Hannah's Joy (15 page)

“He is such a sweet boy. I love to watch him.” Rhoda glanced at Hannah. “Were you wanting to take Jamie with you now?”

“No, I’m afraid you’re stuck with him until nap time. We’re still very busy at the stand, but I’ll come get him then.” Hannah passed Jamie back to Rhoda. She thought perhaps Robert would suggest that he watch Jamie, but it didn’t seem to occur to him.

Jamie showed a tendency to pout, but Rhoda distracted him with his truck, averting any tears as they left him.

Robert was frowning again as they walked away, and Hannah was beginning to feel that he’d been frowning ever since he’d arrived. “She was talking to him in Pennsylvania Dutch.” Obviously he didn’t approve.

“Rhoda speaks to him in both languages,” Hannah said, keeping her voice pleasant with an effort. “As you heard, she’s fluent in both.”

“Fine.” He ground out the word. “But I want my grandson to understand me when I talk to him.”

Those words touched her heart. Did Robert fear his relationship with his grandson was at risk? “English is Jamie’s first language.” She hurried to assure him. “Of course he’ll understand you. But it’s usually considered an advantage to be able to speak another language.”

He didn’t pursue the subject, and she could only hope he accepted what she said. But she feared the issue might be another small stone in the wall between them.

“I really have to get back to the stand. We’ll be busy over lunch. Would you like to come with me? Or stay and watch Jamie playing?”

Robert shook his head, his expression giving nothing away. “I think I’ll just look around for a while.” He walked off toward the auction tent.

*   *   *

William
concentrated on the small wooden train he was putting together, trying to ignore the people watching. Caleb had suggested that William work on a project in the booth to draw attention.

That was fine with him, as long as Caleb did all the talking. At the moment six or eight people had stopped to watch, and there was a good chance they’d buy something before they left.

The booth next to theirs was Katie’s quilt stand. Her cousin Molly was helping her at the moment, since Rhoda had offered to watch the young children this morning.

By the look of things and the lilt he could hear in Molly’s voice, she was enjoying the outing, smiling and chatting with anyone who came near the booth.

Some people just seemed naturally suited to that, and Molly had always been outgoing, while Katie, although very self-confident, was quieter.

Though not as quiet as he was, that was certain-sure.

He glanced across the open space between the rows of stands. Rachel’s garden stand was opposite them. She’d been doing a brisk business, too, with her older daughter helping. Joseph scurried past, carrying a jug of lemonade. He grinned at William, giving him a thumbs-up sign, and William smiled in return. The children had picked up the cup rack he’d made for them to give to their mother, and they would be giving it to her tonight, when they celebrated.

It was turning out to be a grand day for the auction. Everyone seemed to agree on that fact. The lively tones of the auctioneer, rumbling through the speaker, formed a backdrop for all the chatter, reminding people of why they were there.

A father and young son stopped in front of him, the father lifting the boy up so he could see. The boy’s eyes went round with amazement as William fastened a wheel in place. Maybe he’d never realized that someone actually made the things he played with.

“Can he touch it?” The father grinned at his son’s expression.

“For s-sure.” William put the locomotive in the boy’s hands and found he was thinking of Hannah and Jamie again instead of the customer.

He couldn’t see Paula’s stand from where he stood, but that fact wasn’t enough to keep his mind off Hannah. She’d been upset at her father-in-law’s arrival. No wonder, after what she’d told him about the man’s phone call.

He’d wanted to do something to show his support. But all he’d done was stand there like a block and hope she felt his caring.

The man handed back the locomotive, over the little boy’s protests, and moved to join the line in front of Caleb.

“I’ll get you one, I promise,” he said. “But we have to wait our turn.”

People in line shifted a little, and William realized that Robert Conroy stood at the rear of the small crowd, staring at him. What was the man thinking?

And what would he say if he knew that the train William was making was destined for Jamie?

He focused on the train, trying not to stare back at Conroy. The next time he looked up, Conroy was walking away, but Gideon, Rachel’s husband, hurried toward him, frowning.

“Gideon? Was ist letz?” William asked.

Gideon leaned over the counter, as if to make sure that no one else heard what he was about to say. “That Englischer, the older man in the green shirt, do you know who he is?”

