The Mending Page 5

  She slid from the buggy and patted Chestnut’s neck. “Be right back.” A few cars in the lot told her Englisch customers were milling about inside. That could work to her advantage. Maybe everyone would be busy with them so she could quickly pick up what she needed and scoot back out.

  Maybe not. Standing across from the entrance with hazel eyes fastened on the door was none other than Isaac Hostetler. Malinda’s heart tripped over itself. Her throat suddenly felt as dry as the dirt in the parking lot, and her tongue attached itself to the roof of her mouth. Relax. You’ve known Isaac forever. Not only did she know him, she truly believed he would have asked to take her home from a singing if she hadn’t been sent to Ohio and stayed there longer than expected. For some unknown reason, Isaac hadn’t attended the singing she recently went to, and he hadn’t visited or inquired about her as far as she knew.

  Malinda coaxed her lips into a tremulous smile. She looked into the eyes that captured the hues of his green shirt and today looked green instead of hazel. She pried her tongue from the roof of her mouth and dragged in a deep breath. Her feet, as if they had a mind of their own, carried her closer to where Isaac stood. “Hello, Isaac.” She hated that her voice wobbled, making her nervousness obvious.

  “Hello, Malinda.”

  Isaac’s mouth snapped shut after just those two words. No How are you feeling? or It’s great to see you. No polite pleasantries at all. Just two little words. It looked like any conversation would be up to her. “I—we missed you at the last singing.”

  “I, uh, was busy.”

  “I thought we could have talked then—you know, caught up a bit, since I’ve been away.” Malinda studied the unsmiling face in front of her. She watched the hazel eyes shift from side to side. She waited a few endless seconds, but no reply came from Isaac’s lips. “Will you be at the next singing?” Malinda pinned him with her eyes and saw him squirm.

  “Uh, I don’t know.”

  “Oh.” Malinda searched her mind for something else to say. Conversation between them hadn’t been so difficult before. She heard the screen door swish open behind her but kept her gaze on Isaac’s face, which suddenly paled.

  “Ach, Isaac! I thought maybe you’d be ready to leave early like you said.”

  Malinda watched Isaac’s brow wrinkle and caught the slight shake of his head. Before she could turn around to utter a greeting, the newcomer flounced in front of her, touched Isaac’s arm almost possessively, and spoke in a syrupy voice. “Why, hello, Malinda.”

  “Hello, Becky.” Malinda looked from Isaac to Becky and stumbled backward a step as realization dawned. No wonder Isaac hadn’t asked about her or visited since she returned home. He’d even kept his distance after last church day’s common meal, staying with the other young men. Now she understood why. He wasn’t giving her time to adjust to being home like she’d thought. He’d taken up with Rebecca Zook! Had he started seeing Becky as soon as Malinda left town, or did he wait until she’d been gone at least a few days? Was she gone too long, or had her illness played a part in Isaac’s obvious change of heart?

  Malinda felt as if Isaac had plunged a knife into her chest, and Becky’s self-satisfied smile twisted the blade. Becky batted her long, pale lashes at Isaac and then fixed Malinda with a wide-eyed, innocent stare. With the hand that wasn’t still grasping Isaac’s arm, Becky tucked an imaginary stray wisp of honey blonde hair beneath her kapp.

  Fake! Malinda wanted to cry, but held her tongue. Not for one minute did she fall for Becky’s innocent act. That girl, with her slightly tighter and slightly shorter dresses, knew exactly what she was doing. And she knew Isaac and Malinda had often talked after singings. She probably also knew Isaac was about ready to ask to court Malinda. When Malinda had to leave suddenly to help her aenti, Becky must have considered that the perfect opportunity to sink her claws into Isaac. Ach! The nerve of the girl, to play all pure and innocent now!

  “I heard you were home,” Becky said.

  “Didn’t you see me at church?” Malinda could hardly get words out through her clenched teeth. Of course Becky had seen her. They both carried food to the tables after church, for goodness’ sake. Becky must have sat behind her during church, too. That was probably a gut thing. Malinda would have gotten sick if she had seen Becky making goo-goo eyes at Isaac across the way.

