A Simple Change (14 page)

During early July as the sun continued to bake the communal farmlands that surrounded the seven villages, my mother received a letter saying all had gone well and Father would return on the seventh of July. The letter contained no details about his meetings with the police or the investigation. Knowing Father, I wasn't surprised. He wasn't fond of writing long letters and preferred a personal conversation to correspondence.

Since receiving news of my father's impending return, Mother's health continued to improve. Over the past two days, she'd been able to sit in the parlor for several hours at a time before needing to rest.

“You're certain you want to remain in the parlor while I'm at the train station?” While I knew she wanted to surprise Father, I worried she'd overexert herself before he arrived.

“Absolutely.” She pressed her hands down the folds of her skirt. “I don't know what I can say to assure you I will be fine.”

“If the train should be late . . .”

She pointed to the side table. “I have the bell Ritt gave you. I'll ring it loud enough for someone to hear.”

The windows were open, but there was no guarantee anyone would be passing by the house when she rang. I worried she might fall if she attempted to walk from the parlor to her bed without assistance. In some ways, I had worried less when she'd been confined to her bed.

“I'll leave the door to the hallway open. If the Hetrigs are at home, they will hear you ring.” I glanced at the clock. “Madelyn should be home from school. I'll have her come down. She can practice her reading with you.”

The children attended school six days a week, but unless Madelyn had gone to visit with a friend, she would be home by now.

She smiled and nodded. “I'd enjoy that very much. She's a sweet girl, and having her around reminds me of when you were a little girl.”

I was thankful Mother agreed to the arrangement, and once Madelyn had come downstairs, I hurried toward the train station. I was early, but I wanted to be there to welcome Father when he stepped off the train.

I hadn't gone far when I saw Sister Margaret in the distance. I waved as she approached. Ever since she'd attended the picnic with John Olson, they'd been seeing each other with as much regularity as possible. “Off to meet John at the pond?”

She grinned and nodded. She'd told me the day before that he was going to meet her at the pond and they would try their luck fishing. “He says he thinks there won't be as many people at the pond as at the river and maybe we will catch more fish.”

I chuckled. “I think he is trying to win your affections rather than catch a fish, Margaret.”

“Ja, I hope that is true. You are going to meet your father?”

“I'm a little early, but I want to be there before the train arrives. I'm eager to welcome him home.”

“And I should be going, or John will think I have forgotten him.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “I will see you at work on Monday and tell you how many fish we caught.”

Margaret hastened toward the pond while I continued at a steady pace. I wasn't long at the station before a whistle sounded in the distance and my excitement swelled. I longed to hear all that had happened in Kansas City, but having him return to us was what I desired the most.

Soon the train hissed and rumbled into the station. I hurried onto the platform and watched for the disembarking passengers. Two men, likely buyers who'd come to purchase items at the woolen mill, stepped down before I spotted my father.

Hiking my skirt, I raced down the platform, eager to greet him. I was only a few feet away when I stopped short and gasped.

My father turned and gestured over his shoulder. “Look who I brought with me.”

My breath caught, and a dizzying sensation washed over me as Nathan stepped down from the train.

Chapter 14

In an effort to steady myself, I reached for my father's arm and leaned close to his side. “I do wish you would have written to tell me.”

“There wasn't time.” The brief response was all he could manage before Nathan was at my side.

“Jancey! It's so good to see you.” His gaze traveled from my bonnet-covered head to the practical leather boots on my feet before he once again looked into my eyes. “You look . . . different.”

“It's the plain clothing.” I inhaled a ragged breath. “How long will you be visiting?” My voice cracked and I cleared my throat.

He shifted his leather bag to his other hand and pointed to the baggage cart across the platform. “This is more than a visit, but I'll explain later. I know your father is anxious to get home, aren't you, Mr. Rhoder?”

My father nodded, then turned to me. “Would you escort Nathan to the hotel so he can rent a room for tonight? Then the two of you can come to the house.”

I wanted to go home with my father and learn what had happened in Kansas City. Although I knew I should be happy to see Nathan, his presence unnerved me, and until I could sort out my jumbled feelings, I didn't want to be alone with him. “Do you think it would be proper for me to go alone with him to the hotel, Father? If anyone sees me going into the hotel with an outsider, what will they think?”

“Outsider?” A frown thundered across Nathan's brow. “We're practically engaged to marry. How can you refer to me as an outsider?”