William tensed, affected by Gideon’s obvious concern. “Ja. It’s Hannah Conroy’s f-father-in-law. He sh-showed up y-yesterday, surprising her.”

Gideon shot another glance at Conroy’s back. “So that’s it. I wondered. The thing is, he’s been going around asking people about Hannah. About you, also.”

William felt the jolt of that right down to his shoes. “Asking what? What k-kind of questions?”

Gideon shrugged. “He started talking to me, not realizing I knew you, I guess. He’s been asking people if they know Hannah, what she’s been doing since she came to Pleasant Valley, and does she see a lot of you. He wasn’t as blunt as that, but that’s what it amounted to, anyway.”

“W-what d-did you say?” He thought he knew, but he had to ask.

“I did my best imitation of a dumb Dutchman, of course.” Gideon’s eyes twinkled for an instant, but then he grew sober again. “Ach, you know he won’t get anything from us, but you know also there’s plenty of people who can’t keep their mouths shut when it comes to other folks’ business.”

“Ja. I know.” Pleasant Valley had its share of blabbermauls, most of them not intending to be mean, just not able, like Gideon said, to keep their mouths shut when it came to gossip.

“It wonders me the man would act like that,” Gideon said. “But I thought you should know what he was doing. It’s not right, her own father-in-law asking those questions of just anyone. It will make folks start thinking there is something wrong. Someone needs to tell Hannah about it.”

“Ja. I-I will.” William nodded toward Caleb, who was busy with a customer. “Tell C-Caleb where I am going, w-will you?”

Not waiting for an answer, he slipped out of the booth and walked along the back of the rows of stands. It was quieter here, with the stands blocking the crowd from his view and nothing on the other side of him but a hedge of overgrown lilac bushes.

He needed a quiet moment to think this situation through, that was for sure. Still, Gideon was right. Hannah had to know what her father-in-law was up to, even if knowing hurt her.

William reached the bakery stand too quickly to figure out how exactly he was going to tell her. All three women were behind the counter, and fortunately Hannah was closest to him.

He leaned across, touching her arm lightly. “K-komm. I need t-to t-tell you something.”

Hannah’s initial smile turned to a puzzled look. “We’re awfully busy right now. Can this wait until later?”

He resisted the urge to grasp her arm and urge her out. “N-no. It’s important.”

Hannah’s gaze searched his face before she nodded. She leaned over and whispered something to Naomi, then lifted the flap and came out to join him.

Catching her arm, William guided her around the stand to the quiet space he’d found. But once there, looking at her, he didn’t know how to begin.

“What is it?” Hannah put her hand over his. “You can tell me.”

“G-Gideon Z-Zook came to me.”

He could see her mentally trying to place Gideon. Then she nodded.

“Rachel’s husband. The windmill maker.”

“Ja.” He had to push the next words out. “H-he thought I ought t-to know. And you, also. He says Robert i-is asking f-folks about you. And a-about me.”

Shock. Pain. There could be no doubt about Hannah’s reaction. She struggled with the emotions in silence for a moment, and then she sighed, shaking her head.

“I didn’t think he’d go that far,” she said. “But he seems determined to find out for himself if I’m making a good home for Jamie.”

“E-everyone knows that you are.” The words burst out of William on a wave of anger.

“Denke, William.” Her voice was soft, and her eyes misted. “I appreciate that. But I’m afraid Robert isn’t convinced. Everything here is so strange to him, you see. He just doesn’t understand.”

“Then he should t-try.” He had to force down the anger, knowing that it wasn’t of any use to Hannah now. “How c-can he act this w-way toward his own g-grandbaby’s mammi?”

She pressed her lips together for an instant. “I don’t know, but I can’t stop him from asking questions. I’m just sorry he involved you.” Distress was clear in her eyes. “If only he hadn’t seen us together yesterday, he wouldn’t be involving you.” She put her hand on his wrist, looking up at him. “William, I’m so sorry. I don’t want you to be hurt by what’s between me and Robert.”

“I a-am not important. But y-you and Jamie are. What if h-he is not satisfied w-with what he learns?”