  “I guess I didn’t pay much attention.” Becky gave a little giggle and cut her eyes up to Isaac’s.

  “I don’t remember you being at the last singing, either, so you wouldn’t have seen me there.”

  “We, uh, I had other plans that evening.”

  “I see.” Malinda began backing away from the obviously smitten pair. “Well, I’d better get Mamm’s cheese.” She continued backing up. She would not give Isaac and Becky the satisfaction of seeing her shed a single tear, even though the pain of betrayal seared her heart. She stumbled as she abruptly spun around.

  “Whoa!” a deep voice called as strong hands steadied her. “We meet again.” A note of merriment colored the voice.

  “Ach, Timothy!” Malinda looked up and up into the clear, blue eyes with laugh crinkles at the corners. “You saved me from falling again. It’s getting to be a habit.”

  “I’m glad I’ve been at the right place at the right time.” Timothy chuckled. He dropped his hands from Malinda’s arms and gave an exaggerated bow. “At your service, miss.” He swept his straw hat across his broad chest.

  Malinda couldn’t help but laugh at Tim’s antics, despite her heavy heart. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Becky laid a hand on Malinda’s arm. She tugged Isaac along behind her. “Excuse us. Isaac and I need to talk.”

  Malinda nearly gagged at Becky’s sickening, sweet smile. When Becky batted her lashes at Isaac and squeezed his arm, Malinda feared she would lose the snack she’d eaten earlier. She stared after the departing couple and caught her lower lip between her teeth to stop its trembling. She would not cry. Not here.

  “Malinda? Malinda?”

  Malinda dragged her gaze away from Isaac and Becky. “Hmm?”

  “Are you all right?”

  Malinda started to nod, but an affirmative answer would be a lie, and lying was a sin. Instead she shrugged her shoulders.

  “You asked what I was doing here.”

  “I did? Right, I did.”

  “My mamm asked me to pick up some cheese on my way home. Are you here to see Atlee?”

  “Nee. I’m fetching cheese for my mamm, too.” Malinda raised her eyes to meet Timothy’s. If eyes could speak, his would express his concern. At least she hoped it was concern she saw, and not pity. He had to have heard the entire exchange with Becky. “I guess we’d better get that cheese, ain’t so? My mamm wants to make macaroni and cheese tonight.”

  “Mmmm! That sounds gut.” Timothy rubbed his belly. “I think my mamm is planning to use the cheese for sauce on broccoli. I’d rather eat at your house.”

  Malinda laughed a real laugh. “I’m sure there will be plenty for one more. You’re always wilkom, you know.”

  “I may just take you up on that offer.” Timothy smiled down at Malinda before strolling over to the cheese case.

  Chapter Seven

  What was wrong with Isaac Hostetler? Couldn’t he see through Becky Zook’s facade? Didn’t he remember or even notice Becky’s penchant for worming her way into relationships, tearing couples apart, and then dropping the fellow to move on to her next conquest? Timothy cast a brief, sidelong glance down at the petite young woman beside him. Didn’t Isaac know what a true gem Malinda Stauffer was? Any fellow should be thrilled and honored to have Malinda’s devotion. He knew he would be. Isaac’s loss could be his gain. He hoped.

  How would Timothy go about getting Malinda to see him as something other than her bruder’s freind? How would he get Malinda to care for him the way he cared for her, the way he’d cared for her for the past several years? Timothy couldn’t even remember when his emotions had
shifted. It seemed one day he had thought of Malinda simply as Sam’s little schweschder who sometimes tagged along on their fishing adventures to the Wicomico River. Then, practically overnight, she had become a beautiful girl who made his heart do crazy little somersaults at the mere sight of her. So what if he was three years older? He’d never found any girls closer to his own age who intrigued him nearly as much as Malinda did. He’d been biding his time, waiting for Malinda to finish school, grow up, and start attending singings.