My father patted Nathan's shoulder. “Those who live or work here who are not members of the colonies are referred to as outsiders, Nathan. Jancey's comment was not intended as an insult.”

Nathan's frown vanished. “I'm sorry. I don't know how things are done here. I shouldn't have been so quick to take offense.”

My father nodded. “I understand. It will take some time to learn our ways.”

My stomach tightened. Why would Nathan have any interest in learning about the colonies? Had he convinced my father he wanted to come here and become a member? I almost laughed aloud at the thought. Nathan had no interest in our communal ways. He wanted to own my father's company. So why was he here? And why was his presence creating such feelings of turmoil and confusion inside of me?

“Tell Brother Frederick at the hotel that Nathan is a family friend who traveled with me from Kansas City and needs to rent a room for the night. Then wait in the lobby while Nathan
takes his belongings to his room. Afterward, the two of you will come to the house. It is all very simple.” My father waited for my response.

I nodded my head. Escorting Nathan to the hotel might be easy, but having him here for a visit would likely prove complicated. The moment my father was out of earshot, I turned toward Nathan.

“The hotel is this way.” I gestured to my left.

He didn't move. “We're walking?” He carried a large traveling case in each hand and an alligator club bag beneath his arm.

“It isn't far, but I can ask to have the cases delivered if you'd prefer.” I pointed to the bag beneath his arm. “Would you like me to carry that one?”

“I can manage.”

“Whatever you'd rather.” I was willing to help, but I didn't argue. “We should cross to the other side of the street.” I gestured to a building a short distance away. “The hotel is down there, near the curve in the road.”

I hoped to gain some answers to the many questions that were popping around in my head like butter in a hot skillet. But I soon discovered the strain of carrying the baggage rendered Nathan unable to converse beyond a grunted yes or no. By the time we arrived at the hotel, Nathan's features had tightened into a grimace, and he dropped one of the cases near the front door.

I took the lead and entered the hotel. A bell over the front door jangled, and soon Brother Frederick appeared. Although my father hadn't anticipated I would experience any problems at the hotel, I wasn't as sure. I doubted Brother Frederick even knew me. As part of her assigned duties, his wife prepared meals for hotel guests, so Brother Frederick and his family ate at the hotel rather than a Küche. Their daughter, Bretta, was one of Madelyn's friends who
came to the house for help with her reading, but I wasn't certain she'd told her parents about the lessons.

I stepped close to the desk and explained Nathan's presence and his need for a room. “You can help him?”

“Ja, that is why we are here—to rent rooms.” He looked at Nathan. “Only one night, you want?” His English bore a heavy German accent, but all of the hotels were managed by colonists who could speak English.

“I might need more, but I'm not certain. Can I tell you later tonight?”

Brother Frederick nodded. “If it is better for you. The hotel is not full. One night or two—is up to you. There will be space.”

While Nathan and Brother Frederick carried the bags upstairs, I sat in the lobby and waited. I hadn't been there long when Bretta appeared. Her eyes widened with surprise when she spotted me.

“Why are you in the hotel, Sister Jancey?”

“A family friend has arrived for a visit. He traveled from Kansas City with my father. I'm waiting while your father shows him his room. Then we'll go to my house so he can visit with my parents and me.”

“That's very exciting. Does Madelyn know?”

I shook my head. “No. I didn't know he was arriving until I went to the train station to meet my father's train.”

Her lips curved in a wide smile. “A surprise! I love surprises, don't you?”

“I'm probably not as fond of being surprised as you.”

She plopped down in the chair beside me. “So we will not have any reading lessons this evening?”

“No, I won't be able to help you tonight.” I'd completely forgotten. “Maybe you and the other children can help each other
this evening.” I grasped her hand. “Have you been improving in your classes?”

“Ja, I am doing better. My Vater says you have been a gut help for me, especially with the English. He says if I learn gut, then I can help
him
.” She giggled.

“So your father knows you have been coming to Madelyn's house for lessons?”

A few strands of blond hair escaped and fluttered near her face as she bobbed her head. “Ja. Would be wrong if I didn't tell the truth.”

“That's right. I'm very proud that you're doing better in school and that you always tell the truth.”

At the sound of the men's voices, Bretta and I turned toward the stairs. “That is your friend?”