“I don’t know.” Her brown eyes darkened with pain, and she turned away as if to shield that pain from him. “I just don’t know.”

C
HAPTER
F
OURTEEN

R
obert
held open the door to the Plain and Fancy Restaurant so Hannah could wheel the stroller through. “Here we are.” He seemed to be making an effort to be jovial. “I’ve heard this is a great place for Sunday brunch.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hannah responded politely.

Actually, she’d been surprised by Robert’s invitation to take her and Jamie out for a meal. Given that he’d apparently been conducting his own investigation of her yesterday, she’d expected a confrontation rather than a meal out.

When he’d mentioned it, she’d still been so tensed up that she’d nearly refused, but then she’d thought better of her answer. Maybe this invitation meant that the answers to his questions had satisfied him. If Robert was ready to make peace, she couldn’t ask for more.

The restaurant was a popular one out on the highway. The Pennsylvania Dutch theme was evident in everything from the murals on the walls to the distelfink rhyme on the menus.

Several families sat on leatherette benches in the entryway, apparently waiting for a table, and the large room echoed with voices and the clink of china.

“It’s very busy,” she said. “We may have a wait.”

Not too long, she hoped, or Jamie would be protesting. Hannah doubted that Robert understood all that was involved in going out to eat with a toddler. The diaper bag dragged at her shoulder with all the items she’d felt it necessary to bring.

“I made a reservation,” Robert said confidently, and his confidence was well-founded. In a moment the grandmotherly-looking hostess was clucking over Jamie and then leading them to a table for four, already set up with a high chair at the end.

Hannah took the precaution of putting some of Jamie’s favorite crackers on the tray before lifting him in. His incipient cry stopped when he saw the crackers, and she settled him quickly.

“Very clever,” Robert said, holding her chair for her. “You distracted him.”

“I had to, or he’d have been crying to get d-o-w-n so he could run all over the place. You probably did the same with Travis when he was this age.”

Robert sat across from her, giving her what seemed the first real smile she’d seen since he’d arrived. “I’m afraid I don’t remember that far back. I just remember that Travis looked a lot like Jamie does now.”

As if feeling they’d be better off not talking about Travis, he glanced around, seeming to search for a change of topic. “This looks like a nice place. I hope the guy who recommended it was right. He said the food’s good.”

That gave Hannah something else to worry about. Who would have told him about the restaurant? One of the people he’d asked about her? She shoved that question to the back of her mind.

“It’s very popular, I know. I’m sure I was in here ages ago, but not since I’ve been back in Pleasant Valley this time.”

“Does your aunt keep you that busy with the bakery?” Robert was glancing at the menu, and she couldn’t be sure if the question was critical or not.

“The bakery is a popular place,” she said carefully, thinking she heard an echo of Megan’s comments in his question. “And usually on Sundays we have lunch or supper with some of my aunt’s relatives. Aunt Paula doesn’t have children, but she claims to have more cousins than anyone in the township, and they’re always inviting us for meals.”

“Yeah, your aunt said she was going to a cousin’s house today.”

Robert had invited Paula to join them, but she’d begged off, saying she already had plans, and he hadn’t tried to change her mind. Maybe he felt more comfortable with just Hannah and Jamie. Certainly it was easier for Hannah not to have to be on guard between her aunt and her father-in-law.

“So, your aunt pays you a salary, I suppose?” Robert put the question casually.

It was too bad she couldn’t take it the same way. Given that he’d never offered to help her himself, it was an awfully personal question.

Fortunately the server appeared to take their orders just then, giving Hannah breathing space.

Once the young woman had departed with their orders, Hannah busied herself breaking up a muffin from the basket for Jamie.

“You were asking about my arrangements with Aunt Paula.” She tried not to let annoyance show in her voice. After all, Robert was expressing concern for his grandson, which was surely a good thing. “I share her living space and meals, and she also pays me a salary.”

A small one, but the value of being part of the family was immeasurable.

Maybe Robert heard some criticism in her tone, because he frowned slightly. “I just want to be sure you and Jamie are being treated fairly. Someone could take advantage of you.”

She took a breath, calming herself. Here was her opportunity to say something to him she should have said before.