  To Timothy’s dismay and because he hadn’t had the nerve to approach her, he’d had to stand by and watch her talk and laugh with other young folks after singings. He’d about abandoned all hope of winning her heart when Isaac Hostetler began paying extra attention to Malinda. When she seemed to reciprocate the interest, Timothy felt actual physical pain, like a worm was gnawing away at his gut. Now he might have another chance. He didn’t want to blow it by doing or saying something stupid.

  Timothy took a quick, deep breath. It wouldn’t do for him to say what a dolt he thought Isaac was or how he’d like to throttle Isaac for causing Malinda any heartache. Should he mention Isaac at all? He certainly couldn’t blurt out his feelings. He’d need to take it slow, but not so slow that he missed this unexpected opportunity altogether.

  “Which kind of cheese did your mamm need?”

  Timothy didn’t realize they’d reached the counter already. How long had they been standing here? What a dummchen he must seem to Malinda. Heat flooded his cheeks. Had she asked him that question more than once? “Um, cheddar, I think. I’ve, uh, had a busy day, and it sort of slipped my mind. Does that sound like the right kind for sauce?”

  “I believe your mamm would probably use cheddar for a sauce.”

  “If I’m wrong, we can eat the cheese on sandwiches, ain’t so?”

  “For sure. You can do about anything with cheddar. I have to get several kinds. Mamm likes to use a mixture in her macaroni and cheese.”

  “That sounds appeditlich. Save me some, if you can.”

  “I’ll put some aside before my bruders and Daed have a chance to inhale it. If you want to join us, just kumm on over.” Malinda turned her attention to the clerk to place her order.

  Timothy couldn’t believe he’d spent all this time talking about cheese. What else could he say? He needed his brain to think faster before they both completed their purchases and went their separate ways. He stuffed his change into his pocket and took giant steps to catch up with Malinda. “Are you going to see Atlee while you’re here?”

  “Nee. Mamm wants to make her macaroni, I’m sure, so I’d better get Chestnut moving toward home.”

  Timothy matched his pace to Malinda’s and accompanied her to her buggy. He untied the horse for her and reached out a hand to help her climb into the buggy.

  “I can manage.”

  Malinda’s mutter sounded like it had kumm through clenched teeth. Timothy thought he detected a trace of annoyance in her voice. Did she think he believed she was incapable of caring for herself or of even climbing into a buggy on her own? He knew very well she was not an invalid. In fact, she looked healthier than she had last week. Of course, she always looked beautiful to him. He’d better make amends fast. “I know you can manage just fine, Malinda. You are a very strong, capable person. I-I’m only trying to be, uh, gentlemanly.”

  “Ach! I’m sorry, Tim. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I feel like everyone considers me a helpless invalid. Even my own mamm keeps one eye on me nearly every waking second.”

  “She cares about you, Malinda. I’m sure that’s all it is. Everyone cares.” He almost said he cared, but modified his response. Before he could bridle his wayward tongue, though, he added, “I don’t think you’re an invalid at all. I think you are just perfect.” Timothy watched the crimson color stain Malinda’s pale cheeks.

  “You’re very sweet.” Malinda ducked her head as if suddenly embarrassed by her comment.

  Before his nerve completely abandoned him, Timothy reached out a hand to lightly grasp Malinda’s chin. He gently tilted her head up so her chocolate-drop eyes had to look into his own eyes. He wanted her to know he meant every word he uttered, that he was sincere and could be trusted. “I’m only saying what is true, what I feel inside.” Malinda’s cheeks flushed an even deeper crimson. Timothy smiled. He could gaze at Malinda Stauffer forever.

  “Danki, Tim.” She once again stared at her feet.

  Timothy didn’t mean to embarrass her. Somehow his tongue had acquired a mind of its own and was flapping out whatever thought popped into his head.

  “I’d better get Mamm’s cheese home before it melts in this heat.”

  “I know what you mean. Did you bring a cooler? I have my lunch box you can use. My mamm is making sauce with the cheese, so a little melting won’t be a major catastrophe.”

  Malinda smiled up at Timothy, causing his heart to tumble over itself. “Your mamm probably doesn’t want to use a straw to suck up her cheese, either. I brought a little cooler. I even have an extra cold pack if you need it.”