“Yes. His name is Nathan Woodward.” I was certain Bretta would relay every detail to Madelyn. And though I didn't mind the girls discussing Nathan's arrival, I did worry what Ritt might think. I considered asking Madelyn to keep Nathan's arrival a secret but decided such a request wasn't a good idea.

Brother Frederick gestured to his daughter. “Bretta, you should be helping your Mutter with the dishes instead of sitting in the lobby visiting. Run along to the kitchen.”

I was struck by a pang of envy as the carefree child jumped to her feet and skipped across the room without a worry. I pushed up from the chair and met Nathan at the front door. After thanking Brother Frederick, we departed and turned toward home.

I glanced in Nathan's direction. “You found the room to your liking?”

“It's adequate. Nothing like hotels in a large city, but it's very clean and will meet my needs for a night or two.”

“And after a night or two, what are your plans? I must admit that I'm baffled by your unexpected appearance.” Our shoes clattered on the wooden sidewalks. “Since you arrived with more baggage than you'd need for an overnight visit, you obviously have some sort of plan in mind.”

When he reached for my hand and attempted to tuck it into the crook of his arm, I pulled away. Confusion shone in his eyes as he came to an abrupt halt in front of the general store. “You can't even hold on to my arm when we walk down the street?”

“No. I follow the same rules as everyone else, Nathan.” I gestured for him to keep walking. “Please don't be offended. The fact that I won't hold your arm isn't an affront—it's simply the way of things here.”

“I think it's foolish. What's wrong with being a gentleman?”

“Nothing, but it isn't permitted. We are not married.”

“We could change that in a hurry, if you'd accept my proposal.”

I had hoped we wouldn't get into a marriage discussion so soon, but I should have realized that was his plan. “So you've come here thinking we would get married and then return to Kansas City? Was that what you told Father?”

“I like that idea, but after receiving your letters, I knew you wouldn't agree to marry me right away. It's your letters that brought me here.”

My mind whirled as I tried to think of what he might be referring to. I was certain I'd told him it would be best if he didn't visit—that he would find the colonies lacking in entertainment.

“Exactly what did I say that influenced your visit?”

He pointed to the smokestack that towered above the woolen mill in the distance. “You said they hired men to work in the woolen mill. I know you believed this separation would be a good
test of some sort, but your letters revealed the opposite. Instead of writing that you miss me and long to return to Kansas City, your letters were filled with details of your daily life. When your father returned and I spoke to him, I knew this was the only choice I could make.”

A wave of dread assailed me. I didn't want to believe my father had encouraged Nathan to come here. “Exactly what did you and Father talk about?”

“I told him I was concerned that our relationship might not survive this separation and you'd mentioned there was sometimes work available in the mill.”

“Did you lead him to believe I'd suggested you seek one of those jobs?” I pressed down the anger rising in my chest.

“Not exactly, but I think he may have drawn that conclusion.”

“And you didn't correct his assumption?”

He hiked his shoulder. “I didn't think it was necessary. After all, he knows that I care for you and am willing to do what's necessary to win your heart.”

I stared at him. Was it my heart or my father's factory he wanted to win? I didn't want to misjudge his intentions, especially since he'd given up his position at the factory to come here, but I didn't think it mattered whether he lived in Iowa or Kansas City. I didn't believe he could win my heart—not unless I saw some dramatic changes in him. Being in his presence didn't spark any feelings of excitement or anticipation.

Not like Ritt
.

I silently chastised myself. I shouldn't be thinking about Ritt—not now, not ever. At least not in any romantic way. Not until I was certain I'd remain in the colonies. A relationship with Ritt posed far greater obstacles than any I faced with Nathan. Or
did it? My head ached as I attempted to sort out my thoughts and feelings.

“I've just told you I will do anything to win your affection, yet you have nothing to say?”

He appeared wounded and I wanted to cheer him, but I feared anything I said would only build false hope. Besides, he vowed he'd do anything to win my affection, but he hadn't remained in Kansas City as I'd requested. Would he return home if I asked him? A knot twisted and settled in my stomach.

“I believe a longer period of separation would have revealed whether we have any hope for a future together.”

He shook his head. “I disagree. I want to spend time with you and prove my love for you. I asked your father if he would help me secure a job at the mill.”

Confusion clouded my mind. If Nathan hoped to take over Forsythe Construction, it would have been more prudent for him to remain in Kansas City. Had I misjudged him? Was the business less important than I?

I was glad when we arrived home, where I might find some time alone to sift through my changing thoughts and emotions.