“There’s no question of taking advantage where my aunt is concerned. I needed help, and she offered me a home. Here I don’t have to rely on babysitters I know virtually nothing about, or be away from Jamie for hours every day working. I can be with him all the time, and I know that he’s surrounded by family . . . people who love him.”

Robert was watching her face. He seemed to be listening, but she suspected there was something else on his mind.

Jamie pounded his tray, sending a cracker flying, and pointed toward the bread basket.

“More?” She held up the other half of his muffin.

Jamie nodded vigorously, and she put it on his tray, smiling when he tried to cram it all into his mouth.

Seeing Robert’s somber look, she said, “I’m afraid toddlers don’t have very good table manners.”

Robert shook his head. “It’s not that. I’m just wondering if you really think you’ll be satisfied with this life for yourself and Jamie in the future. What about when he goes to school?”

Genuine concern threaded his voice, and Hannah liked him better in that moment than she had yet.

“I don’t know,” she said, trying to be honest. “I love it here. Jamie is safer and more secure than he has ever been. As for the future . . . there are good schools here, too.”

Robert lifted an eyebrow. “I thought the Amish and Mennonites sent their kids to little one-room schoolhouses.”

She flashed back, just for an instant, to the one-room school where she’d gone as a child. She hadn’t been aware of missing anything. But now, with computers in every classroom and small children with cell phones . . . could she really say that Jamie wouldn’t be missing anything if she made that choice?

Robert must have sensed her hesitation, because he leaned across the table toward her. “Jamie’s education is important. Isn’t it?”

“It’s not the only important thing. Anyway, I don’t have to send Jamie to a Mennonite school, even if we stay here. He can attend the public elementary school, which has a very good reputation.”

The server brought their food then, and Hannah felt a relief at the interruption. She didn’t want to be thinking of her future with Robert’s eyes on her, weighing her every word, her every expression. Seeing doubts . . . or maybe sowing doubts. Perhaps that was what he intended.

But even if Robert had a point, could she possibly walk away as easily as she’d come?

She was concentrating on convincing Jamie to have some scrambled egg when she realized Robert was waving to someone, half-rising from his seat. Who did he know in Pleasant Valley to wave to?

She sucked in a breath. She couldn’t imagine how Robert would have met him, but she knew the older man coming toward them, a woman who was probably his wife in tow. It was Phil Russo, the veteran who’d introduced himself to her at the park.

“Hey, it’s nice to see you again.” Robert stood, shaking hands. “As you can see, I followed your advice about the restaurant.” He gestured to her. “This is my daughter-in-law, Hannah Conroy. And my grandson, Jamie Conroy.”

Phil smiled, looking cherubic and not at all as if this meeting had been set up. “I already know Hannah and Jamie. Hey, buddy, it’s good to see you.” He patted Jamie’s head.

Jamie grabbed for his hand, and Hannah shook her head at him. “Better not let him get too close, or you’ll be wearing his lunch on your shirt.”

“I don’t mind that. We’ve got grandkids of our own, don’t we, Nancy? This is my wife, Nancy. Honey, this is the young woman I told you about. The one who—”

“Works with her aunt at the bakery,” his wife finished for him, smiling and perhaps changing what he’d intended to say. Nancy’s mop of gray curls and the bright blue eyes in a tanned face seemed familiar. “I know Hannah from the bakery. And little Jamie.”

“Yes, of course,” Hannah replied. “I’m sorry I didn’t remember your name.”

“Don’t think a thing about it,” Nancy said. “You can’t be expected to know everyone who comes into the bakery.”

“Join us, please.” Robert pulled out the chair next to him. “We’d love to have you.”

Hannah could hardly object, even though she felt quite certain this wasn’t the accidental encounter Robert wanted her to believe. In a few minutes the two of them were settled at the table, and the server appeared to take their orders.

“How did you two happen to meet?” Hannah looked from Robert to Phil.

“I dropped by the local veterans’ post last evening,” Robert said, his gaze sliding away from hers. “Ran into Phil, and we just started talking. You know how it is.”

She thought she could imagine. Whatever he’d managed to hear about her at the auction hadn’t been enough for him, and he’d hoped to learn more. Trying to persuade Jamie to take a few more bites of egg was as good a way as any to hide what she was thinking. Jamie, uncooperative, turned his face away.