  “I think I’ll be okay. May I offer you some assistance?” Tim nodded toward the buggy and bent in a playful bow.

  Malinda picked up on his playfulness. “Why, yes, sir. I’d be most obliged.”

  Timothy took one of Malinda’s arms and assisted her into the buggy. He wished he didn’t have to let go of her—ever. As she wiggled to get situated, Timothy’s hand slid down her arm, and his fingers intertwined with her small, soft ones. This is nice. If he couldn’t hold her in his arms, holding her hand was the next best thing. And she didn’t rush to pull her hand away. Dare he get his hopes up?

  “Will you attend the next singing?” Timothy gave Malinda’s hand a gentle squeeze.

  “I-I don’t know.”

  Timothy’s eyes followed Malinda’s gaze toward the entrance of the building, where Isaac emerged with Becky close by his side. Becky’s exaggerated giggle could be heard over top of any of his air tools, Timothy thought. “He’s not worthy of you.” He spoke only half under his breath. If she followed her usual pattern, which Isaac evidently was too besotted to recognize, Becky would soon tire of Isaac and move on. Timothy hoped by that time Malinda would be completely over Isaac and would be courting him.

  “What did you say?” Malinda slid her hand from Timothy’s grasp.

  Timothy felt a sudden emptiness without Malinda’s tiny hand in his. “Uh, I, uh . . .” He searched for words. “I hope you’ll kumm to the singing. I’ll attend if you will.”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?”

  “Timothy Brenneman, it is not polite to answer a question with another question.”

  “It isn’t? All right then. I-I’d like to talk to you at the singing. That’s all.”

  “You can talk to me any time you kumm over to see Sam.”

  Suddenly emboldened, Timothy said, “Maybe I’d like to talk to you without Sam around.”

  Malinda’s eyes flew up to stare into Timothy’s. Her mouth dropped open. “I . . . you . . . why?” She shook her head as if confused.

  Timothy wished he could retract his last comment. Obviously he had upset Malinda. That was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted a closer relationship with her. He didn’t want to frighten her or drive her away. “I-I like talking to you. Is that all right?”

  “Well, sure, I guess so. Why not?”

  “It isn’t polite to answer a question with a question, Malinda Stauffer.”

  Malinda burst out laughing, the musical sound dispelling the tension growing up around them like weeds in a strawberry patch.

  Timothy laughed, too. “I’m not just Sam’s freind,” he began when their laughter died away. “Do you think you could think of me as a person?”

  Malinda giggled. “You are a person, silly.”

  Timothy smacked his forehead. “That didn’t kumm out right. What I meant—” He paused, took a deep breath, and wondered how best to continue. Finally the words burst from his
mouth. “What I meant was, could you ever think of me as someone other than Sam’s freind, as someone interested in you?” Interested? He’d been fighting feelings much stronger than “interested” for ever so long.

  Timothy’s eyes traveled down to his toe, which was stirring up dirt and assorted pebbles, then to Isaac, who was leaning into Becky’s buggy, and then back to Malinda’s lovely face. He was apparently going about this all wrong. Now he’d put Malinda on the spot just after Isaac had trounced on her heart.

  “I-I’ll attend the next singing,” Malinda whispered. She cleared her throat and stared into Timothy’s eyes. “It might be fun talking to you and getting to know you as ‘a person.’”

  “Really?” Timothy feared he had imagined her response. He searched her face to make sure she wasn’t teasing or mocking. Nee, Malinda would never be cruel or anything other than completely honest. Of that he felt certain.

  “Really.” Malinda glanced at the cooler beside her. “I’d better get Mamm’s cheese home.”

  “Me too. See you soon, Malinda.”

  Malinda nodded. “I’ll save you some macaroni and cheese.” She clucked to the horse and urged him forward at a trot.

  Timothy barely kept from jumping and shouting. Did Malinda mean she’d give him a chance? Could he imagine that one day she would care for him the way he cared for her? He hoped she didn’t have second thoughts before the next singing.