed his chocolate-colored eyes.
“There’s that interesting word again,” he said quietly. “Crazy mixed-up, are you?
Well, to me you seem like a very sensible, industrious young woman,
we figure out how to sit so folks think we’re payin’ attention!”
Andy’s laughter filled the kitchen. “Your sense of humor surprises me, Rhoda. Most
of us non-Amish people associate your plain, dark clothing with a stern personality.”
Rhoda enjoyed the light that shone in his deep brown eyes. “We’ve got ya fooled, Andy.
We Amish are really very happy people, for we find joy in every little task. And we
work together instead of tryin’ to do everything by ourselves.”
His expression softened then. “Now there’s a worthwhile idea,” he reflected. Then
he watched as she placed the cooked hamburger into a soup pot that already held chunks
of cooked carrots and potatoes. “When did you find time to prepare this food, Rhoda?
And how did you figure out what to make for us?”
She shrugged. “It’s no different from goin’ to the fridge in the Sweet Seasons of
a morning, seein’ what we’ve got on hand or what we need to use up,” she remarked.
“Ya had the meat in your freezer and the veggies handy, and a big can of tomato juice.
Should be enough soup here for your supper tonight and another meal tomorrow, I’m
thinkin’. I’ll leave it simmerin’ real low, so don’t forget about it!”
His sigh made her look up. While it wasn’t her place to speculate about Andy Leitner
or his personal life . . . those had made for interesting topics to ponder while she’d
been cleaning. He pulled his wallet from the hip pocket of his well-worn jeans.
“Would it be feasible for you to work weekday afternoons, so you’ll be here when Taylor
and Brett get home from school?” he asked. “Mom needs a nap by then. I’d feel a lot
better if you were here to keep the kids from killing each other—or so my son won’t
blow up the kitchen with experiments from his favorite science kit.”
“ Jah , that’s perfect! I can help Mamma at the café mornings, and come here to redd up
and make sure you’ve got meals in the fridge that just need warmin’.”
Once again Andy’s expression told her of his relief and gratitude. “Rhoda, you’re
a godsend,” he murmured. “You have no idea how you’ve lightened my load—not to mention
how you’ve gotten my kids to cooperate. And you’ve made my mother smile.”
When had anyone ever complimented her so profusely? While Rhoda knew better than to
expect such praise for doing everyday tasks, she couldn’t look away from Andy’s earnest
expression. He was an attractive man, head and shoulders taller than she, with thick
brown hair trimmed well above his collar. He was seeking care for his ailing mother
and trying to raise his children right, while completing his nursing degree. What
a hardworking, honorable fellow he was . . . so why would any woman leave him?
None of your beeswax. Nor should ya think about keepin’ him company .
And where had that thought come from? Rhoda focused on the soup she was stirring. He would be at the
hospital most of the time she was here with his family, after all. That was for the
best, because Hiram Knepp would be asking about this new job, deciding if it was proper
work for her to do as a young, unmarried woman.
As Rhoda accepted the money Andy handed her, she let out a gasp. “Oh, my stars, this
can’t be right! I only—”
“Is that not enough?” He reached into his wallet again. “You were here eight hours
today, and with minimum wage being more than seven dollars, I haven’t even paid you—”
“Stop!” Rhoda pressed his hand down to keep the rest of his money in his wallet. “Fifty
dollars is more than I’ve ever earned for—well, I’m ferhoodled at the thought you’d pay me this much!”
He relaxed. Smiled at her until little crinkles framed his chocolate-colored eyes.
“There’s that interesting word again,” he said quietly. “Crazy mixed-up, are you?
Well, to me you seem like a very sensible, industrious young woman,
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