Nancy chuckled in what seemed to be genuine amusement. “Oh, my, that brings back memories. Isn’t it amazing how little ones can make their wishes known, even before they’re talking much?”

Hannah was prepared to be on her guard with these people who’d been foisted on her, but the warm interest in Nancy’s face was hard to resist. “How old are your grandchildren?”

“The youngest is five, so we’re past the toddler stage, at least for the moment. Maybe our younger daughter will come through with a couple more grandchildren.” She appeared hopeful. “After all, she’s only been married a year.”

Hannah couldn’t help but smile. “Maybe you shouldn’t suggest that yet, then.”

“Oh, dear, I try not to.” Nancy shook her head ruefully. “But I suspect she knows what I’m thinking. Mothers and daughters usually do know each other too well, don’t you agree?”

There was no point in mentioning her mother. “You’re probably right. You were in the bakery late this week, as I remember.”

“Yes, I can’t resist Paula’s homemade rye loaf. Or her rhubarb crumb cake, for that matter, even though I try.” Nancy patted her middle. “I’m not much of a baker myself.”

The conversation stayed general throughout the meal, and Hannah felt her initial suspicion ebb away. If Robert had some special reason for bringing her together with these people, it wasn’t apparent. Nancy was pleasant company, and they talked recipes, and quilting, and the results of the charity auction while the men had their own conversation.

Jamie was intent on some game of his own, which seemed to involve pretending a piece of roll was a car, and Hannah was glad to take the respite that offered. Soon enough she assumed he’d start to fuss, ready for his nap.

And then she realized the men had gone from talking about retirement to talking about their service in Viet Nam. They seemed intent on topping the other’s stories, chuckling now and then as if enjoying the look back at what must have been a difficult experience.

She didn’t begrudge them their memories, and if they could find something to smile about, she was glad. But she didn’t want to hear it: It reminded her too much of Travis and the roadside bomb that had ended his life too soon. Her stomach tightened until she wished she hadn’t eaten the scrambled eggs and hash browns.

Nancy touched her arm. “Did you know the restaurant has a nice little spot in the side lawn where you can sit? I was thinking we might take Jamie out there and let him stretch his legs. I’m sure he’s stayed in that high chair as long as any reasonable person could expect of a toddler.”

“I don’t want to interrupt your meal . . .” Hannah began.

But Nancy pushed her plate away. “It’s fine. I’m finished.” She shoved her seat back. “Phil, Hannah and I are going outside with the baby. You’ll find us in the side yard when you finish winning the war.”

That seemed to be that. Hannah suspected that no one, least of all Nancy’s husband, argued with her when she took that tone. So Hannah lifted Jamie from the high chair, grabbed the diaper bag, and followed the older woman between the tables to a side door.

The instant they stepped outside, Hannah’s remaining tension began to slip away. Jamie squealed at the sight of the lawn, squirming in her arms.

Nancy led the way to a bench in the shade of an oak tree. Hannah sat down, letting Jamie slide onto the grass. She pulled a couple of toys from the diaper bag, but she suspected he’d be happier running around for a bit.

Sure enough, he ran as far as the sidewalk that meandered around the back of the building and then stopped, looking at her as if for permission.

“Stay here on the grass, okay?” She was never sure just how much he understood, but it was probably more than she sometimes thought.

Taking his yellow ball, she tossed it onto the grass. Jamie went hurrying to find it. He picked it up, lifted his arm above his head to throw it, and dropped it behind him. He swung around with such a puzzled look that she had to laugh.

Nancy was chuckling as well. “He is such a little sweetheart,” she said.

“He won’t be sweet for much longer, I’m afraid. He’ll be wanting his nap, and he can get cranky. I don’t want his grandfather to think—” She stopped, because that gave away too much about her strained relationship with Robert.

“Men,” Nancy said, on a note of loving exasperation. “They don’t understand half what they should. Look at those two in there, reliving those days in Nam without thinking about the pain of it.”

“Maybe they’ve reached a point in their lives when they have to remember it that way,” Hannah suggested, although Nancy had voiced what she thought.